CSE Blogs

From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    September 27, 2007
To:    “All Call”
Subject:    Discouragement – Satan’s Favorite Tool!

GOD:    Good morning, son!

kh:    Good morning, Lord. What time is it?

GOD:    Time means nothing to me, son. I’m eternal (1 Timothy 1:17). To you, it’s 4:00 a.m.

kh:    Lord – why can’t You wait until 6:30 or 7:00 to wake me up?

GOD:    I could, son, but you tend to get busy with other things and don’t really focus on Me. I want your undivided attention.

kh:    Well – you’ve got it, Lord – what there is of it anyway. What would You like me to do?

GOD:    You’ve been through the valley of discouragement for several weeks now, son. I sent you there to teach you some things.

kh:    I’m ready to learn, Lord, especially if it means I can get out of here and go home.

GOD:    Do you think any of the other 530 men in there with you ever get discouraged?

kh:    Oh, yes, Lord! Some are in that valley all the time, some part of the time, and probably everyone goes to that valley once in a while.

GOD:    It is time for you to try the “all-call” feature of knee-mail.

kh:    The what?

GOD:    ALL CALL. Knee-mail reaches everyone, everywhere at any time, does it not?

kh:    Yes, Lord. I have loved using it!

GOD:    Have any people in the Bible ever faced prison or discouragement?

kh:    Oh, yes, Lord, nearly all of them.

GOD:    Did they overcome it?

kh:    Most of them, Lord. I don’t know about Jonah.

GOD:    He was a tough case. Send an “ALL CALL” to find out different ways they overcame discouragement (I Corinthians 10:11). I think you will find the answer right in my Word.

kh:    OK, Lord – ALL CALL – Can anyone give me advice on how to overcome discouragement, especially when being confined against your will?

Noah:    I’ll be glad to help, Kent. I was one of the first. I was confined in a very wicked world. Nobody wanted to serve God in my day! It was very discouraging to try to serve God when I was surrounded every day by cursing, violence, and immorality (Genesis 6:5).

kh:    That sounds just like today (II Peter 3:3)! So what helped you overcome discouragement, Noah?

Noah:    Three things. First – preparation. I knew a flood was coming so I spent a lot of time building the ark. Ever since Adam, work has been great therapy (Genesis 3:17). The work of building the ark with my family was also a wonderful bonding time. I recommend a family project. Even those locked away from family can still do this.

kh:    Yes, that’s true. I send my grandkids stories I write and stamps for their stamp collection.

Noah:    What’s a stamp?

kh:    Uhhh, never mind. Let’s just say that even prisoners can still work on projects with their families. You said there were three things, what else?

Noah:    Yes, second is preaching. Telling others about the Lord, even if they aren’t listening, is good to help overcome discouragement. God is not willing that any perish (II Peter 3:9) and I get real satisfaction knowing that God is pleased with my work even if no one gets saved. I want to hear Him say “Well done” (Matthew 25:21).

The third thing is prayer. I spend time in prayer. When I look at the wicked world around me, I get discouraged (Matthew 14:30); but when I stay focused on God, I get uplifted. It really helps.

kh:    Thanks, Noah. That’s great advice!

Job:    Hey, Kent, I’ll go next. I had a serious case of discouragement. I even wished I would die (Job 3)! Everything went wrong for me. I went totally broke in one day. All ten of my children died and even my wife turned against me – all in just a few days. My friends only made it worse with their false accusations.

kh:    So what helped you?

Job:    Well, three things. I knew I had brought the sacrifice God required for my sin so I consistently maintained my integrity (Job 2:3; 27:5) in spite of the speeches I was hearing. I also trusted God to do right. I knew He was testing me and I would come forth as gold (Job 23:10). So, my advice is the following:
1.    Don’t listen to critics.
2.    Maintain your integrity
3.    Keep trusting God.

kh:    Thanks, Job, that’s very helpful.

Abram:    Hey, Kent, let me pop in here with my two shekels worth. I’ve got some great advice on what NOT to do to overcome discouragement. God promised my wife and me a son (Gen 15:5-6) but I got discouraged with the long wait for God to fulfill the promise so I found another woman. I thought a younger woman would help me overcome my discouragement (Genesis 16:16).

kh:    Did it help?

Abram:    No! It was a big, big, big mistake! Now I have lots of friction in what used to be a happy family (Genesis 17, 21). My wife hates the new woman and her son (Genesis 21:10). I have a feeling this mistake is going to cost me for the rest of my life.

kh:    Cost you? Your mistake is costing me $3.00 a gallon for gas!

Abram:    What’s a dollar, and what is gas?

kh:    That’s a lo-o-o-o-ng story. Let’s just say that your mistake will cost everyone in the world for four thousand years!

Abram:    Wow! I am so sorry! Anyway, my advice on how to overcome discouragement is:
1.    Believe God
2.    Wait on God.
3.    Do not get involved with other women!

kh:    If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, the guy has a huge water bill or it is artificial turf!

Abram:    It’s what?

kh:    Never mind. Thanks for the advice.

Lot:    Hey, Kent, my uncle Abram is right. Let me add my shekel’s worth. I was real disgusted with the wickedness in my city (II Peter 2:7), but I stayed in the city anyway. Big mistake! I was attracted to it because of the green grass (Genesis 13:10), and I didn’t check the morals of the people where I would raise my children. Now I have lost them all. My two oldest daughters laughed at me when I tried to warn them of God’s judgment and were burned up with Sodom (Genesis 19:14). In spite of God’s command not to look back, my wife had to have one last look at Sodom and died (Genesis 19:26). My two youngest daughters got me drunk and are now both pregnant by me, their own father.

I knew the school in Sodom taught sex education starting in K-5 but I never dreamed how their evil influence would destroy my family (Genesis 19:30-38). When I first got discouraged with the sin, I should have left town (Proverbs 19:27).

