Structural Framing Beams

Let's start with the beams. They can be Glulam, Parallam, Microlam or even wood beams. What are all of these and why do I need them in my house. The beams are used to hold up parts of the house and are located in your walls, roofs and floors. Beams are used to transfer a load from one point to another.

Structural framing beams allow the architect to create large openings, floors and roofs in your house. The beams are also used to support the weight over the doors, windows and other openings in your home. These beams support massive amounts of weight in some cases and are even made of steel if needed.

Another growing problem is the lack of old growth trees in the forest. If we just used wood beams with out using the new engineered beams we would have to cut down a lot more of the bigger trees. So you can add these guys to your Christmas list. The lumber or wood engineers have come up with all sorts of alternatives for new building products. These new beams are just some of them. Keep up the good work guys...

Glulam is a engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or 2 x 4s that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. If you use a Glulam beam on the buildings exterior you will have to order a exterior Glulam beam. In this case the manufacture will use special exterior rated glues for the beam.

When ordering any wood engineered beams specify to the lumber yard what you are using the beam for. Exterior or Interior of the building. If you use a interior glulam over time there is a good chance of the beam delaminating or cracking apart.

Parallam is made from almost all of the wood on the log using veneer strands that are aligned parallel for maximum strength. The end product is a rectangular beam; which is longer, thicker, and stronger than solid-sawn lumber. They are often used as beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses.

Microllam is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. It is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature. Made in a factory under controlled specifications, Microllam products allow users to reduce the onsite labor. They are typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material.

These beams come in all sorts of different lengths, widths and heights. They are engineered to hold amazing amounts of weight. They really are great engineering marvels.

Tip: I have had to replace almost all of these types of beams over the years due to some form of damage. Like anything else in your home if it is used improperly there is a good chance your are going to have some sort of failure. I have seen people add weight to these structural beams with no thought of them ever failing.

If you are planning on building a room addition, rebuilding your roof, adding a floor or any other type of construction where you are adding a addition load to your house. You might want to consult with a building contractor or structural engineer.

Thanks Greg For Another Super Article On Home Building. For more great articles visit Greg at http://gregvan.com/

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Causes of Structural Failure

Another Crappy Rule In The Bible

Build Your Own Deck With the Right Power Tools

You'll have to start out with using a little imagination to picture what you want your end result to be. A complex deck may be out of your league, so leave that up to the professionals. You'll need only basic construction skills to build a simple deck.

There are many home and garden type magazine that will inspire you with some ideas, but you'll have to decide how large you want your deck to be. Try a few chairs and a small table around the area of your yard where you are planning to build it. This will give you a basic idea of how much space you will need. You might find a plan that already suits what you need.

The type of decking material you choose will depend on your budget. A wood deck is obviously going to be less expensive than a higher-end composite deck. However, remember to calculate on your costs how much you will have to pay for maintaining the deck if you decide to go with wood. It can be costly in the long run. The plan you follow will list all of the building materials and hardware you'll need. Definitely invest in the right power tools if you don't already have them. A cordless drill and a good "chop saw" saw will save you hours of labor.

Deck piers are also a must if you want to save time and strain on your back. These are pre-formed concrete footings with notches that accept standard sizes of wood. They are used in a "deck pier system" which saves you the trouble of digging holes and pouring your own footings.

Once you have calculated all of the materials you will need, have them delivered from your local building supply store if you don't have a vehicle to get them yourself. Before you begin construction, do an inventory of your materials and power tools. It will go smoothly if you have everything you need on hand.

For more information on Power Tools or visit http://www.directtools.com

Chakra Meditation - Help For Chakra Visualizations

Chakra meditation can help you remove stress and anxiety while replacing them with positive energy. There are seven Chakras that can be opened while you meditate. These are useful elements in yoga, new age and Buddhist spirituality exercises.

What are Chakras?

Chakra meditation requires you to use chakras in order to meditate to your fullest potential. There are seven of these elements to consider as you develop a new way to relax and open your mind to your spirituality. Each of these elements has organs, emotions and colors that can be used for your visualization techniques.

Crown and Root

The crown is linked to the nervous system and the brain. This realm is important in connecting to your higher self. Your visualization color in this area is purple and the energy is targeted towards the top of the head. When you open the crown, you relieve yourself of isolated feelings and headaches.

The root connects your energy to stability and self-sufficiency. This charka needs to be in balance with your crown because it provides a link from the self to the material world.

The visualization color of the root is red and the visualization in your body involves the adrenal glands, spine and circulatory system. When you open the root, you relieve bodily aches and tiredness.

Solar Plexus and Umbilical

The solar plexus relates to your confidence and esteem. Chakra meditation in this realm visualizes the color yellow and it affects the liver, stomach, kidneys, spleen, gall bladder and diaphragm. When you open the solar plexus you improve confidence, make better decisions and abdominal conditions.

The umbilical connects to sexuality. The visualization color is orange and this realm is located at the belly button. This chakras involves hormonal and emotional balance. When you open this realm you address hormonal imbalances and extreme shifts of emotion.

Throat and Heart

Chakra meditation includes the throat image that involves self-expression and individual growth. When this realm is closed, so are you. You can overcome shyness by opening the throat in your visualization. The color of this element is sky blue and it involves the neck, thyroid and throat area of the body.

The heart is love with no conditions. The visualization color is green and it is located in the middle of the chest. Emotional elements include trust, empathy and tolerance. Closing the heart can cause problems in the heart, lungs and the upper part of the back.

Third Eye

The third eye in charka meditation involves your intuitive nature and creativity. Opening the third eye can enhance your ability to foresee events and it helps you take other perspectives. The visualization color is indigo and the third eye is positioned on your forehead. Closing the third eye can lead to infection and allergic reactions.

Opening your various elements takes considerable concentration and meditative fortitude. Chakra meditation can open the world to you if you open your elements to your self.

J. Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. 'Chakra Meditation' is an excellent recording by Duncan McColl, based on his decades of experience in powerful and classical clinical therapy. To find out more, visit Chakra Meditation. A range of other self hypnosis products can be found here - Meditation Self Help. All of the recordings on Self Help Recordings are backed by an impressive sixty day guarantee, so to find out more simply click on the links.

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Religion Articles

Bathroom Renovation Checklist

Planning a new bathroom can be a lot of fun, but not taking care of all the details properly can lead to disappointing results. Use this checklist to keep track of the decisions that need to be made as well as details that should be discussed with your designer, installer or carpenter.

BEFORE YOU START Asses how much storage you will need for the following items. Keep in mind how many people will be using this bathroom, and be sure to take their items into consideration. Knowing just how much "stuff" you actually use on a regular basis will help tremendously when planning your cabinetry space, number of drawers or size of medicine cabinets.( ) Makeup (if you keep it in the bathroom)( ) Facial cream / wash / toner( ) Lotion / body cream / sunblock( ) Sponges / scrub brushes( ) Shaving supplies (Razors, creams, etc.)( ) Hair products (Gel, Mousse, etc.)( ) Hairdryer / curling iron, etc.( ) Toilet paper / tissues( ) Bath supplies (salts, bubble bath, etc.)( ) Shower supplies (shampoo, conditioner, wash, etc.)( ) Medications (if you keep them in the bathroom)( ) Traveling Items (Little bottles, mending kits, small containers, etc.)( ) Toothbrushes / toothpaste( ) Overstocks (Extra creams, tissues, toilet paper, etc.)( ) Cleaning supplies (if you keep them in the bathroom)
STYLES AND FINISHESCheck these off as your decisions are being made. You'll feel like work is progressing as you take items off your To-Do list. You'll also have a good idea of all the decisions that still need to be made. Keep a separate list of all the model numbers, colors and details you've chosen, this way, when a delivery is made, you can easily double check that it is in fact what you've ordered.
CABINETRY( ) Style( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) Hardware( ) Special StorageESSENTIALS( ) Sink(s)( ) Bath / shower( ) Toilet( ) BidetACCESSORIES( ) Sink faucets( ) Bath / shower faucet( ) Shower head( ) Towel bars( ) Toilet paper holder( ) Magazine rackFLOORS ( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) ExtrasCOUNTERS ( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) Edge( ) Corners( ) BacksplashLIGHTING ( ) Task lights( ) Ambient lights( ) Bath / shower lightELECTRICAL ( ) Outlets( ) Light switchesOTHER DETAILS ( ) Mirrors( ) Windows( ) Window treatment( ) Moldings( ) Baseboards( ) Door( ) Doorknob( ) Medicine cabinet( ) Shower curtain / doorWALL TREATMENT - GENERAL( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishWALL TREATMENT - IN BATH / SHOWER( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishWALL TREATMENT - ABOVE SINK(S)( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishOf course there are probably other things you will need to add to this list, but at least you've got something to start with. It's also a great tool for planning your budget. Happy renovating!

