Scarlet Robe Creations

My heart longs to walk in a field among the glories of the eternal. I wish to hear the words spoken that I've read and heard before. The words absorbed by the poor in spirit. The words embraced by the merciful. My soul longs to sit in the company of those invited to a feast of bread and fish. A sign for those who seek miracles. A stirring of the heart for those who ache for God. A joyful dance for those who have been promised life. My heart longs for He who is mercy to extend His holy hand that I might take what is offered, deserving nothing of my own accord, given salvation only by His will. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The poem below was inspired by this painting. May God bless you with His mercies and answer your prayers Young Woman Praying in Church - Jules Breton She prays, speaking words which come from her heart. Her words are simple. There is no elegance, just worship. She prays. Her words are a whisper. Her sonnet, sweet and without pride, heard only by He who bends His ear. She prays, and Jesus listens. Her words have a melody, sung by her soul, cherished by our Lord. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Your will, Lord. We pray the words, but do our hearts hear? Your will, Lord. The surrender of self in all humility. Your will, Lord. Belief without doubt, a childlike trust. Your will, Lord. Be it done as You desire. Mold me in the palm of Your hand. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Have mercy on the sinner, Lord. Embrace the broken soul with Your love. Have mercy on the multitude that cries out. I stand in their midst. Have mercy on the sinner, Lord. The lost sheep who wandered from Your gaze. Have mercy on the one who struggles to return. I am struggling with the briars. Have mercy on the sinner, Lord. The one who doesn't know You during the trial. Have mercy on the ones who deny daily. I walk the road of denial. Have mercy on the sinner, Lord. Even the one who betrays Your blood. Help us to see the depths of Your forgiveness. Even when we are wrought with guilt. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Lord, help me to see You with clarity. Help me to surrender my soul to Your potter's wheel and allow Your sacred hands to mold it to Your will. Lord, teach me to be humble, to leave the sin of my pride in the past. Help me to rely on Your graces and deeply know how much I need You. Lord, help me to be merciful. For how can You, in all Your goodness be merciful to me if I have no compassion for others. Lord, help me to be holy. Keep me focused on Your goodness. Keep me always aware of Your great love and seek not the world's glory. Lord, strengthen the flow of my love. Help me to see the stranger's worthiness, a soul created in Your image, a heart in need of love. Lord, help me to kneel before You. Give me ears to hear Your whispers. Give me the wisdom to understand, and the willingness to pick up my cross and follow. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

   The Exhortation to the Apostles - James Tissot He says, "Who am I?" And do we respond, "You are the one I betray, The one I deny. You are the one who watches my lust for the world, gently trying to turn me back. You are the one who speaks on ancient pages I refuse to read or so much as open the book to the first page. You are the one who listens as I say, 'Tomorrow I will follow, but today my time is filled'." You are the one who bore a whip and hundreds of stripes. You are the one who was crowned with a helmet of thorns. You are the one who fell beneath the weight of my sins and the transgressions of the world. You are the one who was nailed to a Roman cross and cried out a psalm, telling us one more time who you are. You are the one who was pierced and poued out mercy on the world. You are the one who rose from the tomb and offered us peace. He says, "Who am I?" You are my Lord and my God, the one who stretched out his arms for me. You are the...

Girl in a field - Knaus Ludwig Was I a child once who saw you with more clarity, trusting, knowing what I know now? Was I a child once who knew you in the prayers of my heart, kneeling, speaking to my good shepherd? Was I a child once who saw miracles in daily life, knowing, experiencing your guiding hand? Was I a child once who saw the world with an innocence, fearless, protected by your response to my prayer copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

How often do we praise Him for the rain? As a farmer, perhaps, we would have a deep understanding of soil and seeds. How often do we praise Him for gray skies? A day of solemn thought, reflection, intimate prayers and a deeper focus on God. How often do we praise Him for puddles? A small child would, dancing in rubber boots while singing a favorite song. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

In the quiet, where the Lord whispers, where the words of prophets are made clear. In the quiet, when thoughts are pure when humility is encompassing, an embrace of peace. In the quiet, where we sit or kneel, where we focus on Him and forsake us. In the quiet, when the world leaves us and Jesus demands that every storm cease into silence. copyright 2026 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

"Each morning, you are given a choice," the reverend says after moving to the side of the pulpit. He wears black slacks and a dark gray shirt.  His collar is open and his reading glasses rest on the bridge of his nose.  His brown hair has the tendency to always look uncombed, whether it be Sunday morning at the pulpit, or Friday night at the local high school's basketball game. Once he stood behind the ornate piece of wood as if it protected him from some worldly judgement.  In those days he wasn't as confident in his ability to pastor a flock.  Now he often seeks a position of deeper intimacy with those who step through the doors of their Father's Home. "Every morning," he continues. "You and I we have a choice.  Now you know I'm not talking about breakfast.  About whether to have coffee or tea, cereal or eggs.  That is a choice that nourishes your body.  I'm speaking about... you guessed it... your soul.  We have doctors out there to addre...

