Scarlet Robe Creations

Holy Patriarchs - Menologion of Basil II It is often we manipulate to encourage God's hand. The Patriarchs did. Sometimes they bartered, creation to creator. Sometimes they twisted promises to achieve a desired outcome. God's time. Even we who have seen the Patriarchs stumble, and know God's promises are fulfilled, bargain for one more piece of manna, or the gift we are not ready to receive. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He is the atonement for our iniquities. He is the one who spoke not in His own defense. With Him, jubilee is embraced. We shall sing and dance for this promise has been fulfilled. We are washed. We are white as snow. But for no reason, other than His cross, and His blood. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

You were given all you required, bread from heaven. But was it enough? When you grumbled there was quail, and you horded the gifts. You were given sustenance, when in the Desert of Sin, you thought you might starve. Would you have preferred slavery in Egypt? You are given all you require, bread of life, come down from heaven. But is it enough when it does not come with the expected sword? copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Jesus Eats Breakfast with His Disciples - James Tissot Come, have breakfast. There is a fire, sticks burnt to charcoal, laid out just so. There are fish already being prepared, and bread. Come, have breakfast. The shores of the Sea of Tiberias are barren, except for the man who beckons. You drag your overloaded net on to the beach. The catch is abundant. Come, have breakfast. Tally your catch. Despite the number the nets have not torn. One hundred and fifty-three where before there was not one, and they dared not ask, because they knew. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

This is the verdict. It is written down so that there will be no question. A sign of brightness came into the world, a blaze of brilliance. The radiance of goodness exposed shadows at the core of iniquity. This is the verdict. Darkness hates the light, illumination of all that is evil. Darkness prefers the dank corners of corruption. It ferments in its own mire, lost in the grasp of sin. This is the verdict. Light came. It touched those who sought it's brilliance. Some chose darkness. They distained the glow of purity, and walked among dry bones rather than flesh. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Anthony van Dyck - The Brazen Serpent He became a curse, lifted up in our sight, on a beam of wood. As in the wilderness the serpent was raised on a pole, so is the Lord raised up. It is an act of faith, to look up and be healed. But never does the bronze image, or the ceramic figure, cast away our sin. Healing comes only with the act of faith. He became a curse, lifted up in our sight, on a cross. The serpent has foreshadowed Him. He has taken the poison bite of our transgressions upon His own flesh, and we are healed. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Have the authorities concluded that He is the Christ? John 7:26 Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea - James Tissot Why is it that we need to be told, especially by them who speak highly, who state their knowledge of the creator. Why is it that we cannot judge for ourselves. Often authorities lead us astray. They direct us where their thoughts guide them. Perhaps their thoughts are not always of God. Why is it that we can be witnesses to the blind gaining sight, to the leper being healed, to a child being told to rise from her bed, and still wait for those who ordain themselves as holy to speak their approval. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

How do you see us now? Are we rebellious children who ate a fruit you commanded us to leave alone? Are we those who lacked faith in what could not be seen and bowed before a golden calf? Are we a people who grumbled and thus wandered the wilderness without a home? Are we the multitudes that pray for miracles and use coincidence to explain the occurrence? Are we bystanders who mock the innocent when they drag their burdens through the street? Are we the ones who condemned the son of the vineyard owner when he came before us? Are we those who stand up for anything but faith and embrace pride as a blessing? Are we the many who seek wealth rather than the grace of knowing you? Are we the children you breathed life into who've turned away from your face? How do you see us now, Lord? copyright 2025 -Donald P James Jr. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot - He who is of God hears the word of God He sat with his back to a pillar.  The crowd, previously gathered had dispersed.  A few remained, those of us who would not leave his side, and a few who sought any opening to make a challenge against his teachings. He had only just saved the adulterous woman from the stones of men who believe they do not sin.  He told the throng that the sin was theirs as well as hers.  All should be stoned.  Every stone in every masculine hand was dropped to the ground. He also knew what the Pharisees and scribes had in mind.  In response to words they had yet to utter he turned to us and said that he was the light of the world.  I could tell John was taken by that phrase. Then the teacher continued, while his enemies waited for an opening.  Again, he mentioned his death. "I am going away." We all pondered what this meant, but there was much more that he had to say.  Listening as John listened, one phras...

