Scarlet Robe Creations

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

"Where is your father?" they asked him. "You do not know me, or my father," Jesus answered.  "If you knew me you would also know my father." John 8:19 Where is your father? They ask this, those whose ancestors were led out, whose forefathers ate manna, and saw the walls of Jericho fall. Where is your father? The prophets have spoken. They have uttered words defining this day. They have pointed the direction, you should follow. Where is your father? Even today we ask this, those of us who taste the world's disbelief. We ignore prophets, the words of the Apostles, and the testimony of the Son. Where is your father? No miracle can ordain faith. For them, this question will never be answered, since they know not who He is. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Not a poem.  Below are simply the phrases spoken by Jesus at Bethany. First to Martha, then Mary, a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for the benefit of the crowd, and finally the command for his friend to rise from the tomb. John 11 He said this, ponder each of these phrases in your heart; Your brother will rise again. I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,  and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Where have you laid him? Take away the stone. Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so they may believe that you sent me. Lazarus, come forth!

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

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...

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

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

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

Isn't that the way it is with sheep. They know their shepherd. They will follow no other. Their shepherd's voice is a familiar song. He sings and they dance. The shepherd guides them to water and food. Starvation and thirst would be a reality if not for the shepherd. He leads them to safety, to shelter, where the wolf is frightened to go. Isn't that the way it is with sheep. The world sets its fangs on their flesh, and the weak are most oblivious to the dangers. Still, the shepherd protects. He lies prone in the doorway and gives his sheep peace. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Christ Among the Parisees - Jacob Jordaens (1593 - 1678) Are they hypocrites, not belonging to the father, weeds, not wheat? Scholars seeking only to destroy the Word threatening their authority. The Word was not spoken of itself. He was made flesh by the one with whom the hypocrites claim intimacy. Hypocrites. Weeds in the field. White washed bones in a parched desert. Hypocrites criticizing the Word spoken, sinning against the Spirit. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He was a burning and shining lamp and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light John 5:35 I tell you something greater. It is wise if you take heed. You are told this for your own good. You should still yourself and listen. There is much to accomplish. The ministry will be but a moment. The affect will be eternal. The joy will be everlasting. For a while you were content to simply listen to the baptizer. For a short time you sat on the shore, and you rejoiced in the burning light of his lamp. The preacher, who told you he could not fasten the sandals of He who was to follow, has pointed out the way to you. He has shown you something greater. He has shown you a brighter light. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Bernardino Mei 1655 What sign can you show that gives you authority. How can we believe if there is no sign? You are full of zeal, but many before you have read the psalms. They too could say they were consumed. You claim this to be a marketplace of our making, but holy men have stood where you stand and they have not condemned our transactions. You say that if we tear down this temple, a structure that has taken decades to raise, you will build it back brick by brick in three days. Will you dance for us as well, prophet, king, fool. We are the disbelievers. We are the hypocrites. We are the ones gathered in a den of thieves. And we are those who will forever ask for a sign of your authority. copyright 2023 -Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The instructions came from one who was simply a guest. He told us to fill the six stone water jars with water. Only water and nothing more.   Who is this man? I asked one of the others. I heard the name Jesus, son of Mary, a cousin of the groom. We are going to drink water at a feast, another whispered.   In my foolishness I laughed softly so none would hear.   A moment after the jars were filled and brought to Mary’s son, He told us to draw some and bring it to the man in charge.   The master tasted wine, the best wine, from this plain water. This son of Mary did nothing but instruct and the fluid obeyed.   Forgive my doubts my foolishness and my laughter when I am instructed to perform tasks I see as impossible. For you are always present, turning my plain water into the most palatable wine. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  Pictures of the Messiah

She was a bit young for ministry.  She wondered if that was how the congregation thought.  But she was here because of circumstances beyond her control.  The church was small.  She'd grown up in it and had now returned.  She sat back and listened to the small choir sing out, 'The Church is One Foundation', and considered her place within these walls. There'd been a thought running around in her head the last few days.  She managed to get a grasp on it last night during prayer.  She jotted down a few notes and brushed them up while eating a piece of toast before service.  She was nervous and knew it showed in her voice, when she gave a morning blessing to those in attendance. The Gospel reading had been from the Book of John, Chapter 2, verses 13 to 22.  She read God's word as put on parchment by the apostle.  After reading the passages last night she pondered arguments of religious men as to who wrote the Gospel.  She believed the w...

What do you stand by? Do you stand by a feeling, one that fills you with elation and self worth? Do you stand by the sermon of a priest or minister, who preaches the words you desire to hear? Do you stand by government, paying homage to the power it has given itself? Do you stand by the news anchor  who supports the view of your political idols? Do you stand by the words of entertainers, who insist that your values be like theirs? Or, is it possible that you stand by a statement given over two thousand years ago? A statement spoken on a dark night, one man to another, a Pharisee and a teacher. A statement spoken by creator to created and written on parchment by the hand of the disciple He loved. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author