My advice:
1.    Don’t hang around sinners (Psalm 1:1).
2.    Don’t think the easy way is the best way. I chose the plain. Abram chose the mountains.
3.    Choosing the hard way is sometimes the best way. Life has lots of valleys to go through but the mountaintop experience makes them worthwhile.

kh:    Thanks, that helps a “lot.”

Joseph:    Good advice, Lot. Sometimes you can’t get away from all the sin. Kent is in prison like I was (Genesis 39:20). Here is my advice. I was pretty down when my own brothers sold me into slavery (Genesis 37:27)! Who wouldn’t be? I knew God was with me and He was too good to make a mistake so I decided to work hard wherever I was and to try to do right.

Most slaves do the minimum amount of work for their master. I worked hard as if I was working for God Himself and He blessed me. My master Potiphar made me the overseer of his entire business (Genesis 39:1-6)!

I overcame discouragement with hard work. Noah told you the same thing. Get a project to do and pour yourself into it.

When my master’s wife tried to seduce me and lied about me (Genesis 39:7-20), I was thrown into prison. There, I did the same thing. I worked hard and looked for ways to improve the prison. I gave them many ideas to save money and make prison life better for both prisoners and guards. Before long, I was promoted to prison manager (Genesis 39:21-14) and always maintained my innocence (Genesis 40:15).

God has blessed in ways I never dreamed (Genesis 41:37-45)! My advice: help others, work hard, trust God, and bloom where you are planted. You can’t get out without favor from the king. Getting things done brings real sweetness and peace to the soul (Proverbs 13:19)!

kh:    Thanks, Joseph. That’s great advice!

David:    Hey, Kent, I was very discouraged when the Amalekites burned my entire town, then stole all my stuff and my two wives (I Samuel 30:1-6). To make it worse, my own friends and co-workers were talking of stoning me! My world totally changed in one day!

kh:    Boy do I know that feeling! What did you do?

David:    The only place I found any encouragement was in the Lord (I Samuel 30:6). I had to encourage myself since no one else was doing it for me. I met with a godly brother (I Samuel 30:7) and prayed about what to do.

God told me to go after the ones who did this wrong (I Samuel 30:8). So we planned, prepared and proceeded on the offensive to take back what had been stolen.

My advice: encourage yourself and go on the offense! I did that with a lion, a bear, and Goliath (I Samuel 17). I also sing and play music. Music is a gift from God that soothes the spirit.

kh:    It sure worked great with King Kong in that old movie!

David:    A what?

kh:    Never mind. I’ll explain later. Thanks, David!

Elijah:    Hey, Kent, let me tell you what helped me. I was a real famous prophet of the Lord. I even killed 850 false prophets (I Kings 18:19), called down fire from Heaven (I Kings 18:38), and prayed down rain to break a three-year drought! But, when wicked Queen Jezebel vowed to kill me, there are no words to describe how discouraged and scared I was! I ran for 150 miles (I Kings 19:3), sat under a juniper tree, and asked God to kill me (I Kings 19:4)! God saw my need and sent an angel to minister just what I needed.

kh:    And what was that?

Elijah:    Rest, refreshment, and a reminder. Even though God had used me greatly in the past, I was so discouraged! I was also exhausted after my long trip running away from Jezebel. Somehow being exhausted really enhances discouragement. I slept a long time and then woke up to find food ready to eat! Then I slept even more (I Kings 19:5-7). Sleeping and getting proper nourishment really revives your spirits! The refreshment was critical to my mental well-being as well. Good healthy food is essential.

kh:    That is so true. Some people are out of shape, fill up on junk food like coke, pizza, and twinkies, and then wonder why they are depressed.

Elijah:    They eat what?

kh:    Never mind. Let’s just say that I understand.

Elijah:    Some people do not seem to realize that their spirit has to live in their body! When the body’s needs are met, it revives the spirit. The angel from God knew exactly what to give me.

Did you notice how important resting is to God in the Bible? He ordered his people, the Jews, to take a Sabbath Day of rest every week (Exodus 20:8), a whole year off every seven years (Leviticus 25:4), and another year of rest every fifty years (Leviticus 25:11)! Plus, He ordered plenty of feasts and parties (Leviticus 23)! God wants us to rest and to eat. Noah’s name even means rest.

kh:    Wow! They had lots of time to worship God when they rested!

Elijah:    I almost cry thinking about it. It was a cake on the coals of fire and a cruse of water. It was the perfect reminder of how God provided for me in the past. The cake and cruse reminded me of two great miracles God did for me. He fed me at the brook (I Kings 17:6) and at the widow woman’s house (I Kings 17:12-16).

It was as if God was saying, “Hey there, my exhausted, discouraged prophet, when will you learn to trust Me?” Didn’t I provide for you before? What are you worried about?”

I tell you what, Kent, that cruse by the coals of fire looked exactly like the one that never ran out of oil at the widow woman’s house (1 Kings 17:16). God really worked on my heart!

I did not quite get the message, though. I was still scared, so I ran another 180 miles further south all the way to Mt. Sinai in Arabia (I Kings 19:8). That forty-day long trip made me even more discouraged! I thought I was the only one left serving God (I Kings 19:10). God was so-o-o-o good to me. He came to me again. Twice He asked me what I was doing way down there (I Kings 19:9,13). I can still hear that question from God, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”

I think there are several meanings to the question. He wasn’t just asking about my location. The “here” referred to my state of mind. Why was I scared of one wicked woman? Why was I doubting His protection and provision? Why wasn’t I out preaching?

