Dear Jacob,

You were unwittingly an answer to prayer last night. It’s a crazy story of God’s providence and sense of humor. Let me explain.

Yesterday, July 20, at 8:00 a.m. my name was called on the prison loud speaker to come to the office—seldom a good thing! I have three pro se motions into the court, any of which could set me free, and so I hoped it was the call to go home. It wasn’t.

They said, “Pack your stuff. You are going next door to “the hole.” When I asked why, they said (in typical BOP Bureau of Prison fashion) “We can’t tell you.”

S-o-o-o-o-o I packed all my books, files and manuscripts and personal belongings into 2 duffel bags and was taken next door to the medium security prison to go to the SHU—Special Housing Unit—a.k.a.—the hole. After spending nine hours in a holding cell with no bathroom, I was put in room 119 in the hole.

Knowing it could be weeks before I saw my property again, I asked seven guards for a Bible. None of them had one or would get me one. Throughout the long day in the holding cell I prayed several times for God to supply me a Bible to read while they s-l-o-o-o-o-w-l-y figure out what to do with me. Apparently, I’m not in trouble, but am probably being moved. You never know for sure when you are in prison.

Knowing that I would not get my Bible for weeks, and that the BOP book cart would probably only have NIV’s or other modern translations which have thousands of problems (See Seminar 7), I prayed for God to specifically provide a King James Bible for me.

I had only been in the room about thirty minutes when they brought mail. That is another miracle in itself, that mail came to the hole the first day! In the mail for me were three books from you, Jacob. A Cruden’s Concordance (for which I was also praying, because I had loaned mine out at the prison camp and forgot to get it back in my haste to pack), a book about Free Masonry, and a 1611 Edition King James Bible! I was s-o-o-o-o-o happy God answered my prayer s-o-o-o-o-o fast! I opened it to read a passage I’d been thinking about all day, and quickly realized that this was really a 1611 KJV before English spelling was standardized in later editions. For example, the word “he” is spelled “hee” and “hie” in other various places, as well as lots of other ancient spellings.

I have always wanted to own and read the 1611 version, but it struck me as funny that God answered my prayer e-x-a-a-a-c-t-l-y as I had prayed! I said, “Real funny, God! You gave me what I prayed for alright. I guess I should be more specific next time and ask for the standardized spelling too!” God and I had a good laugh. Then I realized that God had to have spoken to your heart weeks ago in order for those specific books to arrive right on time!

Thanks for the books and thanks for being sensitive to God’s voice. The whole incident reminded me that He is working on a much bigger picture. I can sit back and relax and read the book I’ve wanted to read for years while I “wait on the Lord.”
The passage that had been on my heart all day reads like this in the Bible you sent. Pfalmes XLV 1:10 “Be stil, and know that I am God: I will bee exalted among the heathen. I will bee exalted in the earth.”

I don’t know how long I’ll be here (the man across the hall has been in the hole for over a year!) but as I stay in this cell twenty-three hours a day; comb my hair with a plastic “spork”; write with a 4″ rubber pen; and eat some cold french fries for supper; I’ll be continually reminded of God’s wisdom and providence as I read the books you sent.

Thank you, Jacob!

In Christ,
Kent Hovind

P.S. The Web Site http://www.bop.gov/inmate_locator/index.jsp will list my location and address for those who wish to write. Mail really helps when you are in prison, but I may be slow to respond for now as there is very limited paper, envelopes, and stamps when you are in the hole. And no, those cannot be sent to me. I must buy them through the prison system. I’ll answer mail when I can.

GOD: Good morning, Son!

kh: Lord! It’s 2:30 am!

GOD: Not where we are going Son. It’s supper time. You’ve been wondering why I’ve kept you there for so long haven’t you?

kh: Yes, Lord! Every day! Do I finally get an answer?

GOD: That depends on how well you listen, Son. Let’s go . . .

kh: Wow! It’s chilly here. Where are we Lord?

GOD: In the hills of Afghanistan, Son. Do you see those four US soldiers behind the rocks on that hill?

kh: Yes, Lord.

GOD: Go listen to them, Son. They won’t be able to see you.

kh: OK, Lord . . .

Private First Class: Hey, Sarge. We’ve been here for five days and nights now and haven’t seen a single person. There is nobody out here. There is a whole war going on just forty miles away and we are missing it. Why does the General keep us here? I’m trained to fight. This sitting is wearing on my nerves. What good are we doing here?

Sargent: I don’t understand it either, Private, but I’ve been a soldier a long time. I’ve learned to just obey orders. Especially from General Jacobson. He has never been wrong since I’ve known him. I know we’ve been up here a long time and we are all tired, lonely, itching for a fight and bored half out of our minds. I know it seems like we have been forgotten, but we haven’t been. Just hold this position as ordered.

Corporal: Hey, Sarge. It’s 1800 hours. Time to check in with HQ. Should I send the signal?

Sarge: Yes, Corporal, one flash only. You know we can’t use the radio so you will have one try to hit that mountain with the laser. It’s 20K away. Take you time and aim carefully!

Corp: Yes, Sir! I can hit it first try.

Headquarters Colonel: General Jacobson, we just got the single flash from hill 1403. Those men have got to be tired, bored and wondering why you left them way out there alone. Can we give them any message?

Gen: Colonel, the Taliban cave is ten meters right under their feet and our men don’t even know it. That whole hill is full of caves. Our intel says there are at least forty Taliban fighters in there with enough explosives to take out half a city. If we move our men out, the next night those Taliban will come out like a swarm of angry bees and kill hundreds of people. Our men can’t move and we can’t tell them why. The Taliban has got to be running low on food, water, supplies, and patience too.
As long as our men stay put, it foils the plans. You know I’d love to tell our men how important that position is but I can’t right now. We will call them home soon and explain the whole thing. Until then, they have to just wait (Psalm 27:14; Psalm 46:10). I chose that squad because Sarge has been with me for years. He’s a good soldier and he trusts me. He will follow orders. Send two flashes only . . .

Corporal: Sarge. I got the message back. Two flashes only.

Sarge: OK, men. You know what that means. Hold this position. Keep an eye out.

PFC: For what, Sarge? There aren’t any enemy fighters within forty miles of here! I really want to do something for the war effort. Sitting out here on this little hill makes no sense.

Sarge: It doesn’t make sense to me either, Soldier. It doesn’t have to. Hold your position.

