Hello Peeps,
      So I have been wracking my brain to come up with something to blog and I thought why not give my Peeps another story. So, It's story time:} If you like Sci-fi you're gonna love this short story. 
      It's about a woman named Emma Watson, who after ten years, returns to NASA only to discover she's in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy. 
      Her mission is to finish what the crew members of Mock Z failed to complete; a life sustaining, simulated Mars here on earth for the upcoming arrival of the aliens. As the horrifying truth of what NASA is really doing on Mars begins to unfold, her life is in danger, people around her begin to die, and she discovers truth the about the aliens.
                                                PART ONE: MARS 1
      A sense of pride came over me as I clung onto my I.D. badge. It had been ten years since I last step foot in NASA. Confidently, I sashayed my way to the board room, but not before I stopped to gaze at the famous photo that marked the beginning of a new era for all mankind.
      I breathed deeply as I stared at the several faces who were the first to land on Mars October 12, 2025. My father and fiancée were among the heroic faces. I tried holding back the tears that wanted to remind me that Mock Z never made it home.
       Today, I was going to finally honor those who died, by finishing what they started.  The shuttle “Mock Z” was sent to discover alien lifeforms on Mars, study the planet and ultimately create a simulated Mars here on earth.
       In their last transmission prior to the shuttle exploding as they were making their attempt to take flight from Mars, they in fact confirmed alien life. It was bitter sweet news for America. We lost great people that day and yet learned of the greatest news in our world history.  
      Several attempts had been made to further investigate our new alien neighbors.  January 3rd 2033, shuttle “New Life Four” was the only one to come back with solid evidence of their existence. Unfortunately, it was only two crew members that had made it home, pilot Joe Manchez and co-pilot Penny Withers. The rest of the crew, we were told, was brutally killed by the aliens.   
      I kissed my fingers and touched the glass of my father’s and fiancée’s faces and continued my walk down the hallway. I turned the knob and again breathed in deeply of the joy ride I was about to take.  
      “Emma Watson! So good to see you again. Thanks for joining us. I know being back must be very difficult for you, but we are in need of your expertise.” The Administrator, Carl Reeves said.
      “Thank you for having me. Although it has been rough, it’s good to be back and definitely good to be needed. What do you have for me, sir?”
      “In less than ten days we will be launching shuttle “Mars 1” in the hopes of capturing an alien or two to bring them to earth. Your mission is to finish creating the simulated Mars so we can study and learn of their ways. Here are all the files, flash drives and photos, and all other information you’ll need to help engineer our earthly planet—Mars, courtesy of New Life Four’s schematics. You have a lot of work to do. Let’s hope you can accomplish this in ten to twelve months. Good luck and God’s speed.”
        I couldn’t wait to dive into the world of Mars. While I was loading everything into my car, I noticed a man lurking in the shadows. I wondered why someone would be watching me. But then again, in this line of work, I’ve learned there’re many conspiracist out there who would love to get their hands on the kind of information I now possess.
      Now feeling a little paranoid, I zoomed home as quickly as I could, rushed inside, locked the door, and began to indulge myself into the planets many mysteries.  
      After hours of combing through the paper files and photos, I moved onto the flash drives. One particular flash drive was stained with a red substance. I looked it over questioning why the flash drive was coated with the substance. I placed it into my computer, opened a file marked video and was horrified at what I was witnessing on my monitor.
           I watched on as I saw New Life Four crew members frantically running, screaming, and being brutally dismembered. I suddenly realized the red substance was blood.
        Then a familiar face appeared in the camera; a bloody, panicky, Joe Manchez, the pilot.
      “Huston, if you can hear us, the mission has been comprised. The experiment has gone horribly wrong and we’re being attacked. The shuttle has taken on some damages. It will be a miracle if we make it home…”  Joe ducked out of sight as he wrestled something gruesome to the ground and killed it.
      I hit the pause button and was immobilized. I just stared at the frozen screen with disbelief. Then something in the background caught my eye. Scattered about were several opened silver cases with broken vials and empty syringes. Written on the cases were the words Project Z.
      With a shaky finger, I un-paused it to hear Joe’s last words before the camera went black. “Dear God, what have we done!”
      The ringing of the phone scared the poop out of me. My heart raced as I tried to breathe and find the stupid phone.
      “Hello?”
      “We need to meet.”
      “Who is this?”
      “I can’t say over the phone. Meet me at Jefferson Park in one hour. Make sure you come alone or the meeting is off. You need to know the truth before you go creating a life staining plant for something you know nothing about.” Click.
      “Hello? Hellooo?”
                                                                   ****
 
           I sat nervously on the park bench waiting for my strange caller. Even though I was trying hard not to freak out about my findings, I was trying harder not to freak out about what I was going to find out. I have heard of people getting killed over this kind of information.  Was my life now in danger? I thought.
      I heard a noise behind me. I whipped around and saw a man standing behind a tree.
      “Were you followed?” the man asked.
      “I don’t believe so.”
      I moved closer and was surprised to see who it was. “Joe?”
      “Shhh…don’t say my name out loud. Someone could be listening. I only have a few minutes and then I have to go. In the event something should happen to me, I want you to have this.”
      “What’s the key to?”
      “It opens a safety deposit box at Assured Bank. More proof of what you need to know is all in there.”
      “What’s going on here, Joe? Was it aliens that attacked you?”
      Joe started getting nervous and hid himself further into the tree.
      “I’m not sure what attacked us, but whatever it was…was…” He swallowed and then said, “They’ve made me lie, cheat and do things I never signed up for.”
      “Who did?” I asked.
      “Our government! All those missions to Mars aren’t what you thought it was. It’s bigger and it’s horrifying than you can imagine. We’ve done something so unmentionable and it’s gotton a lot of people killed. My co-pilot Penny was killed just yesterday because she couldn’t handle keeping these secrets anymore. She was about to tell a journalist the whole story—the cover up of what NASA’s really been up to. Emma, this goes all the way up to the President of the United States. Someone has to do something or millions of people are going to die!”
      “Joe, you’re scaring me.”
      “You should be and you shouldn’t build that Mars. Whatever attacked us cannot be contained. They were vicious, stealthy and have thick armor that couldn’t be pierced. If these things were to get lose, hundreds if not thousands of people will die. I’m assuming you saw the footage? They dismembered my crew! Penny and I barely made it home alive.”
      A group of birds taking flight startled both of us.
      Joe looked past me, “Someone followed you here. They know we’re talking. I’ve got to go.”
      “Wait. I still don’t know what’s going on. You really didn’t tell me anything.”
      Joe poked out from behind the tree and said, “I think it’s time you knew the truth of how your father and fiancée really died.  It’s time for you to do some banking. Oh, one more important thing you must know, don’t trust anyone at NASA. I have to go!”
      I held the key tightly and looked in the direction of the person Joe saw. He looked familiar. It was the same man who was watching me earlier load my car. He was closing in on me.
      Shoot! I booked it to my car. He got into a black Sudan and immediately started chasing me. I dodged in and out of traffic. I thought I had lost him when I turned a corner, but a mile down I saw him coming right at me. I couldn’t stop at the stop sign or he would T-bone me. I blew through the stop sign only to rear end somebody. I hit my head on the steering wheel. I was dazed and confused. A man dressed in a black suit walked up to my car, opened the door and searched my body. I slowly reached into my pocket to protect the key, but the man took it.
                                                                   ****
      It was toward evening when I finally arrived home after spending hours at the hospital. I thought it strange how no police were involved in the investigation of the accident.
      I walked into my office only to find it had been ransacked. The blood stained flash drive and some pictures were missing.
       “Just great! How in the world am I going to find out what’s going on.”
      The doorbell startled me. Boy was I jumpy.
      “Administrator Reeves what a lovely surprise. Won’t you come in?” But then again, Joe’s word about not trusting anyone at NASA was screaming in my ear.
      “Thank you, don’t mind if I do. I came by to see if you’re alright.”
      “How did you know that I was in an accident? I didn’t contact anyone.”
      “When the hospital ran your name through their system, they saw that you worked for NASA and they called me.”
      I knew that was a lie. I don’t think simply putting my name in their computer would cross reference me to NASA. I’m not ignorant. I said nothing.
      He got inches away from me and politely threatened, “Ms. Watson, you have one job and one job only and that is to create a simulated Mars. There is no need to ask questions and you need no further information. You have all the data you need. So how about you stick to that and things will go more smoothly for you in the future. This project is very important and if you feel you cannot complete it, say so now and I will be more than happy to remove you from this mission and find a replacement for you. Am I clear?”
      “Loud and clear, sir. I want to do this.”
      “Then let’s be more careful about who we talk to? I wouldn’t want to compromise the creation of our Mars with miss interpreted information spun by crazy people.”
      “Yes sir.” I whispered.
      He turned on the balls of his heals and left. I didn’t realized just how much I was holding my breath, for I let out a deep sigh. I was too tired to go into the office so I plopped myself down in front of the TV. I flipped through a few channels until a news broadcast caught my attention.
      “In breaking news today, former NASA pilot Joe Manchez’s body was discovered in Lake Louisa. Authorities are ruling it a suicide based on a typed note they found inside his pants pocket. Sources say ever since Manchez returned home from Mars, he hasn’t been the same. Other sources say they even questioned his sanity.”
      I turned off the TV and cradled myself. I knew Joe would never commit suicide and I knew that he wasn’t crazy either. This was a cover up just like it was with Penny. What have I gotten myself into? Even though I was terrified, seeing more people die and never knowing the truth about my father and fiancée would be even more terrifying. I knew I had to do everything within my power to find the truth, even if that meant losing my life.
TO BE CONTINUED...

