Nancy Hughes: What happens when I don't forgive

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV)


It’s hard to describe the surge of intense anger I instantly felt when I heard the voice behind me. “I bet you don’t remember me . . .” I forced a smile on my face as I turned to greet her, but on the inside, I was raging. Surely she could see my shirt jumping from the pounding of my heart! My hands clenched and unclenched as I battled a deep desire to grab her and scream, “How dare you come up to me after everything you did?”

But instead I replied, “Yes, I do remember you. It’s been a long time,” as she squeezed my hand and smiled. I had not forgotten her or how she had treated me many years before, as we rode the school bus together day after day, but evidently she had. She was 5 years older than me and never bothered to glance my way when she was by herself. But when her best friend was with her, she suddenly became bold in her comments, and they bruised my heart much worse than if she had physically hit me and left a mark on my skin.

She would always sit in the seat behind me and speak to her friend in a stage whisper. “Nancy is so skinny. I bet she has some terrible disease and is going to die!” she would tell her friend. Or “Do you know what I heard about Nancy’s mother?” she would whisper loudly and then make up a horrible story that, while I knew it wasn’t true, hurt me terribly. And if I began to cry at what she said, she would immediately make fun of me for the tears. I cannot describe the relief that I felt on the day she graduated because I knew that I would not be hurt by her anymore.

Can I just be completely honest with you? I was in total shock at my reaction to her voice and my vivid, detailed memories of her behavior years before! Until the exact moment that I heard her voice, I thought I had forgiven her and had forgotten what had happened! I had read Scriptures on forgiving someone who has hurt you. I had given countless talks at women’s groups on forgiveness. I had encouraged members in my Sunday school class to forgive. But I had not.

Instead, I had planted my anger and resentment and hurt deep into the soil of my heart, and I had allowed it to take root and grow – for years. Then I read Mark 11:25, and I came face to face with my Father and His Word. He is direct and to the point: He will not forgive me for sinning against Him if I have not done the same: forgiven those who have sinned against me. There is no addendum attached that says “this Scripture only applies if the offender is truly sorry and asks you for forgiveness.” Nope. It says “forgive.” Period.

Hard to do? At times, oh yes, but so much easier if you ask the Lord for help. And that is exactly what I did. First, I asked Him to forgive me for my attitude and then to pull the anger, hurt, and resentment out of my heart and replace them with mercy, grace, and forgiveness. His answer was “yes.” And one more point – just because you have forgiven does not mean that you will forever forget what happened. 

But instead of continually allowing yourself to become angry and bitter, use your memory as an opportunity to remind yourself how badly you felt and resolve to never EVER treat someone as you were treated. Then thank the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness toward you. Have you been hurt or wronged or sinned against? Jesus understands completely. His example? Forgive so that we may be forgiven.

Father, please reveal to me any instance when I have not forgiven someone who has hurt or wronged me. I want to forgive as you do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .


Reflect

Is there someone in your life, past or present, who hurt you deeply?

Have you truly forgiven that person, or do you feel anger and resentment every time you think about them?

Apply

Journal the initials of people that you know or have known who have hurt you or sinned against you.

Beside each one, write “I forgive you as my Father has forgiven me.” And lift up each one to the Lord.

Power

Mark 11:25 (NIV) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)

Carthage man charged with domestic assault, tampering with a witness

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed four felony charges against a Carthage man Friday.

Leonardo Eliseo Rabanalez-Vasquez (DOB 1998) is being held in the Joplin City Jail on a $50,000 cash bond or $250,000 surety on two counts of domestic assault and single counts of resisting arrest and tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution.

From the probable cause statement:

On 04/17/2026 at 0343 hours, I, Officer Blevins, was dispatched to 417 North Moffet Ave Jasper
County, Joplin, MO for an open 911 call.

During the call a male identifed as Leonardo Rabanalez-Vasquez could be heard telling the female
identified as V1 {that he would} kill everyone if cops show up. They have been in a dating relationship since December 2025. 

Leonardo told V1 if anyone pulls up to the house that she was dead and it was her fault. Leonardo continued making multiple threats to kill anyone that shows up to the house, and it would be all V1's fault. V1 could be heard by dispatch saying her jaw hurt.

The threats continued even after our arrival at the address.

I began to give commands over the loudspeaker of my vehicle. After several commands, V1 approached us from the south side of the house and Leonardo was behind her with no shirt. Leonardo was given several commands to keep his hands in the air, stop where he was and go to the ground.

Leonardo ignored all commands and continued to walk quickly at officers with his hands balled up and
chest in a flex manner. Leonardo was tased at this time. Once trying to place him into custody Leonardo
then pulled his hands away from Officers, started to flex and said he was stronger than Officers.

Leonardo was tased again and held under power until he was placed into custody.

