The church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of truth.- 1 Timothy 3:15 (1 Timothy 3)

I be writing so ya ‘ill know how crew ought ter conduct themselves under Skipper’s command. When we serve under Skip, we be, as it were, his Church. Odd thing ter say, I know. A ship don’ look like no church I ever seen. But there ’tis. Crew serving Skipper be tha pillar and foundation of tha truth.

No question, Skipper be fer us, leading us, and we be acting in accord with Skip’s Code of Conduct be a great mystery. One fer the ages.  So here be some clues as ter how this mystery be played out.

First off we be but humble pirates and thar be a great many long words in what follows, but the long and short of tha mystery be this: Skip wrote himself inter our story by taking on flesh and bones and getting himself birthed by a young lass who had ne’er even lay with a feller. Now a thing like this ne’re happened ‘fore or since.  Fancy folks call such a thing an “incarnation.” Fer most of us in tha crew, tha notion that a virgin give birth ter Skip’s one and only boy be a great conundrum that our feeble minds kin not wrap our tentacles around. This be mystery clue number one.

Second, after Skipper wrote himself inter our story and got birthed by a lass who ne’er laid with a man, he carried himself in such ways as ter ne’er break tha Code of Conduct. Not once. Not ever. Ain’t been a feller in all history who done a thing like that. This be mystery clue number two.

Third, Skip’s Son, who be tha spitting image of Skipper, goes and gets himself sentenced ter tha gallows. Only not fer any offence he committed, but fer something I done. ‘Cept I hain’t even been born yet and would be not born fer centuries. Still, tha Son takes all tha grievances laid ter me fer things I done in private and public and right thar in front of all, tha Son says he’ll take tha punishment fer me. He’ll walk ter that gallows and swing fer my account. And he did. This be mystery clue number three.

Fourth, and I gots ter say, this one leaves me perplexed, after Skip’s boy goes ter Davy Jones and this dying business be done with, tha Son rose from his watery grave. Ever deck swab knows dead men don’ tell tales and they sure as scurvy don’ come back from tha dead. But thar be tha Son shining down on us, live like always. Warming us with his spirit whilst he guides us home. This be mystery clue number four.

Fifth, all then that follow after tha Son speak of Skipper’s “secret wisdom,” a wisdom that be hidden in tha past, but that Skip destined fer our glory ‘fore time and sea and stars was made. Now it be plain as plunder that none of tha kings and queens and commodores who come ‘fore us understood ‘bout this “secret wisdom.” If’en they had, they wouldn’t have killed Skip’s boy. This be mystery clue number five.

Thar be other clues ter this mystery but tha long and short of it be this: We get our very life from tha Son. Folks of all stripes, lubbers as well as hearty seaman, can sign on with Skip and sail under tha Son. Do this and ya kin be turned inter what ya was destined ter become whilst ya was in yer mum’s tummy. Only tha Son himself kin perform this mystery miracle.

So that be tha lay of things. Tha truth of tha Son, Skipper writing himself inter our story, and his boy dying so we kin live like we be meant ter live from tha get go, that sums up tha great mystery of Skipper.

What says ya? Will ya turn ter tha Son and sail true? Be made right? Be made whole? Be made inter tha image of tha Son and become perfect jest like he be perfect? If so, welcome aboard, mate.

Love comes from a pure heart and good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

We know Skip’s Code of Conduct be good if tha crew follows his orders proper like. Skip’s rules be fer them mutinous lawbreakers an’ rebels, them that don’ take no mind of Skipper and his ways, them reprobates who kill thar mom and pop and murder others. Fer philanderers, perverts, slave traders, liars, fellers who tell tales on mates that not be true, and fer ever one who does whatever be contrary ter Skips creed and sound articles of faith.

If ya sign on ter sail after tha Son and swear allegiance ter him and Skipper, why then tha Code of Conduct ‘ill get burned inter yer heart and ya won’ even need to read tha articles ter know how ter behave. Only them mates who no kin read or worse, refuse ter read tha articles, ‘ill have ter have tha Code recited ter them over and over. Even then a good many ‘ill turn up thar nose and heel and sail away.

If ya had been mixed up with tha likes of them, you would ne’re have put a foot on deck, you may lay to that. No, ya come aboard with a heart loyal ter skip and yer conscience clear that all yer thieving, lying, murderous ways be put astern. Signed on in blood, ya did.

So now see ter it that ya love ever one, even them mutineers. Who knows? Could be yer ways be an example ter other fellers and they come along side ter ask how it is ya come ter believe in Skipper’s words and ways. If that happens make it yer play ter clearly recall how Skip outfitted this vessel, called all fellers and lasses ter crew with him, and desires all ter sail aboard while we follow tha Son.