Thar ar-r-r more then two pirates ...but let's pretend we're a bit of the King's English, or better yet, let's just not pretend a'tall. Let's look at what could be, or could've been ...but, most of all, what is.

We often imagine what things would've been like if we were born under different circumstances.

Or if things would've been different if we'd met different people along the way.

We might say, "My life would've been different if I'd met her."

But, though there are countless circumstances we could explore ...more than the ocean is deep or wide, we will only look at two of them here:

One is a child whose dad had come about acquiring a treasure he felt was beyond all treasures ..and set forth to make this one son of his the most esteemed of all pirates.

The other is a son whose dad disappeared on his most recent voyage ...leaving behind his poor wife and only child.

We could call this a tale of two sons, but it seems to be more a tale of two dads. 

Yet, again ...it could be a tale of two me's. We all commonly struggle, though our struggles may not be common.  We each struggle in our own way.  And you could say we all struggle within ourselves ...and are not being quite honest with ourselves if we think we do not.

But, in this story ...why get bogged down with expansive philosophies.  Just accept the fact that the characters here are actually quite different.  Why that is ...is often not known and seldom clear.

It's just the way life is.

And it can't be figured out without much extensive thought ...which most of us are capable of, yet are not quite interested in.

It is my belief that all dads could benefit from understanding that the difference does exist, and it is often helpful to attempt to understand.

A pair of bulls may present you with a dilemma and confusion on which is the safest direction to go.  Yet, much different than a pair of bulls is a parable.  And hopefully we can picture this with no bull at all.  

To define ...let's first assign some names for reference. And to not get too personal, let's use that which was chosen for the author.  The first dad is named Heath, his wife is named Onithe, and their son is named Keith.  And Heath is renown for his riches and for his great love ...though it is often thought that perhaps he equates the two as one.

The second dad in this story is lost at sea ...his name known as Shepherd.  His poor wife is named Abisherd, and their son is affectionately named Shep Junior.  Few knew of the love they shared ...they were just poor, and considered rather incapable of much other than poor feelings.  Many insensitive blokes may laugh or rudely catcall, humoring themselves by hurling any sort of condemnation.  But, though some would call it something else ...most would just ignore these poor souls, considering them too pathetic to even acknowledge.

The second young man, Shep Jr., never really saw his dad. Sure, he saw him, as all newborns see ...it's just that, at that age there is seldom any recollection to speak of.

His mom wants to tell him everything about his dad ...leaving no doubt how clearly and dearly she loves him.

Listening to all the heartfelt stories, and seeing all the tears ...how can he not love his dad too.

Being the young man, he wants to be strong for mom ...so, he will make sure his tears will not be seen, holding them back for when he is alone. 

When alone, he'd think of his dad lost at sea, doubting he'd ever see him ...yet, he does not want to share this burden of hopelessness he carries with him each day.  Mom is sad enough.  

Though she tries not to show it either, it seems impossible for Mom ...and Shep Jr. is glad of that open and expressive nature of Mom.  At least one of them is being honest about their emotions ...Mom.

Yes, you guessed it right.  The two stories are related. Shepherd had discovered a huge treasure ...and when Heath and his crew stole it from him, Shepherd told Heath that he knew of an even bigger treasure.

This is what probably kept Shepherd alive.  You'd think that Heath would have been satisfied with now having Shepherd's treasure ...the biggest find ever to be recorded, or in his case, not recorded.  They knew of no other treasure ever that would even come close to this one. 

Heath's first mate told him that they should just have Shepherd walk the plank ...and be done with him.  The first mate believed there was no such other treasure.  But, Heath was greedy beyond measure.  Greed tends to be that way ...as it feeds itself, and one never seems to be satisfied.

Shepherd had an understanding that few would understand.  He wanted Heath to have the other treasure ...but, didn't believe he could convince him of it at this time.  

Shepherd firmly believed that by telling of the treasure at this present time ...it would likely cause his death.

Onithe didn't want to get involved, but it was one of those moments in life where you feel strongly that you have to do what you don't really want to do ...yet, you really want to do it. What is meant by that, is that it is clear in your heart, but fear and other factors in the mind attempt to work against the heart.

