CSE Blogs

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: May 15, 2008
To: The Rich Man
Subject: They Still Wouldn’t Listen
First Read: Luke 16:27-31

KH: Excuse me, sir (to rich man in hell at Luke 16:31), Abraham is right. Your brothers wouldn’t listen if someone rose from the dead.

Rich Man: But this place is awful! I just know they would listen if someone went to warn them.

KH: I’m sorry, sir, but that doesn’t happen very often. Most people believe what they want to believe and reasoning with them rarely helps. Didn’t you see Lazarus at your gate every day (Luke 16:20)?

RM: Yes, I did.

KH: And didn’t your conscience bother you about not helping him in his suffering?

RM: At first it did, yes, but after a while I could walk right past him without feeling a thing.

KH: Do you think a cute or compassionate argument about helping less fortunate people would have persuaded you?

RM: No, I figured that I worked for mine and he could work for his. No argument would have helped.

KH: Did your five brothers know about Lazarus?

RM: Oh, yes, they had seen him many times and learned to ignore him just as I did.

KH: Actually, there is a man named Lazarus who did rise from the dead (John 11 and 12), and his testimony only made people who hated God want to kill him again (John 12:10). You see, no amount of evidence will convince those who love their sin (Hosea 4:17) and don’t want God to control their lives. Weren’t you and your brothers raised hearing Moses and the prophets?

RM: Oh, yes. We went to the synagogue every week and even memorized many Scriptures.

KH: Didn’t those same Scriptures emphasize the importance of confessing your sin and bringing a sacrifice for your sin?

RM: Yes, but I never did it. It seemed like a waste of money to burn up a lamb like that.

KH: Do you think Lazarus could convince them to live godly when Moses and all the great prophets warned over and over of God’s judgement on sin?

RM: I see what you mean. They wouldn’t listen, would they?

KH: No, Abraham was right. No amount of logic would help. I had a debate against three evolutionists at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University several years ago. They were committed to the evolution theory and no amount of logic helped or would have helped them see what they did not want to see.

RM: What is “evolution,” and what is “Aeronautical University”?

KH: Oh, that would take a while to explain. Watch the video.

RM: What’s a video?

KH: Oh…we have lots of books and videos.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: May 9, 2008
To: The Forgiven Woman
Subject: Forgiveness              
First Read: John 8:1-11

kh: Good morning, Lord.

GOD: Good morning, Son.

kh: Lord, I have a problem.

GOD: More than one, Son! Which one would you like to deal with today?

kh: It’s with Your Word, Lord. I’ve read it for over thirty-nine years and can’t seem to get to the bottom of it. It’s an amazing book!

GOD: I know, Son. It’s the world’s best-seller four hundred years in a row.

kh: Most of my Christian life I’ve read it cover to cover and really learned a lot; but this time, with knee-mail, it’s going a lot slower. I want to stop and talk with everyone I read about. There are some really great lessons to learn from these people (I Cor. 10:11).

GOD: You are slow, Son, but there is hope. I know you are wanting to talk to the woman in John 8. Go ahead, Son. Her story is not in the new corrupt Bibles for good reason. They don’t like My free forgiveness and grace. Cain had the same problem.

kh: OK, Lord. Thanks…Excuse me, ma’am. You look shocked. Are you all right?

FS (Forgiven Sinner/Woman Taken in Adultery): I am shocked! I can’t believe what just happened!

KH: What happened?

FS: Do you see that man over there talking with that group of Pharisees (John 8:12-59)?

KH: Yes, they look pretty angry at him, like they might stone him (John 8:59).
  
FS: I’ve been a pretty wicked woman. I’m well known around town as an adulteress. About thirty minutes ago, some of those Pharisees burst into my house and caught me committing adultery, so they dragged me out here to be stoned to death (Leviticus 20:10).

KH: Did they drag the man out too?

FS: No. It’s kind of crazy, but those men only seem to see the sins of the woman. It’s not real fair, is it?

KH: It doesn’t seem fair to me. Anyway, what happened?

FS: Well, I think the whole thing was a setup to trap Jesus. They were all gathered around me to stone me and they asked Jesus if he agreed with Moses’ law. They really thought they had him. I could see it in their eyes. I can almost read men’s minds.

KH: What did he say?

FS: It was so cool! He just stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger like he was ignoring them.

KH: What was he writing?

FS: I couldn’t tell for sure. I was so scared I was going to die. It looked like he was writing dates or addresses or something. They kept asking him if he agreed that I should be stoned so he stood up and said that whoever was there without sin should throw the first rock. Then he stooped down and wrote again.

KH: What happened?

