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  What we’re about in 2016: 1.  Staying Curious. 2. Being Amazed. 3. Telling Stories. It’s Friday, which means it’s time to think about LLL. That’s Life Long Learning. It’s the reason I want to stay curious,discover, and share good stories. I. This week’s word is Gratitude. Here’s my favorite story on gratitude: Vance Gill, my guitar-playing Dry Creek friend …

Today’s word is one I struggle with:  Prayer. I struggle with it because I get so wrapped up in my life and problems, zooming from one chore to another. Lord, teach me to pray. Amen. Reading this story (again) reminded me of the importance of prayer.     Pray One for Another   “. . .And pray one for another.” …

A Homeless Lady And Jesus said, when you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. – Matthew 25:40   When the teenager saw me, he sprinted over. “Bro. Curt, there’s a homeless lady inside the Tabernacle, and she won’t let any of us help her.” “A homeless lady in Dry Creek?” …

Today would be the birthday of one of my heroes, Logan Skiles. This is a story about him from Stories from the Creekbank.  Enjoy! If you have a Logan Skiles memory, please comment at the end of this story. He hit it right down the line… I nervously stood in right field as a skinny thirteen-year-old softball player. At the …

A word from Curt This story, from The Mockingbird’s Song, features one of the most touching stories from the terrible events of September 11, 2001   A Tight Rope . . . Held by a Tight Friend   World Trade Center North Tower New York City September 11, 2001   Stairway 27C of the North Tower of the World Trade …

This story, from Wind in the Pines, celebrates two intertwined lives:  My father, Clayton Iles, and my dear friend Ricky Gallien. Today marks fourteen years since Ricky left us. I share this story as a simple way of remembering his rich life as well as mourning his loss. I still miss both of them. My Dad and my friend Ricky. …

  A word from Curt Relationships. The longer I live, the more I believe it: everything rises and falls on relationships. This story, from The Old House, reflects that with several memorable stories.   A Bridge Built on Catfish   Driving over the small bridge across Mill Bayou, I’m filled with disgust at the trash strewn in the ditch. Scattered …

If you missed yesterday’s story letter,  click here to read. Erik and Yvonne Pederson had been on my mind all week. Yvonne was buried yesterday in her beloved Dry Creek.  I had the privilege of delivering her eulogy. I had spoken at her husband’s funeral about ten years ago. I described her as “A woman with a dazzling smile who …

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.” I can still hear Nell Christopher playing the opening lines as we sang: What a fellowship, what a joy …

Wow! Wow!  What a good word. ‘Wow’ infers that something caught our attention and amazed us. It is a companion to my three note song of life: 1. Stay curious. 2. Be amazed. 3. Tell a story The “Wow Story” presently moving my heart is the miracle of Kelly and Shane Longoria. God is healing Kelly from what should’ve been …

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 …

We continue in prayer for our Louisiana neighbors and friends affected by the flood.  In the midst of this devastation, the good people of my state have shown again why Louisiana is a great place.  We take care of each other when the chips are down.  With the recent floods in Louisiana, readers have mentioned stories from Katrina and Rita. …

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 …

Today’s blog post comes from our new book,  Trampled Grass. Learn how you can download a free copy or buy your autographed copy at www.creekbank.net This story,  “Misplaced” has been on my mind all week. These words are so pertinent during this time of crisis in Louisiana. I am a refugee torn from my land, Cast off to travel this …