Using Tarps For Home Improvement And In The Construction Industry

Tarps are common in the construction industry and are a necessity. Tarps are used for a variety of purposes on construction sites. They are needed to cover and protect materials, roofs, and lumber. Construction tarps are also needed to protect cement that is delivered to the site and protect dry wall boards, as well as many other materials, equipment and supplies. There are also specialty construction tarps for plants and machinery. You can find a wide variety of construction tarps for all of your business needs.

Heavy Duty Tarps

Heavy Duty Tarps come in silver and white. They are beneficial because they have grommets at every eighteen inches rather than the usual grommets at every thirty-six inches. Those with the wider spaces between the grommets are of a lower quality tarp. Heavy Duty Tarps are a high quality product that is affordable. The money you invest in these tarps will pay off well in the long term. Protect your materials, equipment and supplies without worrying about them. There is also a UV (ultra violet) inhibitor added into the tarps that will give the tarps a longer life even when out in the sun for long periods of time. The sun can damage many things, but with this UV inhibitor it will take a lot longer to damage these Heavy Duty Tarps.

Generic Blue Tarps

Builders often opt for the generic blue tarps because they are cheaper. Sometimes these blue tarps are good enough for the project they are working on. They wont be out there for a long period of time so a cheap and simple blue tarp will be all they need.

Poly Tarps

In the South Eastern part of the United States, including Florida, the use of tarps has been extensive due to the numerous hurricanes that have come that way during the last few years. Canvas tarps were used many years ago and they are still available. However, the Poly tarp that is used on building sites the most is of a better quality. Many more builders are now using Poly tarps.

Poly tarps are probably the most popular kind of tarp available to you. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and prices. You can find a poly tarp to help you in construction, with tents, with a canopy, for a carport, for a yard project, and even special occasions such as a wedding. Many people need poly tarps to replace the tarps that are worn out on their canopies. The canopy frame almost always outlives the tarp itself and is cheaper and easier to just replace the tarp instead of buying a whole new canopy.

Fire Retardant Tarps

Fire retardant tarps are also used in construction sites, because they can help protect the materials, equipment and supplies in the event of a fire, especially when the crew is away from the construction site. Fire retardant tarps are available in white and silver. Heavy duty tarps are available in red, yellow and orange. These colors are perfect for when you want your tarps to be highly visible no matter what. You can also keep these tarps and use the different colors for different items.

Tarps can be used for a wide variety of uses. Many people use them on their canopies, on tents, projector screens, to protect vehicles, and even to protect anything else that needs to be left outside for an extended period of time.

There are so many uses for tarps it is nearly unbelievable. They can be very handy for anyone. They can help to protect your outdoor equipment such as an ATV, dirt bike, moped, motorcycle, bicycles, your cars, and more. Use tarps to help you protect your business items and your home items.

Robert Page CEO Tarpaflex US Naples Florida http://www.tarpaflex.com

Solar Energy

No matter what you may have heard, solar energy is the wave of the future, in large part because of its utter simplicity. A photovoltaic, cell collects energy from the sun, and that energy is converted into electricity without the use of chemicals, liquids, or moving parts. It's that easy.

A number of solar cells are generally linked together on a solar panel, hooked up in series to allow all the cells to work in unison. The energy that's generated is then stored in a battery, in the form of DC current. Since most household appliances run on AC current, the electricity is then converted to AC current by a device called an inverter.

The efficiency of photovoltaic cells has improved a great deal over the past few years, but it still would take a huge array of panels to run your entire house with solar power. Even so, it's still possible to use solar to power at least a portion of you home at a relatively minimal cost. For instance, you could power your home computer and a few other small electrical appliances using a system that costs about $1,000.00 to have installed. At the moment, solar systems generally cost about $10.00-$12.00 per watt.

Since it's totally renewable and doesn't pollute, it's easy to see that the future of solar power is so bright. If we could harness just one hour's worth of the suns total solar power every day, we'd have enough energy to fuel the entire planet's energy needs for a whole year. That's an amazing amount of potential power, and it's just waiting for us to tap into it.

As photovoltaic cells continue to improve, the cost of solar energy will keep coming down, and eventually, it will become economically feasible for everyone to switch to solar. Enormous amounts of money are being poured into solar research--some of it from seemingly unlikely sources, such as a number of major oil companies. However, that shouldn't really come as a surprise, because they can see the handwriting on the wall as well as anyone, and it's clear that they, like most forward thinking people, understand that the future of the world's energy lies in solar power.

Copyright 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher has researched the effects of environment on emotions for over 15 years. She teaches interior design college courses and seminars. Free environmental design info: http://environmentpsychology.com

Home Bathroom Design

First thing before you start a new home bathroom design is to picture how you want it to look like. Picture yourself in a nice calming environment, what do you see? So you see the ocean? Perhaps a nice field of green grass? Whatever it may be, think about it as it is sure to make your home bathroom more personalized. Remodeling your bathroom's design shouldn't be a stressful process at all as long as you already have a concrete idea of how you want it to come out in the end.

A great tip is to cut out pictures from a magazine or download some from the internet. These pictures would serve as an inspiration and help you clearly see your vision. This would not only help you see what will work and what wont, the pictures would also help show the people you'll hire exactly how you want the home bathroom design to look like. Look at home design magazines and websites and make use of some of computer software's that are now available to aid you with the design. These programs help make it easier for you to come up with design and layout schemes without the hassle of drawing it up.

Next is to come up with a nice color scheme. Bathrooms tend to be painted in very light and breezy colors such as whites or pale yellows. This is mainly due to the fact that a lot of people look to their bathrooms as a place to relax after a long day. But don't be afraid to mix and match colors. A great tip to bring life into a monotone home bathroom design is to add some flowers. Orchids always look best. You can also add color through the bathroom fixings as well as in the towels. By having a neutral toned bathroom would allow for more experimentation with the fixings as well as in the accessories.

You should also consider the space and how big your bathroom is. Balance is a key and you would want a free flowing space in your home bathroom design to prevent it from becoming too small and cluttered. Maximize your space, if you have a small one, by bringing in all the necessary items first and be creative with storage. Imagine putting a wicker chair in your bathroom when hardly anything else fits in. Prioritize function before aesthetic appeal. To create the illusion of space in a small bathroom, try installing some mirrored tiles.

It is also wise to make sure that the items and accessories you're bringing into the home bathroom design are all bathroom-friendly. Meaning, they are suited for an environment that is constantly moist. Don't bring in fabric covered seating unless you want to sit on damp sofas. The addition of plants would also help bring a sense of calm to your home bathroom design. A couple on each corner would do, if you have a small bathroom, a small one right by your sink or on the toilet would be a great addition. Remember, the design is all up to you. Just be creative and utilize the space well.

Aikaz Run - Bathroom Design Advisor

For more information on how to design your bathroom to be amazing look, visit our Bathroom Design resources at http://www.bathroom-share.com

Conservation Marketing

Times are tough, somewhat like the Great Depression. Still, we must all have hope and realize people still survived during those troubling times and some even got rich. Necessity has always been the mother of invention and uncertain times call for extraordinary creativity. These are times when staying inside the box will kill your business.

Restructuring our mentality for growth has many facets, requires persistence, and brings about lasting change for the better. Conservation is of the utmost importance today while our ecological and economic worlds are in peril. The human race simply cannot afford the luxury of wanton disregard for both.

Conservation is the cutting edge of opportunity no matter the field it is what the world needs. The call to action has never been more clear for creative people to rise up and solve problems rather than adding to them. Where does that leave the get rich quick peddlers? They should be running for cover because their day in the sun is up, it is time for the new breed of Internet Marketers to take control. It is time to let value, economy, and integrity rule the face of online marketing instead of up sell escalator routine we are so familiar with. Let's face it does anybody really like all the browser controlling pop up, fly in garbage we are being fed? No, only a fool would like to be manipulated in such a way.

I have a rule of thumb I go by when shopping for anything:

1 If I can't afford the price I won't but it.

2 If I don't like the price I won't buy it.

3 If the quality is low I won't buy it.

4 If I don't like the presentation I won't buy it.

5 If it seems to good to be true I won't buy it.

6 If it is an up sell before I have even purchased chances are I won't by it.

My rules are simple. I like to be treated fairly and in exchange I am willing to pay a fair price for almost anything. I admire straight shooting with a lack of theatrics to get into my wallet.

The entitlement mentality is still running rampant in our societies today. Getting paid what you are worth has taken on some fairly obviously erroneous forms, after all who is worth a five or six figure income who has not put out some effort for it? Nobody, and people usually learn the hard way that getting rich overnight is a pipe dream.

Design your business and your life around conservation, commitment, and courage. Tough times require fortitude and especially in marketing. There are no easy meals in the marketing house you must work for your food. Roll up your sleeves and learn to earn with Internet Marketing.

"Mountains are usually imposing at first, but with each step the summit is closer." William Muncrief 2008

Soundproof Window Systems - Keep The Views, Lose The Noise

Windows are an essential feature of a homes appeal; they both add architectural interest to its exterior and open up the living space of its interior. View properties often have banks of windows to take advantage of their spectacular surroundings. Home office windows can have a tremendous positive affect on the mindsets of those who would otherwise feel somewhat stir-crazy from being confined to their computer workstations for hours at a time.

But light and scenery are not the only things which windows transmit; unwelcome outside noise often finds its way into a home through the windows. If you live in noisy surroundings, learning about the benefits of a soundproof window system may be of interest.

When You Really Need To Sleep

For those whose homes front on heavily traveled streets, getting an uninterrupted night of rest can be challenging. The ebb and flow of traffic sounds, especially if there is a stoplight nearby, can wreak havoc on the bodys ability to sink into the deep dream sleep cycle during which it repairs and replenishes itself.