GOD: Let’s go home, Son. . . . Did you get your answer?

kh: I think so, Lord. I don’t need to understand. I just need to trust You to see a bigger picture and keep me where You need me (Romans 8:28).

GOD: Very good, Son! You are slow but there is hope. If those four lonely soldiers left their post, evil would burst out of the hill like fizz out of a warm, well-shaken can of coke. Just a few well-placed men stopped it. I have My children scattered in various spots all over the planet, Son. I’m keeping evil in check. Once I remove My children (I Thessalonians 4:17), evil will explode all over the world (II Timothy 3:13).

kh: I see, Lord.

GOD: Two more stops, Son, before you go back to bed. . . . This is Pastor Jones’ office. He’s been pastor of this little church for thirty-five years. He’s praying the same prayer he has prayed several times a day for thirty-five years, but you need to hear it . . .

Pastor Jones: Dear Lord, why do You keep me here? I’ve been faithful for thirty-five years to preach Your Word, yet only twenty-seven people come to church. This tiny town has another church. I know the pastor is a liberal, but, Lord, I’ve knocked on every door in these hills and witnessed to everyone who will listen. My brother and I were both called to preach on the same day and went to the same school to train. Now his church has 2,000 every week and his TV ministry reaches thousands more. There is nothing here for me to do, Lord. Would You please let me move? I don’t understand it, Lord, but I trust You.
Please give me grace to endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GOD: I send him two flashes each time, Son. Hold still. Come with me and I’ll show you why . . . Do you see those three men in the woods by the campfire?

kh: Yes, Lord.

GOD: Go listen, Son (Ezekiel 8:5-18).

Mayor: Good evening, Friends. Thanks for meeting me out here. I won’t be long. Is everything set?

Sheriff: It’s all set on my end, Mayor. I’ve got the right people in place at our little airport and the contacts in Columbia are ready to do business. Once the final obstacles are cleared, we will have the biggest drug and sex-slave route in the country. Nobody would ever suspect our sleepy little town of any wrong. Everyone looks at us as fine upstanding pillars of the community. Ha! We will be rich!

Pastor: Well, I know it all rests on me. I’ve been doing all I can do to discredit and discourage that crazy old fundamentalist preacher. I take jabs at him nearly every sermon to keep people from listening to him. He has less than thirty people going to his church now. He will get discouraged and quit soon, I’m sure.

Mayor: It’s a shame his church and parsonage are so close to our only airport. If we started getting lots of late night flights he would get suspicious and alert the authorities. We can’t have that. He has to go. That’s all there is to it. Let’s keep working on that.

Sheriff: I can’t find any dirt on him. He’s as clean as a hound’s tooth. If I hassle him or arrest him without good cause, it will just tip him off to a problem. I’ll watch him though.

Mayor: OK, Gentlemen, keep a low key and keep working to get rid of him. Until then, we must just bide our time. We need to hurry though. We are losing a fortune every week (I Timothy 6:10). Let’s cross hands, recite the oath and get home before our wives get suspicious.

kh: Wow, Lord! That discouraged preacher is keeping a lid on evil and doesn’t even know it, does he?

GOD: He knows there is a spiritual battle, all right, but he has no clue how deep it goes in his own little area. Sometimes I call on My children to serve in hard or lonely spots like your prison, pastoring in a small town or mission field or even staying faithful in a bad marriage to keep the children or spouse from going wild (I Peter 3:1). Esther had a pretty bad marriage. She had to share her husband with scores of other women, but she stayed faithful to Me and saved her entire nation (Esther 4-9). John served Me for many lonely years on the Isle of Patmos, but while he was there, I showed him the future and had him write The Revelation. Now millions have been saved and encouraged by knowing what’s coming. Joni Ericson Tada has spent many lonely years in a wheelchair, but her faith has inspired millions.

kh: Including me!

GOD: Including you.

kh: Is my presence here needed to keep a lid on something, Lord?

GOD: Not just there, Son. Study the history of Edgefield. There is more evil hidden in the hearts and minds of people involved in and watching your case than you would believe. When My people are removed, the evil will explode all over the planet. Evil is getting worse, son (II Timothy 3:13). All My children need to keep the whole armor of God on (Ephesians 6:10-17) and be ready to stand fast (Galatians 5:1). I know this is hard for you, son, and that you want to go home. There are men in the dorm and people on the outside that are watching you even if you don’t see them. I’ll reward those who are faithful to Me, beyond their wildest dream! Especially those who are called on to suffer for My name (II Timothy 2:2-12; Revelation 2:10). Hold your position! I’ve got your back.

37 Things I love about Jo Hovind (in no particular order- the way my eclectic mind works).

1. I love the way we met. I was sharing my testimony and singing (yes, I know it is hard to believe!) with a friend at her church youth group October 4, 1970. She came up after-wards crying for joy that there were other teens who loved Jesus and weren’t ashamed to share Him! Meeting at church is a great way to start a relationship! The next night was our first date.

2. On our first date my old 1962 VW blew the motor on the way back from a youth activity. {“First Date”} She never complained that I had a “clunker.” I love the fact that she has been content even though we have never had a new car. She’s content with her 15 year old Mercury with 150,000+ miles. Just so it starts and is clean. Thanks Jo for being so easy to please about cars! It makes me love you and want to get you a better one someday. (I know, just so it’s another Grand Marquis! Yes Dear!)

3. I loved the way she never complained as we conserved money during our dating life by double dating a lot with her parents or mine. She was always so content to just be with me and help my parents build their house. She was never demanding (and still is not) about going out to spend lots of money. Hot dogs over an open fire at the construction site were fine with her. I love her I Timothy 6:8 attitude toward money. She truly is content with what God provides for us in every area.

4. I loved it as we dated that she memorized Proverbs 31 and sought all her life to be the “virtuous woman” described in there. She has come the closest of any woman I’ve ever met or heard about!

5. I love the way she reminds me of Rebekah in Genesis 24. Both Rebekah and Jo were answers to prayer (v. 12-14) {“Dear Rebekah”}. My mom told me that when I was born she put my little hands in hers and prayed, “Dear Lord, Please find a godly wife for my boy some day.” Boy did God answer that prayer!

6. J She was very fair to look upon, a virgin” (v. 16). For nearly 40 years now I have loved looking at her. She keeps herself beautiful for me. Rebekah must have done the same – (Gen. 26:7) Thank you Jo!

