Football season has arrived in the South, which means several things are about to change. Our Saturday schedules will change. Our diets will change. Hopefully, the weather will change. And for the record, if Alabama is playing, please do not call the preacher unless the church is on fire, somebody is bleeding, or you have discovered a previously unknown Bible verse promising a Crimson Tide victory. Did you know the phrase Crimson Tide appears in many hymnals?

I am an Alabama fan living and pastoring near Louisiana Tech, and my children went to LSU. So, I know what it feels like to be a football outsider. I have survived years of purple and gold. I have smiled through “Geaux Tigers.” I have lived close enough to Louisiana Tech to know that on game day, Ruston suddenly contains considerably more red and blue than the census would suggest. Football in the South is not merely recreation. It is geography, family history, tribal identity, and occasionally a reason not to speak to your brother-in-law until Monday.

Football season also changes our schedules. In July someone says, “How about Saturday afternoon?” Everybody answers, “Sure.” In September, the response becomes, “What time is kickoff?” Don’t get me started on couples who plan a big church wedding on Saturday afternoons in the fall! That may be the first theological lesson football season offers us:

We make time for what matters to us.

People who are “too busy” can somehow find four hours for a football game, an hour for the pregame show, and another hour afterward listening to people explain why the coach should have gone for it on fourth-and-two. Our calendars reveal our priorities. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I suspect our calendars may reveal our treasure almost as clearly as our checkbooks.

Football season also changes our wardrobe. We wear team colors. We have lucky shirts. Some fans own clothing containing more school logos than actual fabric. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Christians were equally recognizable—not by what we wear, but by how we live? Jesus said the world would know his disciples by their love. Not their bumper stickers. Not their church membership. Not their ability to identify all the verses in Revelation. By their love.

Then there is the football diet. Nobody has ever said, “Alabama and LSU are playing tonight. Let’s celebrate with steamed broccoli.” Football calls for wings, nachos, sausage, barbecue, cheese dip, and whatever mysterious creation has been simmering in somebody’s Crock-Pot since breakfast. And strangely enough, there is something theological even there.

People gather around tables. They laugh. They tell stories. They argue about officials. They remember old games and old friends. We were created for community. That may be why Sunday worship matters. Church is not simply a place to hear a sermon any more than football is simply a way to discover the final score. We gather because we belong to one another.We celebrate victories. We carry one another through losses. We pray when life goes into overtime. 

So enjoy football season. Wear your colors. Cheer loudly. Eat irresponsibly. And when Sunday morning comes, remember there is another gathering where you belong. The admission is free. The fellowship is better. And unlike football, we already know who wins.

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Dolly Rebecca Parton, beloved singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and one of the most treasured figures in American music and culture, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80.

Born on January 19, 1946, in rural East Tennessee, Dolly was the fourth of twelve children and grew up in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. From those humble beginnings came a voice, a talent, and a spirit that would eventually reach nearly every corner of the world.

Over a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Dolly became one of country music’s most recognizable and influential artists. Her extraordinary gift for storytelling gave the world songs that became part of the American soundtrack, including Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You. Her unmistakable voice, quick wit, larger-than-life style, and genuine warmth allowed her to connect with generations of people far beyond the boundaries of country music.

Her talents extended well beyond the stage. Dolly became a celebrated actress, author, businesswoman, and entrepreneur while remaining deeply connected to the Tennessee mountains and the people who helped shape her. Yet among her greatest accomplishments was the generosity she showed to others.

Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, founded in honor of her father, millions of books have been placed into the hands of children around the world. Her philanthropy also supported education, disaster relief, healthcare, and countless communities and individuals throughout her lifetime.

For all the awards, records, rhinestones, and worldwide recognition, Dolly’s greatest legacy may be the way she made people feel. She encouraged people to dream bigger, laugh at themselves, remain true to who they were, and extend kindness wherever possible. She never seemed to forget where she came from—and because of that, people from every walk of life felt as though they knew a little piece of her.

