CSE Blogs

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 6, 2008
To: Sword Smith
Subject: Annealing

kh: Lord, I don’t understand what You are doing in my life and ministry. These last two years have wrought thousands of changes in me. I’ve been through the whole range of emotions as scores of new things have come into my life.

In addition, the two hundred books I’ve read since I’ve been in prison and the many people I’ve met have added various elements to the mix. I cried most of the way through Uncle Tom’s Cabin these last three days. I could feel myself being changed internally. I see why that book helped start the Civil War and freed the slaves.

All this prison time to “be still and know” (Psalm 46:10) has produced a hundred changes in me that I can’t explain. I feel a new “inner strength.” What is happening, Lord?

GOD: Oh, it’s all good for you, Son. You are being annealed (Ephesians 3:16).

kh: What?

GOD: Before I explain it to you, I need to remind you of the bigger picture, Son. You see, you are my child and I love you very much (John 3:16; I John 4:7-9). I want the very best for you (James 1:17). I will never give you more than you can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). I have great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). I search the hearts (Psalm 139:23). I have been and will continue monitoring every step of every process needed to make you into what I want you to be (Job 23:10; Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6). You are in My hands and no one can get you out (John 10:28-29). I’ve put a lot into you over the years, Son (Luke 12:48).

kh: I believe all of those things, Lord.

GOD: Good. Let’s go for a walk and I’ll show you what that “inner stirring” you feel is all about…

kh: Wow! It’s warm in here. Where are we, Lord?

GOD: The sword smith’s shop. Go talk to the smith, Son.

KH: Excuse me, sir. That fire looks awfully hot in there. What are you making?

Sword Smith: A special sword for the king. I’ve been working on it for days now. Right now it’s being annealed.

KH: What does annealed mean?

SS: Well, that short question has a long answer.

KH: I’d love to hear it if you have time.

SS: I’ve got time all right. This annealing will take quite a while to do it right. I can’t rush this job.

KH: Not if it’s for the king!

SS: I mixed quite a few different metals and elements together and melted them down to get a special steel I use for my swords. The king always orders from me because he knows mine are the best in the land.

KH: What qualities do you look for in a good sword?

SS: A top quality sword has many special attributes. It must be strong yet flexible. That requires it to have a hard skin, but a softer heart. We look for a special quality called toughness. If it is too hard, it can become brittle and chip or snap easily. It needs to be resilient and able to beat against hardheaded enemies and not be dulled or dented. It must stay sharp at all times and resist corrosion or corruption, both on the surface and internally. It must stay unspotted (James 1:27) for the king.

After the iron, carbon, nickle, magnesium, and a few other special secret trace ingredients are all melted together and allowed to cool down into the secret alloy that I use, I have to beat it into the shape I want. That takes quite a while. Really good metal can be hard to work with sometimes. It seems to resist being changed. I just keep patiently working on it until I get it where I want it.

It’s a real work of art. Can you see the one I’m working on now lying in the furnace?

KH: Wow! That’s beautiful! And it’s huge! The king must be strong to handle a sword that big.

SS: Oh, he’s strong all right! He won’t have any problem using it. It’s never a question of whether the king can handle the sword. The question is, can the sword hold up for the king? The king’s life may depend on his sword’s not failing him in the battle.

KH: I see.

SS: That’s why the annealing time is so crucial and takes so long. You see, when the various elements are melted together and cooled into the alloy, it looks really good on the outside, but inside, on the microscopic level, there are thousands of places where things are not lined up properly. I guess you would say it was all mixed up on the inside. It lacks inner strength and unity (Ephesians 3:16). Good metal has to have what we call internal equilibrium.

KH: For people, it’s called inner peace, joy, and harmony.

SS: In metallurgy the nonaligned areas are called dislocations. They cause internal strain that creates weak places where the metal can crack or break completely when it is put under stress.

KH: Some metals just won’t alloy together very well.

