Posts

Blessed are They

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Robert Payton Reid - Jesus Teaches His Disciples Up the mountain, separate from the crowd. The children had been gathering, to see, touch, and hear, but the chosen twelve needed instruction. Blessed are they... A new set of commandments, meant for the heart. They will see the kingdom, be comforted, inherit the land, and be shown mercy. In the distance the crowds still gather. Drawn by miracles, and rumors of such. But He was here for these words, the words of his Father. Words shared by He who spoke them into creation. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Purification

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A veil of purification, covering the scars of a suicidal world. "White as snow," Isaiah's voice, speaking amongst the gathering clouds. A veil of purification if you are in its path. Leaving a moment of purity in its wake, a morning without blemish. A veil of purification, covering our nature. In the instant we are called back, embraced, only to clear away a covenant and reveal the stains beneath. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Armor of God

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"Gramps, do you know where in the Bible it talks about putting on the armor of God?" I was fixing a cup of coffee when the question was asked.  My nine year old grandson had hung up his bookbag, left papers for his mom on the counter, and jumped right into the issue of the moment. "I think it's in Ephesians, chapter ten,” he continues. “I looked and I couldn't find it.  I Looked in Thessalonians, both of them.  Neither of them have ten chapters." I pulled out my phone.  The instant encyclopedia that fits neatly in our pockets.  To be honest, I was thinking Timothy, but my mind had jumped to fighting the good fight, not the armor. "We talked about it in CCD," he adds. "I was thinking I might be able to write a poem." "Ephesians, chapter six, verses ten to eighteen," I say, looking at my phone and knowing I'm not as wise as he thinks. He runs into the dining room.  That's his way, always moving quickly, sometimes with reck...

Awake the Dawn

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Turn from the darkness, the shadows of sin, the void that leaves you empty. Turn from sightless wandering, from deserts of iniquity, from barren wastelands. Turn to the dawn, the morning wakes, and the night is defeated. Turn toward a day, new, where light is victorious, and love is realized. Awake the dawn with the prayer of a new day. Awake the dawn with the hope of salvation. Awake the dawn seeking He whose tomb is empty. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Come to Call

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The Pharisees and the Saduccees Come to Tempt Jesus - James Tissot He has not come to call the righteous. He has come for sinners, the lost sheep. The righteous are proud, absorbed in their pious traditions. They place weight, they would never bear, on the backs of the weak. He has not come to call the pompous. He has come for the humble, those who are poor in spirit. The pompous celebrate their own glory. They seek the idolization of men. They are external, and internally void. They demand unblemished sacrifice, but offer no mercy. They seek cleanliness of body, but not soul. They seek gods of gold and silver, not the one who says, "I am." copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The Author of Life

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The Word, which spoke into the darkness of the void, and over the water. The life, inspiring authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul, to put to papyrus, what the true author has spoken. The Word, stretched out on a wooden beam, asking forgiveness for those who drove the nails. The life, of one who walked on water, fed five thousand, and asked his children to surrender their beings to the words He spoke. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Cross of Salvation

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Excruciating, crux of salvation, the scourging, the rough hewn beam, each fall to the hard clay, the struggle to inhale, the death of our sin. Roman torture, long and agonizing, metal balls tearing away flesh, down to the bone, thirst, and sacred blood on the wood. Excruciating, four spikes and the head of a spear. God became man and knew, every stripe, every soul, saved from damnation. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Canaanite Woman

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Christ and the Woman from Canaan - Pieter Lastman The master had shared some harsh words with a group of Pharisees.  His words centered around the essence of ancient teachings, those which had been handed down by our ancestors.  We stood by, watched, listened.  The Pharisees were belligerent.  Jesus tired of their hypocrisy.  He told the crowds that nothing that went into a man's mouth could make him unclean, rather, what comes out, the vile, the disgusting, the impious.  He called out to the few leaders who lingered behind.  He labeled them as he saw them, blind guides who did nothing but lead their followers into the pit. Then Peter asked him to explain. The master seemed to be amazed at our lack of understanding, so he laid out his teaching in great detail, before leaving that place with an air of frustration.  We mumbled amongst ourselves about the old laws, and whether Jesus' teachings abolished them. Matthew seemed to have understood the tea...

Hungry

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Miracle of the Loaves - James Tissot They are hungry. They have come out from the villages, seeking to hear news of goodness. It is getting late now, still they gather, wanting more. They are hungry. The day has been long. They've listened to words, from a teacher, a prophet, from He who is the Word. They are hungry. They need so much more than bread. Feed them, as you have been fed. You think only of nourishment as loaves and fish, and forsake that which is eternal. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Zebulun and Naphtali (Isaiah 9:2)

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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine Isaiah 9:2 Zebulun and Naphtali, a great light, the brightness of new morning, will shine on you who have lived in darkness. The sea of Galilee, a land plagued by death will witness of glory of repentance. He comes to you as you walk in shadows. Zebulun and Naphtali, here He will slumber, here He will seek, here men will cast their nets and be filled. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com