I then spoke to V1 who said Leonardo pushed her, then grabbed her from behind and began to squeeze
as he held V1's mouth and nose shut. Leonardo then threw V1 on the bed, got on top of her and began
strangling her.

Once Leonardo got off of V1, V1 then called 911 and left it open for dispatch to listen.

V1 had marks consistent with her story.

Craig Smith trial postponed

The trial of former Carl Junction R-1 music teacher Craig Smith on stalking and possession of child pornography charges, originally scheduled to begin April 15, has been postponed.

According to Jasper County Circuit Court online records, Smith's attorney, Jonathan Pierce, filed a motion for continuance in March saying that the defense's computer expert "needs additional time to review large volumes of forensic evidence."

The trial has not been rescheduled at this point. A 9 a.m. May 4 hearing has been scheduled for pre-trial motions for a change of plea.

The date has been set for another trial involving Smith. A lawsuit filed against Smith, the Carl Junction R-1 School District and administrators Kyle Williams and Nicole Keller has been scheduled for July 5, 2027, with seven days set aside, according to online records.

The lawsuit was filed by "Jane Doe" who Smith allegedly stalked from the time she was in sixth grade through high school.

Former Carl Junction student sues R-1 District, administrators, Craig Smith

Casey's, Range Line Eagle Stop fail Joplin Health Department inspections

Casey's General Store, 201 S. Maiden Lane, and Range Line Eagle Stop, 3504 S. Range Line failed Joplin Health Department inspections this week, according to information posted on the department website.

Casey's had two priority violations and one core violation.

The priority violations were for food items in the walk-in cooler being cold-held above 41 degrees and for having ammonium sanitizer concentration at levels above 500 ppm.

The core violation was for having liquid leaking from the cooling unit in the walk-in freezer onto the floor.

Range Line Eagle Stop had one priority violation and two core violations.

The priority violation was for having food in the cooler being cold held above 41 degrees.

The core violations were for not providing a sanitizer test kit and for having an accumulation of liquid drink syrup underneath the bag and box soda dispenser.

The following establishments passed their inspections:

Joplin City Jail, 303 E. 3rd Street

Irving Elementary School, 2109 S. McClelland Boulevard

Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza, 2640 E. 32nd Street

Downtown Burgers, 212 S. Main Street

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Breakfast, 3400 S. Range Line Road

Arby's, 2408 S. Range Line Road

Little Caesar's Pizza, 823 S. Maiden Lane

Pizza Hut, 1901 S. Range Line Road

Royal Heights Elementary School, 2100 Rolla Street

Subway at Rapid Roberts, 4549 43 Highway

Bamboo, 2316 S. Maiden Lane

Casey's General Store, 2604 N. Range Line Road

Main Street Liquor, 1620 S. Main Street

Briley's LLC, 901 S. Main Street

Jimmy's Egg, 1611 S. Range Line Road

Frank's Lounge, 2112 S. Main Street

Braum's, 2410 S. Range Line Road

Golden Dragon, 1020 S. Range Line Road

Manuela's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, 2412 S. Main Street

Kinnaree Thai Cuisine, 1227 E. 32nd Street

Woody's Wood-Fire Pizza Bar and Oven, 1837 W. 7th Street

Gringo's, 315 W. 26th Street

Longhorn Steakhouse, 1930 S. Range Line Road (re-inspection)

Gringo's, 315 W. 26th Street

 

Joplin Globe editorial advocates Ryan Jackson's removal

Two days before the Joplin City Council is scheduled to discuss Council member Ryan Jackson's comments about a transgender council candidate and his threats to release information he says he has about local TV personalities to anti-LGBTQ sites, the city's newspaper of record appears to be advocating Jackson's removal.

In an editorial in today's edition, titled "Council needs to act on comments," the Globe noted that Jackson's threats against the local television stations, particularly KSNF and KODE, which reported about his disparaging comments about candidate Ellie (Matthew) Wolsey, who was unsuccessful in the election earlier this month, appear to be illegal.

Attempts to intimidate people by releasing personal information is known as “doxing.” Missouri law bans doxing, specifically prohibiting sharing personal information — that would include cellphone numbers, addresses and emails — to cause harm or death or to cause fear of harm or death. If the threat were found to constitute harassment or stalking, Jackson could also face legal repercussions.

The editorial notes that Jackson says his comments are protected by the First Amendment.

While free speech may protect Jackson’s comment, it doesn’t relieve him of his responsibilities as an elected official. Nor does it protect him from the consequences of his remarks.

The Globe concluded its editorial by advocating for steps to be taken against Jackson.

While all legislative bodies should be hesitant to oust someone voters approved, this isn’t Jackson’s first offense and both incidents involved his comments about LGBTQ residents. Censure or even removal should be on the table.

If the Joplin City Council fails to act, city residents should pursue a recall petition.

 

Morgan Smith named Carl Junction R-1 Teacher of the Year

(From the Carl Junction R-1 School District)

What a special evening celebrating the heart of Carl Junction Schools at our Community & Education Awards Banquet! 

