Scarlet Robe Creations

"You say that you are spiritual." The statement is spoken by a young woman, a college student, with light brown hair, green eyes and petite features.  She is dressed plainly, a blouse and jeans.  She wears a silver cross around her neck. "I don't adhere to any particular faith... or religion." The response comes with a haughty air of confidence.  The second woman is older, by ten, maybe twelve years.  She is tall and thin.  She has a piercing in her eyebrow and a star tattooed on the back of each hand. "It's foolishness, you know," she continues. "I know that there is something more than what we have here... in this life.  I know that I'm a good person.  So, there is no need for me to submit to the rites of religion." "You're open to anything." the college student states, warming her hands on her mug of hot coffee.  Her comment is not a compliment, but a statement of concern. The older woman responds, after taking a sip ...

A placard, above the crown, the helmet, the head bloodied by thorns. The king of His people. Do the symbols mock Him, or those who rejected Him? "He is not our king," say those who felt one man should die before a nation should perish. Those who stand for rituals and hypocrisy, at the risk of salvation. A placard, of beaten flesh, calling some to lower their heads, others to scoff. A public display of life submitting to death, only to live again. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb. Pieter Symonsz Potter - Jacob Urging Leah and Rachel to Flee The unloved. A bride by trickery. The one who ached to be held by a husband who considered her worthy. The pain of Leah was witnessed, as all is seen. Her prayer was heard, as the LORD listens. And she was given children, if not her husband's love. The unloved, the bride of trickery, bears the line of priesthood as the LORD's answer and the lineage of the savior. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

One is planted to glorify creation. There is a tree in its center, full of life. From the dust comes man, and beside him a mate. But serpents speak here, and some fruit tastes of evil. Another is planted to glorify defeat. There is a tomb in it's center, empty for now. From the rough hewn cross of Roman death comes the crushing heel, and the fruit of salvation. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A lighthearted piece for a Mid-November day She opened her door to him.  The minister from her church.  She showed him a seat, and beckoned her sister's help in preparing something for lunch. She laid out meats and cheese, crackers and fruit.  The rolls were fresh, but as she set them on the table, she took note that her sister, the younger of the two, had wandered into the other room, to sit and listen to the reverend. There was work to be done.  She sliced the rolls in half, cut cubes of cheese and laid them out on the plate, just so.  She huffed a few times, hoping the exasperated sound would seep into the other room and remind her sister of her responsibility. Their mother had always said, "A host must serve.  Every guest must be served." She looked at the food she was preparing, by herself.  While her sister sat and listened to the minister, rather than do the task assigned. She stepped through the doorway dividing the kitchen from the living room...

It's a long journey, setting out for the purpose of being counted. Brought together by an angel, emissary of 'I Am', and the donkey is gentle. How many miles on tired legs? The woman bears new life, kicking in her womb. The man takes on the responsibly, of teaching God about Himself. They know little of the days ahead, call it trust, call it faith. Frustration will tighten its grip when the inns are full and labor pains strike. But the journey is long. Perhaps songs are sung among a caravan. Excitement might be added to each step, by a song of Exodus. Centuries beyond Moses, travelers no longer in chains, Bethlehem looms, not Babylon, and the song speaks not of a desert, but of salvation. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The altar on a barren hill, a sacrifice, one seen as the world's victory, one brought forth by man's own sin. The altar among the sinners, gazed upon by the curious and afraid. Some have run to shelter after denial takes root. An altar of purification, crossed beams of rough hewn wood. The serpent is crushed by an act of love. The altar on a barren hill, the arms of the lamb spread wide. "Come to me," He says, "and I will give you peace." copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