By Marijana Kuljis - Professional Organizer

organized! http://www.youareorganized.com

Effectively Study For Finals

One of the most stressful times in college is finals time. Students performance on finals will often be the difference between and A or a B. It may even be the difference between passing the class and failing the class. For this reason it is very important to learn tips on how to study for finals. I have written many articles with tips and suggestions that you can use but this article will explain the basic foundation to success and tell you how to use it to become a better student.

The basic foundation to success in school, business or life in general is motivation. Sorry if you were looking for the end all be all suggestion but the bottom line is motivation directly relates to success. But how does motivation make you a better student and furthermore how can I get motivated if I am not.

Motivation works best if you know what you want to achieve. Students or people who feel like they are spinning their wheels often feel this way because they do not have a plan or direction to focus on. Therefore motivation will suffer. The first thing that you must do is to understand what you want to accomplish and then write it to paper to confirm it. Maybe you want a promotion at work or maybe you want A in a class or a 4.0 GPA. Once you know what you want to accomplish you use your motivation and desire to achieve your goals.

Clearly, this is easier said than done and in order to be successful you have to make sacrifices. The key point here is develop your goals, focus on what you want and you will see your motivation increase. Maybe you are a student who is struggling, if you are this article also applies to you. Set your goals to become a better student and use your new found motivation to learn new study tips and methods. Then put those newly found tips and methods into practice and watch the results.

My motivation was to become a better student by learning how to improve my study skills and also learning how to increase my study speed. Motivation will help you become a better student guaranteed but you have to find it and use it. As mentioned before becoming a better student is learning how to increase your study speed. A website you can go to to learn the benefits of speed studying is here SpeedStudyMethod.com. Imagine how well of a test taker you will be when you can study twice the material in half the time. My motivation was because I had more time to focus on other things. There are many benefits to using this method of studying. I used this method and was able to finish my undergrad in 3 and half years and currently I carry a 3.79 in my MBA program. If you want to be a better student follow these tips and check the website out you won't regret it

Why Read The Bible?

How easy is it for you to let dust collect on your Bible?

There was a time when I was first searching out the truth about Jesus Christ that I was embarrassed to let friends see the bible I had purchased sitting in my living room.

Then there was a season during which I was so proud to have my study bible laying open with a bookmark, highlighter and note paper nearby.

Then my bible started to just feel like an extension of my own body... always there, always ready.

Then the bible collection began... I wanted different versions, different purposes, different looks and different styles. A bible for my bedroom, a bible for the car and a bible just in case someone needs one.

And sadly... there has been a season in my life where my bible collected dust. How can that be?

Why read the Bible?

A. It shows you the right path.

B. It alerts you when you are getting off the right path.

C. It teaches you how to get back on the right path.

D. It empowers you to stay on the right path.

Isn't that what life is all about? Finding and staying on the right path? And isn't life always trying to get us off of the right path? The Bible is our Path Guide. We dare not let it collect dust - or worse yet, be left behind completely.

Joel Osteen and his father before him begin every service at Lakewood Church by leading the entire congregation in a simple prayer of confession and it starts like this:

"This is my Bible:

I am what it says I am;

I have what it says I have;

I can do what it says I can do."

When you open your Bible to spend some quiet time with your God - Do you believe that you are what the Bible says you are? Do you believe that you have what it says you have? Do you really believe that you can do what it says you can do?

How will you approach your Bible today?

About the Authors: Kelly McCausey and Sandra Jensen lead the Me Skills Discipleship Community, a private membership website for Christians who wish to enjoy a deeper relationship with Christ. Subscribe for free daily email devotionals at http://www.meskills.com

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Are Christians Really Interested

Religion Poisons Everything

During the "Does God Exist?" debate between Frank Turek and Christopher Hitchens, Hitchens made much ado about how "religion poisons everything." That's the subtitle of one of his books, in fact. Turek countered in his closing statement by remarking, "religion doesn't poison everything...everything poisons religion."

At the time, I thought "woaaaa, good one!" It had a rhetorical punch to it.

On second thought, though, I can see that the statement's value is limited.

Of course Hitchens' statement goes too far, and Turek's notion of religion being poisoned from the outside brings some balance. However, some religions really are poisonous in and of themselves. Some religions really do teach hate and violence. I'm primarily thinking of Islam here. There is no doubt that some followers of Islam are peaceful people, but the Koran really does incite violence and backwardness. A study of the Koran or a cursory glance at a culture where Islam reigns will tell you that.

I know certain verses in the Koran prescribe peace, yet those verses tend to come from the time when Muhammad lacked military and political power. The surahs "revealed" when Muhammad had power tell a much different tale, however.

There are other examples. One doesn't need to stretch to see the poison of a religion that prescribes sacrificing children to Molech, for instance.

Some religions *are* poisoned from the outside. Take Christianity, for example. Jesus is sublime. His followers-not so much (not that I'm biased.. :) I do think that I've got good reasons to be biased, however!)

But others are poison themselves, and any followers who are peaceful and moral are such not because of their religion, but in spite of it.

Plus, similar to "curing" cancer with a medication that dulls the pain, all religions but one only cure the symptoms of the human problem, not the disease. Only Christianity, with Jesus the true doctor, cures our disease of sin. Therefore, all others are impostors and hence are not intrinsically good.

Rich Bordner authors "The Pugnacious Irishman," a blog on the intersection of spirituality, ethics, and politics in the public square of ideas. He holds a B.A in English and Philosophy from THE Ohio State University (go Bucks!), and is in the process of earning a M.A in Philosophy from Biola University. Check out the blog at http://pugnaciousirishman.wordpress.com

Renovate Your Bathroom in a Green Way

Green..green..&..green. The word has really become quite important today in the perspective of increasing danger of global warming. We need to protect our resources and ensure that a minimum is wasted, and better if the wasted ones are recycled as well. So the entire focus is on saving the natural resources, be it the construction of your bedroom or renovation of the bathroom. Government and some private organizations like green building association are working towards it and helping residential communities, Realtors, and individuals.

Bathroom is the place of solitude where one want to feel relaxed in a healthy and hygienic environment. The bathroom remodeling may be the initial step of your home renovation. In such blue economy situation, saving money is the top priority while considering bathroom renovation. There is no greater way of adding value to your bathroom than a greener way. The most prominent benefit of green bathroom remodeling is saving of water and energy resources.

Renovation with Recycled Materials

A number of bathroom hardware made of recycled materials are becoming popular like tiles, vanities and flooring. The use of recycled fixtures like refinished counter-tops and sinks encourages green bathroom remodeling and save your valuable money as well as conserve natural resources. The old fashioned claw foot tubs are regaining its popularity and might be a good choice for you.

Reduce the Water Consumption

Minimizing the water consumption must be your top priority while planning for your bathroom renovation in an environment friendly way. It should be considered that how much water is used in your bathroom, during flushing the toilet or during shower. You can reduce your water consumption by almost 20% by switching from old traditional toilet to smaller dual-flush toilet.

Old water guzzling shower heads are the prime culprits of wasting water. Replacing them saves in water bills. Dual- flush toilets help saving the amount of green washed into the toilet. It has two flush modes, one is for number one that flushes less water compared to the number two mode. That will definitely cut down your energy bills.

Remodel with Durability

It has been found that most of the bathroom renovation does last only a few years, and most of the waste that reaches landfill sites come from home remodeling including bathroom remodeling. This kind of bathroom remodeling creates a bad impact on environment as well as on your pocket. You make ensure that your green bathroom remodeling is durable and last longer.