We are incredibly proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond every single day to serve our students, staff, and community.

District & Elementary Teacher of the Year – 2026
Morgan Smith – Intermediate

Secondary Teacher of the Year – 2026
 Abby Adamson – Junior High

Additional Teacher Impact Honorees – 2026
Alexia Miller – Early Childhood & K-1
Candace Vene – Primary (2-3)
Theresa Calandro – High School
Brenden Gubera – High School
Pat Owens Carl Junction Support Staff of the Year – 2026
 

Shawn Tournear – Maintenance
Support Staff Honorees by Building/Department:
K-1: Andrea Spindler – Nurse
Primary (2-3): Laci Reed – Library Aide
Intermediate: Keineth Walter – Health Transport
Junior High: Russell Immesote – JH Tech Office
High School & Custodial: Lindsay Long – HS Lead Custodian
Food Service: Richard Conaway
Transportation: Mike Cook

A huge thank you to our generous award sponsors: Curt & Kristie Crossland, Jennafer Johnson – Edward Jones, and Southwest Missouri Bank for helping make this night possible.

Moments like these remind us how blessed we are to be surrounded by people who pour their hearts into making a difference. It’s a great day to be a Bulldog!

McDonald County High School mourns loss of freshman

(From McDonald County R-1 School District)

We are deeply saddened to share that a freshman student at McDonald County High School passed away this morning.

Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who are grieving this loss.

This news was shared with students today, and counselors and support staff are available at the high school and Rocky Comfort Elementary to provide care and support to any student who needs it.

As we head into the long weekend, we encourage families to take time to check in with their children and reach out if support is needed. We are here to help and support our students and staff during this difficult time.

Thank you.

Joplin man sentenced to 15 years for Discount Liquor Store shooting

Trent Cobb, Joplin, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree assault in connection with an April 17, 2024 shooting at Discount Liquor Store, 1817 S. Main, Joplin.

Cobb pleaded guilty February 17 and acknowledged that he shot Eric Bauersfield, who was taken to local hospital with a wound to the abdomen.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office provided the following information in a February 17 news release:

The shooting was investigated by the Joplin Police Department. Based on witness testimony and video of the shooting, they determined the identity of the shooter. 

A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 2 2024, but the defendant was not arrested until December of 2024, when he was located out of state by U.S. Marshals.

The plea agreement caps the sentence at 15 years in the Department of Corrections, and includes a dismissal of Count II: Armed Criminal Action.

Liberal man arrested on weapons charge following search warrant execution

(From the Barton County Sheriff's Office)

On April 10, 2026, Deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Liberal Police Department, Lamar Police Department, and Agents with the Mid Missouri Career Criminal and Drug Task Force (MMCCDTF) executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Fishback St. in Liberal, Missouri.

Agents had received information that an individual residing at the location was a convicted felon in possession of firearms. A search warrant was obtained on April 8, 2026, and executed on April 10, 2026.

During the search, Deputies and Agents located two firearms inside the residence. Both firearms were seized and placed into evidence. One adult male was present at the time of the search. He was taken into custody and transported to the Barton County Jail for processing, where he was placed on a 24-hour hold pending further investigation.

The individual has been identified as Andrew J. Dohle of Liberal, Missouri. Mr. Dohle has been charged with the following offenses:

• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Class E Felony (2 counts)

On April 10, 2026, the above charges were submitted to Barton County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Smalley. On April 11, 2026, the Honorable Judge James Nichols issued a warrant for the listed charges. Bond has been set at Capias (No Bond).

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Lamar Police Department, Liberal Police Department, and the Barton County Ambulance District for their assistance.

Anderson man bound over for trial on sodomy charge

 

An Anderson man was bound over for trial after waiving his preliminary hearing Wednesday in McDonald County Circuit Court.

Craig Alan Ruble, 40, is scheduled to be arraigned 9 a.m. May 18 in the trial court.

Ruble allegedly forced a woman to perform oral sex on him September 5.

The charge involved an act that allegedly took place September 5 when Ruble asked a friend to bring him food, according to the probable cause statement.

When they were inside the residence, Ruble exposed himself to the woman and ordered her to perform oral sex on him, according to the probable cause statement.

After 10 to 15 minutes, they were interrupted and the woman was able to flee, the statement said.

From the probable cause statement:

Ruble has a known history to resist arrest, by fleeing, using violence and deception to evade capture. Ruble has been charged multiple times with Domestic Assault and has been convicted of violating an Order of Protection as well as multiple other narcotics charges.

 

The case was investigated by the Anderson Police Department.

(Note: This post has been changed to reflect that Ruhle waived his preliminary hearing and the details of the alleged offense that were posted earlier were from the probable cause statement from another case in which Ruble allegedly forced a woman to perform oral sex.)