One of the great joys of ministry is baptizing infants. We Methodists believe that God does the baptizing—we’re just the human instruments of His gracious activity. And because we’re Methodists, we’re so laid back about it that we offer the full buffet: immersion, sprinkling, and the mysterious middle option known as affusion.

If you’ve never seen affusion, imagine a college prank that somehow wandered into the sanctuary and got canonized. For the uninitiated, affusion is simply pouring water over the candidate’s head. It’s the liturgical equivalent of someone saying, “Hold still, this won’t hurt… probably.”

Most babies are adorable, and I love holding them for those few sacred moments. But sometimes the baptismal waters are troubled. One Sunday, little Junior had a pacifier in his mouth. Before I took him from his mother, she reached in and pulled the pin. Now, taking a pacifier from a baby and pulling the pin on a grenade share certain similarities. In both cases, you brace yourself, because the next sound you hear will not be angelic.

Some infants, on the other hand, fall asleep in my arms midbaptism. They’re so peaceful and precious. I’ve been in ministry long enough that those sleeping cherubs are now full members of the church—and they still fall asleep in my arms, only now it’s during the sermon. So the next time you see a brother or sister snoozing in the pew, feel free to wonder whether they slept through their baptism too. And remember: every one of them was once a cute baby… or at least someone said they were.

But here’s the part that stops me in my tracks: many of the infants I’ve baptized recently will live to see the year 2100. I will not. They will witness things we can’t imagine. Think of the changes you’ve seen in your lifetime. Technology evolves so fast it makes your head spin. A decade ago, we were introduced to the smartphone. Before that, our phones were not very bright. They were basically pocket bricks that could call your mama and maybe play Snake if you were lucky. Now they can do everything except fold the laundry—and I’m sure that’s coming.

So the next time you see an infant, be amazed. You are looking at someone who will experience a century you will never see. Pray for them. Pray that they inherit a world shaped more by compassion than conflict. Pray that our technology builds community instead of tearing it apart. Pray that they grow up knowing peace, and knowing the astonishing power human beings have to love one another.

Because the future they will live in is the future we hand them. Through them, you and I get to touch a world beyond our years. That’s worth pondering the next time you’re in the presence of a child.

Maybe that’s why this story is in the sacred text:

Parents brought their children to Jesus so He could bless them. The disciples tried to shoo them away—because apparently even in the first century, church people were good at gatekeeping. But Jesus was having none of it. He said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. The Kingdom belongs to such as these.” And then He gathered them up, placed His hands on their tiny heads, and blessed them.

Pray for a child.

They hold the keys to the kingdom.

And they hold the future we will never see—but God will.

These days, the campaign trail doesn’t wind through town halls — it runs straight through your phone. This cartoon takes a swipe at modern politics, where selfies, likes, and viral moments can matter more than boring old things like healthcare or infrastructure. When the algorithm is watching, the question becomes: is the goal to solve problems, or just rack up views?

I’ve always wondered what makes one athlete better than another. Why do some excel more than others? Is there a secret pill or an exercise regimen that makes them better? Well today we’ll ask the same questions about bass tournament anglers.

I’ve heard for years that no angler has learned anything without another angler telling them. While this might be true in a few cases, I’m not sure that’s the case with everyone.

So many of today’s anglers have learned so much through the internet and on YouTube. You can literally learn any technique and know when to use it simply by watching a YouTube channel.

Want to learn how to use your electronics? Watch YouTube! Want to learn about a drop-shot, Carolina Rig, or how to flip a jig? Watch YouTube! Want to understand how to fix an issue with your boat? Watch YouTube! It’s an endless resource of information.

But the older generation of anglers, like me, has learned through trial and error. We’ve learned from other anglers who came before us how to get better or how to fix an issue we’re having with our boats. We didn’t always have the internet as a resource. But there was one resource that came by mail once a month: Bassmaster Magazine!

This was my generation’s internet. Every issue in the mailbox addressed everything from different ways to catch bass, to how to replace a water pump or change the oil in the lower unit of the motor. Today, I’m still a subscriber to not only Bassmaster Magazine, but another publication called B.A.S.S. Times.