Praise, when my head is lowered, a request in my heart, and an insistent plea on my lips. Praise, from the beginning, before the first syllable of the prayer is spoken. Praise, for what has been received, what will be received, and what will be retained for the Kingdom. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Lord, my heart aches, for children who are wounded and taken from this life while praying in a church, by the sickness of this day. Lord, I want to shed a tear, every time I see the young woman stabbed by a man of demons, witnessed by those who turned their backs while she died. Lord, I feel anger at at an assassination of one who loved you, who believed in your design for life, and was willing to listen to the youth who need you so badly. 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

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

The shock hadn’t settled in yet.   A deep numbness took hold of every fiber in her body.   She walked aimlessly down the hospital’s corridor, not looking at any of those who passed by her, heading in the opposite direction.   The pale gray walls and the single gurney barely registered.   She turned a corner and stood frozen for a long moment as she stared down the lonely corridor. She was alone. The last few hours had been a blur.   Her mother was found, by a neighbor, unresponsive on the floor of her apartment.   The siren of the ambulance wailed all the way to the nearest hospital.   Doctors probed her mother’s unconscious body and seemed to speak in a foreign language. Aneurysm. Cerebral. Slowly, back against the wall, she slid to the linoleum floor, wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her face in the crevice between her knees.   Her mother was dying.   The God she’d given up on in college was allowing it to happen. ...

 Inspired by a lyric in a song by Joe Wise, 'Lord, Teach Us to Pray'. Separate. We stand divided, skin tones, creeds, right to life, the meaning of Communion. We have bowed down to the desire of the media, of politicians, religious authorities and the evil one. Were we ever one? Were we ever on the same shore? Maybe once we were more tolerant and the river between us wasn't as wide. Maybe once we had faith. Separate. We are tearing ourselves asunder, at what gain. If you listen can you still hear Him, or has His voice diminished among culture's raucous scream. Has His voice been filtered out by hate, and the lack of love. Lord, teach us to pray, while we still have time to kneel. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Radio Host:         “So today on our morning show, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Connor Hope, head football coach of the Saint Michael’s Spartans.   I am especially honored since I played middle linebacker and special teams on the 2005 state championship squad. “Welcome coach, I’ve really been looking forward to having this sit down.   This sort of marks your fifth annual visit to the station to share your thoughts of the previous season.”   Coach Hope:       “Always glad to sit down with you Jon and discuss insights about the past season and those in the future.”   Radio Host:        “So first off, disappointed with the season’s final outcome?”   Coach Hope:      “We won eight games, schedule was tough, had a few key injuries.   This was a fabulous team.   Five or six of the seniors will be playing division two or three ball in...

In the novel 'Afternoons With Mister D', there is a story, or chapter if you will,  titled 'Youth'.   Mister D tells Charlee about his wife Tess,  and how they spent Christmas at a children's hospital  with a little girl named Ronnie. This, like other blog entries titled 'Purity' and 'Foolish' are extensions of the original stories making up 'Afternoons With Mister D'. I hope you enjoy this very special Christmas story, and maybe consider following the link at the bottom of the page  and picking up a copy of 'Afternoons With Mister D' Thank you for reading... God Bless and Merry Christmas. Ronnie was glad to see her friend show up bright and early on Christmas morning.  The young woman, who seemed old to the nine year old Ronnie, brought a young man who, as the recent girl-to-girl confession had revealed, was a boyfriend.  Maybe he was even more than that, her friend had said.  Ronnie's friend was in love.  That was obvious.  Ronn...

  Inspired by Brennan Manning's Ragamuffin Gospel (Paste Jewelry and Sawdust Hotdogs) She walked beside her pastor through the gardens outside her church.  A late spring Sunday, and the roses were in bloom.  There were red and pink blossoms to their right.  Tiny yellow roses, and a few whites to their left.  Had she been alone she would have taken a sniff.  After all, Mac Davis did say we should 'Stop and Smell the Roses'. "I am troubled," she said.  She wasn't sure if she wanted to speak to the pastor, or the deacon.  But her pastor was here and the moment seemed right. "I desire to move closer to God in my prayer life, but I find it difficult.  Sometimes... just reciting a formulated prayer leaves me feeling empty.  I need to know how to pray... I guess." "Formulated prayer leaves you empty?" His question bit into the cool air of the morning. "Sometimes." "Prayer is not about OUR feelings," he said, before adding, ...

Praise Him for He has brought us from low places to the high. He has embraced the sinner cast out by the righteous. Praise Him for He has sat at table with the unacceptable. He has touched the untouchable and forgiven the unforgivable. Praise Him for He carries every cross of every seed sown by His Father. His blood washes our garments white as fresh fallen snow. Praise Him for He is the Lamb, sacrificial, nailed to an altar of splintered wood, forsaken by those He loves.  copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author