May 18th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

May 17, 2012

My dad (Robert Hovind 1920-1993) was an electrical engineer for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria for many years. He was a VERY smart man! In addition to his brilliant mind, Dad possessed enormous amounts of common sense. He often had great words of practical wisdom for me as I brought him my problems. I was scanning channels a few weeks ago and heard a song called “I hear voices.” Hmmmm… me, too, a voice from the past—my Dad’s!

One day as a young man, some kids were talking badly about me behind my back. I went to my dad, and the following is the gist of our conversation, a great example of Dad’s wisdom.

“Son, you say a few kids are saying bad things about you behind your back at school and this hurts you? Let me try to put this in perspective for you. As I see it there are four kinds of people in the world. Let’s see which kind of people they are and what kind of person you want to be.

1. Great people with great minds.
These people spend their time thinking about and talking about ideas, concepts, plans, goals, and dreams. These people change the world! Be one of those.

2. Average people with average minds.
These people spend their time thinking about and talking about events. What’s for lunch? What movie is showing this week? Who won the game? Did you get a deer last week? Have you heard about the tornado in Alabama? Have you seen the new Vet!? Who will care in 1,000 years?!

3. Weak people with weak minds.
These people spend their time thinking about and talking about other people. Who is the best golfer? Who is the best quarterback? Who got a raise at work?

4. Evil people with evil minds.
These people spend their time talking about other people behind their back where they can’t defend themselves. Did you notice so and so showed up late again? Did you see that awful dress Sally was wearing? What do you think about the birthday gift she gave him? He really thinks he is something, doesn’t he?

Son, these people talk about you till you enter the room and then they start again when you leave; but, while you are there they will pretend they are your friend and smile and be nice and kind. They are hypocrites, son. Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 7:15. They are foolish and evil. They will accomplish nothing with their lives and will prevent you from accomplishing anything of value as well if you spend time with them or let them get to you. Avoid them, son. Forget them and walk away. (Proverbs 14:7).

It is not even worth trying to point out their problem to them. If you tell a pig he stinks he will do five things:

Be a great person, Son.

Now, let’s hear more about that idea you had the other day…”

Hmmmm… Matthew 6:33

Kent Hovind

March 20th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

Wow! A Colorado dust storm here today! It is almost always windy here, but today it is W-I-I-I-N-D-Y! The weather is beautiful but the temperature is dropping like a rock!

God just keeps putting needy men “in the way.” I’ve been blessed to lead another man to Christ in the last few days. What a blessing!

I keep getting mail from folks telling me my son, Eric, is doing a GREAT job out there with his Creation Today ministry. (creationtoday.org) That is a blessing beyond words! If your church has never had a creation seminar, then you should! It will strengthen people’s faith and challenge them to do more soul winning. THAT is about all that will matter in 1,000 years.

On the legal front: The 11th circuit court in Atlanta now has my Motion to Reconsider En Banc which I filed pro se. As always, I ask God’s children to pray Acts 12:5 style for my release. In the meanwhile, there are several bills in the works that would cut my time and set me free. House Bill #225 and Senate Bill #1231 would do just that, but both bills nearly always die in committee. I suppose asking the same people who profit from the prison system to vote to cut it back is asking a lot! I Timothy 6:10 anyone? Maybe there should be a law that those involved in locking people up (lawyers, judges, congress etc.) cannot own stock and therefore profit from the prison system that they feed with prisoners. Hmmmm?

Keep an eye on Israel and Iran. It sure sounds like Daniel and Revelation! It’s getting close folks! Stay close to the Lord and get busy for Him while there is still time.

Kent Hovind

March 19th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

Written March 15, 2012

Dear Shelley,

I am writing this as an open-letter to you, as I do not have your address. I will send a copy to your publisher: Barnabas Publishers, PO Box 6006, Altadena, CA 91003 and hope that you will get a copy.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for writing “Isolation, A Place of Transformation in the Life of a Leader.” A friend sent me your book. I was intrigued by the title, so I read a few pages and was hooked! I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. As you said, God puts 95% of His leaders through a time of “isolation” like Joseph in prison, Moses in the desert, and even Jesus in the desert for 40 days. Both the Bible and history record hundreds of example where God takes a man away from a ministry for a time of isolation either with prison, captivity, illness, or other circumstance in order to gain a deeper relationship with Himself, and to prepare the individual for an even greater ministry. It has helped me to see my prison time from God’s perspective. I’ve seen Him working inside me in hundreds of ways that are hard to explain.