SS: Boy, that explains why some marriages fail. I see why God said not to be unequally yoked (II Corinthians 6:14-17). Those internal differences create ready-made breaking points.

KH: Can annealing fix the cracks or stress points?

SS: Absolutely! If it’s done properly and in time.

KH: How many different alloys are there?

SS: Oh, my! Millions, billions! I’ve studied metals all my life and I know only a tiny fraction of what can be known about them. I just focus on making good swords. Others specialize in bells, musical instrument alloys, structural steel, and a million other uses of metals. God is certainly smart. He made it, so that just a few dozen metals can be combined in an almost infinite number of ways. They produce both strength and beauty, as we find in the character of God Himself (Psalm 96:9).

KH: I don’t see anything happening to the sword. Are you remelting it?

SS: Oh, no. It’s hot, but I never let it get to the melting point (1 Corinthians 10:13). If you could see the inside right now, you would see a gradual change happening. The various crystals are re-aligning themselves with each other. Once they get lined up for maximum strength, I will pull it out and quench it in water or oil to lock in the qualities I want.

If it is properly annealed, it will be fit for the master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21) and serve the king faithfully for many years or even for generations.

KH: How will you tell when it’s been in the furnace long enough?

SS: I’ve done this type of work for years, as did my father and grandfather. I can just look at the sword and see the metal sort of relax in the fire. Then I know it’s perfect.

KH: Hey, thanks for your time sword smith. I sure learned a lot! I hope the king likes his new sword.

SS: You are welcome, and I’m sure he will.

kh: Lord, I have a lot of things in me that need the stress taken off, don’t I?

GOD: Not as many as before, Son. I’m watching every molecule closely.

kh: Am I almost done, Lord? I sure want to go home.

GOD: Almost, Son. I know when it’s time. I promise you that I’ll have you out the instant annealing’s over. I got Joseph out at the right time, didn’t I?

kh: Yes, Lord. You sure did. He was out the door, promoted to vice-pharoah, rich, powerful, and married to a beautiful princess all in one day (Genesis 41).

GOD: I got Peter out (Acts 5:19; 12:5-10). I got Paul out (Acts 16). When I’m done annealing you, I’ll have you out and “quenched” so fast your head will spin. It will all seem like a dream (Psalm 126:1).

kh: What should I be doing, Lord?

GOD: Right now, it’s being, not doing that I’m looking for. Keep reading, praying, writing, and witnessing, but mostly just lie still (Psalm 46:10). Take the heat and let me anneal you. I’m watching every detail. Go call your grandkids, and then commune with your thoughts (Psalm 77:6) upon the bed (Psalm 4:4) as you go to sleep. That’s all part of annealing. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 11, 2008
To: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Subject: Following God even when it doesn’t make sense

KH: Hey there, Philip! Who’s your friend?

Philip: This is my new friend, “Double E.” He’s a eunuch from Ethiopia, so that’s what I call him.

KH: Hi, Double E.

EE: Hi, Kent. Pleased to meet you.

KH: What are you guys doing out here in the desert standing in that watering hole?

Philip: I’m about to baptize my brother.

KH: Your brother? He is as black as coal and you are white. How can you two be brothers?

Philip: Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ is a child of God (John 1:12; 3:3-7; 1 John 3:2). Double E did that a few minutes ago and I trusted Christ many years ago. Since we are both children of God, that makes us brothers—in the Lord’s family.

EE: I have been in Jerusalem all week to worship God (Acts 8:27). I saw people there getting baptized and asked what it was all about. They told me that anyone who accepts Jesus as the Messiah and believes that He rose from the dead would be saved (Romans 10:9-13).

Of course, I want to go to Heaven and be saved, but I wasn’t sure about this Jesus. I knew Messiah was coming, but I didn’t realize He would have to die. I expected Him to be a king and rule the world (Acts 1:6).