Standing on the shore of Gennesaret, a lake teeming with life. Those who fish are empty, soon their nets  and their souls will be filled. Fishermen on Gennesaret, men who labor to still their hunger. Cast out your nets, tired and laden, one more time. Standing on the shore of Gennesaret, He of who the crowds speak. A miracle is at hand. He stands along the shore, watching. 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....

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

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

The broad and narrow roa d Do you see the demons about you? Some of them wear the clothing of sheep. They wean their way into your life, twisting the words of the Author. What the Word proclaims as wrong, the world holds up as right. Those who recognize the emissaries of evil are accused of the demon's own sin. Who do you worship, things, people, emotions, or the one true God who walks the narrow path? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes - Bartolome Esteban Murillo "I think you should," Miriam said to her younger brother Isaac. "But mother gave this to us, to eat, should we become hungry." Miriam, much like her mother, gave her brother what he considered the evil eye.  He hoped someday to be as wise as his sister.  Since their father's illness and death, Isaac was the only man in the family.  He was only nine, and didn't want the responsibility. "What do you think, Sara," he said to his younger sister. She shook her head.  As usual, she had no opinion. "There are so many people," he commented. Miriam placed a hand on his shoulder. "If others have brought food as well, this will be a picnic worthy of all the prophets." "You would say something like that.  But what if these Barley loaves and fish are all?" "Isaac, do as I say.  I am willing to go without, so is Sara.  Did you not listen to the words of this man?  Hav...

Fragments of  a miracle. Pieces and scraps left over once everyone has had their fill. A chunk of fish, a crumb of barley bread, and the handwork of God manifests the moment. Food for the hungry when a crowd is overwhelming, made reality by a word prayed by the Word, made reality by the Son's request of the father that His will be done. Fragments of a miracle. How much will be remembered, when stomachs are filled, the taste of fish has faded, and the twelve wicker baskets are filled to overflowing? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Sometimes it is hard to do this, to put on love. We are told to hate the sin, but to embrace the sinner made in the creator's image. How difficult is this, when the iniquity of pride is celebrated by our world. Sometimes it is hard to do this, to be patient, when all is crumbling in our midst, when we are told that ungodliness is beautiful and our creator is prone to mistakes. We are told to let peace enter our hearts, in these times. Not just any peace, but His. Sometimes it is hard to do this, to let God's word enlighten wisdom in the depths of our souls, when daily the world slanders the giver of good things and spits at the base of His son's cross. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Shepherd with a Flock of Sheep - Charles Jacque Shepherds scatter, as it was so in Jeremiah's day, as it was so when Jesus walked the earth, as it is in the day in which we now live. Shepherds scatter, when walking in the footprints of their own pride, rather than those of God. Shepherds scatter, over dogmas which sever His body. There should be union, bound by strengths, rather than divisions of weakness. We need to stand as one body loving God, believing the words of His son, knowing that from His death comes life. We need to love each other regardless of sins without celebrating those iniquities the world accepts. We need to focus on the narrow door through which many will refuse to pass. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Nicolas Poussin - Christ et la femme adultere "I had a dream," a young man says to his pastor. "I was standing before Jesus.  It was like I was dead and I was standing at the gates of paradise.  I could see a great shining city in the background.  I felt an urgency to want to be there."  The young man pauses for a moment, causing the pastor to speak. "And Jesus approached you?" "Not at first.  He was sitting on the ground, by a great wall.  There was just sand, you know.  Everything was dusty.  The sun was hot.  I could feel it.  It wasn't that way in the city.  I'm not sure how I knew that, but where we stood, it was dusty and we seemed to be baking in the sun.  He, Jesus, smoothed out an area on the ground and was drawing meaningless figures in the dirt... or maybe I should say dust.  Everything was so dusty." "Meaningless figures?" The young man nods his head. "They weren't letters or anything that might make words....

Are we more impressed by action than words? If so, are we not like them who ate their fill of bread and fish, multiplied? Do we explain away miracles, unwilling to incorporate God in their existence? If so, we are nothing more than the multitude, taking physical subsidence, but not spiritual. Are we those who know what we saw, yet give credit to our own errors of judgment, abandoning our belief that a single basket held two fish and some barley loaves, before He said "Feed them". copyright 2024 - Doanld P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author