Have you ever been in a situation, or anticipated a situation, where you desperately hoped that God would be present, so that something positive could happen in an otherwise negative or anxious situation?  When you feel anxiety about a situation or a relationship, do you wonder what you can do to get God to be present?  I know that I have.
  As Shannon and I prepare to move to Durango, that is our greatest prayer, that God will be present and active in Durango and in our lives.  Otherwise, how could we even consider taking such a big step as a new church start?  This is certainly not a negative situation, but there is much anxiety as we wonder what the future might hold.  How can we be sure that God will be with us?
   Maxie Dunnam has provided a helpful perspective in The Workbook on Becoming Alive in Christ (p. 148).  Dunnam is thinking of these same kinds of situations and relationships when he suggests that our faith can make all the difference, and not a huge amount of faith (remember that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains).  He suggests that our faith in God's presence, in our lives, allows us to then carry God's presence into whatever situation or relationship we enter into.  Thus, we can make sure that God is present in any and every situation or relationship.
   "The fact that we are present in a situation alters it profoundly because God is then present with us through our faith.  For instance, when a quarrel is about to begin …we can recollect ourselves and say, 'Lord I believe

in you, come and be among us.'  Or, when we face a situation where we fear the unknown, we can ask, "Lord, please be with us in this new venture?"  And by this act of faith…we can intercede with our God who has promised his presence when we ask for it."  We often will find that God has already been at work in the situation, or the people, waiting for someone to step out in faith and join in God's good works.
   This was a powerful truth for me to recognize.  God works through us, and when we are willing to be present, and to be faithful, God is able to make good things happen in any possible situation.  Will you carry God with you today?

   Thank you for the lunch you prepared for our family.  Central Christian Church has been an important and integral part in the lives of the Foglesongs'.  We appreciate all the ways the church has supported us and ours.  Sincerely,
John, Marty, Steve, Joni, Rick
Children of Dorothy Foglesong