Scarlet Robe Creations

Have you heard the angels sing glory, while shepherds watched their flocks, protecting the sheep from darkness? Have you listened to a donkey bray and an infant cry when you came near an old stable? Have you carried a lost sheep on your shoulders, going to a manger, seeking the child who came for the lost? Have you heard about the one who is coming, the one who will baptize with the spirit and fire? Have you watched the fishermen throw nets into a barren sea and haul in an abundant catch because He made it so? Have you listened to a blind man tell what he hoped to see once washing the mud and spit from his eyes? Have you seen the leper who came back, leaving the other nine, to offer thanks to the one who touched him? Have you sat in a field listening all day, as the poor were told they were blessed and the weak were offered inheritance? Have you witnessed the crowd going to Jairus' house, convinced the child was dead, and not sleeping? Have you heard about His entry through the gat...

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...

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

Ordination' by Nicolas Poussin, 1630s They came from various walks of life. They followed. There were eight, nine, ten, and then there were twelve. "Did you hear him?" Asked one bystander. "Did you listen?" Asked another. "He speaks of wheat and weeds," said a third. They move from town to town, the eight, nine, ten, and twelve. They draw others to them always to follow, as they follow. "I ate fish," said one who dined. "There was plenty," said another. "It might have been a miracle," said a third. Some rebuke, those with power to lose. They criticize the one who stands as a shepherd before the eight, nine, ten, and twelve. The one says He is good. He says His flesh is bread. He says He will spill out His wine. He carries a beam of wood without followers. Yesterday there were twelve, ten, nine, eight. Now there is one, and His mother. "I heard he raised up a dead friend," said one with a sword. "He made clai...

Enrique Simonet - 1892 Good news! Perhaps you have heard. Not on your nightly news. They would much rather speak of society's ills. But there is good news. You need to seek it, to find it. You need to kneel and not stand. You need to praise and not criticize. Good news! Perhaps you have listened. There are voices that speak with purity. Those with no agenda other than to share the news. Those who are not afraid to stand up for one name. Those who are not afraid to stand up for the words written in one book. Good news! Perhaps you have understood. If so, have you taken care to nourish the seed? Have you fertilized the soil? Has it born good fruit where you dwell? Has it been shared with those who need to hear the most? Good news! Perhaps you have heard. The sonnet is spoken by the preacher in the street. The words are whispered by a friend at your bedside. Tune out the syllables of hate. Turn away from that which divides. You have been told to not be of this world. Perhaps you haven...

Lift me up from the hole I have dug for myself. Give me your hand that I might cling and keep a firm grip. Hold me back when I lunge toward the fire. Keep me  where the ground is stable. Walk beside me  when storms encroach on my sandy beach. You gave when I didn't deserve. You offered what I had no right to expect. You were broken that I might be healed, spat upon that I might dine at Your table. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author