Devotions

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Your Life Verse Yesterday I shared my Life Statement: “I seek to be a man God can use and be respected by my wife DeDe, our sons and their families.”     A second foundational stone in my life plan is my Life Verse.  This is the Bible verse that most closely resonates with my heart. For the last two …

  We’re blogging this week about having a Life Plan for 2012. A Life Plan is simply a short written document expressing what matters most in your life.  It serves for a compass on the journey of each day. My life plan is 12 pages long and covers the ten areas of my life I deem as priorities. Later in …

Monday Jan. 16 This week I’ll be blogging about having a Life Plan. I’m a firm believer that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  I also believe that when we write down our dreams, they become achievable goals. Emmit Smith said,  “If it’s in your head, it’s only a dream, but when you write it down, it …

I’ve been thinking about the famous “He’p Me” speech by former La. governor, John McKeithen. “I wasn’t born to material wealth, nor do I have claim to an aristocratic name. But if I am elected governor, it will prove that any mother’s son can aspire to the highest political office of this state. I’ve come this far because you the …

Mon. Nov. 21 I’ve been thinking about this term:  common courtesy. It’s a fine term but a dying art. It’s what I love about the rural life and my visits to the Third World.  Whatever shortcomings we have, people still show kindness to strangers and the poor. Common courtesy.  What does it mean to you?        

Frank Nihart, minister of music at First Baptist DeRidder, is also a talented writer.  This devotion is worthy of reading.  Thanks Frank for sharing with us. Gold or Crowns? By Frank J. Nihart          A few weeks ago I heard a report saying that the price of gold was approaching $2,000 an ounce.  That seems impossible.  The report also …

Encouragement  It’s a word we all need.     This is what the singing cowboy, Gene Autry, wrote about fellow Oklahoman Will Rogers:   I admire him, too, because out of a full and busy life, he took the time and trouble to help a struggling newcomer. I honestly believe that if it had not been for Will Rogers I …

Thoughts from a Southern Man I write from my hometown of Dry Creek, Louisiana. I write to entertain, educate, and encourage. “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”   -Frederick Douglass   All of us are called to invest in young people.  Regardless of our age or background, we have something to offer them: experience. Who “adopted” …

Click here to hear podcast of “Burned Yet Blessed” From Deep Roots, the new short story collection by Curt Iles Burned yet Blessed “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today.” Nothing breaks my heart like a field of burned pines. Yet that is exactly what I’m looking at driving toward …

I’m studying the word Integrity this week. It’s one of the “6 Strong Words” I want in my life. I’d be interested in hearing from readers as to how you define Integrity as well as people of integrity in your life. With your permission, I’ll use your input and feedback on this blog as well as in the study. You …

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 …

  Having a “Learner’s Lean”   Paul had it.* (* keep reading and I’ll share more.) I want it. Throughout history, all great leaders who finished strong possessed it. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll call it the “Learner’s Lean.” Next time you’re in a meeting—whether it is a business seminar, church, or the local Rotary Club, be observant. You can always …

Will it Last? This is a 1999 story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. I’ve been thinking about an important word: repentance. It simply means to change directions. Turn around. It’s a good word. One’s life must be full of repentance is it is to be full and forgiven. It’s a full house in the tabernacle tonight. Our …