A Pineywoods Manifesto

A Word from Curt; Today’s word is UpCountry As in #UpCountry. It’s where we’re at today. Seven of us:  David and Renee Crane, Gordy and Colleen Glaser, Brady Glaser, and DeDe and yours truly are in West Nile Uganda District. I’ve posted ahead for today’s blog. Enjoy! Pray for our work over the next few days.  You can follow our …

Engagement is the art of making and keeping relationships.

Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries . . . -Elizabeth Barrett Browning “Lord, open my eyes that I may how You are working all around us. Amen.” Thoughts on Amazement  God has really been speaking to my heart …

  man·i·fes·to  noun \ˌma-nə-ˈfes-(ˌ)tō\ “a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group.” Bro. C’s Manifesto   My father, Clayton Iles, was affectionately known as “Brother C.” Today marks eleven years since his death from cancer. Just before we moved to Africa, my pastor, Charlie Bailey, handed me a sheaf of papers.  “I thought you …

“To bring glory to God…” “We exist to bring glory to God by making disciples who treasure Christ &carry His name to the ends of the earth.” This is our church (Dry Creek Baptist) Life Statement. A life statement is simply a declaration of what you’re about… where you stand… why you exist. It says,  “I’ve driven a stake in …

“A Southern Woman can do anything.” -Iris My friend Iris gave me this reply to a question I asked. It sums up why I’ve always loved Southern women. I’m thankful for the Southern women in my life. I married one. She can’t be beat. I was birthed by one.  My mother reared us with the best qualities that make our …

Working Title: The Power of a Handwritten  Note Sub title: Living gratefully/Living compassionately  By Curt Iles Writing and receiving handwritten notes iand letters are relics of the past. There’s why the power of the handwritten note has never been more valuable. gratitude Encouragemnt Comfort Affirmation   5 minutes Make your tools convenient   a postcard with your letterhead on blank …

What is true success? If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it’s not success at all. -Anna Quindlen       Last week, I asked my Facebook friends, “How do you define true success?” I was blown away by the wisdom in the …

“A Hand up… not a Handout” From the book, Hearts Across The Water by Curt Iles Background: After the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004, I traveled there with a medical group. In a small village called Garut, I listened in on the conversation told in this story. One of the Displaced Person’s Centers along Sumatra’s (Indonesian) Northern …

Epilogue: Wet Paint This story is the final story from my second book, The Old House. It describes the strange mix of emotions a person feels when they finish a big project—regardless of if it’s a painting, a book, or building a house. I’ve just finished my next novel, A Good Place. Well, if you ever finish a book, I’ve …

“Catfish Lies” When is the truth a lie? We talk about “little white lies” and half-truths. Is there such a thing? Here is one of my favorite stories. You decide for yourself if the parties involved told the truth or a lie: American catfish farmers of the South are having a hard time economically. As is true in so many …

Stuck on Devil’s Tower . . . I’m sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.       On October 1, 1941 parachutist George Hopkins did something incredibly stupid. He parachuted onto the top of Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower. Recently while visiting this impressive national monument, I read about Hopkin’s stunt. He did it to get attention and …