And he dreamed that there was a ladder set upon the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12 Jacob's Ladder - Wencesles Hollar From heaven to earth, ascending and descending, angels. some coming to the soil of this world, others returning. A place of holiness, where the LORD has stood and promised offspring, as the dust. From heaven to earth, a dream, unquestioned upon rising. The stone beneath his head is of a sacred place, a piece of ground blessed by the LORD. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Only He could have saved us, no one else. To think otherwise is folly, a foolish endeavor. We are not strong enough. We are weak, as He made Himself weak. We are in need, as He has come in fulfillment. The world says, "Be filled with the strength of self, be an individual who needs not a single prayer. Be free of all chains." Choose instead to bind yourself with chains of faith. Choose instead to lean on the beam of rough wood. Choose instead to be saved by He who already has. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'Behold..." Luke 13:31-32 Christ with the Pharisees - Ernst Zimmerman Go to the fox, the king who is false, and say, "He has chased out demons, sent them to the swine, and caused them to fall into the sea. He has healed the sores of those you would not lay a hand for blessing on. He has placed His finger on the ear of he who was deaf, and rubbed mud and spit on the eyes of the blind." How can one doubt who has heard these things. Has he not looked into the eyes of those who speak, telling of good things that have been done, good things by He who was promised, good things by He whose heel will be wounded. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Do you see, a cloud rising, warning of a storm? Do you feel the wind, it's warm southerly air, touching your scalp, telling you that the temperature of the coming day will be warm? How is it that you know these things, but cannot grasp what is to come? How is it that you do not understand the signs of the times, the signs of war, signs of hunger, signs of disease? How is it, you can learn so much about this world around you, and still know so little? copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

A marriage. A man takes the hand of his wife. Male and female. He said this, when they were too busy with their own questions. Why do we sully a gift? Why do we offer vows unholy, and define a covenant, between a woman and a man, by the world's twisted pride. A marriage. A beautiful bond for life. A foundation built on rock. As we have heard, a man and a woman, and the approval of the Lord. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Walk before me, and be blameless Genesis 17:1 Walk in the presence of the one who refers to Himself  as El Shaddai. Face to face, aware of His nearness, aware of His love, aware of the all encompassing holiness. Offer each moment of the journey with a sincere heart, one centered on worship, for this covenant is holy. You will not be perfect, or without sin, for you are the created, and He is creator. Did Adam walk like this, before the fruit was taken, when he was blameless, when he was innocent, when the garden was young, and he dwelled among the eternal? Walk in His presence. Be wholehearted in devotion, for His sandals will tread beside yours, regardless of your stride. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

  Of all the sin, flesh to flesh, brother slays brother. Jealousy crawls beneath the skin, a viper with sharpened teeth.   He who has slain will be driven from sight of all that is. An unbearable penance for an act of malice.   The creation of clay and breath has broken the immortal heart and walked away from the Lord’s presence. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Enmity. Opposition and hostility. Inimicus, the serpent is her adversary. Thus is the divide between she and the snake, her offspring and his. Slither on your belly as He crushes your head, and takes from you your grasp on the soul. He steals from your sight the deceived, by the piercing of His heel. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

They long to come in from the darkness, those who knock on the door, those he does not know, those who were not prepared. They waited with those who kept their lamps lit, the ones who kept their hearts focused, the ones who warned them, the ones who were prepared. They were elsewhere in body and spirit when the father sent the son. They sought pleasure in the here and now, rather than in eternity. We long to come in from the darkness, now, before the time is late, now, before we have neglected the oil, now, before we are left knocking. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Spoken into being, the utterance of a word. Light becomes light, and darkness has no hold. Day and night, the first word. Separated, water from water, a dome, the sky. Pleased in the evening, the second word. Gathered waters, make place for rock and soil. A whispered breath bears fruit. The sower of creation, the third word. Then there were lights, greater and lesser, to light the day, mark seasons, days and years, the fourth word. Life filled the seas. Birds took to the sky. Every creature, large and small, filling creation with life, the fifth word. Every beast of the land, wild and domestic, to cover creation. Then the image of the creator, given breath, the sixth word. Universe created, a finished task, a time to set down tools, to focus on worship, and to rest, the seventh word. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Jerusalem - James Tissot How beautiful, the temple. Built to honor Yahweh, by a people, any people, all who would lower their heads in prayer one moment, and cheat their brother the next. How frightening, not a single stone laid to rest on another. Signs of destruction on every horizon. A people led off as slaves without a home, without a building of stone to offer homage. How beautiful, a faith needing no structure, a faith needing only a word, printed on the heart. How beautiful, a faith without boundaries, where the heathen are welcomed, and the pious are unmasked. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