7. Just as Rebekah was busy working for her father (v. 16), Jo was always the ideal daughter to her parents. I loved seeing her interact with her parents. I wanted a daughter like that! (And I got one!)

8. Just as Rebekah saw a need without being asked or told and offered the man a drink (Gen. 24:18), Jo can always see when people have needs or are hurting and quickly volunteers to try to meet the need (I’m considerably more oblivious in this area!). Jo is always quick to help others without question and without complaint. I love her giving heart!

9. Just as Rebekah not only saw the thirsty man’s need and filled it, she also volunteered to water his 10 thirsty camels! With a bucket from a well! Did you know one camel can drink 10 gallons of water?! VERY few women will ever volunteer for really hard jobs! But all our married life, Jo has done that over and over. She is the hardest working woman I have ever met! She is self-sacrificing with everyone. I love your spirit Jo!

10. Verse 20 says that Rebekah “hasted” and “ran” to do this huge job of watering the camels! Jo works hard, fast, efficiently and without complaining! What a rare trait in girls and women these days! I love you for being that way Jo!

11. Even after all that hard work, Rebekah was still sweet and hospitable to this stranger at the well. Even after working hard, Jo is still sweet and hospitable. When our kids were little we had fun family devotions that LOTS of people heard about and wanted to see. We had families over after just about every church service (and many other evenings) for snacks and devotions for years. We think we had between 4,000 and 5,000 people come join us. She’s the most gracious host and giving (even though we were SO-O-O-O-O broke in those days!) woman I have ever met. I love watching her be hostess and share her house with many thousands over these 37 years of marriage. You are truly amazing Jo! I am blessed to be your husband!

12. When Rebekah was asked if she would move 500 miles away (v. 58), she never complained. She just said, “I will go.” God has led us to move many times – Illinois, Texas, California and Florida. She just packs up and goes with me wherever God leads. I love her attitude about serving God any place He calls, even far from home.

13. When Rebekah saw Isaac for the first time “she took a veil and covered herself.” (v. 65). In the 2 ½ years we dated, she never tried to attract me (or any other boys) by being immodest. She was and is always modest and keeps herself only for me. I love her attitude towards dress! My daddy said, “If you’re not in business, don’t advertise!” Even though she is incredibly beautiful, she is modest and doesn’t flaunt it like so many women do today. She is a great role model for girls to follow (I Tim. 2:9; Matt. 5:28)!

14. As we dated and helped my parents build a house she always jumped in to clean up our messes! She was not very good (actually pretty bad) at pounding nails, and at only 5 feet ½ inch tall, not much help lifting walls or carrying plywood. But she worked as hard as us men in doing what she could. All God ever expects from us is that we do what we can (Mk. 14:8). She has always jumped in and done what she could. I love her work ethic!

15. I love the fact that when she cleans, She CLEANS! She has never been content with doing a job 1/2 way. The kids bought her a used refrigerator last month and she spent 4 hours cleaning it! She will scrub every nook and cranny till it gleams. She is almost a fanatic about cleanliness in everything, house, clothes, dishes, grand-kids, yard…She does a very thorough job at whatever she cleans. While I am definitely NOT as fastidious (I’d have spent 30 minutes on the fridge…OK, maybe 20!). I love the fact that she is such a great worker in cleaning whatever she puts her hands to. I’m honored to be her husband!

16. I love her tender heart and purse for the things of God. When she hears of missionaries in need she opens her heart and purse to give what she can. She is the most unselfish woman I have ever met! I love her giving spirit.

17. As our ministry grew and we had to have help, she gladly let us put offices in the house. It grew to where there were 10 ministry offices, 7 phone lines and 180+ VCR’s in her house! (Not to mention a very busy Dinosaur Adventure Land theme park and science center in her back yard!) How many women are so dedicated to getting the gospel out they would even give up their house!? I love her 100% commitment to God’s work!

18. As I began to travel more and more she readily let me do the work God had called me to. She traveled with me when she could, but stayed home and was mom and dad to the kids while I was gone 2-4 days each week.

19. I loved watching her as a mother! She was totally dedicated to seeing to it that our children worked hard in school and were involved in lots of wholesome activities at church and school. She was very focused on being a good mom and, as our kids will all testify, she was great! I couldn’t have chosen a better mom for my children (or better looking)!!!

20. I love the way she patiently teaches her piano students! Since shortly after we were married she took in students to help pay the bills. She is not only a fabulous pianist, but a great teacher! Her students all love her and work hard to please her. She makes learning fun while pushing to get the most out of them.

21. I love the way she seeks to use music for God’s glory! She has no taste for the heathen, worldly music that promotes sin and wickedness (Col. 3:16). She has always used her incredible music skills to further the cause of Christ. I love listening to her play and sing. She and my daughter are a fabulous duet! I get a LOT of requests, but sometimes I sing anyway! She is a godly example for all to follow in the field of music.

22. I love her organizational skills! She has all 28 file drawers of her music organized beyond belief! Her filing system is light years ahead of my piling system! When she was put in charge of the Pensacola Music Teacher’s Association Sonata Contest, she took it from an average of 200 participants to set a new United States record with 650 students participating in one music competition! She had judges, rooms, times, and everything including parking and awards ceremony well organized! She is awesome!

23. I love her attitude toward fame. She shuns the spotlight. She really does what she does so God alone gets the glory! If she does a project it will be done right and few will know she was involved! She really has a servant’s heart. I love that!

24. Proverbs 31:11 says, “the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” I love the fact that I can trust her completely in every area even though this silly court case and cruel prison system has made it to where I’ve not been allowed to see her for over 2 ½ years now! What joy to have a wife I can trust! MANY men in here don’t have that!

25. Verse 12 says, “she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” She has never done one evil thing to me since we met almost 40 years ago. She has been a model Proverbs 31 wife in so-o-o-o-o many ways! I love her for her efforts to follow God’s word. All girls should do this! What a world that would be! (Titus 2:4)

26. Just as the Proverbs 31 woman is careful to provide proper food for her household (vs. 15). Jo has always been a great cook and provider of nutritious meals for our family. I lo-o-o-o-o-ve her cooking! Can’t wait to get some again! (Soon if this motion gets granted!) I especially love her bacon! We never get bacon here. It’s a good thing I’m Norwegian not Jewish! I LOVE bacon!

