We should dwell on the peace of God rather than the turmoil of life’s trials.   #theloriclineshow   Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!   ~~~   Don’t you love a good pot luck? Church going folks LOVE a pot luck dinner. Isn’t it funny though that we don’t believe in luck, but still we call it a pot luck? Well the point is, everyone brings something! Bring a dish, any dish and we’ll put it all together and have a meal. And how many pot lucks have you gone to where there’s one too many green bean casseroles, buckets of fried chicken or store bought potato salad? It happens. Still everyone gets fed and blessed and who doesn’t love fried chicken? My husband and I have intentionally had people gather in our home for over twenty five years. Cell groups, small groups, villages, D groups, city groups or whatever you want to call them, we’ve gathered as the church in our home. It has been and continues to be a beautiful thing to study scripture, worship, pray over one another, share the joys and struggles of life together and of course break bread together within the walls of our home. A big part of every gathering is the food. We don’t leave that to luck! We all make clear who’s bringing what. What’s fun is discovering the special things people enjoy making and bringing to the table. Sometimes they become ‘known’ for that thing. Our friend Emily makes the most amazing home made sour dough bread. Tina’s breakfast casserole is a favorite. Mrs Sue’s pecan pie is like no other you’ve ever tried. My brother in law brings his famous potato salad. When we were living in Tennessee, my husband’s homemade mac and cheese was always a favorite. He made it just like his mama did. You know we can also be known for what we bring, when it comes to everyday life. What are you bringing, when you show up to the world each day? The moment you walk into the kitchen with your kids or your spouse, what are you bringing? Do you bring anxiety? Do you bring judgement or anger? Do you bring unforgiveness. When you head out into traffic, are you bringing frustration to the road? At work, do you bring pride, insecurity or maybe you bring no feelings at all, you’re just apathetic and would so rather go through your entire day not being bothered by anyone. This is a look in the mirror moment. What DO I bring to the table? You could ask your family or some trusted friends around you. How do you see me? How do you experience me? If you are a believer, do you realize the world around us doesn’t often like what Christians bring to the table? Sadly there are times we bring everything but Jesus. I’m afraid the love we are to be known for is more of an annoying, clanging cymbal kind of sound we read about in 1 Corinthians 13. We do all the things, yet we do not love. Let it begin with me. I want to be known by the love of Christ that compels me to put God first in my life and known for how I love my neighbor as myself. When I rest IN the love of Christ, the thing I will bring to this world, is SHALOM. Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Don’t let your mind be divided by the cares of this world or consumed with your own selfishness. May we daily lay our burdens down at Jesus’ feet and trust Him. As we set our heart and mind on good things, the peace of God protects us and is WITH us. When we live that way, what we bring, IS the SHALOM of Christ. That’s the truth. Peace be WITH you today, because when it is, it’s what you will bring to those around you and you’ll be known for it. That’s what the world is hungry for. I’m Lori Cline.