Sure Hope Gazette

Skipping Without a Rope My dad taught me all about how to take a simple piece of flat shale and using just the right wrist movement and fling, that thin piece of dark shale would joyfully skip across the surface of the flat calm surface. If it didn't work the first time, you just kept trying until you got it. Not sure why exactly, but what an enjoyable activity. Once I learned that, I would look for any rock flat enough (only if there was no shale of course) to skip across any water surface. Some would work, some went kerplunk. Oooh, remember Kerplunk? Hmm, but I digress. But don't ya just like saying that word though? Okay, back to the matter at hand, skipping rocks. Turns out, I also skip proverbial rocks across the Bible as well. What do I mean exactly? Well,  don't know about you, but when Craig and I come to those chapters in the Bible that are all about the genealogies and/or names that tend to twist the tongue in the Bible (not to mention knowing how to pronounce ...

Conspiracy Theories Believe it or not, Craig and I enjoy researching conspiracy theories to learn which ones are conspiracy fact. Unsure about what a conspiracy theory is, keep reading…  It is pretty common that when you tell someone what you believe really may have happened regarding say, the JFK assassination or September 11, 2001, they look at you like you are out of your mind. It gets worse when you tell them about how secret or elusive societies such as the Freemasons, the Illuminati, the Bilderberg Group , or the Bohemian Grove and such, seem to really exist. It is why we usually only discuss it between the two of us :o) Merriam Webster Dictionary's definition of conspiracy is "a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal and  conspiracy theory   definition: "a theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a secret plan by usually powerful people or groups."  Basically, conspiracists don't...

The people cried out against their fellow Israelites because they were worried about the famine or dearth in the King James.  Dearth is Hebrew for  1. famine, hunger  A. famine (in land, nation) i) of Jevhovah's word (fig) B) hunger (of individuals) They mentioned that they had even mortgaged their homes and land in order to buy food. Even the children were being forced, I assume by their parents, into slavery. I think when they say that because their fields and vineyards belong to others, that is why they have had to force their children into bondage - as a form of payment. It is sad to think that in order to eat, children can be used as payment in some degree.  When Nehemiah heard what these people were crying about he talked with the nobles and the rulers and convicted them on their usury. They were using the famine as a  means to gain wealth/slaves from their own people who didn't have the means to repay what they owed. Yet if the people who borr...

Chapter 4 of Nehemiah Sanballat was livid when he heard that the wall was being rebuilt. He mocked the Jews. He talked to his army of Samaria, asking things about what the rebuild could mean…"will they fortify themselves? Will they make and end in a day?” Tobiah tried to make fun, by saying that if a fox went on the wall, he would break it down. Nehemiah prayed to God, saying “we are despised…” When Sanballat and Tobiah, the Arabians and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were coming along, that all of the breaches were repaired , they were very angry. So angry they conspired all night (verse 4:8) against the Israelites, how to fight them and hinder them. Nehemiah and the people prayed to God and placed people in places to watch throughout the night and day. Judah was concerned that the strength of the bearers is weakening because there is too much rubbish, to move.“ Their adversaries said, that the Israelites won't know or see us until...

Nehemiah Chapter 3 Chapter three seems to be about listing the names of those who helped with the building of the wall of Jerusalem and even mentioning those who didn't help. Here are just a few notes on what I believe this chapter is about.  One thing that came to mind was that nothing in God's Word is in vain. Meaning, that even the lengthy lists of genealogies and details have special purpose. So I cheated and googled that thought. Because specific names of gates and areas are mentioned, I thought it would be a good idea to have a diagram of Jerusalem to see where these places and names fit in. http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/nehem3.htm On that note, here's what I saw in chapter three and after that is the link that gives an idea of what all of the details may mean.  In verse one we are told that Eliashib, who was the high priest, with his brethren the priests, built the sheep gate and sanctified it, as well as setting up the gate's doors...

Nehemiah Chapter 1 My synopsis is from reading the New American Standard Bible and the King James. I totally endorse the King James Bible, but the way my brain works, I just have a very difficult time understanding what I am reading at times. So to help explain it, I do reference some other translations. However, the KJV, I believe, is the number one standard to use. I know that sounds confusing and makes little sense- if I believe it is the best Engish translation, but, it is where my head is at for now.  As visual artist/creative person that I am, reading the KJV, is sort of like solving math problems. Might I say, my first semester of math in grade nine was 29%! I think old english accesses the left lobe of the grey matter, like math does. My right lobe, never shuts down, but the left…well, all I can say is, I hope that makes some sense. I don't believe it is a sin to use another translation, but I do think it gets too confusing when we do not have one standard to use as a ...

[Pro 30:5-6, 8, 11-14, 18-20, 25-26, 28, 33 KJV]   5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  ... 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  ... 11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.  13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.  14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.  ... 18 There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:  19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serp...

Been a while since I said I was going to blog my studying to be accountable. Well, forget the excuses, yah, the excuses. Okay, I will write about them in the next entry :o).    [Pro 27:1, 5-7, 12, 14-15, 17 KJV]   1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. …  *This reminded me of James 4.  [Jas 4:13-15 KJV] 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Pro 27:5 KJV   Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.  6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.  7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bi...