27. “Her husband is known in the gates.” (vs. 23) Jo, being a very private person and not seeking any glory has done very well dealing with all the fame, notoriety and then bad press over our ministry and this case. God has allowed us to put out over 2 million videos and DVD’s in 30 languages all over the world. Without even trying, her husband has become well-known (good and bad). There are about 2,000 anti-Hovind websites! Without her support, I would never have been able to travel and stir up the atheists to these heights of agitation and we never would have seen the tens of thousands of souls saved and lives changed for the Lord. This virtuous woman will get rewards in Heaven for her support, so God can use her husband. Thanks Jo. I love you!

28. Just as the Proverbs 31 woman looks for ways to supplement the family income with wise investments (vs. 13, 16, 18, 19, & 24), Jo has always helped without complaint. There is no “her money” or “his money,” just “God’s money.” I love her attitude toward the family budget. What a wife!

29. “She eateth not the bread of idleness (vs. 27).” Truer words could not be spoken of Jo Hovind. From the time she gets up till late at night – she works! It’s a rare thing to see her just sit and relax.

30. I love the way our children respect her (vs. 28). She was and is an awesome mother. Even though they are in their 30′s now, all of our children live next door and love their mother. She was a great daughter to her parents and is now reaping what she sowed. (Galatians 6:7) I love to see her interact with her children and now 5 grandchildren. The world would be a MUCH better place with millions of mothers like Jo. She took being a mom serious and worked hard to do a good job.

31. I love the fact that she doesn’t waste time on T.V., soap operas, movies, and games. She could care less about sports (like me) and focuses on things of eternal value. I love her proper perspective on life. She can spot things that are a waste of time and avoids them.

32. I love the way she is kind to people even if they are not kind to her. Many hurtful and untrue things were said and printed about us over the case (and still are). Even many Christians who should have known better were vocal and even vicious in the evil things and false reports they spread about us. She quietly cried and never retaliated in word or deed. I love her sweet forgiving spirit!

33. I love taking walks with her and the family. She is a blessing to just be with! She is always looking to help people and on our family walks, she will pick up even the neighbor’s trash to clean the street and neighborhood. We all tease her about wanting to clean the whole world, but I love being married to a woman like her!

34. I Timothy 3 gives the qualifications of the wife of a church leader. She meets them all. I love the fact that she has never tasted alcohol or taken any illegal drugs and has no desire to (nor have I BTW). What a blessing!

35. I love her attitude towards clothes. She is content with not having the latest and most expensive fashions. I’ve never seen her splurge on expensive clothes, shoes, or jewelry. She has a great attitude toward the real long term value of these things – they are all going to burn!

36. I love snuggling with her! She loves to lay on my shoulder and talk about her day and her dreams. I love listening to her voice. She is kind and never loud or screaming like some women I know (Proverbs 7:11)! What a wife!

37. I love lots of other things, but I’ll save them till I get home and tell her personally! J Soon I hope! Thanks for being such a godly wife for all these years and through all these trials. I love you Jo. This too shall pass! I’ll be home soon (Pro. 18:22).

Kent

Dear Mr. Adams,

As far as I know, we have never met. I don’t know anything about you except that you wrote only one song in the song book used here at the prison. I don’t know if you have written hundreds of other songs, or if God just called you to write this one. Many people in the Bible seem to only have been called on by God to accomplish one thing with their life. He used Bezaleel to build the furniture for the tabernacle.

Exodus 31:2-5 “2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.”

It doesn’t say what he did after that. Maybe it doesn’t matter. That one job was enough to bless millions for many years to come.

I just wanted to let you know that your song, “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is” has blessed and helped me greatly. As you said in the song, God’s Spirit will give comfort in life’s darkest hour. Thanks for that reminder. I know that millions have had it so much worse than me over the centuries and that Christians today, especially in America, are weak, soft, spoiled, and not ready in the least for real trials or tribulation, but even so, there have been plenty of “dark hours” for me in the last few years and your song has been a blessing beyond words. Thanks for writing it.

If you read this, please write to me, and let me know what motivated you to write that song, and tell me a little bit about yourself. If you did nothing else for the Lord with your life, that song will still live on and reap a harvest for the kingdom. It has comforted me greatly in my dark hours. I get letters telling how my simple creation videos have helped people to be drawn to the Lord. It is such a blessing to hear that God has, is, and will continue to use our feeble efforts for His glory!

I only play the piano with two fingers, and very slowly at that. It is a rainy day here. I haven’t seen my wife of 36 years in over two years. The government is attempting to destroy our ministry if they can. Certainly, the press has not been our friend! Yet, God has sustained us through it all. Even if this is the only song you have written, I pray it will motivate thousands to do something, even if only one thing, for Christ. I just came from the totally deserted Chapel where I sat and played it over and over. God used it to comfort me. Thanks! I thought you might need to know.

In Christ,
Kent Hovind

GOD: Hey, Son, are you ready to learn something?

kh: Sure, Lord. What is it today?

God: Do you remember the problem with the van on the trip to Arkansas?

kh: Yes, Lord. The starter motor went out and I couldn’t get it started until I replaced it. It was tough repairing it on the side of the road with only a few tools, but I did it.

GOD: Was anything wrong with the motor?

kh: No. That 350 four-bolt main was a strong engine! It ran great!

GOD: If you got it started.

kh: Of course.

GOD: So all that horsepower would be wasted without a starter motor to get it going, right?

kh: Right.

GOD: Let’s go meet Barnabas. He is doing mission work on Cyprus… That’s him under the tree. Go talk with him, Son.

kh: Ok, Lord.

KH: Excuse me, Barnabas. May I ask you some questions?

Barnabas: Sure! Have a seat. How can I help?

KH: Well, what got you started in mission work?

BA: I was raised here on Cyprus. I’m a Levite. I was in Jerusalem when the great revival broke out (Acts 4:31-33). It was incredible! Souls were being saved and lives were being changed. God filled us with His Spirit and we preached boldly to all who would listen. If anyone had needs ,we sold things to meet those needs. I sold a piece of land I had to feed the poor. I love helping people. My name even means “son of consolation.”

KH: If you are from Cyprus, what were you doing in Jerusalem?