But just like great athletes, there’s something different about anglers who win more than others. The first thing I have noticed is their confidence level is usually high. They believe in what they are doing to catch bass and they understand bass behavior.

Another trait I’ve noticed is how the top anglers tend to think outside of the box. They don’t follow common trends or thought patterns other anglers do. Most of these winning anglers tend to do things a little differently.

I believe that the great anglers like Kevin Van Dam, Dustin Connell, Jacob Wheeler and the late Aaron Martens, each possess a sixth sense. They tend to think a little differently than the average bear. They don’t always follow traditional thinking when it comes to how they should be catching bass.

A phrase commonly used by these exceptional anglers is that “they let the fish tell them what and how they want the bait.” Saying this to the average angler means nothing, but to the great anglers, it explains a lot.

They don’t try to force a technique onto the bass. Every angler always has a game plan going into the tournament based on what and how they caught bass in practice. But on tournament day, the great anglers are not afraid to abandon that game plan and change their approach in the middle of the day.

I’ve also found that great anglers are really good at reading the water. To those who don’t bass fish, this is something that’s a gift that not all anglers have. They can literally walk up to the edge of the lake and tell you how they will catch them on that day just by looking at the water.

The great anglers have abilities just like great athletes. They have intangibles that make them special that some call the ‘it” factor. You can’t coach “it,” you’re born with “it.”

While all anglers can get better by spending time on the water, reading magazines or watching You Tube videos, there will always be those anglers who possess something that cannot be measured…God-given talent!

Jerry Hubbard was a singer/songwriter. In February 1967, Hubbard released his first album, but it failed to reach the top 100 charts. He had recorded singles as early as 1955, when he was 18 years old, but after twelve years in the industry a hit song still eluded him. Disc jockeys occasionally played songs from his debut album on the radio, one of which peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard country music charts, but still no hit song. Critics compared his voice to the sound of a bandsaw. Hubbard admitted, “I can sing, but I’m not a polished, theoretical singer,” but he kept trying.

A few weeks later, Elvis Presley, who regularly listened to the radio in search of songs to record, heard one of Hubbard’s songs and loved it. He decided he wanted to record a version of it. Elvis and his band gathered at Studio B in Nashville and began working on the song, but there was a problem. Elvis was disappointed with the result. Despite numerous attempts, they were unable to get a sound that suited Elvis. Producer Felton Jarvis told Elvis that the key to the song was the lead guitar which Scotty Moore was unable to duplicate. Jarvis said that if he wanted that sound, he needed to get Hubbard in the studio because he played the lead guitar part. Elvis agreed. Elvis and his band worked on other songs while Jarvis began searching for Hubbard. Jarvis located Hubbard’s wife, but she explained that Hubbard had taken his daughters fishing on the Cumberland River just outside of Nashville. Once Jarvis explained the situation, Hubbard’s wife rushed to the river. Hubbard was in disbelief. He had been performing Elvis songs live for years. Hubbard called the studio and explained that it would take him a while to get there. Hubbard did not take the time to shower, change clothes, or shave. He later explained that he had not shaved in several days and reeked of fish. He grabbed his guitar and headed to the studio. Hubbard quipped, “I was there in about twelve and a half minutes.”

Everyone was shocked at Hubbard’s appearance as he walked into the studio. That all changed when Hubbard began playing the intro to the song. Hubbard recalled, “[Elvis’s] face lit up and here we went.” In about as much time as it took Hubbard to drive to the studio, twelve and a half minutes, they had a recording that Elvis was thrilled about. That song, “Guitar Man”, went to No. 1 on the country charts.

Hubbard was thrilled that one of his songs reached the No. 1 position even though it was recorded by another artist. In 1971, Hubbard finally took one of his own songs to No. 1 on the country charts, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”. He recorded other hit songs such as “Amos Moses”, “The Bird”, “She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)”, and “East Bound and Down”, which was the theme song for the iconic film in which he co-starred with Burt Reynolds, Smokey and the Bandit. Few people remember the name Jerry Hubbard, but it all becomes clear when you see his full name, Jerry Reed Hubbard.

