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Who Am I?

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   The Exhortation to the Apostles - James Tissot He says, "Who am I?" And do we respond, "You are the one I betray, The one I deny. You are the one who watches my lust for the world, gently trying to turn me back. You are the one who speaks on ancient pages I refuse to read or even open the book to the first page. You are the one who listens as I say, 'Tomorrow I will follow, but today my time is filled'." You are the one who bore a whip and hundreds of stripes. You are the one who was crowned with a helmet of thorns. You are the one who fell beneath the weight of my sins and the transgressions of the world. You are the one who was nailed to a Roman cross and cried out a psalm, telling us one more time who you are. You are the one who was pierced and poued out mercy on the world. You are the one who rose from the tomb and offered us peace. He says, "Who am I?" You are my Lord and my God, the one who stretched out his arms for me. You are the one w...
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Blood and Water

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A Soldier Pierces Christ’s Side - James Tissot Blood and water flowing from the river of the temple. Lambs of the slaughter. Passover calls to the children. Pray as they did once, when Egypt was their prison. Now, to pray in the temple of God. Blood and water flowing from the heart of the temple. Sacrifice of the one lamb. The offering from creator to created. They pray as they will, forever freed from the bonds of every sin forgiven. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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Two Disciples

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James Tissot - The Rich Young Man Went Away Sorrowful "The teacher's words about wealth are hard," one disciple said with a concerned expression on his face.  He and his friend, both students, watched a young man, head lowered, move away from the crowd. "He has much," the other responded, "It was easier for us.  You and I both had barely a place to rest our heads.  That young man has servants and inherited riches.  It is more difficult to give away a life of luxury." "What of Matthew?" the first asked. The other replied, "Sure, he was more comfortable than either of us.  But his spirit was troubled.  Collecting taxes from his brothers.  I don't think that ever sat right with him.  All he needed was to hear the voice of the master and he was eager to walk in his footsteps." “Perhaps the young man is pleased with his life as it is," the first disciple pondered. "But he did come with a question about eternal life... and h...
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A City of Babylon

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A city of Babylon, destroyed. Vines grow over the leveled walls of its temples. She tried to embrace all while forsaking the one she once adored. A city of Babylon, foundations of what was. She turned to the sinful gods of pride and shunned her face from the one she promised to praise. A city of Babylon, she who slaughters her children, she who values knowledge above faith, and proclaims a false goodness. A city of Babylon, her creed of many ways, many truths, and many lives, has brought darkness to her skies. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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The Right Path

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One path, a single path, the way, the truth, the life as one. This single path leads to the shepherd. The one who seeks the lost and offers grace.  He is the one who spoke of this path, this door, this narrow gate. Each parable, from His lips, to guide the seeker keeping the believer on the right path, the one to eternal life. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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The Innocents

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The innocents, the unborn, those taken to God's embrace too soon. The ones who are precious to the heart of holiness. Those who have never been held with breath filling their lungs. Those who never cried. The innocents, some anticipated, some a burden forgotten. The ones who never knew of green fields and picking apples from trees. They are the ones who come to Him in paradise and know He is love. The innocents, the unborn, those taken to God's embrace too soon. The ones longed for in a world needing their joy. Those who were wanted by arms wishing to cherish with kisses, sweet. Those who never laughed. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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Story to Tell

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Is it that we all have a story to tell, a story of grace, a story of mercy, a story of redemption? Is it that we have all been raised to victory from foe, from darkness, from sin? Is it that we have reason to praise the goodness, the love of our God? Is it that some who have been brought from death fail to see, fail to believe, the story they should be telling? copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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Morning Awakens

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Morning awakens, blessed are those who sing praise, sonnets heard by God. Morning awakens, sparrow joins in pure homage, love of He who is. Morning awakens, silent prayer of one molded, image of divine. Morning awakens, rising on a world gone blind, miracles unseen. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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Stumbling

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Duccio - Descent to Hell Often we near the pit without being aware. The world takes hold of our attitude, and we stumble. Often we turn away from who we need most. The sound of His voice fades and prayer is empty. Often we taste the longing, being without. We hope in the world to direct us to His doorstep when society blasphemes. Often we should kneel and humble our souls. We should seek His truth and not social grace. We should stand back from the pit and cast off its temptation. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com
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Porches (Girl on the Porch)

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  The road the trail came out to, looked to be unmaintained.   Sun baked weeds reached up through the cracked pavement, where they wilted, tasting the fate of their endeavor.   The surface of the lane was crumbling, and crawling vines stretched out from the shoulders, hoping to reach the other side before being died by the sun.   To the right the ribbon of blacktop went downhill toward a landscape occupied by other travelers.   To the left the road inclined.   There were houses along the climb, old and decayed, begging for new life, and a large grove of trees near the crest of the ascent. “Come with us.” There were three others, two men and a woman.   Lucas was the one who spoke.   It would be him that would utter the invitation.   The others didn’t seem to have permission to speak.   I had met the three of them along the trail.   Lucas couldn’t say enough about the things he owned, the places he’d been, and the things he’d acco...
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