I almost didn't do this...didn't I say that's what happens...good intentions and all. But here I am, thank You God for those heart tugs. Didn't actually do any official studying today but here are some thoughts. Baby Steps... Wasn't sure where to begin but since my goal is to study the entire Bible, it makes sense to start at the "Blue Letter Bible."  is a great study for online/digital users. There is a great lexicon and a bunch of translations, not to mention dictionaries and commentaries. I believe God wants me to focus on asking the Holy Spirit to show me and not depend on the teachings of man.  He has blessed some with the gift of teaching so He can teach us through others. We just need to remember to test the spirits and watch our life and doctrine closely. book f Genesis. The Ready, Set...Study... . Regarding what translation of the Bible I believe I need to use. To date, based on prayer and experience, so far the King James is the main one,...

"Inductive"  simply means  to use logic induction and reasoning by examining the particulars, facts, and essence of a text, such as context and word meanings first before making any conclusions. "  Have you ever listened to or read someone's testimony or teaching about their relationship with Jesus Christ and their words affected your heart, stirring that longing to be as close as you possibly can with Jesus? So you vow from that moment on to get studying and reading, praying and learning. You even buy a new Bible, a note book and some fancy new coloured highlighting pencils! Then the sun rises on the next day and before you even got started, there you are distracted with life. In my case, whatever impulse that has caught my attention, be it sewing, organizing, drawing, yapping, creating, writing, watching cooking videos...whatever it may be. Poof, the sun sets and my new notebook is unmarked. Thankfully, we can't earn favour with God and He knows our hearts...

Have you ever felt that something you heard or read under the banner of "Christianity," just doesn't seem right? It happens too me a lot. It doesn't mean I am right, but it is something that I struggle with often. It is why articles like this appear on this blog. Yes, sometimes I wonder if I am being too "picky" about what is okay to watch, read or listen to, from a Christian stand point that is. A valid query I think, especially in light of how many fellow Christians, leaders and organizations in this world, unquestioningly endorse all kinds of so called "Christian" books, movies and such. Yet when I get these warning signals in my heart and research whatever it might be, more often than not, it turns out I am not alone. There are other brothers and sisters in Christ who also feel like minded. That comforts my heart and convicts me even more to speak out, to share what I have learned. Not because I enjoy critiquing others, but because the Bib...

Joni Eareckson Tada ...even those who aren't Christian seem to know about her. My first "encounter" with her was through an LP  my sister shared with me back in the mid 70s, I enjoyed her voice a lot.  Turned out she also had an autobiography about her life detailing the story of how she ended up paralyzed and all that she had learned thus far. Her life was one that was unlike anyone I had ever heard of before. For an adolescent like me, that was a big deal after all, she and I had a few things in common, she may have been older than me, but we both used a wheelchair, and just like me, she loved to make art and sing. Needless to say, her life inspired me. I learned about living with a disability, how to deal with challenges and over come them, most importantly she affirmed what I always felt, my disability was a gift from God. Having physical challenges would cause me to depend on God's provision. Just like she had to learn by suddenly facing a disability, I was born...

Sure Hope! We always like to share Christian ministries and organizations that others may also be inspired and encouraged by. Paul Flynn from Ireland has quite a life transforming testimony. He was a satanist, and had declared war on God, steeped in the enemy's ways. Just as God transformed Craig and I, Paul Flynn's life was also saved, making him a new creation in Christ. It is always good to be reminded that we can never "earn" salvation or God's favour by being "good" or living what some may say, "properly." Even if we "do" all the right things morally, without Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we have no hope. If you are searching for the meaning of life and are at rock bottom, like we once were, or if you are cruising along believing all is well yet you don't know Jesus as Lord of your life...know that you are loved with a love that no human can offer us. All you have to do is cry out to God and ask Him to show yo...

Been thinking about the commandment regarding graven images and whether or not making "bible" movies and such are "okay." Actually, as an artist it has been something that has bothered me for years. I just can't bring myself to make any images representing Jesus because it doesn't sit right. So, why share these verses. As well, I just found a video of a fellow named Paul Flynn who discussed the very thing I wanted to know more about. Not done listening to it all yet, but wanted to share it anyway. May God give us wisdom and discernment and may He be our strength to walk according to His will. [ Exo 20:4 KJV ] 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: [ Deu 4:23-25 KJV ] 23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, [or] th...

Let The Bible Be Our Compass- Not Hollywood The "Son Of God" movie was released on February 28th and we have decided to avoid it, for all the reasons mentioned in the original article. Just the other night, my Mom asked me if we knew anything about a new "God" movie. After I spewed out why she should avoid it. She responded with how people can easily take out the parts that aren't in the Bible, no biggie. Her choice of course. Maybe she'll tell us if she see's it, I'd be curious to know what she thinks. This is the very reason why we are trying to warn others, so those who do go and leave do not leave unquestioning any of it, embracing it as proper doctrine. We must always use the Bible as our compass. Nothing and no one but God's Word can off  His unchanging Truth. We must do all God warns us about helping little ones or young believers from stumbling, falling into deception. [ Mar 9:42 KJV ] 42 And whosoever shall offend one of [these] l...

I f you are a Christian, you know that Heaven is real, it is where God dwells and where we will spend eternity with Him. Over the years I have heard a testimony or two, about people who "died"' on the operating table or some such thing, and then experienced what some call heaven. You know the lingo, "I saw a tunnel of light or a great light..." When I first became a Christian I really struggled with these testimonies, wondering if they were true or not. As I always did way back then, I asked my big sister/mentor in Christ Sue, for the answer. She pointed out that we should look at what the fruit of their experience was. Did the experience draw them to, and honour Christ or did it do the opposite, leading people away from Jesus Christ? That helped a lot. Since then I have also learned more about the spiritual battle that rages on 24/7 not just against believers, but how Satan and his cohorts are always trying to draw people's attention to anything...