I write in order to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and through your apostles. – 2 Peter 3:1-2 (2 Peter 3:1-10)

Some times a feller needs a letter from home, a word of encouragement from a feller mate who serves on another of Skip’s ships. This be what Peter did from time ter time: he scratched out a note, shoved it in a bottle, and send it floating on tha currents ter them far, far away.

One bit of advice Peter offered long ago remains as apt today as it did tha day he picked up tha quill. In tha last days — and we be in ‘em fer sure — scoffers ‘ill be about. They ‘ill follow thar own evil desires and resist tha idea of a time of judgement and a time fer being held ter account fer all tha evil done in tha body.  Such rascals like ter say, “So. . . whar be this Jesus ya keep spouting ‘bout? Whar be his coming that he promised?”

Fellers who say such rubbish ferget that long ago by Skipper’s word ever thing be made. Skipper be patient, even with scoffers such as these. Skipper would prefer that ever person come ter repentance and turn from thar wicked ways.

But no matter how many days and chances Skip gives ‘em, a good many ‘ill ne’er come about and sail straight with Skipper. They be off tha edge of the map whar thar be monsters and worse.

Them who mock Skipper’s words ne’er believe that tha Son ‘ill come in his full glory and with judgement like a thief stealing aboard in tha dead of night. Whilst tha crew slumbers and tha night watch sleeps at his post, tha Son ‘ill burst forth. Then it’ll be ter late ter change yer stripes.

That be how come we need ter abide by Skipper’s Code of Conduct and live in a manner that reflects his loving and holy character. We ought ter look forward ter tha day of tha Son’s appearing and speed his coming with our prayers. “Lord,” says we, “may yer kingdom come and soon.” ‘Till such time, let us be about tha business of eagerly looking fer that day and telling others of Skipper’s love and grace and tha sacrifice his Son made fer us.

Check ter see if ya ‘ave grown in grace and understanding of Skip’s Code. Doth ya have more insight of Skipper, more of tha Son’s character, than ya had last year this time? Last month? Last week?

Purity be tha result of continued spiritual living with Skipper. Our vision of what lies beyond tha horizon grows stronger when we become more like Skip and get his view of things. It be tha pure in heart who see Skipper. (Matthew 5:8) It be tha pure in heart who see Skip’s hand at work in tha heavens, on earth, and in thar life.

Skipper asks, “Shall I hide from him what I am doing?” (Genesis 18:17) “No!” says we. “Show us.”

Submit ter wholesome thinking and ya ‘ill see his glory burst forth, ya may lay ter that.