Creekbank Blog

Special thanks to my friend Joe Chaney for inspiring this scene. A Good Place, the upcoming novel from Creekbank Stories Curt’s followup novel to The Wayfaring Stranger should be ready later in 2009. We’ll keep you posted as we know more. Set in 1863, it tells the story of Joe and Eliza Moore through the eyes of their son Mayo. …

Clay Iles in Mali, Africa Our oldest son Clay just returned from a memorable trip among the Bozo tribe in Mali, Africa. To read about it and see photos, click on http://www.suemanakomina.blogspot.com/

Below is our schedule for this week’s trip to Liberia, Africa. While there we’ll be working with the Ricks Institute, a school near the capital of Monrovia. We’re sharing this schedule so you’ll know what we’re doing and how to pray for us. (Liberian time is 5 hours ahead of US-CDT.) We are carrying plenty of school supplies as well …

This scene from my upcoming seventh book, A Good Place, is set in Piney Woods in western Louisiana in 1863. The characters in the story, 13-year-old Mayo and his PaPaw (Willard Clark) are discussing Mayo’s father’s (Joe Moore) decision to join the Southern army in the Civil War encroaches on their part of the state. -Curt Iles http://www.creekbank.net It is …

It is a privilege… When we count our blessings, we’ll realize how many we have. With that on my mind, I’ve been stuck on this wonderful phrase, “It is a privilege.” I find myself applying those words to every opportunity, challenge, problem, and joy I encounter on this rocky yet wonderful road of life. It’s a privilege to ___________. “IAP” …

It’s all about relationships. When it comes down to it, our lives are about the relationships we share with others. I call it the ripple effect. (I’ll put my story “The Ripple Effect” on this blog later today.) Here are three of my favorite quotes on friendship, which is the heart of relationship-building. Every person I meet becomes a part …

Sitting in the Big Chair Our grandson, Jack Iles, is shown with his new friend, Addie Soileau today at Dry Creek Baptist Camp. Today was catfish lunch at the Camp and we had a good time eating and visiting. I’d like to share the story about this large rocker that sits on the Tabernacle porch. When I was manager at …

Stand by Me Sometimes a song gets stuck in your head, or maybe your heart. Because of my love of music and how it affects me in my soul and in my writing, this often happens. For the last two days, I’ve heard “Stand by Me” the old negro spiritual. It’s always been one of my favorites. It’s a song …

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 …

A small baygall in a growing pine plantation near Dry Creek.   What is a ‘Baygall’? Most people today have no idea what a “baygall” is.When I speak to students and read a passage from The Wayfaring Stranger describing a bay gall, they stare as if I’m talking about something on the moon. The No Man’s Land of westernLouisianais mainly …

Joe Moore camps out at a bay gall. The following passage is from The Wayfaring Stranger. The Irishman Joe Moore, is wandering among the piney woods after crossing the Calcasieu River near Hineston, Louisiana. He had now entered the “No Man’s Land” of Louisiana which in 1849 was wild and unsettled. Joe sets up camp in a swampy area by …

A dead beech log across Crooked Bayou This companion passage to Joe’s visit to the baygall occurs over a year later in our story. It’s near the end of The Wayfaring Stranger. It’s my favorite passage and when I read the end of it to groups, their reactions are always a mixture of nods, smiles, and tears. Enjoy it! -C.I. …

Terry and Sara Iles We had a wedding today. DeDe and I didn’t lose a son, we just gained another daughter. It’s a bittersweet moment when your youngest child marries. There is a finality to it. We’ve had a partial empty nest for two years, but the nest became truly empty today at 10:00 am. And that’s a good thing. …

  Clayton Iles Bio I was recently asked by the East Beauregard Elementary Student Council to write a short bio about my dad, Clayton Iles. These students adopted a stretch of Louisiana Highway 394 named in memory of Daddy. Daddy worked with youth for his entire life. He enjoyed young people and was committed to teaching them about God as …