Scarlet Robe Creations

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 Jesus Discourses with His Disciples - James Tissot - 1890 It seems less today, a question once asked, when He spoke of judges and ended His parable, pondering faith. Pay attention. The Father hears those who cry out day and night, security is gained. Their prayers are heard and their rights are upheld. He sees to it that justice is done. Faith seems to diminish in His eyes. A closing thought when looking over those closest in faith. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Spirit, I wander. A portion of my soul is left where I last encountered you.   He told us He would send you to dwell in the hearts of men, but so many deny you access.   I am no innocent bystander. I see the faltering of all who chose sin and I join their slander.   Spirit, I wander. The abyss longs for my embrace, but your touch, your influence, keeps me from falling. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He wore a robe that flowed behind him.  His tassels were neat, and his scripture box was in place.  His strides were confident.  He was greeted with the nodded heads of respect.  Toward some he returned their respectful actions, on others he cast a scowl, a judgement. "Watch out for these." A man dressed in tattered garments said to those gathered round. The words caught the ear of the well-dressed man.  He approached the crowd as the man who spoke a warning pointed in his direction. "These teachers of the law," the man at the center of the crowd continued. "Of whom do you speak, Rabbi?" The well-dressed man spoke his final word with contempt.  He did not consider the man before him to be anything but a vagabond preacher with no real knowledge of the scriptures. "Answer me this." The man in tattered clothes stood up from the crowd and moved toward the ordained teacher of the law. "Do you not find pleasure in the respect given to you?" &

What sign can you show us for doing this? John 2:18 Among the columns supporting faith, merchants. The sounds of coin tickles the ear. A perfect dove for sacrifice has come at a good price. Sheep and oxen soil the floor. The whip was made of cord, slashing through the air with an anger unseen in prior days. A house of prayer is sullied. Purity is not to be purchased. Signs, always signs. As if those who ask could understand. "Destroy me and in three days I will rise." The pompous with fraudulent faith will never understand. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng. Jeremiah 31:8 Watch, do you not see? They come as promised from the north. They come like the sheep, called by a shepherd. They come from all ends of the world, gathered by the potter. Those who cannot see are guided by those with sight. The lame are carried by the strong. Mothers with their children and those who will soon bring new life to the land. Watch, do you not see? The great throng is coming home. Coming to the land promised to their ancestors. A land returned as a covenant of love. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"So, because you are lukewarm,  neither hot nor cold,  I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16 Saint John Write the Book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos - Gaspar de Crayer Neither refreshing, nor soothing. Neither quenching the thirst  on a hot day, nor healing as warmth should. You are lukewarm. You can claim to be neither cold, nor hot. Your temperature disgusts. You are to be spit out of the mouth. You are lukewarm. You have seen the falling away, the weakening of every Gospel. You place the world in your view and cast off the Word. You are lukewarm. Laodicea, your wealth, your position in this world, means nothing, if you neither refresh or heal. If you are lukewarm copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Sometimes it is simply a single step, a stride that keeps me in His shadow when the sun is before us.   Sometimes there is silence, as if He is waiting for my thoughts, words I might speak despite His knowing.   Sometimes there are gentle whispers, sounds barely slicing through the world’s noise. I have to listen closely. He wants me to be attentive.   Sometimes it is unmistakable, He has spoken and I have heard. In these moments the Spirit has come upon me and peace embraces my soul. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A single breath, a wind song through pine branches and fields of ragweed.   I have taken another step into the day with desire to keep my path straight.   I seek to find peace even when it surrounds me, for I don’t always recognize my home.   Lead me on a sojourn without conclusion, until I am standing before You.   Lead me on a sojourn to seek what is given, not what is wanted.   Lead me on a sojourn hearing clearly the melody of the single breath on the wind. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"The sins of the flesh are obvious.  You know them in your heart.  Because you are led by the spirit, no longer under the law.  Do they need to be listed for you?  Do they need to be itemized?"  He looked over the congregation, took a deep breath and continued with his sermon. "Some are being led astray by the voices of the world.  Celebrities and politicians lead you away from the truth of the spirit.  They are marionettes who dance on strings controlled by their evil desires.  How many babies have been slaughtered?  How many young children have been manipulated to see a world void of God?  How many of you have thought ill of a brother because of the media's fixation.  Do you wear the badge of the world on your arm?  I hear it is gaudy, trimmed in gold.  Or do you wear the badge of the Lord?  The badge stained with dust, blood and splinters of wood." He took a drink from a bottle of water at the pulpit.  There was not a single single sound uttered from the pews