Bathroom Hardware Supplier

Bathroom Renovation Tips

Attic Odors and Strange Smells

If you've ever opened up your attic access hole, only to find one of the worst odors you have ever smelled in your whole life, I've been there too. What causes these horrible smells and what can you do about them?

Let's start with the cause of these smells, moisture, dirt, mold, mildew, dead animals, animals that make their home in your attic and the biggest problem of all is normally poor ventilation.

Poor ventilation is the biggest problem with musty smells in the attic. These smells are often caused from moisture accumulating in the building materials over time. If there is enough moisture in the attic, the wood will start to rot but this wouldn't be a normal situation, unless there was a roof or water leak.

Roof leaks can cause a constant supply of water to one part of the attic. This constant supply of water will eventually rot the wood and damage the ceiling. Water leaks from pipes can provide a steady supply of water and the situation can attracts termites and mold. Not a good thing.

One of the worst possible smells or odors in your attic would be a dead animal. Don't under estimate the size of some of these animals, they have found dead raccoons, cats, snakes, large birds, squirrels, rats and mice in some attics. These animals usually enter through damaged access holes or vent blocks, roof vents, large gaps, holes and even fireplace chimneys.

Once these animals die, their bodies start to decompose and produce one horrible odor. Once the body is completely decomposed, the smell usually goes away if the attic is ventilated properly. These smells can seep into the homes living area, often creating a room that no one wants to enter.

Home peststhat make their home in your attics, often create smells from urinating and defecating in the areas around their nest. Large birds like owls can become a problem over time.

Now that we've figured out some of the causes for attic odors and strange smells, what can we do to prevent this from happening and if it's already happened, how can we get rid of the smell.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your having problems in your attic, find out more at pest control books and home building ideas.

Ask And You Might Receive Or Ask

3 Things to Keep in Mind to Stay Optimistic During Turbulent Times

Okay, so we've all seen the news: Many people are experiencing an economic downturn. Some people are fortunate enough to not be feeling the pinch, but many are. Although it seems rough right now, we all need to be mindful that there is great opportunity in a time like this. Here are three things to keep in mind to stay optimistic during these challenging times:

1. Be grateful for the things you have. Yeah, things are tight right now, but guess what? There are so many other things to be grateful for! Did you wake up today? Awesome! Say "thank you" for that! Do you have full use of your limbs? Say "thank you" for that! How about the fact that you don't live in the Congo? We are blessed beyond measure, but we get ungrateful and often don't think about these things that are so important and wonderful and yet so easy to forget.

2. Realize that opportunity rises from crisis. In the past, when things got rough for me, I wondered, "Why does it always happen to ME?" I'll be honest, I had a victim mentality. But as time went on, and I developed a more optimistic perspective on life, I would reflect on what I could learn from my adverse situation. Now, any time it seems like my world is falling apart, that things are just not going right, I reflect on past occurrences that seemed difficult at the moment, but ended up being an awesome growing experience for me. All my past negative experiences eventually lead to something beautiful and positive, and I have learned to be still and wait on the blessings that I know are around the corner. A layoff can result in a successful business endeavor. A painful breakup can lead to meeting the mate of your dreams. Develop a spirit of expectancy and keep your eyes open for the growth and opportunity that will come out of this situation.

3. Times like these can strengthen relationships. When times get tough, many friends and relatives lean on each other in ways they otherwise would not do in times of great prosperity. People have to move in with each other, carpool, or share more meals, and occurrences like these allow us all to spend more time together, see beautiful qualities in one another, and remind us all why we love each other so much. (Note: I understand that relationships are often strained during financial hardships, but there is also an opportunity to love and lean on each other a little harder, too. We make the decision as to how we want to interpret our situation.)

If you believe in a higher power, you are probably familiar with the concept of casting your burdens on God. But how many of us do that? Are you at home biting your nails, worrying about your bills, etc.? If that is the case, then you are not practicing your faith effectively. It is useless and unhealthy to worry after you have done all there is for you to humanly do. I learned something wonderful from a powerful woman named Florence Scovel Shinn. She writes in her book, "The Game of Life and How to Play It," that when you have done all you can do and see no other way out, you are to take advantage of your right to cast your burdens on God. So, when you feel there is nothing else for you to do, say, "I cast this burden on God and I go free." I know this sounds wild, but words impress the subconscious in a powerful way, and you will be amazed at the sea of calm that washes over you as you cast your burdens on an omnipotent power that gives you everything in the way of health, happiness, and supply. Remember these three things, stay optimistic, and watch wonderful things come your way. Be encouraged!

Nick Jenkins is a Success Coach & Consultant. Visit her site at http://www.optimismmatters.com to learn more.

Help the Elderly Stay in Their Homes

We all know we need to provide protection and safety for the youngest members of the home. However, have you considered modifications for the older generation that may need more protection now that they are frail or unwell?

Often times the first thought when a loved one becomes frailer is to place them in a nursing home. However, with things like home health care it is possible for your loved one to stay in their home or yours more simply. This is perfect in many cases as it lowers the cost of care and keeps them close, as they get older.

Bathrooms

In order to keep them safe there are a few areas of the home that may need tweaking a bit. Take for instance the bathroom, traditional showers and tubs can be hard and downright dangerous for someone is not in the best of health. One slip in the tub can equal a broken hip or worse. This is easily modified by a seat in the tub or in more extreme cases by adding a walk in tub.

It is also important to make sure the flooring is non-slip and that all necessary items are reachable. You do not want an aging loved one stretching high or bending low to reach essential items.

Bedrooms

Some homes may have staircases that are difficult for the elderly to transverse. This can be fixed in one of two ways, a stair lift or eliminating the need for them to go up or down the stairs. A stair lift is quite easily installed however; of you are renting or not ready to make that big of a change there is the other alternative.

Create a bedroom that is on the bottom floor of your home. Most homes have at least on room on the lower level that functions as a bedroom. If not it is an easy matter to convert a den or other similar sized room into a functional bedroom.

Steps

Outside steps can be especially treacherous particularly in bad weather. Eliminate the potential danger by having a ramp for wheel chairs installed or a basic handrail if a wheelchair is not used. A handrail will give them the added stability they need to get in and out of the house.

Failing Sight

When a person ages one of the effects can be failing eyesight. This makes any home a dangerous place. To alleviate some of the danger you can install high contrast signs that clearly label cabinets with food, from those with chemicals ECT... It is also a good idea to keep things in a constant position, in other words keep the bread and coffee in the same place all the time, same goes for medications.

Medications

The elderly are also prone to forgetfulness, they may take their medication then a little while later forget and take it again. This is a potentially fatal mistake so to prevent this from happening if your loved one is forgetful either install a simple hasp and lock on the medicine cabinet or purchase a special box that you can keep out of harm's way, it is probably a good idea to lock this as well.

Conclusion

The longer the elderly can stay at home the better, many become depressed in nursing homes and they do not always receive the best care. With a few modifications, they can stay home longer and be much happier.

Sylvia Kittens lives in Harrogate, England

New Home Buyers Beware

Ican't believe how many homebuyers purchase a house, with very little information and a Lotta hope. I'm a general contractor and often work on these homes, after they have been purchased and a homeowner has their money, the real estate professional is no longer involved in the transaction and the new homeowner is starting to experience the pitfalls from buying the home, that they sincerely believe was in good condition.

It's usually somebody like me that gets involved with the new homeowners after everyone else is out of the picture and chooses not to return their phone calls or explains to them quite simply, it's not our responsibility, you're the new homeowner and we really feel sorry for you, please call us again if we can help you with anything.

You couldn't even help me with that, why would I want to call you again if I had a problem. I never could understand this thinking but have ran into it often. It sounds like an oxymoron when someone refuses to help you but offers you help in the future. What ever!!!.

If homebuyers had something else to rely on besides their real estate salesperson, home inspection service, mortgage or insurance professional, I believe they can eliminate some of these problems. Where do you start and how do you get the information. You can gather information from reputable people, books, the Internet and so on.

The problem is how do you know these people are reputable and the books on the Internet have good information. This brings us to another problem, but I've got the solution that will help eliminate some of the grief. I'm not going to remove all of the grief from your life but have a suggestion for you that will eliminate some of the pain when buying a home.

