"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." ~ The Apostle Paul in his letter to The Galatians, Chapter 3, Verse 28

Good morning folks and welcome to our time together on this Friday, May 23, 2025. Thanks for showing up. Yesterday I was touting my Louisiana roots, but, as a youngster we lived in Port Arthur, Texas until dad's passing in 1954. We had moved there from Louisiana so maybe 4 years there for me and then back to Louisiana until accepting a job and moving to Houston in 1969 and we have been in the Houston metro area our entire time. That makes for over 60 years here in the Lone Star State. We bought the house we are living in back in the summer of 1984. It got messed up a lot when Hurricane Ike put a huge pine tree in one of the upstairs bedrooms allowing for over 12 inches of rain to collapse ceilings. This meant we did extensive repair which was an unexpected upgrade to a place built in the early 1970's. But it and Texas are home. We haven't forgotten Louisiana where a huge number of our relatives continue to live, but, God has been good to allow us the run we have had here. It's been interesting to hear people's responses when they learn I am originally from Louisiana. Hey man, "I bet growing up you really enjoyed Cajun music and boiled crawfish?" Not really. I grew up in the west central area of Louisiana better known as the Bible Belt. I don't think I even heard Cajun music until I was in my 20's and it was many years after that before I even tasted boiled crawfish. We were raised up as strict fundamentalist Baptists. Therefore, any mischief we got into had to be well thought out and undercover. As the comedian says about his upbringing, "My parents were so strict I'm pretty sure Jesus had a whole lot more fun than I did." I can identify with that thought. However, we reflect the diversity everyone talks about today. The people in South Louisiana are mostly Catholic, and, the people in the upper part of the state are mostly not. One of the famous characters from Louisiana who was Governor, and also a U.S. Senator, Huey P. Long was able to proclaim virtue and abstinence in the upper part of the state while emphasizing partying and having a good time in the south. When we moved into this ole house our across the driveway neighbors were both hoots. They were older and became very dear to us, (Ruth and Ellis). When we first talked he asked me where we went to Church. I told him the Baptist Church we attended. He said they were lifelong Methodists. And, then he said the way you know the difference is this: "We Methodists do our drinking on the front porch and you Baptists do yours on the back porch." They were so dear to us.  People could only dream of having such wonderful neighbors. They were blessings!

I said all of that to say this, no matter where you come from you are a part of the family, the human family. Our pastor likes to say it like this, "I'm committed to trying to reach all the people Jesus died to save!" Sometimes we get the idea that Christianity is mostly for Americans and that may be why many are willing to buy a Trump Bible for $75. My point is how every man, woman, boy, and girl have the same problem. We all are sinners. (Romans 3:23) This means our sinner status separates us from a Holy and Righteous God. That's the problem Jesus came into the world to solve. He died in our place and everyone who accepts His blood offering of Himself by recognizing their need, repenting of their sins, and, putting their faith and trust in Him, that causes one to be made right in the sight of God and we become His very own children. That's how I see the common denominator for all people everywhere. As is so often said, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Okay. Now you know a little of my background. A tiny bit, but, enough to say we all need God regardless. Regardless. The Provision is available, but, there's still the part about whosoever. You have to become the whosoever that calls on the name of the Lord. (Romans 10:13) Don't wait to do it because while we all share the common human identity, we also share the common risk of not knowing what might happen, period, going forward, from now. That's something to think about! Right? I do hope you have a great rest of today, a wonderful Saturday, and, a fresh beginning on Lord's Day Sunday. Until next time, don't forget to remember to thank God for His great love, mercy, and grace. Amen.