Onithe thought about it ...she tried to chase it out of her mind, but she couldn't.  She knew how much she loved her son ...and no one knew of the torment she felt by having to see him become each day more and more like his dad, her husband.

Onithe loves her husband ...and she could never imagine she'd ever stop loving him.  But, she also can't lie to herself ...and can't deny she hates what he is doing.  It hurts deeply inside that her own son did not seem to share the deep love she has inside for him.  She stands ready for the moment, day, month, or year when her son ...or her husband would realize how much she loves them, and would embrace those feelings again.

But, while waiting for those moments ...she cannot help from thinking of those who would want that same thing, but are denied the moment. She doesn't know how, but she feels she has to get word to Shepherd, so he can write a letter back ...so Abisherd and Shep Jr. can know he is still alive. 

Onithe didn't realize that soon she was going to feel that not only did she not help the situation ...she was making it worse. She didn't realize that one of her husband's crew became wise to her plan ...and asked upon the services of a family member, unfamiliar to most all the crew.

Onithe felt she cleverly found someone who knew where Shepherd was ...but, this sympathizer was actually the daughter of his first mate's sister.  

At first it infuriated Heath what his wife had attempted to do. But, it didn't matter ...this plan may even be better than the initial plan.  He would have the message delivered. This may work to his advantage.  Shepherd may just tell of the treasure after all.  

And Heath had another idea that might help even more. Perhaps Abisherd and her son have it too easy thinking he is dead.  It actually could be worse finding out he is alive, especially the way Heath is planning to make it out to be.

        ******************************

Onithe cannot sleep again ...and again, she hears them on the porch outside her window. But, this time they intend for her to hear.

"I don't know how, but Shepherd got a letter ...someone got it to him.  And now it is going to mess everything up."

"If he was able to receive a letter, then it is possible he will be able to use the same means to send a letter."

"My point exactly ...and we will lose our leverage with him."

That was all they wanted Onithe to hear ...at this time.  

It is a night when things are brewing ...a storm perhaps.  They both return to the harbor, where the ship is docked.  They go to the lower level, where they feel it is really safe to talk. They can hear the wind and waves above, but they can also hear one another ...without fear that others will hear.

"To be honest with you, I think Abisherd fell for it."

"I wish you'd stop saying that."

"Well, I do think she fell for it."

"I didn't mean that part, I mean ...since when do pirates begin with saying 'to be honest with you'?"

"Well, we got to be honest with someone ...or else, how do we accomplish deceiving together?"

"You got a point there ...a dagger sharp one.  So tell me the deceivin' details."

"Well, me bruther-in-law's kid ..."

"Why don't you just say your sister's kid ...or your niece or nephew?"

"I guess you could call her that, but to the dagger ...the kid broke into their home, making it seem like she was looking for something."

"Good, she was lookin' to get caught ...as we planned."

"She did more than that ...when she got caught in Abisherd's home, she politely said she was sorry, that she didn't know they were home."

"How'd Abisherd respond to that?"

"Hold on, I was about to get to that.  My sister's kid said Abisherd seemed really shook up ...but, that was nothing compared to when she asked for Shepherd's dagger."

"Come on, quit telling the story so slow ..."

"Whose telling the story, you or me?  And if you want the story straight, then I need to recall a few details about her response if'n I want to satisfy your curiosity. Abisherd wanted to know how she knew where she lived, how she knew her husband's name, and how she knew that Shepherd had a special dagger that he liked to trim his beard with."

"That should have been somewhat convincing."

"Oh, yes, she was so delightfully clever and overwhelmingly convincing ...that Abisherd was silent for several minutes, then she appeared to get mad.  She said that since this young girl was going to be trimmin' Shep's beard and spendin' her nights with him, she might as well not just take his favorite dagger ...but take his precious bird as well.  Abisherd said Shep adores that bird ...and she wanted it out of her sight, havin' nothin' to do with that thar squackin' bird.  Ain't that somethin' mate?"

"Fine work ...yer niece did some fine work.  Tell me, was it a fine lookin' parrot?  I got me-self a fine parrot. It sits on me shoulder.  Anyone who wants to be authentic has himself a fine parrot."

"I don't know how fine this one was ...it appeared a bit pale and sickly, sort of a runt of a bird.  And they had a cage for it."

"It worked out real fine ...even better than I planned. Tell yer sister's kid she did fine ...a fine job."

"And she passed on the message to Shep, of how she pretended to be free livin' with him.  She showed him his dagger, for proof, but I told her never give a prisoner a weapon.  She did give him that sickly bird though ...telling him they can chirp together. She told him he can watch it die ...that precious bird of his. And after she told him that his wife thinks he's with another woman ...well, she could hear him hollerin' a mile away."

         ***************************

It initially really angered Shepherd when he heard the stunt they had pulled on him.  It would be hard enough to think his wife and son were having to cope with his death ...but, to think that he was alive and didn't care about them was a horrific thought.  He wanted to write them, telling them he is doing everything he can to escape ...so he can be reunited with them.

But, in reality there was little he could do ...until now. 

He was unable to conceive how he could possibly escape.  But, he continued to pray.

And it was his wife's faith in their love ...which never allowed her to believe the young girl's story. And Shepherd was so proud of his wife ...how quickly she thought up that scheme. 

There were so many islands with thick inland wooded areas and many caves.  But, it had to be one of the numerous close islands. And that sickly parrot that he had would come in real handy ...being that it wasn't a parrot at all, but a homing pigeon.  All Shepherd had to do is release it, it would fly back, and his wife would release it to see which island it went to.

         *********************************

Abisherd's quick thinking had made it possible for Shepherd to be rescued by some of his men.  But, Shepherd was not bitter, nor vengeful when they rounded up Heath's crew for pirate prison.  Shepherd got his treasure back, but he decided it was time to give Heath the even bigger treasure he had mentioned. He told Heath of the Pearl of Great Price ...and told Heath he could have it, if he wanted it.  He'd have plenty of time to consider it in prison ...but, he could have it right there in prison if he wanted.

And Shepherd said he'd visit Heath in prison ...and tell him more about this treasure.

        **********************

This is how it was ...and it took several visits before Heath realized that he also had been too distant with his own family. He missed his wife and his son ...and he began to realize how even worse Shepherd must have felt, loving his family the way he did.  He admitted he was a bit jealous of how Shepherd's family loved each other, but also realized he could have had the same love if he had only not let his greed blind him.

But, most of all he realized how terrible it was that he tried to deceive that love ...by pretending that Shepherd didn't love his family.  He knew that there was nothing in the world that Shepherd wanted more than to let his family know how much he loved them.

This also helped him realize that our Good Shepherd views nothing as important as for us to know of His love.

Heath accepted Jesus ...and asked for Shepherd to talk to his wife and his son.  And maybe, just maybe they'd find it in their heart to forgive him ...and come visit him.

Shepherd smiles, "I already have talked with them ...and they've accepted Jesus.  They've already forgiven you, and have wanted to visit you ...they were just waiting for your invitation. And I told them I thought you were perhaps ready to accept the treasure, so they traveled with me this time.  They are waiting outside, eager to see you."

                          *************************

To summarize:

• Something can't come from nothing.

I've read about the experiments that claim that something can come from nothing ...but that is nothing but false, and a premise that evolutionists must adhere to for their theory.

What they have actually found is: that something came from nothing they expected or from nowhere they expected.  But, their heightened expectations were key, and were the basis of their beliefs ...a claim anyone could charge against anyone's beliefs, that they believe what they want to believe.

They create a vacuum, and somehow equate the vacuum to what it would be like if their was complete nothingness.  Yet, a vacuum, which they claim is so powerful ...only can be highly esteemed as such if their is something, or often very much, that wants to occupy the space of that vacuum. But, aside from that, they inject energy into the vacuum ...because if they did not, they would just be staring at that vacuum until the material surrounding the vacuum would deteriorate or somehow perhaps disintegrate, which would far exceed their lifetime.  Yet, while injecting the energy, they somehow must also convince you that the energy is nothing ...then when something unexpected appears as a result of the energy, they claim that the result came about from nothing.

Through all this, it seems that we should still adhere to the fact that something can't come from nothing ...at least not in the physical world which the evolutionist must remain in, if there is any desire to remain an evolutionist.  Yet, this is not something that confines the thoughts of one who believes in a spiritual Supreme Being.

