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In the midst of a building program, the people of Aloha Community Baptist Church outside Portland, Oregon, got a chance to add their own personal touches.

(Arson)ists had broken into the old one, taken what they wanted, and left the place in ashes.

At the point when the outside shell was restored and the roof was on. Pastor Leo Schlegel called an unusual celebration. "Bring crayons or large ink markers to church next Sunday," he announced, "and bring a favorite Bible verse to write on the interior walls and the subflooring under the altar area."

The people pored through their Bibles all week to find just the right verses. The next Sunday, they walked together into the unfinished sanctuary.

After a prayer of dedication, they sang a Scripture chorus together: "Bless the Lord, O My Soul." Pastor Schlegel read Deuteronomy 6:6-10, which says in part, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.… And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

Then everyone was turned loose to write God's commandments and promises not only on the posts and gates, but on every wall and two-by-four within reach. (Children were advised that this was a one-time experience never to be repeated!)

"We visited then and walked about reading the verses," says one member, "Some had chosen personal favorites, while other had written verses appropriate to a new building. We knew our Scriptures would soon be covered with insulation and drywall, but the Word of God will always surround us."

More than one person inscribed Haggai 2:9 "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace."

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