Scarlet Robe Creations

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

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...

This collection of poems and short stories is near to my heart. Inspired by a brief moment reading a commentary on http://billygraham.com about the beatitudes. I pray any of you who choose to read this collection are deeply touched by God's spirit and everlasting love. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKXXYK9

“Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock.   The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock.   But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand.   The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.” Matthew 7:24-27     In the midst of the storm there is hope. Is the foundation of your house built in the rock, or does it rely on sand to keep it firm? The strength of the storm comes only in wind and rain. Any other power, it yields, we surrendered when we built without conviction. Keep your focus on the foundation of faith, the rock, the cross, the empty tomb and the Lord's embrace will keep you secure. copyright 2017 - ...

The ethics I find difficult to apply to my life, I apply to my neighbors a hundred fold. I speak slander with my tongue against another's adherence to the law and I condemn my soul to the same judgement. How foolish I can be, rationalizing my guilt, while asking that my debts be wiped clean. All the while having not cleansed my heart of the trespasses against me. I ask the Father to forgive in the same fashion I forgive, as unforgiving as I can be. I have much work to do. My heart can be like stone, when it should be of flesh and emblazoned with forgiveness. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon

Worry not. Sometimes I need to listen to the gentle voice, speaking to me, calming every tension in my soul. You are so much more than the birds or the flowers growing wild in the fields. Why worry about clothing, the bread on your table, the money in your accounts? I read these words and know that I stumble. I hear quotes and sonnets meant to remind and comfort me. Still I give way to anxiety and unease. Tomorrow will have enough worries of its own. Do not add them to the concerns of the day present. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon

One came in his robes, proud of himself and the status he held. He sang praises in the open courtyard.   One would say he was a faithful servant.   He smiled when his title was shared as such. There were beggars. There were those covered with the sores of disease. He steered clear of the harlot and her tattered children. He is the most pious man ever seen.   His garments speak of his devout faith.   His public deeds show his love of fellow man. Look, he drops silver coins in the lap of the poor man. And the diseased one? They would stain him from his religious duties… and the prostitute is an abomination in the city streets. Where are the others who care for the stricken? Why do they not boast? Why do they not embrace those wearing public disdain? They do not beat their chests in places of worship. They do not lift their arms in praise, so others will witness. Their offerings are humble. They do not seek the ...

Love the one who is hardest to love, words we see in scripture, words we recognize in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke. Love the enemy, love the one who hates you. Turn your cheek, offer your strength for service, give them your coat. Are we far from where we have been called? I say I am human, hatred is part of my condition. I forgive, but will never forget. I wish to draw away, but Jesus said draw closer. Care for those who care the least for you, pray in the midst of persecution. Lord, You found me in my weakness. You found me in my sin. You found me as a pauper You found me as a heathen. Lord, You found me because of Your love and I need You because of my hatred. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon

Leave your trinkets, your gold, your silver. Leave the copper coins without offering them in the houses of worship. First go to the one who rightfully holds an action against you and then, with the aura of forgiveness, return to the altar. Do not murder, do not strike out with your fists, do not hate, or spread gossip. The one true judge will record the etchings on your heart, your loves and your hatreds, not as the world adjudicates, but as He commands. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon

Am I spiritually poor, humble, aware that I am less than the lowest without the blood shed violently on wooden beams? Do I place myself in seats of honor as the adulterated righteous do? Have I been proud of scriptural knowledge, or the menial works I’ve been given skills to perform? The kingdom belongs to those who live in humility, those who know grace in its purest state. The cross embraces the lowly and elevates the sinner to forgiveness. Help me Lord, to be poor in spirit, to be humble, to be washed clean by Your blood without flaunting my pardon in the face of others. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  The Sermon