      Wow Peeps! I'm so excited. I prayed and asked the Lord what he wanted me to blog and He told me to share with you my testimony. Although it may be long, please, please read it's entirety. It's very powerful and even could be life changing to you and can help you with your journey that you're on right now. I do hope that it ministers life to you, my friend. Be blessed as you read it!
      Have you ever considered the possibility your flesh could abduct your spirit? What would that even look or feel like? I never thought it could happen to me. I have been a Christian most of my life and for years felt like I had a really close, intimate relationship with Jesus. I didn’t think I would ever walk away from Him, let alone push Him away and become a periodical daughter. There was no way I would do that. I love Jesus. No matter the storms, I would always run to Him.
      Sure I’ve been in my share of wildernesses, bellies of my own ‘Whales’, but this particular trial was different. My flesh abducted my spirit and went rogue on me. My flesh quickly put my spirit in a chair, chained it up and placed duct tape around its mouth to muzzle its complaints.
      I mentally pictured the abduction. The flesh busted out of its grave, for the spirit had buried the old man. “It’s my turn! I have been silenced long enough! I want my freedom to do as I please. I’m needy and crave to be satisfied!”
      The flesh strategize its attacks by collaborating with the enemy of my very soul—the devil.
      The devil came up with a brilliant plan for the flesh.  “Come against yourself by heaping chronic pain on the body. In this way you will distract the spirit’s will to want to do anything. You’ll wear it down to the point it won’t be able to meditate on the Word, or want to minister life and freedom to other souls. In fact, we can get it to a place where it will push away from reality. Stick with me and together we will heap much damage where soon you’ll rule over the spirit!”
      This first attack enabled the flesh to throw the spirit into an abandon warehouse where a cold, metal chair awaited its prisoner. The purpose of the onslaught was to expose the deep hidden secrets of the heart that had lain dormant. The well of deeply hidden secrets was the fleshes treasured desires. The flesh no longer wanted the spirit to have control over them. The flesh longed for their pleasures and to romp around in its playground.
      The second attack allowed the flesh to put chains around the spirit. The flesh began to torment the spirit with the hidden secrets. It whispered lies, half-truths that seemed legit.  These exposed secrets became an entanglement of emotions breaking down the spirit. The spirit became too weak to voice its grievances and the flesh’s voice became louder and began to enjoy the pleasures it created with the influence of the True Abductor—Satan.
     Oh, but every now and then I would hear the whimpers of the Spirit crying out, “Do something. Get me out of here. When are you going to fight? You know what you need to do. You teach and share with others how to warfare against your enemy. Why are you not doing the warfare? Stop entertaining the flesh and move, Soldier! You are more than a conquer.”
      But the flesh shouted all the more, “No! I’m having fun. I’ve been cooped up long enough and I’m going to indulge on these deep hidden secrets like a pig wallowing in its own mud! Besides, I’m too weak from the pain, tired and I just don’t want to do anything, except to feast; alone, by myself. I don’t need or want anybody’s help or anybody’s advice, especially on the ‘God stuff’. I need this abduction to be a secret.”
      The flesh watched on as the spirit wrestled with the shackles as it teetered back and forth in the chair fighting to be freed. However, the flesh held its ground as it towered over the spirit laughing, taunting, and pushing on triggers that would allow the flesh to continue to feast on.
      The ongoing torment of the abduction began taking its toll as the spirit became weaker and weaker to finally it left its Creator. The spirit succumbed to its abductor by not pursuing freedom. Instead, it sat motionless in the chair and became silent.
      A victorious grin emerged across the fleshes face as it watched the spirit’s head drupe with defeat. 
                                                            ****
 
