“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” – Mark 9:37 (Mark 9:35-41)

First mate, first watch, first on deck . . . within a crew all be angling ter get tha first spot, tha skipper’s ear, tha best bunk. Only when tha Twelve got ter discussing which of them be tha Son’s best bud—and most likely it would be Old Pete, James, or John—tha Son invited a little child ter join tha discussion.

“Whoever wants to be first must be the very last.” Start at tha back of tha line, not that front. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son.

“Whoever wants to be great must be the servant of all.” Start with helping others, not helping yer self. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son.

“Whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Start with following tha Son, not following yer own selfish desires. That be whar ya ‘ill find Skipper at work.

“Whoever is not against us is for us.” Start with including as many as ya kin in work fer Skipper, not pushing folks away. That be whar ya ‘ill find Skipper’s Holy Ghost of Truth moving about.

“Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Start with looking ter tha left, then right, ahead, then back ter see who has a need. That be whar tha eyes of tha Son be fixed all tha time.

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” Start with tha heart and mind of child open ter tha wonder of Skipper, his creation, and his imagination, not with a list of all tha things ya tried but didn’ work. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son doing tha miraculous.

“Whoever . . . believes in me, though he dies, will yet live.” (John 11:25)

Make it yer task ever day ter start with whoever ya kin, whenever ya kin, whar ever ya be ter chase after tha Son. That be how ya gets ter be first among them who kneel before him when tha Son comes in his glory.

“I believe! Help me overcome my unbelief.” – Mark 9:24 (Mark 9:14-29) (Matthew 17:14-21) (Luke 9:37-43)

When tha Son and Old Pete, James, and John come off tha mountain and down ter whar tha other disciples be, they seen a large crowd, tha rest of tha Twelve, and tha teachers of tha law all arguing. Soon as all tha people seen tha Son, though, they rushed ter greet him.

“What are you arguing with them about?” tha Son asked.

A man in tha crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. This evil, demon spirit is destroying my only child. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

“You unbelieving, perverse, generation,” The Son said in disgust. “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

So they brought him. When tha spirit seen tha Son, it immediately threw tha boy in ter a convulsion. Tha lad fell ter tha ground and rolled around, foaming at tha mouth.

Tha Son asked tha boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood. That spirit has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.” The father dropped ter his knees and said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said tha Son. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

“I believe,” tha boy’s father said. “Only, help me overcome my unbelief!”

When tha Son seen tha crowd running ter tha scene, he rebuked tha impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of the boy and never enter him again.”

Tha spirit shrieked, convulsed tha lad violently and came out. Tha boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But tha Son took him by tha hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. All were amazed at tha greatness of Skipper.

After tha Son had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive out that spirit?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. If you have faith as big as a mustard seed nothing is impossible. But this kind can come out only by prayer.”

If ya ‘ave an only child ya know how desperate ya be ter care fer it. Parents care fer all youngins, but an only child back in tha Son’s day, ‘specially a boy, be tha one who carries on tha family business as it whar. So ya kin understand why tha boy’s pop be desperate fer help.

Think on this a wee little bit. Tha Son called tha crowd an “unbelieving, perverse, generation.” In this case perverse might possibly meant that folks had turned away from what be right or good, which be Skipper, fer he be right and good and full of love. 

Then tha Son asked tha lad’s dad “How long has he been this way?” Could be tha Son be looking ter understand if thar be a generational curse at work in tha boy or some other curse. Our sins kin bring down curses on us and our offspring. Getting ter tha root of tha issue be one of tha first things tha Son ‘ill do when he be dealing with uncleanness.

“I believe,” tha father said. “Help me overcome my unbelief.” Well now we come ter tha crux of tha matter: tha disciples and tha dad believed in that Son a little but they believed in thar unbelief more.

Once tha lad be back in his right mind and free of tha unclean demon spirit, all whar amazed at the greatness of . . .  Skipper. Ya might think they be amazed at tha Son and they whar, but all knowed that tha only way tha Son could cast out an evil, unclean spirit be through tha power of his pop, Skipper.

How ’bout ya? Doth ya ‘ave a little faith, a little belief? Would ya like ter have more faith? Faith big enough ter overcome yer unbelief?