Arm yourself with a good home inspection checklist. You can search the Internet and they have quite a few good home inspection checklist to work with. These checklist can provide you with things you might not have thought of, and this is where you can eliminate some of the problems.

If you took one of these checklists with you while you were shopping for a home, you would be aware of some of the problems with the home. You might not find all of the problems but these checklist will help you with some of the problems.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

What Happens To Nonbelieving

Planning For Motorized Shades

This article is part of a series which intends to offer a complete answer to the question "What is the difference between Somfy and Lutron in Motorized Shades?"

Today's sophisticated home automation systems are designed and incorporated into architectural plans at the very early stages of a project. Lutron, through its vast network of dealers, has always been involved at this stage planning the wiring for its lighting and lighting control products. In this way, Lutron's dealers are uniquely positioned to initiate the window shade discussion at the outset. This has played a significant role in growing the overall market for motorized shades and has moved the decision point for which shade system is used much earlier on in the construction sequence.

This new reality is due to the fact that while Somfy (and all other shade motor manufacturers) use an open wiring architecture - Lutron's is closed. How a house is wired for shades largely dictates which shades will be used. Lutron shades and controls use a specific wire. Why? Lutron's engineers designed their shade solution to take full advantage of the fact that Lutron's dealers are involved in wiring homes at the very early stages. Very clever! Using a proprietary specialized 7-conductor shading wire, Lutron and its lighting dealers are effectively able to 'lock out' non Lutron solutions at the time of pre-wire.

Somfy has launched a "Somfy Expert Program" - which is a wide scale effort to educate window treatment dealers and most importantly, integrators on how its motorized shade technologies fit into overall smart home systems. Besides facilitating relationships between Somfy's window treatment dealers and home automation companies, this affords Somfy an opportunity to be presented at the pre-wire and early planning stages of these projects. By facilitating partnerships and educating the players involved in pre-wire, Somfy's solution is no longer boxed out of these critical early planning stages.

It is important to understand that not all homes have dedicated lighting control and home automation systems. For now, these systems are found only at the very high end of the market. Motorized shade systems are sold and wired in homes without sophisticated automation and lighting control systems and in these cases, Lutron has no entrenched wiring advantage since its dealers are not involved in these projects. But that is cold comfort to companies like Somfy, who found themselves boxed out of some preeminent projects by din of the wire chosen and now behind drywall. In a reactive measure, a couple years ago, Somfy even introduced a motor and adapter that can plug into Lutron's special wire in an attempt to loosen Lutron's hold on this niche market. Somfy's recent efforts at educating the market are more enduring and comprehensive.

One must applaud Lutron for using technology to leverage its dealer's position in the project planning phases and begin the discussion of motorized shades early, on its terms. For its part Somfy has also used technology as an advantage to exploit certain weaknesses in the Lutron strategy. The next article in this series will explain how Somfy's introduction of radio frequency (RF) motor control changed the game for motorization of window shades.

The author, Gavin Sword, is an owner of Automated Shading - New York Motorized Shades The company offers Motorized Shades in New York, Florida, (Miami, Naples, Tampa, Orlando), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

A Guide To Whole House Water Filter Replacement Cartridges

The vendors who carry whole house water filter replacement cartridges cater to those customers who have a whole house system. This is a filter system that connects to the main water line going into a home. The typical connection comes before the point where the line splits, sending part of the line to the hot water heater.

When a homeowner has a this type of water filter system then all the residents of the home can enjoy access to clean and pure water in the kitchen, the laundry and the bathroom. Of course that access remains a benefit of residence in the same home only one overriding condition-the homeowner takes the time to get replacement cartridges.

As any homeowner thinks about investing in a filter system for the entire house, he or she might have a few questions. Frequently homeowners ask this question: Can I use this filter to get pure water for the plants in my garden and the grass on my lawn?

The homeowner must examine the blueprint for the house, in order to obtain an answer to that question. The homeowner needs to learn where the city's main water line splits into a "house" line and a "yard" line. Of course, no garden or lawn can receive filtered water if a homeowner fails to purchase the needed whole house water filter replacement cartridges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applauds homeowners who invest in a whole house filter system and also make the effort to get the necessary filter replacement cartridges. A survey done by the EPA in 2001 showed that 82,655 city water systems in the U.S. had unsafe drinking water.

Water safety experts at in the EPA know how the drinking of unsafe water can affect the health of those who remain unaware of the dangerous substances in that water. Sometimes water contains radioactive contaminants. When the residents of a home drink water with those contaminants they increase the likelihood that they could develop cancer.

If city water contains antimony, and if that water enters a home unfiltered, then the residents of a home could have rising cholesterol levels or falling blood sugar levels. If city water contains arsenic, then it could cause the unsuspecting city residents who drink that water to have unexplained skin damage or circulatory problems.

If a city water system contains barium, then the physicians in that city might find that a number of patients have a rising blood pressure level. Were those same physicians to inquire about the use of water filters in the home, they could probably link those rising blood pressure levels to the absence of a whole house water filter.

Having emphasized the importance of a water filter for the whole house, this article needs to offer help to those who plan to purchase whole house water filter replacement cartridges. Those who go in search of such cartridges should know exactly what size they need. Cartridges have varied lengths. The most commonly used cartridges have lengths of 5 inches, 10 inches and 20 inches.

Those in search of replacement cartridges should also know that there are three basic types of filters. Some come with sediment pre-filter; some have a high flow carbon filter. Homeowners can also buy a house filter with both sediment pre-filter and a high flow carbon filter.

Any homeowner with a water filter system for their residence should become familiar with the available sources for these replacement cartridges. Only the regular replacement of such cartridges can insure the purity and the good taste of water in a home. Only necessary replacements can guarantee the functionality of carbon filters with an ion exchange and of micron filtration.

The homeowner who has purchased a whole house water filter system has made a safe choice. The homeowner who, in addition, regularly takes the time to get whole house water filter replacement cartridges has made the safest choice.

Discover why you need whole house water filter replacement cartridges in your home.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

What an Olympic Champion Taught Me

Several years ago, I was training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During my early morning work-out I noticed this guy squat-walking around the track with a tire full of sand or something around his neck. It was obviously very heavy.

Can You Squat-Walk?

I did not know who the guy was or what he did as an athlete. Finally, one day at lunch I happened to be sitting across the table from him. I introduced myself. His name was Eric. I said, "I see you doing the squat-walking every morning. That's incredible. What sport do you do?" And he said, "I'm a skater, you know, a speed skater." Eric seemed to be a very unassuming person.

The Conversation That Changed My Life

We were both young guys in our early 20s. We met a few more times at lunch and one day I asked him, "How're the Winter Olympics going to be looking for you?" And he said, "I'm doing well. My training is going well." I asked, "How are you going to do?" And he said, without a trace of ego or arrogance, "I think I'm going to win five gold medals." And I'm thinking, "5 gold medals! He's a crazy man!"

So I Asked ---

So I followed up by asking why he thought he would win five gold medals. His answer changed my life. It was:

"Because I train harder than anyone else in the world."

I look at his answer as giving himself a rational reason for the irrational belief that he could win five gold medals. Therefore, as long as he continued training harder, he'd be giving himself permission to believe he could win.

I also asked him about his competition in the various events. He told me something else that rocked me. He said:

"The competition is with myself."

Eric only competed with himself. With his goals. With his physical capacity. The "competition" did not exist in his world.

For those of us who are old enough to know, Eric Heiden went out and he did win five Olympic Gold Medals in the 1980 Winter Olympics and while doing this he set Olympic and world records.

Big learning here...

Your WHY Is More Important Than Your What.

Eric linked himself to the outrageous goal of five gold medals. How?

Gold Medals = Working Harder Than Anyone Else = Eric Heiden's Belief

When you believe that it's possible, and give yourself a rational reason to believe it's possible, and you work like your hair is on fire --- then... IT IS POSSIBLE!

What Are You Linked To?