Many people are “isolated” in a hospital, wheelchair, prison cell, a bad relationship, and are unable to see God’s hand in it. I pray that concerned friends will send “isolated people” a copy of your book so it can bless them like it blessed me!

My “isolation experience” or “desert experience” as you call it has sure caused me to go through the roller-coaster of emotions you describe so well. It is most encouraging to understand that this is a normal part of the process of God training a leader. I’m deeply concerned that many will fall away from serving the Lord in the trial of their faith, because they are not armed with an understanding of how God will use all trial, testing, and tribulation for His glory and their good.

Jesus warned His disciples that they WOULD endure tribulation, prison, trials, and even death. Yet, s-o-o-o-o-o many Christians have been lulled to sleep in prosperity, that when they face trials, they are totally unprepared. Thank you for showing us again in your book that “isolation time”—even prison and persecution—is not only normal, but good in the life of a believer.

You also mention in your book that God will use an “isolation time” to cause a “paradigm shift” in the life and ministry of a leader. That has sure happened to me in many areas. Though I am ready for this trial to be over, I can see how important this time has been in my growth as God’s child.

Thank you again for sharing your experience. I pray that it helps millions to continue serving the Lord. I’ll see you at the finish line!

In Christ,

Kent Hovind

February 20th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

February 10, 2012

I sit at my tiny 27″W x 15″D ‘desk’ answering mail and questions like I have done nearly every day for the last five and a quarter years. During that time, I have only had three days with no mail. Mail has been SUCH a blessing and encouragement! (See Pro. 25:25 and Mt. 25:34-46). I’m embarrassed that I still need encouraged. Elijah, too, was a man of like passions (James 5:17) and he got REALLY down a time or two himself (1 Kings 19:4-18).

I was saved February 9, 1969. Here I am, on the first day of my 44th year as God’s child in prison. This situation is no different than LOTS of God’s kids have endured over the centuries. Because the world hates God, so the world hate us as God’s kids, too! As I sit here answering Alen’s letter from Croatia, I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness and grace! I am answering a letter from a man I have never met, who is in a country I have never been. Yet, God graciously allowed me to minister to him through the seminar DVD series. Hmmmm? Whodathunkit?

Alen enjoyed the series so much, that he paid his lost sister to translate Part One into English and she was saved as a result!

“My sister, Aleksadra, has become a Christian! How? Well, she was unemployed, so I gave her a DVD entitled, “The Age of the Earth” to translate it, and I gave her some money, of course. While translating, she repented and put her life in the hands of the Lord Jesus. I am sorry for my bad English language, but it is easier for me to translate English to Croatian (Hrvatski) than to write or to speak English. Sorry.”

Alen, PLEASE don’t be sorry! You blessed me beyond words! Knowing that the Mighty God of the Universe is willing to let us feeble humans work in His Kingdom is just… well, just overwhelming some days!

Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives! It is never too late to sign up in God’s army!

KH

By The Way: There was a great program on coasttocoastam.com last night, February 9, 2012! Check nongmoshoppingguide.com! I mention population reduction in The Creation Seminar – Part One.

February 8th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

A Day in the (Prison) Life of Kent Hovind
Written on January 19, 2012

Five years ago today I was sentenced to ten years in federal prison — three of them for praying for a man on the radio and five of them for taking our own ministry money out of our own ministry bank account to pay the ministry bills! Whoda’ thought it could happen in America? It actually might be funny if it were not happening to me!

The case is still on appeal at the 11th circuit as well as motions to the district court. I still maintain my integrity and innocence as did scores of Bible characters like Joseph, Job, Paul, etc. God has been s-o-o-o-o-o good during this time of captivity! I see now why He often let the heathen take His children into captivity or prison even though they had done nothing to deserve it. (See Jeremiah 37, 38, Ezekiel 1, Daniel 1, etc.) This whole experience has changed me in a thousand ways (all good I hope) and I pray I will be even more useful for Him when I get out. The time to read, pray, meditate, rest, and write is great! (I’m rested Lord! Can I go home now?)

