Checking Your Building Foundation

The most important thing when building a home is the ability to keep everything as square, plumb and level as possible. Starting with the foundation, if the foundation is not square or level, the rest of the house is going to be out of alignment.

You've probably heard the saying, start with a good foundation. This applies to the building industry as well. There are quite a few ways to build a square foundation, it all depends on what kind of tools you have, to build it with.

Some of these tools can be quite expensive but it used every day can save you a lot of time and of course time is money.

You don't need expensive tools to build a square foundation. You could actually build a square foundation with less than $100 worth of tools. It might take you a little longer but could be done.

Let's start with the 3 - 4 - 5 rule.

Okay lets see if I can explain this in layman's terms. If no West side of the foundation is 3 foot and the north side of the foundation is for foot, then the diagonal measurement from the southwest corner to the northeast corner would be 5 foot. Out of square building can create foundation problems

This can also be done using 30' x 40' should equal 50 foot. You can use this if the building is large and you need to check it for square.

By measuring the foundation diagonally from each corner, the measurement should be exactly the same. If it isn't, the building is out of square and should be adjusted before the concrete is poured. This measurement should always be checked before you get too far along in the form building process.

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

If your having problems in your attic, find out more at concrete contractor basics and home building ideas.

DIY Projects For Interesting Weekends

People usually do their do-it-yourself projects during the weekends. While some people enjoy fishing or playing golf, many choose to try their hand at do-it-yourself projects around the house.

Easy home improvement projects and the like are a good choice for enthusiasts of all competences.

How to paint woodworks

The first step is to secure the edges of the woodworks around the work area. Use wide masking tape that easily peels off. Mark all the wooden surfaces to be worked on. Begin the painting process with two coats of primer.

Make sure that the color you choose for the final layer of paint would not clash with the overall design of the area. Make sure that there is harmony between the new paint and the old paint.

First paint all windows, before larger objects such as doors. Skirting boards should be painted last. Use fine brushes that easily absorb paint and use even strokes when painting.

The spreading of paint should be done sideways, to save paint and to achieve an even texture on the surfaces. The size of the brushes you will use should be one inch or two inches wide. Avoid overly large brushes as these absorb far too much paint when used.

If you are painting outside your house, avoid painting during windy or rainy days. Windy days will ruin the new paint with flecks of foreign particles.

How to unclog your toilet

Use an old-fashioned plunger for this task. If you do not have one at home, go to your hardware store and purchase the largest plunger available. Plungers are generally inexpensive, and the larger the plunger the more effective it would be.

After you have acquired the plunger, place the plunger in the blocked toilet and flush. The flushing will flood the toilet bowl. As the toilet bowl slowly fills with water, move the plunger up and down.

Make sure that you are consistent with the up and down movement. If you have done it correctly, the vacuum created will dislodge the blockage from the pipe.

The extra water that had been flooding the toilet bowl will slowly recede and will help carry away the blockage. If it is a hairball, add another wave of water to the receding flow by flushing the toilet again.

Next time, avoid flushing kitchen towels and similar kitchen implements to avoid further blockages. People should also avoid flushing cotton swabs, as these will eventually accumulate.

Wallpapering

Hanging wallpapers is easy, as long as you clean the surfaces well before attaching the wallpaper. With sandpaper, smoothen the wall to level the surface. If the surface of the wall is glossy, use the same sandpaper to roughen a bit. Making it rough will make the wallpaper stick better.

Use a table when applying the adhesive to the wallpaper. From the top of the table, roll down wallpaper and apply the adhesive evenly. A soft brush may be used to make the application easier.

To ensure that the wallpaper would be evenly distributed, use a plumb line. The wallpaper should be as even as the plumb line when the two are placed parallel to each other.

The author of this article is Benedict Yossarian. Benedict recommends Roof Bond Foam Roof Insulation and Dekorbeton Concrete Stamping for your DIY needs

Good Exterior Home Improvement Tips

If your home has suffered from a fire or a flood, you can do some remodeling on it. All you need to do is go to the home There are many ways to fix up your house on the outside. You can put things on your house or you can fix something to make it look better. If you have a porch on your house or not, you can build one that wraps around the whole house. All you need is the lumber, nails, and all you need to know is how the lumber needs to be. You have to make sure it is level and if your yard has hills or goes downward, you need to make the boards longer than some of them. If there is a tree close to your house, cut the wood so that it will go around the tree. You don't have to knock it down. You can fix up the roof if it is getting old or if it needs it.

You can even change the roof by putting something over it like metal that will not make your house hot and so it protects it. It will not leak, rust, or bend, and it is a very good investment to put on your home. You can put shutters on your windows to match your roof, and this will also help keep your house cool or warm. When you put on shutters, it makes your house look better. You can make them or you can buy them at a store. You can build a screen porch in front of your front or back door so you can sit outside whether it is raining or to stay cool under it when it is hot outside.

If you have someone in your house that has to use a walker or a wheelchair, you can put a flat stairway for them to get in the house so it will be easier for them. You can put a fence around your yard so you can have some privacy. You can put up a small fence or a tall fence, whichever fits your style. You can also add a sidewalk that goes up to your porch or house, or you can have flowers lined up next to it to make it better. They can be any way or shape that you want to make your house look the way you want it to look and to make it stand out.

You can get any of these things at a home improvement store, and it may cost you a lot depending on what you are doing but it will be worth the money. You can also look around other home improvement store to see which ones are cheaper in price. Another thing you can do is put up new siding around the house to replace the old ones or to cover the wood and make your house look better. This also protects your house as well so the wood will not get damaged.

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"666" Whats Up

666! Quote;So, 666 is the culmination or
best/worst effort of the three primary areas of humanity and will
initiate the "worst times the earth has ever seen or will ever see
again"=Total Deception. Unquote.

This was a nice effort on your part to try to Identify the meaning of 666, but this is not what the Bible states is the meaning or purpose. Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

This is indicating that the number is not a conglomeration of mankind's faults or attributes, but of a charismatic man, of uncommon speaking ability, that will turn the world to him, one way or another. Here we see A religion or copy of a religion, brokered by the Beast (Anti-Christ.) that will seduce many, this will be his trade mark. To be anti-Christ is to denigh the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, for all three are one. Mankind's faults or attributes, are all based on one thing and one thing only, Sin. So the, so called, three primary areas of humanity have no connection to the identity of the Anti-Christ but will only add to his power.

The number 666 is an attribute of the Anti-Christ. This is his way of controlling all religions, until he can eliminate all but his. His religion may be a form of Christianity and Judaism combined together to deceive the very elect of God.

Could Mohammedanism or another form of Judaism be the religion that takes over the world, or could a man of peace call for a combination of the three major religions to bring about peace. We see that Mohammedanism (aka; Islam.)is the major religion in the middle east, this being a major player in the instability of the region.

The number, 666, could be a numerical value of an Islamic Individual with Jewish ties of the past, making Him acceptable to both the Islamic world and the Jews. This man must be able to broker a pact between the Jews and the Islamic factions.

Islam will never give up Jerusalem nor the Dome of the Rock, where the Third Temple must be built, The site of the Temple of Solomon.

The Anti-Christ and His number,666, must be an individual and not just human attributes, for Israel is looking for a Messiah, this must be fulfilled according to prophecy. There fore the Anti-Christ being a man will give good reason to the Muslims, why Israel should be given this area to rebuild their temple.

Is there proof of this in Scripture? Yes, We see this in the statement of Luke 18:7; And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? For the Apostle Paul stated that we are Jews inwardly, so we become the elect of God by adoption thru Christ and into the House of Israel thru belief, Gods Chosen.

Continuing with Mark 13:19-20;

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

ELECT', n. One chosen or set apart; applied to Christ.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. Isa 42.

1. Chosen or designated by God to salvation; predestinated to
glory as the end, and to sanctification as the means; usually with a
plural signification, the elect.

Shall not God avenge his own elect? Luke 18.

If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Mat 24.

He shall send his angels--and they shall gather his elect from the four winds. Mat 24.

2.Chosen; selected; set apart as a peculiar church and people; applied to the Israelites. Isa 45. Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the
transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Lengerke; According to this, the meaning is, that the host, or the Jewish people, were given to him at the same time, or in connection with the daily sacrifice. The conquest over the people, and the command respecting the daily sacrifice, were simultaneous. Both passed into his hands, and he exercised jurisdiction over them both.

Where Jesus is righteousness, Love and Compassion, the Anti-Christ will be Hate, Control and destruction, especially of his enemies and Jews.

Rev 17:10-11; And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. Perdition here meaning the like character and destiny of the individual and his religion.

The number, 666, is a sign or banner of Control and conquest, signifying the power of the anti-Christ. This number will be forced on many, it will not be a computer chip or anything else that is not visible. The mark will be such as can be seen by the eye and be recognized as a property mark showing ownership of that person by the anti-Christ.

Barnes states of the number; The plain meaning is, that the number 666 would be so connected with his name, or with what would properly designate him, that it could be determined who was meant by finding that number in his name or in his proper designation.

Rev 13:16-17; And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Be not deceived by people setting dates, times, or years, the end will not come until all prophecy is fulfilled and no man knows the day nor hour and neither can man figure it out. ars Mar 13:20 -
for: Isa_1:9, Isa_6:13, Isa_65:8, Isa_65:9; Zec_13:8, Zec_13:9; Mat_24:22; Rom_11:5-7, Rom_11:23, Rom_11:24, Rom_11:28-32

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail

Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.

What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.

This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.

I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.

He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.

Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.

The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about stair handrail safety and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.

Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors

If you're interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest stair building tools, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional

Men of God, Arise!

Okay men, where are you?

Over the years I've had some pretty direct words to address to women who usurp men's leadership roles in the church. So did the apostle Paul. I still am grieved when I must sit in a meeting and listen to the Word of God preached by the opposite gender.

This is a man who otherwise lives in a woman's world, as an educator. I have known nothing but women supervisors since I began work for a major school system in a major city. So when I come to church I expect things to be a little more in line with God's patterns.

It's especially difficult to see this disorder in a "Bible believing" church. One expects liberal groups to play fast and easy with the Scriptures. Justifying. Cutting. Adding. Subtracting. Re-organizing. But in a group pledged to honor the utterances of the Spirit of God... Some time ago I heard a woman who eloquently defended our need to be strong in the Word, never twisting it, and so on. I thought, how ironic.

Well, I've fussed with women enough, I guess. What more can be said? Paul summarized his own feelings, and I'll let him summarize mine: "If someone wants to be ignorant, just let him - or her - be ignorant."

But! Where are the men? I should have fussed more with them! At my school I was intrigued at the 8th grade election procedures. Not one candidate vying for office in that class of 100 or so was a male. Yes, somewhat typical of that time of life, but never have I seen such total male abandonment of leadership as this, even for 8th graders.

These scared 8th grade boys are not alone. It's not easy to lead. Leadership demands rejection and the possibility of exposure. It means extra work and sometimes no extra glory for it all. I speak of course as a man, not as a man of God should speak. Nevertheless the parallels are obvious.

Where are the men nationally? Why did we almost have a woman elected President and Vice President? They could have done the job, sure, but where are the men? Not an important question but a symbolic one, for the church always seems to be dragged in to what the world is doing. And let no one say that female leadership was originally ordained by God in His written Word. Just isn't there, folks. The church is following the trends of the times!

But where are you, men? What's cowering you? We understand why women dominate in China, and we can't criticize a man who does not want to die an early death by being one of the visible leaders of the church. We cannot agree, but we can certainly not criticize until we have had our chance to be brave.

So, China we understand. America, no. There's simply no reason for men to be hiding on or under the pews while women slowly take their jobs. Don't men know the Scriptures and defend them? Don't men protect their women/wives/daughters and keep them from being exposed to the workings of the enemy that sooner or later go after the one in the pulpit? Do men want others gazing at their wives in this public way?

Have I totally mis-understood the Spirit-inspired teachings of the apostle? If so, it's been an expensive mistake, and I'm open to the church's Spirit-guided correction... as long as it is from the same Spirit that spoke to Paul

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

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

Truth in Ancient Teachings

Eckhart Tolle is a gifted spiritual teacher. In the opening chapter of his book, A New World, he identifies two common themes shared by mankind's greatest religions and spiritual teachings. The first is the idea than our normal awareness is flawed. In our normal state we are missing the mark, or missing the point of reality. Given our history of war and violence, it is hard to argue with this first theme. We seem to be always on our way somewhere, often unhappy with someone or something over perceived wrongs. So much of our lives are spent looking for the next person or event to make us happy. Seldom do we find what we are looking for and when we do it seldom lasts.

The flaws in our normal awareness are not hard to see. It is not to say we do not have our moments of great joy. It is the point that joy seldom lasts. I love Tolle's example of the unhappy guy who wins the lottery and lives the same unhappy life in more luxurious surroundings. Spiritual wisdom teaches that true joy comes from within.

Eckhart Tolle says that the world's great religions share two common themes. What then is the second? The second is the possibility of transformation. Redemption, salvation, awakening, or enlightenment - all refer to one core idea. The idea that man has the capacity to change his normal state of awareness and to wake up. Waking up is the clear goal of most spiritual seekers and the hidden goal of most of us who just want to be happy.

Paths to truth are varied, but there is likely only one absolute truth about our reality. Tolle believes he found it through unbearable pain. Others have found it though near-death experiences. My humble suggestion is not to wait for intense pain or a brush with death. If you agree our normal state leaves something to be desired, look for a way to wake up.

In the end we are together. If a path teaches you to blame or find causes of suffering outside yourself, avoid it. Change the world by changing your own mind.

Spiritual awakening is within anyone's grasp. Visit my website http://www.beapasserby.com where we uncover the insights of the world's greatest spiritual teachers and healers.