Scarlet Robe Creations

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

Fear not, little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom Luke 12:32 Shepherd with a Flock of Sheep - Charles Jacque Little flock, sheep that cling to the shepherd's shadow, guided to fresh springs and grassy meadows, the ears that hear His voice. Little flock, the meek and the poor in spirit, those who think they are less than their value to God, less than their value to the son. Little flock, children who would climb on their savior's lap, give their trust to He, whose bearded cheek  rubs against theirs, copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Take care to guard against all greed,  for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions. Luke 12:15 Be rich in soul. Be rich in all that matters to the one who painted His name upon the seas and in the heavens. The wealth of holiness, a possession, which can never be taken, from one who is sealed by grace. These riches, like manna, are never to be hoarded, even though wealth such as this has little value to the world. Do not gather, Do not set out tomorrow's bread when today has much to give. Do not place in a barn that which you will never need, only to watch it perish in the flames. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Hypocrites, do you know you are the rotted tree. You cling fast to a tradition, what clothes to wear, which prayers to speak, but inside, deep in the core of your being, there is nothing but rot. Hypocrites, no tainted tree can produce good fruit. It spawns only what it is. If the tree's nature is vile the efforts of any gardener will offer up nothing but decay. Do not seek grapes among the thorns. Seek them instead, in the vineyard of the Lord. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The sea lapped against the side of their boats.  The night had been unproductive for both vessels.  Men with muscular builds and hair covered limbs hauled their nets from the water.  Even empty, lifting the nets from the sea was a chore for tired arms. "The catch is barely enough to feed my family." The speaker of the complaint was solidly built.  His clothing had soaked up sea water and sweat.  His day was ending with mounting frustration. "Things will get better, Simon." For a brief moment Simon believed his brother's passive response to their looming starvation, or more urgently their inability to pay the tax, had some basis in reality. "Once again, Andrew, do I have to listen to your view of our lives, wasted on fish and the call of the sea?" "It would be possible... to be something different." "We have been fishermen all our lives.  You and I know no other trade.  I cannot, overnight, become a carpenter.  Neither can you.  I am not ...

They called out from a distance, following.   They were outcasts, lepers.   “Jesus, have mercy.”   The teacher brought us to a stop.   They kept their distance, not allowing the sickness to enter into our presence.   Open sores and decayed flesh, ten men with little hope for anything more than death.   “Jesus have mercy.”   And He did, but not without instruction.   It is said that along the way they were healed.   Their open wounds closed.   Their flesh cleared.   The law instructed them to show their bodies to the priests, to put the miracle on display.   And nine followed the law.   “But were there not ten?”   The one prostrates at the feet of Jesus, a Samaritan by birth, not subject to the law.   “Where are the others?”   A man of another land has returned to offer praise to a homeless traveler who gave instructions.   There is no law, chiseled into his he...

Stained Glass - 15th Century Germany A name, Holy, spoken by Mary, a young woman, the mother, the one chosen, pure in heart, when greeted. Hail, speaks the cousin as the child in her womb dances. Grace fills this moment, like few to pass. The mother of my savior has come. Proclamation of the soul, the promise of generations. Spirits exult in prophecies fulfilled, for God has come to save His people. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 Jesus Discourses with His Disciples - James Tissot - 1890 It seems less today, a question once asked, when He spoke of judges and ended His parable, pondering faith. Pay attention. The Father hears those who cry out day and night, security is gained. Their prayers are heard and their rights are upheld. He sees to it that justice is done. Faith seems to diminish in His eyes. A closing thought when looking over those closest in faith. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

There are signs sought in the sky and upon the earth. You seek them in the clouds or in the leaf fallen from a tree. You seek them in wars or in devastating storms. Just as their was no sign for the Pharisees, there will be no sign for you. If you seek a single moment to change your life, from the path of evil, it will pass you by. Do you not know that not even the bridegroom knows the moment when he will go to his bride. Do not waste your time watching the shades taken on by clouds. Do not despair over the groans of this world. Instead, look to he who sent his son, sent his grace and mercy, and offers you life eternal. copyright 2024 -Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

How can you stand, ununited, divided by truth and falsehoods, without reverence for the Almighty? Ruins, every city and household which cannot stand as one will crumble. How can we stand, red and blue, without union to blend our separate colors to purple? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He mentioned them, flowers, just as he did sparrows and ravens, and I have read these words a hundred times and never gave my life to the truth.   He cares for things which lack importance in my daily quest to establish myself in the world He has promised.   Still, He cares. And He tells me to take note. He instructs me to listen to every lesson He’s taught.   If He cares for Lilies, dresses them in more beauty than any king, if He cares for the sparrow, or the raven, and gives them plenty to eat, will He not care for me, will He not divide bread and fish for me? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

When daybreak came, He called His disciples to Him, and chose twelve of them,  who He also designated as apostles. Luke 6:13 Vocation of the Apostles - Domenico Ghirlandaio 1481-82 You are the envoys of the word. Selected to walk in the same footsteps as He who brings the light. He commissions, ordains, He instructs you to heal the sick and drive out demons. Soon, He will send you out, as twelve, with a message to preach. His word, not yours, will be spoken from your lips and radiate from your hearts. How will it be, that one will stand at a fire to keep warm and deny knowing a man on trial. How will it be, that another takes a monetary reward to betray blood. We are envoys. Messengers of the truth. We are the chosen, given to faults, given to weaknesses, which lead us down roads where we bring bread, a purse, and an extra tunic. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

