Posts

Burning Lamp

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He was a burning and shining lamp and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light John 5:35 I tell you something greater. It is wise if you take heed. You are told this for your own good. You should still yourself and listen. There is much to accomplish. The ministry will be but a moment. The affect will be eternal. The joy will be everlasting. For a while you were content to simply listen to the baptizer. For a short time you sat on the shore, and you rejoiced in the burning light of his lamp. The preacher, who told you he could not fasten the sandals of He who was to follow, has pointed out the way to you. He has shown you something greater. He has shown you a brighter light. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Separate Shores (We Stand and Watch Each Other)

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 Inspired by a lyric in a song by Joe Wise, 'Lord, Teach Us to Pray'. Separate. We stand divided, skin tones, creeds, right to life, the meaning of Communion. We have bowed down to the desire of the media, of politicians, religious authorities and the evil one. Were we ever one? Were we ever on the same shore? Maybe once we were more tolerant and the river between us wasn't as wide. Maybe once we had faith. Separate. We are tearing ourselves asunder, at what gain. If you listen can you still hear Him, or has His voice diminished among culture's raucous scream. Has His voice been filtered out by hate, and the lack of love. Lord, teach us to pray, while we still have time to kneel. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

If You Simply Love

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They are not yours. Do not think such. They are entrusted. They are brought to you,      so you might nurture. Do no harm. Leave your pride bound up. They are your focus. It is like this with all gifts. When I bring another into your life,     a child,          a spouse, give your all,     or you will have nothing. They will always be mine,     just as you are mine. They will return to me     unblemished... if you simply love. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

One Heart

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With one heart we offer You our bread and our wine. We seek to dine at Your table with those who have sought and found.   We are the sheep who have wandered in darkness. We have glimpsed the light and decided to walk into its radiance.   With one heart we take what You offer, knowing we can never return the gift. We have found that pearl, that one pearl of great value, and have sold all our possession to hold it in our hands.  copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr

Be a Shepherd of His Flock (Peter 5:1-4)

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He desired to answer the call.   The young man came to sit with one who would guide.   The place of meeting was simple.  The older man sat in a straight backed wooden chair, in a room barren of any other furniture, besides the occupied chair and the bench where the young man sat.  The elder had a white beard and deep brown eyes, which led the younger man to believe that the hair on his face and head had once been a shade as dark as his eyes. "And you believe you have heard a voice," the older man said. "It has called you to be here.  Know that the journey you chose will not be easy.  You will be judged by both your words and your actions." The younger man nodded.  The message, or calling, hadn't come in the form of a voice.  The Lord hadn't come to him, like He had with Samuel.  The dreams and thoughts leading him here were difficult to explain.  He shifted on his seat.  The old man took notice.  The bench beneath him was wooden and hard.  He offered up his

Even Now (Joel 2:12-13)

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Even now, with all our turning away, with our denials and betrayals. Even now, with the hatred we immerse ourselves in, with the scars we inflict on each other. Even now, with wars fought and villages plundered, with children murdered and our streets flowing with blood. Even now, He looks down upon the chaos of our lives and says, "Return to me". Fast, weep and mourn, tear your garments if you need a sign to show repentance, but know that you can return, even now. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr

Calves of Gold (1Kings 12:30)

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And this became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other. 1 Kings 12:30 Andrea di Lione ( 1610–1685) -  Adoration of the Golden Calf Calves of gold, and sin takes reign. Who are we to decide that enough time of sacrifice has passed. One placed here, one placed there. Golden statues are blasphemed as gods without any degree of holiness. Images to celebrate, an icon to adore. A life of immorality becomes acceptable because a thing deemed perfect, by the deities of the world, has said so. Calves of Gold, Jerobaum's evil. An empty king, an empty palace. A sacrifice made by false priest to a malleable piece of metal. A house of such sin, one here and one there, will be cast out in its pride. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr

Everyone Was Looking for You

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And when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Mark 1:37 Everyone was looking for You. There is so much to do. Three years that will change the world more than any before, or any that will come. They will become addicted to Your presence, often without hearing a single word. Everyone was looking for You. The words of life eternal come from Your mouth. Those who do not listen, still see the miracles. So You go off in the early morning to pray, to ponder the ministry You've chosen. Everyone was looking for You. The mother of Simon's wife was healed, right before their eyes. You took from her a cross she did not know she was carrying. But others await. You cannot be possessed in earthly terms. There is much to do before You are betrayed. Everyone was looking for You, but only a few have come to search. Only a few have come to walk by Your side. One who will betray. One who will deny. One who will doubt. All who will question. copyright 2024 - Donald P Jame

Luke 12:22

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James Tissot -  Jesus Speaks Near the Treasury Therefore He told you. It was in His instructions. Do not focus on tomorrow's trouble, today is what matters. But we are human and therefore prone to thoughts of tomorrow, and therefore immune to the verse. Consider, He says, and selects a raven in overhead flight. They do not harvest nor store food. They are fed, just as the flowers are clothed with more radiant beauty than King Solomon had ever worn. Therefore He tells you. Do not fret over what you cannot change. Tomorrow will come in its own time and God will stand beside you. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr

Interview

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Radio Host:         “So today on our morning show, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Connor Hope, head football coach of the Saint Michael’s Spartans.   I am especially honored since I played middle linebacker and special teams on the 2005 state championship squad. “Welcome coach, I’ve really been looking forward to having this sit down.   This sort of marks your fifth annual visit to the station to share your thoughts of the previous season.”   Coach Hope:       “Always glad to sit down with you Jon and discuss insights about the past season and those in the future.”   Radio Host:        “So first off, disappointed with the season’s final outcome?”   Coach Hope:      “We won eight games, schedule was tough, had a few key injuries.   This was a fabulous team.   Five or six of the seniors will be playing division two or three ball in college.   I’m proud of the effort made in every game, regardless of the final outcome.”   Radio Host:        “If I’m correct in my history co