Scarlet Robe Creations

Do you see the beauty in the deciduous tree, stripped of its garments, branches bracing the chill, ready to embrace the spirit of new birth?   Do you see the beauty of emptiness, the earthen vessel, the clay pot, emptied of all it once contained, to be filled to the brim with grace?   Do you see the cross members, rough-hewn beams, bound for humiliation, tools of Roman execution, planted on a hillside, overlooking the Holy City without a trace of indignity? copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

First Speaker:   What do you think... about... what they say? Second Speaker:  They? First Speaker:   You know... those lunatics... that's what everyone is calling them. Second Speaker:   By everyone, you mean the authorities? First Speaker:   Yes. Second Speaker:  Why would I pay any attention to some lunatics? First Speaker:  I mean, think about it... that boulder... how could it be moved? Second Speaker:   A group of men, strong men, lunatics. First Speaker:   There were guards. Second Speaker:  Probably drunk.  Maybe they abandoned their post. First Speaker:  Maybe. Second Speaker:   You probably shouldn't say too much about all that. First Speaker:   Why? Second Speaker:   The authorities.  They were getting tired of the antics.  They're still looking for the others. First Speaker:   They don't scare me. Second Speaker:   Suit yourself. First Speaker:   He forgave them you know....

They called out from a distance, following.   They were outcasts, lepers.   “Jesus, have mercy.”   The teacher brought us to a stop.   They kept their distance, not allowing the sickness to enter into our presence.   Open sores and decayed flesh, ten men with little hope for anything more than death.   “Jesus have mercy.”   And He did, but not without instruction.   It is said that along the way they were healed.   Their open wounds closed.   Their flesh cleared.   The law instructed them to show their bodies to the priests, to put the miracle on display.   And nine followed the law.   “But were there not ten?”   The one prostrates at the feet of Jesus, a Samaritan by birth, not subject to the law.   “Where are the others?”   A man of another land has returned to offer praise to a homeless traveler who gave instructions.   There is no law, chiseled into his he...

Who is wise and understanding among you? James 3:13 Wisdom, earthly, is of a boastful nature, it tastes of bitterness, it speaks with the tainted soul  of pride, Wisdom, Godly, it's free of hypocrisy, it benefits ones understanding of faith, it brings peace as the fruit  of its harvest. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Return of the Prodigal Son - Pompeo Batoni - 1773 Thank you for standing in the field with arms opened wide, when I return from my rebellion.   Thank you for the embrace I do not deserve and Your willingness to see beyond my protests.   I tend to think, at times, that I can walk this path alone. So, I take a few steps closer to the edge before realizing my trail leads to folly.   Thank you for loving me with a love I cannot comprehend. Thank you for calling me Your son, or Your daughter, when I am no more than a slave. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Embattled denominations, tearing apart the precious body of our savior. Laws of man, apart from God's word, twisted by politics and the quest for filled pews. One phrase, one word, and one religion is saved, while another is doomed. Jesus taught to seek Him, not the laws of men, the glory of modern Pharisees, or the virtue of politics. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Dream of Solomon - Luca Giordano The way, the path you have been shown. The route, rough at times, has lingered by a sea with fishermen, it has crossed the barrenness of the countryside and delivered us to the Holy city. The way, the journey of uprightness embraces all if they but seek comfort. You will not stumble along this path, each stride will have purpose. The way, a proverb, from Father to Son, and then to the adopted. Instruction given from a bush, burning, from a small rise in a meadow, and from the wooden beams of new life. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

This story is a prequel to the novel 'Afternoons with Mister D'   An early October day.  The leaves were changing.  A maple, marking the location they arrived at, had turned golden a few weeks ago.  Already it had dumped nearly all of its ornamentation.  Two young men, friends since the days of grammar school, stood beside a rectangular boundary of light green grass, planted at the end of summer. "I'm joining the seminary," One of them said.  His name was Jimmy Klein.  He'd graduated high school a little less than a year and a half ago.  He delayed going to college.  His friend, the one beside him, Nicolas, was beginning his second year at a state college. "You talked about taking that road when we were Freshmen in high school," Nicolas said. "Yeah... then second year came... Cross Country..." "I remember." Nicolas scuffed the grass with the soul of his shoe.  To everyone around him, he was known as Nick, or Nicolas D.  No one eve...

I’m waiting for You. It would take a miracle, I know. But You are prone to such things, even though I am not deserving.   Know that I ask this, not for myself, but for those who might not know to ask.   I’m waiting for You, knowing it will all be in Your time, not mine. Still, You know of my impatience.   Consider the little ones, those who matter most. But in suggesting that You don’t hear them, have I myself become deaf?   I’m waiting for You, counting the moments of each day and taking note of lilies in the field. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author