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Showing posts from February, 2018

The Lamb Before Pilate

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And Pilate said, "So Christ, king of the Jews, I've had you whipped and humiliated. My men have crowned you with the mockery that pierces your scalp. You are a king of thorns. Your people, who celebrated you a few days ago, plead for your death. Crucify, they taste the sweetness of the word. They no longer shout Hosanna. I have authority, by the gods of Rome. Your life is in the palm of my hand. Will you speak in your defense?" And the lamb remained silent. copyright 2002 - Donald P James Jr

If the Children Should Speak (A Question)

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If the Children should speak, what would they say, to Pontius Pilate, Judas, Caiaphas and Annas? Would they understand that the greatest good ever given to mankind comes through an act of violence? Would they understand that God saw these betrayals, denials, this political warfare before the judgement was cast? Would it scar their innocence to see the blood of their Good Shepherd spilled out from a broken vessel? If the children should speak, would they stand alone in the riotous crowd, listening to sonnets of fear, or would they shout refrains of love into the face of mockery? copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

Open Door

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You open a door when I ask to see the other side and I, a frightened child, hesitate to enter. If access were not for me to gain I am sure You would have closed off the route or made it difficult for me to traverse the threshold I ask for guidance and when Your touch is obvious I still tend to doubt myself. Hold open the door long enough for me to enter and bathe me in Your grace despite my uncertainties. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr  

Lover/Healer of My Soul

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Lover of my soul, cradle me in the palm of Your hand. Mold the features of my life into a creation reflecting You. Healer of my soul, ease the anguish and anxiety encumbering my being. Strengthen my spirit with the grace of Your word. My redeemer, my deliverer, guide every step of my journey along the road leading to You. Lover of my soul, live within me, as I in You. Shield me from faithless dogmas, keep my heart directed toward truth. Healer of my soul, shelter me where peace resides and comfort me in Your embrace. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

If He is Willing

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If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. The leper says this, almost dares, just as we often do. If you are willing, if you want to. I've often spat those words out with an occasional bribe on my part. And the leper listens. He is told to perform the rituals stated by their law. Say nothing. But the healer knows. The leper will spread the flavor of this miracle everywhere. And still He touches the untouchable and heals his sores. If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. The sinner says this when he crawls at the pit's bottom. If you are willing, if you want to. Challenging the lamb's strongest desire. And we listen to words spoken and read, a passage of Holy Thought. And when we are told to speak, told to share our conversion, are we silent? copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr  

You are Light

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You are light without darkness. As long as I live in Your embrace shadows cannot discourage me. You shine on me with goodness, O Lord, my God. You lift me up from the pits of sin and set me beside You. You are my God, the radiant Son of the most high Father. You are all goodness. In You there is no evil. You are light, breaking my bonds. I no longer walk in shadows, but in the sight of the one who loves me without condition. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

A Psalm of Praise

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Bernhard Plockhorst - Good Shepherd Praise You, my Lord, my Shepherd, the one who nourishes my soul. Praise You, my Lord, my guide upon journeys blessed. You lead me into light, never darkness. You set out before me  a table of plenty. Manna and sweet wine You give to me for all my days. Praise You, my Lord, You have sought me in lands, destitute and I have been found. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr