A Pineywoods Manifesto

Thoughts from a Foolish Chapter: Proverbs 26    “Never argue with a fool.  Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference “ –Mark Twain* Wisdom from Proverbs on Fools . . .     On the surface it appears contradictory.  One Proverb says to ignore fools and their foolish words.  The following advises a retort. Proverbs 26:4-5 NASB 4   …

Lifting the Barn. Together we can do it. Even if you skip today’s post, don’t miss this video of several hundred people moving a barn in Nebraska. http://youtu.be/o83W0gj_CRE is my favorite “Pamoja” story: Herman Ostry’s barn floor was under twenty-nine inches of water because of a rising creek. The Bruno, Nebraska farmer invited a few friends to a “barn raising.” …

        A word from Curt Truth.  It’s knowing the facts.  Seeing for yourself.  It’s the theme of this story. You’ll meet Oscar. And his dad. And a new word.  Ground truthing.   We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass, daily. You can download a copy in four ways: Read sample chapters or purchase at Amazon. Read …

                                This story, “Brick by Brick” is featured in our upcoming ebook,  Trampled Grass. I wonder where he’s at. I hope he’s still alive. I first met Batuk the Dinka at a lonely border checkpoint in South Sudan just north of the Tri-Corner of where …

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 …

“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 …

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 inquired of my Facebook friends, “How do you define true success.” I’ve been blown away by the wisdom in …

“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 …