There in front of that cave God gave me a new job to do for Him (I Kings 19:15). It felt great to be doing God’s business again! Here is my advice to fight discouragement:

1.    Sleep plenty!
2.    Eat healthy.
3.    Remember how God provided in the past. I recommend a diary or journal. It really helps to go back and read it when Satan tries to get you down.
4.    Keep visual reminders like the cruse.
5.    Don’t think you are the only one serving God or suffering persecution.
6.    Always listen to the still, small voice of God.
7.    Get a job to do for God.

kh:    Great advice, Elijah. That will help. It really helps me to know that you are just a regular guy with the same passions and problems that I face (James 5:17-18).

Daniel:    Hey, Kent, I agree with Elijah. The healthy diet is critical! I faced a real opportunity for discouragement. I was taken captive to Babylon, where they changed my name, clothes, and customs (Daniel 1:7) and made me a eunuch. All my plans of marriage, children, and grandchildren were gone. That was discouraging!

The first thing that I did was request a diet of all vegetables and water. After only ten days, everyone could see the difference it made. I felt better and was more alert. I studied hard (Daniel 1:17) and decided the best thing I could do to serve God here, was to work hard at whatever job I was given. Here is my advice:

1.    Eat right.
2.    Work hard.
3.    Forget what’s done and don’t dwell in the past.
4.    Learn a new language and culture.
5.    Serve God.

kh:    Thanks, Daniel, for that great advice!

Paul:    Hey, Kent, I’ve been beaten, imprisoned, threatened, shipwrecked, robbed, weary, in pain, cold, hungry, and naked (II Corinthians 11:23-33). I’ll be glad to tell you how I keep out of the valley of discouragement.

kh:    Oh, please do, Paul!

Paul:    I sing and praise God even if I’m in pain or freezing (Acts 16:25). I witness to everyone I meet and I write lots of letters to teach or encourage others. Writing is great therapy and my own letters even encourage me as I reread them.

kh:    I know just what you mean.

Paul:    While I’m locked up (which is quite often), I try to make a few converts among the prisoners or staff and start discipling them. That causes me to forget my own problems and lifts my spirits.

I also love getting letters from people I’ve helped over the years. I keep the letters and read them again when Satan tries to discourage me. It reminds me that my labor has not been in vain.

kh:    Thank you, Paul, your letters are still helping millions!

Andrew:    Hey Kent, I’d like to add one more thing. While I was with Jesus, my fellow disciple, Thomas, was always a pessimist. He could see the worst in every situation (John 11:16; 14:5; 20:25). I knew he loved Jesus but I couldn’t stand to be around his negative spirit. I found myself getting pulled down as well. I learned to avoid him as much as I could. After the resurrection when he saw the nail prints in Jesus’ hands, he seemed to change (John 20:28). Now we get along fine. My advice – stay away from negative people!

kh:    Thanks, Andrew.

Esther:    Hey, Kent, can a woman give advice too?

kh:    Sure, please do!

Esther:    I was taken away from my homeland as a child. Both my parents died; so my cousin raised me. God made me beautiful so I was forced to enter a “beauty contest” and was selected to be queen. I had to marry a man who already had hundreds of wives. It was discouraging to feel that I was only wanted for my body.

God showed me that I was missing the bigger picture! God used my captivity, tragedy, and then position as queen to save millions of His people from extermination (Esther 3-10). My advice is this. Rather than be discouraged, wait and see if there is a much bigger picture for which God is using you. I stayed faithful to God and did the one thing that I could do – focus on pleasing my husband the king.

kh:    During the early years of your marriage, didn’t your husband lead the navy against Greece and suffer a serious defeat?

Esther:    Yes, he did, but I never said one word to him about it. He got plenty of advice and criticism from others. I lived in a system with hundreds of jealous women and people trying to tell the king what to do or what he should have done. I ignored everything and focused on loving and supporting my husband. God used it for good.

kh:    He always does (Romans 8:28). Thanks.

God:    Well, son, has this helped?

kh:    Yes, Lord. It has. It seems like everyone had good reasons to get discouraged if they wanted to.

God:    Yes, son, bad things happen to good people. I allow it for their good, for My glory, and to see how they will react.

kh:    How am I doing, Lord?

God:    You are all over the charts, son! You have good moments and  bad moments. Overall, you are getting better. I do not think you are ready to handle real persecution, though.

kh:    I know, Lord. I am sorry. I read Fox’s Book of Martyrs and  stories in Voice of the Martyrs, and I feel like such a wimp as a Christian. So many believers today suffer for their faith! I’m thankful for the freedom I have and feel ashamed that I don’t do more for You. I see now that this prison time is precious and should not be wasted.

God:    Son, you will look back on this as one of the best things that ever happened to you. Esther spent a full year soaking in oils to prepare for the king’s presence. You need to soak in My Word and presence, son. I am all you need. David saw the heathen prosper and saw his own problems and couldn’t understand – until he went into My sanctuary (Psalm 73:17).

There are millions of My children in prison or bad situations right now around the world. I hear their cry (Exodus 2:23-24). I’m coming to fix everything (Daniel 2:44). I’m not nervous and I’m never late. Spend time with My children, son. I love it when you tell others about Me and My Word (Malachi 3:16).

kh:    And I love doing it, Lord! I just want my freedom back to finish telling everyone in the world about Your creation and salvation. I didn’t even get to one-fourth of the countries yet.

God:    It will come, son; so relax. Right now we need to patch a few leaks. Do you remember the little Honda three-wheeler you had for your son, Eric?

kh:    Yes, Lord, one of the tires had about a dozen plugs in it, and it still went flat every five days. I couldn’t afford a new one so I kept plugging it. He loved riding it though and still has the scar on his lip to prove it.