Fall at tha feet of tha Son and beg him ter come closer ter ya. Tha more we draw ter tha Son, that bigger we see him ter be.

Far off tha sun in tha sky looks small among all that clouds, but whar ya ter get up close ter it ya would know its vast bigness. Same with Skipper and his Son. Thar power and might be more’n we kin imagine.

Get close ter tha Son and yer faith ‘ill beat back yer unbelief, of this ya kin be sure.

“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” – Mark 9:7 (Mark 9:2-10)

After tha Son called tha Twelve ter himself he said, “I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Now, tha Son doth not say which of tha Twelve would see him in his glory, but no doubt his words left ’em perplexed.

Six days later tha Son took Peter, James and John with him and led ’em up a high mountain whar they could be all alone ter pray. Whilst he be praying, tha appearance of his face changed and shone like tha sun. His clothes became dazzling white as light, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. Bright as a flash of lightning they be.

Jest then two fellers appeared out of nowhere and began speaking with tha Son. Right off Peter, James and John seen that tha two be Elijah and Moses. Moses be tha one who represents Skipper’s Code of Conduct and how folks ought ter behave. Elijah represents all tha prophets that counseled folks in tha past ’bout how they ought ter repent and turn back ter Skipper.

Problem be, Old Pete and his mates be sleepy. No doubt tha hike up tha mountain took tha starch out of ’em. When Old Pete came fully awake and seen what was happening, he said, “Rabbi, Lord, it is good for us to be here.” Like most times, he knew not what ter say so he blabbered on when he ought ter ‘ave kept his trap shut. “If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Whilst he whar speaking nonsense, a cloud appeared encircling them. Still afeared they entered tha cloud and a voice said: “This is my Son, whom I love, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!”

Terrified, they fell facedown on tha ground. Soon as tha voice finished speaking, tha cloud lifted. Tha Son touched tha three and said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.”

They looked up, around, and all they seen was tha Son.

Coming down tha mountain, tha Son gave tha three strict orders not ter tell a soul what they seen until he had risen from the dead. They kept tha matter ter themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

This short story be but a slice of what be in store fer them who trade thar life fer tha Son’s.

If ya think on it, Old Pete, James, and John be outnumbered. Representing tha team from tha other side of tha grave be Moses, Elijah, and tha Son who claimed he would be “rising from the dead” soon enough. Standing between Old Pete, James, and John . . . Moses, Elijah, and tha Son be Skipper who be warning us all ter listen ter his Son—ter pay attention ter his Code of Conduct and all tha prophets’ warnings ter repent.

Most of us ‘ill ne’re see tha Son in tha sort of glory Old Pete and tha others did, but that doth not mean we kin not live in tha Son’s glory.

Make it yer task ter walk with that Son, ter call on tha Son fer help. Only ne’er ferget he out shines all fellers in ways we kin not even imagine. Tha Son be that Son of Man, that be true, but he also be tha Son of God—Skip’s very own. And that be a glorious thing indeed.

The Son of Man must be rejected. – Mark 8:3 (Mark 8:31-35)

Skipper kin do nothing fer us until we reach tha end of our limits. Long as we still be thinking in tha ways of common folks, we ‘ill live a lowly life.

When it come time ter speak plainly ter tha Twelve, tha Son laid out some hard truths: some things they doth not wish ter hear.

Tha Son told’em that he must be rejected. Now he be speaking of tha elders, tha chief priests, and tha teachers of tha law, but they be not tha only ones who give him tha cold shoulder. Common folks, rich folks, wicked folks also turn up thar nose at tha Son.  Same with us. Most ‘ill reject tha good spiel we share ’bout how we kin be fergiven of our sins, changed so we don’ sin no more (eventually), and receive a new body so we kin live with Skipper and tha Son fer ever. Ya might think folks would want this gift, but that not be tha case.

Th Son told’em that he must be killed. Few like ter speak of thar impending death. Fewer still wish ter speak of being murdered. Yet, thar it be fer tha Twelve ter digest. Old Pete, being impetuous like he whar, no doubt spoke fer tha other eleven when he rebuked tha Son and said such a thing ought not ter happen.

