Written:  January 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

About forty years ago, I began a habit that I recommend to everyone.  I was a new Christian in the youth group at Bethel Baptist Church in Pekin, Illinois.  It was an on-fire, soul winning, independent, temperamental, fundamental, right wing, chicken-eatin’ Baptist Church. (Whew!) After being raised Lutheran, Mennonite, and Methodist, it was a great place for me, as a sixteen-year-old, to grow in my new relationship with Christ.  I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior February 9, 1969.

One of the many great lessons taught by the teen Sunday school teacher, Virgil Hartsock, was on Luke 2:52. It changed my life forever! Brother Hartsock explained that Jesus, as a boy about to enter His teen years, grew in four different areas of life. He drew a series of concentric circles like tree rings on the board and drew a large plus sign to separate the rings into equal quarters like a pie graph. He read the verse and explained that Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” He said, “You just can’t get a better example to follow than Jesus himself. Just as He grew in all four areas of life, you should too. Set some goals in each area and develop a system of checking to see how you are doing in each area.”

He labeled the areas Mental (wisdom), Physical (stature), Spiritual (favor with God), and Social (favor with man). He said a healthy tree grows evenly in each section each year. Some people get way out of balance in one area. Some are so dedicated to learning and growing mentally that they neglect their body or spirit or friends. “Keep a balance,” he said.

So, every year between Christmas and my January 15 birthday, I do a self-check in each area. At fifty-seven (next week), here is my annual report.

1.     Mental Area – Pretty good. In the past year, I have read over one hundred books in a wide range of subjects plus 65% of the encyclopedia set in the library. I’ve read and studied much on the Civil War, WWII, American Indians, Shackelford’s failed expedition to the South Pole, the transcontinental railroad, early explorers of the seas, Pilgrims and early American settlers and numerous books about the creation/evolutionism conflict. I love history! I still maintain a good sense of humor and love Far Side and Darwin Awards! I have tutored several men in Trigonometry, Geometry and Algebra. I still have a hard time with spelling.  Vice President Dan Quail couldn’t spell “potatoe” so I guess I’m in good company. My curiosity and desire to learn has not dimmed in any way that I can detect. I’ve also read extensively in the field of Biology and Earth Science. Walt Brown’s new 8th edition of “In The Beginning” is awesome!  www.drdino.com.

2.    Physical Area – Not bad for fifty-seven.  I can still do five chin-ups (used to do thirty in high school☹), run 1/4 mile without stopping, do yoga, do quite a few sit-ups and push-ups and jump rope 130 times in one minute. I eat pretty well, sleep like a rock, and don’t recall the last time I was sick. My back hurts every day from several serious car accidents over thirty years ago. They finally gave me an x-ray here and discovered that I had broken my back at T-6 years ago! I knew that car hit me hard while I was stopped!  See Jo! It’s not just a trick when I say I need you to rub my back!☺

I was active in softball all summer and can still hit it over the fence—barely! I dislocated my wrist and elbow sliding into second base on August 9, 2009. The BOP will give me medical help after about six months; so I re-set it myself.  By the way, I was safe at second, drove in two runs, and tied the game; so, that ought to be worth something! The BOP promises me an MRI sometime in the future.  If they ever get to it, I predict it will show torn ligaments around the hamate, lunate, pisiform and ulna head. It is 90% healed and should feel better when it quits hurting. I weigh 198 pounds and probably should lose ten pounds.

3.    Spiritual – I still love to read and study God’s Word!  My easy job here gives me lots of time to do just that. I love researching various Bible characters for my weekly “Dear God Knee-Mail” letters posted on www.cseblogs.com. I have well over 150 more Knee-Mails started on a wide range of subjects. I get ideas LOTS faster than I can complete them. If God wants me to finish everything before I die, I will live to be 700! I have Bible study in my room every night with several of the men. God has let me lead several men to Him. I see about ten of them in the church services and help them grow in the Lord. I taught an eight-week class on creation, and if I’m still here in March (hopefully not!), I will teach in the weekly Bible study a nine-week series on comparative religions.

I’ve taken about a dozen courses toward a Doctorate in Biblical Ministries this year, and have read extensively on the end times issues. While still very hopeful for a pre-trib rapture any day, I have become less and less convinced that this is the clear teaching of God’s Word. It would be wise to prepare for the worst, and be excited if it doesn’t happen (Proverbs 22:3)!

I love Psalms 4:4 and feel like I’m closer to the Lord than I’ve ever been. He walks with me and talks with me…  I see now a small part of why Richard Wurmbrandt, coming out of fourteen years in horrible communist prisons in Romania said he never felt closer to God than when he was in prison and it was a let-down spiritually when he was released. Scores of the books I’ve read on various Bible related topics have changed me forever! The Bible study time for the Knee-Mails has been one of the best ways to study God’s Word that I’ve seen in my forty years in God’s family. I love it! There is an endless supply of material in that book!