• There is a spirit world that is not confined to the laws of the universe as we have calculated them ...mapped within our understanding of how the physical world works.

Most people like some surprises ...and we assume that these surprises will likely be pleasing to the person whom we intend to surprise.  Yet, if we are to be honest with ourselves, we'd have to admit that most of the time we don't like surprises. We mostly like predictability aided by our own desire to plan.  And though we often like something new, we also count on many routines not being disrupted. Even something that is new or not in the standard routine, has certain patterns of expectation. If we plan a picnic, we likely don't want to be surprised by a sudden thunder storm.

So, even the person who says they hate rules and laws, and may claim to be anarchist ...still depend on certain predictable things. They may depend upon their ability to intimidate you, or upon your inflexibility to respond to unfamiliar situations ...to which they can become an opportunist.  But, they are also depending heavily upon one thing remaining rather standard by their experience. They are depending upon something they likely don't understand at all ...they depending upon God's restraint.

Yes, they don't understand that there are reasons God is allowing them to continue their ways seemingly without God-fearing. They just understand that they are presently getting away with it ...and don't see much in the way that they wouldn't be able to continue to.

• Okay, we mentioned God ...yet, are there not many depictions of God??

How many Persons are there to which we refer to as God? And how do we depict God, or is there a trusted source to which we refer to in depicting God?

• Do we believe in an absolute definition to 'evil' and 'good'??

If we do not, then would not that definition be so fluid that it would fill one space at one time, and another at a different time? Would it not be possible then, for evil and good to change places ...and what was once considered evil, is now considered good. And likewise, would it not be possible for what was considered good, to become at some moment ...and to some, evil??

And to move beyond 'good', could we perhaps even acknowledge something as deep as the concept of 'love'.

• Considering God, and the concept of good and evil ...which actuality do we presently witness in our world?

It is my contention that if our view of who God is ...is a disinterested, uninvolved Supreme Being, then it is the summation of misunderstandings others have fed us, the difficult experiences we've had, and our present condition.  

And considering the extremes ...the 'good' would believe in the 'good' and believe it is 'good' to share with others the 'good' ...out of love. The extremely 'evil' would want to eliminate the 'good'. So, what would you believe to be more effectually powerful ...conversion, or elimination??

It is my observation that both good and evil exist ...but that the good must be more powerful, as it still exists beside that which would seek to destroy it.  Love can be distorted and misrepresented, but there must be a reference or authority to guide against that happening.

• Does God play an active part, and supply a reference for us??

The story told at the beginning of this blog does present the belief that love wants to make itself known.  A loving God, it would seem, would make it well known what that love is.

It would seem that it is our task to seek for the true expression of that love ...among the others which differ, and therefore cannot be true.  

There can be many truths, but only when those truths all support the truth from which they come ...yet, there can be many more deceptions, which contradict the truth in their claim to be the truth. Unless we can discern the real truth, we are mere subjects and slaves to deception.

In my lifetime, I have come across many interesting and many intriguing claims ...some of which seemed ready to make peace with me and my mind, but only one supplied sufficient quenching to satisfy a lasting thirst.  All others acted either like a temporary medicinal relief, or like an addictive narcotic/drug. In either of those cases, the remedy seemed readily available and satisfactory for the need, but they did not allow for any true healing.

When I became open to the Word of God, it was evident that I had not only found the truth, but that the truth had always been readily available to me. The reason I was not ready to receive the fullness of what it had to offer, was because like so many people, I had to see the rise of absurdity within the deception first.

Sadly, it seems, for reasons certainly unknown to me, there are those whom seem unshaken by the absurdities.  Why is that?

Well, turning again to the Word of God, I think it clearly answers that somewhat difficult question. But, let's not assume the obvious ...or that which may seem obvious to us.

• What is the Word of God??

The Word of God is certainly not variable, and it does not evolve within my own mind.  It is only within me, as much as the words of the Bible are within me.

• Hasn't it been made clear that the Bible has survived only to the extent of the discretion of men??

What record do we have of Jesus, if not believing in that which is recorded about Jesus in the Bible??

And at 12 years old, Jesus had been mistakenly been left behind by his parents.  They found Jesus with the scholars in the temple.

