Scarlet Robe Creations

  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 ...