Ahoy, mates! Brace the main, fall off, and prepare ter hear the greatest sea tale ever told. This be the story of how the Skipper tamed the world’s wild waters and gave them living in ports and beach towns a reason ter dread tourist season.

In the beginning, befer there be anything but water, Skipper’s Spirit roiled the surface of the deep. Now this not be the kinda water ye be wantin’ ter splash around in, ye may lay ter that.

This water were like a never-endin’ tidal wave with continuous rip currents that would pull down even the strongest swimmer. ‘Cept back then no animal or man were alive, but had they been, the swells were so large even Kelly the Slashin’ Slater would dare not surf.

Because lifeguards and swim trunks would not be on the lips of crew fer a good many years later, any lad that dared ter attempt ter take a dip would have needed ter bring his own floatin’ plank just ter stay afloat.

But then Skipper, seein’ the potential of such a great mass of H2-Oh!, said ter Himself, “Hey, ye know what we need? Light!” Boom! A clap of lightnin’ flooded the space with the brilliance of a giant star danglin’ from atop the mainmast. But the waters? Well, they lay exposed fer as far as a body could see. All around, water covered everything, makin’ it hard ter reach port. Also, because boats still be but a foggy notion buried deep in Noah’s brain DNA, “Land, ho! Land, ho!” basically be orders ter the crew that meant, “Keep swimmin’, mates! Don’t give up! The Skipper’s workin’ on somethin’—pretty sure it involves floaties and maybe a giant rubber duck!”

Now, Skipper, seein’ as how He created all things, knew a good deal ’bout water. He knew it were good fer drinkin’, washin’, and keepin’ us from smellin’ like the rank stench of crew adrift in the doldrums on the Caribbean Sea.

But He also knew that saltwater ain’t so good fer drinkin’. Ever try downin’ a mug of saltwater? Aye, let’s just say ye’ll be spittin’ like a camel with a mouthful of sand. So the Skipper, in His infinite wisdom, decided ter separate the waters, makin’ fresh water fer drinkin’ and the seas fer sailin’. Because, let’s be honest, where there be water, there be a body itchin’ ter jump in and frolic.

The Skipper pulled off the greatest trick in the history of plunderin’—He separated the waters in the sky from the waters below. An enormous dome of water covered the sky, ready ter rain down whenever we needed a good wash—which would come much later after Noah built his boat. Then He gathered up the seas, oceans, and rivers, and out popped dry land! Land, mates! The thing we don’t sink into! A place ter stretch yer legs and not have ter swim fer yer life like yer late ter a sea turtle race.

Now, ye’ve seen the ocean, right? It’s all calm and pretty until a storm rolls in, and then suddenly ye’re in a sea battle with the waves that be the size of a blue whale with a personal trainer! But don’t ye worry—Skipper’s got control over those, too. The seas may be big, strong, and prone ter throwin’ temper tantrums, but Skipper? Aye, He tames ‘em like they’re a bunch o’ rowdy minnows caught in a kiddie pool.

So here’s what ye need ter remember, ye pirates-ter-be: the Skipper made all this fer our enjoyment and He knows exactly how ter keep it from turnin’ yer sails inside out.

So next time ye gulp down a cup of fresh water, thank the Skipper fer makin’ it so a drop or more quenches yer thirst. And if ye ever feel like ye’re in the middle of a storm—whether it’s real or just one of life’s little messes—ye can trust the Skipper ter guide ye safely through. The One who created the skies, sea, and land be the best captain there ever be. So, hoist yer juice boxes and water bottles. It be time ter set sail!

Genesis 1:6-10

Parroting the Prayers of Skipper’s Crew
Lord, look with favor on me ’cause of yer loving-kindness. ‘Cause of yer great love take away my wrong doing. Wash me clean of my sins. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Pirate Facts
Although technically not a rank, Swab be a sailor who mops the decks and makes things clean fer the fleet commander. Using the swab be called a “swabbie.” The term has come ter describe a person who be not held in high regard by the commanders and crew. Many of ’em who came ter hear Skipper’s Son where of the sort held in low regard by religious folk, but Skip looks at our heart, not up our outward appearances.

Bible Fun

Q. At what time of the day was Adam created?
A. A little before Eve.

Eddie Jones, known as The Pirate Preacher, shares the Gospels with humor and heart. Centered around themes of water, these storybook devotionals highlight Scripture, parables, and Bible stories, this storybook devotion is aimed at readers ages 4-7.  Readers will find tales of pirates walking the plank and Jesus calling us to walk with Him on water, land, and into eternal dwellings.