God:    You are like that tire, son. You go flat easily. Elijah had the same problem. You both get discouraged in My work.

kh:    I know, Lord. I am sorry. At least I’m still willing and wanting to keep rolling for you, Lord, if You’ll have me. Remember that You choose the weak and foolish things to do Your work so only You get the glory (I Corinthians 1:26-31).

God:    Good answer, son! That is the spirit I want to see. I’ll keep you pumped up and rolling while I work on those leaks – all at the same time.

kh:    Thank you, Lord. You are great!

God:    I am the best, son. Now, quit crying and start using that advice you just got from the “ALL CALL.” Don’t forget that I sent you to prison for more than just you. There are over forty lost men watching you like a hawk. It takes a while for you to prove you are genuine to them. I brought you there for them. They are coming around. George is only one. Thanks for sharing My Word with him yesterday. No one has ever shared the simple plan of salvation with him. He saw your tender heart and tears and is under deep conviction right now. Thanks for letting Me put you in prison to reach him.

kh:    Lord, You know I want to go home but thanks for sending him. I loved witnessing to him. Please send more.

God:    Oh, I will, son. I will. People in and out of the prison are watching. Rest in Me. I’ve got your back.

From:    Kent
Sent:    January 5, 2008
To:    GOD
Subject:    Hope

GOD:    Good morning, Son! I love you!

kh:    Good morning, Lord. I love You, too! I’m sure excited about having even a glimmer of hope that I may get to go home on Monday. They have to rule on my motion for release by then. I know not to get too excited. I’ve seen this evil system dash hopes many times, but it is still fun to keep hope alive in my heart.

GOD:    That’s good, Son. Keep hope alive. Today I want you to look at the men around you and learn something about hope. You are filled with hope and are excited about getting out because you have a lot waiting for you on the outside. Many men in there don’t have much waiting for them, Son. Look at Kenny.

kh:    Wow, Lord! You are right. I see it now. I have hope of walking out the door. Kenny doesn’t have that hope, Lord. He’s been paralyzed for years and has no hope of walking anywhere.

GOD:    That’s right, Son. Now look at Dave.

kh:    Oh, Lord, thank you for my wife! She is waiting for me and loves me. Dave doesn’t have that. When he was locked up, his wife moved a boyfriend into the very house that Dave was paying for! His marriage is ruined, Lord. I’ve prayed and cried with him about it. He has no hope of returning to a happy marriage like I do. My wife loves me. Thanks, Lord!

GOD:    Son, as a teen you asked me thousands of times to provide you with the right wife, didn’t you?

kh:    Yes, Lord, and You really answered those prayers! Thanks, Lord! You are awesome!

GOD:    You are welcome, Son. Now look at Tim.

kh:    Wow, Lord, I never thought about that. I have a house to go to when I get out. His was seized by the government. He doesn’t know where he will sleep his first night out of prison. I bet that weighs heavy on him!

GOD:    It does, Son. You don’t bear that burden do you?

kh:    No, Lord. Thanks and…I’m sorry for complaining.

GOD:    Apology accepted, Son. Now look at Mark.

kh:    Oh, Lord, he gets out in three weeks and doesn’t have a job waiting. He doesn’t have hope of being able to provide for his family. Because of his white-collar crime, he can’t go back to his old line of work in finances. He’s nearly fifty years old, Lord. He has to start all over! I have hope of going back to work in the ministry. I even have hope of preaching…if any churches will have me after all the bad press this case generated.

GOD:    You will be surprised, Son. Having no hope of a job at his age puts a real financial strain on a man who naturally wants to provide for his family. You don’t bear that burden do you, Son?

kh:    No, Lord. The ministry finances are real tight, but You have supplied and I have a job waiting for me the first day I’m out.

GOD:    Not the first day, Son. Your wife has a l-o-o-o-n-g honey-do list that will take a while.

kh:    Sorry, Lord. I forgot.

GOD:    Now look at Pat.

kh:    Yes, Lord, I remember. He won’t have a car when he gets out! His were seized when he was arrested. It’s real hard on a man’s ego to have to walk or ride a bike to work at his age. I have the ministry van and moped waiting for me. The van has over 140,000 miles on it, but it runs great and I really, really love driving that scooter! It’s awesome!

GOD:    Ah…Son, you may have a little problem there. While you have been locked up, your son has been “keeping the dust off the moped” as he says. He has really grown attached to it as well.

kh:    Come on, Lord! That’s my son. I’ll be able to get it away from him. I can handle the boys any day.

GOD:    Son, he’s twenty-nine now and you are almost fifty-five. I hate to be the one to break the news, but…you are not as young as you used to be. You may not be quite fast enough or strong enough this time.

kh:    I see Your point, Lord. Can You just provide another one just like it for me? What about a year newer?

GOD:    I’ll work on that, Son. Now look at Mac.

kh:    Oh, Father! I have a daughter waiting for me when I get out. His daughter was killed in a drive-by shooting a few months ago. She was only fifteen! I prayed and cried with him, Lord, but I never thought about not having my daughter to greet me with hugs and kisses. That would be awful! Thanks, Lord. I’m real spoiled, aren’t I?

GOD:    Yes, Son, real spoiled. Do you see those four men sitting over there?

kh:    Yes, Lord, I know them well.

GOD:    Did you know that Brown has not gotten any mail in seven years and David has had not money for commissary for over a year since his family stopped supporting him and Anthony has not had a visit in three years?

kh:    I think I knew it, but it never registered, Lord. I get visits every week and more mail than any of the other five hundred thirty men here. I get scores of letters that encourage me. Many don’t get that at all; do they, Lord?

