The Art of Encouragement!

The report on Volkswagon’s infamous emissions scandal was in the news again last week.  The company is being forced to buy back VWs, repair the emissions controls, pay large fines, and not pass go/collect $100.00. Seriously, it is a stain on a company that has traditionally been respected. The report said, “VW fails on high stakes gamble.” High stakes gamble. …

As always, we want our friends and followers knowing how to pray for us. First of all, our hearts are so full of gratitude. Gratitude is one of my 6 Plus Words for 2016. It’s a grand word. Here are needs and opportunities for the coming week: I have two speaking events next weekend.  On Sat. April 30, I’ll be …

From the Curt Iles book,  Deep Roots.  www.creekbank.net  Readers are given permission to share this story as long as proper credit is given.   You’re the Man   I’d never heard of the Broken Wings Award until recently. I haven’t met helicopter pilot Edwin Steve Coleman, one of the few two-time winners of the award. I believe I’d like Chief …

A Word from Curt           Let’s go see the eclipse. It’s going to be cloudy all over the texas/Arkansas/oklahoma If we don’t go Worst case scenario, We’ll have ten hours of uniterrupted visiting   Baseball season opened this weekend. Our beloved Houston Astros were scheduled to begin play today in New York against the Yankees. Rained …

It’s amazing that my deepest image of Easter doesn’t come from a memorable sermon, movie, or a book. My Easter theology was shaped by a simple country woman married to a former Texas Ranger.  Her name was Lucille Mosley and she lived on Greentown Loop in Dry Creek. This is her story.     The Tomb is Still Empty From …

        “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 …

When you pray, you’re holding the rope.  Here’s how to pray for us.   DeDe and I are both working as Chaplains for Marketplace Ministries. I’m assigned to Roy O Martin’s two mills and trucking fleet. DeDe also works at the Martin facilities as well as two  two nursing homes. It is a rewarding and challenging ministry. Pray for God’s …

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 …

Trelvis and Phil Thomas. The inspiration for this story from The Wayfaring Stranger. Miz Girlie’s Prayer Tree The follow scene from our first novel, The Wayfaring Stranger, tells of Irish immigrant Joe Moore’s arrival in western Louisiana. The Irishman has been befriended by Miz Girlie Perkins, an old Piney Woods widow:   Joe slept each night on the porch. Miz …

A Word from Curt Fighting It’s a word a man must know if he’s going to win in life. I’m not talking about fists or knives. I’m referring to the soul.     We’re all familiar with the adage, “I’d rather fight a bear.” After watching that grizzly bear tear up Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) in The Revenant, I’m not sure …