4.    Social (Favor with Man) – God has blessed me with friends all over the world! I get more letters every week than any other man in the prison camp. I used nearly two hundred stamps in one week last month! Many of the letters of support I get cause me to cry! I see s-o-o-o-o-o many men in prison that get no mail, no visits, and have nobody sending them money for commissary. It almost makes me feel ashamed. God has been so good to me! It would be an awful thing to feel that no man cared for my soul (Psalm 142:4). I have close relations with all my family. My children and grandchildren still love me, write me, and visit me. Lots of men here don’t have that. I get to call my wife of thirty-six and a half years almost every day! This warden will not let her visit, so please pray about that. I haven’t seen her in over two years!☹

I make new friends with nearly all the incoming inmates. I have a little ministry of giving the new guys a tour and helping take away some of the fear and emotional trauma that comes with going to prison. I also make my world-famous (well…prison camp-famous) book markers for each of the new men and their children. If you don’t have one, please send me a list of names of your family members, and I will be honored to make them one. They double as a great little gospel tract and reminder to always look at life God’s way—l-o-o-o-o-n-g term!

Truly God has blessed me in the social area. I suggest you read Proverbs 18:24 in the KJV, and then see how the new versions have messed that one up! If you can tell a lot about a man by his enemies, I’m in great shape! Even though I’ve been locked up three years and two months, there are still lots of anti-Hovind Web Sites by atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and idiots. I love pushing their buttons (in Christian love), to attempt to get them to see how utterly stupid their evolution religion is! Anyone who believes that their great-great-great-great-…grandpa was a rock needs help! Even though they hate me, I’m here for them and am always willing to be their friend.

So, that’s how I’m doing for this year’s check-up. We are still fighting our case, and will continue until we win. The ministry continues under the able leadership of my son Eric and the fantastic CSE team. The government remains poised to seize and sell the ministry property.  Eric and his Board of Directors continue to await the price tags set by the government on the properties in order to prayerfully consider what can be purchased, since the government changed their original proposal to settle all property titles as clear from $380,000 to “the government’s appraised value for each property.”  In spite of this battle, the work of spreading the gospel via the creation message continues, as Eric does creation seminars, and the CSE team produces new material.

All things considered, God is good!!! He has allowed me to make it another year with good growth in all four areas. I pray that this next year will be even better.  Do your Luke 2:52 Annual Check-Up, and see how your growth rings look!

Serve God!  He’s coming soon!

Kent

Dear Rush,

Mega-dittos from a long time listener! I enjoyed your program from May 6, 2009, as I do most of them, but… I have a suggestion to help eliminate the confusion caused by the likes of Chris Matthews.  You played some sound bites of him in the third hour at about 2:10 EST. The issues were creation vs. evolution and C02 emissions.

First, as a fifteen-year veteran high school biology teacher, with an extra dose of Midwest common sense, I can tell you that plants thrive on extra C02. Greenhouses often add C02 to increase plant growth and fruiting capacity.  The more C02 we pump into the atmosphere, the faster all plants in the surrounding area will grow and absorb it.  I don’t think it is possible for man to upset the balance. Capturing C02 and pumping it into the ground as is currently planned will result in diminished plant growth and less crop yield. Numerous experiments have shown that increasing C02 by 50% from the normal .06% to .09% will typically give a 200% increase in fruit produced. Please, please, please keep driving that SUV to help save the planet!

Second, I loved your comment, “I’m not against science. I’m against lies.” I agree. For twenty years, I have been traveling full-time speaking on creation vs evolutionism. (By the way, the “ism” goes on evolutionism not creation!☺☺ One subtle trick of “the left” is to not clearly define terms used in the debate. You have covered this well on many topics, but you seem to have missed it on the evolution topic.

There are six different and unrelated meanings of evolution, only the last of which is really part of science. The first five are never observed and are part of the religion of humanism—which you often refer to as liberalism. These first five only take place in the imagination. The definitions  are:
1.    Cosmic Evolution—the origin of time, space, and matter from nothing in the big bang
2.    Chemical Evolution—the origin of all ninety-two  elements from hydrogen
3.    Stellar Evolution—the formation of stars and galaxies from gas clouds
4.    Organic Evolution—the origin of life from non-living chemicals
5.    Macroevolution—the changing of one kind of plant or animal into another kind of plant or animal—slowly (or quickly if you are from Harvard)
6.    Microevolution—changes within the same kind—like wolves, coyotes, and dogs being related to a common ancestor

Having debated over one hundred evolutionists and atheists at universities all over America, and having spoken on this topic over seven hundred times each year for twenty years, I can assure you that once the word “evolution” is clearly defined like this, the argument is over for the evolutionist. Watch some of the videos of these debates on www.drdino.com and you will see for yourself.

Evolutionists will give scores of examples of micro-evolution (#6) and then lead students or congressmen to believe that this evidence magically proves the first five as well. It is a classic example of bait and switch. Next time someone asks if you believe in evolution, ask them what they mean by that word. They will say “Things change.” You should say, “I believe that things change too, but the changes have limits.”