GOD:    No, Son, many have been forgotten. Now look at Harold.

kh:    Oh, Lord, he doesn’t have a dream! He’s been locked up for eleven years and has six more to go all because of those ridiculous conspiracy laws and mandatory minimum-sentencing requirements. He will be over seventy when he gets out and can’t even dream about a future. I have more dreams than I can ever accomplish. I want to make lots more videos, books, and tracts on creation, as well as start more Dinosaur-Adventure-Land-type ministries all over the world. Every major city needs a creation ministry. I have dreams and visions (Proverbs 29:18) that will take me five hundred years to finish. I’m pumped about the future! Harold’s future is a burden to him. Thanks, Lord, I never saw how blessed I am to have a dream.

GOD:    Go watch Frank walk around the track, Son.

kh:    Oh, Lord, what a burden! He can’t read, Lord. I have a huge pile of books I  hope to read. You gave me a great mom and teachers that taught me to read and to love learning. Not being able to read would be an awful burden! I don’t know if I could bear that one. I offered to help him learn, Lord, and we had one lesson, but he shows no interest in learning to read. He will have a hard future, won’t he Lord?

GOD:    Yes, Son, real hard. Now look at Glen.

kh:    Oh, Lord, I don’t know if I can handle many more. The burden is too great! I worked with Glen for a month, Lord. He loves You and is saved, but he’s in for ten years with four small children at home. He has no appeal and no hope of getting less time. At least I have the hope of my case being overturned. He won’t get to watch his kids grow, watch their ball games or their graduations. He can’t teach them or protect them. What an awful burden to bear! I don’t know if I could carry that one. Help him, Lord.

GOD:    I will, Son, but You can help bear his burden also (Galatians 6:2). Pray with him and be a friend. Tell others about helping prisoners and their families (Matthew 25:35-45).

kh:    Oh, I will, Lord! I’ve seen this prison thing from a whole new perspective. I was fooled into believing “tough on crime”—meaning long prison terms—was a good thing. I’m sorry I never sought Your face on this issue, Lord (II Chronicles 7:14).

GOD:    Now look at Brad, Son.

kh:    Lord, I don’t think I can stand any more.

GOD:    Just two more, Son. Look at Brad.

kh:    Oh, Lord, what will he do? He spent his life in the woods of Tennessee hunting. Now, as a felon, he can’t have a gun. At least I have hope of getting my charges overturned. He has no hope. He is really hurting, isn’t he?

GOD:    Yes, Son, he is. Now look at Paul.

kh:    Lord…I really can’t carry that burden! He’s going to hell, isn’t he, Lord (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 21:8)?

GOD:    Yes, Son, unless he gets saved soon.

kh:    I’ve witnessed to him six times now, Lord. He had lots of evolutionary teaching on his way to becoming a doctor and it has blinded his mind to the gospel (John 12:40; Romans 1:18-25; II Corinthians 4:4). I’ll try again tomorrow, Lord.

GOD:    Thank you for caring for his soul, Son (Psalm 142:4). I’m not willing that any perish (II Peter 3:9).

kh:    Lord, there are lots of men in here like him. They have no hope (Ephesians 2:12). Thanks for giving me so much. Can I go back out preaching, Lord?

GOD:    You are preaching, Son.

kh:    Well, Lord, since this story is about “hope” I was hoping this could be my last letter from prison and the “E-mail Book” could be finished. I really think some of these letters will help people, give them hope, and draw people into Your kingdom. You really shouldn’t delay this book’s coming out. I think it’s time for me to go home.

GOD:    Good try, Son. You can write the book from there.

kh:    I can’t fool You; can I, Lord?

GOD:    No, Son. Keep trusting Me. I’ve got your back.

January 5, 2008
On January 5, we learned that the Federal Prosecutor for the Appellate Court does want to file a motion against the Stay Request. However, he has asked for more time to file his response, because his parents are ill and he is an only child. Therefore, he has been given an extension.

The Federal Prosecutor has until January 24 to file a response. Then Dr. Hovind’s attorney will have ten days to file a response. Due to all of the these filings, the Appellate Court will have thirty days to rule on the Stay Request. This could all happen sooner; but if it goes like the rest of this case, it will go even slower. That puts us at the end of February before we will have a decision on the Stay Request.

Some more of the transcripts were filed on January 3. These were not forwarded immediately by e-mail to Dr. Hovind’s attorney as they have been in the past; so he does not know exactly what has been docketed, and therefore, doesn’t know if these filings complete the transcripts or not.

Thank you for continuing to pray. We hope that phrase is not getting old. It is a privilege to bring our petitions before the King of Kings. We find this further postponing of a ruling on Dr. Hovind’s Stay Request frustrating; yet we again choose today to trust that God Himself is in complete control of this situation and pray that truly everything in this ministry will bring honor and glory to HIM alone.

With gratitude,
The CSE Team

PS In case you would like to send him a card, January 15 is Dr. Hovind’s birthday.

From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    September 20, 2007
To:    Hur
Subject:    FANAFI! Exodus 17:8-13

KH:    Excuse me, Mr. Hur, what is going on here?

Hur:    I’m holding up Moses’s arm. His brother Aaron is holding the other one.

KH:    So, Mr. Hur, can you explain why you are holding up his arm?

Hur:    Well, God led us out of Egypt about two months ago. It was so incredible! No one would have ever dreamed that the most powerful nation on earth would ever let its captives go, but God did it! We crossed the Gulf of Aqaba and have been following the Lord in this wilderness of Arabia for several weeks (Exodus 16:1; (Galatians 4:25). We came here to Rephidim (Exodus 17:1) but had no water; so the people complained like they always do, and God worked a great miracle to provide it.

KH:    How did God get enough water out here in the desert for all of you? There sure are a lot of people.

Hur:    We haven’t counted, but our guess is that there are about two million people plus lots of animals. It takes a lot of water to satisfy this crowd!

KH:    I’ll say! So how did God do it?

Hur:    I doubt you would believe me if I told you.

KH:    Try me. I might.