I was headed home in my chariot over there and was reading the prophet Isaiah. I wanted to know if Jesus could be the Messiah. I prayed and asked God to help me understand the truth and give me wisdom (James 1:5). I came over that hill back there and saw Philip standing by the side of the road. I wondered why anyone would be way out here in the middle of the desert by himself. When he called to me, I felt in my heart that God was about to answer my prayer.

Philip: My story starts a few days back. I was holding a great revival in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8). Many souls were being saved and many lives were being changed. God was blessing in a mighty way. I was so happy being able to minister with my family (Acts 21:9). We are very close. Then, out of nowhere, the Lord told me to come down here to this desert. I had no idea why, but I obeyed.

KH: I know about that feeling!

Philip: I hadn’t been here long when I saw my new friend Double E here riding, reading, and looking really puzzled, so I shared Jesus with him, and he got saved! When I first got here and saw no one, I thought maybe God had taken me away from my ministry because He was angry at me, or was punishing me for some sin in my life.

KH: I know those thoughts as well!

Philip: Well, don’t believe those thoughts. God brought me here in answer to Double E’s prayers. God puts His children where they are needed—not always where they want to be. Sometimes, you are an answer to someone else’s prayer. Be patient!

EE: I’m so excited that God answered my prayer by sending you Philip! There are thousands of people in my country who are searching the Scriptures like me. They want to know the truth. I can’t wait to get back home and tell them.

KH: That’s great! If God brought you to the desert to win one man, I’d better get going and find my Double E so I can win him to Jesus! I’m ready to get out of my desert and go home. I’ll see you guys in Heaven.

Philip: Sounds great!

EE: We’ll wait for you there, Kent.

GOD: Hey, Kent.

kh: Yes, Lord?

GOD: Relax, I’ve got everything under control. You don’t need to understand it all. Go sing. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: June 27, 2008
To: God
Subject: Dads, the PCV

GOD: Good morning, Son.

kh: Good morning, Lord.

GOD: Are you ready to learn something, Son?

kh: I think so, Lord. I hope so. You have taught me so much through this prison experience. I don’t know if I can hold much more, but I’ll try.

GOD: Come with me. This lesson is really simple but really important. You can handle it and you need it. Do you see that old Ford with the hood up?

kh: Yes, Lord. I remember that one. It leaked oil like a sieve. I couldn’t park it on the concrete without making a mess. It was embarrassing.

GOD: Do you remember what the problem was, Son?

kh: Yes, I do, Lord. The valve cover gaskets kept blowing out. I replaced them three times.

GOD: The problem wasn’t actually the gaskets though; was it, Son?

kh: No, Lord. That was only the symptom. The real problem was the PCV valve. It cost about $3 to replace it and the problem was fixed.

GOD: Even the $3 was not needed. You could have cleaned it with a little gas or WD-40 and it would have worked fine.

kh: So, what’s the lesson for me, Lord?

GOD: That tiny part is called the positive crankcase ventilation valve because it lets pressure out of the inside of the engine and won’t let it back in the engine. It’s just a little ball that plugs the hole if the pressure tries to go the wrong way.

Did you hear John yelling at his wife on the phone yesterday as you walked by?

kh: Yes, I did, Lord. It was awful. I doubt his marriage will survive this prison experience if he keeps that attitude.

GOD: His marriage won’t survive, Son. It’s already falling apart. He needs to learn the lesson of the PCV valve. As this old Ford taught you, a plugged PCV valve causes pressure to build up inside the engine until finally a gasket blows somewhere. The PCV valve has a few simple jobs to do.

1) It lets all the pressure inside the engine get out. It often has to put up with pretty bad fumes, crud, and oil and dirt coming out.
2) It must protect the engine by not letting pressure back in the crankcase.
3) It must stay clean.
4) It must vent to the atmosphere, not to the crankcase.

The dad is the PCV valve for the wife and children. He should be letting the family fume and relieve the pressure, but not return it. You need to vent to me, Son, not to them.

