The Art of Encouragement!

Proverbs 11 for August 11: Humility “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ How to prevent pride? Realize with gratitude that everything you have comes from God. How to develop humility:  “Lord, you’ve given me so much. I ask for one more thing: a sense of gratitude.” www.creekbank.net   sign up for …

A believer should be the hardest worker on the team. “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.4.11-12.NLT

Monday, July 29: It’s a Big Writing Day at the Creekbank. Follow this post as I add photos and text. We’ll be blogging throughout the day as I work on our upcoming short story collection, Where I Come From. We’re shooting for a release date of Black Friday 2024. There’s an adage in writing,  “A book needs friends before it …

  What Really Matters: My Life Statement Scroll down for an expanded version of My Life Statement As of Monday, July 22, 2024 Throughout my adult life, I’ve kept a journal of my priorities, which I call “My Life Statement.” I’m sharing them to encourage you to develop your own statement. Make it personal.  Write it down. Do it now. …

  On Leadership   As I begin my 68th year on Planet Earth, I can sum up what I’ve learned about leadership in one sentence: “I want to thank you ahead of time for doing this, and I know you won’t disappoint me.” I’ve been a youth leader, parent, coach, teacher, principal, camp manager, missionary, and now a grandfather. That …

Audio Podcast of “Professor Cavanaugh’s Best Lecture. ”   A word from Curt Teacher. There’s no higher calling. Few professions can influence as much as a dedicated teacher. The best teacher I ever met was Charles Cavanaugh. This is his story. “Yes, God’s will—most often—is simply doing the best we can, right where we are.” Professor Charles J. Cavanaugh and …

  How to get on an Escalator  Part 2   We’ll be updating “Escalator Stories” this week at www.creekbank.net Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1   How do you get on an escalator? Very carefully With faith. Emma, Eliza, and I stood at the foot of the longest, steepest …

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    Thoughts on Stewardship   Saturday, June 1 It’s the first day of a new month. June 1. It’s the first day of hurricane season. June 1. It’s my birthday. Number 68. 68. That’s a lot of hurricane seasons in Louisiana.   June 1. It could be considered the half mark of the year. It’s a good time to …

A Note from Curt: As long as I’m alive, the story of Sgt. Leroy Johnson will be remembered.     It’s a story worth telling, worth passing on.  We need to be reminded that freedom is never free. It’s important to remember stories of heroes who paid with their lives for our American freedom. There is no better example of …

Thoughts on a Manly Handshake It’s an art every leader must master. Let’s delve into the cultural significance of the manly handshake, a unique aspect of our Louisiana Pineywoods region. Sometimes it’s called a manshake. A man-shake is firm instead of its opposite number, the dead fish/damp washrag handshake. Men in our area are judged by their handshake. It can …

    Resolve This week I’m thinking about the word “Resolve “ and its double first cousins, Grit, Determination and Perseverance. “Resolve: to act with determination, boldness, steadfastness, and faith.” Resolve: it’s a good word to have in our toolbox.

    The Best Trade: A Christmas Tree for a Basket of Jelly This story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank, is still a favorite of readers of all ages. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to all of my friends. -Curt Christmas jelly is probably my favorite holiday gift. Yearly, I receive this present from a …

  A Bald-Faced Liar “He’d rather climb a tree to tell a lie rather than stand on the ground and tell the truth.”   Where I come from, calling someone a bald-faced liar are fighting words. What’s the difference between a lie and a bald-faced lie? A lie is telling untruth. It’s wrong. It’s a sin. “Do not swear false …