Hur:    Well, do you see this rod Moses is holding up?

KH:    Yes, it looks like a regular walking stick.

Hur:    God told Moses to hit that big rock over on that hill to your right. When Moses hit it with this rod, the rock split in two�and water came gushing out in a river (Exodus 17:5-6).

KH:    I see the river now. I see the split in the rock, too. Wow! That rock is huge!

Hur:    That just happened a few days ago. Water in the desert is worth more than gold; so the children of Amalek attacked us yesterday to get the water for themselves (Exodus 17:8).

KH:    That makes sense. When God blesses you, there are always those who want to steal your blessing rather than get their own. Some things never change.

Hur:    Anyway, Moses told Joshua to choose men to go fight with Amalek (Exodus 17:9) while the three of us came up here on the hill to watch and direct the battle. As long as Moses holds up this rod, the children of Israel win (Exodus 17:11). He did really well holding it up by himself for quite a while, but he’s only human, you know. Eventually, anyone’s arms would get tired (Exodus 17:12).

KH:    That’s for sure. The anaerobic respiration of glycogen and blood glucose produces a lactic acid buildup in the deltoid, triceps, and flexors that eventually crosses the lactate threshold causing muscle fatigue and inevitable failure at some point. It happens to everyone.

Hur:    What???

KH:    Ah…his arms got tired.

Hur:    Right…I think! Anyway, Aaron and I could see right away that he needed help; so we moved this big rock over here for him to sit on and each of us started holding up an arm. We’ve been doing this nearly all day (Exodus 17:12).

KH:    Did God tell you to help him?

Hur:    God doesn’t need to tell us every little detail in life. Some things are just obvious. If a man of God is tired, discouraged, or needs help, you just do it, that’s all.

KH:    Boy! I wish everyone felt that way. How’s the battle going?

Hur:    You can see for yourself. We are beating them really badly! It looks like it’s almost over now. I came up here with Moses just to be near him and help him any way that I could. I didn’t do much and I sure don’t understand it all, but holding up his arms seems to have been important to God.

KH:    It is, Hur. It is. Just the sight of Moses holding up that rod inspires the people down there. The rod must remind them of God providing a way across the sea (Exodus 14:16) and providing water from the rock (Exodus 17:5).

Hur:    That’s the same rod that turned to a snake (Exodus 4:2-4) and the one that did other signs and wonders of God (Exodus 4:17; 7:9, 20; 8:5,16; 9:22; 10:13).

KH:    It’s amazing that God can use a simple stick to deliver His people and provide water from a rock in a desert!

Hur:    All He needs is a servant willing to use whatever they have in their hand already. Lots of people think they can’t serve God until they get something other than what they already have.

KH:    That stick doesn’t look heavy enough to require three men to hold it up.

Hur:    Oh, it’s not heavy, but even little things will wear you out after a while.

KH:    That’s so true! Most people don’t understand that simple truth.

Hur:    I knew months ago that God had called Moses to deliver us out of Egypt. I told God right then that I’d be willing to help His leader any way that I could. God impressed on me to just stay near Moses and be alert for any little thing I could do to help.

“Here Moses, take a drink of water.”

Moses:    Thanks, Hur. How did you know I was thirsty before I even asked?

Hur:    I try to watch your face and focus on your needs. I know you are not perfect, Moses, but you are God’s man called for this job; and I’m here to help.

Moses:    Thanks, Hur. God will bless you.

KH:    God needs more people with your servant’s heart, Hur. Most people want the glamorous jobs, not the “little” jobs that bring no glory to themselves personally.

Hur:    FANAFI! That’s my motto.

KH:    What’s FANAFI?

Hur:    Find A Need And Fill It.

KH:    You will always have a job with that motto!

Hur:    I know. The world is full of needs for God’s kingdom. I don’t understand how anyone can be bored in this life.

KH:    Me either! Are you passing this motto on to your children?

Hur:    I’m trying. My grandson, Bezaleel, seems not only to want to help the Lord’s cause, but he is also very talented. I hope God will use him someday.

KH:    Oh, He will, Hur. He will (Exodus 31:2-5; 35:30-36:7)! Everyone should learn all they can in a variety of subjects so they can be used of God anywhere He may send them.

Hur:    Hey, Kent, would you mind holding this arm while I get supper ready.

KH:    I’d be honored, Hur, more than you can imagine.

From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    September 13, 2007
To:    The Apostle Paul
Subject:    Prison Encouragement and Discouragement
Acts 28:30

KH:    Hey, Paul! How are you doing?

Apostle Paul:    Very well, except I’m in prison – sort of. I have lots of freedoms here in Rome. This beats all the other jails and prisons I’ve been in. I’m allowed to have lots of visitors (Acts 28:30) and I get to preach the kingdom of God with no restrictions (Acts 28:31). I even have my own house.

KH:    What do you do in your free time?

Paul:    I have lots of good books to read as well as searching the law, the prophets, and the Psalms. I write letters to churches that I helped to start. I also write to young preachers to encourage them and instruct them in the faith. I keep really busy! I’ve been waiting for months now to have Caesar hear my appeal. The legal system is so slow!

KH:    I know exactly what you mean. Some things never change! How does your case look?

Paul:    This shouldn’t even be a case! I broke no laws (Acts 23:9, 29; 25:8, 10, 25; 26:31; 28:18) but there is a lot of politics involved in my case. Being innocent doesn’t always mean a lot when Caesar gets you.

KH:    I understand that one as well. How did you end up in prison?

Paul:    It’s a long story. I’ve been traveling and preaching in different cities for years about Jesus Christ. When I went to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews, the religious leaders didn’t like what I was preaching, so they filed a lot of false charges against me (Acts 22:22; 23:6-10, 29; 24:5-9; 25:7).