But tha Son replied, “Get behind me Satan. You have the things of man in mind, not the things of my Father.” Thar be a type of panic which has no hope ah tall. Thar also be a panic when we realize that thar not be one good thing in our flesh, that ever thought be wicked and vile (Romans 7: 18).  This be tha rebuke tha Son give Old Pete. Same with us: we got ter get past our carnal thinking and get tha mind of Skipper and his thoughts.

Tha Son told’em that he must be raised again.  If ya ever been at a low point and then be raised up by the hand of Skipper, then ya know tha wonderful peace and comfort that comes when tha “everlasting arms” of Skipper scoops ya up. Skip be our refuge, our sanctuary (Deuteronomy 33: 27). But fer Skip kin raise us up we got ter be knocked down a bit.

Dealing with rejection be part of taking up our cross and following tha Son. Ne’er take it personal. Folks not be rejecting us, but tha Son. We only be messengers of tha good spiel. What folks do with tha news be on them. Our task simply be ter be obedient ter Skip’s Code and our calling, ter love all, and be faithful ter tha Son.

Do that and when ya come upon wave after wave of rejection, ya ‘ill know yer sailing tha right course.

Some fellers brought a blind man ter tha Son and begged Skip’s boy ter touch thar friend. Tha Son took tha blind chap by tha hand and led him out of tha village.

Thar tha Son spat saliva in ter his hands and with tha tips of his thumbs massaged tha chap’s eyes. “Do you see anything?” tha Son asked. Tha man replied that folks looked like trees moving about. Again tha Son put his hands on tha man’s eyes. Then tha man’s eyes whar opened and his sight was restored. He saw ever thing clearly.

“Go home,” tha Son said ter him. “Only do not go into the village.”

This be tha lot of ah good many of us: we got eyes, but be blind as bats. Ter get healed by tha Son we ‘ill often have ter get outside our routine, our comfortable confines, and let tha Son lead us by tha hand ter a more remote place. But oh tha joy we ‘ill fine if we ‘ill let tha Son get intimate with us.

Tha healing tha blind chap received be of a glorious nature, fer he and tha Son shared a sort of closeness only a few find. Spit, sweat, and tha blood of tha Son falling on us may not sound all that pleasant but it be under tha blood of tha Son that we be saved from our sins—saved from fer ever separation from Skipper and tha Son.

Anytime we get alone with tha Son we ought ter experience intimacy, healing, and conviction. If yer eyes need ter be restored so ya kin see ever thing clearly, get outside of yer comfy confines and meet with tha Son alone in a remote place. Then beg him ter heal and move on your behalf.

“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” –  Mark 8:14 (Mark 8:11-21)

Tha disciples had fergotten ter bring enough bread. Except fer one tiny loaf in tha boat, that be all they carried fer thar trip. “Careful,” tha Son warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

Ah good many get stumped over this short story ’bout bread and yeast and unbelief on account of thar doth not seem ter be an explanation as ter what tha Son means “yeast of the Pharisees and Herod.” Only think on this a wee little bit.

By this time tha Son had fed folks with a tiny amount of bread on two occasions. Whilst fellers often be fergetful ’bout things like packing a lunch fer a trip, fer all twelve ter be negligent seems an odd coincidence. It might be that tha Son seen through tha disciple’s ruse and tha way they be testing him ter see if he would feed more folks with only tha one loaf.

So when tha Son asked how many got fed and how many basketfuls of pieces got picked up after tha other two feedings he be testing. They knowed tha score as it whar and tha Son did as well. He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Clearly they understood tha Son could produce food from near nothing, so what doth tha Twelve not understand?

Only a short time earlier tha Pharisees came and questioned tha Son. Ter test him, they asked fer a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation (you people) ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”

Be fer he lopped off tha head of John tha Baptist, Herod Antipas loved ter listen ter John. Ter that black-hearted Herod Smartypants John be little more’n entertainment.

Ah good many folks ‘ave tha same attitude ter day. They like listening ter stories from Skipper’s Code of Conduct. They love watching ter see if Skip ‘ill perform a miracle fer folks. But tha Son and Skip see right ter tha heart of the matter and call such behavior fer what it be: unbelief.

Unbelief in a group, church, nation be like yeast. Ah small amount kin ruin tha whole batch.

