Sharing The Word
	Welcome to The Scroll, an Evangelical Epistle designed to spread the word of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Paul and Peter, may we be disciples of Christianity and pattern our lives by living in The Holy word.         The Scroll is a monthly epistle handed out during church service. Our church family, like disciples, contribute their poetry, prose and messages that all may read the word.

THE SCROLL'S FRAGMENTS
	We share with you some excerpts that were written over the past years.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Fear not, for the Lord is at hand. He will hasten your blessings many-fold. Trust in Him for He will never perish. His mercies are innumerable. His love is fathomless. Lean on His everlasting power. Let not doubt prevail in your heart. Stand true and just for Him. Travel not the easy road to despair. Follow only the straight and narrow while you take up your cross. Bear down with all your might and forge on while keeping your eyes to the Lord. For you will be blessed on your journey down the road less traveled.                         Tom Nelson

A MORNING WALK

Watching the bright sun slowly rising from the depths of the vast ocean Enjoying the images I see in the fluffy, white clouds floating haphazardly  through the light blue sky Feeling the chilly water caressing my bare feet as they make prints in the sand  and recalling a favorite poem about sets of footprints  Noticing the beautiful shells, whole and broken, which the crashing waves  have tossed onto the shore during the night Breathing in the beauty of the wonderful world you created lifts my spirits  and the cares that gripped me earlier have subsided like the outgoing tide  Thank you, Lord, for this quiet walk on the beach I feel your presence and my soul is at peace.    Frances LaVecchia

Count Your Blessings

If we took the time to scroll through our minds and review the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us, we would need a tablet to list them all.      The writers of this Epistle invite all readers of the Scroll to give thanks as a body of one. Each day when you arise,  remember something in which to be thankful for on that day. Then, in prayer, give God the glory for it. On a calendar, checkmark each new day, then move on to the next. Watch your checkmarks grow into blessings.  Yes, count your blessings.. count them one by one.     Sandra Nelson The Scroll. November, 2005

Hardships to Blessings

While reaching the heights, don't forget the depths.        While laughing heartily, remember that tears flow easily. While there's a song in your heart, don't forget how pain and heartache can eat you up. While you are happy and in love, remember what loneliness was like.  While you are among friends who care, don't forget that despondency is but a gleam away.               As you enjoy a healthy life, be aware that an illness is only a diagnosis away. When good luck and fortune are yours, don't forget what debt and despair felt like. When we enjoy the blessings God has bestowed upon us, we then realize He only desires the very best for us. Through the hardships we must endure, we learn of God's love and mercy. God is our teacher. His lessons are lessons of love and obedience to him.            He will only present us with responsibilities that He, in His infinite wisdom, knows we are able to manage with His undying love wrapped around it for security. Our Lord knows what's in our best interest. He has already planned our lives to conform to His will. Let us not be dissuaded, in any way, while attempting to fulfill his provision in our lives. I've heard sometimes anguish we suffered through, provided the strength and determination we sorely needed. We somehow embraced the conflicts one-by-one. Unwittingly, I might add.                   The tendency to dismiss the unseemly landscape of our past will indubitably skew our perception as we forge ahead into the future. In turn, we may thus create the unfavorable recurrence of that explosive mind field of emotions we once meandered through. Those who do not want to, or refuse to, learn from the past are surely destined to repeat it. In remembering from whence you came, you receive the assurance of where you are headed.            Learning from the past plants you sturdily on the path of an uncertain, but fulfilling future. Taking a glance backward, you see where you have trod thus far. Continuing onward, the glimpse you recently afforded yourself will enhance your journey even more. You will find yourself well-equipped to manage life's little disturbances as they present themselves. Foregoing this advice carries with it, self-indignation. No one wants to feel that way.             Remember, hardships are hidden blessings. Count them among yours. Know that Almighty God has provided for us, the blueprints for an everlasting blessing unequaled on this planet. Our rich rewards are waiting for us at the conclusion of our discipleship here, on earth.       Authored by Tom Nelson The Scroll. January, 2006