It is Easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle  than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God Mark 10:25 Luke 18:25 Good teacher what must I do...? Have I succeeded along this road at any time? Have I followed your footsteps for just a moment along a beach? Have I been weary and turned to you without condition? Good teacher what must I do...? I have not taken a life. I have been faithful to my spouse. I have asked pardon for my offenses. Good teacher what must I do...? How do I give all that I've earned? How do I embrace a poverty I've never known? How am I to lay down my life for other? Good teacher what must I do...? I am the young man whose face has fallen. I am the young man who turns away saddened. Still, Good teacher, I am a child who seeks to pass through the eye of a needle. copyright 2024- Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot -The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road -1886-1894 It's just a road, like any road, dirt, stone, dust. It leads us to a place. It could have been any place. We were two, unimportant, except for this one scene, this one moment.  There were other travelers. Most were burdened, as we. Most were shocked by the cruelty of man, upon man. Some had been hopeful. Some had doubts. He could have stepped up beside any others. His shawl keeping the dust from his eyes. A traveler like us, no different, except for what he lacked. How is it, you do not know. How is it you are unaware. It is as if the sun has set on us, and refused to rise. This one gave us hope. This one spoke of things differently than any of the others. How is it, you do not know. It's just a road, like any road, dirt, stone, dust. It leads us to a place. It could have been any place. We were two, unimportant, except for this one scene, this one moment. We are two, joined by one who didn't seem to know. copyrigh...

Feast in the house of Simon the Pharisee by Rubens, c. 1618 Why am I asked the question.  A parable about debts.  Certainly, the man who owes a greater amount will be all that much more grateful to have a loan forgiven.  But the spectacle at the table, kneeling on the floor, crying, how does this relate to transactions of coin? You have judged correctly. Was this a test of some sort.  Do I need to be tested.  The woman, God knows what she is.  Is that the debt he refers to.  He is a prophet.  Does he not know that this is a woman who sells her flesh.  She defiles the temple of her body.  Yet he looks at her with deep compassion and looks at me like I am a student who requires to be taught a simple lesson. Simon, do you see this woman?  You have judged her to be unclean. You have walked on a separate side of the street, so that you would not pass her and fall unto the same judgement. Simon, when I came to your house my feet were dust...

Christ and the Pharisees - Alexander Bida The youth sits among the elders, quietly listening to the wisdom they share. They do not know Him. In twenty years some will. Some will listen to His words, they will see His works. Others will be deaf and blind. Does He interrupt them? For He has nothing to learn from them, and they have everything to learn from Him. But He listens. He knows these men with an intimacy we can never understand. Maybe a few of them will sit in judgement in twenty-one years. Maybe one will seek to wipe His brow. Soon the youth will no longer listen to men who wallow in their self-righteousness. He will confront their ideals out of love for the weak. But for now He listens knowing the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot - Jesus Speaks Near the Treasury Therefore He told you. It was in His instructions. Do not focus on tomorrow's trouble, today is what matters. But we are human and therefore prone to thoughts of tomorrow, and therefore immune to the verse. Consider, He says, and selects a raven in overhead flight. They do not harvest nor store food. They are fed, just as the flowers are clothed with more radiant beauty than King Solomon had ever worn. Therefore He tells you. Do not fret over what you cannot change. Tomorrow will come in its own time and God will stand beside you. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God sayin: Luke 2:27-28 “Simeon in the Temple” by Rembrandt Lord, now you may dismiss your servant, my life can end in peace, for with my aging eyes I have seen the child who is our salvation and I cradle Him gently in my arms.   This child Lord, is Your gift to the world, a light of brilliance shining forth to reveal Your way to the gentiles and bring glory to Your people and I cradle Him gently in my arms.   Behold, chosen daughter, many will reject this child and their sword will pierce through your soul. This will be their sin. He will be a sign from God, despised and spoken against, but to others He will be their deepest joy. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Col...

 She has journeyed long and hard. She bears news of prophecies answered. She holds a vision in her heart, an angel, a visitation, a promise. God has not forgotten His people. Will she find faithfulness at the end of her day? Will her cousin embrace her without doubt? These thoughts are pondered as the two come together. It is not the young girl who speaks, but the child, in the older woman's womb, has leapt for joy copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He stood at the tombstone, reading the epitaph, the dates of birth and death chiseled into the stone.  The deceased held a secure place in his heart.  He could still feel her embrace and if he dwelled on her breath stealing grip, emotion threatened to engulf him.  He wouldn’t cry.  He’d done enough of that.  His paper thin heart ached, but tears accomplished nothing.  He didn’t believe the pain of loss was going to fade anytime soon. Blessed are they who mourn. He was mourning now.  He didn’t feel blessed. “I remember how soft her hands were when she would touch my face,” the young girl to his right said. “Even when she was sick and her final days were near.  Her hands were still soft.”  He didn’t respond to her or even acknowledge she had spoken.  Instead, he thought of those last days in silence.  The knife in his heart twisted. Blessed are they who mourn. How could this sadness be a blessing?  The old lady wh...