BA: My aunt Mary and my cousin John Mark live there (Acts 12:12; Col. 4:10). Mary’s husband died and left her the big house to take care of. I go visit once-in-a-while to check in on her. Jesus even held his last supper at Mary’s house years ago. I became very active in the Jerusalem church. When we heard about Greeks being saved in Antioch, the church sent me with several others to see if God was really working with Gentiles now.

KH: What did you find?

BA: Oh, He was working alright! I stayed there about a year exhorting them to stay close to the Lord (Acts 11:23). The church really grew and souls were saved (Acts 11:24). It was great!

KH: So what did you do after that?

BA: I went to Tarsus to seek Saul (Acts 11:25).

KH: Wow! That’s quite a journey. Isn’t Tarsus about 150 miles away by land and over the Nur Daglari mountains?

BA: Yes, it is. But, the trip was worth it. Saul had gotten started serving the Lord a few years back (Acts 9:26-27). I helped him then, too. He seemed to get discouraged and sort of went home and quit. I knew God could use him in a great way if somebody could encourage him and get him started again.

KH: Did it work?

BA: Wow! It sure did! He has been one of the most zealous evangelists in the whole world for years now. He and I went on a missionary journey starting churches all over Cyprus and Turkey (Acts 13-14). He is a brilliant Bible scholar and can answer any questions the skeptics give him. He proves that Jesus is the very Christ.

KH: Does that upset some people?

BA: Oh man! It sure does! They got so angry in Lystra, they stoned him to death (Acts 14:19), but God raised him up to continue preaching. We had a great trip!

KH: So why aren’t you with him now?

BA: We had a little falling out over my cousin John Mark (Acts 15:37) and split up into two teams. God used it for good. I hear Paul is all the way over in Greece now starting churches and winning souls. He will do far more for the Lord in his lifetime than I will ever do. He’s smarter, more zealous, and a better preacher than I will ever be.

KH: Does that make you jealous?

BA: No way! We just want to win souls and glorify God. I’m just glad I helped get him going again after his lapse into discouragement.

KH: So you were sort of like a starter motor.

BA: A what? What’s a starter motor?

KH: Never mind. Those won’t be invented for hundreds of years. My bad. Now I see why God wanted me to talk with you. We may not be the point guard to do great things for God, but if we can help encourage others to get moving for the Lord, we have done our job.

BA: Not sure what a point guard is either, but I do try to encourage people. I do my best to serve God and try to motivate others to do the same. If they end up doing more than I, then “Praise God!”

KH: Thanks, Barnabas. I’ve enjoyed talking with you. Oh, and when we get to Heaven, I’ll explain what a starter motor and a point guard is!

GOD: Let’s go home, Son. …Does that help you?

kh: Wow, Lord! Yes! I can’t do everything that needs done for your kingdom, but I can encourage others to do great things.

GOD: You can and you have. You got your children going for Me as well as lots of others. Sit back and watch what I do through them now. I’ve got your back.

kh:    Lord, the more I talk with people who have been hurt by the injustices in our land, the more I wonder how evil people can do what they do and still sleep at night. Doesn’t their conscience bother them?

GOD:    At first, it does. But if a person does evil long enough, their conscience becomes seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:2). They lose feeling and can do evil and sleep just fine. It’s like they are walking dead men (Ephesians 4:19; Jude 12-16). Several people in My Word got that way. Let’s go visit Drusilla. She’s a good example. …There she is, Son. Enjoy your visit.

kh:    Thanks, Lord.

KH:    Excuse me ma’am. May I talk with you for a minute?

Drusilla (Dru): Yes. How can I help you?

KH:    Well, you look like a queen of some kind. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Dru:    Yes. I’m a Jew (Acts 24:24) and I am married to Felix the procurator of Judah.

KH:    What does a procurator do?

Dru:    He is a governor of sorts, but he answers directly to Caesar instead of the Roman Senate. Caesar puts them in charge of provinces that cause trouble. People say my husband is cruel and greedy, but he simply has a hard job to do. Two years ago he heard a case involving a man named Paul. I sat in on that one. It was obvious Paul was innocent, but Felix felt it was best to leave him in prison. Sometimes people will pay money to get out of prison.

KH:    Sort of like ransom?

Dru:    We look at it more like the cost of doing business. And besides, we were worried about what the Jews would think (Acts 24:26-27). In this troubled province, it’s simply easier not to make waves.

KH:    But what about the fact that Paul sits in prison for two years even though he didn’t break any laws?

Dru:    That’s just an unfortunate side of politics.

KH:    Does it bother you?

Dru:    It did at first. It really bothered my husband for a while after Paul preached (Acts 24:25).

KH:    What did he preach about that bothered your husband?

Dru:    Oh, it bothered both of us! He preached about righteousness and we don’t have much of that. My great grandfather killed a bunch of babies in Bethlehem years ago. It had to be done to protect the throne. My dad Herod Agrippa I, killed James (Acts 12:1-2). My brother, Herod Agrippa II, married our sister Bernice. That upset lots of people!

Paul also preached about self-control. Ha! We definitely don’t have much of that! But the worst part was when he preached about a coming judgment (Acts 24:25)!  My husband was shaking! He sent Paul away until he calmed down. After that, he talked with Paul a lot (Acts 24:26), but it never bothered him as much as that first time.

KH:    Does it bother him now?

Dru:    Oh, we don’t talk about it or worry about it much. We just go about our life. Paul gets fed and we let him write letters and stuff, so he’s fine.

KH:    How can you say he’s fine? He’s unjustly imprisoned.

Dru:    We don’t look at it that way. His peers think he did something wrong even though we couldn’t find any evidence to substantiate that, so we simply blame Paul’s condition on his peers. They are happy as long as he is imprisoned. We keep hinting that Paul could be released if he offered enough money (Acts 24:26), but no one has met our price yet.

KH:    So it’s all about the money (1 Timothy 6:10)?

Dru:    Isn’t it always?

KH:    Yes. Just like in the movie,  “Follow the yellow brick road.”

Dru:    What’s a movie?

KH:    Never mind. That would take a while to explain! So do you sleep alright at night.

Dru:    Most nights. If I have trouble there are plenty of drugs or drinks to help with sleep.

KH:    I see. Well, thanks for your time. I need to go.

Dru:    You are most welcome.   …

kh:    Some things never change do they, Lord?

GOD:    Not yet, Son; but, they will when I take over! Go walk the track. I’ve got your back.

kh: It’s always the money, isn’t it, Lord?