Source: “Jerry Reed Impromptu Gearz Interview, Part 4,” G V, Youtube.com, July 9, 2010, https://youtu.be/bF9te3INOZ0?si=9e0PKUyycdsJrzEV.

The Latest Question & Answer

Mr. David Dewayne Tuggle, age 64, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Winnfield, Louisiana.

David was born on Thursday, February 2, 1961, in Dallas, Texas. He made his home in Winnfield, where he was well known and deeply loved by his family and friends.

An avid outdoorsman, David had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing and took great pride and joy in running his fox hounds and watching his daughter and grand-daughter ride horses. While he enjoyed the outdoors, his greatest devotion was always to his family. Above all else, David was a loving and devoted father and grandfather, whose presence and guidance will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

David was preceded in death by loved ones whom he now joins in eternal rest.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 37 years, Donna Varnell Tuggle of Winnfield, Louisiana; his children, Hunter Seiley (Evan), Fisher Tuggle, Josh Hattaway (Harley), and Sumer Hattaway; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings, Debbie Sweat (Michael) and Greg Johnson (Rhonda), along with numerous extended family members and friends.

Visitation was held at Southern Funeral Home on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM.

Graveside services were held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Old Union Cemetery with Reverend Jack Miller officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Interment took place at Old Union Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dustin Varnell, Cory Bermea, Teddy Burnett, Ethan Seiley, John Rowell, and Jason McDaniel.

Digital news network’s no-paywall model drives advertising reach in underserved markets

By Frank Johnson
Special Report

The Parish Journals of Louisiana generated 17.6 million articles read in 2025 across 17 parishes in northwest and central Louisiana, according to site analytics data, establishing the digital network as a significant advertising platform in markets traditional media increasingly abandons.  While many social media platforms get their “counts” by you simply scrolling across their article or post, the 17.6 million Parish Journals analytics are specifically from articles opened and read – a huge difference for those who understand the value of that! 

The network, operated by Journal Services LLC, maintains individual publications serving Avoyelles, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn parishes, plus the Shreveport-Bossier Journal covering Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Unlike legacy newspapers implementing paywalls while reducing rural coverage, Parish Journals publications remain entirely FREE to readers — a model creating distinct advantages for advertisers seeking reach beyond metropolitan markets.

Geographic footprint addresses news deserts

The network spans Louisiana’s northern border through central parishes, delivering hyperlocal coverage to both population centers and agricultural communities where traditional news operations have contracted or closed entirely.

Each publication focuses on municipal government proceedings, school board operations, high school athletics and regional business developments — content that generates sustained reader engagement and repeat traffic.

Site analytics show consistent readership across rural parishes that major media outlets typically serve only through regional editions or wire service content, if at all.

Paywall-free access multiplies advertising reach

The network’s most significant competitive advantage centers on unrestricted content access and its impact on advertising distribution.

When readers share Parish Journals articles through social media, email or messaging platforms, recipients access full content immediately without subscription barriers. Advertisements within shared articles reach expanded audiences at no additional cost to advertisers.

Paywalled competitors face structural limitations: subscribers may share content, but non-subscribers cannot access articles or view advertisements without subscriptions. This restricts organic distribution and caps advertising reach at existing subscriber counts regardless of content popularity.

Parish Journals articles continue generating traffic and advertising impressions weeks or months after publication as readers discover and share content without access restrictions. High school sports coverage particularly demonstrates this sustained engagement as families share game stories and season recaps long after initial publication.

Learn more about advertising opportunities with the Parish Journals network.

Digital infrastructure enables targeting flexibility

The network’s digital-first operations provide capabilities traditional print cannot match: real-time campaign deployment, performance analytics, geographic targeting across multiple parish markets, and mobile accessibility.

Advertisers can execute both broad regional campaigns and parish-specific initiatives through a single media partner while maintaining unlimited organic reach through social sharing.

Contact Journal Services LLC to discuss your advertising strategy.

Market positioning amid industry consolidation

As consolidation reshapes Louisiana media markets and legacy publications reduce rural coverage while implementing subscription barriers, Parish Journals has systematically expanded into underserved communities.

The result: comprehensive regional reach combined with genuine local focus across individual parish markets, without subscription barriers limiting advertising effectiveness.

The network’s 2025 performance — 17.6 million articles read across 17 parishes — demonstrates sustained audience engagement in markets where traditional news operations struggle to maintain profitability.

For businesses seeking connections with audiences across northwest and central Louisiana’s diverse communities, the platform provides documented reach and engagement with the structural advantage of unrestricted content access multiplying advertising distribution.

Contact Journal Services LLC regarding advertising rates and partnership opportunities.

GRANT PARISH — The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a woman who has been missing since late November.

Krista Michelle Burrell was last seen by family members in November before Thanksgiving, according to the sheriff’s office. She was reported to have no vehicle or cellphone at the time of her disappearance.

Burrell was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and white shoes.

Anyone with information about Burrell’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-627-3261. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the agency’s website at grantso.org.

Burrell remained missing as of 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Winn Parish residents can expect warm temperatures and increasing rain chances through the end of the workweek, followed by a cooler and drier weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be partly sunny with afternoon highs near 77 degrees. Winds will be light early, becoming southerly around 5 mph later in the day. Skies will turn mostly cloudy Wednesday night, with overnight lows around 59.

On Thursday, cloud cover will remain in place, and there is a 40 percent chance of scattered showers. High temperatures will climb to near 78 degrees. Thursday night brings a slight chance of showers early, with a better chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after midnight. Lows will fall to around 64, with rain chances remaining at 40 percent.

Rain chances increase on Friday, with showers and thunderstorms possible during the morning and becoming likely by the afternoon. Skies will stay mostly cloudy, and highs will reach near 75. The chance of precipitation rises to 60 percent. Friday night will remain mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of lingering showers, mainly before midnight, and cooler overnight lows around 44.

Cooler air moves into the area over the weekend. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 60. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with a slight 20 percent chance of showers and lows near 37.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and cooler, with afternoon highs around 55 degrees, providing a pleasant close to the weekend in Winn Parish.

I have a preacher friend who delivered a baby. Yes—delivered a baby. Some ministers get called to preach revivals. Some get called to chair committees. Rev. Kathy Howell? She gets called to the maternity ward parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana.

Kathy was visiting her mom in the hospital and had been waiting with her all morning. Since her mom couldn’t eat before her test, Kathy said, “Mama, I’m going to walk across the street to Wendy’s and get a burger. I’ll be right back.” That’s already a holy act—leaving a hungry mama to go get a single, solitary burger.

So off she goes, walking across the parking lot in her clerical garb. Yes, even we Methodist ministers have the shirt with the backwards collar. We don’t get many perks in ministry, but we do get one fashion statement that says, “I am available for baptisms, blessings, and—apparently—obstetrics.”

She was wearing her Roman collar when a man jumped out of his car with the look of someone who had just realized babies don’t wait for paperwork. He yelled, “How do I get to the emergency room entrance—my wife is having a baby!”

Kathy walked over, looked in the car, and sure enough, that baby was clocking out of the womb early.
Now, I like to think of myself as available to offer care and comfort to those in extremis. But let me be clear: no call of God would have me climbing into the front seat with a woman about to pop out a baby. I’m more of a “boil some water and rip some sheets” kind of helper. You know—19thcentury frontier medicine. Very safe. Very sanitary.

Imagine the poor woman in the passenger seat. She looked at Kathy—this unexpected, collarwearing, Wendy’sseeking angel—and said, “My husband and I prayed the whole way here that God would take care of us… but I was not expecting His answer to be you.”
And she did not say it with confidence. It was more like, “Lord, is this… is this really what we’re doing today?”

Kathy patted her hand and said, “You’re going to be okay. God’s got you.” And apparently God said, “Yes, and I’ve also got a Methodist minister with a nursing degree and a halfeaten burger waiting across the street.”

By the time the husband came back with the wheelchair and the nurse, he was a father. Right there in the front seat of a car in the hospital parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana, Reverend Kathy Howell delivered a baby. That is a great day’s work for a minister. Most of us are thrilled if we can find the right page in the hymnal.