The governor knew I was innocent but wanted to show favor to the Jews (Acts 24:22-27) so he left me in prison for two years (v. 27)! Do you realize how long two years is?

KH:    Ah….yes, I do.

Paul:    Jesus said the lawyers were under a curse because they bring heavy burdens on men, but won’t touch them themselves (Luke 11:46). Prison is a heavy burden for everyone. After two years, I went back to court (Acts 25).

I could see I was getting nowhere in this court, so I appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11). After a real wild boat ride in a storm all over the Mediterranean Sea, we wrecked on the island of Melita where we spent the winter (Acts 28:1-11). I then came to Rome a few months ago, and here I sit.

KH:    Do you ever get discouraged?

Paul:    Oh, yes. Being locked up away from your family would discourage anyone, but God has been good to me. I’ve seen souls saved everywhere that I’ve been, but I really miss the freedom to travel and preach. Plus, I miss my family.

KH:    I know just what you mean. Say, why did God allow this to happen to you?

Paul:    I really wrestle with that question a lot! God hasn’t told me directly, but there are several possible reasons I’ve thought of. It may be that I brought this on myself by not listening to the warning of the Holy Spirit. Many people who love me told me not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:16, 22; 21:4, 11). My heart was right. I wanted to win my fellow Jews to Christ (Romans 10:1), but God had called me to win the Gentiles (Acts 13:46; 15:7; 18:6; 22:21). Some have argued that it was a mistake for me to go to Jerusalem.

Either way, it was the Jews that sinned – not me. The question is not whether I sinned and deserve prison – but was I wise? Plus, it’s too late. I’m here. Even if I was wrong, God can use it and fix it.

KH:    I understand. What other reasons have you thought of?

Paul:    Well, this may all be part of God’s perfect plan for my life. He may want to use this to spread the Gospel even faster.

KH:    How is that possible?

Paul:    I was traveling and preaching a lot, but I could only be in one place at a time. Because of my being in prison, many of the brethren are now more bold and motivated to preach the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14).

Now instead of one Paul, there are hundreds of mini-Pauls out preaching. The result is more souls for the kingdom. Also, I will get to witness to Caesar and others that I probably would never have met otherwise. This all may be God’s perfect will.

Another good thing that has happened is that I now have time to write letters to encourage and instruct the believers in churches all over. My letters can be copied and sent everywhere. I really think and hope and pray that they will be a blessing.

KH:    So do I, Paul. So do I. What helps you most when you get discouraged?

Paul:    Discouragement comes quickly and easily to anyone locked up. One day you feel up and the next, you feel down.

KH:    I know. It’s like a roller coaster.

Paul:    A what??

KH:    Never mind. I know what you mean.

Paul:    Someone who has never been locked up away from their family could not possibly understand how important letters, visits, and prayers are. I see now why Jesus said to visit those in prison (Matthew 25:36) and why God’s perfect law (Psalm 19:7) never called for prison as a form of punishment.

I read the Scriptures a lot. The Psalms especially bless me now. The letters I get from those who have been converted or blessed by my ministry over the years is also a great help (Proverbs 25:25). They remind me that my life was not spent on vain things and that my work is still going on for the Lord in many people’s lives. I get great joy knowing that my children walk in the truth (II Corinthians 2:3; 7:13; Philippians 2:2, 17; 4:1; I Thessalonians 2:19-20).

KH:    Can you imagine being locked up for a life of crime and having no memories of serving God to fall back on?

Paul:    That would make it so much harder! I’m in prisons often with men like that. They are so excited to know God loves them anyway, and that it is never too late to start serving God. I guess the letters from those I’ve helped are one of the best sources of encouragement.

KH:    I agree. Many have written to me and God uses it to really bless me and encourage me to keep going. I also read and pray a lot.

Paul:    Now please don’t laugh at me, Kent, but another source of help for me is reading my own letters that I have written to churches. It is almost as if God was speaking through me as I write (II Peter 1:21). I often go back and read my own letters and wonder, “Where did that come from?”  My travel schedule was pretty hectic and having time to write blesses me, even if it blesses no one else.

KH:    I think more people will be blessed than you can ever imagine, Paul!

Paul:    Do you really think so?

KH:    I know God will use your letters to reach more people than you could ever dream about reaching while you were out preaching.

Paul:    Good! That’s all I want to do with my life – win souls, teach the truths of God’s Word, and encourage others to do the same.

KH:    Me, too, Paul. Me, too.

Paul:    I often get letters from people saying they or their church are praying for me. These letters bless me beyond words. I’ve seen what prayer can do! The praying church got Peter out of prison  (Acts 5:18-20; 12:5)!

KH:    I know. It’s “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord…” (Zechariah 4:6). God will grant the prayer of a righteous man (James 5:16). I just got a letter tonight from a woman in prison who is praying for me. She said she loved watching my videos that she saw in her prison. She said, “if I had to do ninety months in prison just to be exposed to those wonderful videos…well, it’s all been worth it.”  Thanks be to God!

Paul:    I’m glad she’s excited, Kent, but what’s a video??

KH:    Ah…never mind. I’ll explain that when we get to Heaven. What other good has come from this?

Paul:    Well, Timothy, my son in the faith, has had to grow up quickly. He has always loved and served God, but now he carries the entire load of my ministry. It has been hard, but he has done a great job of rising to the challenge. I’m real proud of him!

KH:    I understand perfectly. The same is happening to me. God always thinks ahead and provides. Say, does it bother you that the war for souls is going on out there and you can’t be out preaching like you were?

Paul:    Yes and no. I’m a soldier in God’s army. Winning the world for Christ is God’s problem. I’m willing to go or to stay. If He needs me, He knows where I am. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world…”  I don’t have to love the whole world. I love God, so I deliver the message for Him. Jonah hated the people God sent him to witness to.

