Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010

Gradual Miracles I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little, I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land. Exodus 23:29-30 Often we define a miracle as something dramatic or wonderful that happens in a …

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Friday, Feb. 5 Legacy… and our Saints

A few thoughts on legacy, finishing strong… and our New Orleans Saints. I remember well Sunday September 17, 1967. We rushed home from church and turned on the television to see the first regular season NFL game of the New Orleans Saints. I sat between my friends Paul and Ritchie Young. There was a huge crowd on hand (80,879 fans) …

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The Wisdom of Home Friday, Feb. 5

“If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character, if there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the family home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation, when there is order in the nations, there will be peace in the world.” -From the home …

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Naming a character… I need your help

The following passage is from A Spent Bullet. The setting is a barn in Bundick, LA. in September 1941.  Our character, named XXXXXX, is a high school senior, country boy, wants to join the Army Air Corp and fly, and is fighting with his daddy over this.  I’m looking for just the right first name as well as a good …

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Baptism

Scroll down to read about Harry’s first creek baptism. Baptized in a Hot Tub in a Dry Creek I knew trouble was in the offing when I saw steam rising from the baptistery this past Sunday morning. Even the glass plate on the front of it was steamed. My buddies Mark and Frank were working frantically to cool it down. …

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Air Raid on the Bundick Road: An excerpt from "A Spent Bullet"

The following passage is one I wrote this morning on my upcoming novel, A Spent Bullet.  The novel is now at 80,000 words.  This selection takes place on a country road during the Army Maneuvers of September 1941 and is seen through the eyes of brothers Levon and Ben Reed. Air  Raid Ben walked beside Levon as they made their …

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Taking care of your flocks…

“Know the conditions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” -Proverbs 27:34 One of my best friends, Mark Miller, shared this fascinating story told by his grandfather, Jay Miller. Mr. Jay was the youngest of the seven Miller brothers, a family that made a good mark on our area with lives of good deeds, strong families, and rural …

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6 Words to Live by in 2010

Each year I try to select six words that guide my life.  This is my current list.  I’d love to hear from you on what your favorite word(s) are. 1. Passion 2. Grit 3. Gratitude 4. Balance 5. Legacy 6. Peace

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Commitment A lesson from Charles A. Lindbergh

Lindbergh on Commitment Charles A. Lindbergh instantly became world famous after his solo flight over the Atlantic.  However, the following story from the years before his trans-Atlantic journey reveal much about the character and commitment of this young man. This passage from Wikipedia details Lindbergh’s career as an air mail pilot Two days before he opened service on the route …

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3 ways we can help in Haiti

1.  Pray for Haiti.  It’s the most important thing we can do, and everyone can do it. 2.  I plan to give through Baptist Global Response. I worked closely with them after the tsunami as well as in HIV/AIDs ministry in South Africa.  They are good stewards and carefully look for giving “hand-ups” as well as “hand-outs.”   Visit 3.  Make micro-finance …

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Discussion questions from A Good Place

Discussion questions for A Good Place by Curt Iles Below are discussion questions from chapters 1 and 19 of my latest novel, A Good Place.   Help us by submitting your discussion topics for each chapter. This reader’s guide is to facilitate discussion by book clubs, individuals of all ages, and school groups. A Good Place is being enjoyed by readers …

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Chapters 1 and 19 of A Good Place

Chapter 1   A Good Place WHEN Daddy shoved me under the table, I knew this wasn’t just any storm. As the crow flies, our Louisiana log cabin was a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. When this day had quietly begun, no one had any idea a hurricane was churning ashore. Here we were less than twelve hours later, …

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Deep Roots in the Piney Woods

It was a special moment standing with my grandson Jack.  We’d walked a long ways into Kistachie National Forest to find this small cemetery. I’d been told about this graveyard by two friends,  Frank Bogard and Harlis Bass.  It was not easy to find but worth the effort.  The photo below shows Jack Iles standing at the grave of his …

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Two seasons as seen from a Farmall Tractor

We’ve definitely had winter in southern Louisiana. The coldest weather of the 21st century.  Lower teen temperatures  have only been seen about four times in my fifty plus years. I do believe that a picture tells a story, and a picture is truly worth a thousand words. These photos, one from watermelon season in June 2009 and the other from …

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