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...

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

He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him. Matthew 4:22 The stranger stood at the water's edge, having just called out over the sea to Simon and Andrew.  An offer for a life different, the brothers stopped casting their nets.  At Simon's order, they came to shore, as beckoned. James and John watched.  The sons of Zebedee were with their boat helping their father mend nets that had been torn.   "Who do you suppose that is?" James said to his younger brother. "I do not know," John replied. "Andrew has been talking about some preacher he met down by the river." "The Baptist?" James asked, having heard Andrew speak of the wild man by the Jordan, who ranted about repentance. "No," John responded. "Not him.  Andrew said there was another.  Maybe not a preacher, but a prophet." "Been a long time since the last one," Zebedee added, overhearing his sons discussion. "Ti...

Robert Payton Reid - Jesus Teaches His Disciples Up the mountain, separate from the crowd. The children had been gathering, to see, touch, and hear, but the chosen twelve needed instruction. Blessed are they... A new set of commandments, meant for the heart. They will see the kingdom, be comforted, inherit the land, and be shown mercy. In the distance the crowds still gather. Drawn by miracles, and rumors of such. But He was here for these words, the words of his Father. Words shared by He who spoke them into creation. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine Isaiah 9:2 Zebulun and Naphtali, a great light, the brightness of new morning, will shine on you who have lived in darkness. The sea of Galilee, a land plagued by death will witness of glory of repentance. He comes to you as you walk in shadows. Zebulun and Naphtali, here He will slumber, here He will seek, here men will cast their nets and be filled. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. Matthew 3:11 Saint John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, Forerunner - Menologion of Basile II There is a voice shouting out a song of repentance. Even vipers will gather in his shade. He sings to you of water, and the need of your spirit to turn back. He humbles himself, reminding some that there is one greater, still to walk this desert, in whose sandals he could never tread. There is a voice filling the wilderness with lyrics. The sheep come to have water poured over, the goats brood in their pompousness, turning farther from God. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

They long to come in from the darkness, those who knock on the door, those he does not know, those who were not prepared. They waited with those who kept their lamps lit, the ones who kept their hearts focused, the ones who warned them, the ones who were prepared. They were elsewhere in body and spirit when the father sent the son. They sought pleasure in the here and now, rather than in eternity. We long to come in from the darkness, now, before the time is late, now, before we have neglected the oil, now, before we are left knocking. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

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

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

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/...

Oh Isreal, love your Lord. Bind His words to the flesh of your hand. Cast your eyes on them. Seal them in your heart. Proclaim this commandment to your children. When you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you rise, take these words to your heart. Love your Lord. And Isreal, do not hate your neighbor in your heart. Treat him, as you would wish him to treat you. Hold no grudge. Seek no vengeance. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Oh Isreal, do not test the one sent. Do not gather against him as scholars thinking the answers are for you, when in truth they are His. For what you have read points to this day, if you but listen to the prophets and understand the law. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Come, you who have never felt righteous enough to seek me. Come, you who have covered your hearts in filthy layers of sin. Come, you who have nothing to offer in return. Come, you who have been cast out by the hour's religion. Come, you who struggle with the burdens laid upon your shoulders. Come, in your desperation to be loved. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author