There are signs sought in the sky and upon the earth. You seek them in the clouds or in the leaf fallen from a tree. You seek them in wars or in devastating storms. Just as their was no sign for the Pharisees, there will be no sign for you. If you seek a single moment to change your life, from the path of evil, it will pass you by. Do you not know that not even the bridegroom knows the moment when he will go to his bride. Do not waste your time watching the shades taken on by clouds. Do not despair over the groans of this world. Instead, look to he who sent his son, sent his grace and mercy, and offers you life eternal. copyright 2024 -Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

How can you stand, ununited, divided by truth and falsehoods, without reverence for the Almighty? Ruins, every city and household which cannot stand as one will crumble. How can we stand, red and blue, without union to blend our separate colors to purple? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Available at the links below.  Amazon.com  From Capernaum to Emmaus Amazon.com  According to John

River of Life (From the Book of Revelation - Urgell Beatus) Water of life. Water of salvation. Water of Jesus. Water poured out over the altar in the dry lands. No longer symbolic, Jesus is here. "Come to me if you thirst," He calls out to the crowd. Some listen, some quench their thirst on things, some turn away in haste. Blest are those who have ears to hear. Water from the fountain of life, eternal life, offered from the steps of a temple soon to be ruins. Offered from a beam of wood bathed in sacred blood. Offered from the outstretched arms of He who quenches your thirst. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Saint Augustine and Two Angels Adoring the Crucifix - Guiseppe Passeri This I am, the one who sees your distress and offers you a place of peace.   This I am, the one who hears your cry from the wilderness and stands ready to embrace you when you turn back.  Come to me. Take my burden, it is lighter than what the world offers. Come to me. My yoke will teach you, for I am good, I am holy.   This I am, the one who loves you without fail. I am the one you can cling to when all other doors are closed.  copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Where is there ever quiet? If God’s voice was silent, still, I would hear the praise of the saints before the throne. I pause to pray, without words, but with an open heart and a mind that seeks nothing but to listen.   A single bird in a distant tree offers a song for my soul. The wind rustles through the hay in the field, bringing wildflowers to dance. There are no voices to dispel the grace. There’s simply my emptiness waiting to be filled with silence.   Where is there ever quiet? The wind will never completely cease, moving from one place to another, praise will never languish and a song of one note, sung from the branch of an evergreen will never be made silent. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die; Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God Proverbs 30:7-9 "I have these needs," she says. "I need an abundance of things.  My closet is full.  My pantry is stocked.  And yet, if I really think about it, I'm not happy.  I've recently discovered this about myself.  I don't know how to change.  I don't know where I should direct my life.  I feel that my world is cluttered... a mess." The listener sits back in her chair.  The woman across the room is crying out for help.  The listener knows she is limited to the wisdom God will pour out.  She prays silently and speaks firmly. "Things. Stuff." The listener begins, "It burdens your soul.  You cannot find happiness when you see

He mentioned them, flowers, just as he did sparrows and ravens, and I have read these words a hundred times and never gave my life to the truth.   He cares for things which lack importance in my daily quest to establish myself in the world He has promised.   Still, He cares. And He tells me to take note. He instructs me to listen to every lesson He’s taught.   If He cares for Lilies, dresses them in more beauty than any king, if He cares for the sparrow, or the raven, and gives them plenty to eat, will He not care for me, will He not divide bread and fish for me? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He sat at the desk and pulled out the top drawer to his right.  Pens, pencils, a stapler and paper clips, a lifetime, twenty-four years, a fellow employee, a friend.  He’d been asked to perform this task because he and Renny Diaz, Renaldo A, had been friends.  Had been.  The thought seemed to set upon the desk top, like a coffee stain that couldn’t be wiped away.  Just last week, Renny was sitting in this very spot, this chair, smiling broadly when Carla talked about her granddaughter.  That same night Renny had a massive heart attack.  Fifty-eight is too young to die. “I see you’ve been given the task.” A voice spoke from behind him.  He knew it was Carla.  “I kinda offered.” “You guys were close… at least here at the office.” He shrugged. Carla pulled out her chair and sat down at her desk.  As was her habit, she logged onto her computer before doing anything else.  There was a coffee pot just outside the cube.  A fresh cup was the second part of her morning ritual, whi

Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza, and Susanna. It wasn't just men who followed on the dusty roads. It's often we think of the twelve, we know them by name, and forget who gathered with His mother at the foot of the cross. It's often we think of the twelve, their denials and betrayals, and forget who witnessed the empty tomb and the angel. It is often we think of Peter and John running to the tomb, discovering it empty, and doubting what Mary had said. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

