Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

“An unused life is an early death.” -van Goethe “Lord, use me today to make a positive difference in at least one life. Amen

Two Cups of Coffee This morning I poured two cups of coffee even though I’m alone. Both now sit on my desk. I recall the words of T.W. Hunt, the author of The Mind of Christ, “Sometimes when I’ve not felt as close to the Lord as I wish, I’ll pour a second cup of coffee and take it with …

This is a passage from my upcoming novel, A Spent Bullet.  It’s set in 1941 Beauregard Parish.  This passage features 10 year old Ben, his sister Elizabeth (who’ll be teaching him in school), and their grandmother, Ma. I’d like your honest input on this passage that I’m not quite satisfied with. He began whistling as he walked past Elizabeth.  He …

Bethany Baptist Benediction Song. This is a touching song sung by Bethany Baptist Church in Goma, Congo.  You can see a YouTube video of it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciFpUoiWAgQ I believe in the blood of Jesus The only Savior. I give it all to Him. The things that you promise to me to get by faith You cannot refuse to give it …

Snake in the Church!     Scripture:  “You have not lied to men, but to God.”  -Peter in Acts 5:4 Last month, I was speaking in Samaria Baptist Church, Goma, Congo. Suddenly two men sitting by the side door jumped up and began scuffling outside the doorway. Initially I thought it was a fight. Then I wondered if someone had …

In chapter 11 of my upcoming novel, A Spent Bullet, a Grasshopper scout plane crash lands into the Reed family okra patch.  It’s nose and propeller bury in the ground, and Mr. Reed (Poppa) brings his plow team to pull it loose. This brings on a conversation between the pilot and the old farmer about the values of “horsepower.” This …

Old lumber   Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah. II Chron. 16:6   Old lumber still builds well. It’s a maxim that any carpenter knows. Just because wood is old doesn’t diminish its value. Along …

These devotions are for a future book of stories called “Deep Roots.”  I’d love your feedback and ideas.  Email me at curtiles@aol.com  or Facebook/Twitter. Across the Pea Patch This is a story I wrote a few months before the death of my hero, Don Hunt. I often write about traveling to far off places to share the good news of …

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”  – Ben Franklin

That’s one thing I like about these Congolese Christians. They aren’t asking for a handout, but rather a handup. It’s the best way we Americans can support God’s work in Africa.

Join us in praying for a great bean crop in Sake Village, Democratic Congo Africa. We just wired money to buy bean seeds for the entire village of Sake.  Here is our prayer: ‘Lord, I ask that you’ll bless every bean planted in the soil at Sake village.  I ask that a bumper crop will make the name of Jesus famous …

4 reasons why I love summer country nights: Cricket concerts:  Our home is surrounded by trees, and the crickets love to sing in them nightly. Frog Pond Stereo: We live between two ponds. The frogs set up a chorus on hot summer nights.  Blends well with the crickets. The North Star:  All things in the world are in order; the …

A must-see video Visit YouTube to see a beautiful four minute video of a baptism in Congo’s Lake Kivu. A side note:  The baptism site was next to a fortified UN Peacekeeping Camp.  The entire baptism was watched by a guard with binoculars.  (Most of the peacekeepers with either Pakistani or Chinese.  Pray that this man will continue to remember …

Chapter 1A Spent Bullet Wednesday, August 13, 1941                        DeRidder, Louisiana             The shiny bullet bounced on the sidewalk at Elizabeth Reed’s feet. As she bent to examine it, a blond soldier leaned out of the crowded Army truck. “You’re beautiful. Write me.” Pointing at her feet, he yelled, “The bullet—write me.”Hearing a chorus of wolf whistles, she flinched, refusing to …