For nighttime employees attempting to rest when the daytime traffic is at its peak, the noise entering a bedroom through its windows can make sleep impossible. But if each of those windows were to be replaced by a soundproof window, the sleep-destroying noise would, to a very large extent, be eliminated.

Some soundproof window makers promise as much as a 70% to 95% reduction in the transmission of exterior noise through their soundproof window. If you are someone struggling with the effects of sleep deprivation because of outside noise, you could find far worse ways to spend you money than on a soundproof window.

And youll enjoy an added benefit from each soundproof window installed in your home: energy efficiency. If a soundproof window is to perform effectively as a noise blocker, its casing must be attached to your homes wall so that the seal is absolutely without gaps or cracks.

Soundproof Window Installation

Embedding the casing in this manner means that a soundproof window not only keeps out noise, it prevents cold or hot air from penetrating your home and causing higher heating and cooling costs. A quieter home which saves money--and all from the same soundproof window!

The best thing about a soundproof window system, however, is its ease of installation. A soundproof window is placed in back of your existing window, and can be opened and shut in the same manner. There will be no labor expenses involved for taking out your current windows!

You can learn more about the styles and prices of soundproof window systems by doing an Internet search, or talking to a building contractor in your area.

You can also find more info on Soundproof Construction and Soundproof Curtain. Homesoundproofinghelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Sound Proofing.

Estimating the Cost of Building a Basement

There are many things to think about before building a basement. One of the most important thing is the cost to build it. Here are a few tips to help you estimate your construction costs.

Excavation

The first thing you need to think about is the cost to excavate the soil. The harder the soil is to excavate, the more expensive it will be. Of course, the depth of the excavation also affects the cost. The deeper the digging the higher the price.

Concrete

The size and shape of your basement will greatly affect your budget for building a basement because they will determine how much concrete you will need for your project. The more complex your perimeter structure is, the more you are going to spend. You will also spend more for deep basements because they will n need higher and thicker walls. You should also include your basement foundation in calculating your building cost.

Reinforcement

Reinforcing your basement walls is very important. This will allow your basement to easily support the load on top of it. Reinforcing the walls will also strengthen it from the constant pressure it receives from the soil around it.

Backfilling

It is highly recommended that you backfill the perimeter of your basement and its bottom. Backfilling will secure your basement from absorbing water or moisture. Since concrete easily absorbs water, backfilling the exterior of your basement will prevent this.

Drain Tile

Installing a Drain Tile to the foundation of your basement should not be forgotten. The Drain Tile will keep you r basement dry by diverting ground water away from it. Other things to consider when building a basement are labor costs, equipment rentals, finishing and of course your building permit.

Considering building a basement? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Real Estate Development - Applying For a Property Development Permit!

The development permit is one of the keys to a successful real estate development project. Problems getting a permit approved can cause major delays and result in increases in holding costs. We like to do everything possible to ensure in advance that our development application will be approved smoothly and quickly.

Once we secure control of a site, we assemble the project team that will design and document the proposed development in accordance with the requirements of the Local Authority, the design brief and development mix.

Depending on the complexity of the project, our real estate development consultant team usually consists of:

- Property Accountant
- Property Lawyer
- Architect
- Town/Land Planner
- Civil/Hydraulics/Structural Engineer
- Land Surveyor
- Landscape Architect
- Quantity Surveyor
- Finance Broker

Other possible team members, such as acoustic and traffic specialists, may also be required by the Local Authority to submit a detailed report with the Development Permit Application.

To minimise the risk of disputes, we create a written agreement with each consultant. The agreement we typically use describes, among other things, the basis on which fees are calculated, the fee structure and services to be provided at each stage and the method by which we agree for the consultant to proceed to the next stage.

The architect will draw up plans for submission to council (these aren't the detailed plans required for construction) that fit in with the planning regulations and the local authorities development guidelines, using a contour survey prepared by the land surveyor. The town/land planner is often involved at this initial stage, providing advice on the overall planning policies of the Local Authority.

Today most architects use sophisticated 3-D CAD software to compile drawings as it allows for 'virtual' buildings to be created. This system has the added benefit of creating fly-throughs and 3D images (also useful for the sales process and submission to Council) as well as documentation of the building for the Development Permit Application and for Construction by the Building Contractor.

We normally tailor our designs and standard of finishes slightly above the requirements of our target market, so they stand out from other developments on the market. This way our projects have the potential to attract a premium rental and sale price plus it makes it a lot easier to sell, if we need to.

The Local Authority will assess the submitted Development Permit Application for its impact on the neighbours, local community and the environment, typically including:

- Privacy for neighbours
- Traffic generation
- Overshadowing of neighboursAdverse impacts on air, water, and noise levels
- Amount and type of waste the project will generate
- Other areas of concern include historic districts, parks, open space, trees, and wildlife habitats

If the consultants have all done their jobs well, most of these concerns will all be addressed to the satisfaction of the Local Authority within the development application, and approval should be given within a reasonable timeframe.

The actual development approval process will obviously vary between areas, and it is continually under legislative review, so up-to-date information should be obtained from the local authority and/or the Planning consultant on your RED Team.
After a Development Permit Application is lodged with the local consenting authority or Council it would typically follow something similar to the process below:

- Initial Review
- Expert Referral
- Advertising and Notification Period
- Assessment
- Outcome

Several factors can delay the development application consent process which can end up becoming costly to a property developer. Here are some of the most common assessment delays:

- insufficient information
- non-compliance with development rules
- poor designs creating unacceptable impact on the neighbourhood
- objections from neighbours or other groups
- unsatisfactory impacts on trees
- complexity of assessment reports
- external referral delays

It's not necessarily the end of the process if Council has refused the development permit application. An experienced architect and planning consultant can greatly assist in challenging a planning decision.

Adrian Zenere is a Registered Architect and Licensed Builder with over 25 years experience in the design and construction industry along with his wife and business partner Amber they have built a multi-million dollar property portfolio through Real Estate Development. Together they run their own architectural practice http://www.archizen.com.au specialising in Holistic Architecture combining eco sustainable development with feng shui principles and creating harmonious living that is respectful of our environment. Their projects are regularly featured in the Australian Property Investor, Luxury Home Design, Lifestyle Magazine, Home at Yellow and several newspapers.

They are also founders of the Real Estate Development Club where they use their knowledge and experience to help real estate investors become successful real estate developers. To have a closer look at Adrian and Amber's entire Real Estate Development process and download your FREE REPORT visit: http://www.RealEstateDevelopmentClub.com

Considering a Home Improvement Project?

It is so tempting to make changes to your home. No matter how nice your home may be, there are still things that could be changed. Millions of homeonwers have taken advantage of home equity loans in the past few years. They have remodeled their homes in many ways.

But many of them find that they are unable to recoup all of the money they put into their improvements. Not all home improvements are seen the same by buyers, so how do you know which improvements bring the most bang for your buck?

Home improvement recoups vary according to the region. They can even vary by the region. In most areas, you can expect to recoup less of your investment in a slow real estate market than in a hotter real estate market. If home prices aren't appreciating rapidly, you may find that your improvement costs may not be totally regained.

One of the most popular projects, finishing out a basement, sees the lowest rate of return -- at less than 50% of your costs. So, if you spend $12,000 to refinish your basement, you can expect your home's value to increase at resale by less than $6,000.

Kitchen remodeling and bathroom additions are often the best improvements for recouping your expenses. They will often pay you back 75% to 90% of your costs. Swimming pools will usually get you only 10% of your cost.

Whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and decks all fair just as poorly as pools. The fact is, what is important to you may not be important to the buyer. And after all, the things are no longer new, they are used.

The top improvements for recouperating your expenses include:

• Kitchen improvements
• Adding or remodeling a bathroom
• Adding a room
• Landscaping
• Adding a bedroom
• Adding a garage

I understand that you can't always decide on home improvements based on the financial side. You may simply need more space. Or you may really want that whirlpool tub.

Just try to stay within reason. Remember, it never pays to be the largest or most expensive house in the neighborhood. It will be difficult to sell your place if it costs much more than those around you. The value of your home will be affected by those around you. So if you make your home larger or more expensive than the ones next door, you probably will lose out on your recovery of costs.

Consider your future plans for your home closely when deciding what home improvements to make. If you are planning on selling in the next five years, you may recover only a small percentage of the money you put into your home. And you definately don't want to owe more on it than you can sell it for.

If you are planning on making improvements in order to increase the selling price, make sure you do some research. Talk with realtors in your area, builders and other industry professionals about the areas you should concentrate your efforts on.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, an Internet consumer banking marketplace. RateEmpire.com is a destination site of personal finance, banking, investing, taxes, debt management and mortgage rates. RateEmpire.com provides mortgage guides and financial rates and information. RateEmpire.com also operates a financial portal #1 American Financial, found at http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com and San Diego loan portal http://www.LendingSanDiego.com

Are Marble Tiles Better Than Ceramic Tiles?

The wet rooms of your home kitchen and bathroom, are also one of the main selling factors when people come to look around your home with a view to buying it. This fact is more relevant today than ever with the falling house prices that we are all faced with. Any advantage that you can get over the other homes that are being sold that are similar to yours is needed to help with a speedy sale with a good price. Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen if done well has also been shown to be one very good way to give your home more value.

Besides putting in new cupboards or fittings it is necessary to give the walls a makeover as well. With these areas being prone to condensation and water related problems it makes good sense to use a water proof wall covering, not just paint or paper. One of the popular choices for such rooms is using wall tiles. Using wall tiles can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of the room and if chosen well will give the room a luxurious feel.