2008 Darryl L. Mobley

Want To Use This Article In Your E-Zine, Magazine Or Web Site? You can, as long as you include this complete short blurb with it: For nearly 25 years, super-achievers have praised "Life Acceleration Coach" Darryl Mobley. Darryl Mobley, publisher of the weekly How To Create A Life Worth Living eMagazine, business-building consultant, speaker, and top-selling author of books and audio/video programs, is brilliant when it comes to the strategies and action steps that lead to living a better life. Darryl is also known as the, "Bulldog of Work-Life Balance". Darryl Mobley teaches people How To Create The Life Of Their Dreams - personally and professionally - with more happiness, more income, better relationships and more success. To get FREE tips on "Living a Life Fantastic" go to http://a1.successsubscription.com For Life Mastery - The powerful Life Coaching eCourse for all who want to QUICKLY and EASILY Get The Best From Life, Achieve More Success, More Happiness, Wealth, Better Relationships, Better Health and Work-Life Balance... Click Here Now >>> http://www.LifeMasteryCollege.com

Developing Wealth Building Habits

If you want to be successful, you need mentors or in other words find people that have succeeded. These people can include the ultra rich like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but don't forget about the people around you that have created good wealth building habits.

Some of the people have great advice and will need to be listened to very intently, while others need to be put on a list and never spoken to again. If you're going to be developing wealth building habits, you're going to need some advice from wealthy people. Let me make myself clear, when I'm talking about developing wealth building habits, I'm not talking about spiritual, knowledge, Biblical or religious wealth. I'm talking about making money, as much money as you desire or feel you need.

Wealth building habits start with you. Ask yourself this question "how bad do I want or desire wealth?" Really, really, really bad or are you the kind of person that would like to be rich, but that's as far as it goes. Developing any of these habits does not include sleeping in until 11 o'clock in the morning and then complaining the rest of the day about your finances.

Bill Gates used to work 16 hours a day. How many days a week did he do that? These are the questions you're going to find the answers to. If you're interested in making $50 million, you need to find someone who can teach you, how to make $50 million.

It won't be necessary to contact Warren Buffett but I would advise you to gather as much information about him as possible. Wealth building habits start with learning about wealthy people. If they get up at four o'clock in the morning and read the newspaper until six o'clock, then exercise for 30 minutes and start working at seven o'clock, you need to start doing this also. Developing good wealth building habits over time are what most successful businessman and women have been doing for years. Study their habits and start changing yours.

If you do something every day, it will usually become a habit within 30 days.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a self help video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Using Words In The Bible Effecti

Who Follows in His Train?

Everyone wants to be an apostle. But no one that I know wants to live the life of an apostle or speak the exact words that the apostles spoke. "Apostle" today is equivalent to "master", whereas the true apostles considered themselves servants. And like servants, they were beaten. They were poor. They were rejected, hated. They were lied about and cursed and left for dead. And because they spoke and wrote only what God breathed into their tormented souls, they were unaccepted by many.

Acts 14:19,20 tells of an incident in apostle Paul's life. The Jews try to kill him. They stone him, drag him outside the city, and leave him to rot.

Many today do not like Paul's words. Unfortunately not all of Paul's enemies are outside the church. He is hated, maligned, ignored. His words are dragged out of context, out of the Bible, out of the church, and left for dead. His clear teachings about the place of women, the qualifications for leadership, the rise of antichrist before Jesus appears in the sky are all amazingly warped and abused by modern-day persecutors of the Word.

In the category of "misunderstood" one could place Romans 8:38, or a piece of it that goes right over most heads. "I am persuaded that neither [note his first word here:] LIFE, nor death... can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus." If Christ is in the heart, nothing can separate us. But if not, even "life" can do the trick. How could life separate one from the love of God? Isn't life itself from God? Though God gave life, Satan with man's help corrupted it. Human life without God does indeed separate us from Christ. Life with all its fun and beauty and troubles and sorrow is enough to distract us from eternity. Paul knew that.

Here's another "Paul-ism" that doesn't fit today's theologies. Romans 9:2 has Paul confessing that he has "great sorrow and continual grief" in his heart for his Jewish brothers and sisters, lost for all eternity if they will not come to Christ. Isn't this the Paul who said to "Rejoice in the Lord always..."? That verse is quoted often. But the sorrowing Paul, like the sorrowing Jesus, does not get a hero's welcome in the church's Main Street. Godly men weep alone, and lose the fellowship of the crowds, yet gain Heaven's company. Paul walked that life.

Paul, the giver of so many mysteries to the church, is himself a mystery. But with Paul we reach the end of our excuses. Jesus, we say, was God. We could never be like Him. Yet He calls us to do just that. Paul was not God. He is you and me. A great sinner. A self-willed religionist. A man who served his own interests. Then, he was mighty Saul, king-like in name and actions. He alone would bring revival to Israel.

Can't you see yourself in some part of Paul's old life? Selfish? Proud? Lost? Then why can't you do what he did by the same grace that was made available to him? By God's grace we can be as effective, as sold out, as anyone in the Kingdom. But the warning is real. Live like Paul, and be prepared to suffer like him too, to be rejected and despised as was His Master and ours.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, ovber 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Book Review -- You Too Can Be Famous

You know the drill. You are a small business owner with a product to sell; or perhaps an unknown writer with a story to tell the world. Or maybe, for whatever reason, the only product you are selling is yourself. In any case, you have a need for lots of publicity; preferably the kind that is free or at least inexpensive to obtain.

Getting free publicity in the age of the internet and electronic journalism should be a snap, right? Wrong! Tap a few search words into Google like "press kits", "or internet marketing" and you find yourself sliding down a slippery slope into a confusing jungle of esoteric terms and offers to solve all your publicity problems for a modest fee, or perhaps a series of affordable monthly payments. It's enough to make you tear your hair out and wonder why all this information couldn't be consolidated and presented in easy to understand, layman's terms.

Enter "You Can Be Famous!" Before I discuss the contents of this handy and extremely useful book, let me make two observations. First, do not be misled by the title. It is a catchy, almost irreverent title that invokes visions of Paris Hilton's latest antics or who's going to be on Oprah next. In fact, my first thought when I read the title was the words of a colleague who told me that I didn't need to write a book to be famous. All you need to do, he said, is to expose yourself on a busy street corner and you will get all the publicity you can handle. "You Can Be Famous!" offers no such advice. It is a serious book.

My second comment is that the author, Danek S. Kaus, knows what he is talking about, and it shows in his writing. He has worked as an editor, staff reporter, freelance journalist, and ghost writer and has published hundreds of articles in newspapers, magazines, and websites. As a publicist, he has helped clients to get free publicity in such major media as USA Today, The New York Times, and CNN. As the saying goes, when it comes to the publicity business, he has been around the block of few times.

"You Can Be Famous!" is made to order for someone like me who likes to attack a new subject in an orderly fashion. In a series of concise and well written chapters, the author leads the reader through the basics, starting with the simple concepts of publicity and advertising; and ending with discussions about such journalistic intricacies as "VNRs" and "B-Rolls." The book contains plenty of sample press releases, biographies and the like for the writing-challenged among us and I especially like that each chapter ends with a review of what was covered, along with a preview of what will be discussed next. In my opinion, these are must have items for any "how to" books.

When "You Can Be Famous" arrived on my desk I was in the process of promoting a book of my own. This afforded me the opportunity to not only review it but to road test it as well. So far I have found it to be enormously helpful and I suspect others who do not have the deep pockets to fund elaborate marketing plans will be equally impressed by its usefulness.

The book promises insider secrets to getting free publicity---and it delivers. Follow the checklist and do your homework, and you'll be on your way!

Ron Standerfer is a freelance writer and photographer who is a frequent contributor to Blogger News Network. His latest novel, The Eagle's Last Flight chronicles the life of an Air Force fighter pilot during the Cold War and Vietnam years. Details of his book can be found at http://www.theeagleslastflight.com

Finding Something You Don't Like About Yourself - Creating Habits

Finding something you don't like about yourself is usually very easy for most people. Most of the time you don't even have to ask your family or friends because you have heard them complain about the same thing for years. How many times have you heard someone mention, I need to lose weight?

Here's a list of things people don't like about themselves. If you're one of those people that has a hard time finding something wrong with yourself, you could always ask one of your friends for some suggestions. I'm sure they would like that.

1. The need to lose weight. This of course is one of the worst problems with Americans. Most people need to lose weight and let's not forget there are some people that need to gain weight.

2. The need to stop gambling. As more Indian reservations are allowed to build gambling casinos and of course as the Internet gambling gets larger, I've noticed some people with gambling problems.