  The Charge to Peter - James Tissot The rock. Jesus has built His church on the faith of one who will deny. The foundation is a fisherman, a man once ruled by the sea, a man of strength, a man of humility, a man who will sob when the rooster crows with the sunrise. A stronghold. A man whose words  are often rewarded and chastised. A man who will draw a sword to defend, and cower in an upper room. A man who will feed the sheep despite his humanness. A man who the Spirit will fill with conviction. A man who will be the reflection of the Lord's church. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"Each morning, you are given a choice," the reverend says after moving to the side of the pulpit. He wears black slacks and a dark gray shirt.  His collar is open and his reading glasses rest on the bridge of his nose.  His brown hair has the tendency to always look uncombed, whether it be Sunday morning at the pulpit, or Friday night at the local high school's basketball game. Once he stood behind the ornate piece of wood as if it protected him from some worldly judgement.  In those days he wasn't as confident in his ability to pastor a flock.  Now he often seeks a position of deeper intimacy with those who step through the doors of their Father's Home. "Every morning," he continues. "You and I we have a choice.  Now you know I'm not talking about breakfast.  About whether to have coffee or tea, cereal or eggs.  That is a choice that nourishes your body.  I'm speaking about... you guessed it... your soul.  We have doctors out there to addre...

  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send.' Isaiah 6:8 Hineni. Coming before, complete presence, spiritually and in body. Called to be as Samuel, to go to any ghetto, war torn society, a church, a commuter train, or a college campus? Hineni. An intimate response, whether sought in darkness of night, or light of day. A prophet, a martyr, responds, knowing he could become like Stephen. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Praise, when my head is lowered, a request in my heart, and an insistent plea on my lips. Praise, from the beginning, before the first syllable of the prayer is spoken. Praise, for what has been received, what will be received, and what will be retained for the Kingdom. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Twelve. Those who walked in sandals, tattered, over dust and stone. A betrayer among them. A denier as well. One would die by his own hand, spilling his ransom like blood. Another would weep when the rooster crowed, and a time of emptiness was ushered in. Ten who stood in a room, afraid of every shadow, yet to witness the failure of death to gain victory, unsure in their hearts what the women had seen. One, absent, whose doubt caused him to touch, to impale his fingers in the wounds, before embracing faith. Twelve. Those who had tossed nets where they were directed, into an empty sea. Those who collected twelve baskets of bread and fish, after five loaves and two fish had nourished the masses. Those who had seen the blind see, the lame walk, sores heal, a prostitute sob. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

For those who have read 'Afternoons With Mister D', the story below uses two of the characters introduced in the story. For those of you who have not, consider picking up a copy on Amazon. This novel is available in both print and kindle formats. Afternoons With Mister D Alice fixed herself a mug of coffee.  A quick glance at the kitchen clock told her it was a few minutes before six. "You're up early," she said, speaking to her niece. "For a Saturday." A slight shoulder shrug was followed by a mumbled response, "I couldn't sleep." Three and a half months had passed since Alexandra moved in.  The seventeen year old had transferred over to the local high school, but in the time since arriving at the bus station, she hadn't developed a single friendship.  Except perhaps, Mrs. Halworth the next door neighbor. It was a chilly December morning.  There'd been a hard frost the night before.  Alice could see its veil, in the early light, on...