GOD: That’s what I said in My Word, Son. The love of money is the root of ALL evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Ever since I cursed the ground where man had to work to provide for himself, (Genesis 3:17-19), people have tried to make others do their work. That’s why there is slavery, robberies, greed, corruption, violence, lies, and a host of other problems your society faces. There are scores of examples in My Word (1 Corinthians 10:6,11). Let’s go visit Demetrius in Ephesus. He’s a typical example. See if you can reason with him. …

KH: Excuse me, Mr. Demetrius, it looks like a riot is going on here! What’s the problem?

Demetrius (DE) Oh, it’s a riot alright. I caused it myself.

KH: Why?

DE: Well, a few years ago that guy Paul over there in the middle of the mob came to town and started a new religion. They are called Christians. They claim their leader, Jesus, rose from the dead. Ha! Anyway, hundreds of people in our city believe this and quit going to our Temple for Diana.

KH: Don’t you think people should be allowed to choose their own religion?

DE: Sure! As long as it makes me money. You see, there are a lot of us silversmiths here in Ephesus (Acts 19:24-25). We make silver shrines for the great goddess Diana and for the image that fell down from Jupiter (Acts 19:35). People buy these from us so they can worship at home. We tell them it’s like having God with them at all times. We make lots of money from it that way.

KH: Do you really think that a piece of silver in the shape of a rock, or a woman named Diana has special power?

DE: Of course not! But the people do, and that’s all that matters. We keep making the idols and they keep buying them. Once-in-a-while, we even stage a big demonstration where our statues weep.

KH: How do you do that?

DE: We put a different metal in for the eyes, and leave the statue in the sun for a few hours so it all heats up. When we take it inside, the moisture collects faster on the other metal than the silver, so it looks like she is crying. It fools them every time!

KH: And keeps them buying more images.

DE: You got it! Pretty simple isn’t it?

KH: Sounds deceitful.

DE: Hey, anything the people want, we make it for them. It’s just business.

KH: So it’s okay to lie to get money?

DE: Sure. People lie, steal, cheat, and even murder to get it. It’s always been like that.

KH: Or even start a riot or harass innocent men who don’t hurt anyone.

DE: Don’t hurt anyone?! They hurt our business! We have kids to feed, boats to pay for, and big houses to maintain. We are not going to just sit back and give it all up without a fight.

KH: What if Paul is right and Jesus is God in the flesh and did rise from the dead? Have you considered that?

DE: Only for a second. His story sounds good, but my money now means more than some home in Heaven which Paul claims God offers. Hey, here comes the town clerk to stop my riot (Acts 19:25). I need to slip into the shadows for a while (John 3:19).

KH: I understand.

GOD: Let’s go Son. …Could any amount of reasoning have changed him?

KH: I don’t think so Lord.

GOD: It wouldn’t, Son. He, like Ephraim (Hosea 4:17) is joined to his idols. Leave him alone (Proverbs 14:7). Go find some who want to listen, Son. There are lots of those, too. I’ve got your back.

Acts 16:9 “9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”

kh: Hey, Lord, I’ve been locked up nearly 1200 days now. Are You still watching this case and listening to all the prayers for my release from all over the world (Acts 12:5)?

GOD: Yes, Son. I hear all their prayers as well as yours.

kh: Well… when are You going to answer them?

GOD: I can multi-task like you would never believe, Son. Let’s go for a walk so you can hear another prayer that I hear several times a day as well…

kh: Where are we, Lord?

GOD: Clearwater, Florida, Son. Do you see that middle-age couple sitting at the table and holding hands?

kh: Yes, Lord.

GOD: They are praying, Son. Go listen in for a minute.

kh: OK, Lord…

Father of a young man: Dear Lord, Please send someone to reach our son.
We tried to raise him right, Lord. We home schooled him all through grade school and kept him active in church. He made a profession of faith when he was ten and seemed to really want to live for You for years.

When he went to that public school for high school something changed, Lord. He began to doubt Your Word. It seems like it was that class where he was taught evolution that did it. Our son did a complete 180, Lord! It was like he was a different person by the end of high school.

It only got worse in the army, and then the drugs. Oh, Lord! Our heart is broken! Now he’s been in prison for five years in South Carolina. Please send somebody there to reach him, Lord. We love him and want him back serving You.

Lord, we know that nobody wants to go to prison, but we need a miracle! Is there any way you could send someone who can answer his questions on evolution? We couldn’t answer them, Lord. We believe Your Word but that science teacher was over our head. He stole our son away from us and from You, Lord. Please, please, please send someone who can win him back to You! Help us, Lord! (James 5:19-20)

In Jesus name, Amen

GOD: Let’s go home, Son. You don’t get yours answered yet. They do. Your turn is coming. Quit griping. You know who their son is. Keep working with him. Haven’t you prayed Isaiah’s prayer many times?

Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

kh: Yes, Lord.

GOD: Well, I’m answering that one, too. I’ve got your back.

KH: Good morning, Lord.

GOD: Good morning, Son.

KH: Hey Lord, I was wondering…

God: Yes, Son, I know your thoughts and can answer your question. Let’s go for a walk…

There, Son. Go listen to that man talk to his son about buying his first car.

Dad: Hey, Son, I might have found a good car for you. I know you are looking for one now that you have your licence. One of my friends at work has a bright red ‘63 VW in really good shape for sale. Do you want to go see it?

Young Man: Sure, Dad. I’ve been saving every penny I can. I’ve got nearly $400 now. What’s he want for it?

Dad: Not sure, but you can always try to talk him down to what you’ve got. Hop in the car. We’ll go look at it.

YM: Hey, Dad, while we are driving to see it, I need some advice.

Dad: Sure, Son. What’s up?

YM: Well, several friends at school are buying the new ‘69 muscle cars. One kid has a new Dodge that goes really fast. Should I be getting a new car instead? You know, $400 will make a nice down payment on a new one. Then I won’t have to worry about things breaking. What do you think?

Dad: It’s up to you, Son. It’s your money. You know how hard it is to make it.

YM: I know but I’m asking your advice. What would you do?

Dad: Well, let’s do what we always do to solve questions like this. Get that note pad and draw a line from top to bottom down the middle. Now, label the first column “New Car” and the other “Used Car” and let’s put down all the pros and cons.

YM: Okay, let’s make the new car a Camero. John has one. His payments are only $128/month.