FS: It was real quiet for a moment. The men were obviously thinking real hard about what he had said. I was watching their faces. I can read men like a book. I think the stuff he wrote on the ground was reminding them of their own past. I think I saw Jesus write my address in the dirt but I can’t be sure. Anyway, it was real awesome to see them slowly lower their rocks and drop them. Then, almost in slow motion, the oldest ones left. They knew they couldn’t throw a rock. The younger ones seemed a little frustrated, but I could tell their mind was remembering things too. They dropped their rocks and left and…here I stood. Just Jesus and I. He wasn’t even looking at the men as they left.

KH: Did he talk to you?

FS: Oh, yes! He asked me where my accusers had gone. I told him no one was left to accuse me. The fact that he was there was eerie. I knew that he could throw a rock at me…but he didn’t. It was like he saw all my sins…and loved me anyway, not for my body like so many others. He really loved me. I can’t explain it but it was the greatest feeling I’ve ever had in my life. He looked right at me and said, “Neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more.” Wow!

KH: So what are you going to do now?

FS: Well…first I’m going to just look at him for a while. I’m forgiven! I’m alive! I mean really alive for the first time in my life. It’s awesome! Then I think I’d better go home and clean some things out of my house, cancel some appointments, and go find a quiet place to read my Bible and pray. I think I’ll do whatever God tells me to for the rest of my life. I’m also going to tell everyone I meet how Jesus forgave me. I bet he could do it for them too.

KH: I believe He can. Hey, can I take one of these rocks to keep on my desk as a reminder?

FS: Oh, please do! I’m going to take one to put where I can see it every day! I’m forgiven! Wow!

GOD: Son?

kh: Yes, Lord?

GOD: Put your rock where you can see it every day, too.

kh: Good idea, Lord. I will. Thanks.   

From:     Kent Hovind
Sent:        June 5, 2008

To:        God
Subject:    Nepotism

GOD:    Good morning, Son!

kh:        Lord! It’s 2:30 a.m.! GOD:    I know, Son. I’ve got something to show you before it gets thrown away. Go in the bathroom, Son. There is an old newspaper by the sink. I saved an article to help you see something. kh:        The Charlotte Observer of North Carolina, May 8, Lord? It’s about a month old.

GOD:    Check 4A, Son, and read the story about Ron Paul.

kh:        Wow! That was great, Lord! His children and grandchildren work with him just like mine. The reporter calls it “nepotism,” but I call it wonderful.

GOD:    So do I, Son. That’s the way I designed it to work. Philip worked with his four daughters (Acts 21:9). Many of the disciples were brothers (Matthew 4:18, 21; Luke 6:16). Noah built the ark with his family. Moses worked with his brother Aaron. I love working with My children, including you.

kh:        Lord, you have been so good to me! I have all three of my children working with me in the ministry and living next door. Today is my son’s birthday. I can’t wait to call him. All five of my grandchildren love helping in the ministry as well. Stephanie, Kailey, and Angie are all excited about being secretaries at CSE one day, and Matthew loves to help fix things. He will do great in maintenance. Jordan just wants to play in the sandbox though. I’m not sure what he will do yet.

GOD:    He’s only one year old, Son. You won’t get much work out of him this year. Just let him play.

kh:        I know, Lord, but it thrills my heart beyond words to see them all want to serve You with their lives and to want to work with me. So many kids these days avoid their parents and even hate them!

GOD:    I have some children that avoid Me too, Son, but I do love it when they want to work for Me.

kh:        Lord, I don’t know much about Ron Paul; but what I do know, I like. I know he has no chance of becoming president, but I’m glad we have a few like him in leadership. The election this fall has me concerned for the future of America. What should I do?

GOD:    America is in serious trouble, Son. More than you can imagine. There is more wickedness at all levels than you could ever dream. “For transgression of the land, many are the princes thereof” (Proverbs 28:2). I have given America lots of bureaucrats because of sin. “When the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). I hear the people moaning, groaning, and complaining, but I don’t see much mourning, Son. You should keep preaching and teaching the truth. Keep trying to turn people to righteousness (Daniel 12:3). Tell them to follow the instructions given in II Chronicles 7:14 very carefully, Son. I can still heal the land, but time is running out (Psalm 9:17).

kh:        I’ll try, Lord. What else can I do?

GOD:    Your children and grandchildren love you, Son. Many men in there don’t have that joy. Help them learn to be good dads (Malachi 4:6; Colossians 3:21). I know this is hard for you, Son. It is hard for them, too. I never authorized prison as a form of punishment. Your country is violating My law (Psalm 19:7). But while you are there, teach those men how to write their children like you write to your grandchildren every few days.

kh:        OK, Lord, I’ll try. And Lord?

