Scarlet Robe Creations

Is it only now that we see, once the beams have been stained by His blood? Is it only now that we gaze upward, wondering about a kingdom? He spoke of the realm of peace, saying it was upon us despite the world's violence, but did we see it before, catching so much as a glimpse, when he walked among the crowds? Is it only now that we see, the scars left by thorns and scourging? Is it only now that we realize the emptiness, of that which we have ignored? copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

James Tissot - The Curse Are we lost, without hope? We knowingly seek our desires, abhorrent to God, without concern for the eternal. Paul said, he did what he hated, He caressed sin. He struggled to avoid the sweet fruits he detested. Are we lost, without hope, having sought the knowledge of evil and bitten to the core? Is there a chance for redemption? Jesus said, he is the only way, the only truth, the only life. He is the shepherd who seeks the lost, the farmer who sows good seed, The one who waits on home’s front porch. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Somewhere, away from the noise and clutter of this superficial life, there is home, a place longed for, a place sought with earnest. Somewhere, back down a road I considered, in the mirror behind, not out of sight, a time when I could listen to the voice that gives me breath. Somewhere, just around the nearest corner, a path few chose, a trail of joy the answer to every saints quest, the embrace every sinner seeks. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Thomas Cole - The Garden of Eden I planted gardens each with rows uneven. I scattered seed by hand, hoping for rain and sun while thorns and thistles bloom. He plants gardens, Eden, by the rivers, and one with a borrowed tomb. Life flourishes by His touch. He cast out seeds of life, love and His word. He waters the crops with grace. He plants gardens to fill the void. He brings the rains and the light of the sun. He nourishes faith. I planted a garden and hoped weeds would not multiply. He plants a garden and gives man all that he needs. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

  They bypassed her.   The hood of her twenty-year-old Dodge was raised in the air, advertising her unfortunate situation.   Maybe the steam wasn’t noticeable.   The four ways were flashing, competing with the bright sun of the new morning.   A car approached from the direction she had come.   The passenger glanced, a woman, blond, maybe in her early forties, or late thirties.   It appeared as if she looked right through the broken-down vehicle at the side of the road, not taking notice of the elderly woman wearing a light blue dress and a white sweater.   They were on their way to church.   They were late. She watched the shiny dark blue sedan turn into the parking lot of Saint Stephen’s a short distance up the road.   It wasn’t a cold morning for early September, still she wrapped her frail arms around her body to keep warm.   The state road was rather quiet, not containing any of the dangers of a high-speed highway.   Mild...

Have mercy, a sinner, a thief unable to withstand the nails of his crime. Have mercy, I betray, I deny, I kneel in your sight knowing I have eaten the fruit. Have mercy, no other way for the wretched to come before you and touch the wound in your side. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

My name is Flavius.   I am a subordinate assigned to the procurator overseeing this forsaken piece of dry earth.   It is difficult to see it any other way.   I should not complain.   I am fortunate to have this position.   Our military strength here is solid.   They have suppressed every uprising, making an example of those who seek to defy the empire.   Still, there are better places to serve. I woke just before the sun began to creep over the horizon.   I open the shutters and gazed out into the courtyard as the sun began to push the night back toward Hades.   The Jews speak of the world of darkness, calling it Gehenna.   I wonder if there is such a place, and if so, are we destined to embrace it, their view along with our own. What have we done?   I have pondered this thought during my waking hours, and in the dark void of night I found very little sleep.   These Jews and their monotheistic god are a strange lot.   ...

A stone is pushed away. A tomb carved in ancient rock is empty except for the linen cloth of burial. An open cavern. A borrowed cave where salvation was laid, torn flesh and broken bread. A stone is pushed away. A void of yesterday, conquered, when the empty world of death gave way to life. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Jesus in Herod's Court - Duccio di Buoninsegna Perform a miracle for me. Herod in his gaiety, pleased to be in the audience of one submissive, one who does not defend himself. What foolish questions can a puppet king ask? Are you what the uneducated claim? Are you the cousin of the one whose head was severed at Salome's request? Perform a miracle for me. Perhaps the display could prove their claim. But silence is clung to in exchange. Maybe you don't understand the power standing before you, asking questions quite simple. Are you the fantasy the scrolls speak of? Perform a miracle for me. A pauper, not a king. Touch my eyes with spittle and mud that I might see. Place your finger in my ear that I might hear. Call me out from the tomb that I might live. Perform a miracle for me, Lord, when the time is right, not for the glory of a dancing fool, but for the glory of my God. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www...