Now, how dare God answer a heartfelt prayer for medical attention with a Methodist minister. Honestly. God should do a better job of answering prayers. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? We pray for help, and God sends… well… us. Or someone who looks suspiciously like they were on their way to Wendy’s.
The hospital even let her sign the birth certificate because she delivered the baby. And she signed it:
“Reverend Katherine Howell, R.N.”

Turns out, before she was a Methodist minister, Kathy Howell ran the emergency room at East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie. So, I suppose God answered that prayer exactly the way it needed to be answered.
Which is just like God—always sending help, always showing up, and occasionally doing it in a Roman collar with a Frosty waiting across the street.

JOURNAL SPORTS

NATCHITOCHES — Northwestern State’s football team will play six games at Turpin Stadium in 2026, including a season-opening Thursday night, Aug. 27 contest renewing a long dormant series with nearby Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College), and third-year coach Blaine McCorkle’s Demons will visit NSU’s oldest rival, Louisiana Tech in Week 2.

The 12-game schedule was announced on Tuesday as part of a Southland Conference-wide schedule release for the 2026 season.

“Thursday night openers are always fun because the students are here and you get a good crowd. We opened up against Alcorn on Thursday night last year and it was a great atmosphere so we are excited to do that again,” said McCorkle.

The game with the Wildcats is the first between the two programs since 1968. LC dropped football a year later, and resumed it two decades ago. Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian plays at the NAIA Division I level and has visited Southland members McNeese and Houston Christian in season-openers in the past two years.

“I can see LC bringing a lot of people up and they’re a good football team,” said McCorkle. “I give Coach (Ben) McLaughlin a lot of credit. They’ve won their conference two of the last three years, and they do a lot of good things. There’s no doubt their players will be excited to come in here and play.”

Northwestern renews another regional rivalry the following week when it travels to Louisiana Tech on Sept. 5. The first meeting with the Bulldogs since 2023 begins a stretch of three straight September road games for the second straight season. 

Sandwiched between the trip to Ruston and a program-first trip to Utah to close a home-and-home agreement with Weber State (Sept. 19), the Demons travel to East Texas A&M (Sept. 12) for the first of nine SLC games on the schedule.

After four straight seasons with multiple FBS opponents on their non-conference schedule, the Demons face just one in 2026.

“Excited about the regional rivalry with Tech. We have a history of playing a lot over the years,” McCorkle said. “I know our kids will be really excited to go up there and play against people that they know. There’s a lot of crossover on our rosters with high school teammates or guys you played against when you’re that close in proximity. 

“Then after a week of conference play against East Texas A&M, back on the road to Weber State, who came in here two years ago and handled us pretty good. They have been a perennial FCS power. So, three non-conference games this year and we definitely have our work cut out for us. They should set us up pretty good going into conference play to know where we are.”

With two Louisiana-based teams in the non-conference, the Demons face five total in-state opponents on the year, including the first home conference game against Southeastern on Sept. 26. It signals a stretch of three of four and five of seven games inside Turpin Stadium. 

McNeese (Oct. 17) and Nicholls (Oct. 24) also visit Natchitoches in 2026, marking the first time since 1978 the Demons host the Colonels, Cowboys and Lions in the same season and the first time with all being Southland Conference opponents.

The last time NSU played five games against in-state teams in the same season was 2017. 

After consecutive home games in mid-October, the Demons close their home slate with consecutive home games in early November, hosting UTRGV (Nov. 7) in the first football meeting between the two schools in history, and HCU (Nov. 14).

“Six home games is a big deal,” McCorkle said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had six home games. And then Louisiana Tech is right up the road. So really, you have within proximity, seven right here in our backyard where all our fans all be able to see us play. 

It is the first time since 2013 the Demons have six home games during a season.

NSU closes the season with a Thursday night rivalry game against Stephen F. Austin, this time in Nacogdoches.

Kickoff times and the homecoming date will be set later, officials said.

2026 NSU Demons football schedule

*indicates Southland Conference games