      My personal testimony of how my spirit got abducted isn’t exactly a thrill for me to share. When I imagine Jesus handing testimonies out to people, it’s not like I rushed up to Him and asked, “Ooh, I want the testimony for sexual immorality!” and then high-five Him when He gave it to me. Yeah, no, don’t think so, but it’s what got handed to me. And in order to bring my Father glory, I need to share it. However, this I know, I can share it with excitement because I’m on the other side of it—freedom from the shackles!
      The bringing of my Father’s glory is what empowers me to share these deep, ugly, hidden secrets. Confessing them to you is bringing them out of the darkness and encouraging you to do the same. These hidden secrets are generically spoken at the pulpit, never in specific form to help a person identify them as being true “sins”.
      So here I go. Read on if you dare, because once you are finished you may discover that your spirit has been abducted! But don’t you worry, there is hope. The Rescuer is standing by!
            One day I was taking out the trash. After I slammed the lid shut, God used the ‘taking out the trash’ as symbolism of what He was about to do in my life. He resurrected a forgotten memory. I stood frozen next to my trash bin as I watched this tragic flick play on of me, at the age of four, being molested by a family member. A sudden rush of emotions took over my body as I crumbled with sobs. It was in that moment the Lord was showing me; I’m needing you to deal with your trash that’s been stored up in your heart. You’ve been praying for more of me, and less of you, crying out that you want to be closer to me. Well, I need more room. And in order for me to do so, you need to be healed of your past. This is going to be painful, but I’ll be with you all the way.  
      I grew up surrounded by sexual immorality behavior within my family. Of course being so young, I thought it to be normal. I do have to say the sexual immorality wasn’t severe, but mild compared to what most people experience. And I have been grateful for it. In spite of it being mild, it didn’t stop Satan from using it to his advantage. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I was bullied from Kindergarten all the way up to ninth grade. Throughout the years the bullies stripped me of any self-esteem I had, never had any real friends, and found myself in desperate need of comfort.
            All those bottled up emotions are what Satan used against me. The molestation opened the door to masturbation that carried on well into my adulthood and into the first four years of my marriage. It became like an addiction. The Lord revealed to me that whenever I became stressed, angry, or in need of comfort, I would run to that instead of Him, making it out to be an idol. Those emotions were deeply hidden from years of hurts, disappointment, cruel acts, and self-afflicted. The only outlet I had ever known was masturbation. I also enjoyed escaping into watching way too much TV. Then I moved on to fantasy (sexual fantasy). I enjoyed checking out and living in La La Land. Reality was becoming boring. In reality it’s where you can get hurt, wounded, let down, misused, not loved, not wanted, abandoned, and feeling forgotten. Truth be known, unless Jesus Christ lives in you, reality isn’t a fun place to live. I am so glad that Jesus Christ does live in me.
Thus began the healing process.
      Over a course of a year after I had been delivered from masturbation, the Lord began to pour into me revelation of why masturbation is wrong and how it leads one soul down a path of many forms of wickedness, such as sexual immorality. I often would think, what I’m doing isn’t bad, is it? No one has to know. Not even my husband. No big deal. I’ve been doing it for so long and besides, is it really wrong? I hear so many different opinions on the matter and nowhere in the Bible does it come out and say it’s a sin.”
      Well, it took God to change my mindset. True the Bible doesn’t come right out and say that masturbation is wrong. There are only two places in the Bible that allude to the action as being unclean. (Leviticus 15:16, Deuteronomy 23:9) However, through an article I had found by a pastor it opened my eyes to see God’s perspective, which further led to more revelation and healing in my soul.
     It is what accompanies masturbation that makes it sinful. The “accompanies” may vary from person to person depending how the soul has been wounded by their circumstances, people and by Satan himself or oneself. God revealed to me that they were called triggers; lust, stress (anxiety), anger and in need of comfort.
      Let’s take a closer look at what God’s Word has to say about anger.
      Ephesians 4: 26-32 “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
      I kept falling into anger because I never forgave the person who molested me or all those who bullied me over the years. The Lord began to show me that even after I did forgive the people, I needed the wound to be healed because it had become an addiction—a stronghold.
      God’s word also says in James 1:19-21 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
      Let’s take a look at what God says about lust.
      1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
      Ephesians 5:3, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
      1 Corinthians 6:12-20 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh”. But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.  Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price, therefore honor God with your bodies.”
      Now let’s take a look at stress or anxiety.
      Philippians 4:6 “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”
      Then there was the need for comfort. This is where the Lord showed me I was in self-idolatry. He is the God of all comfort and I wasn’t going to him, but to myself instead. Scriptures says, as you know, that we shouldn’t put anything above God and if we do it is idolatry.
           Then I also had to deal with the tormenting thoughts and emotions from being bullied from Kindergarten all the way up to ninth grade, which stripped me of all self-esteem. I felt unworthy, ugly, rejected, hated, unloved and therefore in dire need of comfort. And over time opened the door to depression and becoming suicidal.  
      At one point in time when my children were little, I closed my bedroom door and grabbed a bottle of pills and was ready to take them.
      I cried out to God and said, “If you are really there, if you are really real then have my husband call me right now or I’m going to take these.”
      No sooner did I say that prayer, the phone rang. God not only saved me physically that day, but spiritually as well. I became free that day of masturbation and forgave all the ones that I needed to and God healed that wound. However, I didn’t really deal with another deep hidden sexual issue—the sexual fantasy.
      Now let’s fast forward to the present. In 2016, I got up from my chair and felt my lower back was out. It was quit sore and I didn’t think too much about it until morning came and I wasn’t able to move. I was in such excruciating pain that I was unable to walk or move very well for almost two years.  Within those two years, I had spent lying down either in bed or on the couch. In desperate need of comfort, I of course, turned inward to myself. I started creating a world in order for me to escape the pain, which turned into sexual fantasy. By focusing on this make-shift world, I found the pain to subside. I later learned that by sexually fantasizing it would release endorphin's and I became addicted to it as if it was a drug being pumped through an IV.     
      I literally lived in La La land and I lived in it 24/7.  Here is my definition to it: A creative place in the mind when one checks out of reality.
      This was the point where my flesh abducted my spirit. I knew in my spirit that what I was thinking, meditating, and craving was wrong. It was honestly a strong battle that I had never in my Christian walk encountered. At the time, I felt my flesh was so strong and working hard to take over. This point in the battle I recalled the scripture in James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
      In spite of my flesh, I would try and seek God on this matter. Praise God, that even in the midst of my sin, God was there urging me on to be set free. He showed me a couple of things. He told me that even if I started out imaging the fantasies to be with my husband; that if I have to change his character or personality that it really wasn’t him at all, and that I was committing adultery. Then he went deeper and said everything that you are thinking about is a form of pornography. At this point I was feeling convicted, but it still couldn’t seem to stop.  I then, had asked Him, where was the root cause of me fantasizing? He gave me a memory of me back in Lansing, Mi on a swing crying. I had no friends; my siblings were four to five years older than I and didn’t really spend time with them either, and were being bullied. My mother wasn’t emotionally doing well either. I was under a lot of stress, feeling unloved, in great need of comfort and hated life.  So I decided to have make-believe friends in a make-believe world—hence La La land. This gave the enemy legal access to birth in me fantasy, which in turn only became another addiction.
      On one particular evening I was having people pray over my back. They were casting off demons, rebuking the pain and telling me that I’m healed and it’s finished. The next day, I was pacing the floor talking to God about how I shouldn’t be in pain any more. I quoted back to Him his word on healing and on and on I went venting my frustration of still being in pain.
      Then I heard His voice, “You can’t rebuke the very thing I’m using to get you to stop sinning!”
      Let’s just say, that caused me to sit! I went, “Whoa!” I rehearsed what He said and asked Him to give me a scripture to confirm that it was His voice I heard. And boy, did He give me a scripture!
      Rev 2:20-22
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
      Then I asked the Lord if this pain was in fact from Him since I couldn’t rebuke it and this is what He showed me. Based on my personal experiences with the Lord, I feel we are too quick to blame the enemy.  We need to take a good long look at ourselves. Just what if the test or trial that you are going through is designed by the Lord to put you in the wilderness to show you what’s in your heart that is blocking you from your intimacy with Him, from hearing Him and even your destiny. The Lord used the back pain to place me in the wilderness to get rid of a lot of darkness that I was oblivious to and that had laid dormant in my soul.  This was a direct result of rebelling against God’s authority which causes God to lift his hand of protection and allowing the enemy to bring on me what obedience would have protected me from.
      Talk about your spirit being abducted! It was pulling me far from God—my first love and I never thought that could happen. I again, of course, asked Him to show me a scripture to confirm this was in fact from Him and these are the scriptures he gave me.
HOSEA 6:1
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
PSALM 119: 67, 75
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” “I know Lord, that Your (righteousness) judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”
DEUTERONOMY 8: 2-5
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Obedience). He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
      Through a wonderful Bible study called One in a Million by Priscilla Shire this is what the Lord showed me about my wilderness:  Salvation delivers you out of Egypt, but the wilderness is designed to work Egypt out of you! Pretty intense statement if you ask me. It’s awesome! Here’s what else Priscilla says, “The wilderness is designed to reveal whether we really want God or if we just want to get out of town and move to Canaan as soon as possible.”   
      Yikes! That was in my heart! I had to be real with myself and ask, “Do I really want God or not? Or do I just want to be pain free?”
      So I further cried out to the Lord and asked Him why can’t I get over this sin and this is what he said, “Because you don’t have reverence for me.” Again I was sobered but still couldn’t seem to stop. The Lord gave me this scripture which was from the Bible study by Priscilla
EXODUS 20:20
 “God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
      Now mind you these other scriptures continued to float around in my head as the war was still raging inside and my flesh was thrashing around throwing fits because it didn’t want to stop.  
      Here are some scriptures I want to share with you that the Lord had given me. I just want to state that the one who trembles at His Word will instantly obey Him whether he sees the advantage or not.
PSALMS 25: 14
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
PHILIPPIANS 4: 8
“Finally brothers and sisters whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
      I was slowing working hard to stop and still feeling so far away from God. Have you ever felt that way? Well, I decided that I wanted to be real with God and hear the hard stuff if I needed to and I asked the question. God, I feel so empty and lonely. I feel so far away from you, why?
      Here’s what He said, “Because you fell in love with your character you created and you long to be in that kingdom instead of being with Me and in My kingdom. You are entertaining self-idolatry. You don’t love me, because if you loved me, you would obey me.”
      Ouch! Now that stung big time and it moved me closer to getting rid of La La land, but I still was struggling. I would repent and do it again, repent and do it again. I had the wrong mentality. I took Jesus’ grace for granted. I would tell myself, “Ahh, I can wait until Monday and then I’ll spend time in prayer asking for forgiveness cuz I know Jesus will forgive me.” Kinda like one who wants to start a diet but keeps putting it off ‘til Mondays:)
      But again in the Bible study that I did, Priscilla brought a picture word for me that answered my question: “When our souls stink with the putrid odor of rebellion, the Father is forced to hold us at arm’s length.”  Again, this causes God to lift his protection…we are out from under his protection!
      I do have to say the Lord has loved me deeply through this by being patient, slow to anger, not treating me as my sin deserves and abounding in love, and He showed me His grace like I have never known before. In the midst of fantasizing He would throw in just the right Christian song to pull me out of it. One time He shouted my name to stop. He also used the sermons and the Bible studies that I was doing at the time. There were a couple of moments when I cried out to Him for comfort that He did so by giving me a vision of Him holding a naked infant and slapping baby powder on its bottom. The symbolism for baby powder means comfort. And the biggest grace moment ever was the day I fell off our motorcycle. After two weeks the pain subsided and I was healed! Pain free!
      He reminded me, that although I may be holding you out at arm’s length, the point is, Vanessa, I’m still holding you!
      I believe my back pain was used to put me into the wilderness to not only show the wickedness that was in my heart: Idolatry (Self) rebellion, fantasy, lust, sexual immorality, a Jezebel spirit, pornography, a perverse spirit, pride, adultery and spiritual adultery. But the simple fact is that I didn't love him or have reverence and ultimately that I was in rebellion (disobedience). In order for me to love God I need to revere Him and in order to revere Him I need to love Him. It has been an ongoing issue throughout my walk with him and God needed to finally address it.
      God showed me that He loves me so much that he doesn’t want to relent. He doesn’t want me to stay in my sin. He loves you so much that He doesn’t want to relent with YOU! He doesn’t want YOU to stay in your sin either!
He gave me the scripture in MATTHEW 7:21  
“Not everyone who says to me Lord, lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!
      This is me. I do all of this, but through this wilderness experience the Lord is showing me that I am falling into this category. How? By not fulfilling the will of my Father which is, simply put, being obedient and being a doer of the word, because if I truly was, living according to the word of God, I would love the Lord thy God with all my heart, and get rid of all filth, live according to the spirit not my flesh. I’ve been in rebellion to him—can’t seem to want to hand over my sin. It feels good, it’s enjoyable until I see it through my spiritual eyes and then it’s not. It’s destructive and blocking me from my God!
      Here’s what scripture has to say about this: Romans 8:5-9
      “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God, it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ…VS. 13, For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
      Do you want to know the true definition of sin is?  “Not submitting to God’s divine authority. In essence, the definition of sin sets forth its essential character as the rejection of the law or will of God and the substitution of the will OF SELF! (This statement came from John Bevere’s book Under Cover, which by the way is a life changer. A must read!)
      My Peeps, there is a great deception that’s being taught and I’m afraid I have been entangled by it and I don’t want you to be ensnared by it any longer. The scripture I just quoted above abolishes our general concept and definition of who is saved. Jesus wasn’t talking to unbeliever’s right? He’s talking to people like me, believers, perhaps even you. We say the sinner’s prayer, confess our sins to ensure a secure place in heaven; however, here is the deception, we have neglected or placed no emphasis on keeping His commands. I think it’s because we’ve become immune to what’s really sin, what’s really right verses wrong and if I don’t tell anyone who’s it really hurting and most of the time our sin has us so entangled that it has become an addiction—a stronghold that we can’t seem to get out of! It can even become such a part of our personalities that we don’t even recognize that it is even sin! And so therefore, we are being deceived, but God warns us by these very scriptures. We need to stop being intolerant to the things of this world and live out what God says. We need to stop being conformed to the patterns of this adulterous world and be set apart for Him and live as examples!! I’m preaching to myself here too, Peeps.
      Like me, breaking the commandments of adultery, sexual immorality and oh the Biggie, idolatry—placing myself above God.  The great deception is this counterfeit grace and it has been leading many astray, causing them to make light of obedience.  Jesus said those who will be in heaven are those who not just CONFESS, but DO THE WILL OF GOD, THUS KEEPING THE COMMANDS OF GOD. True grace has been given to empower us to obey what He demands of us!
1 JOHN 3:4
His word also says, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning…
…the one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning form the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning…
 
      I finally feel that I have turned the corner! It was through the reading of John Bevere’s book Under Cover that God finally got my attention. In it, John states that God uses a three step process with you.