Dolly was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away in March 2025. Their famously private and enduring marriage remained one of the most cherished parts of her life.

The little girl from the mountains of Tennessee grew up to become an American icon, but she never lost the heart that made the world fall in love with her in the first place. Her songs will continue to be sung, her stories will continue to be told, and the kindness she put into the world will continue through generations of lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dolly’s extraordinary legacy of generosity and her lifelong commitment to children and literacy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Through the program, books are provided each month at no cost to children from birth to age five, helping Dolly’s love of reading and learning continue to reach future generations.

Memorial donations may be made directly to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Click here to Make a Donation in Memory of Dolly Parton

A message from the family of Dolly Parton: Click here to watch video

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By Brad Dison

Where are the flying cars that engineers began promising us as early as the 1940s?  In 1946, Popular Mechanics magazine predicted that flying cars would become commonplace soon.  Nearly 40 years later, Doctor Emmett Brown in the Hollywood film Back to the Future told Marty as they were preparing to hit 88 miles per hour, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”  That was in 1985 and flying cars are still not commonplace.  What happened to the flying cars that we have been promised for generations?  

During World War II, Theodore “Ted” Hall proposed a flying car that could be used in commando-type raids but he was unable to convince the military of its practicality.  Following World War II, Ted worked with Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation to build flying cars for the masses.  They began with the Convair Model 116, a two-seater crude car body with detachable wings and tail.  Test pilots completed more than 65 flights in the Model 116 before Ted began working on a more marketable model called the Model 118 (see photo above).

The Model 118 had a more refined plastic car body, a 26½ horsepower car engine, a more powerful Lycoming airplane engine, and could comfortably transport four people.  Convair planned to produce 160,000 of the Model 118s and expected to sell many of them to airports to use as rental vehicles.  

On November 15, 1947, test pilot Reuben Snodgrass flew the prototype Model 118 for the first time, and it performed splendidly.  Three days later, pilot Snodgrass and flight researcher Lawrence Phillips flew the flying car over San Diego, California, on what was supposed to be a one-hour flight to test the engine’s calibration.  A few minutes into the flight as they were enjoying what had been a flawless test, the engine sputtered and died.  All attempts to restart the engine failed.  Pilot Snodgrass was familiar with the area and glided the flying car toward the hard-caked mud flats near South Bay.  It was a textbook landing for the first 200 feet, but pilot Snodgrass did not see the four-foot-high embankment until it was too late.  In the crash, pilot Snodgrass suffered only minor bruises, but Phillips suffered a fractured shoulder.  The car portion was destroyed, but the wing and airplane engine were repaired and used on further test flights.  Although public interest in the flying car was initially high, it was not high enough.  The company cancelled the flying car.     

The reason the Model 118 flying automobile was never made available to the public was not because of a design flaw, not because of something the pilot did, but something he did not do.  On that cool November day, the Convair flying car crashed because… it ran out of gas.  Pilot Snodgrass was a careful pilot who always used a preflight checklist to avoid accidents such as this.  After the crash, Pilot Snodgrass went over the checklist more carefully one item at a time.  He remembered vividly checking the fuel gauge which showed to be full.  Then, he realized his mistake.  It was a simple mistake that anyone could make.  Pilot Snodgrass had checked the fuel gauge, the car’s fuel gauge.  He had not checked the airplane’s fuel gauge. 

Sources:

1.     The Fresno Bee, November 12, 1947, p.1.

2.     The Los Angeles Times, November 19, 1947, p.14.

3.     Holdenville Daily News, November 20, 1947, p.4.

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LaSalle Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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The following report displays all bookings made at the LaSalle Parish Jail between the dates listed. These arrests were made by LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and surrounding local and state agencies. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The Jena Police Department has issued a friendly reminder to shoppers at the Mission House: The prices are already low enough. There is no need to apply an unauthorized “five-finger discount.”

