Reflections/snoitcelfeR on James 1:22-24

So the journey with this Art Parable started more than 20 years ago and I am still discovering the meaning of these scriptures. I am posting the initial drawing I sketched in 1996 of Reflections/snoitcelfeR ©1996 Debbie Turner Chavers.
This is a bit of an introduction into how my scripture study, drawing, and painting of Art Parables processes over time, sometimes over years!
*I will post the "finished painting" from this 1996 sketched version at a later date.

As with any endeavor in our walk with God, He has opened my eyes of understanding layer by layer.
Twenty years ago I was living in Hawaii and obviously that translated to my sketch.
When the Lord first showed me this particular image with James 1:22-24 I saw it quite personally.
Yet as with most things in our life, knowledge and application of bible study have changed me as God  has showed me the universal need of all to see Him.
So a lot of my imagery for my art parables are Water-Men to represent everyone, male and female.
At the beginning of my walk with Christ my thoughts were all about me, me, ME! and how His Word created "my life" imagery.
Therefore in the beginning a lot of my sketches..150 or so were personal renditions and then I began to see the bigger picture :-)
It is very clear that we were saved and gifted to share the Good News for all, all, ALL!

Reflections/snoitcelfeR 

© 1996 Debbie Turner Chavers

Initial sketch of James 1:22-24

In the sketch I drew a forest with many mirrors. I drew the female who had dropped her pack but was walking away, back to whence she had come.
An initial look into God's Word will not keep you free of your burdens. You may lay it down initially, but life will attempt to give you more burdens to carry. But Jesus said in..
Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all Ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The surfer, he looked into the mirror and left. There are places that people left many years ago but the imagery and the impact of that time is still there. In the mirror of their hearts and minds. Jesus came to set the captive free. If freedom is desired, it has been provided.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I be know even as also I am known.


I wrote a poem about this initial Reflection drawing/painting in 2010 titled "Through a Glass Darkly"

Through a Glass Darkly 

I thought I saw you
As I peered through the glass

I thought I saw you
As the sun appeared
And the dawn broke free

I thought I saw you
But it was a mirror
And it was only me

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers


James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves.
James 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.
James 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.






** If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting.

 All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible which can be accessed online http://biblegateway.com Click on these links http://artparables.com or http://debbieturnerchavers.com

Mirrored Reflections-Art Parable

Mirrored Reflections

© 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers

James 1:22-24

God's word causes us to see ourselves. The glass is like a two way mirror! Walk His Way and forget what manner of man or woman you once were and see the new creation you have become.
We are called to be Christ followers-mirrored reflections of His perfection.


James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves.
James 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.
James 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Studying this scripture I noted a few things.  The hearing and doing required effort, due diligence.  A steady walk and a continual study of God's word. Relationships are hard to maintain when effort is only put forth occasionally.  Spend time with God in fellowship and study of His word.
Even in our everyday life our appearance needs upkeep. Look into the mirror of His word daily.

-Debbie


**If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting.

All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible. Would you like to see what I am currently painting? Click on these links http://artparables.com or http://debbieturnerchavers.com

Eye to Eye Friendship

Waiting to Be Filled

© 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers

Friendship is a sacred trust. Jesus has said we are his friends. He has given us a place of honor, a seat at the bride grooms table. He bids us come and eat and be filled. He has called us Friend. 
Fellowship within the body of Christ is a call to keep our eyes on Christ. In our natural state we surely will disappoint one another. We are to judge fruit..not one another.
No logs or motes are we to see but only remember He is the one who hung on a tree and shed His blood for you and me.
His eyes are ever on us, and as His child and friend we are to honor that sacred trust and fix our gaze upon Him. Eye to eye.
Recently I met someone for lunch and prayed about the intended fellowship and the possible future friendship. I sought the Lord in prayer..talking out loud to Him as I traveled to the destination.
My question was answered. The answer was..Mine the treasure that is within this new acquaintance. The treasure is the knowledge, power, and spirit of the LORD contained in these earthen vessels.
I may have knowledge of many things in this world. But only the treasure of Christ in me will make an eternal difference to myself and others.

Mining can be messy and labor intensive. Friendship can be messy and labor intensive!  Not only can people rub you the wrong way (offense) they can can also help sand down the rough places. The scripture as iron sharpens iron is an apt analogy of the process. Remember there is treasure to be shared and obtained.
We are to be light bearers, vessels of honor, pitchers filled and poured out to the thirsty with His living water.

~Debbie



2 Corinthians 4:5-7 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.


John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.


Luke 7:34  The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 
Meaning of friend - (philos) Root Form(Greek) -friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well




**If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting. 

All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography copyright © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers. All Rights Reserved. Encouragement? http://lolo-livingoutloudonline.com Protected by US and International copyright laws. Scripture references from King James bible

Grace and Color Chips of White

Behold the Man,The Word Became Flesh

© 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers

John 1:14

It is difficult for a human to realize the purity of righteousness until they have recognized the dark stain of unrighteousness. Pure white never looks as brilliant to the natural eye until contrasted with another color. I was not able to appreciate spotless until I saw my sin from His view.
I had played in the world and needed a cleaning transformation.
But my perception was ..I am a good person. A nice person. We have many variations of self perceived self righteousness.
I was wrong.
Just as there are no stages of perfection achieved by human endeavor there are no stages of salvation. We have nothing to add in our flesh except submission to His perfect gift of righteousness.
It is no longer about who I am, but whose I am.

A "good' person sees themselves and their actions as a neutral white. But visit any paint aisle and you will be amazed at the many hues of white.  Human nature takes most things at face value, like white is white...right?
But the Word divides asunder our human perception and opens wide the eyes of our understanding and allows us to see as He sees. Shadows and variations of fleshly endeavor never equal the cleansing and the stain removing power of His blood as applied to our lives and thinking.

If you are tired, tired of trying to be perfect. Then I have Good News for you. He who is perfect, Christ Jesus, is offering you perfection. His. His sacrifice on the cross and His blood which was shed for our redemption.

Today is the day.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

~Debbie




Isaiah 55-all of it.
Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

** If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting.

 All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible which can be accessed online http://biblegateway.com Click on these links http://artparables.com or http://debbieturnerchavers.com

Preparation and Persistance in Study and Prayer

Feed My Lambs, Feed My Sheep

© 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers

Close-up of 

Feed My Lambs, Feed My Sheep

© 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers

We prepare ourselves to meet needs and the LORD fills us and enlarges our understanding of the Word and His Way.  We also have friends on their journey and it is a grief of heart to have nothing to set before them. Take time as needed to study to show yourself approved. 
The three loaves reminded me of the knowledge of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
You ask..
You seek..
You knock..
Someone is going to show up.
Be prepared.

~ Debbie


Luke 11:5-9 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves: For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, trouble me not; the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed: I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity  he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.




** If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting.


All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016  Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible which can be accessed online http://biblegateway.com Click on these links http://artparables.com or http://debbieturnerchavers.com