1. 1. The Lord will take a person through a progressive process in order to reach him in his disobedience through conviction. But if that person repeatedly disobeys He moves to the second.
2. 2. God then sends a prophetic messenger (James 5:19-20) and once the messenger has been sent and we’re still not listening, then…
3. 3. God attempts to reach us through judgment. (1 Cor. 11:31) and how does He do this? The answer usually comes in the form of hardship, test, trials, sickness or some other type of affliction. (Ps. 119:67, 75)

      I went through all three stages. I had someone come up to me, but I had poo-pooed it away and forgot about it, only to find myself two years later in severe back pain. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t allow your flesh to abduct your spirit. Be submissive to God; obey Him in all that he tells you to do and His word, get rid of the sins that are entangling you and allow God to heal your wounds of the past so that you can live in the future! Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, body and soul! If you are in need of help, reach out to a friend or even me. I’ve been there and I know the battle, but God once told me, “Greater the battle, greater the victory!”
You can reach me on facebook. Don’t hold onto it no more. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. Live it out with fierce freedom!!! You go Peep and be blessed! Thank you so much for sticking through and reading it!
  

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening Peeps,
      Today's blog has me excited! Why? Thanks for asking. Here's why...as some of you may know, I've been writing a book series called Out of the Darkness and Into the Light. The second book will be coming out soon called The Valley of Dry Bones. Well, I am currently working on the third which is called The Eureka Diamond and in this book, I have created a fictitious author who writes dark depressive poetry. I named him Nawbin Wells. Toward the end of his writings I have him experience God. I don't normally write poetry let a lone like it, however, I have been having a blast writing dark poetry for this character. Hmm...that can't be good:{ Anyhow, I thought I would give my followers a sneak peak at this character's poetry. Just to wet your appetite a little. Nawbin Wells calls his kind of poetry Pollockerty. Hope you find it interesting.

      DAGGER OF DEATH
Oh dagger of death
Where is your sting?
Pierce this flesh of utter darkness, for my soul cries for relief.
I bravely touch the sharp edges of your hungry teeth, but I say no
Not today, for my soul will wait for another day.
I shall place your destructive blade back into its sheath to silence your voice once more.

THE DARK PIT
I have fallen into the pit of despair
I can’t breathe, I have no air
This putrid, rancid of a place
No joy or gladness shall I feel on my face
Lowly worm, am I
I just want to die
I wiggle and twist
Longing to feel a little mist
I long to be free
But I am stiff as a tree
Agony and gloom
Are my food
My tears are my drink
I’m about to wither and shrink
Happy days are but a foolish dream
The very thought of them makes me mean
All day long I wail
In my prison cell humbly wagging my tail
My bones feel like glowing embers
And when I’m gone no one will remember
It will be just as if I’m road kill
Grounded up into a pill
Eaten and swallowed
As nourishment for the swallow

THE CLOAK OF SELF-PITY
I find comfort in the arms of self-pity
She’s the only one who really listens
Sometimes I find her to be quit witty
She can pretty much talk me into doing anything
He poetic words sooth my anguish soul
She lacks for nothing because I give into her everything
She’s mine to hold, to love and to adore
Our conversations are most certainly never a bore
I shall not share her; however I love to talk about her 

THE GRAVE IS CALLING
The grave calls my name
It woo’s me into its arms
To comfort me from the pain
It hums a beautiful lullaby to put me to sleep
It covers me with its blanket of dirt
Which places me in a heap
I know this to be true, no one will weep
No flowers for me to keep, no visitors to read
The head stone that says, “I died alone.”

COULD IT BE TRUE
I hear multitudes of whispers
Although they maybe faint
My ears are stirred
To hear about a Saint
They say He’s good
He shows mercy and grace
And that He died on a piece of wood
A thorny crown was placed on his head and blood ran down his face
The soft mummers say He can heal
Even set captives free
Can this be true? Is He real?
This I must see
They even say He’s the way to heaven
It certainly beats the darken grave
I wonder if there is a seven-eleven
All I know is, I no longer want to be a slave
I wonder if He will accept me
Can I too go to this place?
 It certainly sounds like the place to be
I’m still in disbelief; I need to see His face
Can this be true?
Save me, I too want to be renewed
 

       INTO THE LIGHT
I crouch at death’s door
Hoping for an invitation
The door creeks open
I sashay down the aisle like a bride to her groom
Eagerly death waits for our holy matrimony
My heart pounds wildly before him
I close my eyes in surrender
Awaiting my eternal sentence
I can feel my soul fading
As we will be uniting
Like one opposing the marriage
A thunderous voice speaks
Life is what you seek
A brilliant ball of light shields me
I see death no more
The bright Morning Star offers His hand
A new door appears
With an invitation, not a demand
I am escorted into a new land
Where refreshing waters flow
And leaves never wither and die
Lushes fruit dangle free
Ripe just like its tree
This is the way, the truth and the life
Where true love awaits instead of strife
I pondered on what he said
His words echoed inside my head
Instead of sentencing me for my crime
He simply said, “It’s time.”
Time for what?
“To get out of the darkness
And into the light!”

      Because I'm having so much fun with this...there just might be more to come!
 
 



 

 

Hello Peeps, today's blog is about a Psalm the Lord had downloaded for me to write right after I had a moment I wanted to quit writing. One of many things I love about the Lord is that He sees and knows your deepest hurts without us having to tell Him. In the midst of me having a pity party, God saw my sadness and my struggle and decided to bless me with an unspoken answered prayer by giving me exactly what I needed to confirm to me that I am His writer!  
      Here is the Psalm He gave me. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do:)
DEAD BONES ARISE: PSALM
 Out of the ashes dead bones rise; walk amongst the living, for you are now the army of God. With the sound of His angel’s trumpets, the enemy has been placed on notice.
A sword is placed in your hand. A shield is placed at your side. You will wear a wreath of strength around your neck; adorned like fine jewelry showing off your splendor and like fine tapestry, your armor is woven together to gird you with protection.
Terror will strike the very souls of your enemies; their hearts will become like flint, gripped with fear as they see you coming. At the hint of a whisper about you, their hearts will melt like wax, for they know the source in which your power comes from.
Woe to those who do not fear the breath of God, who do not harken to His thunderous voice that can rearrange mountains or raise the sea; whose very words can slay His foes.
Soon His enemies will be swallowed whole into a grave that will be their final resting place—a place where there will be no peace, only weeping and gnashing of teeth. The tormenting of their very souls will be so great that they will even crave back their wicked darkest days; nothing will compare to it. They will long for freedom, but it will elude them, tormenting them all the more.  The craggy, dry dirt filled earth will become their permanent home where darkness will be their light and light will be their darkness.
But as far as you O living bones, you will rise to great victory; for together with the power and authority of our God we will win the battle, for great and mighty is our God. We will sing praises to His holy name and declare His great works as He will bring freedom to the captives; may they walk in prosperity. They shall mount up on a steady stallion to be placed on a secure foundation—the rock of salvation. There will be an end to your troubles; for no weapon shall penetrate your walls. No arrows shall pierce you, not even through the tinniest crack or hole. Instead, God will reroute those flaming arrows and turn them into dust like chaff from wheat. He will melt even the heaviest sword of the enemy far before they can put a chink in your armor.
And when it’s all said and done, you will be placed at God’s mighty right hand wearing the victor's crown; for the glory belongs to our faithful God!
The enemy has been defeated!
 

