Category: project

Does Love Enthrall?

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Here is another letter in my Alphabet of Love (see posts for July 12 and August 2). Check out the word “enthrall.” I’m not so great at pointed pen writing, but the word itself is fascinating.

The letter E

In preparing to letter the words for the letter E, I found the word “enthrall.” It is rather old fashioned and almost medieval in its connotations.

enthrall \in-thrȯl\ vt 1: to hold in or reduce to slavery 2: to hold spellbound: CHARM

I belong to Jesus Christ. He has made me His own by dying in my place under the curse of God on my sin. The book of Romans describes my relationship to Him this way.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?  But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  Romans 6:8-18

 

This Scripture really impacts me. The idea of being a slave is sobering. Imagine being a servant (slave) in the household of a wealthy feudal baron. The castle is a stone structure. Your quarters are probably in an unheated attic. You must rise before dawn, dress and hurry to prepare every need for your master.  Not one hour of your day, not one day of your week not one week of your year, or one part of your life is free from the whims and needs of another. Indeed, a difficult situation if you are slave to a kind master, but utterly miserable if he is a cruel, thoughtless or demanding owner. Life is an unending cycle of work which, at best, does not enrich you one bit. At worst, your life is a grinding, miserable endurance contest.

Now, think of what Paul is saying about our relationship to sin- and ultimately the tyrannous evil lord of sin: satan. “You were slaves of sin.” (v. 17) In other words, you were “enthralled” by satan. Every single ugly word from your mouth, every mean thought, and every dishonest action was part of your slavery. “the devil made you do it” –you were enslaved by sin and couldn’t help but sin. It was part of your spiritual DNA.

Romans 6: 17-18

But hear the glorious good news! You have died with Christ so death and sin are no longer your masters. Now you are the “slave of righteousness.” You are free from the wicked, misery of slavery to sin. The shackles of shame, guilt and consequences are broken. You are free! Free Forever! Free to love God and others. Free to enjoy the perfect liberty of Christ.

Jesus’ good gift to me of His life in place of mine has me enthralled by Him. I am His Love-slave. Oh, what a happy situation! I am forgiven. I no longer bear the shame of my sin. I no longer am tyrannized and unable to keep myself from sinning. Jesus helps me live rightly and in the way of Love. I am enthralled by Jesus!

QUESTION: To whom are you enslaved? The devil? Jesus?

Alphabet of Love- Part 2

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I’ve completed several more letters for my Alphabet of Love. (For the first two letters see the post July 12, 2019, “Alphabets”)

the letter “C”
The letter D

The letters C and D which you see here have some words that stir my thoughts about love. Listen to the definition of LOVE as a noun.

“1: affection based on admiration or benevolence. 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion. 3: unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good. 4: the attraction based on sexual desire: the affection and tenderness felt by lovers.

And hear it defined as a transitive verb.

 “1: to hold dear: cherish 2: to feel a lover’s passion, devotion or tenderness for.”

These definitions cause me to think about my relationships with God, my husband, my mother, siblings, and friends…AND with “things”.  I get a serious nudge from the Holy Spirit. I am commanded not to love the world or the things of it. Arghhh. That comes uncomfortably close! My preoccupation with my clothes, my household furnishings, my car, my “expertise” at painting or calligraphy. Anything that becomes a focus in place of my allegiance to God is the wrong way to spend my “love.”

Now that I have made these art pieces, when I look at the words I chose much comes to mind.

Beginning with words starting with theh letter C there is much to ponder.

God’s love for me will never change. He is CONSTANT. My prayer: ‘Lord, help me love You in return with constancy.’

“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

I continue to marvel that Beloved Spouse decided to ask me to dance in that “social dance” class at college. I am indeed CHOSEN. What a happy thing it has been these many years with him. And even greater joy is to be called the child of God. I’m CHOSEN by the Creator of the Universe! Amazing!

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are,…” 1 John 3:1

The relationship between two people who “love” each other requires COHESION to weather the storms of life. Thankfully God has blessed Beloved Spouse and me with the gift of learning to “cohere” in spite of our totally different personalities and ways of doing things.

“But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

I am so thankful that God has promised to help me when I have no strength of my own. He will CARRY me in His bosom as His beloved lamb.

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11

God knows every thought of my mind and every trouble in my heart. He has given me His own dear presence as COMFORT in this fallen world.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

And then there is the letter D. Let’s dive in to the ways “D” words develop our theme. (Pardon the alliteration… I love to play with words and sounds.)