Apparently, God wants me to wait (Psalm 27:14; 37:7). Waiting is a very high form of worship. It shows our respect for His will and timing. He is a great King.

KH:    Wow! Waiting is worship! That’s a comforting thought! Thanks, I needed that.

Paul:    You are welcome, Kent. For years, as I traveled, it was give, give, give of myself. Now, God is recharging me while I wait on Him.

KH:    What causes you the most grief in prison, Paul?

Paul:    Several things cause grief. I miss my family. It also hurts that some speak of me as an evildoer (I Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:15). Most people, though, know how evil the Roman government is and don’t believe all that is said about me. It also hurts when some believers forsake me or harm me (II Timothy 4:10, 14-16). The biggest burden is the Bildad reaction that I still get from many.

KH:    What do you mean?

Paul:    Remember when Jesus was asked who sinned to cause the man to be born blind (John 9:1-5)?

Well, Bildad was one of those who could not understand that the evil Job endured was not caused by Job’s sin (Job 8, 18, 25). God had said three times that Job was perfect and upright (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3), but Bildad couldn’t or wouldn’t understand that. I guess Bildad has lots of followers alive today because they write all sorts of evil reports about me either strongly hinting or stating outright that my being in prison is proof of sin on my part. They say things like, “If you would only admit your guilt and repent, God would release you from prison.”

I’ve examined my heart a thousand times, Kent. I may not have been wise in going to Jerusalem, but I didn’t sin against God, the Jews, or Rome. I wish people would drop their little comments about it. That grieves me the most (I Peter 3:13-17). Does that make sense?

KH:    Oh, Yes! I completely understand. Have any churches stopped supporting you?

Paul:    Yes, some have (Philippians 4:15). That hurts too, but that is God’s problem. If the case against me gets dropped or reversed and the churches won’t have me back to preach, I’ll just go start new ones or go where they will listen. I serve God – not men.

KH:    If you win your case, are you going to sue the Jews for false arrest and the Romans for false imprisonment? They stole years of your life.

Paul:    Did Job sue the Sabeans for stealing his stuff (Job 1:14-15)?

KH:    Not that is recorded in Scripture.

Paul:    God supplied twice as much as they stole. God can supply lots better than an earthly court (Job 42:12). No, suing would be  even more waste of time. Maybe God sent me here to witness to someone. Maybe He sent me here to prepare the way for future persecution of His church. Jesus said we would have tribulation (John 16:33). We need to prepare for it.

KH:    What should I do now while I’m in prison?

Paul:    Same as I’m doing. Read, pray, witness to any who will listen and write letters.

KH:    That sounds like a great plan. Thanks, Paul.

Paul:    You’re welcome, Kent. I’ll see you in Heaven.

KH:    I’ll be there.

From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    August 27, 2007
To:    God, Widow Woman
Subject:    God’s Provision

GOD:    Hey son, you still seem to be struggling with trusting me to supply.

kh:    I’m sorry, Lord, you are right. I do still struggle. Between the legal costs and the bad publicity, our ministry finances are pretty bad. I told you I would preach as long as you supplied.

GOD:    Have I supplied so far?

kh:    Yes, Lord, You have been faithful for eighteen years now supplying for the ministry.

GOD:    I’d like you to knee-mail someone for me. It will help you.

kh:    Sure, Lord. Where do I send it?

GOD:    There is a widow woman who has your same doubts right between II Kings 4:5 and 6. Talk to her.

kh:    OK, Lord.

KH:    Excuse me Ma’am. Can I ask what on earth you are doing?

Widow Woman: Yes. My sons and I have borrowed lots of pots, pans, bowls, and pitchers from our neighbors.

KH:    I see that! The house is pretty full of containers. What for?

WW:    I don’t know for sure. My preacher Elisha told me to do it so I did. He loves God and always has good advise.

KH:    How long have you known Elisha?

WW:    Several years now. My husband and I came down here for my husband to go to Bible college (II Kings 4:1; II Kings 2:3;6:1; I Samuel 10:10;19:20). Elisha is the teacher. He is a real good one, too. He studied under the great Elijah himself (I Kings 19:19 – II Kings 2:15).

KH:    How does your husband like the school?

WW:    Well….he loved it, but he died last year. Now my two sons and I are way behind on rent and the camel payment, too. The current laws allow the creditors to sell my sons into slavery to pay the bills. We have been praying a lot! We’re desperate!

KH:    I’m so sorry to hear about your husband and the great financial stress you have. How do the pots and pans fit in?

WW:    I went to Elisha with my prayer request (II Kings 4:1), and he said, “Go borrow vessels, not a few” (II Kings 4:3). So I did. I agree that it seems a little crazy, but God works in unusual ways sometimes.

KH:    What is Elisha going to do?

WW:    I don’t know, but I trust God to provide. If He doesn’t come through by noon tomorrow, my boys get sold. Why does God always wait until the last minute?

KH:    I don’t know. Maybe He wants to get all the glory. He sure deserves it!

WW:    That must be it. I struggle with doubts and depression since my husband died. I know I should be a stronger believer. It’s just hard.

KH:    I know, I struggle as well. I read your story, though. Everything will be fine.

WW:    Where did you read my story?

KH:    Ah….it’s pretty famous, but I can’t tell you right now. Just do what Elisha says. He has a direct link to God.

WW:    OK. He’s calling me now. We’ll talk later.

KH:    I look forward to it!

kh:    God, You are right, as usual. I know you supplied for her because I have hindsight. You will take care of me, too, won’t You?

GOD:    Of course, son. Haven’t I aways?

kh:    Yes, Lord.

GOD:    Go take a shower, son, you stink. Then, a twenty-minute nap. I’ve got your back.