3. The need to stop drinking alcohol. The abuse of alcohol has been going on for many years. These people have an excuse for why they drink and most of the time it doesn't make sense.

4. The need to stop smoking. This could be one of the most difficult things I've ever seen my friends and family deal with.

5. The need to stop excessive behaviors. For example, gossiping, cruelty, bullying, lying, cheating, stealing, partying etc. You get the idea.

6. Don't forget the dreaded shopaholic. Most shopaholic's seem to have large credit card debt and can't seem to stop this vicious circle of buying and owing money to their creditors.

7. Working long hours or the workaholic. Sometimes this is a necessity but I would suggest that you change your lifestyle if possible. Reevaluate your reasons for working so hard.

8. Religious fundamentalists. People that spend too much time at their place of worship and soon find themselves feeling guilty if they're not doing something spiritual.

9. The need to be on time. This would include people that have problems giving themselves enough time to get ready for work or school.

10. The need to stop doing drugs. I thought by now, approaching my 50s, that drugs would no longer be a problem in the United States, but it is. It's one of the most damaging things people can do to their lives.

There are plenty of things that people would like to stop doing or start doing. If you're a smoker and you seem to shop excessively near the casinos, I would advise you to start with something small and work your way up to the big stuff.

What are you going to change today about your life? Make a list of things that you're not happy with about your life and start making the changes today that you need to create the life you deserve and desire.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a personal development video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Questions To Ask Your Pastor

Whose God is The Best

If you're part of a religious organization, and were asked this question, "Whose God Is Better" meaning of course, is your God better and stronger or smarter and better looking than the religious competition. Is this something that you believe or were taught while you were young? Obviously you wouldn't think that the Hindu god Brahma is better than Yahweh or Jesus, if you're a Christian. It just wouldn't make any sense to belong to a religion that was weaker than the competition.

It seems like most religions around the world have gods or even one almighty God that is the biggest and baddest god in the neighborhood, maybe even the entire universe.

If we look at the numbers, the Christian God Jesus of Nazareth is the strongest by far. A survey that was done in 2005, showed Christians 2.1 billion strong and growing. With numbers like this, their God must be doing something right. Do you think these numbers are large because of their financial influences in poor countries? Something to think about, how did Christianity become such a large religious institution. They've got plenty of money and pay relatively little taxes. Remember the golden rule, the person with the most gold makes all the rules.

Second on our religious scale are the Muslims, the Islamic religion has over 1.1 billion followers and that puts it at almost half the size of Christianity, but more than doubled the size of the third largest religion by the numbers.

The third largest religion in the world is Hinduism and most of India which is second only to China as the most populated countries in the world are Hindus. Hinduism ranks around 800 million followers.

I'll stop right there. I wanted to give you an idea of religion by the numbers, realistically the Christians and the Muslims believe in the same God but the Muslims recognize Jesus as a prophet and the Christians don't recognize Mohammad at all and Mohammad is the number one prophet for the Islamic religion. But if we put the two of them together, it would be the largest religion by far with almost no competition economically or with military strength.

So to answer our question," Whose God Is Actually Better", I would have to say the Christian God is the most popular and powerful God and the universe. The only problem is, there's no actual proof that Jesus, Mohammed, Yahweh, Krishna or any other supreme being is real. People follow these religions and base almost everything on faith with very little facts that can actually be proven.

I'm not talking about small facts, I'm talking about big ones like, how the world was created, you can choose to believe, anything that you want but until we have some facts or at least something that sounds pretty good, you should probably stop thinking, that your religion is the only way and your God the best. Show some compassion for other religions around the world, their beliefs are no better or weaker than yours.

Hope in Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, religious books

The Ideal Shower Tray - Home Tips

Choose the ideal shower tray

Keep your bathroom floor splash free with a shower tray

Start with these frequently asked questions

Which material should I choose?

Acrylic is warm and cheap. Go for a reinforced model that's 5-8mm thick to avoid flexing, which can lead to leaks where the tray meets the wall.
Enamelled steel is tough, but can be cold underfoot and more pricey than acrylic.
Fire clay or ceramic is rigid, long lasting and easy to clean, but can be heavy and the floor may need to be reinforced to support the weight.
Stone resin or composite is stable, durable and comes in lots of shapes and colours.

What size should I go for?

Shower trays range from 80cm x 80cm to 170cm x 90cm.
Flush-to-the-floor models create a wet-room feel. Brands to look for are Kaldewei, Bette and Roman. If you don't want a screen, you'll need to 'tank' the room by applying a waterproof membrane under the floor.
Low-level trays (under 4cm high) mimic a wet-room look without the need for tanking.

Which is the best colour?

White is popular as it's clean, fresh and goes with other fittings, but you'll also find black, anthracite and acid brights. The widest colour choice is in composite trays. Corian comes in over 70 shades, and ceramic ore fire clay is great for high-gloss colour.

Where can I put it?

This depends on the position of any waste pipes and water supplies. A solid floor makes it harder to move pipes (although one solution is to build a false floor on top). Corners and alcoves are useful because the walls form a natural enclosure. If you have room, consider fitting a large tray against a long wall to make a striking focal point.

Can I fit one myself?

If you're replacing like for like, it's fine to fit a tray yourself. Choose a tray with adjustable feet to make levelling simple. If you need to relocate drains and pipework, it might be wise to call a plumber.

Tray shapes to look for:

Square
A great choice for an alcove as it can slot neatly into the space.
Quadrant
A quarter circle shape that's good for corner installations.
Pentagonal
A corner model with five sides is just the thing for smaller spaces because it won't protrude into the room as much as a standard square tray.
Rectangular
Ideal for twin showering, with more space for showering than a square tray would offer.
Walk-in
Has a drying area by the entrance, which keeps bathroom floors drip and slip free.

Good to know

Shower trays need to be totally level to ensure a watertight seal and perfect drainage - check with a good-quality spirit level.

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at idealhome

Surviving As A Contractor In California

So you want to make big money making a living as a contractor in the state of California. Well now I bet you have seen contractors on TV or maybe you know someone who is a contractor. You see these men and women playing the part as Mr. or Mrs. Money bags. If you have the slightest thought that becoming a contractor will provide you with a life of riches think again.

Most contractors that I know and have worked with over the years don't think of there jobs as easy. They have to work everyday and a lot into the night doing estimates or meeting with potential clients because they are to busy during the day. The life of most contractors in the beginning will be difficult to say the least. But if successful you will make a great living for yourself and your family.

Now that we got the false illusion of the contractor answering his cell phone all day at some nice golf course having lunch talking about the money that he just made selling his oil stocks. We can start on reality. If being a contractor was that easy everyone would be a contractor. Right..... Well maybe not everyone.

I have been a contractor for over 22 years and in construction for 30 year. I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I remember when a few contractors that I worked for made a lot of money during the late 1970's. These guys had Ferraris and money to burn with one exception they had no idea how to save any of it. These guys went on vacations and bought extravagant toys for them selves. Out of most of the big framing contractors I worked for about 10 percent are still in business or actually saved their money during the good times so that they could make it through the bad times.

These contractors never thought it was going to end. Life on easy street that is. But it did and most went by the way side. I guess that is the nature of business. Especially the current economic business cycles that we seem to go through over the years. If you don't have the money to advertise or carry a payroll. Your business is going to suffer during the bad times. Sure there is credit and bank loans but you still have to pay that money back. IF you can't save your money stash some away for advertising.

Some of the best advice I can give a contractor anywhere especially in the state of California is " Don't Think The Great Times Of Easy Money Will Last Forever". Save some of the money you make just in case you need to get through the bad times. You will thank me for this latter, Some time down the road. Take this advice and put it into action starting right now.

Greg Vanden Berge has over 30 years of experience in residential home building and remodeling. This provides you with the comfort of knowing that you have a professional with the knowledge and skills to complete your construction projects in a timely manner.

Our low overhead along with our new online estimating system will provide you with the most competitive construction pricing in the area. We continue to educate ourselves about the new home improvement books and building systems in the construction industry. If we have any doubt that something might not work we don't use it. We have found some of these products to be the root of some major home building problems.

Click on the Home Remodeling Ideas to get more information and a possible online estimate for your home improvement project.