Have you heard the song by Chris Rice Deep Enough to Dream?  He sings about dreaming of heaven. When I think of the love that God has lavished on me that will give me that deep and everlasting joy of His presence, I know love. His love for me is DEEP and it is such a wonderful thing to DREAM of my eternity with Him enjoying every delight of heaven.

Question: What comes to your mind when you ponder the words written by each letter so far? Can you see the connection to LOVE?

On Waiting: Uncertainty and Anxiety

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I’m waiting with my husband for the time he will be rolled into surgery. It has been a long and stressful morning of preparation for this procedure. Here he is, all scrubbed, poked and prepped for a big “event” (knee replacement, as it happens), but the actual surgery is more than an hour away. This flurry of action followed by a “wait” is unsettling. I feel off-balance. The whole situation makes me think of how our lives are made up of these experiences of hurry and rush followed by the uncertainty and anxiety of a “wait.”

Knowing that we were facing weeks of limited mobility following this surgery made the daily “to-do” list fairly long. But being busy kept the anxiety and uncertainty of the impending operation at bay. But now, sitting in this blank-walled, “other-world,” I have ample time for all sorts of “what ifs” to play out in my head. So—taking a deep breath, I am taking my thoughts in hand and bring them into captivity to Christ.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raise up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5b

What does Scripture say about waiting? About anxiety? About the outcome in store for me? Waiting for God is a command. He is the Holy Creator. I am a sinful creature. The vast difference between God and me is enough that I must lay my hand on my mouth in reverent silence and submission to Him and His plans.

The future is invisible to our finite eyes, but God sees. Trust Him.

God, the Eternal and Unchangeable One, is never late and never early. His plans are ripening exactly as He purposes and every second of my life, indeed all of human activity is completely under His control. He knows every aspect, every thought and action of every person. Nothing escapes His all-knowing gaze.

I am anxious about the outcome of this surgery. What if Beloved Spouse is crippled, ends up in a coma, or worse yet, were to die? The same truth regarding the power, wisdom and good purposes of God bring comfort. God knows all that will come. He loves me and assures me that everything that come to me is for my good.

What amazing comfort that God will work EVERYTHING to our best. He is so good!

He has told me that all that makes me anxious, causes me fear or prompts concern, should be cast on Him.

At our darkest times, God cares. Tell Him and He will shoulder your troubles.

He is the All-Powerful One. He is able to deal with anything that will come to me. He has promised His Holy Spirit will guide and direct me. The Word of promise to me is that He will provide all I need. So, as I wait, my thoughts are quieted before my wonderful loving Heavenly Father. He has made me His child by His Son, Jesus.

God loves me! Remember the Sunday school song, “Jesus Loves Me.”? It is true. “The Bible tells me so.”

His love and concern for me are vast and eternal.  The eternal God is a dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms.     Deuteronomy 33: 27a

I am able to relax. I am able to wait. The tides of uncertainty may swirl but I can rest and wait in perfect quietness and confidence. God has it all in hand.

QUESTION: What are you waiting for? Does God’s power, sovereignty and love for you help you obediently wait?

P.S. I wrote this post last week and then after I finished writing it, I found this quote today in the daily devotional book Beloved Spouse and I read together each morning. There is a passage of Scripture to read, a very helpful article explaining it and then as a sidebar called Coram Deo (Living before the face of God). This is the quote from May 10.

God offered David many specific encouragements when he was on the run from Saul. The Lord continues to encourage His people today through His Word, which assures us of God’s presence and power. When you need fresh assurance that the Lord is with you, turn to His Word, for its promises of God’s presence, power, and provision are sure.

The magazine is called Tabletalk. It is a monthly publication of Ligonier Ministries. Find it by going to: tabletalkmagazine.com. The subscription cost is quite modest and well worth the getting. They are willing to send you a sample copy if you request it.

AND… God is healing Beloved Spouse very quickly. Praise God!

A piece of calligraphy I did trying to use the lessons in the uncial alphabet and the lesson on how to create Celtic knots.

 

 

Mistakes I have made- An Illumination – troubles and all– from start to finish

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I have been working on a large calligraphy piece for the past several months. The process has been a rocky road with more trouble than usual. The size of the project seemed to magnify the mistakes and deepen my frustration. Let me take you on a journey of through a lot of calligraphy mistakes. I hope it inspires you to persevere when a project of yours starts to “go south.”

