This past Sunday, I was invited to attend the Life Gate Church in Metairie whose pastor is Bro. Michael Green. I enjoy visiting different churches and whenever I’m invited, I make every effort to accept the invitation.

As I walked in the foyer, one of the people I met was a young boy wearing an Ole Miss Rebel cap and sweatshirt. I asked, “Did you buy that after the game Saturday?” “No sir,” he answered.

Upon entering the sanctuary, I was impressed with the cross section of people. It’s often said that the most segregated places in America are the churches on Sunday morning. Life Gate was different. The congregation was split — half Caucasians and half African Americans.

At the beginning of the sermon, Pastor Green called up the young man with the Ole Miss cap and sweatshirt. It happened to be his son, Tyler. He told the congregation that he and his son had gone to the football game the day before — Tyler with his Rebel colors and him with the Tigers’ purple and gold. He shared that on the trip to Baton Rouge, cars proudly displayed their team’s colors. People were unashamed of letting the world know what team they supported.

Evidently, they were seated in the LSU section, because people wanted to know where he had picked up the Rebel fan. “I picked him up under a bridge on my way here,” he, jokingly, answered. He said all the fans were nice, except one man told his son where he should go. He shouted back, “That’s not an option for him. He’s saved!” Tyler, embarrassed, said, “Daddy, did you have to say that?”

As he ended his remarks about his LSU — Ole Miss game experience, the message was that the fans on both sides boldly expressed their commitment to the team they supported. Wouldn’t it be great if we, as Christians, were as enthusiastic and boldly expressed our loyalty to the Christian team we represent?

Since it is Thanksgiving week, the message was taken from Psalm 106. The first verse reads: “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

I, thoroughly, enjoyed the service and it reinforced what I believe, and that is, we should daily maintain an attitude of gratitude.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.