At the beginning, this was called a tale of two pirates. But, it is actually at this point not a tale at all.  It's about One God ...and as a result of one other who acted much like a pirate, attempting to give up our lives ...as he has given up his. And in trying to get us to align with him, we do not become highly distinguished as we'd perhaps be promised to be ...we will become highly extinguished.

Now, we can become extinguished in three different ways that I know of.  Having a fire extinguished may be good if it is out-of-control ...but, having our light extinguished does not seem as good. Extinguish also means to put an end to, or to annihilate. And the goodness of that depends upon what is meant to cease to exist. If evil and wickedness ceases to exist, that would seem to be good ...but, not if it is to the end of extinguishing us.

The other definition of extinguish is to cancel by full payment ...as in a debt.  And that is what Jesus has done for us.

The first young man, Keith, was not in anyone's employ ...as he didn't have to work, nor did he have a taste for adventure.

All he had to do was sit around and enjoy his leisure ...and tell fabricated stories about things he'd never experienced.  He'd heard many stories, listening in when his was young after having been sent to bed. He didn't spend much time with his dad, nor did he speak much of his dad ...as he didn't see dad much. He only privately dreamed he was Dad. 

Most everyone spoke of how much his dad loved him ...there was no doubt, as he had everything anyone could ever ask for.

Onithe did not like the change much.  So much time was invested with being busy ...that everyone who surrounded her was busy being busy.  It seemed almost like an obsession ...never feeling satisfied with anything less.  But, she viewed it as less time with each other.

Their son, Keith, on the other hand ...seemed to be taking her efforts of kindness more and more for granted.  Keith was becoming more and more like his dad ...and with riches, rudeness became the new friendliness.  Most of the elite were fond of each other, bringing each other much laughter and entertainment.  If anyone didn't laugh along ...they were told they just needed to loosen up a bit.  And they'd raise their bottle in the air.

Everyone joked so much, you seldom knew when anyone was serious, which they seldom were, yet it didn't matter ...what benefit did seriousness bring anyway!

Well, everyone joked, it seemed, except Onithe. She knew what life was like before her husband amassed all their wealth ...with everything being rather simple, predictable, and safe.  They called her silly, laughing at her ridiculous logic ...after all, what provided more comfort and protection than money?

Yet, just the same, she figured if her husband stole that huge bounty to get rich ...what was to prevent someone else from becoming rich by stealing from them?

She tried not to let their subtle mocking bother her ...and it wasn't so much that it did, she was mostly bothered by what she was seeing her son become. There were times she kind of wished someone would steal their riches ...so they could return to living the way they had in the past.

Onithe often let her imagination take off where it would ...and at this time she pondered whether it was best to have very little, like was the case with her husband and together with their meager beginnings. Or was it preferable to experience tremendous wealth like their son was born with ...with the probability of possibly losing it one day?

After pondering it a bit, she concluded that both scenarios were not without its troubles ...much depending on what a person wants most out of life.  It's of great value to be considered 'experienced at sea', yet not always so good to experience the rough edges of character that often go with it.

Overcome with sadness, she reflects on how she now views Heath compared to when she first married him ...a man of great character, and now becoming a new man, one she barely knew.

Yes, experience seems to build a man ...and it seems equally ready to destroy a man.

It has a lot to do with the depth of character of the person ...though experience also often travels to great depths to change a person, the greater challenge being a person of previous great character.

      ********************************

She could not sleep ...though the fresh night air felt good coming through the open window.  It provided a bit of a chill, but she likes it that way ...she likes to snuggle with her husband, on the nights he is there.  Suddenly, she realizes he is no longer there.

The night is so clear, and she can clearly hear her husband talking on the porch to someone. She is sure it is the voice of Heath's first mate ...pirate mate, that is.  He tells Heath that their hostage is not yet willing to talk.  

Heath is agitated, "Stubborn fool, still holding out!! And he still says he will only tell us where the other treasure is ...when he feels we are ready to hear it?"

The first mate laughs, "I keep telling him we are ready to hear it ...and we will release him when he feels he's ready to see his family again."

Heath is apparently not in a laughing mood, "Yes, after he tells us where the other treasure is we'll release him ...to the crocodiles."