Art Parables

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 ...

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, mal...

I have been studying Ephesians 6 for a while now. I have completed two art parables of the Light and Shadow series. We are in a real war daily, unseen by most, yet evident to those in the battle.  Remember God will NEVER leave or forsake you. Not if, but when the enemy comes in like a flood, remember your Savior Jesus Christ has overcome the forces of Hell and has secured your freedom and victory. We are more than conquers through Christ Jesus. Christ has given us a sure victory. We have the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. We are composed of mind,body, spirit and soul, submit it all to God. Light and Shadow 1 © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers Ephesians 6:10-18 Water-Man Series In version one the imagery is holding on..do not let go of the salvation that has been accomplished in you. In version 2 it is a reminder of the Water-Man in the keyhole of Ye Must Be Born Again ( click here ) to see it. In this version they have been born again an...

I Can See © 1996 Debbie Turner Chavers Mark 8:22-25 I sketched this initial rendering of the Art Parable "I Can See" in 1996.  The more I study scripture the more I see Jesus in the Old and New Testament accounts.  When I sketched the drawing "I Can See" I put a suggestion of the nail pierced hole in Jesus' hand. As I drew the wound, I wondered why? He had not been crucified yet when He healed the blind man of Bethsaida. And now many years later, I can see "Why" Consider John 9..Jesus came to open blind eyes. To those who were once blind, He opens our eyes physically and spiritually. The world may not understand, the Pharisee may judge. Yet our deliverance through Him and His shed blood causes us to declare as the blind man declared. John 9:25 ..One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. In essence we ALL are born sp...

Child of Light Rising © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers John 11:21-26 Water-man series Water color and collage Child of Light Risen © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers John 11:21-26 Water-man series  As I started this particular Art Parable last year I felt the need to stop working on it. Every time I would approach it to begin researching the scriptures for it and painting I would feel a disconnect.  After prayer I realized that my timing was off and there was something more that God wanted to show me. During this period of time my brother-in-law died unexpectedly and this Art Parable laid on my desk waiting.  The loss of anyone not just a loved one leaves humans with so many questions. My family found comfort in God's word. I pray that you too will find comfort in God's word for any loss you may ever experience. Word Buoys-Life Preservers and this art parable concept came to me as I was journaling some questions to the Lord and looking for answers ...

Word Buoys - Life Preservers © 2015  Debbie Turner Chavers Water-Man Series Matthew 14:22:33 Have you ever felt that you were in over your head in life or that you needed to accomplish something extraordinary?  There have been times in my life when I thought how easy it would be to accept the invitation that was given to Peter by Jesus. To be fearless in my endeavors, yet instead, I grab hold of God's word and float! Peter was bold and as boisterous as the wind and the sea he was stepping onto.  At that moment he was fearless. My thought is that those still in the ship were fearful. Have you ever wanted to believe the impossible could be possible? Yet fear or lack of faith kept you in the ship? No condemnation. Human nature says "There is safety in the boat with our companions."  Yet Jesus gives us the opportunity to walk on the water, even in a contrary wind! God is able, He will preserve and keep you. Indeed if we fall, He will lift us up. Standing...

A Cup of Blessing © 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers I recently wrote a poem and it reminded me of the picture I painted in 2005 called a "Cup of Blessing" A Cup of Blessing I  was broken As a vessel of clay I have been broken The parched lines of broken Like a cracked desert floor Have been revealed for public view Where private grief has escaped on occasion and shattered my watered facade Piece by Piece Away with You Cup of Grief! I am being made new Peace by His Peace The dawning of a new day has come And it is He that I see My resurrection The Prince of Peace I shall fly as with wings of a bird My cup overflowing with His Love There is a Cup of Blessing which Never Runs Dry Poured by my Redeemer Jesus Christ As He was lifted High. ~~ Song of Songs 2:10  My beloved spake and said unto me, Rise up, my fair one, and come away. 1 Corinthians 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood  of...

 Cast Your Cares                          © 2014 Debbie Turner Chavers 1Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Casting all my care.  I have heard this  scripture many times over the years but was recently shown its meaning in a different manner.  Life tends to try to weigh us down with a net of cares.  Everyone has a care of some sort or a multitude of cares.  God never meant us to be weighed down with care.  JESUS warned us to take no thought for tomorrow in a worrisome way.  On some days it is a struggle to obey this admonition.  When I was shown this art parable by the Lord, I was having one of those days. I was discouraged and feeling overwhelmed by many things that only God could fix.  Each way I examined the care, the more impossible it appeared and so I became discouraged. The Holy Spirit, as He often does, reminded me ...

Art Parable-Isaiah 42:7 © 2013 Debbie Turner Chavers Close-up of Eyes © 2013 Debbie Turner Chavers Jesus came to set the captives free. His word brings understanding and opens our eyes to the truth. If you are in a prison of lies and darkness, God has sent forth His Son, Jesus Christ to deliver you and set you free.  The prison walls are lies that have been erected in our minds and are removed stone by stone as God's Spirit and Word replace the lies of the enemy. The stones that are written on have Isaiah 42:7 printed on them to represent that God's word replaces lies and brings freedom and reveals light to those imprisoned by lies. Isaiah 42:7  To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. In 2 Corinthians 4:3 it shows the condition of an unredeemed mind.  It states "But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this worl...

 Psalm 23-Beside Still Waters © 2008 Debbie Turner Chavers Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still  waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~Debbie You can read more articles featuring this Art Parable... I Heard Your Voice "Father" Me Prayer Additional scriptures John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck t...