There are so many choices available to prospective buyer that it can be really hard to decide which ones to go for. There are a number of materials used in the manufacture of wall tile nowadays such as ceramic, porcelain and glass. The most common materials due to there manufacturing costs are porcelain and ceramics these are available in a huge array of designs, colors, patterns and textures. This is why it can be very hard to choose which tile to use in the particular room.

There are other option available other than the man made wall tiles there are the natural products that are available these are things like slate, stone and marble and give a room a feel of nature and the great outdoors. There are a number of made made tiles that have been designed to look like the more natural products, but some how they just don't look and feel the same with depth of color and feeling of warmth. Although the natural type of wall tiles are a little more costly but you could potentially get the cost back from using them in the value that they would add to your home.

Marble in particular is a great finish for your walls due to it's overall appearance and the effect it can have on the area. With it's wide array of patterns and colours the possibilities are endless. The reason for the visual aspects of marble are due to how it is formed. Starting out as limestone which is as you know is a soft material it undergoes a chemical change which make it harder while still remaining flexible to a point.

Looking for bathroom tiles? Check out complete guide to bathroom tiles.

Tips For Greater Beauty on Building an Amazing Patio

Did you ever conceive recasting home surfaces? You should, because no home is completed without an attractively designed patio. When you do, you'll be able to take in acquaintances over for barbecues, unwind with your family outdoors, enjoy all the patio covers and patio designs has to offer. In fact, a great patio can be an annex of your living area, reserving you a groovy place to assemble with or whatever you enjoy to do.

Patio is a paved area exterior of your house, typically for repose, dinning, and good conversation, listening to music , drinks and other recreational activity. A patio is best covered to add up much smasher and looks more desirable for all seasons. It has many figures and designs. An adept patio cover design that is used largely on summer is the vinyl Awnings. They get into many colors, designs and sizes. They also make suitable poolside beauty and consolations. In selecting a roof design for your patio, it is well-advised you pick out designs that will full complement your house designs, seen as section of your house that it really is. Above all, uniqueness is what creates the patio site to lay eyes on.

A concrete terrace can be an occupying part of the landscape, provided it is rightly dressed after it is directed. It is a glorious part to savor out of doors cooking and entertaining. Your terrace becomes a completely unique and family oriented place where amusement and repose can be discovered. You're able to savor being outdoor with your kids and what a tremendous patio you'll possess.

There are several different modes to build a patio of your dreams. If you settle to hire a contractor to build your patio cover, it's essential that you choose one with a demonstrated repute. Choose a contracting company that offers the most welfare at the best price. A reputable contractor will see to it that you receive a lifetime warranty against leakages and troubles with the finale, and make certain that the shade cover is decently built and organized to resist rigorous atmospheric condition. Additionally, more adept contractors will supply you with patio cover images, an option of patio cover prices, and even customized figures that will absolutely catch the style of your home.

For more info: please contact Royal Covers (dba Royal Constructions) Arizona Building ROC #88151-B. (800) 228-5809 (480) 926-2300. Royal Covers (dba Royal Construction) is Arizonas premier sun room, Arizona room and patio cover contractor. Founded in 1979, we have designed and built over 5, 000 projects across the state ranging in price from several thousand dollars to well in excess of $100, 000.

You can contact at Arizona Building Contractor Arizona ROC #88151-B, Tel No. (800) 228-5809, (480) 926-2300 or visit visit http://royalcovers.com

e-mail lsee@royalcovers.com

What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home

When remodeling or improving your home, you should stop and look at the future before you make any decisions. Some day, your investment will have to be sold. And you will want to get as much out of it as you have put in it.

There are things that just hurt a home when you are trying to sell it. These are items that really seem important to you, but the majority of buyers don't want.

The number one example is a swimming pool. I would love to have an in-ground swimming pool at my house. But I know that it would not be a good investment.

It is expensive to clean, maintain and buyers aren't looking for swimming pools. Buyers don't want the troubles or the energy bills that come with swimming pools. Lenders don't include pools in the mortgage appraisal, so it really has no value to your home.

Another thing that can hurt you is overexpanding your home. Yes, buyers are looking for space, but you can have too much space. If you add on a family room, you are likely to see a 83% return on your investment. It costs you when you don't get back 100%. Adding a master suite to a home will grant you a recovery of only 80% of the cost of the addition.

It gets even worse if your additions make your home much larger than those in your area. This hurts your appraisal value, as there are no other homes of your size to compare to.

You shouldn't go too crazy with your changes either. Yes, there are a lot of people that would find a basement that looks like an old-time western saloon quite charming. But would they want to buy it? What if the basement was extra storage and a family room instead?

You would think that a home office would be a good addition. So many people work from home. Yet, it probably isn't wise to totally outfit a room to be an office by installing a workstation and office storage. You will recoup an average of 73% of your investment, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Another thing to avoid is doing too much by yourself. Shoddy or handmade workmanship will not benefit you. I know a couple that painted their brand new home themselves. The job was not great, as you can see paint on the ceiling throughout the home. Plus, the colors are quite unusual. To sell their home, they may find that it would have been better to have a professional paint in a neutral color scheme.

Try to keep your decor in your personal belongings, not the home itself. Faux finishes are lovely, but if they are too unusual, they may be a sticking point. You may love unusual colors, but remember, hot pink walls are not for everyone.

When you know you will be selling your home, it helps to spend your time only on renovations that will pay you back. Do the most important projects first.

The projects that show the greatest return at resale are improvements to siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.

A midrange bathroom renovation can give you a 102% return on the investment. An upscale bathroom renovation can recoup 93% of the cost. A midrange kitchen improvement will recoup approximately 91% of the cost. Minor jobs return 99%.

Keep in mind that the most important improvements aren't those that add to your home, they are those that maintain the home. Make sure the paint is in good condition, the gutters are clean and the lawn is kept up. Keep track of annual checkups, such as the heating and air servicing, and make sure you include the info when you are trying to sell your home. A well-maintained home is always a good seller.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance Rate marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Help and you'd be surprised what we can do together.

Soundproof Insulation - Why Live Without It?

Your home, unfortunately, is simply not up to the task of sheltering you from the noise pollution created by the continual traffic on nearby busy streets. Nor can it shut out the sounds of your overly loud neighbors. Your home, in fact, is actually contributing to the noise problems with its banging pipes and thin walls which allow sound to bleed from one room to another. What can you do?

How Soundproofing Insulation Will Benefit Your Family

Turning your noisy home into the quiet oasis of your dreams might be much less of a challenge than you expect. Adding soundproof insulation to your house will not only shut out the unwanted noise; it will make you home much more marketable should you eventually decide to sell. Most importantly, adding soundproof insulation to your home will make everyone who lives with you much happier.

As soon as you install soundproof insulation in your home, you'll put an end to the arguments over televisions and music players being too loud, and to the problem family members eavesdropping on conversations being held in other rooms. Everyone in your home will also be sleeping much better after the soundproofing insulation is installed, and if one of you has an early wakeup call, the alarm will not interrupt the slumber of everyone else who wants to sleep in. Soundproof insulation can bring a highly welcome feeling of privacy to the confined dimensions of a small home.

Soundproof Insulation and Lower Energy Bills

You may not have ever realized that when you install soundproof insulation in your home, you won't just be blocking unwanted noise. Almost all soundproofing insulation is acoustical foam which is injected through attic openings into the interiors of your home's walls. As the foam spreads down from the attic, it gradually expands and hardens, sealing each gap in your walls.

You'll no longer be experiencing drafts around your light fixtures and electrical outlets, and your home will be more protected than ever from summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Your energy bills, as a result, will drop and if you stay in your home long enough, your energy savings may even be large enough to pay for the cost of your soundproof insulation!

If you don't currently own a home, but intend to build one in the near future, you can make it the quiet retreat of your dreams from the outset by installing Soundproofing installation during its construction. Once the house's plumbing and electrical wiring are in place, your building contractor will attach fiberglass batting to the interior of its walls, and the degree of soundproofing it offers will depend on its thickness.

There are other soundproofing materials you can discuss with your contractor, so make sure you understand all your options so that your finished home provides all the peace and quiet you deserve!

You can also find more info on Soundproofing Material. Soundproofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about sound proofing item.

RV Park Model

If you are ready to slide into the RV Life and leave the headaches of home and yard maintenance behind read on.We are not talking about RV life on the open road. We are talking settling down in an RV Park and enjoying the good life you deserve. A place where you can spend your days golfing, swimming, playing cards, having patio parties with your friends and so on until you contemplate going back to work just to get some rest.A modern RV Park located in one of our southern states can be a great place to spend your winters. You just might decide to join the growing trend and become a year round resident.

If you are ready to slide into the RV Life and leave the headaches of home and yard maintenance behind read on.

We are not talking about RV life on the open road. We are talking settling down in an RV Park and enjoying the good life you deserve. A place where you can spend your days golfing, swimming, playing cards, having patio parties with your friends and so on until you contemplate going back to work just to get some rest.

A modern RV Park located in one of our southern states can be a great place to spend your winters. You just might decide to join the growing trend and become a year round resident.

The most comfortable accommodation in an RV Park is a Park Model. Many parks have a handful or so of these units set up as rentals. Renting a Park Model is the perfect way to find out if the lifestyle is right for you and if the park is right for you.

When you find the park that is a comfortable fit for you it is time to consider a Park Model of your own. Now is the time to really start doing your homework. The industry is full of companies that come and go. It is full of companies that do not care about their reputations or their customers.

