Where I Come From 2024

A word from Curt   Today’s story will be part of a speech I’ve giving Tuesday night to the 150 Honor Graduates in my home parish of Beauregard. My short talk will consist of three parts: Remember where you came/come from. Remember you didn’t get here by yourself. Remember that this is just the beginning of your journey. Today, I’m …

The best part of writing about Pineywoods Louisiana is how my books open the door for others to tell me their stories. Most of my historical fiction comes from actual stories told by my friends, both old and new. This is especially true with A Spent Bullet, my 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers book. My cousin, Harold Iles, who was a Sugartown …

  Storms don’t create character; they reveal it. We saw that in the good folks of Texas and Louisiana as neighbors and strangers helped each other.         The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline, for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and …

combine with Joseph’s brothers and their 20 year lie Some are saying it cost him $10 million dollars in endorsements. The lower estimate is that Ryan Lochte’s string of lies cost him at least $5 million in future earnings and endorsements. $5 million or $10 million lost.  That’s a pile of regret. And it all goes back to a drunken …

Dry Creek’s finest and biggest pine knot pile in the yard of my friends, Mark and Kari Miller. The following is a short sad story on how I lost my own pile. Earthly treasures, pine knot piles, and 401 (K) accountsx All of a sudden, the February wind picked up and turned out of the south. Instantly what had been …

Ignore that fancy word. Juxtapositon. It simply means comparing and contrasting. How is an orange like an apple?  How is it different. It’s a big part of how my mind works as I take three steps daily: Being curious Being Amazed. Being Moved to tell a story.     Many times my stories are about these amazing things and how they …

Tough or Hard   In front of me are three objects: a brick, a piece of leather, and a hammer. These make for a wonderful lesson. However, this story is not about the hardness of a brick, toughness of leather, or the pain of the hammer blow. This is a story about somebody. Objects don’t move us—but people do. Watching …

Plowing and The Harvest.   Enjoy the audio of this story. 1. Be Curious. 2. Be Amazed. 3. Tell about it.   I get in lots of trouble being curious. But I also learn so much. The best stories begin with a simple question,  “I noticed you . . .” Most folks are more than happy to share their story. …

A word from Curt Today is a travel day Up Country. Upcountry is that part of Uganda above the Nile River. It’s Wild. Open. Rustic. Beautiful. Frustrating. Pray for Charlie, Shane, and me as we travel. I can’t wait to show Shane Wilber this spot on the road north.   David Platt is the new leader of our organization, the …

        A word from Curt Truth.  It’s knowing the facts.  Seeing for yourself.  It’s the theme of this story. You’ll meet Oscar. And his dad. And a new word.  Ground truthing.   We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass, daily. You can download a copy in four ways: Read sample chapters or purchase at Amazon. Read …

  man·i·fes·to  noun \ˌma-nə-ˈfes-(ˌ)tō\ “a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group.” Bro. C’s Manifesto   My father, Clayton Iles, was affectionately known as “Brother C.” Today marks eleven years since his death from cancer. Just before we moved to Africa, my pastor, Charlie Bailey, handed me a sheaf of papers.  “I thought you …

“A Southern Woman can do anything.” -Iris My friend Iris gave me this reply to a question I asked. It sums up why I’ve always loved Southern women. I’m thankful for the Southern women in my life. I married one. She can’t be beat. I was birthed by one.  My mother reared us with the best qualities that make our …

What is true success? If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it’s not success at all. -Anna Quindlen       Last week, I asked my Facebook friends, “How do you define true success?” I was blown away by the wisdom in the …