Police said they have recently heard reports of several thefts from the Mission House and pointed out one fairly important flaw in the bargain-hunting strategy — it is considerably cheaper to pay for the item than to pay for a theft ticket.

In other words, that $3 treasure on the shelf is only a bargain if you actually hand over the $3.

“See something you like? Buy it,” the department advised. “Think nobody will notice you taking it? Think again.”

The Mission House provides affordable items to area residents while using proceeds from sales to support its work in the community. Police emphasized that stealing a $1 or $3 item does more than deprive the store of a small amount of money — it takes resources away from an organization working to help others.

And for anyone still tempted by an item with an irresistible price tag, police offered some simple retail math:

$3 item + paying for it = $3.

$3 item + stealing it = potentially a whole lot more than $3.

The Jena Police Department summed up the lesson nicely: “Steal it? Now that $3 bargain just got A LOT more expensive.”

So shoppers are encouraged to browse, find a bargain and support the Mission House — just remember that when it comes time to leave, the merchandise needs to have made a quick trip through the checkout first.

After all, there are bargains at the Mission House.

Theft tickets are not one of them.

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JENA, La. — Jena’s most wanted suspect is back in custody after a wandering pig turned Hendrix Street into the scene of an unusual—and highly entertaining—manhunt.

The Jena Police Department first alerted residents that a pet pig was on the loose around Hendrix Street, issuing a straightforward plea to the owner: “If this little porker belongs to you, please come get your pig.”

Police stopped short of accusing the four-legged fugitive of causing any real trouble, but made one thing clear—the pig needed to head home.

That, however, was apparently not part of the pig’s plans.

As reports continued coming in about the roaming porker, police provided an update that the owner had been identified and was aware of the pig’s adventure. Attempts had already been made to capture him, but authorities reported that the escapee had “no plans of going quietly.”

The owner continued working to safely catch the pig while police asked anyone encountering the wandering pork chop to give him some space.

“He may be loose, but he is definitely not lost!” the department reported.

With a rodeo scheduled at the arena at 8 p.m. that night and again the following night, Jena Police also addressed what some residents might have suspected.

“And before anyone asks… NO, this is not our way of advertising the rodeo at the arena tonight and tomorrow at 8 PM!”

By 3:20 p.m. Aug. 21, the great Hendrix Street pig pursuit finally came to an end.

The pig had been captured.

The owner successfully and safely caught the runaway, allowing police to officially close what they described as “Jena’s most unexpected traffic stop.”

The department thanked everyone who kept an eye out and helped spread the word during the pig’s brief taste of freedom.

“Our entertainment is over for the day (hopefully),” Jena Police stated.

No high-speed chase. No handcuffs. No trip to the parish jail.

Just one adventurous pig headed home after keeping his owner, police and much of Jena entertained.

Case closed.

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LASALLE PARISH, La. — LaSalle Parish will see hot and sunny conditions Wednesday before increased chances for showers and thunderstorms arrive Wednesday night and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 98 degrees. Southwest winds will be around 5 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of precipitation. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible before 10 p.m., followed by a chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. and another chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. The low will be around 75.

Thursday will bring the greatest chance for rain, with showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 94. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., followed by a slight chance of showers. The low will be around 72.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high near 94. There is a 20 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Friday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.

Saturday will return to sunny and hot conditions with a high near 97. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 72.

Sunday will remain sunny and hot with a high near 97 degrees.

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The LaSalle Tigers will travel to Natchitoches Friday, Aug. 28, to take on St. Mary’s as part of the 2026 NRMC Battle on the Bricks Jamboree at Northwestern State University.

LaSalle and St. Mary’s are scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. at Turpin Stadium.

LaSalle High School is encouraging Tiger fans planning to attend the jamboree to purchase their tickets in advance at the LHS office. Advance tickets are $12, with LaSalle Tigers Football receiving 100% of the proceeds from tickets sold through the school.

