Scarlet Robe Creations

Such fascination  with the story of a child. Why Bethlehem? Why a donkey? Why a stable and feeding troth. A child sees a manger and a carol comes to mind. She sees a shepherd and takes note of the sheep. To a child the animals are important, and the angels. She watches the kings, and wants to know their names and what gifts they bring. Even to an adult, Jesus is accessible in the hay. He has yet to teach words we don't want to hear. He has yet to embrace a repentant tax collector, or prostitute. He has yet to tell those near him that he will die. But for now, Advent is upon us. We can gaze like children at a manger scene and quietly hum, 'What Child is This'. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr

Readers of my novel 'Afternoons With Mister D' will find this story interesting. This is in response to a reader who said,  "I wondered if I was going to read more about Molly Boyd." Jimmy Klein and Molly Boyd are two characters who appear in the story 'X-Country' If you haven't read 'Afternoons With Mister D' and are looking for a really good Christian based novel, follow the link below and God Bless. "What are you thinking about?" Jimmy Klein stood at the window looking out over the snow covered fields.  They were standing in the dining hall of the seminary.  The holidays were all passed.  The snow piling up on the lawn was a product of January.  The best snow, as per Lucy in the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. "It's beautiful," Jimmy added "You think," the other said, sarcastically.  His name was Herbert Grainger.  His family had moved north from the deep south a couple years before he decided on answering God&

The Flight of the Prisoners (1896) by James Tissot I will bring you back. Words I hear in the night, when darkness is all I have, when I have closed my heart in defeat and wish for a better day. I will bring you back. I have not been torn from my home, as those who heard those words for the first time. It is not flesh, but the soul that longs. I will bring you back. A prophet who promises renewal to a world stained by hate. A speaker who knows of armies that plunder and destroy, pillage and rape, he speaks from his age to ours. I will bring you back. Words that overlay our sonnets. Words that say, I love you more than you can know. Words that shine a glimmer of light where for now, there is only darkness. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr

"What do I have to be thankful for?" The fourth week of November was creeping up.  On the coming Thursday, families would be gathering around dining room tables.  Some would have a turkey, some a ham.  Some might state what they are thankful for verbally.  Others would be thankful in private.  Some will pray.  Some will think only of eating and watching a football game, or two. So, two men sit in a diner.  Both are in their thirties.  They sip coffee and dip their toast in the yoke of their fried eggs. One repeats himself, "What do I have to be thankful for?  My wife left me.  I haven't seen my two year old son in over a month.  I'm concerned about losing the house... and my job.  My blood pressure is soaring." The other nods his head, and listens. "I know, I know, I should be thankful I'm alive.  I should be thankful I can put food on the table.  I should be thankful for my health... well except for my blood pressure." "You should calm do

Bernardino Mei 1655 What sign can you show that gives you authority. How can we believe if there is no sign? You are full of zeal, but many before you have read the psalms. They too could say they were consumed. You claim this to be a marketplace of our making, but holy men have stood where you stand and they have not condemned our transactions. You say that if we tear down this temple, a structure that has taken decades to raise, you will build it back brick by brick in three days. Will you dance for us as well, prophet, king, fool. We are the disbelievers. We are the hypocrites. We are the ones gathered in a den of thieves. And we are those who will forever ask for a sign of your authority. copyright 2023 -Donald P James Jr