Devotions

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 …

A word from Curt In a word:  Relationships                     He ain’t heavy.  He’s my brother.    

Branded  This story, from Deep Roots, is one of my favourites to tell to a live audience. “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” -Proverbs 21:23   The fight on MacArthur Drive was one-sided, and although it was over quickly, it’s never been forgotten. To truly appreciate Donald Perkins’ famous lop-sided 1970 scuffle in the middle …

Armed and Ready    It’s odd that I’ve been thinking of Sheriff Bolivar Bishop here in Africa. We’ve been immersed in refugee matters for the past months.  Hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have been on the move due to fighting within the country between government forces and defected military units. Recently, a Louisiana group of pastors from my home …

Heartbroken    This week we our blogging will consist of putting faces on the chaos going on in South Sudan. You’ve heard the stats: at least 1000 dead . . . 150,000 displaced.  Numbers don’t move us like faces and stories. This week you’ll be meeting Simon and Rachel, Pastor John, Two Teachers, a family separated at the Nile and …

For years, I’ve given newlyweds our “Signposts on the Road to a Happy Marriage.” It’s simply a collection of short sayings that keep a marriage going.  Along with the Signposts Card, I give a $2 Bill as a reminder that in God’s eyes, “Two become One.” During this first week of the new year, I’m working on my Life Plan. …

2 January 2014   A new year is always a time to take inventory. I view it as an opportunity to look back as well as look ahead. I’ve developed the habit of using the week after Christmas to solidify about what will be most important to me in the new year. I invite you along on the journey.  I’m …

Scroll down to read today’s story from Christmas Jelly. Meeting Nelson Mandela on the Damascus Road   It’s big news all over Africa. Nelson Mandela has died. “Mandiba” (his African name) was loved by Africans and rightfully respected by the world. When I heard of his death, I returned to a lonely windswept section of highway in South Africa’s Zulu …

What it Means to Believe   This excerpt from my recent novel, A Spent Bullet, is a conversation between Harry Miller, a young soldier and Levon Reed, the father of the girl he plans to marry. It’s a conversation between two men about belief. A ninety-two-year-old cousin of mine wrote,  “I’ve taken college religion classes and lived nearly a century. …

  Writing Note:  I have friends who are currently discouraged. As I’m praying for them, I recalled one of the most insightful fables about the subject of discouragement. As you read this, please join me in praying for my friends as well as any others you know who are discouraged. Discouragement comes to us when we’ve seemingly tried with everything …