Besides not defining the term, evolutionists are great at using long-disproved “evidences” for evolution. It’s no surprise that they lie! I cover fifty of these lies in my Creation Seminar Series, Part 4—“Lies in the Textbooks.” See www.drdino.com for more information. Our ministry in Pensacola would be glad to donate a set if you or your staff are interested. We have produced about two million of them in twenty-five languages. We have always allowed people to copy them freely, so there is no telling how many are actually in circulation.

Chris Matthews said that conservatives “don’t accept science.” Nothing could be further from the truth. I, for one, love science and the thousands of advancements it has brought us. The problem is that they want to include evolution as part of science. Beer is often sold at football games. Beer has nothing to do with football and beer does not make the players better athletes. If someone said, “I don’t like beer,” would it be logical to respond, “Oh, you don’t like sports?” It is true that evolution is often included in science books, but that does not make it scientific by association.

On your show you said, “Evolution does not explain creation.” I agree, but you need to better define the terms. Micro-evolution happens and does explain how animals can adapt to a wide range of climates. They are still the same kind of animal though. Every farmer on planet earth uses micro-evolution to get crops or animals that are best suited for his area, but he also counts on the first five types of evolution not happening! When he plants corn, he expects and gets corn. I’m from central Illinois where they have a good work ethic and know a lot about corn!

Next time, don’t let Chris Matthews or other liberals get by with not defining their terms. Dogs and wolves probably have a common ancestor. That is not evidence that dogs and bananas are related. He is welcome to believe that they are related, but that is part of his religion—not science! He should not expect all taxpayers to pay for his religion to be promoted in schools, parks, or museums.

The issue is bigger than “conservative” vs “liberal.” The real issue goes back to the question, “Is there a Creator?” If there is a God, then He decides what is right and wrong. If there is no God, then man decides what is right and wrong—humanism. Scores of issues like abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, genetically modified foods, stem cell research, big versus small government, as well as other moral issues, cannot be decided until it is first decided how we decide! Evolutionists have no set standard to measure truth. I have often asked atheists, “If evolution is true, how do you tell right from wrong?” They can never answer. One told me, “There are no absolutes!” I said, “Are you absolutely sure?” That’s why talking with them is frustrating. It’s like trying to nail Jello to the wall!

In my seminar, I also point out the connection between evolution and communism, socialism, Nazism, racism, and the New World Order. It appears that this material put me on a hit list. So, in typical liberal style, where your enemies are eliminated rather than answered, I was dragged into a long and frustrating battle with the IRS. I lost round one and am currently in prison fighting through the appeals process to have all charges overturned. Details of the case are on www.drdino.com if you are interested.

Keep up the great work!

Dr. Kent Hovind
Creation Science Evangelism
29 Cummings Road
Pensacola, FL 32503
850-479-3466
www.drdino.com

KH:    Hey Lord? I don’t understand how our politicians and judges can take an oath to defend the Constitution and then ignore it or try to destroy it. Doesn’t it bother their conscience?

God:    Son, I take oaths and vows very seriously (Leviticus 19:12; Deuteronomy 23:23; Psalm 66: 13-14; Matthew 5:33). Most people do as well but some have deceived themselves into justifying their oath breaking (Judges. 17:6; 21:25). They think they have fooled Me as well. Let’s go for a walk to visit Solomon and then a religious celebration that many millions took part in earlier this week. …

KH:    Wow! This place is beautiful! Where are we Lord?

God:    Solomon’s stables. Go talk with Solomon, Son.

KH:    Ok Lord… Excuse me King Solomon. Your stables are fancier than most houses I’ve ever seen. Can you tell me a little about them?

Solomon (SO):   Sure. I take great pride in my horses and chariots. I get thousands     of them from Egypt (I Kings 10:28). I have 40,000 stalls for my horses and 4,000 more stalls for horses and chariots (I Kings 4:26; II Chronicles 9:25). *We have ten horses per chariot. We also have ten men per chariot (II Samuel 10:18; I Chronicles 19:18). They swap out during the battles so they don’t get too tired.

KH:    But isn’t it part of your vow as a king to follow God’s Word? He said clearly that the king was not to multiply horses or cause the people to go to Egypt to get horses (Deuteronomy 17:16).

SO:    Well, that’s one of those vows we sort of work around. National defense is top priority for me and these chariots are a great deterrent to our enemies. Plus, all my wives like to ride in them.

KH:    All your wives? Didn’t God also order the king not to multiply wives to himself (Deuteronomy 17:17)?

SO:    That’s another one we have to work around (I Kings 11:3). I figure since God gave me wisdom (I Kings 3: 9-13) I’m sort of above the rules.

KH:    Didn’t God say the blessings would only last IF you walked in His ways and kept His statutes and commandments? (I Kings 11:4)

SO:    Yes, but nothing has happened yet, (Ecclesiastes 8:11), so I’ll be fine.

KH:    I don’t know. I suspect God had a reason for His rules and these wives will turn you away from the Lord (I Kings 3:14) .

SO:    I’ll be fine. I’m happy the way things are. (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). I’m not really open to discussion about it.

KH:    Ok. It’s your life. I’ll see you later at the judgment and we’ll see (Hebrews 9:27).

God:    One more stop, Son…

KH:    Wow! I love the singing and dancing here! It’s all in Hebrew though Lord. What are they saying?

God:    Go ask the rabbi, Son (Matthew 23: 7-8).

KH:    Ok Lord… Excuse me, sir. I don’t speak Hebrew but you folks sure seem to be excited and zealous about what you’re singing! What’s going on here?

Rabbi (RA):  Oh, we’re excited all right! This is the first night of Yom Kippur. Many     millions all over the world celebrate this time. Tonight we are all reciting the Kol Nidrei (Maariv) prayer. It is the first basic level of the five levels of our soul. The Kol Nidrei chant inspires emotional ecstasy as we recite it three times to this soul stirring melody. Everyone really gets excited as they pray and dance!

KH:    I can see that! What does the prayer say?

RA:    It basically says that we are entering into an agreement with God that any oath, vow or pledge we take for the next twelve months shall be null, void, extinct, naught, and non-existent.

KH:    Wow! Sort of like advance permission to lie?

RA:    We don’t like to be that blunt but, yes, that’s what it amounts to.

KH:    Is this how politicians, judges and even people on the witness stand can lie or not keep their oath to defend the Constitution and still sleep at night?

RA:    Exactly! The oath is meaningless because of the Kol Nidrei prayer. It only lasts twelve months though. We have to do it again each year about this time.

KH:    That’s sounds like what the Pharisees and scribes did in Mark 7:11. They could break the law and still feel justified before God. The Catholics sold indulgences for years to their people. It was also advance permission to sin. Lots of other religions and secret societies have similar loopholes so they can break God’s clear commands and still feel justified before God. Are you sure it will work when you stand before God?

RA:    Of course! The Talmud says, “Don’t forget. Whenever you take an oath, vow, or pledge, remember the Kol Nidrei prayer that you recited on the day of Atonement, and that exempts you from fulfilling that.”

KH:    But the Talmud is just a commentary. I’ve read God’s Word many times and He never authorized any prayer like that! What about God’s Word that says we must keep our vows (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 12:11; 23:18; 21-22; Psalm 76:11; Ecclesiastes 5:4)?

RA:    We take our cue from Solomon. He broke his vows to God, so it’s OK.

KH:    Have you seen how Solomon turned out?

RA:    Yes, but we are different. We’re happy the way things are. Just leave us alone. (Mark 5:17). We are not open to discussion about it.

KH:    OK, it’s your life. I’ll see you judgment day and God will sort it all out.

God:    I sure will, Son. I sure will. (Matthew 12:36) They have fooled themselves into thinking they have power to forgive their own sin. They think they are God! (Genesis 3:5) Does that answer your question about how they can lie and still sleep?

KH:    Yes, Lord, I understand, but I am still shocked that they could be so blind!

God:    People have always justified their sin (Judges 21:25; Proverbs 16:2). Adam started the habit. He blamed Eve and even Me for his sin (Genesis 3:12). I’m not fooled by any of it Son. I keep careful records. I’ll be the final Judge very soon! Don’t follow their example Son. They may have salved their conscious for now but it won’t work in the end. Go walk a few laps. I’ve got your back.

*See Seminar Part 7 about supposed contradictions in the Bible and why you need a KJV Bible.

KH:    Hey, Lord? I noticed that You don’t have a lot of good to say about lawyers (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30; 10:25; 11:45-52; 14:3). I admit that I love lawyer jokes. Did You hear the one…

GOD:    Yes, Son. I’ve heard them all. The problem is that the lawyers don’t think they are funny and the people don’t think they are jokes.

KH:    I see. Are there some lawyers that love You more than money?

GOD:    A few, Son.  Let’s go meet Zenas. I know you will like him. …That’s him, Son. He’s helping Titus and Apollos load all their supplies on that ship. Go talk with him, Son.

KH:    OK, Lord.

KH:    Excuse me, sir. Are you Zenas?

ZE:    Yes, I am, and this is Titus and Apollos. How can I help you?

KH:    Well, I’m visiting from a far country. I was told that you love the Lord.

ZE:    Wow! That’s a good reputation (Proverbs 22:1) that I’d be proud to have! Yes, I’m a lawyer and I love the Lord with all my heart. Apollos here is a brilliant Bible scholar and a gifted speaker (Acts 18:24) and Titus is the pastor at our church on Crete (Titus 1:5).

KH:    It’s an honor to meet you all. Where are you headed?

ZE:    We are headed to Nicopolas, a coastal city in Macedonia.

KH:    Wow! That’s 400 miles away! Why are you going way up there?