Dad: OK, under New Car, put Car Payment – Con. The Bible says the borrower is servant to the lender. Do you want to be a servant to the bank for four years?

YM: No. I like working for me not a bank. I guess in the Used Car column I would put No Payment – Pro.

Dad: Correct. The new car may be nice, but long after the new car smell is gone—those payments just keep on coming. Plus, if you really figure the cost including interest, you’ll be shocked. I’ve got a small amortization table in my pocket here. You’ve seen this before haven’t you?

YM: Yes, you explained amortization tables when we built the cabin about borrowing money for a house.

Dad: OK. Have you got your slide rule?

YM: Yep—in my pocket. I love this circular one you got me! I never run off the end. Thanks!

Dad: You’re welcome. Multiply John’s monthly payment times twelve and then times four years. I assume his loan is for four years.

YM: I think that’s right. Oh….Wow! That’s over $6,000 he will pay for that car! He could have bought it new for under $4,000 cash. I’d say spending $2,000 for interest goes down as a con!

Dad: I agree. You could buy several good used cars for that same $2,000. Never look at a car and say, “I can afford the payments.” Instead, always ask if you can afford the car! What else would go in the new car column?

YM: Well, the girls seem to like the guys with the new muscle cars! That’s a Pro!

Dad: Are you sure?

YM: Why wouldn’t it be?

Dad: Suppose you have a hot car and ask a girl out. She says yes. Now you really have a problem!

YM: I do!

Dad: Big time! You will never know if she liked you or the car. If you only attract the girls with the stuff you buy, what happens during hard times when you can’t buy the nice stuff?

YM: She’d go find someone else who could.

Dad: Exactly! You’re lots better off with a clunker for a car when you first start dating. Be sure she likes you for who you are, not what you have. Get the nice stuff later in life if you can afford it. Get a girl who loves you first.

YM: Wow! Great advice dad!

Dad: The new car has less to fix, that’s a pro. But, with a new car, the bank will require you to have full coverage insurance. That’s about double the cost of just liability. I think you can save a bundle by taking the risk of having to take the total loss of a cheap car once in a while if you wreck it. Just don’t total them too often!

YM: I’ll try dad. You taught me lots about driving.

Dad: And you are very good at it, Son. It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s those other nuts on the road. It takes 3,000 bolts to hold a car together, and one nut behind the wheel can scatter it all over the highway! As long as they have insurance and it’s their fault, you’ll be OK. If you get a used car for $400, and save $200 each year on insurance, you only have to not destroy your car for two years, and you are saving money after that.

YM: Plus, that’s a motivation to drive more carefully.

Dad: Now you are seeing the big picture. Depreciation is another item to consider. In two years, a $400 car might still be worth $300 if you take care of it. In two years, that new $4000 car will be worth $2500. John will lose $1500 while you may only lose $100, or you may not lose a thing.

YM: It looks like there are lots more pro’s in the Used Car Column.

Dad: There is one to add for me.

YM: What’s that dad?

Dad: Well, when little things break on a used car, I can help you fix it. I really like working with my boys fixing stuff.

YM: That’s the biggest pro of all dad! You have taught us so much! I really like working with you, too. Plus, not only will I learn new stuff while we fix it, I won’t be out getting into trouble.

Dad: I’m not worried about you doing that, Son. There is another plus to add.

YM: What’s that dad?

Dad: DQ! After we fix the car, we can go test drive it to the Dairy Queen for a hot fudge sundae. You always have to test drive them after you fix them, you know! Mom doesn’t really understand all that, but I do. Ha!

YM: Of course! You wouldn’t want to get stranded in the middle of no place!

Dad: Of course not! From home to DQ and back is the perfect test drive. Ha! Hey, here we are at Bill’s house. That’s the VW beside the garage. Let’s go check it out…

GOD: Let’s go home, Son. Do you remember that day?

KH: Like it was yesterday, Lord. My first car! I talked him down to $385, drove it for eight months, and sold it for $585 to Donald for his paper route. He drove it for years. Thanks, Lord. That explains what I was wondering about. Those skinny cows in Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41) represented seven bad years. If those people would not have wasted everything during the seven good years, they wouldn’t have all become slaves to Pharaoh when times got bad. Those kids in school that always bought the new cars and the big houses are losing them now during this mortgage melt down. If they had never gone in debt in the first place, this recession wouldn’t have hit them as hard.

GOD: I told everyone plainly, Son.

KH: I know, Lord. The borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Thanks for giving me parents that taught me wise use of money early on. Some people learn the hard way, don’t they, Lord?

God: Some don’t even learn then, Son. Go walk a few laps. I’ve got your back.

Revelation 11:18    18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”

GOD:    Good morning, Son. I love you!

kh:    Good morning, Lord. I love you, too. Why so early, Lord? It’s 4:30 a.m.

GOD:    Two reasons, Son. You listen better at this time and I monitor you very closely. I saw that you need to take a walk with me. You are special to Me. I know you are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not take your case.

kh:    I’m sorry, Lord, but yes, I’m very disappointed. I thought the justice system was to bring justice, but it’s all politics. They used to take 450 cases each year, but now it’s about 65 out of 11,000. Right and wrong don’t matter. It’s all about advancing some political cause. Now we start over on the long 2255 process that can take years. One man here told me yesterday, that he just won his 2255, but it took four and a half years because the judge just let it sit on his desk. All that time he knew it would be overturned. It’s so unfair!

GOD:    I keep careful records, Son. Everything will be made right.

kh:    Also, I don’t see the value of this prison time. I believe Romans 8:28 and trust You as best I can, but I think I’d be more useful in winning souls if I were back out preaching. I’m also sad because of the awful devastation from the earthquake in Haiti yesterday. My friend, Dr. Frank Garlock, was down there ministering and has not been heard from yet. His Majesty Music Ministry reaches thousands, Lord. We need him.** Why do You allow all this suffering?

GOD:    I knew you were wondering about that and that’s why I’m here, Son, to help you understand. Let’s go for a walk. I’d like you to meet three men. This little trip will give you a whole new perspective on life…

kh:    Where are we, Lord? What is that strange looking machine?

GOD:    That’s a flight simulator, Son. The Air Force’s top pilots train here.

kh:    Why is it bouncing around so badly? Is somebody in there?