Anyway, many have asked what a typical day for me in the prison is like; s-o-o-o-o-o, here is the schedule of a typical day in my prison life:

• 4:00 am Woke up and listened to coasttocoastam.com radio show for 30 minutes. I’ve been guest on that program a few times. They have a wide range of folks as guests and often it is good stuff! I often wake up between 3-5 am and listen to part of that program.
• 4:30 am Back to sleep for an hour and a half of the sweetest sleep of the night!
• 6:00 am Up, dressed, and walk to chow hall for breakfast and to drop off outgoing mail before 7:00 am.
• 6:45 am Met one of the 20+ new inmates arriving at the prison to help orient him to where things are and what he is to do.
• 7:10 am Shower and clean room.
• 7:30 am Meet with several of the new converts I am discipling for daily Bible reading. Read Genesis 24 and had a great discussion! That is one of my favorite chapters! The father sent the servant to the far country to get a bride for his only son. Sounds like God sending the Holy Spirit to earth to get a bride for Christ! That will preach! (See “Where’s The Bride?” DVD.)
• 8:00 am Sign in at education even though I don’t teach till 1:30.
• 8:05 am Spent more time showing the new guy how the email and phone work and gave him a quick tour of the camp.
• 8:25 am Print out labels for tomorrow’s mail. We are only allowed to print five labels per day.
• 8:30 am Answered letters back in the room.
• 9:50 am Check and answer email and drop off about a dozen letters to mail. Walk a mile and work out with small weights to rebuild my torn rotator cuff from softball injury while I was in Edgefield, SC almost two years ago! You’ll find out when you get old!
• 10:15 am Back to room to rest till lunch call. (I love and practice Psalm 4:4!)
• 10:45 am Call to lunch. Fried Chicken. Food here is pretty good! NOT as good as the wife can cook though! Miss THAT BAD!
• 11:15 am Back to dorm to read and rest. There are no bars or fences here and we are free to walk to other buildings on the prison camp compound most of the day.
• 12:00 pm Send and receive email again and go to law library to type on various projects.
• 1:00 pm Took a short break to walk half mile and work out shoulder again. It is a beautiful day today — 60 degrees, very sunny and WINDY! Typical high desert weather.
• 1:10 pm Back to typing projects.
• 1:30 pm Teach GED math class. This is both a blessing and a real eye opener! Many others have documented the planned, deliberate decline in the American public school system so I will simply add my voice to say, “Wow! What a problem! What a lack of learning!“
• 2:30 pm Go to commissary to get my shopping list of little things needed here. The BOP marks up everything sold to inmates 30%. (Search the web for who profits from this!) Most guys get paid $.12 per hour which equals between $6 and $20 per month. I make $17 per month for teaching in the GED classes. Not bad for fifteen year’s experience and five post graduate degrees! (I thought Abe Lincoln fought a big war to stop slave labor. Somebody needs to notify these folks!)
• 2:50 pm Worked typing legal paperwork. I’ve been trying to get my legal files that were kept in Edgefield, SC when I was taken out of that prison nineteen months ago! The prison in Edgefield still has not sent them to me, and now the courts claim that I was late filing my 2255 motion! More bureaucratic insanity!
• 3:15 pm Checked and answered email.
• 3:30 pm Went to gym for Mail Call. I received 12 letters! What a blessing! See Proverbs 25:25. I wish everyone got some mail. Call the Creation Today office for a list of men who need encouragement via mail. 850-479-3466.
• 3:45 pm “Town Hall” meeting in the gym for the Assistant Camp Administrator to tell us some of the guys are not keeping their room clean enough. I know a great way to solve that problem — send us all home!
• 4:00 pm Line up for Count Time in the dorms.
• 4:10 pm Read mail and take a ten-minute nap!
• 4:45 pm Supper time.
• 6:00 pm For over four years I have been working on another degree. The last requirement is the writing of another dissertation. I have been writing this during the past several years. I was about 90% finished, and was having it mailed back to me for the final proof and additions before I submitted to the school. The mail room here sent the rough draft back saying that because I did not take the courses offered here at the prison, I could not receive it. For the last six months I have filed papers back and forth with prison officials requesting that I be allowed to be given all my mail. I could write a book on the ridiculous obstacles the prison officials have put in my way but then, Nehemiah, Moses, and a host of others had problems to overcome as well. It sure seems like someone, maybe Satan, does NOT want this information to be printed! The dissertation is based on II Peter 3 where the scoffers are ignorant of the creation, the flood, and the coming judgment. I’ll keep trying!
• 6:30 pm I did something I VERY rarely do — I watched the last half of the movie shown in the chapel on Thursday night. It was “Angels in the Outfield.” VERY STUPID! Now I remember why I don’t do this!
• 7:30 pm Had Bible study with several of the young converts here. Wow! It is great to watch them grow in the Lord! God has let me lead about 15 men to Christ in the last two months! Creation Today has a list of their names. If God leads you, please send letters, one gospel tract and KJV Bibles to these men!
• 9:40 pm Back to the dorm to check email.
• 10:00 pm Count time — again!
• 10:20 pm Read till sleepy.

