Scarlet Robe Creations

The Annunciation - Carl Heinrich Bloch Did it begin as a light, where no brightness should have been? The darkness still reigned. The people still walk in shadows. And the light spoke, words some have longed to hear. "How can this be?" The question of a child. God has chosen. The wait has been long. The garden is a memory, distant. The wilderness has never faded. Highly favored daughter, ancestor of David, The line of kings intersects at the birth. Did it begin as a light, in the corner where a shadow dominated? The darkness has no choice but submission to the one promised. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

"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