GOD:    Yes, Son?

kh:        Thanks for making nepotism such a joy! I really enjoyed the article. Please bless my family and especially my son on his birthday today.

GOD:    I will, Son. I will. Go back to sleep, I’ve got your back.     

               
From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    May 8, 2008
To:    Joses, Half Brother of Jesus
Subject:     Ignoring the Critics
First read:    Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

Matt. 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?”

John 7:1-9

GOD:    Hey, Son, that hurts, doesn’t it?

kh:    Yes, Lord, real bad. Why do people who claim to be my brother in the Lord say things like that? They don’t know my heart.

GOD:    Come with Me, Son. I’ll let Joses explain it…See those four men over there, Son? kh:    Yes, Lord.

GOD:    Go talk to the tall one, that’s Joses.

kh:    OK, Lord…Excuse me, Joses, you guys look upset. What’s wrong?

Joses:    Oh, it’s that crazy half brother of ours. We just talked with him. He’s walking down the hill over there toward the lake. He always wanders off by himself.

James:    He claims he is going to talk to “his father.”

Simon:    Ha! We’d all love to know who that really is.

Judas:    Yeah, we sure would. Mom claims he’s the Messiah and his father was God. We don’t say anything to her about it; we don’t want to show any disrespect to our mother, but we all have our doubts.

Joses:    Yeah, he’s been hanging around Galilee for a while even though the big feast of tabernacles is starting in Jerusalem pretty soon. We were just asking if he was going to go “show off his mighty powers” in Jerusalem.

KH:    What do you mean “show off”? Don’t you think he is sincere?

Joses:    No, we don’t. We’ve known him and lived with him for nearly thirty years. He was just a quiet ordinary brother until recently. He did a few tricks somehow and now thousands follow him around everywhere he goes.

KH:    What kind of tricks?

James:    Oh, we haven’t seen them ourselves, but his disciples, as he calls them, claim he fed nearly 20,000 people on that big hill over there with just five loaves and two fishes (John 6:1-13). I don’t believe it myself. It had to be a trick.

Joses:    Yeah, they also claim he walked on the water out there in the Sea of Galilee (John 6:18-21).

Simon:    During a storm, no less!

Joses:    Yeah, he really has those guys fooled into thinking he’s the Messiah.

James:    Oh, they aren’t too bright to begin with. Most are just fishermen with no education.

Simon:    Mom also claims he turned water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-10). We just smile and let her think what she wants.

KH:    Why do you think he does those “tricks”?

Joses:    To be famous (John 7:4). He has been a recluse all his life till this all started when he turned thirty. He now loves the crowds and publicity. It’s all gone to his head. He thinks he’s famous and he loves it.

KH:    Could he be genuine?

Joses:    Oh, people get fooled by charlatans all the time. Just wait and see. He will mess up soon and people will see the real Jesus. He’s just a man who also happens to be our half brother.

Simon:    Unfortunately!

Judas:    Yeah, unfortunately! How would you like to grow up in a small town with lots of rumors going around about your mother and how she really got her first son? It’s been hard on all of us for years, and now all these tricks and huge crowds…I just can’t stand it. I avoid him as much as I can.

James:    Me too. It’s embarrassing to be seen with him when people know we are related.

Joses:    He told us he wasn’t going to the feast yet (John 7:8). We are going. There will be a huge crowd there from all over Israel. I can’t believe he won’t take advantage of the crowd and show up to do some tricks. I’m telling you, he loves to be the center of attention. All he really wants is fame. He’s a phony. He will show up. Let’s get going, brothers.

GOD:    Well, Son?

kh:    Wow, Lord, your own brothers totally misunderstood you and misconstrued your motives, didn’t they?

GOD:    Yes, Son, until I rose from the dead (Matt. 28:10, John 20:17, Acts 1:13-14).

kh:    I don’t understand how they could live with you all those years and still not see the truth.

GOD:    People tend to see others as they themselves are. Thieves think everyone is a thief like them. My brothers were just assuming that I was like them. They would do miracles to get fame and attention for themselves if they could. The brothers and sisters that are critical of you and your motives are just showing their own heart.

kh:    What should I do, Lord?

GOD:    About them—nothing. Walk away and talk with Me. About yourself—examine your heart often, it is deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:9), keep your sins confessed (I John 1:9), and serve Me.

kh:    But their words hurt, Lord (Eph. 4:9; James 3; I Pet. 3:15-16)!

GOD:    I know, Son. I know. You will be fine, Son. How many people criticized Noah as he built the ark, Son?

kh:    I would guess lots did, Lord.

GOD:    Millions did, Son. Can you name any of them, Son?

kh:    No, Lord, not one.

GOD:    See, Son. Go work on that book you are writing. I’ve got your back.