ZE:    Well, the great apostle Paul wrote Titus and asked for all three of us to come (Titus 3:13). It must be important because he said to spare no expense. I suspect he needs legal advice. He seems to stir people up everywhere he goes. All he does is preach the truth. This seems to make the heathen and the civil authorities hate him and give him a hard time. It started shortly after he got saved (Acts 9:20, 23, 29) and got worse from there (Acts 13:9; 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 16:20-23; 17:5, 13, 32; 18:6, 12; 19:9, 26; 20:3; 21:21, 27; 22:22; 23:2, 13; 25:1, 6; 28:30). Just about every place he went, he was arrested or beaten or threatened. The Jews in Jerusalem really hated him! They had lots of false charges against him and he fought them all the way through the system to Caesar. After a two-year wait to see Caesar (Acts 28:30), he finally won. So now he’s out of prison and preaching in Nicopolas. All told, it took him three years!

KH:    I know how slow the legal system is! Some things never change. Even with computers it’s no faster.

ZE:    What’s a computer?

KH:    Never mind. That would take a long time to explain! So, why would he need all three of you?

ZE:    Well, Apollos speaks Italian and knows the laws and customs of Italy (Acts 18:2) and Titus is Paul’s son in the faith (Titus 1:4), so he must want us to help him set up churches in Greece or Italy that the government will not bother. Paul wants all believers to try to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).

KH:    If he’s had all those run-ins with the civil authorities that you mentioned earlier, it sounds like it’s not working very well.

ZE:    Oh, he’s had plenty of run-ins, but he never asks for it. He’s been beaten many times and in prison several times (2 Corinthians 11:23-26). He’s getting up in years and wants to finish his race to get as many souls saved as possible (2 Timothy 4:7). It seems that Satan wants to hinder that outreach any way he can (1 Corinthians 9:12).

KH:    Does going to prison hinder his outreach?

ZE:    Not much. It motivates others to take up his ministry and now there are hundreds of mini-Pauls whom he has inspired that are out preaching. Plus, he writes a lot while he’s locked up. I think his letters will reach as many people as his sermons.

KH:    They will reach more people than you could even dream about Zenas! So, how much do you charge Paul for your legal services?

ZE:    I never charge a man of God who is trying to win souls. God provides for me just fine as long as I try to put Him first (Matthew 6:33). Paul gives me what he can as a love offering.

KH:    That’s what we’ve done in our ministry for twenty years as well. Hey, when you get done helping Paul in Nicopolis, stop by Pensacola, Florida would you? I could use some godly advice on my case.

ZE:    Sure. Where is Florida?

KH:    Never mind. I’m sure God has more lawyers like you that love Him. Have a good trip guys.

ZE:    Thanks. I pray you win your case soon, but while you are locked up, use Paul as your example.

KH:    Thanks, I will.

GOD:    Let’s go home, Son.   …How did you like Zenas?

KH:    He was great, Lord! Send one like that for me, would You please? Or, better yet, You be my advocate and plead my case (Psalm 35:1). I hear You never lose a case.

GOD:    I’ve got it under control, Son. Go sing in the choir. I’ve got your back.

First Read: Acts 1: 23-26 – “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

KH:    Well, Lord, I’ve got a decision to make. Which one should I choose?

GOD:    Oh Son! You’ve got it all wrong! Let’s go for a walk. Matthias can help you see the problem. There he is Son. Talk with him and listen carefully to his answers (1 Corinthians 10: 6, 11).

KH:    OK, Lord…Excuse me sir. May I talk with you for a moment?

MA:    Sure. Now how can I help you?

KH:    Well, I’ve got a decision to make and God told me to talk with you. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

MA:    Sure. I’m Matthias. I was a follower of John the Baptist years ago until he pointed out the Messiah at the River Jordan. Then I followed Jesus for the next three and a half years (Acts 1:21-22).

KH:    I didn’t see your name in the list of disciples in any gospel.

MA:    I wasn’t one of the twelve disciples but great multitudes always followed Jesus (Matthew 5:1; 8:1, 18; 9:8, 33, 36; 11:7; 12:15; 13:2; 14:22; 15:30; 19:2; 21:9). I was with him and saw it all. After His resurrection, I went with that group of 120 to Jerusalem to wait and pray for the Holy Spirit like He told us to do. It was during that ten day wait that we made the big mistake.

KH:    What mistake was that?

MA:    It was simple really. Looking back, I can see it clearly, but at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.

KH:    Lots of mistakes are like that!  What was yours?

MA:    It wasn’t just mine. The whole group of us failed to see the proper way to make a decision.

KH:    What happened?

MA:    Well, Peter got the bright idea that we needed to replace Judas because he had killed himself (Acts 1:13-22).

KH:    How did he die? One place says he hung himself (Matthew 27:5) and another says that he fell down and split open (Acts 1:18). Is there a contradiction?

MA:    No. He did hang himself but the rope broke and he fell down and broke open. Both are true. Anyway, once Peter told us about needing to pick a new disciple, which Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 seemed to confirm, we all thought it was a great idea. So, we set some reasonable qualifications (Acts 1:21-22) and selected two (v. 23) who met the qualifications. Then we prayed, cast lots, and I was chosen (v. 24-26).

KH:    Sounds like a good way to know God’s will in the matter.

MA:    No! No! No! Don’t you see the problem?

KH:    What problem?

