John Wooden’s Socks “It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.” -John Wooden I was a college senior the year I met John Wooden in 1979. I was preparing to embark on my journey as a high school basketball coach. I traveled to Monroe, Louisiana to hear John Wooden speak at …
Category Archives: Friday LLL Story Letter
Thoughts from the Road
On the Dangerous Side of I-49 I sped along Interstate 49 on the way to Lafayette. Looking ahead, I changed lanes at the sight of a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder. A woman stood in the ditch, watching a squatting deputy change the flat on her car. His patrol unit, blue lights flashing, sat …
Trail Magic
Trail Magic “Be ye kind one to another.” -Paul in Ephesians 4:32 Frank and I climbed up a steep ridge on the north Georgia part of the Appalachian Trail. We were on a remote and dry portion of the Trail and were parched on this warm day. Our water bottles were empty and we consulted …
One Step at a Time
One Step at a Time I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. -Psalms 32:8 I grew up in the woods at the end of a dead-end country road. Clayton Iles Road was unpaved a mile long, and extremely …
Gratitude
I love this quote: “Lord, you’ve given me so much. I ask You for one more thing: a heart of gratitude.” This week’s word is Gratitude. This is my favorite story on gratitude: Vance Gill, my guitar-playing Dry Creek friend (who I always remind that he’s only one vowel away from being famous) shared …
Tough or Hard- The Choice is Yours
Tough or Hard—The Choice is Yours In front of me are three objects: a hammer, a brick, and a flat piece of leather. They make for a wonderful lesson we all can learn from. It’s amazing observing folks as they go through difficult times. Periods of trial, adversity, and sadness distill out …
A Remarkable Story
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today. It’s a story worth retelling. His name is John Stephen Akhwari and he had the dubious honor to finish last in the Marathon at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. John Stephen, a Tanzanian runner, finished more than one …
A Short, but Unforgettable, Lesson on Prayer
Pray One for Another “. . . And pray one for another.” (James 5:16) One of my favorite stories concerning prayer is told by my lifelong friend, Della Mercer. She faithfully taught the preschoolers at our church for years. Once at the end of a lesson on prayer, she wanted to finish the lesson …
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Curious and Amazed
Oakdale Mill bluebird box. Notice log truck and cranes in background. My mantra: Stay Curious. Be Amazed. Share Remarkable Stories. I work Mondays as a chaplain at Roy O Martin’s Mills. Today, as I entered the Oakdale mill, I stopped by the bluebird boxes. It’s not on my job description, but I always check the …
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” –Deuteronomy 33:27 I know it is still there—page 276 in the old Broadman hymnal—that old classic hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. What a …
A Harvest Moon on the Equator
A word from Curt Thanks to all of you who prayed, gave and sent DeDe, my sister Colleen, and me to Africa. We all feel our trips were God-ordained and made a difference for the Kingdom. Once again, thanks! Scroll down to read my latest story from Africa. Tidbits If you’re interested in our …
New Life and Death: On the Refugee Rollercoaster
Hotel cleaning lady in Entebbe. On my arrival, I was badly jet-lagged. She came to me, “Bwana, your shirt is on backwards.” This is after I changed it correctly. I thanked her New Life and Death: On the Refugee Camp Rollercoaster Sometimes I write because I want to. Other times, it’s because I …
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A Hero and Patriot . . . Nearly Forgotten
DeDe and my sister Colleen leave today for Kenya. Pray for their teaching time among the women in Kakuma Refugee Camp. I leave a week later for Uganda. Please hold the rope for us by praying daily. (We will be eight hours ahead of CDT). Scroll down to enroll in our “Write Your Book in …
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A Hero and Patriot Remembered
John McCain He is a hero and a patriot and fittingly, he is being buried as one. John McCain, regardless of your politics, was a great American. Whether you agreed with him or not, he would do anything for what he considered his country. I didn’t always agree with him. I laughingly always …