Tickets purchased at the gate on game day will cost $15, with those ticket proceeds split among all teams participating in the jamboree.

School officials are encouraging fans to purchase tickets at LaSalle High School this week to directly support the Tigers football program while also saving $3 on admission.

Fans attending the event should also be aware that a clear bag policy will be in effect at the stadium.

LaSalle High School is encouraging the community to make plans to travel to NSU Friday night and support the Tigers as they face St. Mary’s in the preseason jamboree.

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Hunters hoping for an opportunity to participate in Louisiana’s 2026 black bear hunting season have only a few days left to enter the state’s permit lottery.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reminding hunters that the deadline to apply for the 2026 Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery is Friday, Aug. 28.

This year, 42 black bear tags will be available through the lottery, with hunting opportunities offered across all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas.

The 2026 black bear hunting season is scheduled for Dec. 5-20.

Applicants must have a valid Louisiana black bear hunting license before submitting a lottery application. The application fee is $50 and is non-refundable.

Bear harvest permits are divided into three categories: WMA, Private Landowner and General.
Hunters selected through the lottery will also be required to attend an LDWF bear hunter training course before participating in the hunt. Training courses are scheduled for Oct. 16, 17, 22 and 23. According to LDWF, failure to attend the required training could result in forfeiture of the permit.

Louisiana’s black bear hunting season returned in 2024 following decades without a regulated season. The hunt is managed through a limited permit system as part of the state’s black bear management program.

Hunters interested in entering the 2026 lottery should complete the application process before the Aug. 28 deadline.

Additional information, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery webpage.

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Louisiana residents planning to take to the roads or waterways during the upcoming Labor Day weekend are being reminded to drive and boat sober as law enforcement agencies prepare to increase impaired-driving patrols across the state.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hosted the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” press conference on Monday, Aug. 24, in the Joe L. Herring Room in Baton Rouge.

LDWF Enforcement Division Col. Stephen Clark joined representatives from several law enforcement agencies to emphasize that impaired operation of vehicles and vessels will not be tolerated. Officials said DUI enforcement patrols will increase during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

“During Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Louisiana Game Wardens will join our law enforcement partners in maintaining a visible presence statewide,” Clark said. “While our primary responsibility will be on the waterways, we are part of the same coordinated effort to prevent impaired operation and save lives. Through that coordinated effort, we can carry a consistent safety message from Louisiana’s roadways to its waterways.”

Louisiana game wardens will focus much of their enforcement efforts on the state’s waterways, where increased recreational boating is expected during the holiday weekend.

The statewide campaign also involves agencies responsible for highway and local traffic enforcement.

Other speakers at Monday’s press conference included Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Frank Besson, New Orleans Police Department Capt. Anthony Micheu, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas “TJ” Morse Jr., Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.

Officials are urging residents to make plans for a sober driver before drinking and reminding boat operators that impaired operation on the water can have serious consequences just as it can on the highway.

The message from participating agencies heading into the holiday weekend is simple: Drive sober. Boat sober. Help keep Louisiana’s roads and waterways safe.

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I’ve always felt that I grew up in the perfect era. It was the early ‘70s and the Vietnam War was coming to an end. My generation never had to worry about being drafted by the armed forces. If you wanted to join the military, it was strictly voluntary. 

While a few of my classmates chose to go in that direction, my attention was trying to get an athletic scholarship to play either football or baseball on the Division 1 level.

Let’s go back to my early years of growing up in the small East Texas town of Mt. Pleasant. As a child during this time frame, we had a lot of freedom. If you had a bike, it was this form of transportation that was basically unlimited. If you could ride your bike on it, there was no limit to where you could go. 

We woke up at daylight and were on our bikes by 8 o’clock every summer morning and only came home for lunch, or right at dark. My kids still have a hard time understanding that the only rule we had — be home when the streetlights came on. 