MA:    The whole thing was backwards. Look at this carefully. Peter made the decision before any of us had the Holy Spirit to guide us. He came a few days later (Acts 2). Secondly, we set the qualifications without the Holy Spirit’s leadership or guidance. Thirdly, we selected two men that met our pre-determined qualifications and then, fourthly, prayed for God to guide the casting of the lot! Duh! How is God supposed to get into that mess?

KH:    I see what you mean! You did have it all backwards.

MA:    Yes! First we should have waited for the Holy Spirit like Jesus told us to do. It’s dangerous to go off making big decisions without His leadership.

KH: That’s for sure! King Saul did that several times (1 Samual 15; 18:10; 19:1; 22:7-19) and King Amaziah, though he was a good man in many ways, did not ask God to guide him (2 Kings 14:8) and it cost lots of people their lives! Even Joshua forgot to ask God a few times (Joshua 7; 9). Nearly every person listed in God’s Word has done that a time or two. Yes, even King David did it too.

MA:    I know and we sure did that day! God didn’t want any of us to be the twelfth apostle. He wanted Paul, who got saved later (Romans 1:1). There was no way we could have known that in those days. We should have waited like Jesus told us to do. Peter’s bright idea sounded so good but it was all wrong. I can see it now. God hadn’t chosen me. I’m never mentioned again in scripture.

KH:    Thanks, Matthias. I see it too. First you should decide if you need to decide. Then pray for God to guide before you narrow it down to only two that you think would be good. I’ve seen people here make that same type of mistake. First they decide they need a new car. Then they set the qualifications like four-door, automatic, AC and V-8. Then they narrow it down to a Cadillac or a Lincoln and then flip a coin. Duh! It’s going to be heads or tails! It’s crazy when you think about it.

MA:    What’s a car?

KH:    It’s really an advanced version of a chariot. However, I think I got the answer to my question. Thanks.

MA:    You are most welcome.

GOD:    Well Son, let’s go home. Did you get it?

KH:    Yes, Lord. Please guide me to know if I even need to decide at this time or just wait.

GOD:    Now that’s a prayer I enjoy hearing! Go walk a few laps, Son. I’ve got everything under control. I’ve got your back.

*For more on decision making see Don’t Swing At the First Pitch.

CSE

Genesis 41:45 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

KH: Excuse me, sir. You seem a little upset. What’s troubling you?

Potipherah (PO): Oh, it’s these hard-headed Egyptian people that I try to help. They just won’t listen!

KH: Listen to what?

PO: Common sense! I keep telling them to get ready for what’s coming but they won’t listen!

KH: What’s coming?

PO: Well, last year Pharaoh had a dream about the world having seven good years followed by seven bad years. Joseph interpreted the dream for him so Pharaoh promoted him and gave him my daughter, Asenath, for a wife (Genesis 41:45). He’s a great son-in-law! Anyway, God warned us that there would be seven years of great plenty and it came true. I’ve never seen the earth produce so much food in my life! Times are great and everyone is getting rich but they won’t listen to me.

KH: What are you telling them?

PO: After these seven good years, come seven bad years. They should all be saving up for trouble, not buying new camels and houses they can’t afford. Let’s look at this logically. The average farmer makes about fifty piastres (Egyptian money) a week during normal times. While things are going good, they are making about a hundred per week. Pharaoh is taking 20% and saving it up (Genesis 41:34). That was Joseph’s idea.

KH: Sounds smart!

PO: It is, but the people don’t see what’s coming! During the seven bad years they are all going to go broke and have to live off the 20% Joseph is saving. They will all become slaves of Pharaoh if they don’t plan ahead. They are going to be living on twenty piastres a week for seven years. If they would just save while times are good now, they won’t have to sell everything when bad times come.

KH: I see what you mean. They will have to live on twenty then, so why not save another 20% or more themselves for the bad times? When they get a hundred, they just buy more stuff they really don’t need, and they will lose it all later. They will become servants. Anyone can see that coming. Solomon said, “the borrower is servant to the lender” and “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on and are punished (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12).

PO: Great advice! Who is Solomon?

KH: I’m sorry. My bad. He won’t be born for about eight hundred years.

PO: We’ll be dead by then for other reasons beside the famine! Anyway, Joseph is a wise man to plan ahead for the famine. He is having huge pits dug in every city to store grain. He’s planning way ahead!

KH: Great thinking. Moses also said people should not borrow (Deuteronomy 28:12-13, 44-48). People who borrow or don’t plan ahead will eventually become slaves.

PO: I agree with those teachings and can see it coming for my fellow Egyptians, but they won’t listen! Who is Moses?

KH: I’m sorry. He won’t be born for a few hundred years either, but all the Egyptians will know about him when he comes! Anyway, what are you doing to prepare?

PO: I’m saving up! I’m telling all the priests to do the same. It just makes sense. We know we can live on fifty piastres a week under normal times; so, while we have a hundred coming in, we should give Pharaoh his twenty, save forty, and learn to live on forty. Then, when the hard times come we won’t even notice. We should plan ahead. It’s obvious!