PART TWO OF CAPTAIN'S LOG: ONE SHIP'S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM
      As we began to deport, I went to grab the rope from port-side and noticed just how murky the water was. I leaned over more, and saw yellowish-greenish sticky foam collecting at the base of the ship. While examining the foam, a strong stench filled my nostrils. I was just about to touch it when out popped the head of an eel like creature.
      "Ahhh!" I screamed. I jumped back and watched the creature attempting to eat at my butterfly logo. "Skipper!" I yelled, as I pointed down at them murky water. "What are those, eels?"
      "No, my First Mate, those are not eels," he leaned over and said, "I'm afraid those are what you would call, stronghold swallows."
      A bit confused I said, "I've never heard of such creatures and the water, I've never noticed how unhealthy it is."
      The Skipper spoke softly and said, "The water here at Port Bondage has become contaminated with stronghold swallows due to the dumping of unwanted cargo. In fact, they’ve come from some of the cargo and over time, the water has become unmerciful, unforgiving, toxic, and full of bitterness. And until a ship, like yourself, is ready to leave Port Bondage, the stronghold swallows could in fact destroy one’s ship. You must be very careful around them. They may look like harmless eels, but there very deceiving.
      They have tongues sharper than a double edge sword that can bore a hole quicker than a mole and they don’t mind leaving one’s ship to rust like a bad cancer. They are very strong and one cannot escape unless…”
      The Skipper looked from me back to Port Bondage and wiped a tear away, “…unless they call out to their Skipper to come rescue them. Unfortunately, if they don’t, they will sit in this cold, dark, diseased port.”
      We both stood quietly as we watched Port Bondage fade farther into the distance. Suddenly a realization came over me. My ship, The Butterfly, must have been in grave condition. If I had just left such a devastating place where many ships are decaying, falling apart…then what of my ship?
      Was I too decaying, falling apart? For all the times that I felt sick, angry, and tormented, was that the stronghold swallows feeding on my ship?
      I leaned over and noticed my ship had been repaired. The craftsmanship was unbelievable. The butterfly logo was bigger and livelier with color than before. The ship shinned brightly and the water seemed to skip off with ease; a great sign of detailed waxing, if you ask me.
      I stood in awe of my Skipper that He would go to such lengths to restore The Butterfly and the hard work He put into it. What compassion.   What would drive a Skipper to such a sacrificial act, for me no less? Regardless of the motive He had, I was grateful I had called out for my Skipper to come and rescue me.
CAPTAIN’S LOG: Just a few days into the journey.
      The Skipper was right, stormy sea’s welcomed us. The Skipper was very precise in navigating the ship. He hit the tall towering waves on a 45 degree angle. He knew he had to hit it just right or else the ship would capsize.
      I have to confess, with each towering wave, I get more frighten and I’m afraid that my unwavering heart would betray me to the Skipper. While trying to be brave on the outside, my flesh wanted to run to my stateroom to hide and indulge myself inside my most piece of cargo. In fact, I think I will go and make sure it’s safely secure!
      Just as I turned toward my cargo, I saw a huge wave forming. And by the looks of it, we were heading dead into it. I stood frozen before this gigantic wave. Its strong mist punched me in the face as my rapid beating heart plunged down to my knees. Within a matter of seconds, the angry wave grew with intensity and I was now face to face with my enemy. Shielding my body with my arms, I forced out a scream toward the Skipper.
      My scream quickly became muffled as the fierce wave came crashing down on me and my ship. When the greedy wave receded, it grabbed a hold of me and my most precious piece of cargo toward the raging sea.
      The Skipper did a belly dive from the bridge of the ship after me. He clamped onto one of my hands while I was holding onto my cargo with the other.
      “Give me your other hand Vivianna. I cannot hold on with just one!” He yelled through the noise of the stormy sea.
      “No! I can’t let it go,” I cried.
      “Vivianna, I need you to trust me and let it go! Your hand is slipping from mine. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”
      The Skipper held my hand with both of His as tightly as He could, but my wet hand was quickly slipping away.
      “Ahhh! I shouted, “I can’t hold on any longer. Don’t let me fall!”
      With a firm voice, He shouted one last time, “Then let the cargo go and give me your other hand. It’s not as important as you. I will not lose you! Now, please, let it go! I’ve got you!”
      “I can’t. I need it. Help me save it!” I pleaded.
      “No! I’m only going to save you!”
      With that, the cargo slipped out of my wet fingers and was swallowed up by another angry wave never to be seen again.
      The force of the wave caused the Skipper to lunge forward right into the face of a stronghold swallow. Its jaws were just about to clamp down on my foot when the Skipper grabbed a hold of my pants giving me one huge wedgie as He pulled me up out of the water.
      “Owww!” I shouted angrily as I was trying to adjust my underwear.
      The Skipper simply smiled and said, “Better a wedgie then being eaten by a stronghold swallow. And by the way, you’re welcome.”
      As I stood before the Skipper soaked, I smiled back and said, “You’re right. Thank you."
      My cold, wet clothes clung to my shivering body as I mourned for the loss of my cargo on the Skipper’s shoulder.
      The Skipper held me tight, “Oh, Vivianna, I almost lost you. I would have hated to sound the horn and yell man overboard. With the dark of night and the raging sea, it would have been very difficult to find you.”
      For a while I sat motionless in His arms. I was so devastated that I had lost the very thing that I thought would keep me alive this whole entire trip. Okay, granted, I was attached to it like a bad addiction. What could I say, I love it. It made me feel loved, comforted, and made me feel good even though I knew on the inside it was killing me. But I couldn’t let it go, I just couldn’t. I didn’t want to. It was such good stuff. Not to mention it tasted good too. Why didn’t the Skipper do something? Why did He just let the wave take it? He knew just how much it meant to me. Now that it’s gone, what do I do? How will I be able to carry on with this journey? I’m in great need!
      TO BE CONTINUED...
 PART THREE OF CAPTAIN'S LOG:
      CAPTAIN’S LOG: Several weeks at sea now. The Skipper and I have been enjoying each other’s company. During one evening, I was brave enough to ask why He didn’t help save my most precious cargo.
      With a firm, but loving tone, He said, “Why would I save a cargo that brings nothing but sickness and death when I have a cargo that’s full of life bearing food? Eat from it and you shall surly live.” He got up, placed His hand gently on my face and whispered, “Man does not life by bread a lone.”
      I sat awhile in my stateroom and pondered on His last words. Tears welled up as the revelation of why I needed to let go of that cargo. He’s taking me on a journey through the living waters of better health and healing. My eyes had been opened to just how selfish I had been in wanting to save a cargo like that. When, in fact, my Skipper is offering me life bearing food that will heal me. Once again I was awe struck. I felt so loved. At that very moment, I was ready to honestly begin my journey. However, there was a small part of my heart that feared the rough sea’s that still lie ahead!
      CAPTIAN’S LOG: Two months and one day at sea.
      The journey has become difficult, just as I had feared and I’m afraid to say, the excitement of Port Victory has become somewhat faded.
      Today, I had to face the many ups and downs of each swell with a shout of, peace and joy, peace and joy, just to keep myself from swooning into hyperventilation. Okay, a better way of putting it—I’ve been experiencing withdrawal from the contents of the old cargo and I feel sick. My body aches, there’s muscle pain, and I’m so, so tired.  Even the crew has noticed the change in me.
      One particular evening, I was helping them prepare dinner and I was so looking forward to fixing my sweet mayo dip. The very thought of it made my mouth water and I didn’t want anyone to get in my way of making it! The long days without “sugar” had made me cranky and longing for something sweet. Although, making my sweet mayo dip would be made out of all natural ingredients, which included honey for the sweetness instead of sugar, I was still looking forward to tasting something sweet. I had worked long hours with the Skipper and I was ready for a treat!
       My crankiness hit an all-time high. Everything the crew did irritate me. Even their happy singing got to the very core of my nerves like nails to a chalk board. The craving of something sweet was driving me crazy. I suddenly felt closed in, my breathing increased, and well…there you have it…I lost all control.
      I yelled, “Where is the mayonnaise I bought for the trip?”
      A young lad stood before me said, “When I unpacked your food crate, I didn’t see any mayonnaise.”
      I looked at the others and said, “I know there is some on board. Where is it! I want my mayonnaise. I need my mayonnaise.” I slammed my fist down on the counter thinking I was demonstrating some kind of authority. No such chance.
      The crew only looked at me as though I had literally lost my mind, over mayonnaise. If only they understood what it’s like to crave something so badly only to find out you can’t have it! The mayo dip that I make with honey, mind you, is the most tantalizing dip that awakens every taste bud, especially when you use a nicely salted chip ta-boot!
      Instantly I realized my own insanity. I quickly apologized, “I’m sooo sorry guys.”
      They just looked at me as if I was someone else, which I think I was for that brief moment. So, I tried to turn the moment into a funny situation.
      “What? Can’t a woman be irritable? I shall blame it on the hormones!”
      All of them shook their heads in agreement as if it was there way of saying, “Yes, definitely the hormones.”
      Well, later as I am embarrassed to confess, it turned out that the mayonnaise had never been purchased and therefore never placed inside the crate. What could I say; I was having a bad day. And not being able to have my special sweet mayo dip just topped it off! Oh…and if that wasn’t bad enough, the crew went and told the Skipper about my little melt down. Can you believe that? Hugh!
      Needless to say, the Skipper came down from the bridge and gave me the funniest expression I had ever seen. His expression made me stop and realize just how foolish I must have been acting.
      He stood in front of me and I confessed my deepest thoughts of my heart. Of course not before I cried and whined. I had to at least try to justify my lack of self-control. Of course that didn’t fly with the Skipper.
      “Skipper,” I said as I wept. “This journey is way too hard. I don’t know how much more I can take of these waves crashing down on me. The swells alone are nauseating and I’m losing so much cargo.” I looked down, to ashamed to look into His eyes. “I want to give up. Please take me back,” I confessed.
      At first the Skipper sat with His arms crossed in silence. He just stared and examined my face. I felt bad for even asking him to take me back knowing full all the work He had put into The Butterfly before we had set sail. The only reason I could figure out why I wanted to go back was—was the fact it was comfortable, my safety zone. And now that I was heading into unfamiliar territory, I wanted to run. Run back to comfort. The crashing waves, swells, and being jostled was not my idea of comfort and fun. I thought I was ready for this journey, but I guess I was wrong.
      The Skipper reached for one of my hands and asked, “Who is driving this ship?”
      “Well, of course, you are,” I said.
      “That’s right and do you know why I’m driving this ship?”
      I swallowed and heisted.
      “I’m driving because you called on me, remember? You were ready to set sail and leave Port Bondage.”
      His hands moved from my hand to my face. His hand felt so soft and warm on my skin. I closed my eyes and soaked up His loving touch. He had such a way of wiping my tears away with His love and mercy.
      He shook His head and said, “Oh my pretty, pretty, butterfly. Do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge me.” He pointed to Himself, “Your Skipper will keep your paths straight.” He took a deep breath in and continued, “Vivianna, you’ve been shipwrecked way to long. That’s what happens when one tries to drive their own ship. They end up shipwrecked at a port that they were never ever to reside. But it’s all good, for I have come to take you to a better place—a place with all new cargo.  And I even promise to replace all of the cargo you have lost during this journey. I know for a fact that this journey will make you strong. You can do this, because I am with you and I have equipped you. You are more than able because you have purposed in your heart to do this. That is what happens when you all on your Skipper!”
      He kissed my forehead and went back to the bridge. I felt so protected and cared for. He didn’t condemn me for wanting to go back; instead, He encouraged me to go on. And so I did, in the renewed strength given by my Skipper.
      CAPTAIN’S LOG:  Three months at sea.
      The kiss of the morning sun welcomed me as I looked out at the miles of calm seas. In fact, the sea was as smooth as class. We had finally gotten over the worst and I was beginning to enjoy my journey.
      I looked up toward the bridge where the Skipper stood behind the wheel and reminisced of all the countless nights we stayed up singing, dancing and telling stories; stories of course that would always relate somehow to my fears of this journey. Ugh! How He always had to do that. I would always walk away learning some kind of lesson. I then took a walk to starboard side and was amazed at what I saw.
      “Skipper! Skipper!” I yelled, running up to the bridge. “I see a faint light coming from the north. Is that what I think it is?”
      The Skipper invited me inside the bridge and I stood next to Him as he had both hands on the wheel.
      “Yes, it is my First Mate…the light house of Port Victory. Grand isn’t it?”
      “Oh, yes. It’s breathtaking,” I said as my mouth hung open with awe.
      “You what this means don’t you?
      I shook my head no
      “We’re halfway there.”
      “No way! Really,” I squealed.
      I grabbed the Skipper’s binoculars and focused in on a majestic sight. The light house of Port Victory stood in all its grandeur. It shone a powerful beam of the brightest and purest light. It looked to be in the center of the harbor as if to say; I am the very pillar of this port!
      I was grinning from ear to ear as I began to imagine what Port Victory must look like. The Skipper seemed to enjoy watching me as I quickly asked if I could take the binoculars down with me to get a close view.
      I zoomed in closer and could see the tower was made up of colorful stained glass. When the light would hit it just right, it created a rainbow effect. A hard knock at the base of the ship almost made me drop the binoculars into the water. I looked overboard and was shocked at my findings.
      “No way,” I said. “I thought I would never see you again.”
      Floating at the base was debris from my old cargo. Most of it was still wrapped and intact.  While other stuff was rotted and bitten off. From the looks of the bite size holes, my guess it came from the stronghold swallows.
      I leaned over and retrieved a chocolate bar. I didn’t hesitate. I broke that baby open and shoved it into my mouth. I didn’t even finish swallowing my last bite before I leaned back over for more. I leaned so far over that I found myself almost going overboard and that’s when I heard the Skipper’s voice.
      I froze.
      I saw the Skipper running over to me and grabbed a hold of my feet, “Whoa there, young lady! Getting a little close to the edge, aren’t you? What’s so important that you would become a man overboard?”
      Feeling like a kid who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar I said, “It’s my old cargo.”
      The Skipper leaned over and said, “Well, well, lookie there, so it is.”
      He stood before me with a loving smile. Oh, that smile—the all loving smile that would pierce my very heart into conviction every time I saw it. But, there was no judgment in his eyes, just the longing of a Skipper wanting His First Mate to be faithful.
      “No matter what…” he began as he placed his hands on my shoulders, “…I will always rescue you, if you should ever call.” He paused and moved closer. This time when He spoke there was more of a parental tone in it, “Remember, Vivianna, you’ve come so far. Don’t become a man overboard. Not on any bad or good day do I wish to sound that horn and yell, ‘man over board.’” And he walked away.
      Five minutes after I had eaten out of that old cargo, I felt sick. I turned to look at the old cargo I had once thought to be my most precious piece I had ever owned and fell to my knees. I didn’t feel condemned for what I had done, but rather thankful. For now I know that is the one cargo I never need to eat from again.
      I learned a couple of things that day. I learned just when you are at your peek of Victory, doesn’t mean you can never fall back. I realized I still needed to be on the lookout for stronghold swallows. It was that day I also learned just how far I had really come and to please the Skipper, I wish never ever to become a man overboard.
​      TO BE CONTINUED...
 
