Scarlet Robe Creations

Inspired by Our Daily Bread Ministries 'Wounded in Worship' by Tim Gustafson Isn't this basically what He said? "It doesn't matter." He responds to the woman at the well, Who says, "You Jews say we should worship in Jerusalem. Yet my ancestors said we should worship on this mountain." Does it matter? Jesus opens that gate. His sheep follow And we praise Him wherever we stand. Pretty simple. Lord, remind me that You are not bound to a structure Or the rituals of Denomination. Lord, remind me that You love all, But not all will love You. Lord, remind me that Your Spirit envelops  Each mountain top  and every valley. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Come, there is a teacher you must hear. He is patient. He gathers his students in fields and speaks to them of profound truths. Come, those who gather a deep kinship. You may stumble with his teachings, but you need not fail. He offers endless chances for you to get it right. Come, He answers any questions you ask. He heals your doubt, and if you turn away because his truth is hard He will accept you when you return. Come, He offers you a place to rest. He brings nourishment, fish and bread, and if you are one who stands beside him in the end You may share his wine. Come, Many have. Many have sat where you consider sitting. Many have listen. Some have heard. Some have even called him by name. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

  Into the vineyard, the one who prunes, He who strips away every branch that bears no fruit.   Into the vineyard, He who breaks away the dead growth and diseased saplings who have severed themselves from the vine.   Into the vineyard, the one who takes notice of every fiber in every leaf. He who knows His crop, as no other.   Live then, within the vine. Seek your nourishment and remain in the one sitting with you, whose bread and wine are of the same vineyard. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection:  According to John

  The trail led less than a half mile from the road.   He crossed the gorge over the scenic bridge and followed the path on the far side until he reached Falls Pond.   He sat on the moss covered bench at the water’s edge and placed his backpack on the seat beside him. Abby loved this place. The solitude of a late spring morning surrounded him.   In the summer, vacationing families will claim the trails.   Children will run to the water’s edge, then quickly move on, bored with the reflections of mountains on the water’s surface. ‘You’re alone?” He heard her voice, though she was not present. “A veteran?” She asked.   A soul scarred by tours into hell. He unfastened the clasps on the front of his backpack and removed a wooden container.   He surveyed the trails to his left and right.   He did not want to be interrupted. He closed his eyes and held back a small tear.   She was wounded as he.   She had scarred her arms in the desir...

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...

  And Paul says to Timothy, What did you bring into the world? Nothing! What can you take out of the world? Nothing! And we strive for more when we have everything we need. We work until our fingers have been made raw and worry about obtaining more than we have already been given. Wealth of coinage brings temptation and heartache. Those who desire trinkets of silver and gold are led to the world's truth, not God's We sacrifice relationships for careers. We ignore the urgent prayer in our souls which longs to be heard. And still, Paul says to Timothy... copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./autho

James Tissot (French, 1836-1902).  The Lord's Prayer  It is written. (Matthew 4:4)   Prophets shared the message given to them in dreams.   They put to writing songs sung through the breeze, or fanfares brought forth by magnificent storms.   As bread sustains the moment, Scripture fulfills your life.   The word of God has promised offspring to Abraham, freedom to Moses and forgiveness to all of the twelve tribes… and the gentiles.   It is written.   Absorb the flavor of each word.   Do not just know that the words exist… live them.   Feel the love of the covenant, given by pure love as an act of love.     The time has come. (Mark 1:15)   And thus it has.   He stands here now.   You can seek Him out, in the Jordan, in the desert, on the shore of the lake, on the mount where He preaches, or in the temple.   Soon He will enter the Holy City triumphantly.   You will see Him on a donkey. ...

He was there, unexpected. The moment wasn't planned. He would never have chosen to be victimized in such a way. Still, he was run down in the street, like a rabid dog. They could have killed him right there, but that wouldn't be as much fun. Brought before a judge who had determined his fate before ever allowing the whip to strike flesh. He carried the beam, following the others. He fell, once. No one noticed.  No one cried. No one helped him with his burden. He wasn't loved. So how is it, that he is lifted up beside the one he never listened to? Never had the man's voice interrupted his plotting. Never had he listened to a parable, or even wondered why the religious fools called him a blasphemer. And then the third curses. He taunts the one Simon of Cyrene assisted. He taunts the one for who tears were shed. He's done nothing wrong. We deserve our fate. Those thoughts hold a siege on his painfilled mind. The words leave his mouth, unplanned. What is the worst they ...

  For one brief moment, the rising sun touched the incoming clouds with glory. The eastern sky was ablaze and for a moment the world was bathed in appreciation and the love of creation. He says, "Look to me now, not when you feel you are ready." He says, "See my glory now, with opened eyes. Do not wait for the clouds that will come and cause you to turn away." For one brief moment, the rising sun touched the incoming clouds with glory. I opened my eyes and took in a glimpse of heaven. A moment later the clouds moved in. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

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