Scarlet Robe Creations

The net was recently mended.  The work had been tiresome, but so was the effort put forth every night when they took the boats out onto the sea.  The net sunk beneath the surface.  The men hoped the night would be prosperous. Some prayed for God's hand in their endeavor. Some simply hoped. They gathered the prey without rupturing the fiber.  The thickly muscled arms of the men drew the net from the depths.  The catch was worthy of praise.  God had answered the prayers of those who had faith, and those who did not. "Separate what is no good, from that which will sell at market," one of the burly men shouted. And thus it was done, as the one had instructed. "This is how it will be," the teacher said. "In the days of the end.  The good will be placed to one side.  The evil to the other, and that which is of no value will be burnt in the fires." He studied them, those who gathered for stories, parables, told by one promised.  Those who listened w...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.   Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 Tomorrow, a verse with its own melody. One lingering thought, concern of any hardship, accomplishing nothing. Tomorrow, it will come when ready, bringing plight of its own, despite the worry of yesterday and the evening before. Tomorrow, will have its own needs. The new day will offer enough of its own trouble, in its own time. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Hypocrites, standing in the presence of many. Praying among the crowds that they might be noticed and thought of, with esteem. Their reward is received, the envy of foolish men. Their pride blossoms. They are, as they wish, a pious example to the empty. You, who seek the new covenant, should close your door, and pray where you cannot be admired for your reverence before the Father. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

No taste. Not even that of bitterness. Your salt is no better than dirt. You  have lost your flavor, lost the essence of your offering. No Light. Not even a dull glimmer. You have hidden away your light. You have placed it where it cannot be seen. Your food will remain unseasoned, your lampstand will remain empty, unless your light shines before others and gives glory to God. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Another dream.  This one came with urgency, chasing sleep away without mercy.  It wasn't like the previous one.  The one he'd had in Nazareth while he was thinking of quietly seeking a divorce.  That dream answered an agonizing pain in his heart.  It came with the warmth of knowing his love for his betrothed was not in vain.  The spirit of God touched him.  He was entrusted to protect the child in Mary's womb, from a world spinning out of control. Urgency. He jumped up from his slumber.  She would wonder why.  The child might fuss. Just a few days ago, the magi had visited their tiny abode.  Star seekers.  Men of wisdom who spoke of a certain star, and its announcement of a king's birth.  They brought gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They'd made mention of their plan to return to their land by a different route.  They too had received a dream in their slumber.  Herod was evil, but every Israelite knew that....

Chora Church - Istanbul - Ancestors of Christ A list of ancestors. Matthew's roadmap for the Jews, from Abraham to David, to the time of exile, from Babylon to the promised birth. Luke's guideline for Theophilus, showing the nature of He without sin, from birth back to Adam, that one might know. We read both lists, often without considering the roads taken to bring God's promise to a stable in Bethlehem. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author . https://www.goodreads.com

Jerusalem - James Tissot How beautiful, the temple. Built to honor Yahweh, by a people, any people, all who would lower their heads in prayer one moment, and cheat their brother the next. How frightening, not a single stone laid to rest on another. Signs of destruction on every horizon. A people led off as slaves without a home, without a building of stone to offer homage. How beautiful, a faith needing no structure, a faith needing only a word, printed on the heart. How beautiful, a faith without boundaries, where the heathen are welcomed, and the pious are unmasked. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"Did you not feel the earth tremble?" One of the guards spoke.  The other two maintained silence.  Obviously they were shaken.  The news they were bringing to the high priest would not be received well. "There was no earthquake," one of the priests said. "We felt it, great priest," the guard replied. "Your task was to stand watch over the tomb of a dead man.  One who claimed to have the ability to rise from death.  One whose followers would stop at nothing to make us... and the Romans believe he had, in fact, come back among the living." "There was a light as well," another guard added. "And three women," said the first guard. "Women?" The high priest queried. "They saw the tomb as well.  It was empty." "Caiaphas," a rounded priest said, stepping up beside the high priest, "Perhaps these women were followers of the Nazorean." "I see no reason to doubt your observation," Caiapha...