      PART FOUR OF CAPTAIN'S LOG:
      CAPTAIN’S LOG: Four months at sea.
      Frustration has set in as we’ve slowed down to push through the remaining debris from the old cargo. Not to mention the twenty foot swells that are making it impossible for us to get to Port Victory any faster. Even though we are moving, Port Victory remains to be the same distance.
      It dawns on me, as I bravely try to hold onto the side of the ship, why we’ve slowed down. We must be traveling through testing waters, the most restless parts of the sea. I’ve heard many ships never make it to Port Victory on account of these parts. That could explain why I’ve noticed the Skipper has been quiet these past few days.
       Once in a while the Skipper will come out of the bridge and our eyes will meet. I sense a longing in them. The same longing I saw the day I almost went overboard.  I, of course, try to give him a reassuring smile and yet I constantly check my own heart. The waters are rough and challenging and it makes one mind doubt that you would make it through without quitting. Then I’ll hear a still small voice saying, “Don’t become a man overboard.”
      It echo’s each and every time I’m tempted to lean over to retrieve a piece from the old cargo. And when a swell moves me closer to the edge of the ship, the Skipper’s eyes grow more intense as I’m sure he wonders, will I be strong and fight the good fight by trusting in Him? Will I be faithful? Will I be obedient? Have I truly given the old cargo over to the raging sea?
      Maybe these are the weighing questions that plague my own heart, because I have to confess, as slow as we’re going, I feel as though I am a vulture hovering over a dead carcass waiting to swoop down and feed.
      CAPTIAN’S LOG: The healing process. Five months at sea.
      I walked over to the edge of the ship in great need of a splash of cool refreshing water on my face.
      “First Mate, are you feeling alright?” The Skipper asked as he stepped out from the bridge for some fresh air.
      Before I could say no, I whipped my head over the side and threw up. It took a moment for my eyes to focus and when I did, I noticed a bunch of baby stronghold swallows.
      I panicked. What are they doing here in these parts of the water?
      “Skipper, look, baby stronghold swallows are swimming around the base of the ship.” I pointed as I wiped my mouth clean of any debris.
      The Skipper leaned over and started laughing and when he saw my flushed faced he dropped to His knees in a roaring belly laugh.
      “Skipper, what’s so funny?” I asked as I leaned back over and saw nothing funny about the ugly baby stronghold swallows.
      He worked awfully hard to control Himself for my sake so He could explain, “I guess now is a good time to tell you. Since you had been sitting at Port Bondage for so long, one ships core becomes full of toxins and eventually when one reaches these parts of the water…well, I guess you’ve experienced what happens. And I am very excited for you, My First Mate, for you are now on your way to being a strong vessel! If I had told you in the beginning of how rough your journey would be, you would have not wanted to come. No one usually wants to go through rough seas to get better! Too many ships want to stay where it’s comfortable and therefore they become complacent and not wanting to move. They completely abandon the work their vessel is capable of doing. I have lots of work that needs to be done and I need all the vessels to accomplish it and you my First Mate have answered the call! I am a very happy Skipper!” He continued to laugh.
      I just stood there thinking, I don’t see the humor in this. “So let me get this straight, my ship was full of baby stronghold swallows?”
      He clapped His hands and loudly said through more laughter, “Isn’t that great!”
      “No!” I laughed sarcastically.
      He said, “I released your ‘bilge pump’ and out went all the baby stronghold swallows! No more. Good bye-bye!” and He waved at the sea like a drunkard sailor. He was obviously so full of joy about the release of the swallows that He couldn’t contain Himself.
      But for me, the thought of having those things in my ship made me want to puke some more or at least crawl out of my skin!
      The Skipper grabbed a hold of both of my shoulders and said, “Don’t you get it?”
      I shook my head no.
      “Your ship is as clean as a whistle now! You are now closer to Port Victory! And for that, I am very excited for you! Great things are coming your way, my First Mate!”
      “But if we’re so close to Port Victory, why did you dump them here and not in the murky waters of Port Bondage?”
      The Skipper pasted on His all knowing smile and winked. “I released them here to protect Port Victory and plus, everything is in my timing. You weren’t ready back there.”
      The Skipper’s joy was intoxicating and before I knew it, laughter bubbled out of me like a pot full of boiling water. We laughed so hard that I felt as though I were drunk. The laughter lasted for a good half hour as we celebrated my freedom from the stronghold swallows. Ahhh…such joy!
      CAPTAIN’S LOG: The loss of more cargo. Six and a half months at sea.
      One thing about traveling by sea, at any given moment, the sun can hang like a gold nugget with windless days and then without warning, the heavenly sky can darken summoning a raging storm.
      And today, was the day a raging storm had been summoned.  A thirty foot swell rose to greet me. I’m talking this beast rose from the very bowels of the sea. It looked angry and hungry! The waves’ fingers reached up and took hold of one of my cargo’s I thought I would never lose. The swell crashed down on the ship like a wrecking ball to a building and when it receded, its greedy paws took the cargo down into its bowels never to be seen again.
      As I watched the beastly swell eat another one of my cargo, I came to the conclusion why testing waters proved to still be the roughest part and why so many ships call it quits. Loosing cargo that has been a part of your life can be very devastating and no wonder many ship travel back to where they came from!
      Later that afternoon, the Skipper informed me of some slightly troubling news, at least it was for me. As far as the Skipper, He didn’t seem worried.
      In order for us to get to Port Victory, we need to head down an old narrow shipping lane that is very hostile and rougher than testing waters. Of course my eye grew large with fear.
      Obviously the Skipper saw the fear in my eyes and said, “Don’t fear, for I am here and I’ll never leave you!”
      I looked to the floor as despair and mourning took over. I thought about my cargo I had just lost. In order to keep myself from going insane from losing to much cargo, I rehearsed the promise the Skipper had made to me in the very beginning of the journey, “For I have come to take you to a better place; a place with all new cargo. I promise I will replace all of the cargo you lose during this journey and then some.”
      With my head still down, the Skipper came over to me and wrapped His arms around me and said, “I promise, you’re going to be okay. Trust me.”
      I pasted on a smile and thought, of course, in order for one to receive all new cargo, one must make room for it. And whatever lays ahead, my Skipper promises to be there.
      But, my melancholy mind chewed on the thought of…why? Why did I have to lose that particular cargo? It wasn’t hurting me or anybody? In fact, it was a wonderful piece, a well-meaning piece that had been safely tucked away on the ship for many years; a cargo that helped me and others by bringing joy, ministering hands, and encouraging words. So why lose this one? Do I dare ask? Absolutely!
      That is one of many reasons I love about the Skipper. At any given time I can come boldly before Him to ask anything, say anything, and basically be myself and He will respond. I may not always like what I hear, but He’s always been truthful, honest and faithful. There has never been a deceitful word or thought that comes from His lips. The truth of it is…He knows me best and what’s good for me.
      So, later that evening when the swells calmed down, I asked, “Skipper, out of all my cargo, why this particular one? I didn’t see any harm in it at all!”
      With eyes intently fixed on the opening of the old, creepy, narrow shipping lane, the Skipper spoke, “Although the cargo wasn’t bad for you, it’s that the cargo was getting to be too much for you to carry. The Butterfly has had a long rough journey and needs rest; needs time to heal and time to be refined. One can’t heal or even be refined when one is busy carrying a cargo that needs to be passed on to someone else or simply it’s the season of letting it go to make room for something better.”
      He took His eyes off the water for a brief moment to give me a wonderful fatherly smile. An all dimple smile that made my heart fill instantly with peace, peace that surpasses all understanding. What dreamy words that comforted my unsettled heart!
      Even though I wasn’t completely understanding the need to be refined, I had a strange feeling I was about to find out. As we were drawing near the old narrow shipping lane, my insides were leaping and not in a good way either. An uncomfortable pit was forming as if something was about to happen and I wasn’t going to like it!
      The old narrow shipping lane looked dark, mysterious and eerie. I looked to the Skipper. His face was set like flint and His eyes did not deviate from our set course. And then I saw something I never expected...
​      TO BE CONTINUED...THE CONCLUSION... 
      THE CONCLUSION OF CAPTAIN'S LOG:
      CAPTAIN'S LOG: The Old narrow shipping lane 7 Months at sea.
      It was as if a blanket had covered the sun. There was just enough glow from the moon to see the Skipper through the old narrow shipping lane. 
​      With great precision the Skipper eased us slowly down the middle to avoid hitting the pictured rocks or graven rocks, as most people called them, that hugged us closely on both sides.
      As we traveled at a snails pace, I could see why the Skipper needed to navigate with great precision. One slip of the throttle and BAM! You could run right into the graven rocks. Let me put it this way...there wasn't any room for error.
      Out of the corner of my eye something sparkly immediately caught my attention. Tucked high in the crevasses of the pictured rocks were shimmering sparkles splattered about in various places. I ran to the other side of the ship and saw the same thing. I felt like we had entered a mining cave with thousands of costly gems just waiting to be harvested.
