Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

    Yesterday’s post concerned the issue of land ownership in Uganda.  If you missed it,  you can read,  “This Land Ain’t for Sale” here.     The story featured in both the podcast (audio) and post (below) is called “The Friendship Lane.”  It’s one of my favourites on the art of getting along. The podcast is a early draft …

He was a man and faith and everyone’s favorite.   These are remarks from the funeral of my hero, Jimmy Barrett. The purpose of a memorial service is three-fold: We celebrate a life well-lived. If anyone ever accomplished this, Jimmy Barrett did. Secondly, we gather to walk with the family in their grief. If any family ever took care of …

A quick note: I depend on friends and readers for prayer support. I need it and don’t take it for granted. Here are three needs for the week:   I am taking part in today’s funeral service for my lifetime friend and mentor, Jimmy Barrett.  Jimmy was a principal, deputy, and a favorite of everyone in the Dry Creek area. …

  Friends gave me a copy of Bethel Baptist Church minutes from 1900. This resolution touched me.  It’s a reminder that all of us should take time for self-examination, repentance, and renewal.     DeDe celebrated her birthday this week.  This is our Life Group who surprised her.                 This past week I met with …

This story is from my first short story collection,  Stories from the Creekbank. I hadn’t thought about this story in years. It still touches me as I re-read it after all of these years. Enjoy.   Love is still love… in any language                     Now where do I start in describing a passionate love affair I became involved in a …

The Westport Fight is an overlooked event that shaped western Louisiana. There is very little written information about this episode.  Read more here.    Our upcoming novel, As the Crow Flies, is set in 1881’s Louisiana’s No Man’s Land.  Crow is narrated by Missouri Cotten, a teen whose drifting family arrives in the piney woods and becomes involved in The …

A Dead Tree with Deep Roots This morning I went by to check on one of my favorite trees in the whole world. As my youngest son Terry and I left our deer stand deep in Crooked Bayou Swamp, we made a detour through the woods. As we walked under the towering oaks and hickories, a late fall was at …

    Each Sunday we share prayer needs. Here are three priorities for this week: Today (July 10) I am sharing about missions at Cold Springs Baptist Church. I’ll be with our lifetime friend, Wade Carroll.  Pray for clarity and passion as I share. I’m focusing for the month of July on revising As the Crow Flies. This novel follows …

A word from Curt Review It’s a good word. It’s means looking back with a purpose. Not living in the past but learning from it. Friday and Saturday are the days I look back over the past week and plan for the coming week. Here are photos and images from the week that was.             …

  A word from Curt Today’s word is brothers. We continue our journey through summer camp. I haven’t thought about Luke Haynie in a long time.  This story takes me back to Luke and the Summer of 1999. Trampled Grass is coming your way.  You can pre-order your printed copy here. We’d love to hear your comments on this story. You can use …

A word from Curt The word is faith. It’s a hopeful word. It has to do with things we cannot see. Yet. Today’s blog means so much to me.  It was a life lesson principle that still guides my life. I shared “One Step” last week with a group of teens. I was astounded at how this story resonated with …

That Flag A word from Curt It’s a good word for today. Freedom.   Trampled Grass is coming your way.  You can pre-order your printed copy here. We’d love to hear your comments on this story. You can use the form at the end of this post or send a Facebook message. Enjoy!     No matter where I see it, my heart still jumps. …

A word from Curt Oxygen.  We cannot live without it. Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.  It’s communion between us and the Father.  All made possible by the Son’s sacrifice and release.  And the Spirit guides all believers in how to pray.   DeDe and I depend on our friends who faithfully pray for our work and ministry. We …

A word from Curt You can’t understand me unless you have insight about how Dry Creek Baptist Camp has shaped my life.   I got my first job there at age 13.  I was in charge of picking up glass coke bottles on the grounds for deposit return. At that young age, I had no idea (no one else did …