Start by talking to all of your new friends in the park you want to set up a permanent residence in. Find out from them the companies they dealt with and how they were treated. If Joe bought his home from xyz company and had nothing but trouble it might be good to stay away from them. If you ask enough people you should come up with one or two companies that your neighbors have been happy with.

Park Model dealers, like car dealers, have found a gold mine in add-ons and financing. They are more than happy to contract the set-up, the awnings and skirting, the Arizona room and so on. Of course they can wrap all of this up into the financing for you. Would you rather pay an extra $10.00 a month for the new vinyl skirting or five hundred out of pocket to the same company to do the same job. You will save thousands of dollars by contracting the work yourself.

Most of the time the dealer will contract the set-up and add-ons out to the lowest bidder. It is important, when talking to your neighbors, to find out who did all their work and were they happy. Did they show up when they said they would. Were the workmen professional. Did the salesman answer all of your questions or was he just interested on selling you more stuff.

A package deal usually means you will be dealing with a set-up company, an awning company, an A/C and heating company and possibly a building contractor for the room addition. The best deal in the world is not worth the price if any of these companies turn into a huge pain in your backside. Make sure you have names and references for all of the companies that will be working on your new Park Model.

Another benefit of talking to all of the locals is that your park may have a handyman or two that can do a lot of the work for you at substantial savings. You will quickly learn that not everybody in an RV Park is retired. There are many that hold regular jobs and many more that just sub themselves out around the park. Their prices are usually very reasonable and it is very easy to check out the quality of work you can expect. They have worked all over the park and are usually very happy to walk you around and show you different jobs they have done.

If you go the "in park help" rout be careful of one common mistake made by many new Park Model owners. It is far better to hire someone that will do the job for a price and can show you some of his work than to invite all of the over helpful neighbors over for beers and a little awning building. One of the nice things about RV Parks is that everyone is friendly and will do anything to help a new neighbor. You will need to decide what needs left to the experts and what you could use a hand with.

Shadebuilder.com devotes a lot of time and pages to the RV Life and RV Accessories. Visit us more more helpful tips about awnings, sheds and contractors in general. Not sure if this life is for you, maybe you should start here

Custom Homes Can Be the Perfect Choice For You

Are you looking to buy or build a custom home? Custom homes are a great way to express one's personal tastes. The sky is the limit for custom home design.

Most people do not have the skills to construct the blueprints needed for a custom home. Locate an architect who understands your custom home vision. The architect has the ability to take a picture of the home you dream of and design a set of blueprints from which to build. The architect will also make certain the custom home will meet the building code requirements in your area.

Once your design is set, began to search for building contractors. Place requests for bids throughout several reputable companies. Once you receive these bids, you can begin to negotiate to receive the best deal. Don't limit yourself to two or three bids. Costs can very greatly between builders. Be very careful to use a reputable builder who listens to your ideas. A builder that is easier to work with will make the building project less stressful.

Shop around for the best deals on building lots and building materials. The internet is a great place to gain knowledge about the costs associated with building a custom home. Ideas for amenities and design attributes can be found in custom home building informational books, magazines and websites. Using this information to complete your custom home design will allow many more options not initially apparent to you.

Shop around for the best deals on interior building items, such as carpet, tile, appliances, and windows. You can locate some of the best deals through recommendations from family and friends. Many stores will offer to beat the best price you can locate in order to gain your business. Keep track of items you really like, but aren't willing to purchase because of the costs. You may find the item at a reasonable price online or through a building contractor who may have the right connections.

Your custom home is the one of the most important investments you can make. Taking the time to research and identify great contractors and products will result in a custom home you will be proud of, not only for the finished product, but also because of the savings in your pocket.

Search Home Builders and new homes right now!

Remodeling Tips & Tricks

By using Mosaic Kitchen Tiles remodeling you get an excellent opportunity to bring nature into your home design. One of the best advantages of using these nature-made tiles is the fact that anyone can use them: from home-makers to professional interior designers. Let's quickly take a look and see how this fun & easy tiling technique can help you on remodeling your home.

Some basics

Mosaic Kitchen Tiles redecoration is based on unified natural stones organized and then mounted onto a standard sq/ft mesh backing. These small polished rocks are mostly collected from the beaches of various South East Asian Islands. You can practically tile anywhere and for any purpose: Kitchens, bathrooms and showers - walls, flooring, counters, and backsplashes.

Advantages

We can quickly find several main benefits while using this solution:

* Provides unique atmosphere and contemporary look and feel to any surface.

* Quick & easy installation that doesn't require any special skills or professional background.

* Their surfaces are flush and in fact, are safer to walk on than most conventional hard flooring as they offer more traction to prevent slipping.

Important advice!

* These stone panels have their weight, so if you intend to install backsplashes use small carpenter's nails to hold the tile in place so you can easily grout it.

* Don't rush! - make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.

* Make sure the surface you are about to tile is flat, clean, dry and free of contaminants.

There are plenty other advantages provided by this popular and easy home improvement alternative simply because it provides virtually unlimited remodeling options to any space and surface at any size and location whether for interior or exterior uses.

Conclusions

It is quite fun and easy to work with this special Mosaic Kitchen Tiles technique, just remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions; after all, these tiles provide a permanent surface that you will have to live with for many years. It is recommended to review the above advices as you are ready to begin with the installation process.

Get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home or in the office with Mosaic Kitchen Tiles.

Visit: http://www.homepebbletiles.com

Converting Christians to Christ

A pretty young Hindu woman was assigned to my desk for what the local University referred to as a "job shadowing" assignment. The objective was for the girl to spend 4 hours with an individual whose profession was that which she hoped to enter upon graduation. So, she scheduled an appointment with me and, at the appointed time, set about picking my brain in regard to the communications and marketing field. She was so enthusiastic and wanted to learn all that she could about America and its people. Naturally, we reached a point where our conversation turned to religion. She stated that it seemed everyone she met at school was overly concerned about getting her to convert to Christianity and how she was tiring of this. She said someone even left a Bible on the ground outside her apartment door and added, "If that's what THEY think of their holy book, well...I threw it in the trash." I said, "I assure you, that's not MY mission. I'm trying to convert Christians to Christ." She laughed. We had a great visit. She left with the Bible I kept by my computer and a promise that I was here if she needed help. My wife and I intend to have her over for supper.

Converting Christians to Christ? Yes, that's my mission - and with a sense of urgency. Far too many Christians are simply clueless about the teachings of Jesus, especially in comparison to what they know of the teachings of their denomination. Face it, not only has denominationalism never gained anyone entrance to Heaven, but it proves to be a very shaky foundation when times of testing come.

Do you recall the parable of the two building contractors? The Bible has two records of this parable. One is in Luke 6:47-49. The other is in Matthew 7:24-29. These verses record that the people were "astonished at His doctrine." Part of that doctrine was the story He told about building on a good foundation. Paul also refers to building a foundation as being part of the doctrine of Christ: In Hebrews 6:1, he says,"therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ...not laying again the foundation...." Paul then continues to list the content of the doctrine of Jesus.

As "Christians" - a word that means "little Christs" (after all, it's Him we should aspire to; the Head of the Body) - we must set ourselves upon something solid, a rock upon which we can assuredly set foot. That rock is nothing less than the doctrine of Christ. You see, there are three types of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: the doctrine of man, the doctrine of devils and the doctrine of Christ and of God. Second John 1:9-11 reads as follows: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

A CLOSER LOOK AT HIS DOCTRINE

Let's look at 2 John 9 in the original language, okay? Get out that concordance and check this out for yourself: 'Whosoever goeth onward' (Greek: pas o proagwn). In other words, 'Every one who goes ahead.' Proagw literally means "to go on before." (See Mark 11:9). That in itself seems fine, industrious, like an ambitious self-starter...but wait! The text then says: 'And abideth not in the teaching OF Christ' (Greek: kai me menwn en te didache tou Christou). NOT the teaching about Christ, but the teaching OF or FROM Christ.

There it is! THAT alone is the standard of Christian doctrine; the teachings FROM Jesus TO all those who choose to follow Him. Over thirty times the Scriptures make some reference, some variation, to following Him; only ONE to being "born again." I believe God's trying to tell us something. We Christians make every effort to get people to be "born again" in accordance with our particular denomination's system for doing so, but make a universally meager attempt at teaching the Doctrine of Christ and thereby making disciples as Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:18-20: "...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Our negligence in obeying this command explains MUCH of the problem in the Body of Christ today. We're vastly illiterate to what the Teacher taught and display a gross lack of concern regarding that of which we ARE aware.

The walk of Christ is the example for the Christian walk. Look at these verses in 1 John 2:6; 7:16; 18:19. Why did the author write so much about this subject? When this letter was written, the Gnostics claimed to be the enlightened ones of the day, the thinking class, and were anxious to leave Jesus in the dust as they raced forth into their own brand of spirituality. This same struggle continues today among scores as they approach Biblical studies. Is Jesus merely some sort of landmark along our path, or is He the goal, our example, as He claimed He was? Progress is good, but progress TOWARD Christ is what's important, NOT progress away from Him.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," (1Timothy 4:1). It's clear that in these dark and evil days many will give heed to such doctrines of devils. Satan, who appears as an angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14,15), are seducing multitudes across the globe.

Biblical truth has been replaced with emotional substitutes.

Entertainment has replaced searching the Scriptures.

