Bought a panel of these fabric scriptures with a cooking theme from Shabby Fabrics.

wood cut printed on old book page with ephemera element.

see profile for availability

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17. Drawing by LiLi, a young woman from our church.

Here’s a poem she wrote that goes with her artwork:

“I AM A NEW CREATURE”

In my darkness

You gave me light.

In my hopelessness

You restored my sight.

You pulled and tugged at my heart;

Telling me there was so much more than this.

In that moment I felt like my mind was falling apart.

You told me to grab onto Your hand and so I took the risk.

I denied myself

And I took up my own cross.

I dusted off the Bible that was on the shelf

And I followed You no matter what the cost.

I started to set my mind on things above

And everything came into perspective.

The earthly things I pushed away and I no longer loved

Because I found Your gift to be much more attractive.

In You, I am a new creature.

The old is gone and the new has come.

Now I can see the bigger picture.

My praise to You will no longer go unsung.

You taught me how to forgive again;

Not just seven times,

But seventy times seven;

Because You have forgiven me for my fines.

You taught me how to see again.

Everything around me is so much more vibrant and colorful.

I no longer see life as a dull and gray blend.

The little trust I had in You before, I realize now that I was such a fool.

You taught me how to love again.

You gave me an unending and eternal grant

By giving me a new heart that would make love transcend.

As a surgeon, You operated a life-changing and unforgettable heart transplant.

You taught me how to breathe again.

Your sacrifice is something I will never negate.

I will be always be Your warrior; I will always defend

Because the love You have shown me is so great

That I am still taking the time to comprehend.

Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Through You, all things are possible and limitless.

Old Cemetery, Ipswich, Suffolk

In loving memory of Jeremiah Wheatley, army scripture reader, who died Novr 15th 1918, aged 81 years. "A sinner redeemed by the grace of God." "He fought a good fight."

Jeremiah Wheatley was born in County Westmeath, Ireland in 1837. At the age of 24 he was married, and a sergeant in the no 9 field battery, 4 Royal Artillery, based at Christchurch in Hampshire. By 1871 they were based in South Shoebury, and he was living with his wife Mary and 4 children.

By 1881 they had five children, but Jeremiah was no longer a soldier. The family were living in TIlehurst on the outskirts of Reading. He was recorded as an Army Scripture Reader. He first appeared in Ipswich in 1891, when he and his family were living at 46 Christchurch Street, an address which still exists. By 1901 they had moved around the corner to 145 Woodbridge Road.

The Life-Light was the real thing:

Every person entering Life, he brings into Light.

He was in the world, the world was there through Him,

and yet the world didn't even notice Him.

He came to His own people, but they didn't want Him.

But whoever did want Him, who believed He was who He claimed and would do what He said,

He made to be their true selves,

their child-of-God selves!

Morocco

“What I know of the divine science and Holy Scripture I learnt in woods and fields.”—St. Bernard, 12th century doctor of the church