GOD:    That’s what you are here to learn, Son. Go talk to that man lurking in the shadow behind the simulator for a few minutes.

kh:    OK, Lord…Excuse me, sir. What is going on here?

B.L.Z. Bub (BZ):   Oh, hi there! You startled me! I didn’t know anyone was watching. I’m..ah..I’m just helping train this pilot. He’s one of the Air Force’s top pilots. He retires in a few months, so he’s training to fly a 747 for Delta as a second career. I just sort of sneaked in here to make his training more…”challenging” shall we say?

KH:    How are you doing that?

BZ:    I hacked into the program he is using and I’m throwing a few extra problems at him to see how he reacts.

KH:    How’s he doing?

BZ:    Pretty good, unfortunately, er…, I mean, fortunately. Would you like to join him inside and see for yourself? I can pause the simulation to let you in.

KH:    Sure, thanks…

Top Pilot (TP):  Wow! That was a rough ride! Oh, hello there. How’d you get in?

KH:    It’s a long story. Can I watch what’s happening here?

TP:    Sure. Have a seat in the co-pilot’s chair and buckle up. Today’s trip has been the worst I’ve ever seen in a simulator!

KH:    How long have you been flying?

TP:    I started as a kid. My dad had a plane. I flew for the Air Force for twenty years. I retire in a few months, so I’m training to fly a 747 for Delta. I have to pay for this training time myself. I’ve been in here many times and have never seen it this rough! Maybe the computer is broken. It’s throwing things at me that would be very rare in real flight.

KH:    How are you doing?

TP:    Well, so far, so good. Part of the training is seeing how fast I react to new problems and how calm I can stay. Even though it is all just a simulator, it sure seems like the real thing.

KH:    It looks real, too! This cockpit looks exactly like a real 747.

TP:    Other than the fact that we stay on the ground and get to live through every crash, it’s as real as they can make it. Oh, oh! Hang on. It looks like we are headed into a thunderstorm now. Normally I would fly over or around clouds like this. I don’t know why the simulator is taking me through them today. This may get rough. Hold tight!

KH:    Wow! This is bad! Won’t it tear the wings off?

TP:    In real life it could. Stay calm. This is just a test of my skills.

KH:    What’s that beeping noise?

TP:    It’s the warning that we just lost oil pressure in one engine. I’ll shut it down before it catches fire. I better bring it down and look for a place to land. Hang on. It will get bumpy.

KH:    Man! Bumpy isn’t the word! They sure make this box move around! I’ve flown over a thousand times and never seen it this bad! Can you get it down?

TP:    I’ll do my best. …OK. We’re under the clouds. There’s the airport over on the left. Can you see those lights?

KH:    I did, but it looks like they just went out.

TP:    I can’t believe it. They did go out! I’ve never seen a simulator black out an airport. I’ll have to land it totally by instrument. We should touch down any second. Hold tight. …

KH:    What was that loud noise?

TP:    We just blew a tire on the front landing gear. I’ve never had the simulator do all this on one flight. It’s like this machine is trying to make me fail.

KH:    Or somebody.

TP:    No. There is nobody else here. I’ve trained here by myself many times. The computer just has a glitch. Let’s taxi in.

KH:    Wow! What was that?

TP:    A bird just hit the windshield! My side is pretty cracked. Can you see out of your side?

KH:    Yes, go right just a little. That’s good. Hold it there till we stop…

TP:    There. Safe at home.

KH:    How did you stay so calm through all that?

TP:    You should have been in here when it was really bad! I got hit by lightning, lost hydraulics, and had the de-icer go out in one wing making it heavy on one side. I just got that corrected when you showed up. That was the strangest simulation flight I’ve ever taken! They need to look at that program!  I think I’ll get some coffee before I take my next test. Do you want to go up again?

KH:    No thanks! Once was enough for me! Thanks for the ride though. I’m amazed at your skills. You took every problem right in stride and stayed calm. You are good!

TP:    Thanks. I love flying. Stop in any time.

kh:    Oh…ah, Lord? That was a rough flight! What’s going on here?

GOD:    Come with me, Son. There is a man behind that mirror that you need to meet.

KH:    Cool! I didn’t realize that there was a room back here. Were you watching the whole time?

Man Behind the Mirror (MM):   It’s a much bigger picture than you realize.
That’s the Hebrews 11 simulator, and this is the Hebrews 12:1 room.
This pilot is one of the best. He thought he was just training to fly for Delta when he retires. BZ is one of those environmentalist wackos that wants to stop anyone from flying because it “hurts Mother Earth.” He tried his best to get all pilots discouraged and to give up flying altogether by making everything go wrong.

KH:    But you let him do it. Why? Do you want that pilot to fail?

MM:    Oh, no! I very much wanted him to succeed. He didn’t know I was watching and he has no clue about BZ or the bigger picture. He just thinks the simulator has a glitch and is picking on him.

KH:    What is this “bigger picture” you are talking about?

MM:    I work for the office of the president. We’ve been following this pilot’s career for many years. We think he has the potential to be our pilot for Air Force One. I was sent to see how he reacts when everything goes wrong. We need a pilot who can handle any emergency and keep his head. When I saw BZ trying to sneak in, I let it happen. I knew BZ would give him a test ride he would never forget.

KH:    Isn’t that sort of cruel to TP to not let him know what’s really going on out here?

MM:    That’s the way it has to be. It’s just a simulator. I would never hurt him or give him more than he can handle (I Corinthians 10:13).

GOD:    Let’s go home, Son. …Does that help answer your question?

KH:    Wow, Lord! Yes! This whole world is a simulator isn’t it?

GOD:    Yes, Son. I let Satan do things to My children (Job 1, 2) because I have a bigger plan. I’m looking for people to rule and reign with Me for 1,000 years (Hebrew 4:4-11; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 20:6; Colossians 3:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:5). Anyone who suffers for Me will be richly rewarded (Matthew 5:5-12; Mark 10:28-30; Hebrews 11:6; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 2:10). Love not the world, Son (1 John 2:15-17). It’s all a big simulator to get you ready for another life to come. The more trials and tribulations you go through the better. I’m seeing how you react to know how much I can trust you with later (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:42-48; 19:12-27). Don’t think I’m picking on you because I let the Devil throw things your way. Read Job, Son. I know what I’m doing. I’ve got your back.

**Dr. Garlock has returned home safely. We praise God with his family and his ministry team for this miracle!