If ya be looking fer Skip ter work a miracle on yer behalf ‘fore ya ‘ill believe, ya may be waiting a good long while. Most who be alive when tha Son walked tha earth ne’er seen him work a miracle.  Ah good many who did ne’er really believed he be tha Son of Skipper.

Tha Son don’ have nothing ter prove. He be tha Son of SKipper. All authority on heaven and earth ‘as been given him. Ter ask tha Son ter dance a jig fer our benefit be an insult of a sort we kin hardly fathom.

Watch out fer tha yeast of unbelief. Ya may believe thar be a one all powerful skipper, but doth ya believe in Skipper himself? Ya may believe in Skipper, but doth you believe Skipper, believe his words?

A wee little bit kin wreck yer faith—and ‘as a great many.

After spitting, he touched his (the man’s) tongue with the saliva. – Mark 7:33 (Mark 7:32-35)

One day some folks brought tha Son a man who could not hear. Feller also had trouble speaking. It be hard ter learn how ter speak words if ya kin not hear how they be supposed ter sound. Tha deaf feller’s friends begged tha Son ter do something fer thar mate.

Away from tha crowd, tha Son put his fingers in tha man’s ears. Then he spit some saliva on ter his fingers and touched tha man’s tongue.

When it comes ter reading Skipper’s Code of Conduct, or really any book, it be a good habit ter watch fer patterns and odd stuff. If ya see odd stuff in a story that might be a clue by tha author that ya need ter pay attention, that something mysterious be happening.

Poking a feller in tha ear with yer fingers be odd. Spitting on yer fingers and touching a man’s tongue not be tha sort of thing that happens ever day. So ya might ask yer self if something like this ever happened be fer in Skip’s book.

Once a long time ago tha “finger of God” turned dust in ter gnats (Exodus 8:16–20). In that instance Skipper be proving he has power over creation and can turn dirt in ter a living bug. Another time Skipper wrote parts of his book on stone tablets with his finger (Exodus 31:18). With tha stone tablets Skipper be confirming that he be tha author of his words and that we should hear and pay attention ter what he says.

When tha Son put his fingers in tha deaf man’s ears he be turning dead ears in ter living listening ears. When tha Son put his fingers in tha deaf man’s ears it be as if he whar saying ter tha feller and all around, “Pay attention. Listen. You have ears. Use them. For if you do not, your ears might become as dead as Pharaoh’s and your hearts as hard as his.”

Spitting saliva on a finger and touching a feller’s tongue be a right nasty thing ter do. Only this be tha Son so we ‘ave ter ask, when else ‘ave we seen tha Son or Skipper spit and heal or touch tongue or lips. In tha way he healed tha deaf feller tha Son might be trying ter remind folks that Skipper formed tha first man, Adam, out of dust from the ground (Genesis 2:7). He breathed tha breath of life in ter Adam’s nostrils and tha feller became a living thing.

Some days later tha Son would make mud patties with his saliva and put tha muck over a blind man’s eyes, helping him ter see clearly. In tha old days a seraphim flew ter Isaiah with a burning coal in his hand and touched tha prophet’s unclean lips. In doing so, Isaiah’s guilt be taken away and atonement made fer his sin (Isaiah 6:1-6).

Folks who knew tha stories of Skipper using his finger ter create life and its connection ter dust and breath might ‘ave picked up on who he truly be—not simply a carpenter, or jest a teacher—but Skip himself in tha body of a man.

After tha Son poked tha feller’s ears and touched his tongue he looked up ter heaven and with a deep sigh said ter tha feller, “Be opened! Eph-phatha!”

With his ears opened he began ter hear. With his tongue loosened he spake plainly.

This be how Skipper’s Holy Ghost of Truth heals our stuck ears: he fixes our ears so we kin hear and understand Skip’s Code of Conduct. Then tha Holy Ghost of Truth fixes our tongue so we kin know jest that right thing ter say ter folks when they ask ’bout tha hope we have in tha Son.

If ya ‘ave ears, hear! If ya ‘ave a tongue, speak Skip’s words of truth and love. If both need a wee bit of tweaking, ask tha Son ter poke and prod and touch so as ya kin hear and speak plainly. Why, there be hardly anything better in all tha world than hearing tha voice of Skipper and speaking back ter him thanks and praise fer who he be.