THE COLOR RED

Have you ever thought what would happen if you mix the color red with the color red? You get red, right? But when the scarlet red blood of Christ and the crimson red stains of our sins are mixed together, the color turns white. In fact, as white as snow. We've all heard and/or sung the verse: "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow." The blood which was shed at Calvary, by our Savior, did pay our sin debt in full.       On the tapestry outside this side door  of our church,  that Ann Glenn lovingly made, it states: "It wasn't nails that held Him to the cross, it was His love for us." Jesus knew what the will of the Father was to be. He knew he had to carry it out. He could have called 10,000 angels to save Him, but Jesus knew what His destiny was going to be. That destiny was to be at the right hand of the Father, watching over us and blessing us with His grace and mercy everyday.         We owe our lives to Jesus. Our prayers, our obedience, and our devotion are needed to be given up to Him. Let's live to glorify His name and walk in His way. We need to live for Jesus because He died for us. So the next time we all see the color red, let us remember that the scarlet color, along with our crimson- colored sins will be turned to white each and every time. He cleanses. He forgives.                                              Tom Nelson February 2007

Time

From the moment we're born to the moment we die. Our existence on earth is measured by time. What we do with that time is up to us all. We may put it to good use by following God's call. Or we could waste it by selfish pleasure and greed, Thus wasting our lives thru sins, word and deed. God measures us by the things that we've done, And for the person that we have become. For quality is the only measurable fact That we should strive to keep intact. Yes...quality doesn't really mean anything If you come to God with nothing to bring.                The Scroll, May 2005      Penned by Thomas S. Nelson

My Morning Prayer
	Before my feet ever hit the floor. Before I dress and run out the door. Before my busy day begins, Before I'm faced with all life's sins. Before the rush and pressures all get to me, I want all your glory and love to guide me. Whatever happens along the way, I know I'm love.....Because God started my day.                     Authored by Terry Sensabaugh

Our Prayer Strong

We bow our heads to say a prayer. We know God hears, for He's everywhere. We pray thanks to God when life is good. Though these prayers not prayed as often as one should. Give thanks for all the good and the bad. He is always there, no matter if we're happy or sad. Just remember one thing when we pray, my friend, God hears all the children when a prayer they send. It is  not group numbers that make prayer strong. That is where our thoughts often go wrong. No matter if it is one, or a thousand strong. Any prayer prayed will never be wrong. You see, my friends, it only takes one. When you talk to God through His beloved Son.       The Scroll, October 2005         Authored  by Teresa Sensaubaugh

The Masterpiece ( A Psalm)

Oh, God, how magnificent is your handiwork. How beautiful your canvas. In seven days you painted your masterpiece. In seven days, the world took form. Twinkling Stars and shimmering moons, Billowing clouds and swirling oceans. A Garden of Eden in flora and fauna. All creatures, both large and small, Arrayed in colors from your palette. I stand in awe to the beauty that surrounds me. I stand in praise to the life you bestowed to me. You are the Great Artist, the Father of All. A painter of mankind, oh, Heavenly Maker. Oh, God, how grateful we are that you signed your works with a crowning glory. A signature of a son, a Saviour, To save our souls. But, God, is that not raindrops smearing your colors? Or are they teardrops in your picture? Did we not take care of the painting you gave to us? Did we tear down what you once built? Oh, mankind, how foolish creatures can be. How we have trampled on God's masterpiece. Even after a rainbow was painted for us; a second chance, a new beginning. We plead to you oh, God, do not dispair. Bit by bit, your son repairs the canvas. His signature is love and peace and hope. We beg forgiveness, our God, our Maker of All. In gratitude, we give you the glory. May we hang your masterpiece in our hearts? For You are the museum, and we, merely, the keepers.                        The Scroll, May 2003       Authored by Sandra Nelson

Sustenance ( Psalm)

Lord, I stand before your throne. Full of remorse, guilt and shame. How I wish for the refreshment Of the cool blue water at the river's edge. I seem to somehow disown you at times. Never wanting to follow you beside the stilled waters. Now I see the toll of those decisions. Why didn't I draw closer to your side? I do praise you and love you. I am blessed you still want me. All glory to you, God.          The Scroll , September 2003  Authored by Tom Nelson