Pond & Waterfall? Buyer Beware

Why are waterfalls so popular? Could it be the symphony of sound produced as the water cascades over the rocks? Or maybe it’s the mesmerizing sparkling dance of the water as it splashes its way to the pond. Amazingly, the major attribute of a waterfall is not what you can see or hear. In fact, its greatest attraction does not involve the five senses at all; yet, it makes the greatest impact. What does? Negative ions!

You will find this same characteristic at the ocean shore. How do you feel as you stand on the beach – relaxed, calm, peaceful, tranquil, and yet exhilarated? Do you feel the anxiety, stress and worry melting away? Why is that? Is it a result of watching and listening to the waves crashing on the shore? Yes, this gives pleasure to the senses, but the source of well-being is derived from breathing the air at the ocean and around waterfalls.

The friction of the ocean waves slapping the shore and of water running over the rocks of a waterfall releases negative ions into the air, and your body responds positively to the negatively charged air. You may have heard of ion generators for the home or office. Another great source of negative ions is a thunderstorm. Have you noticed how fresh and exhilarating the air is just prior to, during and following a thunderstorm? This, too, is the result of the same process.

The best way to enjoy this healthy, relaxing and stress-relieving phenomenon is to own a back yard waterfall. A waterfall alone is not that expensive compared to a pond. In addition to the construction costs, there is usually a considerable amount of long-term maintenance and upkeep involved with a pond. Another factor is meeting all the city, county and state building codes that are related to ponds. Some of the issues involved here are set-back, depth, fences, special gates, engineering, door alarms, and supplemental homeowner’s insurance covering the added liability.

So, is there a solution to all this? Yes, I discovered a way to solve most all of these issues back in 1984. A client wanted a waterfall in his front yard. So as to eliminate all the liability issues a pond creates, I decided to eliminate the pond, replacing it with a covered catch basin. This design would eliminate the possibility of a drowning hazard for children or pets. I called it a “child-proof waterfall.”

In the early nineties, flat rubber roofing material became popular as a pond liner and, several years later, someone adapted the liner to a basin pond waterfall and called it a “pondless” waterfall. But the major drawback to using liners is that they are susceptible to leaks from many sources: sharp objects, animal claws, rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, chipmunks, tree roots or heavy rocks that eventually stretch and rip the liner. Even a pin hole will produce a leak that amounts to five gallons in 24 hours.

A properly constructed concrete waterfall will last for decades and never crack or leak. Concrete waterfall shells only cost ten to fifteen percent more, depending on the size. In many cases, when comparing smaller water features, the concrete construction was actually cheaper.

If you are interested in a temporary or short-term waterfall and need to eventually move it, a liner is the best route to go. Otherwise, I recommend concrete construction. You should make sure it is 3500 psi with stealth fiber added and reinforced with rebar 8-10″ on center. The concrete shell should be sealed before placing the rocks and applying Thoroseal, which prevents lime leaching and leaking. (This product is sold nation-wide.) After following these basics, you will have a waterfall that will give you decades of pleasure.
Warning: stay away from sump pumps, unless you have deep pockets. 

Do Your Words Have Power?

   How important is our tongue? One obvious answer to this question would be, if it wasn't for our tongues we would not be able to communicate by forming and enunciating our words. The key to unlocking the sources, causes and reasons for Job's suffering and great loss can be found in the hidden truth about the "power of the tongue." The recorded history of human success and failure can be traced back to the power of words through the tongue.



Francis Martin captured
the best description



For you to completely understand how God intended our tongues to be used, we must go back to the very beginning.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and everything that is on it, under it, and above it. What is written about how God actually created everything? Well, the Bible records in Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Genesis 1:11

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. What is the key word in the process of God's act of creating? SAID!

He spoke everything into existence by the power of His Words!

God and His Word are the same. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [This verse has been translated the same in all Bible translations with the exception of the Jehovah Witnesses.]

God used words to create everything. Everything was formed and made by God speaking everything into existence by the use of words. Jesus came to earth not only to save us from our sin and eternal death, but He also was here to show us the character and nature of the Father God and the power contained in our own words. Jesus said, if you see me, you have seen the Father, the Father and I are one. If He was here to show us the true nature of God the Father and how He expects us to live our lives, we will have to ask, what did we learn from Jesus?

Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly, and the thief [Satan] comes to steal, kill and destroy. So if there is any killing, stealing, or destroying going on, according to Jesus, who's doing it? Is cancer or sickness the abundant life? Is poverty or lack the abundant life? What is God's will in the area of sickness and/or poverty?

Well, let's take a look at the model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is-where? In heaven! Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What is God's will on earth? The same as it is in heaven! Is there cancer in heaven? Is there sickness or lack or poverty in heaven? Keep in mind, this is a model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

So the next time you question whether or not sickness in your body is from God, you know the answer, no!

Once we understand where sickness comes from, we can understand why we are able to get rid of it! God clearly reveals that both death and sickness originated with sin and are being spread by Satan. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. Romans 5:12-21 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Remember, Jesus showed us the true nature of our Heavenly Father. God spoke everything into existence with words and Jesus did the same using words.

Everything Jesus did, He did by faith in God. Jesus said in John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do he shall  do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.

You shall have whatsoever you say!

This was an excerpt from the new release,
Why Do Bad Things Happen To So-Called "Good" People?

Is It God's Will For Us to Get Sick?