The Three Women at the Tomb of Christ - Irma Marti n "Do not be afraid." They have come expecting death, and finding burial cloths, stains of blood, but no body. Did they believe? They have come with perfumes, to anoint death, but the tomb is empty, the stone has been rolled away. "Do not be afraid." The guards have run off. The angel, dressed white as snow, speaks of Jesus' promise. He has risen. Is it joy, or is it fear? The news fills their emptiness, and opens their hearts to the truth. Jesus is love rejected. "Do not be afraid." copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Lord's Prayer - James Tissot Knock, He promises to hear. He will always answer and open the door for you. Knock, kneel or sit. Don't ask that He hear, there is no question, He does. Knock, He knows your needs. He knows your petition. There are no formulated words needed. He always answers. Knock, He told His disciples. Those who seek will find, those who ask will receive. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Fra Angelico - Christ the Judge "Come," He says, and the sheep who have clothed, fed, and given drink, will question the reward. "Come," He says. "When I was hungry, thirsty, and naked, you saw to my needs." And the sheep shall come before the throne. "But what of us?" Ask those on the left. "When did we stand before you? When did we withhold food and drink from you?" "Leave me," He says. "When did you do any of this for a stranger, or a prisoner? When did you do any of this for one less fortunate? For I am the wretched in your midst. I am the hungry. I thirst. I stand before you now, and ask. When?" copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Dream of Saint Joseph - Gerard Seghers "God with us." The words of an angel in a dream. The impact of truth. The burden cast onto your shoulders by the world's hypocrisy melts with the shadows of doubt. "Do not be afraid." A son will be brought forth, a promise of the prophets. A sapling that will grow into a mighty tree. The righteous branch that will save His people. Behold, and the words of Isaiah manifest themselves in the vision. The angel has come and spoken that the man might accept, what the world will not. 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, without unity, 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

Saint Augustine and Two Angels Adoring the Crucifix - Guiseppe Passeri This I am, the one who sees your distress and offers you a place of peace.   This I am, the one who hears your cry from the wilderness and stands ready to embrace you when you turn back.  Come to me. Take my burden, it is lighter than what the world offers. Come to me. My yoke will teach you, for I am good, I am holy.   This I am, the one who loves you without fail. I am the one you can cling to when all other doors are closed.  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

Marriage. What has God given to us? We are His own, in a likeness we find difficult to grasp. He made us male and female. He makes us  as He desires us to be. Marriage. "Have you not heard." Jesus spoke those words, when asked about divorce. He quotes scripture from the beginning. He made them male and female to be one flesh, one answer for two questions. Marriage. Defined without question by the voice that spoke the word. Yet we allow the thoughts of the weeds to interpret the syllables of what has been said. Marriage. The world shapes it as its own. That is a blasphemy of truth. Marriage is God's. It is a sacrament of His design, given to this world my His word. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Ciro Ferri - Biblical Wedding (1670-1680 ) In His image we are made. Male and female, made to be in His image, different and the same. Have you not read. It has been said, when those around were listening for answers to other questions, and deaf  to His words. In the beginning He made them male and female that they might come together, inseparable, and be one. In His image we are made. Temples to be glorified without error, different and the same. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot - The Sermon on the Mount Peacemakers, we long for you this day. You who were anointed as children of God.   Wars rage, hatred and persecution absorbs the land. I hear you speaking to defend one side or the other, but not peace.   Peacemakers, we search endlessly and find only violence. We hear words calling as sin the color of our flesh or the language of our tongues.   There are prayers without action, songs without words and too many wars without peace.   Where are we? Were we there at the mount, listening when our names were spoken? Did we understand that in order to be ordained as His children, we must lay down our differences and embrace our enemy. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon

We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. Matthew 11:17 In the Marketplace, a game of children. One does not dance, when the flute is played, mimicking a wedding feast. The other does not mourn when the singing is of death.   What did they expect? Did they come to see a prophet, or king? Did they expect glimmering robes? Whatever is received it is never enough.   One came by the river, without food or drink, and he is called a demon. The son comes sharing meals of tradition and hospitality, and he is called a friend of sinners.   I played a wedding song for you, on my flute and you chose not dance. I sang the somber hymns of a funeral march, and you chose not to cry.   To what are you compared, this generation and the next? You are neither happy when the grass is green, nor when it is brown. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/...