Parents didn’t always check on their kids. They pretty much knew where they supposed to be. My mother always knew where I was and who I was with most of the time. There was also a certain amount of trust between parents and their kids, until that trust was broken and we got into trouble. 

We lived about three miles out of town and several days out of the week, I would ride my bike for miles. I was either playing ball somewhere at a local ballpark or somebody’s back yard. We rode our bikes looking for coke bottles on the side of the road that we could trade for candy at the local country store.

We played in creeks and ditches, especially after a big rain. As friends we were always together every day and spent a lot of time playing baseball or going to the local pool. 

Occasionally, you could find me fishing at one of the stock ponds, or tanks as they call them in Texas.  If I wasn’t at one of the ponds on our ranch, our neighbor Mr. Rayford Jones, who lived across the road from our house, owned a cattle farm and allowed my brother and me along with his grandson to fish his two ponds (tanks) that were full of bass and catfish. 

Growing up in the country meant you probably had a garden to tend to. Every other day, I had to spend a couple of hours raking grass out of the garden, which was absolute torture for me. But the produce that came out of the garden was incredible, especially after dad had a load of chicken manure brought in! 

We also had about two acres around our house that had to be mowed once every two weeks. Not with a riding mower, but with a push mower! That’s right, a 14-inch cut push mower, which required at least two days to complete the job. 

I had a brother, seven years younger, who was supposed to take over the lawn cutting duties after I left home for college. Guess what showed up two days before I left home: that’s right, a Sears riding mower! 

To say I voiced my displeasure to my parents about this purchase would be an understatement. For five years I push-mowed two acres and now my little brother would get to use a riding mower! 

That being said, there were several chores demanded of me that my brother never took on. So, I guess you could say being the youngest had its privileges.

Looking back, I had an awesome childhood with more freedom than kids have today. They say it’s a different world than what my generation grew up in. I’m not sure that’s totally right. 

There’s just so much more media exposure with up to the minute news and social media sites that are always shedding light on topics most really don’t want to hear about. 

There’s always been bad people in the world who are looking to prey upon the weak. Today’s kids are growing up in a bubble of overprotection. Parents are less likely today to allow their kids to roam free like we did. 

I think kids and young teenagers today are not near as mature as earlier generations. This is due to parents being overprotective, afraid to let their kids make mistakes they can learn from. With my generation, we all had summer and part-time jobs that helped us to mature and understand responsibility at an early age. 

Our parents did a great job of preparing us for the real world. That gave us something I think is lacking with so many of today’s youth –maturity and accepting responsibility. We can only hope and pray that the generation of today will find its own path to success sooner rather than later. 

Our country is at a crossroads in so many ways today. Far left extremists continues to gain ground in small areas of the country. But I don’t think when it comes down to a national election, they will have enough support to win.

I think common sense once again will prevail with the American people,like it did back in the good ole days. If it wasn’t for today’s social media, these small pockets of far-left activists would never even be heard. In God we trust! Stay strong America!

 Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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A bomb discovered at a Nevada casino on Aug. 26, 1980, was supposed to be carefully dismantled by the FBI. Instead, the attempt to disarm it triggered an explosion that caused millions of dollars in damage.

The bomb had been planted at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada, by extortionist John Birges. He demanded $3 million from the casino and built the device inside a large metal box.

When authorities discovered the bomb, FBI bomb technicians were brought in to dismantle it. During the operation, however, a mistake caused the device to detonate. The explosion tore through part of the hotel and caused an estimated $18 million in damage. 

Despite the enormous blast, no one was killed.

The bizarre incident became one of the more unusual chapters in the history of casino crime and bomb disposal. Birges was eventually arrested and convicted for the bombing.

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What if one concert could bring together people who love classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, love country music by artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brooks & Dunn & Jelly Roll, those who love  Southern Gospel and traditional Black Gospel, along with those who grew up listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, STYX and classic rock?

There’s one that can.

It’s an Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (ARD) concert.