Greg Vanden Berge Quotes

Defending God by Offending Satan

Did you ever have rules as a child, or even at work that were just never really enforced? The kind that at first you followed, but as time went on and you saw other people not really paying attention to it and you noticed that no one really cared, so then you thought , "well, it must not really be any big deal"? Do we, as Christians, let our morals and beliefs become justified in the same way? 4 Reasons that I believe may be impacting Christians in how they establish and maintain moral value systems for daily life.

Cultural Confusion - "He who is a slave to the compass has the freedom of the seas"

- Morals are considered being old-fashioned, and that having morals just adds unnecessary baggage to our already complicated lives.

- Many beliefs and doctrines exist in our society to accommodate every lifestyle and help people justify their behaviors... which confuses most people into believing that there is No Absolute Truth, but rather what truth for you is truth for you, not necessarily for me - & vice versa.

- Our society in schools and workplaces is teaching "respect the individual" and accept "diversity", such as same sex marriage (homosexuality), and even the legal system is supporting this with the introduction of new "diversity" laws.

- Being politically correct in our speech is helping to mask the ugliness of the truth.

- Special Interest groups minorities are "squeaking the loudest" in Washington and across our nation in schools and courts.

Cultural Fears - Acceptance

- If we don't conform, or if we actually stand up for what we believe in we fear rejection

- Job Loss or no advancement, etc.

- We want to be accepted, we want to fit in, and peer pressure is stronger than ever

- We don't want to be put down

- Possible legal consequences like discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment

Denial & Justification -

- It's not really that bad

- I can control it if it ever does get that bad

- "It's just a necessary evil" to fit in, for my career sake; part of the territory

- I haven't seen it or heard it, so it can't be true (while we intentionally look the other way to avoid it)

- Everyone else, even others at church aren't saying anything... or think it's ok... or watch it, listen to it, play it, etc.

- My spouse / kids / I would never be sucked into thinking / believing like that

Desensitization - Cogs on a gear or bicycle chain/sprocket wear down, and we don't seem to notice until the chain starts slipping and we're no longer moving forward.

- Look at our Movies and TV programs, and our...

- Music

- "Literature" books in the schools

- Magazines

- Ads

- Video & Computer Games

- Internet

- Even News stories

We have become reactive instead of proactive...

- We have become more involved with justifying ourselves, instead of proclaiming Christ
- Debating our faith, rather than practices our works and standing on our faith and defending it
- Arguing to convince Satan and others of our beliefs and values instead of preaching the Gospel of Christ to a dying confused world
- We need to actively stand up and Offend Satan

- Offense marches on, moves forward, finds a way over-under-around-through an obstacle...
- Defend is an action word - it means to DO something to correct, protect, & serve
- Face the opposition, and stop looking the other way hoping that they will just go away
- Pick up the Sword, the Shield, the Armor, and trust in God to win the battle through you... you see, this one step takes all of the pressure off of us.

God knows that we can't win without Him, and He loves us anyway. If you trust Him to work through you, then it's not any personal risk no matter what happens, because you know that it's God, not you!
- The cup isn't at fault if the coffee is cold, it's only job is to hold the coffee and provide drinking access to it; not make it, not pour it, not make it taste better... and neither are you at fault or risk if someone rejects the Word... your only job is to hold it and share it, provide access to it for others. You are the vessel.
- Would you expect a paycheck without a job?
- Would you expect a Medal of Honor for hiding and avoiding the draft?
- Then don't expect Heaven as a reward for accepting the world, not even for accepting it through remaining silent.

We are saved by Grace... yet we must have faith after hearing... and we must have enough faith to do something about it and demonstrate our acceptance of Christ in our lives by being baptized as we are commanded... and then we coast into cruise control and grace saves us, right?

NO, of course not! How can we know Him, and not speak about Him? Yet faith without works is dead... where are your works? Where are your values made and maintained? Where is your head, your heart, your soul... in Him, or in the world?

If you have an interest in the Bible, missions work, or religious matters, you will most likely enjoy and learn much from these sites: http://www.missionsworks.org You may also want to visit my blog: http://360.yahoo.com/brantdeth

The sites are designed to teach, but also to provide numerous resources on the Restoration Movement that took place in America's early history. There are several resources that you can access from the site, as well as some very basic biblical teaching that may enlighten you or others about just what the Bible tells us, without interjection of man's creeds or opinions

Keep your eyes open for my new book "In Pursuit..", schedule for release later this year. The book briefly addresses some of man's theories (Darwin, Uniformitarianism, Existentialism, and others), the age of our earth (and universe as a whole) by genealogical and secular historical perspectives, and other interesting aspects of our being. You will follow through to self-discovery, using the Bible as the focal point of the Truth, Peace, and Hope that questions your pursuit, and promises attainment. Your will laugh, learn, and be enlightened

At some point, though not ready yet, MissionsWorks.org will also provide an interactive living map of where missions works are being performed globally

Any thoughts, comments, or feedback is always appreciated! What would you like to see me write about? Let me know! God Bless You!

Dr. D

Basement Bathroom Remodeling Improves Your Home's Value!

Did you know that there's a relatively simple, not terribly expensive way to increase the value of your home without expanding the exterior footprint? You can get more livable space and more equity, simply by finishing your basement. This is much less intensive than many other home improvement project, and homeowners who decide to do a basement finishing project get as much as eighty-five percent of their investment back in many cases. One important element to any finished basement is the bathroom. Basement bathroom remodeling projects are excellent for just about any home and just about any family. If you're living in an older single family residence with just one bathroom, adding another one is one of the best choices you can make.

People love the space and comfort that a finished basement has to offer. Any basement can become a rec room, entertainment room, extra or guest bedroom, library, office, and even your own personal fitness center. You just have to decide how your finished basement will best benefit. Remember to plan with care, and don't forget to include a basement bathroom remodeling project along with your other remodeling plans. No one wants to have to run up and down stairs whenever they need to use the bathroom, especially if there's something going on in the basement. Making your basement bathroom friendly, usable and accessible is important and will increase convenience while adding value.

It's not as hard as you think to add an extra room to your basement. You can even do it yourself if you happen to have the required experience and knowledge. If you know how to do part of the work, but aren't trained as an electrician or plumber, that doesn't mean your basement bathroom remodeling ideas have to fall by the wayside, either. Just contact a professional, talk to him or her about your plans, and have only the work you don't know how to do done by a pro. Remember that in some areas, local codes may require you to have your work signed off on by professionals, or even to have the major work done by someone else. It's important to know as much as you can about code in your area before you even begin to plan. That'll help you avoid legal entanglements later.

Some of the things you'll need to do for any basement bathroom remodeling project include using water resistant paints and materials, making sure the flooring is something that won't attract moisture, mold, and mildew, and being certain you're doing the plumbing and drains correctly. Installing a bathroom in a basement that's located below the drains can be tricky, often requiring use of special fixtures or additional mechanisms. This doesn't have to cost a lot, but you should know what you need well in advance. That way, you won't find yourself wasting time or money by using a solution that won't work for your situation.

A basement bathroom remodeling project should be part of any finished basement. It'll make using the finished space much more pleasant, and it'll add even more to your home's value. Since this is one of the least expensive renovations you can do in your home, there's no reason not to take on a well planned basement bathroom project. It could really make a big difference in your home.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Basement Bathroom Remodel and the creator of the publication Basement Bathroom Remodeling. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.

Vedic Deities and Their Connection With Semitic Deities

One of the most interesting and impressive of Vedic deities is VaruGa, often invoked with a more shadowy double called Mitra. No myths or exploits are related of him but he is the omnipotent and omniscient upholder of moral and physical law. He established earth and sky: he set the sun in heaven and ordained the movements of the moon and stars: the wind is his breath and by his law the heavens and earth are kept apart. He perceives all that exists in heaven and earth or beyond, nor could a man escape him though he fled beyond the sky. The winkings of men's eyes are all numbered by him: he knows all that man does or thinks.

Sin is the infringement of his ordinances and he binds sinners in fetters. Hence they pray to him for release from sin and he is gracious to the penitent. Whereas the other deities are mainly asked to bestow material boons, the hymns addressed to VaruGa contain petitions for forgiveness. He dwells in heaven in a golden mansion. His throne is great and lofty with a thousand columns and his abode has a thousand doors. From it he looks down on the doings of men and the all-seeing sun comes to his courts to report.

There is much in these descriptions which is unlike the attributes ascribed to any other member of the Vedic pantheon. No proof of foreign influence is forthcoming, but the opinion of some scholars that the figure of VaruGa somehow reflects Semitic ideas is plausible. It has been suggested that he was originally a lunar deity, which explains his association with Mitra (the Persian Mithra) who was a sun god, and that the group of deities called dityas and including Mitra and VaruGa were the sun, moon and the five planets known to the ancients.

Yet VaruGa is not the centre of a monotheistic religion any more than Indra, and in later times he becomes a water god of no marked importance. The Aryans and Semites, while both dissatisfied with polytheism and seeking the one among the many, moved along different paths and did not reach exactly the same goal.

To learn more about Hinduism and Hindu beliefs, practices, rituals and theology; visit my new site. There you will find many free articles

Hinduism Beliefs

Introduction to Hinduism

Need Help Remodeling In Carlsbad

What you are thinking about remodeling your house and you live in Carlsbad. Let me give you some advice about some local contractors and some of the people involved. I used a company called Service Magic to find a local heating and air conditioning contractor. All I had to do was go on the internet , type in some information about my self and what I wanted to have done to my home. This didn't seem that bad of a idea at the time. But look what I found out.

I went to their web site, filled in my information and with in minutes I had received the names of at least 4 contractors. Wow this is neat. I didn't even get to start calling any of them when my phone rang. It was one of the contractors secretaries. She introduced herself and asked what would be a good time for someone to come out to look at the work I wanted done.

I was surprised at the speed things were taking place but in a way glad that I had a reputable contractor from one of the largest construction referral services on the internet. I told her 10:00 would be fine. I got a call shortly after that from one of the other companies. He wanted to meet me that mourning at 8:00 if it was Ok with me. I told him of course, let's do this. Then the next one called and I thought great you can come at 1:00. Well you guessed it the next one was coming over at 2:30.

The first contractor showed up as scheduled at 8:00. We talked about what I wanted done and he whips out his note book and starts figuring out a price. This took place around 15 minutes into the meeting. This guys good I thought. Being a General Contractor in Carlsbad myself, for a job like this I would go back to my office and figure out a price and then double check my figures for a accurate estimate. It took this guy less than 5 minutes to create a proposal of around 10,700 dollars for every thing.

Well I was thinking to myself, the job should be around 7,000 dollars but what do I know about construction. I informed him that I would think about it and that I was going to meet with a couple of other contractors that day. He ask me who the other contractors were. I proceeded to tell him that I probably shouldn't tell him who they were. Well your not going to believe this. He put on his physic hat and told me who was coming over. The only thing he didn't know was what time they where coming over.

Oh I forgot to mention before he left he told me he would knock ten percent off the job if I signed the contract right now. I pretended like I was excited just to see his reaction. He looked at me like he had won the gold metal in sales. I told him thanks but I bet your new offer with the ten percent discount will be good for the next few day. Right I asked. He wasn't looking that excited any more as he replied with a Yes it will be good for a while. I thanked him and he went on his way.

My 10:00 never showed but his secretary gave me the old, " He had to go do a emergency job and could he reschedule tomorrow at the same time. I said that would be fine. As a contractor myself I have always put the work I had to do first and foremost.

About 12:30 I get a call from my next heating and air conditioning contractor. He is running late but will be there at 1:30. I appreciate the call and I will see you then. The only problem now is that I have another contractor coming at 2:30. That give the next contractor less than one hour before the next guy shows up. I never liked going over to someone's house and running into another remodeling contractor.

The next contractor was very informative and knew his stuff. I listened and learned. He told me he was going to have to go back to his office and would have a price back in the mourning. Great I told him as I hurried him out the door.

The last contractor of the day shows up and wants to know whose been over to the house, was it these guys or those guys. I told him I wasn't going to tell him who was over. Now this guy was a salesman. He did a little more probing before he let me in on the fact that his company doesn't do complete home installations. He made up some story that his company only replaces the forced air units. I could tell he didn't want to do the job once he found out I knew what I was talking about. So I said my good byes to Mr. Salesman.

The bad part about him was latter on that week his company sent us some mailers. The kind that doesn't have your name on it and everyone in the neighborhood get's one. I couldn't believe my eyes when I started to read this letter. It said we would be glad to give you an estimate on all your heating and air conditioning needs or services. " We Do Complete Installs". I told my wife we could have used this a few weeks ago. Then I recognized the name of the company and now knew that the salesman had lied to me for sure.

That night I started to think about what was going on here it seemed like I was being set up. Everyone knew what was going on but me. It seemed clear to me that these people knew each other.

Well as time went on we ended up hiring the first guy that came over. He seemed to have the best product at the most reasonable price. His company also did a great job. Keep one thing in mind here out of five contractors that I gave the opportunity to bid the job. Only three showed up and from them I only got two bids. Why didn't I get more bids? Quite frankly I was to busy working at the time and of course the other two guys were always going to show up and that kind of strung me along. My mistake.

Here's the kicker to all of this. Service Magic calls me up one day to tell me they would like to start sending me construction leads as a General Contractor.

I listened to what they had to say and was almost ready to sign up with them again. That's right, I was signed up with them when they first started until they changed the rules on me. The salesman that originally contacted me said if I paid them the 100 dollar sign up fee they would let me pick what jobs I wanted to do. That lasted about 5 months before I noticed that they were not sending me siding referrals to pick from. I called them up only to talk to someone who didn't understand the State Of California Contractors Licensing Board.

Well I wasn't about to reinvent the wheel. I simply told them that I should a least get my money back, right. They said they would look into it further as I never heard from them again about my 100 dollars. Well things have changed at Service Magic since I was with them when they started.
As a home owner you don't think you are paying Service Magic because all you do is fill out a simple form giving some information about yourself.

I found out that Service Magic sent all four of these contractors my original information. Each contractor then had to pay 55 dollars each to Service Magic for a total of 220 dollars. All I have to say is how are they getting away with charging this much money for sending a out a simple referral to these contractors.

The contractor unfortunately passes this expense on to his customers. You as the home owners end up paying these fees as a cost of doing business with them. Some contractors think this is a great way of doing business but you might think differently in the future if you start paying over 100 dollars for a simple construction referral.

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.

Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips

Nothing Will Be Impossible

Tight Writing - Literary Fat Reduction

It is a rare thing to find someone capable of writing tight copy. The primary reason is tight writing falls is more dependant on your editing skills than your 'first draft' writing skills.

What is tight writing?

When you write in compact sentences using simple words without redundancies you are writing a 'tight' article.

The excess words are sometimes called 'fluff' and should be avoided.

An example of fluff

Brenda rode her bicycle all the way to the park. Her bike was one of these old style banana seat bikes that her mother rode when she was girl and had a whip antenna on the back with an orange triangle at the top. She had made the decision to right to the park after watching a program at school on the benefits of exercise, which of course was something that Brenda found herself very concerned about since she learned about the health risks of being a couch potato.

An example of tight writing

Brenda made the decision to ride her bike to the park. She made a firm promise to become healthy and fit after watching a program at school.

This may not be a perfect example, but the idea behind tight writing is to cut the fat. This involves the removal of redundant and nonessential language. In the above example the description of the bike had nothing to do with Brenda's commitment to good health so it was easy to cut.

If you read through your writing with a laser-beam focus you will find words and phrases that are unacceptable. These words have little to do with the advancement of your story or the point you are trying to make.

Many writers add fluff to their work to enhance word count, but an editor will recognize fluff and may ask for a copy revision. They may also lay your work aside looking for something a bit leaner.

Tight Writing Pinpoints

One of the most successful pre-writing tools is the use of an outline to identify where the story is headed.

You shouldn't worry about tight writing while working through your first draft.

In editing nothing is sacred, every word and phrase should be tested and reduced or removed as needed.

There numerous tricks to tight writing, but the best is that if your sentence is more than ten words it may be too long.

Always consider revisions, working to shorten and clarify.

Less really is more in writing.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters and many other web projects. FaithWriters has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian writers and Christian authors FaithWriters is a great place for writing jobs