…and looking up to heaven He gave thanks... Luke 9:16 Sufficient, and yet more is asked. The blessings for this day are many. He deserves thanks. We bow our heads and ask. Without thanking first, for what has been received. Thank Him for the crumbs of bread, on your plate, before requesting an entire loaf. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A broken jar, once made of clay, now tiny pieces never to be brought together. The day is coming when the work of the potter will be scattered on the hard ground. A broken jar, empty now, without the essence of faith. It's creed is the world's, and in its state it is no good to the Kingdom. A broken jar, one that the true potter molded, one that sat in the palm of His hand. It sings in worship of a false creator in the valley meant for slaughter. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A prayer whose true purpose love. A prayer with an outcome unaided by human hands. A prayer asking to count the hairs on the head of someone adored. A prayer with outcome undeserved. A prayer with realization I am unworthy to ask. A prayer that despite my sin His will be done. A prayer an offering repetitive. A prayer when there are no sheep or doves in my temple. A prayer when the only answer is to love. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A question. A question which can have but one answer. He who asks, has sought an answer, a moment before, to another query.  A question similar.  It's perspective different.  Others in the group of men answered with little hesitation.  Now, this second question is directed at you. The answer is on your tongue.  It tickles your mouth.  You have been with the one asking for a time now.  The answer is the reason you tossed your nets back into the boat, left your family, and stepped where he stepped. The others look at you.  The question they answered was so much easier.  They mimicked the responses of those in the crowds.  Now, your companions, your friends, look to you for an answer, for your answer to the question.  You have always been their rock.  You can hear the youngest among the group, asking to which side of the boat should the nets be thrown.  Often you were right, your instinct was good.  You knew the trade. Not all in the crowd are tradesmen like you.  One worked for the R

When daybreak came, He called His disciples to Him, and chose twelve of them,  who He also designated as apostles. Luke 6:13 Vocation of the Apostles - Domenico Ghirlandaio 1481-82 You are the envoys of the word. Selected to walk in the same footsteps as He who brings the light. He commissions, ordains, He instructs you to heal the sick and drive out demons. Soon, He will send you out, as twelve, with a message to preach. His word, not yours, will be spoken from your lips and radiate from your hearts. How will it be, that one will stand at a fire to keep warm and deny knowing a man on trial. How will it be, that another takes a monetary reward to betray blood. We are envoys. Messengers of the truth. We are the chosen, given to faults, given to weaknesses, which lead us down roads where we bring bread, a purse, and an extra tunic. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Decapolis brings a man whose ears are closed. Much has been said about the healer arriving from Tyre. He has drawn demons out of men possessed and sent the evil spirits into pigs, casting them to deep waters. Decapolis brings a man whose speech is garbled. They come as intermediaries, begging the traveler to simply lay His hands on their friend a man unable to ask for himself. Touching the ear, sacred saliva to a frozen tongue, the traveler of whom wonderous things are said, speaks a single word, Ephphatha! And the deaf have gained hearing, the mute can speak. Decapolis has seen a miracle in its streets. The district has been chosen to witness. There is reason to celebrate. But soon miracles are justified by skeptics and gossip puts limits on the love of God. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5 Does this world call life, in the beginning, simply a fetus? Does this hide their guilt? Does this world remove God's blessing from the mother's womb with callousness? Does this world murder what it claims to be nothing but tissue with a beating heart? Does this world call a infant a hindrance, a thing to be disposed of like garbage? Does it even offer so much as a grave, on a lonely hillside, among the weeds, for those it slaughters? Does it take defenseless life and throw it into the world's warped idea of choice? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, they teach as doctrine the precepts of men. Mark 7:6-7   There is this human condition, we cling to. It is tradition. Someone long ago said it must be done in a certain way. We labor to do so without knowing why a certain task  is performed. A prophet said, when man's course was still young, that these people would honor with nothing more than their lips. They would speak worn out passages and kiss icons, while standing in the hypocrisy of traditions, and laws of their own design. Their worship is in vain, when molded by man's doctrine. The commandments of God have been overshadowed by the precepts of man. Tradition, a human condition, closing the doors of faith. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh Ezekiel 36:26 That heart of stone weighs down grace. The rock cannot be softened to allow the Spirit entry. It is the world's influence, no doubt, but the fault truly lies in the heart made of stone. Give me a supple heart, one that feels the fingers of your hand. Give me a heart willing to embrace the world's deformities with the words you speak. Give me a heart stronger than a rock. Give me a heart of flesh. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author