The Disciples’ mantra is “Familiar Music. Timeless Message.” They like to describe their concerts as seven very accomplished musicians with very diverse backgrounds coming together to make “A VERY Joyful Noise!”

ARD was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the fall of 2024, when seven musicians who also happened to be friends came together to play music, have fun and praise God—and ended up forming a unique music ministry.

“It all came together very quickly and very organically,” said bassist Keith “Don’t call Me Shirley” Shirley. “We were just jamming around and having fun. We would play a Southern Gospel song, then a contemporary Christian song, then a country song, then a classic rock song. Sometimes we would almost accidentally mash them together, look at each other and say, ‘Hey, that works!’”

Shirley gives credit where he believes it belongs.

“We knew the good Lord had His hand in this from the get-go,” he said. “The blending of the various musical styles—or ‘mashups,’ as we call them—came together so naturally and so quickly that we knew God was doing something.”

Don’t let all the joking fool you. There is an extraordinary amount of musical experience on an ARD stage.

Among the Disciples are four members of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, current and former church music directors and ministers, and musicians holding at least five music degrees, including a doctorate. Violinist Andrei Kurti studied at the Moscow Conservatory and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls throughout Europe.

Altogether, the group stopped counting after passing 300 years of combined musical performance experience.

But ARD is difficult to put into a musical box.

“I don’t think you can pigeonhole us as a Gospel group or even simply a Christian music group,” said vocalist Julia Brown. “What we see happening over and over at our concerts is that folks who don’t normally listen to Christian music hear us play a classic rock song or even a current country song reinterpreted through the lens of faith, and they think, ‘Hey, I know that song!’ Before they know it, they’re hearing a contemporary Christian song or a Southern Gospel song and finding that they like it, in spite of themselves.”

“Familiar music is the bridge, and Jesus is where the bridge leads.”

The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples have performed at churches of various denominations, non-denominational churches, festivals and other events. Along the way, they have watched people of different generations, races, backgrounds and faith traditions come together to laugh, cry , praise and sing along while hearing a message centered unmistakably on Jesus Christ.

“We take music people know, along with humor and fun, and use it to open the door,” said one of the Disciples. “Then we walk through that door with them. And no one receives a bigger blessing than us.”

That connection is at the heart of an ARD concert.

“We’re constantly striving to connect with someone in the audience and convey the message that no matter what problems you’re having in your life, you don’t have to face them alone. There’s strength and hope in Jesus. If we reach one person, it’s all been worth it.”

After a recent Disciples concert at a church, an elderly lady approached the group with just one word to describe what she had experienced:

“Joyous.”

The band couldn’t have asked for a better description.

ARD believes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to be somber. There can be laughter. There can be great music. There can be familiar songs, unexpected arrangements, stories, memories and plenty of fun.

And there can be joy.

That’s why the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples plan to keep doing exactly what they set out to do:

Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

THE AMAZING! RHYTHM DISCIPLES
Familiar Music. Timeless Message.
Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

For appearances and hosting information:
www.amazingrhythmdisciples.com

Paid Content

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Human beings are amazing creatures. We can build skyscrapers, transplant hearts, send people into space, and teach a telephone to recognize our face. But ask us to do something difficult—even something we have dreamed about doing—and suddenly we become extraordinarily creative theologians.

“I would, Lord, but…”

That sentence may be humanity’s oldest hymn.

Moses certainly knew the tune. In Exodus 3, God appears to him in a burning bush and essentially says, “Moses, remember that thing you have cared about most of your life? Remember your people suffering in Egypt? Remember how you once tried to do something about it? Well, I’m sending you.”

You would expect Moses to shout, “Finally!”

Instead, Moses begins producing excuses like a Louisiana mosquito produces relatives.

“Who am I?”

“What if they don’t believe me?”

“What if I don’t know what to say?”

“I’m not a good speaker.”

And finally, when the theological arguments run out: “Lord, please send somebody else.”

That last one is refreshingly honest.

We do exactly the same thing.

“I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

Wonderful. Start writing.

“Well, I really need the right desk.”

So we buy the desk.

“Now I need the right chair.”

We buy the chair.

“Of course, proper lighting is important.”

Six months later we have a magnificent home office, three notebooks, seventeen pens, a new computer—and not one sentence.

Or maybe we have always wanted to get in shape. Monday morning arrives with all the promise of a new creation. Unfortunately, Monday is inconvenient. Tuesday looks better, except there may be rain. Wednesday is Bible study. Thursday feels too close to Friday, and everybody knows you should never begin anything major that close to a weekend.

Next Monday it is.

Church people are particularly gifted at sanctifying excuses.

“Someone ought to visit that person.”

Someone ought to.

“We really need somebody to work with the children.”

Absolutely.

“Somebody should invite that new family to lunch.”

Amen!

Apparently, “Somebody” is the busiest member of every congregation in America.

The funny thing is that we sometimes make excuses about doing the very things we have asked God to let us do.

We pray for an opportunity, and when God provides one, we say, “Not quite what I had in mind.”

We pray, “Lord, use me.”

God says, “All right.”

And suddenly we begin renegotiating the contract.

“Lord, when I said ‘use me,’ I was thinking perhaps in an advisory capacity.”

Moses discovered something important at the burning bush. God never really answered Moses’ question, “Who am I?”

Instead, God answered the question that mattered: “I will be with you.”

That is the hope for all of us excuse makers.

God does not wait for us to become fearless, eloquent, organized, perfectly prepared, ten pounds lighter, completely confident, or free next Tuesday.

God simply calls.

And when our excuses begin piling up, God keeps saying what he said to Moses:

I will be with you.

So perhaps the next time God opens the door we have spent years asking him to open, instead of developing another excellent reason why we cannot walk through it, we might take one trembling step.

We excuse makers may discover that God has already gone ahead of us.

And apparently, he is not nearly as impressed with our excuses as we are.

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Strabo was a Greek geographer born in 64 BC in what is now Amasya, Turkey.  Strabo was from an affluent family which afforded him a good education.  When he was about 21 years old, Strabo continued his education in Rome where he studied grammar, writing, history, rhetoric, and philosophy.  At some point, Strabo began writing a geography based on his extensive travels throughout the known world.  He described the people, places, animals, and collected stories from the places he visited.  He published his first edition of Geographica in 7 BC which included the story of a hetaira called Doricha.  A hetaira was a highly educated female companion who often served a variety of roles including artist, entertainer, conversationalist, and some say, prostitute.  Strabo wrote that Doricha “was bathing, an eagle snatched one of her sandals from her maid and carried it to Memphis; and while the king was administering justice in the open air, the eagle, when it arrived above his head, flung the sandal into his lap; and the king, stirred both by the beautiful shape of the sandal and by the strangeness of the occurrence, sent men in all directions into the country in quest of the woman who wore the sandal; and when she was found in the city of Naucratis, she was brought up to Memphis, and became the wife of the king.”  In his story, Doricha became the queen of Egypt.  I must stress that there is no evidence that there ever was a queen of Egypt named Doricha.

Strabo’s tale has been told and retold through the centuries.  In 1634, Italian Giambattista Basile published a notable version called La Gatta Cenerentola in his book entitled Il Penatamerone.  Cenerentola derived from the Italian word “cenere” which meant ash or cinder because the clothes of servants at the time were usually soiled by ash or cinder because of their cleaning duties.  In his version, the first to be published in the Western world, Basile changed Doricha’s name to Zezolla.  In 1697, Frenchman Charles Perrault published an even more embellished version of the tale in his book which translates to Histoires ou contes du temps passé (Histories, or Tales of Past Time).  Perrault changed her name from Doricha to another name which was a reference to her clothes being dirty.  It is Perrault’s embellished version of Strabo’s 2,000-year-old tale that we all know because he added a magic pumpkin, a fairy godmother, and a glass slipper.  Perrault called her Cendrillon, but we all know Doricha as Cinderella.   