This entire prison system is a HUGE waste of time, energy and money! Why would America host 5% of the world’s population and yet host 25% of the world’s prisoners? Hmmmm? Maybe because the politicians and judges are allowed to own stock in the prison industries? There are lots of simple suggestions to fix this problem in The Kennel by Elijah Green that is posted someplace on line. When I become king, I’m shutting this place down! Do you honestly think that the politicians and justice department employees who profit from this prison system that destroys families will vote to scale it back or shorten prison times? See I Timothy 6:10 for the answer! There is plenty of legislation proposed each year to help fix the problems, but it almost always dies in committee.

Meanwhile, I’ll just keep winning souls and discipling them like the Lord commanded. Please pray Acts 12:5 style for my release and for the growth of these new converts. As usual I have lots of paperwork in the courts that could set me free.

In Christ,

Kent Hovind

January 5th, 2012 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

Written December 31, 2011

The End of the Year ~ Time to Take a Look

I. The Look Back ~
We made it! The year 2011 is over. Who would have thought the world would make it this long? Lots happened during 2011 in the Hovind family, in the ministry outreach, and in my personal life. God blessed greatly! (Duh!) Against my wishes, I was moved from Georgia to Colorado. The prison camp here has 500 guys; is beautiful, clean, and safe; and has a great view of the mountains including Pike’s Peak 35 miles due north. I’m free to write, teach Bible studies and serve God. I’ve been blessed to lead about 20 men to Christ at this camp and am actively discipling about a dozen who are still here. Many of their names are on the previous blogs and they love getting letters!

Following the example found in Luke 2:52 of growing physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, I use the end of each year to check each of those areas in my life. I don’t know why, (my two inch mattress, the mountain air, regular chiropractic ) but I have actually grown since coming here. I’m now 6’2″ not 6’1″. Who cares? Well, my 5’0″ wife might as it might stretch her neck even more to kiss me if they let me go HOME! My torn rotator cuff is better but not 100%. I’m picking up some Spanish and French, teaching GED math, reading a lot of history, writing lots of stories and booklets, and am still very close to finishing the dissertation for another doctorate. It deals with the creation, the flood, and the coming judgment as outlined in 2 Peter 3.

I still get and answer about 40—60 letters each week and am s-o-o-o-o-o-o grateful for the mail and the encouragement it brings. In my 1,885 days of being locked up I’ve only had 2 (two) days where I got no mail! MANY guys here receive NONE! Psalm 142:4 says “no man cared for my soul” and that describes many of the men in prison. I’ll continue listing names of men who need encouragement and would be MOST thankful if you would write them.

Eric’s new ministry, God Quest, is producing lots of great creation materials! Keep an eye on him as he continues to do great things for the Lord! Hopefully you have read about “The Genesis Project!” This enormous undertaking may reach millions for Christ!

II. The Look Forward ~
What will the new year bring? Only God knows the future but He has revealed a LOT in His Word. One thing is for sure as I see it: December 21, 2012 is NOT the end of the world or the date of the rapture. Matthew 24 is very clear on the subject as is Mark 13 and Luke 21 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. The “gathering together” of God’s elect comes AFTER the sun and moon go dark. That unmistakable cosmic event is mentioned at least 10 times in Scripture (Is. 13:10; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2; Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Lk 21:25; Acts 2:20; Rev 6:12, etc) and provides a GREAT ‘anchor’ around which we can study eschatology. It’s sort of like a big Sudoku puzzle. I’ve been working on my study of end times for years and have had to change my theology several times. As I study the Scripture, I believe things will continue to get much worse on planet earth and we will be here for part of it. I suggest everyone who wants to know what to do read carefully God’s Word and do what it says. Win souls like never before in your life. Nothing else will matter in 5,000 years I assure you!