KH: Sounds simple to me! Americans will be hurting here soon because they didn’t read and head Joseph’s advice! We’ve had it good for many years and most people were foolish during the good times.

PO: Where is America?

KH: Never mind. Thanks for talking with me, sir. Congratulations on getting Joseph as a son-in-law. He’s an amazing man and one of my heroes.

PO: I appreciate him more and more each day.

KH: Me, too ( I Corinthians 10:6, 11).

I’m asking any who love God and our ministry and our country to pray that the Supreme Court will grant my motion and then rule in our favor on both issues. Below is a summary of my Motion. If God leads you, please pray and fast with me on January 8, 2010.

09-5043
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
TO GRANT WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Kent E Hovind pro se
#0652-017
Federal Satellite Camp
Box 725
Edgefield, SC 29824

PETITIONER respectfully prays that this Honorable Court would GRANT Petitioner’s Petition for Rehearing to resolve a Circuit split and to clarify a matter of law.

The first issue is to establish the meaning of the word “structuring.” In 31 U.S.C.§5324(a)(3); Ratzlaf v. United States; as well as the 2nd Circuit; the 7th Circuit; the 9th Circuit, and the 10th Circuit all say the amount structured in two or more transactions must be more than $10,000.00. However, both the lower district court and the 11th Circuit Appeals Court say that a single transaction of more or less than $10,000 violates the law and results in a five year prison term, as was my case in which each single transaction of less than $10,000.00 was charged separately as a crime.

I pray that this court will resolve this split; or, if the 11th Circuit decision is now case law establishing that any transaction in any amount can be declared a crime, please use the rule of Lenity. Our withdrawals of ministry money received in legitimate ways to spend on legitimate church ministry bills were withdrawn as the ministry had need of them and were never a part of a large amount being broken down for any illegal purposes.

I cannot find any cases where any court has ruled that withdrawals, rather than deposits can be structured, nor can I find a case that answers the question of whether a single transaction can be considered a structuring crime. I pray that this court will grant my petition to review this case to answer these issues.

The second issue the circuits are split on, is the 1995 PRA. 44 U.S.C. § 3505; the 10th Circuit in U.S. v. Collins, 920 F.2nd 619 fn 12 and 13; this court in Dole V. United Steelworkers; the 9th Circuit in U.S. v. Hatch and the USGAO report from 2005 page 34 all agree that I cannot be penalized for not filling out a “bootleg” form, yet the lower court said 44 U.S.C. § 3505-12 cannot be relied upon and gave me five years in prison for doing so. The 11th Circuit was silent on this issue on appeal. The 10th Circuit has another case being appealed to this court on this issue as well.

When 31 USC § 5322, 5324 was amended (See Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994 codified at 31 USC § 5322(a) and 5324(d) this caused a Constitutional issue that requires this Honorable Court’s clarification as it impacts the circuit split on structuring as well.

I pray this Honorable Court will GRANT my petition for rehearing to resolve the splits and clarify the 1995 PRA.

Respectfully Submitted

Kent Hovind pro se

KH: Excuse me sir. You seem a little upset. What’s troubling you?

Potipherah (PO): Oh, it’s these hard headed Egyptian people that I try to help. They just won’t listen!

KH: Listen to what?

PO: Common sense! I keep telling them to get ready for what’s coming but they won’t listen!

KH: What’s coming?

PO: Well, last year Pharaoh had a dream about the world having seven good years followed by seven bad years. Joseph interpreted it for him, so Pharaoh promoted him and gave him my daughter Asenath for a wife. (Gen. 41:45). He’s a great son-in-law! Anyway, God warned us that there would be seven years of great plenty, and it came true. I’ve never seen the earth produce so much food in my life! Times are great, and everyone is getting rich, but they won’t listen to me.

KH: What are you telling them?

PO: After these seven good years come seven bad years. They should all be saving up for trouble, not buying new camels and houses they can’t afford. Let’s look at this logically. The average farmer makes about 50 pastries a week during normal times. While things are going good they are making about 100 per week. Pharaoh is taking 20% (Gen. 41:34) and saving it up. It was Joseph’s idea.

KH: Sounds smart!

PO: It is, but the people don’t see what’s coming! During the seven bad years they are all going to go broke and have to live off the 20% Joseph is saving. They will all become slaves of Pharaoh if they don’t plan ahead. They are going to be living on 20 pastries a week for seven years. If they would just save while times are good now they won’t have to sell everything when bad times come.

KH: I see what you mean. They will have to live on 20 then, so why not save another 20% or more, themselves, for the bad times? When they get the 100, they just buy more stuff they really don’t need, and they will lose it all later. They will become servants. Anyone can see that coming. Solomon said, “the borrower is servant to the lender.” And “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on and are punished” (Pro. 22;3: 27;12).

PO: Great advice! Who is Solomon?

KH: I’m sorry. My bad. He won’t be born for about 800 years.

PO: We’ll be dead by then, for other reasons beside the famine! Anyway, Joseph is a wise man to plan ahead for the famine. He is having huge pits dug in every city to store grain. He’s planning way ahead!