I began painting this piece before Christmas and was quite pleased with my effort until I laid it out to photograph it. ARHGH! In all the weeks of work I had not noticed that the band of design on the left is tilted—crooked.

first version of behold
My first try – so much work- such big mistakes! ARGH!!

The plan for framing it for sale was out. The crookedness would be so obvious that there was no way I could retrieve it. I laid it aside to enjoy the whirl of the holiday seasons with some lessons learned.

Lesson 1: Check and double check initial drawing for accuracy before adding any permanent medium.

Lesson 2: Breathe. Back away slowly.

January rolled around and I was ready to tackle a new version. This time I decided to use a darker paper. This would need a white transfer paper, I thought, to put the cartoon down for inking.

I placed and taped down the drawing which was a mish-mash on the tracing paper and grid paper I had used before. I was careful to be sure they were “square with the world” this time and so spent a few hours transferring the drawing.

taped down to trace

To transfer the drawing down I used a red ink fine-line G-Tec-C4  pen 0.4MM   https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-G-Tec-C4-Assorted-Colors-Rollerball   to assure a clear, even line on the dark paper and a colored line I could see on the cartoon as I made the tracing.

g-tec pens

When I removed the tracing papers and transfer paper, I was pleased that I could easily see the white drawing all ready for my ink outline. “Onward!!”

I took out my favorite waterproof fine-line pen- Faber-Castell Pitt pigmented drawing ink pen (available in various widths) https://www.amazon.com/Pigmented-Drawing-Artist-Widths-Castell/ and started on the inking.

pitt pens

The process wasn’t smooth sailing because the ink did not like the waxiness of the white transfer lines. Grrrr. >:{  I had failed to test that aspect before beginning the tracing process. But undeterred, I kept inking. But then, as I began my way up the left band (oh! That left band!!) I realized I had a HUGE problem. During the tracing process, the drawings had shifted nearly a quarter inch. There was no way to bridge the skewed design areas.

bad tracing

I stopped. Nearly cried in frustration. And then followed my advice of Lesson 2. “Breathe!”  And “Back away slowly.”

Lesson 3: see Lesson 1.

A few days later, after a lot of deep breathing and even deeper thinking, I decided to make one large tracing of the pieces I had used before. Then I turned the paper over, used a graphite transfer paper and securely attached that single tracing.

While I was making the single tracing, I did several design changes and most of all made absolutely certain that it was square with the edges. The entire design is inspired by pages from the Book of Kells and several of the Celtic knots are taken from George Bain’s work on historic Celtic designs. I also included some knots I created myself. This knot-making aspect of illuminating is still a “work-in-progress” for me!

I checked and rechecked my drawing. I checked and rechecked my “taping-down” and before I even began I tested the graphite paper to be sure it wouldn’t give me trouble in putting ink over the traced lines. And after all this checking and several hours of tracing, HOORAY!! A tracing ready to ink and then paint!

I paint primarily with gouache watercolor [say: guh-WASH]. It is opaque rather than the transparent watercolor most people associate with watercolor painting. My brushes are small and made of sable- sizes 1, 2 and 3 rounds and a size 00 liner brush. Check this website for this type of tool and supply.  https://www.dickblick.com/

Because gouache paint is opaque the method of application to achieve highlights and shadows is different than working with more familiar transparent watercolor. Gouache requires flat areas of color that hide the paper beneath. Then additional color is added to create 3-dimensonality.

highlighting in gouache
Left to right: 1: a flat area 2: shadows added 3: highlights added

I used Fine-Tec metallic watercolor for the final bit of color in the borders and around the versal “B.”

I spent many hours painting while listening to my audio book. It is such a joy to be in my studio- a quiet and happy place!

tracing stuff
tracing down using tracing paper and a G-tec fine line colored pen to see where I’ve been.
gouache and brush
One of my palettes with gouache paints (notice 3 different brands- all good) and types of brushes I use.
a proper tracing
Inking is finished and now for adding color
painting in progress
Color in progress. Notice red area inside the B doesn’t have the white “diapering” design it will have when finished.
final Behold what
Final work. – “square with the world, design problems worked out. Compare with first version which was on lighter paper. The same colors are used in both, but the darker ground makes it seem different. Interesting!

At last, it was done. If you are interested in purchasing this unframed piece, check my store.

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment.