Devotions

A word from Curt           This story is taken from a chapter in As the Crow Flies and adapted for an illustrated children’s book.   Curt Iles/MY GRANDPAS’ BOOTS Copyright 2017 by Creekbank Stories and Curt Iles                                                           1 My name is Abe, and this is the story of my scuffed boots.  This pair of boots are …

        “Disregard that first message…” This is a funny story concerning our words. It’s a good reminder for that our words, once spoken, will either bring harm or blessing. And once spoken, they are out of the bag and cannot be pulled back in. Any school principal knows that phone calls from about 3:30 PM to suppertime …

A word from Curt  This is one of my favorite African images. It’s near the entrance to a large refugee camp in northern Uganda. The sign is homemade and heart felt. If you love people, people will love you. 2. Trust God.   About 82.7% of all human problems are solved by adhering to those two truths. Love people. Trust …

The Civic Center Doors This is a warning: Be careful with the doors at the Lake Charles Civic Center! I was there last week and as I entered the men’s room, I recalled Roy Greene’s story. The Lake Charles Civic Center opened thirty years ago. Amazingly, it was constructed on sand pumped out of the adjacent lake that gives the …

My short story collection, Christmas Jelly, was written in 32 chapters.  This allows you (the reader) to enjoy one chapter per day beginning on December 1 and ending on January 1. Here’s today’s serving of Christmas Jelly! Enjoy! Santa Claus is Coming . . . to School   I’ve learned this: life is always better than fiction. You cannot make up a …

  One of my young pastor friends called as he prepared for his first funeral.  This is simply insight I’ve gained from others as well as the experience and privilege of helping folks as they walk through the shadow of death. How to Bury a Country Man “The thing about common sense is that it ain’t common, Son.” –Erik Pederson …

A Word from Curt   Here is the current draft opening line of my current novel, As the Crow Flies:   My name is JANE DOE, and I was born into a family of thieves. It’s how I ended up in the middle of what came to be known as the Westport Fight. This is my story of what happened …

A note from Uganda:  I’m spending Whippoorwill Day 2015 in Uganda. Lord willing, I’ll be on Crooked Bayou Louisiana for 2016’s Whippoorwill Day. No whippoorwills here but several cousins, including the song of a dusky nightjar each morning and evening. Since today is Whippoorwill Day in Louisiana, I believe you’ll enjoy this story. If you’d enjoy my story,  “Whippoorwill Day” …

A word from Curt Writing today from northern Uganda but my thoughts are in Harrisonburg, Louisiana.  DeDe’s Dad died yesterday.  Mr. Herbert Terry was one of my heroes in so many ways. The post below is from my own father but it applies so well to my father-in-law.  I dedicate this to our three sons who are walking in the …

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   …

  Elmer’s Open Hand I’m here in the dead heart of Africa.  It’s a country we’re calling (for now) “Dido.” DeDe and I have been here nearly a month and I’ve thought about Elmer Conner daily. Elmer Conner was one of my Lake Charles (Louisiana) heroes. A spiritual mentor and encourager during my years at Dry Creek Camp.   He …

If you enjoy today’s post, please share it with your friends.   It’s Saturday. That means it’s picture day. There’s purpose in this: every picture does tell a story. And a picture is worth a thousand words. In fact, in Africa, it may be ten thousand. Here are photos from this past week as well as our sojourn in America. …

            A word from Curt   ~It’s the O word. Orphan. Read more on why it’s such a complicated word in Africa.     We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass. Read sample chapters or purchase at Amazon.     Gratefully,   Curt Iles   You can subscribe to our monthly Story Letter, here.   …

  A word from Curt:  Desperation Desperation. Normally a word used in a negative connotation. But not always. In tonight’s Guard/Neighbor Bible Study, we’re studying the story of Blind Man Bart. A man with a God-sized problem who was desperate to get to Jesus. I call BMB (Blind Man Bart) a “Whatever It Takes” kind of guy. WIT    Whatever …