I hope to write many more stories, knee-mails, and blogs praying that they will help others grow in grace.

I continue to file motions in the courts pro se, hoping to exonerate myself in this case. I feel a little like Moses felt after Pharaoh turned down his ninth appeal to let the people go. Maybe God will have to talk to Pharaoh a little louder. Thanks for your Acts 12:5 style prayers!

III. The Look Around ~
Souls are lost, people are hurting financially and in many other ways. The need is great everywhere! DO SOMETHING for the Lord! There has never been a better time in earth’s history to serve God. FANAFI! (Find a need and fill it!) Persecution of believers world wide is at an all time high. More Christians have been killed for their faith in the last 100 years than in the preceding 2000 years! I suspect the great “falling away” is upon us.

IV. The Look Inside ~
This is a great time of year (Actually, any time will do) to look inside and examine your life and heart. (Ps. 139). God promised He would “hear from Heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land” (BOY do we need THAT!) if we would “Humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways.” II Chron. 7:14. Look inside today and ask yourself, “Could I be part of the world’s problem? Will God judge America because of me and my sin? Is my heart right with God? If not, see and apply I Jn. 1:9! FAST! Are you a godly person? Are you trying to follow God’s will? Check your God given role and duties against Eph. 5; Col. 3; I Pt 3, etc. and fix any errors you see.

V. The Look Up! ~
God is not tired. He is not worried. He is not sleeping. He is not distracted. He is never caught off guard. He knows the end from the beginning. He is not late. He is not weak. He is not calloused. He may indeed need to let us suffer so others can be saved. He is not willing that ANY should perish! Even in judgment, He remembers mercy. Trust His promises. He clearly told us His will. Mary said it best in John 2, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, DO IT!” Her command was the BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN!

May God bless you in the coming year!
Kent Hovind

December 21st, 2011 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

December 16, 2011

Dear Brother Ish,

Thank you so much for faithfully producing the fabulous Creation Illustrated magazine for so many years. The pictures are stunning and the articles on creation are incredible! I especially enjoyed the article on the Quaking Aspen in the latest issue! Wow! I’ll use that one to reach others with the Gospel! There are about a dozen men here that I’ve led to the Lord in the last few weeks who meet with me twice a day for Bible study. These men are growing spiritually by leaps and bounds and REALLY appreciate your magazine as well! We share it all around the prison. Keep up the great work of glorifying the Creator even as the world falls apart. We need your ministry now more than ever! Please don’t get weary in well doing.

I hope thousands of folks purchase gift subscriptions to send others for Christmas, or birthdays, or ANY excuse! This magazine speaks to both the saved and the lost. The Lord can use this resource to change lives forever! (www.creationillustrated.com; 800-360-2732)

Thanks for your friendship over the years. Keep serving the Lord and winning souls!

Merry Christmas!
Kent Hovind

December 20th, 2011 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

Note from CSE:
This blog post was written December 28, 2010, by Dr. Hovind. We delayed in publishing it, and decided instead to post it for Christmas this year.
Interestingly enough, there recently has been a buzz in the news regarding the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Concern has been raised as to the nature of the story, and the presence of bullying. The following post is about the author of the original story, and it’s purpose to encourage others. (You can read about the current issue of “bullying” by clicking here.)

KH: Hey Lord, these are sure depressing times for a lot of folks. Many are wondering why You allow this and what good can come from it all.

GOD: I know, Son. I have everything under control. My children produce great things when they are under stress. They don’t usually see it as a good thing at the time though. I have plans for My children that will make them forget all these problems once they see it from My side (Rom. 8:17-28). For now, maybe if you go talk with Bob it will help you see a tiny part of the picture. Let’s go back about sixty years to Chicago and maybe Bob’s story can help you understand… There he is, Son. Go talk with him a few minutes.

KH: OK, Lord… Excuse me, sir, the Lord told me to ask you about your story. Do you have a minute to tell me?

