Umbrellas

Color my world

in pastels

brilliant.

Change the darkness

to light

and the somber 

to joy.

Make me to see

the wonder 

of Your creation

through torrents of rain.

And to recall

the warmth 

of the sun's light

when shadows prosper.

Color my world

with umbrellas 

of various hues.

A memory

hi-lighted

in my soul. 

copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

Harvest

He will harvest the wheat

into the barns,

a kingdom earned by love.

Love,

nourishing the grain

which has found good soil.

~

He will separate the weeds

without harming the wheat

and stoke the flames

of the furnace,

fires

never quenched.

~

Weeds grown beside the wheat,

influencing life,

body and spirit,

yielding

nothing of value,

or heavenly peace.

~

He will harvest the hearts

open to Him

and close the barn doors

on those

who chose

to be ignorant of His name.

copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

Fishermen

 

Boats on the shore.

Muscles, 

tired

and nets empty.

 

Taste of salty air

odors of damp nets.

Again to set sail

after a night of wasted

energy.

 

This gentle teacher

who sees inside my heart,

caresses my spirit

and knows strength

and fault.                 

A miracle,

the net which had not one fish 

is filled,

ready to burst

and the teacher 

just smiles 

at me.

copyright 1998 - Donald P James Jr

Empty Tomb

It is right
for us to stand
gazing into an empty tomb.
The stone has been rolled away
by earthquakes
and angels.

No longer are we subjected
to those who dictate the law,
grace
will anoint our foreheads,
the Spirit of God
is among us.

The oils and herbs
have never been needed.
He told us.
Yet we were blinded
by the world,
and still He chose us
to stand amazed
before the empty tomb.

It is right
that we should sing praises
of God's new covenant.
He has sent His son,
not Isaac or a prophet,
but one begotten
of His own being.

God from God,
light from light,
this is truth
and we have stood amazed
at the open tomb.



copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

 

Lifted Up

You lift me up.

Setting me high above those who doubt.

Your strong hand

and arm

keep me sturdy.

You have given me victory

while others fell in defeat.

Those who say

You are false,

a tale refrained by the weak,

are dust and bone.

I am spirit,

able to follow Your breath

into the fields of battle.

Mighty Lord,

Your strength protects me.

I am preserved

by Your will.

You lift me up,

for it is what You intend.

You are the tree beneath the limb

and I

am barley a leaf.

Copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr