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The Story of Albert Hobbs

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In the book 'Afternoons with Mister D', there is a chapter simply titled 'Nam, in this story within a story, the reader is introduced to a man named Albert Hobbs.  Albert is man full of hatred for those not like him, especially when it comes to skin color. The story below is written from Albert's perspective. And as always, 'Afternoons With Mister D' is available on Amazon.com Afternoons With Mister D He lies on his back, in the mud.   Overhead, the overcast sky looks down on him as he slowly inhales, taking one more breath.   Each time he fills his lungs, and then lets it out, he wonders if it will be the last. The explosions are deafening.   It matters little.   He is on the brink of moving beyond all of this, this war that is not a war. He has come to these jungles, because it is what his father would have done, and his grandfather.   The men in his family fought for their country.   He is no different.   God, family, country, apple pie, an...
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All You Require

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You were given all you required, bread from heaven. But was it enough? When you grumbled there was quail, and you horded the gifts. You were given sustenance, when in the Desert of Sin, you thought you might starve. Would you have preferred slavery in Egypt? You are given all you require, bread of life, come down from heaven. But is it enough when it does not come with the expected sword? copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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Come, Have Breakfast

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Jesus Eats Breakfast with His Disciples - James Tissot Come, have breakfast. There is a fire, sticks burnt to charcoal, laid out just so. There are fish already being prepared, and bread. Come, have breakfast. The shores of the Sea of Tiberias are barren, except for the man who beckons. You drag your overloaded net on to the beach. The catch is abundant. Come, have breakfast. Tally your catch. Despite the number the nets have not torn. One hundred and fifty-three where before there was not one, and they dared not ask, because they knew. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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The Women

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You ran, perhaps filled with a joy unknown before. After the empty day that was yesterday, you had expected nothing more than more emptiness. You ran, the light frightened you, but the voice gave you strength, so you sprinted from the sight of stones and boulders. Would they believe you? Your euphoria had to diminish, a tiny bit, as you considered rejection. You were women, you had no voice among the men, your opinion had no weight except in His hearing. You ran, all the way to great city. It is what the light told you to do. Peter and John, they will doubt your words. Your excitable rambling will make little sense to the world. Miracles exist to fester doubt, and what is seen by the women, is never equal to what will be seen by men. copyright 2025- Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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The Verdict

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This is the verdict. It is written down so that there will be no question. A sign of brightness came into the world, a blaze of brilliance. The radiance of goodness exposed shadows at the core of iniquity. This is the verdict. Darkness hates the light, illumination of all that is evil. Darkness prefers the dank corners of corruption. It ferments in its own mire, lost in the grasp of sin. This is the verdict. Light came. It touched those who sought it's brilliance. Some chose darkness. They distained the glow of purity, and walked among dry bones rather than flesh. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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A Few Extra Coins

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"Did you not feel the earth tremble?" One of the guards spoke.  The other two maintained silence.  Obviously they were shaken.  The news they were bringing to the high priest would not be received well. "There was no earthquake," one of the priests said. "We felt it, great priest," the guard replied. "Your task was to stand watch over the tomb of a dead man.  One who claimed to have the ability to rise from death.  One whose followers would stop at nothing to make us... and the Romans believe he had, in fact, come back among the living." "There was a light as well," another guard added. "And three women," said the first guard. "Women?" The high priest queried. "They saw the tomb as well.  It was empty." "Caiaphas," a rounded priest said, stepping up beside the high priest, "Perhaps these women were followers of the Nazorean." "I see no reason to doubt your observation," Caiapha...
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Love Rejected

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The Three Women at the Tomb of Christ - Irma Marti n "Do not be afraid." They have come expecting death, and finding burial cloths, stains of blood, but no body. Did they believe? They have come with perfumes, to anoint death, but the tomb is empty, the stone has been rolled away. "Do not be afraid." The guards have run off. The angel, dressed white as snow, speaks of Jesus' promise. He has risen. Is it joy, or is it fear? The news fills their emptiness, and opens their hearts to the truth. Jesus is love rejected. "Do not be afraid." copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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Grace is Upon Us

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Rending the Veil - William Bell Scott, 1869 The tomb is opened. Come and see. He has said this, promised that He would fulfill scripture. Now it is done. The stone has been rolled away and the darkness inside is empty. The women were first, then those who hid in fear followed. Maybe they doubted Mary's claim. But He has risen. The earth has trembled. The veil has been torn, top to bottom. Grace is upon us. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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Iscariot

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There is one among you, one who places a price on the will of God. He has listened to the voices of demons. He has opened the palm of his hands for coin, and the emptiness of betrayal. He will dine with the one, the teacher who he will kiss in greeting. He will set himself at the table, to share the Passover meal, then slip into collusion with those who were greatly pleased by his sin. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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Hosanna!

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James Tissot - Jesus Enters Jerusalem Hosanna! They lay down there cloaks, not for a stallion, prancing amidst the crowd, not for a centurion, robed with the honor of his rank. Hosanna! Their palms and branches cover not the dust from the hoofs of the beast who carry any dignitary of a puppet king. Hosanna! Their cloaks, the branches waved in celebration, shield a donkey's colt from soil, from kingdoms built on war. Hosanna! An itinerant preacher, a homeless vagabond, rides a beast burdened with humility. Celebrated as a king. Bringing a peace they cannot comprehend. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author
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