Scarlet Robe Creations

His winnowing fan in hand, he will clear the threshing floor Matthew 3:12 Wheat and the chaff, divided, those who know the infant and the son crucified are gathered to the divine. Those too proud for tears will be given to the flames. His winnowing fan divides what has bore fruit and what has not. Chaff is cast away, meant to stoke the flame, while blessed are those, who know the name of the thresher. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

"Rachel, wait up!" She glanced over her shoulder as she cut down the narrow alley between two low slung buildings.  Caleb, a boy who did odd jobs for her father, was running after her, with the vibrant energy of an eight year old.  She had no interest in picking up her pace.  Her twelve year old arms carried a bundle of some importance.  The last thing she wanted to do, was drop it. "Where are you off to?" He said upon catching up. "I have a chore to perform, Caleb.  And may I ask if your mother knows that you are out in the street at this hour." "Your father asked me to run an errand.  The streets are very crowded." "Exactly," Rachel replied. "He's very busy.  The main streets are full of people.  You need to be careful, Caleb, you could be trampled. "Is that why you've slipped between buildings?  Are you trying to keep from being trampled?" Up ahead the alley opened.  There was a cluster of men, a few women, a h...

Holy Patriarchs - Menologion of Basil II It is often we manipulate to encourage God's hand. The Patriarchs did. Sometimes they bartered, creation to creator. Sometimes they twisted promises to achieve a desired outcome. God's time. Even we who have seen the Patriarchs stumble, and know God's promises are fulfilled, bargain for one more piece of manna, or the gift we are not ready to receive. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Chora Church - Istanbul - Ancestors of Christ A list of ancestors. Matthew's roadmap for the Jews, from Abraham to David, to the time of exile, from Babylon to the promised birth. Luke's guideline for Theophilus, showing the nature of He without sin, from birth back to Adam, that one might know. We read both lists, often without considering the roads taken to bring God's promise to a stable in Bethlehem. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author . https://www.goodreads.com

The Annunciation - Carl Heinrich Bloch Did it begin as a light, where no brightness should have been? The darkness still reigned. The people still walk in shadows. And the light spoke, words some have longed to hear. "How can this be?" The question of a child. God has chosen. The wait has been long. The garden is a memory, distant. The wilderness has never faded. Highly favored daughter, ancestor of David, The line of kings intersects at the birth. Did it begin as a light, in the corner where a shadow dominated? The darkness has no choice but submission to the one promised. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

"You say that you are spiritual." The statement is spoken by a young woman, a college student, with light brown hair, green eyes and petite features.  She is dressed plainly, a blouse and jeans.  She wears a silver cross around her neck. "I don't adhere to any particular faith... or religion." The response comes with a haughty air of confidence.  The second woman is older, by ten, maybe twelve years.  She is tall and thin.  She has a piercing in her eyebrow and a star tattooed on the back of each hand. "It's foolishness, you know," she continues. "I know that there is something more than what we have here... in this life.  I know that I'm a good person.  So, there is no need for me to submit to the rites of religion." "You're open to anything." the college student states, warming her hands on her mug of hot coffee.  Her comment is not a compliment, but a statement of concern. The older woman responds, after taking a sip ...

A placard, above the crown, the helmet, the head bloodied by thorns. The king of His people. Do the symbols mock Him, or those who rejected Him? "He is not our king," say those who felt one man should die before a nation should perish. Those who stand for rituals and hypocrisy, at the risk of salvation. A placard, of beaten flesh, calling some to lower their heads, others to scoff. A public display of life submitting to death, only to live again. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb. Pieter Symonsz Potter - Jacob Urging Leah and Rachel to Flee The unloved. A bride by trickery. The one who ached to be held by a husband who considered her worthy. The pain of Leah was witnessed, as all is seen. Her prayer was heard, as the LORD listens. And she was given children, if not her husband's love. The unloved, the bride of trickery, bears the line of priesthood as the LORD's answer and the lineage of the savior. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

One is planted to glorify creation. There is a tree in its center, full of life. From the dust comes man, and beside him a mate. But serpents speak here, and some fruit tastes of evil. Another is planted to glorify defeat. There is a tomb in it's center, empty for now. From the rough hewn cross of Roman death comes the crushing heel, and the fruit of salvation. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author