Many are being deceived and downright lulled into a false sense of security as they settle for Religion over Relationship with God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that before the return of Christ, there will be a major defection from TRUTH in the Body of Christ. Jesus stated in John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We can be sure that Satan will do all he can to keep people in spiritual and religious bondage. Hosea 4:6 rings true. It states: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

The doctrine of Christ is presented by John as something required in order to have "both the Father and the Son." In presenting this concept, John uses the phrase, "he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ" (vs. 9). "Abideth" is from the Greek menon and means "to live, have as one's sphere; hence, to persist, walk in, or continue."

In other words, the doctrine of Christ is the realm of one who has God. I refer to this as one's "righteousness realm." To "abide in the doctrine of Christ" is not just an occasional acquaintance with His teachings, but familiarity and contact; you LIVE there and it resides IN you.

The doctrine of Christ is also presented by John as the means of revealing the worst-case consequences for recognizing a person's spiritual identity and acceptance (vs. 10, 11). First, the one not bringing the doctrine of Christ is characterized by "evil deeds." In other words, the absence of the doctrine of Christ is the presence of false teaching. Second, to accept, or fellowship, with those who do NOT bring the doctrine of Christ may lead to the spiritual seduction of the "partaker of his evil deeds" (vs. 11).

I'm stressing the two consequences of "abiding in the doctrine of Christ" to show the importance of this way of living. Some have wanted to segregate the two consequences. In today's ecumenical, why-can't-we-all-get-along climate, some seem to prefer belief in Jesus' deity as the sole requirement for fellowship. So, anyone who says they believe in Jesus' deity (doctrine ABOUT Christ) is considered a Christian. Those who restrict the doctrine of Christ to mean only teaching ABOUT Jesus and not include teaching FROM Jesus, end up accepting and incorporating the thinking that belief in Jesus' deity is all anybody needs. That's not belief; that's mere acknowledgement. Again, demons believe and they tremble (James 2:19).

We must understand "doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 1:9 to mean the doctrine FROM Jesus. Granted, we should exercise great caution in declaring what constitutes the Lord's teaching or doctrine. Those things that Jesus taught and/or exemplified or, at the very lest, implied, are the only things that can logically be looked upon as His doctrine. Some say, "but the Lord did many things besides what's written in Scripture...what if He did and said other things that we'll never know of?" It's true, John 21:25 says, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

Let's think about this for a moment, shall we? First of all, if we don't have it written down to follow, why worry about it? Either the Scripture that we DO have was inspired by the Holy Spirit or it wasn't (2 Timothy 3:16 declares that is WAS). We can ALL focus on what we DO have in Scripture easily enough and not fuss about what one contends that we COULD have, but DON'T have, because it wasn't written about. Doing otherwise is basing our beliefs on conjecture and assumptions. Ludicrous!

Secondly, regarding that verse, let's refrain from checking our brains at the proverbial door. In three years of ministry, subtracting the recorded miracles, bath time, dinner time, prayer time, alone time, travel time, weddings, Sabbaths in the synagogue, not to mention the townsfolk's work time, school time, cleaning and cooking time, and chores and errands that might have kept many people from running to listen to the Rabbi teach, that leaves very little room for many more miracles that "COULD" have been written about, logically speaking. Sure, He might have raised more dead, healed more lame people, but we caught the drift in reading that which we DO have and didn't need more examples, obviously, or the Holy Spirit would have provided us more stuff that He deemed necessary. As far as what Jesus taught, His message of redemption and salvation is already VERY apparent in what we DO have to read. Aren't they? Don't we have enough to understand these concepts? Could it be that there were some really different teachings - the kind of stuff argued about by various denominations today - that never made it into the Book? I can't swallow that. The things we already have are enough to keep us studying and praying and debating as it is. Why would He have done anything more that we cannot even read about? Such can only be referred to as anti-doctrine and must be classified as mere conjecture.

Third, what John wrote there in chapter 21 verse 25 was mere hyperbole; an exaggeration. If I told John once, I told him 'a thousand times," stop exaggerating! With all our differences regarding the doctrine of Christ, it's a miracle that entire towns were "turned upside down" by the preaching of the Gospel.

You get the idea.

Many will try to force 2 John 9 into serving as the proof text for dismembering the Body of Christ. That's not right either. Such a practice opens the door for the spirit of Phariseeism and essentially declares that if anyone's practices disagree with our group's understandings or interpretations, then they are not abiding in the doctrine of Christ. In other words, "MY idea of what constitutes Christ's doctrine has been elevated to equal footing with God's Holy Word itself!" That's the epitome of arrogance, and will only result in further divisions within the Church.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION

The steps for building a good spiritual foundation are given in Luke 6:47:

1. Whosoever cometh to me...

2. Heareth my sayings...

3. And doeth them.

All three steps are required. It is not enough to acknowledge Jesus and His deity; Satan does that much. We must also listen to then DO what He has said. We must take personal action. Luke talks about a person coming to Jesus, hearing what He says, then failing to respond: "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Anyone can read the doctrine of Christ and still not act upon it, preferring instead manmade doctrines and dogmas, traditions never once taught by Jesus that do nothing in terms of advancing His cause on planet Earth. Jesus is NOT truly Lord of a person's life until that person responds to His teachings. Far too often, Christians who claim to love Christ are far more enamored with their denomination or even their own spiritual work done in His Name.

The man who came to Jesus, heard His Word, and then acted on it is referred to as 'wise.' This man made sure the spiritual foundation of His life was firm. He dug deeper, outside his comfort zone - those first few inches of soil, removing everything between him and the Rock, Jesus Christ. the doctrine of Christ is the plan which shows how to build our spiritual life. It must be accepted as the absolute authority and the source of our spiritual foundation. Why? "...the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," (2 Peter 1:21). The purpose of God's revelation is given in 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." In other words, the Bible contains instruction in the basic doctrine of Christ. It also provides reproof and correction for failing to follow these teachings. Nothing else was needed.

CRACKS IN THE FOUNDATION

I knew a couple in ministry whose marriage was falling apart. Neither side would budge and the family of eight was literally divided. They were engaged in a civil war that wound up playing a huge part in the crumbling of an entire 300-member congregation. One thing that I recall vividly about their lovely home was this: an enormous crack in the foundation occurred during the time before he moved out, never to return. It literally ran diagonally from one corner of the house to the other, cracked the garage in half and shattered the driveway and a brick retaining wall between them and their neighbor. Extraordinary!

The man who built on a wrong foundation listened to the teachings of Christ but did not take personal action on what he heard. He is called a foolish man and is compared to a man who built without a foundation (Luke 6:49). His house was built on the sand instead of the rock (Matt 7:27). We build on the sand spiritually when we base our Christianity on the traditions or religious beliefs of man or of devils. It is thinking we can make ourselves spiritual or gain God's acceptance by our good works, church attendance, religious ceremonies and the like without any real, personal, relational, intimate knowledge of Jesus Himself.

Amazing! He's the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6) but we foolishly try to attain that relationship by a zillion OTHER methods and systems INCLUDING Religion.

THE STORMS OF LIFE

Jesus' story of the two builders reveals another great truth; it's the nature of life on Earth to be stormy. Circumstances often result in many personal crises. We face death, disease, and disaster. Even Believers in Jesus face problems. Acts 14:22 warns that "we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." Jesus said, in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." No one escapes the storms of life; they're necessary to test us and prove to us what we're made of. The storms of life are the same for all people are basically the same. What differs is how we respond to them. If your spiritual life doesn't have the right foundation, you will fall. What comes out of us when our come is shaken reveals what's been in there all along. Just as the house built on sand, the fall will be great. If your life is built on the right foundation - the teachings of Jesus Christ - the storm will not shake you: "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain,"(Hebrews 12:26-27). When the shaking experiences come, that which cannot be shaken will remain. Those who stand have built a firm spiritual foundation.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION: A PRE-REQUISITE

As any building contractor can attest, a good foundation is a prerequisite for constructing a solid building. The word "prerequisite" means something is "required before." A proper foundation is required before constructing the "superstructure" upon it. A proper spiritual foundation is a prerequisite to spiritual maturity.

In Hebrews 6:1-3 we are told we cannot go on to perfection unless the spiritual foundation is properly laid. Spiritual maturity is the superstructure [the building] which rests on the spiritual foundation. If the foundation is wrong then the superstructure will not stand and you will never achieve spiritual maturity.

I believe that the lessons I broadcast by email explain things which must be part of our spiritual foundation. But as the parable of the two houses indicates, it is not enough to be INFORMED of the Lord's basic doctrine. We must make a personal response to these teachings and integrate these truths into the spiritual foundation of our lives. If we do not respond, we are like the man in the mirror described by James: "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed," (James 1:22-25).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael's mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since 1999, he has broadcast over 300 hundred inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects that will interest the thinking Christian, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God's people.

He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are reaching millions around the globe WEEKLY. Write team1min@aol.com if you'd like to SUBSCRIBE.

A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is also a Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network and may be available to speak to your church or Christian group.

H2O Mop Review

I'm sure you have seen the infomercial about the H2O Steam Mop. Isn't it interesting that after this mop was advertised there are now quite a few different brands of steam mops available.

The mop converts water into steam using a micro-fiber floor cloth. When the mop touches floor surfaces, dirt and grime can be eliminated very fast. Since the H2O Mop uses the power of steam without the use of detergents or soap, it is environmentally friendly. It can kill dust mites and some types of bacteria and disinfect floors near bathroom stools, kitchen counters, pet areas, etc.

This Mop sanitizes floors also, this requires leaving the mop in one spot for several minutes. If you compare the H2O mop to one of the other popular mops like the Swiffer, one of the first things that makes it better is that you no longer need to purchase expensive cleaning solutions or the disposable pads. The H2O mop has two washable micro-fiber cloth pads.

The H2O Mop can be used on hardwood floors also. It leaves the floors dry and this is important.