Sources:

1.     Strabo, The Geography of Strabo, trans., Boox XVII, P. 93, accessed August 16, 2026, https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/e/roman/texts/strabo/17a3*.html.

2.     Giambattista Basile, Il Penatamerone, trans., Chapter VI, Gutenberg Project, accessed August 16, 2026, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2198/2198-h/2198-h.htm#chap06.

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LaSalle Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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1163 BELGARD BEND RD.

For buyers seeking the perfect balance of peaceful waterfront living and exceptional functional versatility, this stunning 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom farmhouse estate in Boyce delivers a premier value-driven opportunity. Situated on a generous 0.88-acre lot along Bayou Rapides, this property is ideal for anyone looking to maximize their lifestyle or investment, combining grand scale with highly practical amenities just 10 minutes from the heart of Alexandria.

The home features an expansive, well-planned layout spanning approximately 3,400 square feet of living space. A welcoming front porch featuring newly updated composite flooring opens into a grand living area and formal dining room accented with timeless crown molding. The central 18-by-23-foot living room features a cozy gas fireplace and flows seamlessly into a bright 11-by-10-foot breakfast nook and a fully equipped kitchen. Home chefs will appreciate the new stainless steel appliances, a massive walk-in pantry, and direct 2-car garage access that makes everyday utility a breeze.

The main-floor layout ensures maximum accommodation and privacy. The primary suite serves as a dedicated sanctuary, offering a large 15-by-19-foot layout, pristine views of the bayou, direct access to the back porch, a walk-in closet, and a luxury ensuite bath with dual vanities, a tile shower, and a classic clawfoot soaker tub. A main-floor guest bedroom enjoys convenient full bath access, while the laundry room is smartly equipped with a second-floor laundry chute. The home is also supplied by a new, energy-efficient tankless water heater.

The upper level expands the property’s utility significantly, holding an additional guest suite, extra storage, and attic access. A major structural highlight is the impressive 900-plus-square-foot flex space on the main floor. Complete with its own private entrance, independent sinks, and full bath access, this massive 19-by-29-foot wing is perfectly optimized for a high-end home office, dedicated gym, or private guest quarters.

Outside, the 0.88-acre lot provides a serene waterfront setting with open views of the bayou. A fenced backyard shaded by a mature oak tree creates an exceptional space for outdoor entertaining right by the water, complete with a private dock and storage shed. Delivering breathtaking views, flexible square footage, and a prime Cenla location, this Bayou Rapides property offers utility and lifestyle features that are rare to find in this price bracket. Schedule your viewing today to evaluate this practical opportunity for yourself.

Listing Courtesy: Cade Michael. Ostenson of the Trish Leleux Group

List Price: $485,000
Parish: Rapides
City: Boyce
Zip: 71409

Richard Beck
Rick Beck, REALTOR®
C: (318) 792-6852 | O: 318-619-7796
rick.beck1607@gmail.com
Keller Williams Cenla Partners
2965-B Hwy 165
Pineville, LA 71360
Each office is independently owned & operated.
Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

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The following report displays all bookings made at the LaSalle Parish Jail between the dates listed. These arrests were made by LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and surrounding local and state agencies. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Department will host a “Thirst for Change” Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 20, offering community members an opportunity to donate blood and support those in need.

The LifeShare Blood Center Blood Mobile will be available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Donors are encouraged to sign up in advance using the QR code provided on the event flyer.

Organizers are encouraging residents to participate, emphasizing that a single act of donating blood can make a difference in someone’s future.

As an added incentive, those who donate will receive a limited-edition LifeShare water bottle while supplies last.

The blood drive is part of an effort to encourage community members to take action through blood donation and help provide a potentially lifesaving resource to patients in need.

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