A seed fell to the ground on September tenth. It fell on fertile soil, good soil, abundant with faith. Some seeds will fall, as our Lord said, along the path, to nourish the birds of the air, or among the briars, and the voices of sin. Some seed will fall where the soil is rich, ripe for planting. Where the words of truth are spoken without fear. The seed fallen to the ground on September tenth will caress the hearts, never touched, with the blood of a martyr. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure...  think about such things. Philippians 4:8 In a time when words are twisted by the demons of hatred, and the emissaries of pride, come to the Word forever true. In a time when the ache in your soul, longs for a day, before, come to the Word and the voice of purity. In a time when you wonder about days, seeking the comfort of love undeserved, come to the Word, and the embrace of peace. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Exhortation to the Apostles - James Tissot Power came forth and healed them all. They'd gathered on a stretch of level ground. Disciples, and the sick in their midst. He had much to say, a teacher, a prophet, or perhaps something more. It is possible, he might be written about, in the psalms and the prophets. Might he be the one who crushes the serpent's head beneath his foot. For now they will listen. Some will be healed of their afflictions. Others will question miracles and consider his bearing. For now he is but a man of words, tomorrow he will become a threat. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He tells us not to concern ourselves with evil. For they will wither like thirsty grass, wilt, like tender shoots. They are the seeds without root, tossed where the soil is dry, empty, faithless. Trust in the Lord for everything. Commit your life to Him. Be still and wait with patience, for the wicked ideals of men will soon turn to dust copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Lord, my heart aches, for children who are wounded and taken from this life while praying in a church, by the sickness of this day. Lord, I want to shed a tear, every time I see the young woman stabbed by a man of demons, witnessed by those who turned their backs while she died. Lord, I feel anger at at an assassination of one who loved you, who believed in your design for life, and was willing to listen to the youth who need you so badly. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Jesus Appears to His Disciples - William Hole She touched the hem of his garment. He believed his daughter would be cured. - She knew the master gave table scraps to the dogs. He wanted to see. - She entered a gathering without belonging, to cry on his feet. He returned in thanksgiving, one of ten, healed of his soars. - She wiped his face. He helped with a beam of wood. - She stood beside the grieving mother. He took Mary into his home. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Have you not read... Often I have pondered these words according to Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, quotes offered to those who seek, red letters, spoken from the mouth of the teacher. Ask if you will, but understand, you cannot deceive the author of faith. Have you not read... Whether the challenge in your heart is focused on marriage, greed, pride, the healing a blind man, or rubbing wheat between the palms your hands  on the sabbath. The one to whom you've directed your query, wrote the verses. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

My child, perform your tasks with humility, then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord. Sirach 3:17-18 "Greatness," the teacher said. "There is much responsibility that comes from obtaining favor with men.  You are an example to others... especially to those who seek and know God.  Don't use what you have gained to preach the morality of the world.  The morality of these rocks, and this dirt mean nothing.  Use any fame you acquire, to speak of God's work in your life." "This is a hard teaching," the student replied, hands deep in his pockets as he walked beside the older man. "And when teachings become difficult, some leave.  They move on, looking for preachers who will speak the words they want to hear, not those of truth.  Disciples of ancient times, much like the believers of today, come and go.  Perhaps they are seeds that landed ...

In the pride of his face, the wicked does not seek him, all his thoughts are, there is no God. Psalm 10:4 How can one seek if self is the focus? How can one even acknowledge a creator when one denies any existence of one greater than one's self? Why would one seek, when one's worship is of one's own face? Why would one so much as stand before the cross of one's salvation if one believes not in one's sin? Sin, you have laid claim to the children, who pride themselves on embracing you, and shunning love. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Introspective. A shore avoided by those fearing the waves. Fishermen with nets cast out in the morning light. Introspective. Sitting at table with those who's folly is righteousness. A sinner cries, wiping His feet with her raven colored hair. Introspective. A tomb where a friend had been laid. Skeptics abound waiting to ridicule through tears a miracle comes forth. Introspective. Two beams fastened, forming an instrument of shame. A cross, the Father's way to love and shepherd His people. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"Hold up!"  She ran, keeping her red baseball cap with the Angel's logo in place with one hand, while giving a semi-wave with the other. He slowed, turning back slightly, as she caught up to him, a little out of breath. "I haven't seen anyone... on this trail... all morning... until you." She spoke around deep intakes of air." "This is, as a poet once wrote some time ago, 'a road less travelled'.  A way to travel.  Yes.  But this road is a trail.  Dirt and stone.  Leaves that have decayed.  No pavement or concrete." "Where does it go to?" She asked, as he took up strides again, moderating his long steps to meet hers. "The trail begins," he replied, "back from where we have come.  It journeys on for a while, and then, it does come to an end. "Is it a loop trail... or one of those that my father called a lollypop trail?" He seemed to ponder her question for a moment. "A lollypop trail." He smi...