The only cons about this mop are that the cord could be longer but this can be remedied with an extension cord.

There have been mixed reviews regarding the H2O mop. This may be because some were expecting it to clean the grout on their tile floor. To clean grout you would need a more heavy duty method, but the steam mop really does remove even the most stuck on grime fast and easy. You can really see a difference if you run a steam mop over a floor you have mopped the regular way.

You may actually look forward to mopping with the H2O mop! You can see the best prices for them at the link below.

I am a stay at home mom of three children and I am always looking for ways to save money. http://tvproducts4sale.com/Household/h2o-steam-mop

Creating Wall Murals for Children

Wall murals are a playful, lively way to decorate a childs room. You can pay a professional painter to create the mural, or you can do it yourselfmaybe with your children. Creating a fun wall mural for a child is not very difficult. Its an easy and fun project for a beginning crafter.

If you want to start simply, you can buy a wall murals kit for children. Many home improvement stores or Internet sites sell hundreds childrens cartoon paint guides. You could paint a tree with colorful birds in a nursery corner or zoo animals throughout the room. Even if you decide not to use a purchased stencil, you can use them for inspiration. Also look for scenes in your or your childs favorite storybook or cute imagines on greeting cards.

For a more elaborate project, you can paint a mural over the entire room. You could, for example, have a blue-sky scene with birds and clouds on the ceiling, trees stretching the walls, with animals, insects, and birds playing around the room. You could paint sleeping bears near the crib, Mother Goose by the story-time rocking chair, and animals playing together in the childs area. Explore sports themes, cars and trucks, letters and numbers, castles, and fairy tales for your inspiration.

To paint a childrens wall mural, design your wall mural on paper first. Make color copies of your murals for reference, and a high-quality, black-and-white transparency copy as your stencil. Use an overhead projector to project your image on the wall. Center and align the image before you begin tracing. Also mark with masking tape where the projector is in case you have to move it before you are finished. Protect your woodwork, furniture, and carpet with cloth before you start painting. Acrylic paints work best, but you will probably need more than one coat. Use a wide paintbrush for large areas, a small round brush for the details. Dont be afraid to get messy and use your fingers or a sponge to blend the colors.

As the child grows, update the mural with the child. A childrens wall mural can be an evolving, playful show of love.

Wall Murals Info provides detailed information about Tuscan, painted, and tropical wall murals, wall murals for children, wall mural stencils and kits, and more. Wall Murals Info is affiliated with Original Content Web.

Internet Marketing-Endless Possibilities and Potential!

There is no greater place to live and work than on the internet. Some would disagree with that statement, but there is one thing for sure, there is no better place where one can work in the comfort of one's own home, free from a tyrannical work based corporate system, and have more possibilities to make money than on this great informational super highway known as the internet.

Endless possibilities, endless information, endless ways to become successful, to earn money, to do business the right way, to make new friends is all available to those on the internet.

The downside, and there are always downsides to everything, is that one must be very careful as to what they become involved with on the net. Due diligence when thinking about joining any MLM project is very essential. There are some really great MLM programs on the net, but there are also a great many programs that are simply designed to take money away from good honest people.

Going to the policies and procedures of any MLM company and checking that before joining is absolutely essential. Many of the companies have policies written in that say in effect "we can do anything to you we want, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it." Becoming involved with one of these, one must know before clicking the I agree button, that they are asking for worst case scenario.

Visualizing what one wishes to accomplish is very important as well. Just joining a program or service to make money is really no reason. The lure of money and success has been the downfall of many a good person on net.

Whatever happened to just enjoying the journey?

In all actuality, making money is the secondary objective, or should be, to living. Living well should be the primary concern, because the simple fact of the matter is...all are simply one breath away from eternity at any given moment of any given day. The only thing available, in all actuality is what is in this moment. No past...and no future should be the rule of the day!

Enjoying life, making friends, living free is what the core of internet marketing is all about. When approached correctly and diligently success in living is a given!

Butch Hamilton is an SEO|SEM Specialist. Living on the internet has become a way of life...a succesful way of life. His talents for obtaining top positions on the search engines have led him to the point in his life where he has always wanted to be.

"Life-What a Ride!"

Says Mr. Hamilton, "Writing has always been my passion. Gone are the days when I placed blatant ads on the internet for exposure. I have found my life's work in writing articles.

Reliable and credible information is what the internet is all about to Butch Hamilton. His experience as a self employed building contractor...steel fabrication...has led him on an incredible journey.

He now resides in his beautiful home in Texas with his wife. Writing is the passion behind his successful promoting ability on the net.

Butch Hamilton's Quote: "What we think-is what we become."

http://ButchHamilton.com http://butchhamiltonsbestdomains.com

Bathroom Decorating For A Zen Like Spa Look

Bathroom decorating can be fun and challenging but when it ends up giving you the relaxing feeling of a Zen like spa it is well worth the effort. Here are some tips on how you can get this relaxing feel in your bathroom

You should use soft colors and neutral tones colors for your Zen bathroom. Matching colors with your wall paint, towels and shower curtains is key so get paint cards that have your paint colors on them and bring them shopping with you when you buy your bathroom accessories - that way you will get a perfect match.

In the bathroom, consider accessorizing with artwork on the walls, as well as toiletry and toothbrush holders, towel racks, towels and decorative soaps. You want to end up with a minimalist look so don't put too much in. Consider sleek designs for the hamper and wastebasket.

If your bathroom is big enough it could include shoji screens, plants and furniture with simple lines as well as a table water fountain and some bamboo. Window treatments for the Zen bathroom decorating theme should be simple and plain. Try updating your windows with bamboo blinds. After you get the ideal look on your windows, you might realize the walls are drab by comparison. To overcome this, try hanging watercolors or oriental silks in frames around the room.

While you may not think about it much, flooring plays a vital role in your interior design style so putting in bath mats to compliment your Zen decorating theme can really improve it's style. The best type of flooring for the peaceful and serene style is organic woven mats which you will want to purchase in neutral tones.

For some decorative touches which will help tie together your Zen decor think about a lotus bowl with 1 flower, rice paper lamps, and Asian pottery to accent your room design. You could also add towels that match your wall colors rolled up and stacked in a bamboo basket just like you might find at the spa.

Your Zen bathroom decorating theme can be a snap if you take the time to plan it out adequately. Simply buy the pieces on your plan and put them in place - your room with have the feeling of a peaceful spa before you know it.

Visit http://bathroomdecoratingguide.com for more great tips on decorating your bathroom in a variety of popular bathroom decorating styles.

Internet Marketing-Endless Possibilities and Potential!

There is no greater place to live and work than on the internet. Some would disagree with that statement, but there is one thing for sure, there is no better place where one can work in the comfort of one's own home, free from a tyrannical work based corporate system, and have more possibilities to make money than on this great informational super highway known as the internet.

Endless possibilities, endless information, endless ways to become successful, to earn money, to do business the right way, to make new friends is all available to those on the internet.

The downside, and there are always downsides to everything, is that one must be very careful as to what they become involved with on the net. Due diligence when thinking about joining any MLM project is very essential. There are some really great MLM programs on the net, but there are also a great many programs that are simply designed to take money away from good honest people.

Going to the policies and procedures of any MLM company and checking that before joining is absolutely essential. Many of the companies have policies written in that say in effect "we can do anything to you we want, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it." Becoming involved with one of these, one must know before clicking the I agree button, that they are asking for worst case scenario.

Visualizing what one wishes to accomplish is very important as well. Just joining a program or service to make money is really no reason. The lure of money and success has been the downfall of many a good person on net.

Whatever happened to just enjoying the journey?

In all actuality, making money is the secondary objective, or should be, to living. Living well should be the primary concern, because the simple fact of the matter is...all are simply one breath away from eternity at any given moment of any given day. The only thing available, in all actuality is what is in this moment. No past...and no future should be the rule of the day!

Enjoying life, making friends, living free is what the core of internet marketing is all about. When approached correctly and diligently success in living is a given!

Butch Hamilton is an SEO|SEM Specialist. Living on the internet has become a way of life...a succesful way of life. His talents for obtaining top positions on the search engines have led him to the point in his life where he has always wanted to be.

"Life-What a Ride!"

Says Mr. Hamilton, "Writing has always been my passion. Gone are the days when I placed blatant ads on the internet for exposure. I have found my life's work in writing articles.

Reliable and credible information is what the internet is all about to Butch Hamilton. His experience as a self employed building contractor...steel fabrication...has led him on an incredible journey.

He now resides in his beautiful home in Texas with his wife. Writing is the passion behind his successful promoting ability on the net.

Butch Hamilton's Quote: "What we think-is what we become."

http://ButchHamilton.com http://butchhamiltonsbestdomains.com

What to Look For When Hiring a Building Contractor

When planning to build a custom home it is critical that you hire the right building contractor. If you hire the wrong one, you may end up with a poor quality built home that took many more months and dollars to complete than you budgeted for.

To ensure you hire the right building contractor for your custom home project you should look for several key attributes in your prospective building contractor.

First, a building contractor should have a proven track record of building quality homes. Make sure the building contractor has been in business for several years and can provide you with a list of completed homes. The list of completed homes should include a number of references that you can call and/or visit. Make sure the reference lists includes projects that were done recently as well as ones that were done several years earlier. Call and visit some of the references. While visiting the reference properties examine the quality of construction and ask for feedback on the homeowners experience with the prospective building contractor.

Second, make sure the prospective building contractor has actually built a home similar to your plans. You do not want to hire a building contractor that has only built basic spec homes if you are planning to build a unique custom home. Custom homes typically have complicated floor layouts, complex roofs, and use higher end materials that frequently necessitate training and expertise for proper installation.