Robert L. May AKA “Bob”: Sure! Have a seat. I love telling my story. It’s a miracle!

As a boy I was pretty small and was always picked on by others. I was different and just never fit in anywhere so I lived a pretty lonely childhood. Looking back I was probably a little bitter at God for making me different. Nobody really liked me or let me play with them. When I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to get a job as a copywriter for Montgomery Wards during the depression. Life was hard for everyone in those days! We struggled and were making it OK when my wife got cancer. That wiped us out financially! She died a few days before Christmas in 1938. My poor little four-year-old daughter was devastated! She didn’t understand why she couldn’t have a normal family and a normal mommy. We lived in a tiny apartment in the slums of Chicago. I couldn’t even afford to buy her a Christmas present that year.

KH: Wow! That’s bad! So what did you do?

Bob: I gave her what I could — a story. I wanted her to understand that God can take our tragedies and use it for good. I made up a story of an animal that was different from all the rest and nobody wanted to play with him. He was sad too. Then, one day it all worked together for good (Rom. 8:28) when the very thing that made him different became a blessing instead!

KH: What animal was that?

Bob: His name was Rudolph. He was a reindeer with a bright shiny nose and nobody liked him. I told her the story over and over. She never got tired of hearing it! I tried to make it better each time. She didn’t know it but it was really my life story told through that little deer. I put it in book form for her and the manager at work asked if he could see it. He liked it and offered to buy it for a nominal price. I sold it to Wards and they ended up printing and selling over six million copies!

KH: Too bad you sold the rights to it! I’d love to get one of those copies. Do you ever wish you had not sold it?

Bob: Well, yes and no. They made a fortune that’s for sure but when a major publisher wanted the story, Wards gave the rights back to me! I love my boss and my company! They didn’t have to do that but they did.

KH: I’ve never heard of that either! That was a really great thing for them to do! So, what happened?

Bob: The publisher made a deal with me and sold millions! I became very wealthy! I got remarried and my brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song about Rudolph. Bing Crosby wasn’t interested but Gene Autry, the singing cowboy made a recording and it sold more copies than any other Christmas song ever except White Christmas.

KH: That’s amazing! That song and story has helped lots of boys and girls who are different feel like they are special and can be used too!

Bob: That’s exactly why I did it. It worked beyond my wildest dreams. If I had enjoyed a normal childhood and tragedy had not struck my life so many times, I probably never would have written it and would be a poor copywriter at Wards today.

KH: Wow! God sure uses the worst to make something great sometimes, doesn’t He?

Bob: I sure couldn’t see it while it was happening but looking back… I am sure glad God sent that time of sorrow and suffering.

KH: Thanks for the story, Bob. That is very encouraging!

Bob: You are most welcome.

GOD: Let’s go home, Son… does that help?

KH: Yes, Lord. It sure does. Moses couldn’t see You until You had passed by (Ex. 33:22). I sure see Your work better after You pass by in my life, too. Are you going to use my prison time and trial to do something that will help encourage others, Lord?

GOD: I always do, Son, if you qualify under Romans 8:28. Just love Me and stay in the middle of My purpose for your life and I’ll work it all out for good. Go walk a few laps Son, I’m also working through you on a few of those men in there. I’ve got your back.

"Bob May", "real story", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", bullying, dad, daughter, encouragement, grieving, news, original, Rudolph

December 19th, 2011 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

“Inside the Circle”

Matthew and Jordan Hovind are cousins. They live next door to each other and just two doors down from Grandpa. One day they were helping Grandpa rake the freshly cut grass. The green foliage smelled s-o-o-o-o-o good! Both Matthew and Jordan were very hard workers!
Matthew picked up a handful of the grass to smell it and said, “Hey, Grandpa? Does grass burn?”
“Well now, THAT is a great question and I think we need to take a little trip to find the answer,” said Grandpa as he scratched his chin. “How about let’s finish raking up this pile and then take a trip with the Magic Globe? Would you like that?”
The boys jumped up and down excitedly and said, “We would love it!”
“All right,” laughed Grandpa, “you boys wash off the rakes and put them away while I call your moms to be sure it is OK.” After getting permission from the moms, Grandpa, Jordan, and Matthew all walked in the Science Center to the Magic Globe. Grandpa handed the tiny key to Jordan. He knew just what to do. He put the key in at the South Pole while Grandpa set the dial on top to take them back about two hundred years. Jordan turned the key and the globe began to hummm quietly.
“Where are we going, Grandpa?” asked Matthew.
“We are going to find the answer to your question, Grandson. Green grass doesn’t burn very well, but once it gets dry, it can burn like crazy! I’m going to show you one of the biggest fires in the world and it was mostly just grass that was burning in the fire. Do you know where Kansas is?”
Matthew scrunched up his nose as he looked at the globe. “I think it is a state in the middle of our country, America, isn’t it?”
“Very good!” smiled Grandpa. “You must be a Hovind. You are s-o-o-o-o-o smart!”
“I sure am a Hovind,” said Matthew as he looked at all the states in the middle of America until he found Kansas. “I see it, Grandpa!”
“OK. Let’s hold hands tight while Matthew touches Kansas. We will see something you will n-e-e-e-e-e-v-e-r forget!”
Matthew touched Kansas and POOOOOF! Before they could even blink, they were standing in the middle of a prairie covered in grass as tall as Jordan! For miles and miles, there was just flat land covered in dry, brown grass as far as they could see.”
“Wow! This place is HUGE!” said Jordan. “Where are the people? Where are the trees? Where are the houses? I don’t see anything but tall grass! Does anybody live out here, Grandpa?”
“Not yet.” said Grandpa. “We went back about two hundred years in history. People will come later and build cities and plow the land for crops, but for now, only a few Indians come here to chase the millions of buffalo that come through here to eat this grass. It’s hot summer now and the grass is all dry and brown. The buffalo have all traveled west to nearer the mountains where the grass is still green.”
As they watched the sky, Matthew saw some clouds way over on the horizon. (Oh, the horizon is the place where it looks like the sky touches the ground.) “Look Grandpa! It looks like a thunderstorm is coming.”
“It sure does, Matthew,” said Grandpa as he reached in his pocket for some matches. “Let me know if you see any lightning flashes.”
As the storm blew closer, lightning flashed down to the ground, its sparks setting the tall grass on fire. In just a few minutes, the fire was spreading—FAST! The dry grass seemed like it was almost exploding as the fire got closer. The flames were burning over 100 feet high! As the fire got closer, the wind started blowing s-o-o-o-o-o-o hard that it was pulling things into the fire! From their viewpoint in the middle of the prairie, it looked like the w-h-o-o-o-o-l-e world was burning!
“Grandpa!” yelled Jordan, “We better run! That fire is coming right at us!”
“It’s OK boys. We could never outrun that fire even if we had a car. We have to do something else to protect ourselves from this fire. Just stay close to me and watch,” said Grandpa as he struck a match and threw it down by their feet.
“Grandpa!” yelled Matthew. “What are you doing? There is already a huge fire coming at us and now you are starting another fire! Are you sure you know what you are doing? I’m scared!”
The boys were looking pretty worried as the h-u-u-u-u-u-g-e prairie fire raced toward them. The little fire Grandpa had started by their feet was also spreading in the dry grass. Pretty soon, it burned a circle and Grandpa said, “OK boys! Jump over the fire into the burned circle.”
They all jumped inside the circle and watched the fire burn the grass Making the burned circle around them bigger and bigger. The giant prairie fire was racing very close to them now. It was the biggest fire they had ever seen! It was so loud and the wind was blowing so hard that they had to yell just to hear each other above the fierce noise of the raging fire. The burned area where they stood was still warm from the recently burned grass, but it wasn’t nearly as hot as the fire itself.
“OK boys,” yelled Grandpa so they could hear him, “Stay close to me and get down low to the ground. We about to see something totally a-m-a-a-a-a-a-z-i-n-g!”
They obeyed right away and squatted down close to Grandpa. The giant flames got closer and closer! Grandpa wrapped his long arms tightly around the boys so the wind would not pull them into the fire. They could feel the heat as they desperately held on to Grandpa’s body.
Just then, the big prairie fire reached the edge of the circle Grandpa and the boys had burned. As it came to the charred, burnt area, the giant fire began to go around them! They were astonished to see the fire race right past them on both sides as it continued engulfing the prairie. Finally, the wind slowed down and they stood up. Everywhere around them the grass was GONE! There was just black smoking ground everywhere. The boys looked down at their soot covered skin and clothing.
“Wow! What happened, Grandpa?” asked both boys at once.
“Well,” said Grandpa, “We just saved our lives by being in a place where the grass was already burned. It can’t burn twice. I heard the old timers who came across this prairie learned that trick from the Indians. You can’t outrun a fire like that! You m-u-u-u-u-u-s-t get in spot that is already burned and let the fire pass over you.”
“Wow!” said Jordan, “THAT was unbelievable! I thought we were going to get burned up for sure! That fire was GINORMOUS! Who would ever think that grass could burn that fast?!”
”And that it could get so hot!” exclaimed Matthew. “I guess that answered my question, didn’t it, Grandpa?” Grass burns GOOD if it is dry!”

“It also teaches us a great lesson, boys. Hold my hand. It’s time to go back to the Science Center.” Suddenly. . . POOOOF! They were standing by the humming globe. Jordan turned it off and gave Grandpa the key.

“The lesson is pretty simple but v-e-e-e-e-e-r-y important!” said Grandpa as he put the key in his pocket. “That fire is like the judgment of God. It’s coming fast and we cannot escape. The only way not to get burned, is to be in a place where it has already burned. Jesus already died on the cross to forgive our sins so if we put ourselves “in Christ” by asking
Him to save us, it is just like us being inside the burned circle. It may be loud and hot and scary at times, but we are safe from the fire. If we are in Christ, we are safe from God’s judgment.”

“I asked Jesus to save me,” said Matthew. “I’m glad He already took my punishment on the cross.”

“Jesus died so that anyone can be saved,” said Grandpa. “We need to tell everyone else to hurry and get saved before it is t-o-o-o-o-o late. Let’s go see if Granny Jo has supper ready boys. Maybe we can help her set the table or carry stuff for her.”

S-o-o-o-o-o, like hungry boys, they did!

The End

December 15th, 2011 by CSE (for Dr. Hovind)

That’s all I could think of when I read the article in Scientific Amerian (December 2010) entitled “The Importance of Junk DNA” by Melinda Moyer. She says:

“Genes make up only about two percent of the human genome. The rest was for many years ignored as ‘junk DNA.’ But over the past decade biologists have come to understand this space is an incredibly important part of the genetic code, home to a vast treasure trove of information that controls how genes behave.”

New Testament writer, Peter was s-o-o-o-o-o right when he warned us that scoffers would come in the last days who were “willingly ignorant” of the creation, (see Creation Seminar Parts 1 and 2) the flood, (see Creation Seminar Part 6) and the coming judgment (2 Peter 3:3-9).

The very idea that humans, or any living creatures for that matter, have “junk DNA” comes from the faulty starting point many modern biologists use. They are generally trained to believe the ridiculous evolution theory that says man is a result of a long upward climb from single celled creatures and is only here due a random arrangement of molecules. We are just “lucky mud” according to the evolution theory. Given that starting point in their thinking, it’s no wonder they think we have “junk DNA.” I’m glad Melinda is starting to see the light! I cover the “junk DNA issue” on Creation Seminar Part 4.

Can you imagine if they instead, started with the assumption that an all-wise, all-powerful Creator designed us as well as everything else in the universe from the micro-cosm to the macro-cosm? What a difference THAT philosophy would give them. That starting point would help them in their research! They would see that the original design was perfect and that we today, being a copy, off of a copy, off of a copy… of Adam, should be expected to have a few flaws but are still simply amazing!

The little flaws that have crept in since the creation due to a wide variety of factors are really pretty minor. If they would only start with creation thinking instead of evolution they would see that man was created perfect and marred by a fall and 6,000 years of sin and genetic decay. Maybe someday, mainstream biologists will finally be willing to admit with David the Psalmist, “I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:4).

When I stop and ponder how perfect Adam and Eve were, I can’t help but wonder what’s next! In 1 John 3:2 we read, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

With all the aches and pains that have crept into this body in just 58 years, I hope it’s not too much longer! I’m s-o-o-o-o-o ready for the Lord to come back and set up His kingdom on this earth! (Matthew 6:10). Read Revelation 21 for a little taste of what’s coming for God’s kids! If you are not sure you are going to Heaven please see our article on How to Be Saved.