Help those men with you to learn the simple lesson of the PCV valve.

kh: OK, Lord. I’ll try to learn it myself, too.

GOD: Go walk the track, Son. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: June 13, 2008
To: God
Subject: I Need…
First read: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

GOD: Hey, Son, I heard your prayer for wisdom and to go home (James 1:5). Let’s go for a walk.

kh: Sure, Father! Where to this time?

GOD: Oh, you’ll recognize this place, Son…

kh: I remember this spot really well! It’s my bedroom where I grew up, 216 Willow Court, East Peoria, Illinois.

GOD: Go on in, Son. I want you to see something that will remind you of something you forget so easily.

KH: Hey, Dad, what are you doing with the ladder?

Robert Hovind: Well, Son, I’m drilling a hole in the ceiling over your bed to put in this eye-lag. The doctor said your broken arm will throb for a few days and needs to be held up above your heart. I’ll tie a rope on here; and when your arm hurts, you can tie it up to make yourself more comfortable. That cast is heavy, so this will help.

KH: You think of everything, Dad. Thanks! I think I’ll take a few aspirin and lie down now.

RH: I’ll have this hooked up in a jiffy, Son. Relax.

GOD: Let’s go, Son…

kh: Lord, my dad sure did try to meet my needs before I ever asked. You do, too, don’t you, Lord (Matthew 6:8)?

GOD: Son, I supply all your need according to My riches. It doesn’t cost Me at all. Ask anything, Son. If it’s best for you and for My glory, I’ll take care of it.

kh: How can it cost you nothing, Lord?

GOD: Read Philippians 4:19, Son.

kh: I love that verse, Lord. I memorized it years ago. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

GOD: Now read it in the Good News.

kh: It says, “And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus; my God will supply all your needs.”

GOD: Boy! They messed up that one, Son! I preserved My Word like I promised (Psalm 12:6-7) and some people can’t stop wanting to corrupt it (2 Corinthians 2:17). Look at those verses carefully, Son. I don’t supply your needs with all my riches. I supply according to My riches.

kh: What’s the difference, Lord?

GOD: If I supplied your need out of My riches or with My wealth, I would lose riches and wealth. When I supply according to My riches, it costs Me nothing. I’ll show you. How many letters are there in your English alphabet, Son?

kh: Twenty-six, Lord.

GOD: OK, write the letter “a.”

kh: OK, Lord.

GOD: Now how many letters are there in the alphabet?

kh: Still twenty-six, Lord.

GOD: But didn’t you just use one of them?

kh: Yes.

GOD: Did it diminish the alphabet, Son?

kh: No, Lord. It didn’t phase it.

GOD: How many times can you write the letter “a” before it starts to use it up?

kh: The letter “a” has been used for centuries probably billions of times and it hasn’t phased the alphabet at all. It’s no weaker now than when it was first created.

GOD: That’s right, Son. Do you remember the sentence that uses all the letters?

kh: Yes, Lord. “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” That uses all twenty-six letters.

GOD: Now how many letters are there in the alphabet, Son?

kh: Still twenty-six, Lord. My use of them had no affect at all.

GOD: You don’t use letters out of the alphabet. You use letters according to the alphabet. It is inexhaustible. I am the Alpha and the Omega, Son (Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13). I’m the A to Z. I’m like the alphabet. I can’t be used up. Go ahead and try it. Answering your prayers and supplying your need doesn’t phase Me. I’m not one bit weaker, poorer, or diminished in any way.

kh: Wow! That’s quite a thought, Lord! All right…I need to go home, Lord. I belong to You and I want You to use me in Your kingdom.

GOD: I am using you, Son, and I will send you home soon. I’m using all this for a much bigger picture than your little brain will hold right now. Do you trust Me?

kh: I trust You, Lord. You have supplied all my need for nearly forty years. I miss my family and freedom badly, but if You are working on a bigger picture…well, do what’s best, Lord.

GOD: I will, Son. I see your needs before you ask. I’ve got your back.