      I thought to myself, this old shipping lane isn't so bad. we're to closed in for rough seas, swells or choppy water. So why did the Skipper say that the shipping lane is hostile and rougher than testing waters? Of course it didn't take me long to find out.
      "Duck!" the Skipper yelled as a near miss from an icy blue arrow zipped by me head.
      "Whoa! What was that?" I asked breathlessly.
      "You know those shimmering sparkles you've been admiring?"
      "Yeah, aren't those the prettiest gems you ever did see?"
       "Well, my First Mate, those are not gems nor are they costly stones. Those, my dear, are Shadow Warriors shields."
      I froze. To afraid to ask what Shadow Warriors were. If they were anything like the stronghold swallows, the eel like creatures, then I didn't want to know.
      I swallowed hard and bravely asked, "Let me guess, they're some kind of creatures? And thew arrow that just about pierced my head came from them?"
       "You've got it! So watch yourself. Here comes another one!" the Skipper yelled.
      I ran for cover. The Skipper looked down at me as I hid myself behind the dingy. 
      "What are you doing?"
      "Skipper, I'm hiding."
      "I can see that, but why?"
      My eyes widen with disbelief, "What...do you expect me to go out there when creatures are..."
      "You mean Shadow Warriors." he added.
​      For the first time I raised my voice at the Skipper, "Okay, Shadow Warriors, whatever...are shooting at me! I don't want to die ya know!"
      "You don't have to shout, I can hear you just fine from down there." the Skipper said calmly.
       "Who's shouting? I'm not shouting!"
      "Unless it's a shout of joy, which you're not, your shouting," he spoke calmly again.
      I took in a deep breath and calmed down. I peaked around the corner and witness many icy blue arrows and darts flying everywhere.
      "Yes."
      "I'm sorry, yest to what?"
      "To your question."
      I shook my head from a lack of understanding, "My question?"
      "Yes, I expect you to go out there. You need to help protect your ship!"
      Panic rose in my eyes as I was about to protest.
      "First Mate, you are more than a conquer and I know you can do it, because I have equipped you with armor." He too a step back and asked, "Where is your armor by the way? Now would be a good time to put it on."
      Again, I looked around the corner. Who was he trying to kid? I'm not going out there. Those arrows looked mighty painful, armor or not. 
      I gave him a pleading look and was ready to say no way.
      He just smiled and said as he shooed me, "Go, go, go! What are you waiting for?"
      Crouched down, I darted over to my stateroom and put my armor on. It was old, dusty, and slightly dented. I bald up my fist, banged on my chest like King Kong and sang...ahhh...ughahhh! A bunch of dirt and dust flew everywhere including up my nostrils causing me to sneeze. 
        Feeling like King David, I was ready for battle. I stepped out of the stateroom and into the battle zone where I stood immediately into the face of a  four winged Shadow Warrior. It's massive wings created such a wind force that it about blew me off the ship like a tornado. I held onto the side railing and took my stance.
      I was appalled at the sight of the four winged creature. His head was uneven and its eyes burned a fiery red. Just looking at those eyes you knew who he belonged to. His grey leathery skin was scaly and covered with a metallic sliver goo-like substance that put off a foul odor.
      I gulped. I looked at the Skipper, who nodded a go ahead, and clumsily drew my sword.
      Our swords met and we danced around the ship.
      "Just look at you. You're small and pathetic! You're to weak to fight me. You're sick remember? You're not healed. You're body aches and you're to tired to mess with me, Donovan, the great and dark Warrior!" the four winged Shadow Warrior hissed like a serpent.
     Within a matter of seconds his sword switched to a bow and he shot an icy blue arrow right next to my heart. Thankfully I had my armor on, however the armor was weakened from a lack of usage and the arrow penetrated the first few layers of my skin.
      The icy blue arrow must have had some kind of poisoned tip, for I instantly felt my strength leaving me.
      "Awe...what's the matter? Feeling sleepy...head hurting...can't seem to focus? Is the mind feeling a little foggy?" Donovan hissed.
      "Shut up!" I yelled through a haze of fatigue. "I am more than a conquer and the joy of my Skipper is my strength."
      In the effort of fighting Donovan, my head swooned forward knocking the helmet slightly off. The placement of my head made a perfect target for Donovan. He shot another icy blue arrow right into the right side temple.
I could no longer stand. I fell to my hands and knees.
      Zooming by me like swarms of bees were many demonstrative arrows coming from every direction. I looked all around and to my horror I saw hundreds of Shadow Warriors lurking within the graven rocks. Hiding in places I couldn't see if it weren't for there shimmering shields.
      With each icy arrow, I became more confused. It was as if doubt had swept over me like a dense fog. My journey and everything I had been through in the past few months seemed unclear to me and I began to doubt the Skipper as well as the future of the Butterfly. I even began to doubt whether I was strong enough to fight. I even questioned whether I was even healed, for I felt horrible.
      Donovan got down at my eye level and with his toxic breath heaved, "Think for a minute, pretty, pretty butterfly...if you were healed you would have the strength to stand against me. You know, I do have something that just might help give you the strength you need."
      My heart swooned with hope. There before me was an unwrapped gooey chocolate bar resting in the palm of Donovan's mutant hand.
      "Here take it. It will give you the energy you need. I know you want it. You need it. It's the only thing you need and it will heal you...give you comfort." His flaming red eyes turned a soft dreamy blue as he cunningly whispered, "You crave it. Come on. You haven't had it in a long time. Oh that's right, you're not allowed to have sugar, are you?"
      I lightly shook my head no. I could feel a strong tug on my heart. I worked hard to resist, but I was rationalizing with myself that I would just have a little bit to give me the boost I need.
      "Oh come on now, who's ever head of a Skipper telling someone they can't have sugar? Are you sure you heard right? I tell you what, I'll give you this chocolate bar and take you to a place that has more cargo filled with all kinds of goodies, if you tell your Skipper you don't need him anymore."
      My mouth salivated as I pictured myself wrapping my lips around that gooey bar. My hand shook ever so lightly as I slowly reached out for it. I looked up at the Skipper.
      "No, my First Mate." the Skipper whispered as he shook his head of anguish.
      Right then I realized just how quick the enemy can use your weakness against you to try and cause you to turn your back on the very One who can save you. I always thought it would take a bullet for me to say no to the enemy, but never did I thought it would be in the form of a chocolate bar.
      Barely able to fight, I bravely held my shield out in front of me with one hand, raised my sword with the other, and took to my feet.
      With boldness I shouted, "With God I will gain the victory and He will trample down my enemies; for I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!"
      Within the whispering of the wind, I heard the Skipper's voice say to me, "Take courage! I am with you. The battle belongs to me!  Don't be afraid."
      I took my sword and sliced the chocolate bar right out of Donovan's hand. He apparently didn't like my rejection. He drew his icy blue arrow tightly back and aimed straight for my heart. He shot his demonstrative arrow, but instead of it hitting my heart it ricochet off my shield extinguishing it into hundreds of tiny pieces. The hundreds of tiny pieces burned into Donovan's leather skin. And within a fraction of a second, Donovan split into four new winged Shadow Warrior's.
      Heaving breaths took over my entire body as I looked over at the Skipper. By the way the Skipper drew His sword, the battle was no longer mine, but his as He grew large.
      The Skipper's charging steps toward me shook like a big quake. Violently, the ship rocked back and forth causing even the earths foundation to tremble. The night sky opened up and the very heavens shook.
      With a thunderous voice, sword in hand, the Skipper charged toward the four winged creatures and said, "Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of my First Mate!"
      For the first time I saw my Skipper in all His glory. Out of the brightness of His presence, bolts of lightning shot forth extinguishing two of the four beings. Then smoke began to permeate from His nostrils with a consuming fire that blazed from out of his mouth engulfing the third being.
      The fourth being swept around and dove after me. He came from behind unexpectedly and shot an icy blue arrow deep into my neck. The blow to the neck caused me to fall overboard.
      "No!" the Skipper shouted and he sounded the horn, "Man overboard!"
      I kept gulping in to much water as I splashed vigorously about. The arrow in my neck prevented me from crying out, but in my heart I knew my Skipper could hear me and that He would be quick to save.
      With one great blast of breath from His nostrils, He destroyed the last creature. He reached down from on high and took hold of me, drew me out of the deep waters and firmly planted me back on the ship. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, who was too strong for me.
      He handed me my sword and shield back and asked, "Do you believe?"
      "Yes I do."
      "Do you have faith?" he questioned.
​      "Yes, absolutely."
      He smiled and said, "Yes you do. Now hold your sword high in victory."
      I did so and when I did, a powerful blast of light radiated from my sword vaporizing the hundreds of Shadow Warrior's into a fine powdery dust of ashes.
      The Skipper carefully pulled the arrow out of my neck and said, "Well done my good and faithful First Mate! Your faith has healed you." he paused and then added, "I want you to know something, I have great plans for the Butterfly and whatever this ship suffers or goes through, I will always be there to fight along  side of you. Know this...there cannot be a victory unless there first was a battle. Greater the battle, greater the victory!"