Third, look for a building contractor who demonstrates good project management skills and is methodical with his planning and construction. Building a custom home is an expensive endeavor and you want to be absolutely sure that the building contractor can be trusted with your money to build your custom home correctly. If you sense the building contractor is winging it during the proposal/bidding phase, steer away from him. Formal bids on a custom home building project should be well documented. Documents should include a bid proposal with accompanying architectural drawings of the home to be constructed. The bid proposal should clearly state all project costs, as well as a detailed timeline for work to be started and completed. Payment terms and schedules should also be included. The bid should also specify all material types and subcontractors who the building contractor will use.

Finally, make sure the building contractor is financially stable and has the track record and backing of a bank to support your custom home building project. The last thing you want to have happen is to hire a building contractor that goes bankrupt halfway through the building of your home. If the building contractor is planning to use a construction loan, insist on the name of the bank that he is getting the loan from. Check with the bank to make sure the builder is truly planning on using the bank. If the bank is providing him with a construction loan, then you should be reasonably comfortable that the bank has also done a background check on the building contractor.

To learn more about hiring the right building contractor for your custom home building project see HomeAdditionPlus.coms Home Construction Bid Sheets.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and home additions. For more DIY home improvement information visit HomeAdditionPlus.com and his DIY Home Remodeling Weblog

Key Considerations For Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Bathroom remodeling is one among the most popular projects undertaken by New York City homeowners. Because of the hectic life that these people have to go through to keep up with the big city living, fresh changes are always welcome. Bathroom remodeling is a great way to inject a good amount of luxurious change that not only will enhance your way of living by maximizing comfort and functionality to start and end the day but will also add more value to your home. Wherever you may be, in New York or elsewhere, this type of home improvement project would surely prove to be an excellent investment that you and your family can enjoy to the fullest.

When you've finally decided to go on and do remodel your bathroom, it is fairly easy to get carried away by excitement and make a mess out of the project by rushing things. Taking the project one phase at a time, in careful planning, would surely avoid future home improvement hassles not to mention a busted budget. To make a success out of achieving your dream bathroom, you have to take care and give ample focus on several key considerations for your bathroom remodeling project.

The Design

Do not implement a theme that makes you wonder if you have stepped into another dimension after stepping into the bathroom. Of course you can get creative, but try to limit things within the overall theme of the house or the bedroom with which the bathroom is connected to. No matter how elaborate and elegant you were able to do your Victorian bath, it would still seem unfit if your house is built in ranch-style.

The Layout

This factor can greatly affect the overall functionality of your bathroom remodeling result. A good layout answers to both your needs and wants making the area as useful as it is indulgent. Your layout should be able to maximize the use of the available space to make moving around easy specially if you have issues with limited space. A great solution to your space problem is integrating innovative storage ideas and playing with elements that amplify space like lighting, colors, and surfaces.

If in the layout, you decide to rearrange several features such as the toilet, sink, and tub; the plumbing might need some rerouting. Discuss this with your hired bathroom remodeling contractor.

Maintenance

We all love to feel luxurious in our bathrooms and take advantage of every bit of comfort that it offers, but most of us are not very fond of cleaning it. For your bathroom remodeling result to require less maintenance, choose fixtures and surfaces that are resistant to mold, stains and even water marks. Acquiring such bathroom features will not only make cleaning less frequent but less tedious as well.

When shopping for features and fixtures to add to your bathroom remodeling project, instead of looking at the price tag, see beyond it and go for high quality products. Also take note that in products, the highest of quality does not necessarily follow the most expensive ones. Research is vital in making a success out of this task. The quality and durability of the products that you will be availing will help prevent recurrent repair and replacement.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Contractor New York. For more Home Improvement information, Visit Bathroom Remodeling NYC.

Glass Mosaic Tile Art - Tessera Types

Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.

Tesserae are the pieces arranged and adhered to the base material to create your mosaic design. They can be of any material and shape. Don't limit yourself to the common tessera types. Use your imagination. Try buttons and other fun or unusual material. For example, I once saw a family picture collage with a mosaic frame that included one baby tooth from each grandchild. Be creative!

"Tesserae" is the plural of tessera (Latin). In the context of mosaics, tessera means, "a cube; a piece of mosaic paving." "Tesserae" is pronounced TESS-uh-ree, and "tessera" is pronounced TESS-er-uh.

Plan your mosaic before jumping in. Don't go off willy-nilly getting a bunch of tessera material without considering the basics. Where will you display the mosaic (e.g., indoors or outdoors, which will determine if you need weatherproof tesserae)? Are you making wall art or a stepping stone (which will determine if you can use sharp or pointy tesserae)? Think about how much tessera material you need to complete the job. Plan your work. Know what you need before buying, collecting, or making your material.

The various types of vitreous glass, stained glass, and smalti are probably the most common tessera materials, especially for mosaic wall art. However, artists have managed to create beautiful mosaic works using just about anything. The following list should give you ideas on what you can use to create your mosaic masterpieces. Have fun and let your imagination run wild. Here are some tessera materials to consider using for your next project: millefiori, ceramic tile (use intact or broken pieces), crockery (use broken pieces), marbles and glass gems, buttons, shells (intact or broken pieces), keys, beads, coins, stones and pebbles, plastic doodads, metal shapes, costume jewelry, and hardware (screws, nails, nuts, bolts).

Some of these materials may seem odd, but you never know what a creative artist can do with them. For example, I suspect that someone somewhere can turn a pile of rusty nails into a beautiful mosaic that would be a great gift for a building contractor. Don't let anything inhibit your imagination. Nothing is too crazy. Sometimes the best ideas are the craziest.

Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!

Bill Enslen has created beautiful mosaic art for 30 years. Please visit his website at Glass Mosaic Tile Art While browsing his mosaic gallery, you may think, "I wish I could do that." Well, you can! It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to be artsy. Have you ever read a mosaic book or website and thought, "Okay, so now what?" or "How in the world am I supposed to do that?" or "What does that mean?" You're not alone. To solve this dilemma, Bill wrote a new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists. It gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. It's jam-packed with color photographs and illustrations that make the process extremely easy to understand. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill's help, you can do it. Yes, you can!

Converting Christians to Christ

A pretty young Hindu woman was assigned to my desk for what the local University referred to as a "job shadowing" assignment. The objective was for the girl to spend 4 hours with an individual whose profession was that which she hoped to enter upon graduation. So, she scheduled an appointment with me and, at the appointed time, set about picking my brain in regard to the communications and marketing field. She was so enthusiastic and wanted to learn all that she could about America and its people. Naturally, we reached a point where our conversation turned to religion. She stated that it seemed everyone she met at school was overly concerned about getting her to convert to Christianity and how she was tiring of this. She said someone even left a Bible on the ground outside her apartment door and added, "If that's what THEY think of their holy book, well...I threw it in the trash." I said, "I assure you, that's not MY mission. I'm trying to convert Christians to Christ." She laughed. We had a great visit. She left with the Bible I kept by my computer and a promise that I was here if she needed help. My wife and I intend to have her over for supper.

Converting Christians to Christ? Yes, that's my mission - and with a sense of urgency. Far too many Christians are simply clueless about the teachings of Jesus, especially in comparison to what they know of the teachings of their denomination. Face it, not only has denominationalism never gained anyone entrance to Heaven, but it proves to be a very shaky foundation when times of testing come.

Do you recall the parable of the two building contractors? The Bible has two records of this parable. One is in Luke 6:47-49. The other is in Matthew 7:24-29. These verses record that the people were "astonished at His doctrine." Part of that doctrine was the story He told about building on a good foundation. Paul also refers to building a foundation as being part of the doctrine of Christ: In Hebrews 6:1, he says,"therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ...not laying again the foundation...." Paul then continues to list the content of the doctrine of Jesus.

As "Christians" - a word that means "little Christs" (after all, it's Him we should aspire to; the Head of the Body) - we must set ourselves upon something solid, a rock upon which we can assuredly set foot. That rock is nothing less than the doctrine of Christ. You see, there are three types of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: the doctrine of man, the doctrine of devils and the doctrine of Christ and of God. Second John 1:9-11 reads as follows: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

A CLOSER LOOK AT HIS DOCTRINE

Let's look at 2 John 9 in the original language, okay? Get out that concordance and check this out for yourself: 'Whosoever goeth onward' (Greek: pas o proagwn). In other words, 'Every one who goes ahead.' Proagw literally means "to go on before." (See Mark 11:9). That in itself seems fine, industrious, like an ambitious self-starter...but wait! The text then says: 'And abideth not in the teaching OF Christ' (Greek: kai me menwn en te didache tou Christou). NOT the teaching about Christ, but the teaching OF or FROM Christ.

There it is! THAT alone is the standard of Christian doctrine; the teachings FROM Jesus TO all those who choose to follow Him. Over thirty times the Scriptures make some reference, some variation, to following Him; only ONE to being "born again." I believe God's trying to tell us something. We Christians make every effort to get people to be "born again" in accordance with our particular denomination's system for doing so, but make a universally meager attempt at teaching the Doctrine of Christ and thereby making disciples as Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:18-20: "...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Our negligence in obeying this command explains MUCH of the problem in the Body of Christ today. We're vastly illiterate to what the Teacher taught and display a gross lack of concern regarding that of which we ARE aware.