Invisible Walls, Luke 4:18, Setting the Captives Free © 1996 Debbie Turner Chavers My Initial Art Journal Sketch Each person may have walls that have been erected within and around them. A box made of invisible walls. The walls could be self -built. For some, only the wisdom found in God’s word reveals the box. So many people remain in bondage, waiting for their release. The King of Kings, Jesus Christ has paid for and Holds the Keys to set them free. I was “a them”. I sketched myself naked, enclosed and sitting in a puddle of tears. For this was my life before the Risen, Lord Jesus set me free. The box or boxes can have many names. Fear, Anger, Depression, Sexual Sin, Self Sufficiency, Pride, the list can be quite long. Jesus will set you free . He died and rose again to give you life everlasting, freedom to accept the unmerited favor of His grace and His shed blood for the removal of your sins. Revelation 19:13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: ...

 Cleansed and Redeemed, The Initial Sketch from my Journal © 1996 Debbie Turner Chavers Lately I have been thinking about the many ways that God teaches us and opens our eyes to His Truth, Christ Jesus.  A scripture admonition came to mind and I decided I needed to post some, if not all of my journal sketches pertaining to my Art Parables.  1 Corinthians 1:21   For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For years I have waited to show them to a wider audience  due to waiting on the ability to have them painted instead of just sketched.  But recently I recognised my pride concerning the matter.  It is the Holy Spirit who gives one the eyes to see the Art Parable not the painter :-)!  So I may change a few of the sketches during the final painted rendition but I am going to post the initial images that God gave me over the years.  ...

1/2 Hearted Obedience, Double-Minded Man © 2013 Debbie Turner Chavers I see this as a double image of the Water-man. There is a form of half-hearted obedience that causes that which needs to be done to not be done. Mainly our total submission to the Way and plan of God. So many times scripture reference the heart as the seat of emotion and functioning like the mind. I painted a darker blue line from the very enlarged heart from the head to emphasize the division and a type of blood line from the heart to the feet. I faded out the arms because it is hard to be truly productive when the other members are larger or are more dominant than necessary. Our emotions, heart, and our mind need to agree and focus on God's word. Otherwise the thing that is needed usually is not accomplished. We become half hearted in our endeavors and in our obedience . Jesus stayed His course, He finished what He came to do here on earth for our salvation. We also have a purpose while on this e...

 Dance of Trust © 2012 Debbie Turner Chavers Water-Man series During this past summer I wrote a journal entry titled " Dance of Trust". I wondered why I wrote this and asked God what it meant soon after.  Later I was reading several of my journal entries and God showed me, the art parable which I have painted called "Dance of Trust."  I saw someone being taught to dance similar to learning the Box Step.  Being led through the steps patiently, one step at a time. Repeated until the student can dance successfully.  Repeated until the student is able to teach another the dance. I am learning to dance as I lean on His Word, study His word, and my one on one time in His presence. I can see Jesus holding my hands, instructing me in this dance called my life.  To learn , I must let Him lead, and I must follow His lead to learn this "Dance of Trust." Join me ~Debbie You can read more articles featuring this Art Parable... ...

 Ye Must Be Born Again-John 3:3 © 2012 Debbie Turner Chavers Water-Man Series Close-up of "Ye must Be Born Again" © 2012 Debbie Turner Chavers Water-Man Series John 3:3 is written around the keyhole opening I see Jesus throughout His written word. Chew on, digest the many word pictures He gives us to consider in His word.  Jesus is "the Way" the Door", and without Him we have and know nothing as we should.  ~Debbie You can read more articles featuring this Art Parable... Repost of Ye Must Be Born Again Poem of Ye Must Be Born Again The Commission  There are 3 verses in the scripture that use "born again" John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again , he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3: 7   Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again . 1 Peter 1:23   Being born again , not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, ...

And God Said, Let There Be © 2004 Debbie Turner Chavers Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. As you read the bible it is important to remember " And God said, Let there be " Life can seem...

In Christ, Christ in Me © 2012 Debbie Turner Chavers Do you know that as a disciple/child of God that Jesus is in you, and you are in Jesus the Christ, the anointed one? I painted this Water-man as light and fire to represent the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, the risen, resurrected Christ.  The triple imaged Water-man is a representation of Jesus, us, and Jesus in us. It encourages me to think on the fact that Jesus lives in me and that I am in Him.  As I serve God, rest in God, live in God. In Christ, Christ in me.   Surrounded on all sides by God's love. John 17:23   I in them , and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Romans 8:10   And if Christ [be] in you , the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Romans 8:11   But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell i...

Hear and Obey © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers Are you listening to the voice of the Lord?   Has the sin of disobedience stuffed your ears ? When I was young, people would say "Take the cotton out of your ears." In my painting of the Art Parable, "Hear and Obey", the cotton ball in the Water-man's ear  represents willful disobedience . You can choose to hear and obey God's word.  If you have stopped your ears from hearing the word of the Lord, remove the cotton of disobedience. Open your ears to receive God's good word for and to you. Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 9:35   And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. ~Debbie You can read more articles featuring this Art Parable.. Do You Have a Ready Mind? Hear and Obey Repost of Hear and Obey Hear and Obey/3 **Strongs concordance gave these meanings in c...

Life Line -The Word and Blood of Jesus Christ, Do Not Let Go © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him. No matter what you may face. God has promised to be with His children. Hold tightly unto His word. Regardless of apparent darkness, His Word, Jesus Christ, the light of the world will sustain you. Do not let go of His Word.   Get in agreement with God and His Word. Say what He says. Do not let go of His Word. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the application of His word, He will sustain you. The red rope represents the blood and the Word of God, the rope has Jesus, Proverbs 4:13 written in it and "Do not let go." ~Debbie You can read more articles featuring this Art Parable.. Prayer-Do Not Let Go Repost of Life line Selah-Pause and Consider The Scent of Water Trust God Here are more scriptures to consider.  Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of...