KH: Great thinking. Moses also said people should not borrow (Dt. 28:12-13; 44-48). People who borrow or don’t plan ahead will be slaves eventually.

PO: I agree and can see it coming for my fellow Egyptians, but they won’t listen! Who is Moses?

KH: I’m sorry. He won’t be born for a few hundred years either, but all the Egyptians will know about him when he comes! Anyway, what are you doing to prepare?

PO: I’m saving up! I’m telling all the priests to do the same. It just makes sense. We know we can live on 50 pastries a week under normal times so while we have 100 coming in, we should give Pharaoh his 20, save 40 and learn to live on 40. Then, when the hard times come we won’t even notice. We should plan ahead. It’s obvious!

KH: Sounds simple to me! Americans will be hurting here, soon, because they didn’t read and head Joseph’s advice! We’ve had it good for many years and most people were foolish during the good times.

PO: Where is America?

KH: Never mind. Thanks for talking with me, sir. Congratulations on getting Joseph as a son-in-law. He’s an amazing man and one of my heroes.

PO: I appreciate him more and more each day.

KH: Me too. (I Cor. 10:6, 11).

KH: Lord, what else could I have said?

God: Nothing, Son. Some just don’t want to hear the truth. It’s been this way since Cain killed Abel. No amount of logic will reach some people. Let’s go meet Stephen. He had the same problem… Ok, Son. That’s Stephen against the wall.

KH: It looks like he’s bleeding and the people around him are really mad!

God: That is correct, Son. He’s about to be stoned to death. I’ll freeze time for everyone except you and him so you can talk for a few minutes.

KH: But Lord, can’t You stop them?

God: Of course I could, but I know what is best. I know you can’t see it from your side, but it’s really precious when My children die for their faith (Ps. 116:15). You’ll see it clearly one day and it will all make sense then. For now, just trust Me to do right (Ps. 72:14; Rev. 14:13). Go talk with him, Son.

KH: Ok, Lord… Excuse me, Stephen, these guys look pretty angry and you look pretty peaceful (Acts 6:15). What’s going on here?

Stephen (ST): Well, it’s a long story. The church in Jerusalem is growing fast (Acts 5:42) and lots of widows who were Greek were being neglected when food was passed out (Acts 6:1) so the disciples selected seven Greek men to oversee that job so the apostles wouldn’t be distracted from their main job of preaching and teaching the Word.

KH: That seems like they were being more than fair to use Greeks to pass out food, since it was Greeks that complained.

ST: Oh, they were very fair! Everyone was happy. I was chosen to be one of those first deacons. God used me to do wonders and miracles (6:8), and many were being saved. This must have upset the Jews at the liberal synagogue in town, because they began arguing with me (6:9). All I was doing was telling them the truth from God’s Word.

KH: That’s all I try to do, too, and it sure makes some people mad! You should have seen the atheists at Berkeley University! They were livid! We’ve got it on video.

ST: Where is Berkeley? And what’s a video?

KH: Never mind. Berkeley won’t be started for 1,830 years and video for about 1,930. Never mind. Let’s just say that they were less than open minded to hear the creation message I gave there.

ST: That’s the same reaction I got today. I gave a very logical message from God’s Word showing that Jesus was indeed that Just One promised by the prophets (7:52). These guys know the Scriptures, and they know I told them the truth. I could tell it cut them to the heart (7:54), but instead of repenting and accepting Christ, they got angry and bit me!

KH: What else could you have said to them?

ST: I don’t think any words or scriptures or logic would have helped. They are set in their beliefs and don’t want to hear anything else. It’s been this way since the beginning. Nothing Moses said or did would have convinced Pharaoh. God finally had to take him out the hard way. Jezebel, Nabal, Belshazzar, and hundreds of others were the same way. All we can do is preach the truth. How they receive it is up to them. If they don’t like what you say, they will find a way to take you out.

KH: How did they “take you out?”

ST: First they falsely accused me of breaking some law. Then they got two false witnesses to lie about me (Acts 6:13-14). After that, they gave me a chance to give a defense (Acts 7: 1-53), but it was like I was talking to a wall. They had already made up their minds to kill me, so here I am.

KH: Does it bother you?

ST: I hate it for my family’s sake, but I ‘m excited to be a martyr for Christ. It’s precious in the sight of the Lord when one of His die (Ps. 116:15). He has lots of rewards for those who suffer for him. There is one more good thing about them stoning me today.

KH: What’s that?

ST: Do you see that young man over there where the witnesses are laying down their clothes?

KH: Yes, who is he?

ST: I don’t know, but I think God will use today to soften his heart. Watch him.

KH: I think you are right, Stephen. I think God has great plans for that young man (Acts 7:58; 9:1-18). Some hardened people can only be won this way.

God: Let’s go home, Son. You know how it turns out.

KH: I do, Lord, but I don’t know how mine turns out. They want to lock the ministry doors tomorrow. What will happen?

God: Just trust me, Son. Go to your class. I’ve got your back.