The walk of Christ is the example for the Christian walk. Look at these verses in 1 John 2:6; 7:16; 18:19. Why did the author write so much about this subject? When this letter was written, the Gnostics claimed to be the enlightened ones of the day, the thinking class, and were anxious to leave Jesus in the dust as they raced forth into their own brand of spirituality. This same struggle continues today among scores as they approach Biblical studies. Is Jesus merely some sort of landmark along our path, or is He the goal, our example, as He claimed He was? Progress is good, but progress TOWARD Christ is what's important, NOT progress away from Him.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," (1Timothy 4:1). It's clear that in these dark and evil days many will give heed to such doctrines of devils. Satan, who appears as an angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14,15), are seducing multitudes across the globe.

Biblical truth has been replaced with emotional substitutes.

Entertainment has replaced searching the Scriptures.

Many are being deceived and downright lulled into a false sense of security as they settle for Religion over Relationship with God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that before the return of Christ, there will be a major defection from TRUTH in the Body of Christ. Jesus stated in John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We can be sure that Satan will do all he can to keep people in spiritual and religious bondage. Hosea 4:6 rings true. It states: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

The doctrine of Christ is presented by John as something required in order to have "both the Father and the Son." In presenting this concept, John uses the phrase, "he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ" (vs. 9). "Abideth" is from the Greek menon and means "to live, have as one's sphere; hence, to persist, walk in, or continue."

In other words, the doctrine of Christ is the realm of one who has God. I refer to this as one's "righteousness realm." To "abide in the doctrine of Christ" is not just an occasional acquaintance with His teachings, but familiarity and contact; you LIVE there and it resides IN you.

The doctrine of Christ is also presented by John as the means of revealing the worst-case consequences for recognizing a person's spiritual identity and acceptance (vs. 10, 11). First, the one not bringing the doctrine of Christ is characterized by "evil deeds." In other words, the absence of the doctrine of Christ is the presence of false teaching. Second, to accept, or fellowship, with those who do NOT bring the doctrine of Christ may lead to the spiritual seduction of the "partaker of his evil deeds" (vs. 11).

I'm stressing the two consequences of "abiding in the doctrine of Christ" to show the importance of this way of living. Some have wanted to segregate the two consequences. In today's ecumenical, why-can't-we-all-get-along climate, some seem to prefer belief in Jesus' deity as the sole requirement for fellowship. So, anyone who says they believe in Jesus' deity (doctrine ABOUT Christ) is considered a Christian. Those who restrict the doctrine of Christ to mean only teaching ABOUT Jesus and not include teaching FROM Jesus, end up accepting and incorporating the thinking that belief in Jesus' deity is all anybody needs. That's not belief; that's mere acknowledgement. Again, demons believe and they tremble (James 2:19).

We must understand "doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 1:9 to mean the doctrine FROM Jesus. Granted, we should exercise great caution in declaring what constitutes the Lord's teaching or doctrine. Those things that Jesus taught and/or exemplified or, at the very lest, implied, are the only things that can logically be looked upon as His doctrine. Some say, "but the Lord did many things besides what's written in Scripture...what if He did and said other things that we'll never know of?" It's true, John 21:25 says, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

Let's think about this for a moment, shall we? First of all, if we don't have it written down to follow, why worry about it? Either the Scripture that we DO have was inspired by the Holy Spirit or it wasn't (2 Timothy 3:16 declares that is WAS). We can ALL focus on what we DO have in Scripture easily enough and not fuss about what one contends that we COULD have, but DON'T have, because it wasn't written about. Doing otherwise is basing our beliefs on conjecture and assumptions. Ludicrous!

Secondly, regarding that verse, let's refrain from checking our brains at the proverbial door. In three years of ministry, subtracting the recorded miracles, bath time, dinner time, prayer time, alone time, travel time, weddings, Sabbaths in the synagogue, not to mention the townsfolk's work time, school time, cleaning and cooking time, and chores and errands that might have kept many people from running to listen to the Rabbi teach, that leaves very little room for many more miracles that "COULD" have been written about, logically speaking. Sure, He might have raised more dead, healed more lame people, but we caught the drift in reading that which we DO have and didn't need more examples, obviously, or the Holy Spirit would have provided us more stuff that He deemed necessary. As far as what Jesus taught, His message of redemption and salvation is already VERY apparent in what we DO have to read. Aren't they? Don't we have enough to understand these concepts? Could it be that there were some really different teachings - the kind of stuff argued about by various denominations today - that never made it into the Book? I can't swallow that. The things we already have are enough to keep us studying and praying and debating as it is. Why would He have done anything more that we cannot even read about? Such can only be referred to as anti-doctrine and must be classified as mere conjecture.

Third, what John wrote there in chapter 21 verse 25 was mere hyperbole; an exaggeration. If I told John once, I told him 'a thousand times," stop exaggerating! With all our differences regarding the doctrine of Christ, it's a miracle that entire towns were "turned upside down" by the preaching of the Gospel.

You get the idea.

Many will try to force 2 John 9 into serving as the proof text for dismembering the Body of Christ. That's not right either. Such a practice opens the door for the spirit of Phariseeism and essentially declares that if anyone's practices disagree with our group's understandings or interpretations, then they are not abiding in the doctrine of Christ. In other words, "MY idea of what constitutes Christ's doctrine has been elevated to equal footing with God's Holy Word itself!" That's the epitome of arrogance, and will only result in further divisions within the Church.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION

The steps for building a good spiritual foundation are given in Luke 6:47:

1. Whosoever cometh to me...

2. Heareth my sayings...

3. And doeth them.

All three steps are required. It is not enough to acknowledge Jesus and His deity; Satan does that much. We must also listen to then DO what He has said. We must take personal action. Luke talks about a person coming to Jesus, hearing what He says, then failing to respond: "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Anyone can read the doctrine of Christ and still not act upon it, preferring instead manmade doctrines and dogmas, traditions never once taught by Jesus that do nothing in terms of advancing His cause on planet Earth. Jesus is NOT truly Lord of a person's life until that person responds to His teachings. Far too often, Christians who claim to love Christ are far more enamored with their denomination or even their own spiritual work done in His Name.

The man who came to Jesus, heard His Word, and then acted on it is referred to as 'wise.' This man made sure the spiritual foundation of His life was firm. He dug deeper, outside his comfort zone - those first few inches of soil, removing everything between him and the Rock, Jesus Christ. the doctrine of Christ is the plan which shows how to build our spiritual life. It must be accepted as the absolute authority and the source of our spiritual foundation. Why? "...the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," (2 Peter 1:21). The purpose of God's revelation is given in 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." In other words, the Bible contains instruction in the basic doctrine of Christ. It also provides reproof and correction for failing to follow these teachings. Nothing else was needed.

CRACKS IN THE FOUNDATION

I knew a couple in ministry whose marriage was falling apart. Neither side would budge and the family of eight was literally divided. They were engaged in a civil war that wound up playing a huge part in the crumbling of an entire 300-member congregation. One thing that I recall vividly about their lovely home was this: an enormous crack in the foundation occurred during the time before he moved out, never to return. It literally ran diagonally from one corner of the house to the other, cracked the garage in half and shattered the driveway and a brick retaining wall between them and their neighbor. Extraordinary!

The man who built on a wrong foundation listened to the teachings of Christ but did not take personal action on what he heard. He is called a foolish man and is compared to a man who built without a foundation (Luke 6:49). His house was built on the sand instead of the rock (Matt 7:27). We build on the sand spiritually when we base our Christianity on the traditions or religious beliefs of man or of devils. It is thinking we can make ourselves spiritual or gain God's acceptance by our good works, church attendance, religious ceremonies and the like without any real, personal, relational, intimate knowledge of Jesus Himself.

Amazing! He's the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6) but we foolishly try to attain that relationship by a zillion OTHER methods and systems INCLUDING Religion.

THE STORMS OF LIFE

Jesus' story of the two builders reveals another great truth; it's the nature of life on Earth to be stormy. Circumstances often result in many personal crises. We face death, disease, and disaster. Even Believers in Jesus face problems. Acts 14:22 warns that "we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." Jesus said, in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." No one escapes the storms of life; they're necessary to test us and prove to us what we're made of. The storms of life are the same for all people are basically the same. What differs is how we respond to them. If your spiritual life doesn't have the right foundation, you will fall. What comes out of us when our come is shaken reveals what's been in there all along. Just as the house built on sand, the fall will be great. If your life is built on the right foundation - the teachings of Jesus Christ - the storm will not shake you: "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain,"(Hebrews 12:26-27). When the shaking experiences come, that which cannot be shaken will remain. Those who stand have built a firm spiritual foundation.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION: A PRE-REQUISITE

As any building contractor can attest, a good foundation is a prerequisite for constructing a solid building. The word "prerequisite" means something is "required before." A proper foundation is required before constructing the "superstructure" upon it. A proper spiritual foundation is a prerequisite to spiritual maturity.

In Hebrews 6:1-3 we are told we cannot go on to perfection unless the spiritual foundation is properly laid. Spiritual maturity is the superstructure [the building] which rests on the spiritual foundation. If the foundation is wrong then the superstructure will not stand and you will never achieve spiritual maturity.

I believe that the lessons I broadcast by email explain things which must be part of our spiritual foundation. But as the parable of the two houses indicates, it is not enough to be INFORMED of the Lord's basic doctrine. We must make a personal response to these teachings and integrate these truths into the spiritual foundation of our lives. If we do not respond, we are like the man in the mirror described by James: "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed," (James 1:22-25).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael's mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since 1999, he has broadcast over 300 hundred inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects that will interest the thinking Christian, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God's people.

He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are reaching millions around the globe WEEKLY. Write team1min@aol.com if you'd like to SUBSCRIBE.

A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is also a Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network and may be available to speak to your church or Christian group.