      CAPTAIN'S LOG: Port Victory's Harbor. 7 months and a few days at sea.
      There is stood, in all of it's glory, just a few hundred feet away. Port Victory's lighthouse was layered with pure gold and accented with costly gems.Its beam of light lit up the entire harbor. The harbor was rich in beauty with exotic plants and flowers that hugged the boarders of many unique shops and houses. Even the sidewalks were exquisite. They were made out of colorfully stained cut glass. I watched on as I saw the harbor bursting with life and activity.
      As we got closer to the dock, I began to hiccup. Something I tend to do when I get really excited about something. While I ran to the back of the stern for my ropes to throw, I looked across the sandy shores of Port Victory to a small island in the middle of the ocean. A rather unusual ship was stuck on a sand bar.
      "Black Beauty," I read out loud. "Oh my, I must tell the Skipper."
      I started my decent from the Butterfly into the many arms of beautiful strangers who welcomed me to Port Victory.
      Loud celebration music sang through the air as a constant drumbeat caused many foot to stomp. The crowd was going wild as they moved the crew and me closer to a marvelous building where a feast was being held in our honor. I took a glance back at the Butterfly and realized that my journey through better health and healing waters was over. When I had done that, I caught a hold of the eyes of my head chief crew member. The windows of his eyes revealed the journey had become there's just as much as it had become mine.
      It was then that my heart spoke. I wasn't standing at Port Victory because of my faith, but because of the One I had faith in. 
      Suddenly the crowd parted a path as the Skipper drew near to me. 
      "All new cargo is being loaded for you just as I promised. You never know when your next journey will begin. But now, lets celebrate," he said as he held out his hand for me to take. His eyes then soften as he noticed my expression.
       "What's wrong my First Mate?"
      "There's a ship stuck on a sand bar across from Port Victory. Her name is Black Beauty. I want to help, what can I do?"
      He smiled proudly and said, "The island is called confusion and I was hoping you would noticed. Go tell her about Me and I will be her Skipper."
​      It didn't take long for my crew to unload my dingy. I quickly zipped across, anxious to help. Upon arrival, I saw the owner of the ship walking aimlessly about shouting.
      "How could this have happened? I know how to navigate. I had the exact coordinates, so I thought. Where am I?" the owner yelled.
        "Confusion Island," I answered as I pushed my anchor into the sand.
       "What? Where?"
      I repeated myself.
      "Confusion Island isn't even on this map," She said as she through the map over her head out of frustration. She picked it back up and pointed out for me where she was trying to go. "I came from the north wanting to go south and ended up heading west, or am I facing east?" She turned herself around and around. "I'm so confused. Oh my!" She bellowed as she walked along her ship and found much damage. "Where did that gaping hole come from?" 
      "That's it! I'm doomed! Doomed to rot on this small stupid island!" She wailed as she fell to her knees.
       "No you won't. I know of a great Skipper who can fix your ship and help you find you way."
      The owner ran her fingers along side the ship and said, "Yeah well, I knew of a skipper who told me this ship was unsinkable!"
      Out of frustration she slapped hard at the side of the ship and put her whole hand through.
      "That's just great!" She yelled and kicked at it creating another hole.
      "Kicking it isn't going to make your situation better. Why don't you come back with me and I'll take you to my Skipper. He'll know what to do."
      She again fell to her knees as she rested her head on her ship, "You don't understand. I put everything into this ship. I used the best materials from the skipper I had. I gathered the best gems from another skipper and from another, I used the best paint. And now look at her, all the beauty she possessed is ruined and falling apart. That's it, when I get off this stupid island I'm getting a refund!" She whipped her head around and continued, "So what makes this skipper of yours any different from all the other?"
      "Well first, what my Skipper says is true. He doesn't lie and the materials He uses you can't get anywhere else. They're out of this world, top of the notch quality grade A stuff, guarantee to last you a lifetime. Everyone who has this skipper never once asked for a refund. Not to mention, He's a great navigator."
      "Navigator? No thanks. Nobody navigates this ship but me."
      "That's how I got stuck at Port Bondage. I, too, thought that until another ship told me about this awesome Skipper who is a great master of the sea. He knows all about these kinds of places that are not on the map and helps you to avoid them!"
       "Oh really?" She said and walked around to the other side of her ship," Oh come on, seriously! Look at all of the damage on this side."
      "My Skipper can fix that."
      "And what about this crack?"
      "Oh my Skipper can fix that as well."
      "And what about this..."
      "My Skipper can fix all your cracks and holes."
      She gave me a big sigh and said, "Well, I guess I'm willing to give this Skipper of yours a try. What do I have to lose?"
      She climbed into the dingy and held her knees tightly to her chest. She gave her ship one last glance then looked up at me. I saw the attachment she had for her ship and the pain in her eyes. I could only imagine just how painful it was to her soul to have left the only ship she'd ever known. The pain in her eyes was almost to overwhelming for me and yet an excitement rose within; for I knew my Skipper could definitely fix that too!
​THE END!:)

         
      
     
     
     
       

 
 
 
    
    
   
  


      

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