Once we understand where sickness comes from, we can understand why we are able to get rid of it! God's word clearly reveals that both death and sickness originated with sin and are being spread by Satan. Romans 5:12-21 When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death; so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. And though there was no law to break, since it had not yet been given, they all died anyway-even though they did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. What a contrast between Adam and Christ, who was yet to come!

And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation; but we have the free gift of being accepted by God, even though we are guilty of many sins. The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other Person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight.

God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they are. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful kindness became more abundant.

So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? Think of all those Jesus healed-they were all "oppressed of the devil." Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

John 5:14 Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you. John 4:14 But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him, a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Only when sin is taken out of the human race will there be no more sickness. Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new. God's word teaches that forgiveness of sin and healing of the body go hand in hand. Healing is just as easy to receive from God as forgiveness of sin. If you have need of healing, it is only right that you surrender your life to God if you expect Him to heal you. The body is God's house as well as our own.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Because it is God's house, we are forbidden to mar it, to defile it or to abuse it. I Corinthians 3:15-17 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

SATAN'S OBJECTIVE

Satan's primary objective is to discredit God. Spoiling our bodies is one way he operates. Created in the image of God, we are caught in the middle of this spiritual battleground. Satan as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. He will devour you with disease and sickness if you let him.

Our great advantage is that God sent His Son to destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8 He that commits sin is of the devil: for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. God through Jesus Christ will destroy Satan's evil works in your body!

Our failures come because of an imperfect understanding of God's word. God's word declares that, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free, John 8:32. Satan, your adversary, knows the truth better than you do. Until you discover and start claiming what is legally yours, Satan will continue his harassment and assault on your life. He knows your weak areas.

The Bible clearly reveals that God wants to be the healer of His people and declares His will to heal all those who obey Him. Christ's works of healing were not only to prove His divinity but were a part of His complete mission of fulfilling the will of God. Lo, I come to do Your will, O God. Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, lo, I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first that he may establish the second [sacrifice or covenant]. Matthew 12:15 Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Jesus Himself is a revelation of the will of God.

He did the will of God; He healed all who came to Him. He has an unchanging priesthood. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

In Matthew 8:16-17, God's word tells us that Jesus healed all that were sick; that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses. If He bore them, then they rightfully and legally belong to Him and for us to take them upon our body is to be taking something that does not belong to us. In the material realm if one takes something that does not belong to him, he is classified as a thief. The same thing applies in the spiritual realm.

If Christ took our sins, then sins do not belong to the believer; and as long as the believer has sins, Christ's atonement means nothing to him. If Christ took our sickness and pain, then they do not belong to the believer, and for a believer to have them is illegal and Christ's death in bearing them means nothing.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 2Corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore if man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. IJohn 1:7-9 But if we walk in the light, as

He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

At the hands of unbelievers, Jesus, our Lamb, was beaten. On His body deep furrows were plowed by the awful Roman lash as it literally tore pieces of flesh from his back. These were the stripes by which, Isaiah and Peter say, we were healed. And they were laid on His body. This was the bearing of our sicknesses, and so, the provision was made for the healing of our body. Then they nailed Him to the cross and pierced His side. His blood ran down on the ground, shed for many for the remission of sins, Matthew 26:28. Jesus our Lamb suffered in two ways.

He shed His blood on the cross for our salvation from sin, and He bore the stripes on His body for our healing from sickness. If you have let Him take your sins, won't you let Him take your sickness? Healing is part of your salvation; do not be cheated out of it any more than you would permit yourself to be cheated out of forgiveness of sins.

In Deuteronomy 28, we find sickness given as a part of the "curse." But Galatians 3:13 declares that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Look for a moment to the sicknesses specifically stated in Deuteronomy 28: pestilence, consumption, fever inflammation, extreme burning, hemorrhoids, the scab, the itch, madness, blindness, astonishment of heart, smite you in the knees, in the legs, sore botch, all the diseases of Egypt. And as if these were not enough, verse 61 adds every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law. Is there anything left uncovered? If you are carrying a disease, you are carrying a part of the curse. This should not be.

Deuteronomy 7:15 tells us that diseases belong to those that hate God: And the Lord will take away from you all sickness and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, upon you; but will lay them upon all them that hate you. If you truly feel that it is God's will for you to be sick, you have no business going to a doctor trying to get rid of the will of God! The will of God is expressed in the Lord's Prayer: Your will be done. God has set us free from the curse of the law through Christ Jesus our Lord for "whosoever will" meet the conditions and believe the Word. We may except ourselves, saying, "It is not His will," but God excepts no one. He is no respecter of persons. His promises are to all.

James 5:14 asks, Is any [not some] sick among you? God is as willing to heal as He is to forgive sins. The only hindrance in getting the full benefits of Calvary is unbelief and lack of appropriation of the blessing which Christ died to give to all men. Isaiah 53:4-5 states, surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

And then in Matthew 8:16-17: When the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses. IPeter 2:24 Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

James 5:14-16 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

And finally, 3John 2 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

This article is a chapter from my book: Why Do Bad Things Happen To So-Called "Good" People?

Fear: A Disease of the Soul

.The Book of Job is an instruction manual on how to avoid unnecessary suffering as a result of courting the spirit of fear. Fear is the common denominator for many of man's mental and physical diseases, ranging from phobias to asthma, high blood pressure, strokes and nervous conditions. Fear-filled words have power to curse, destroy, tear down, discourage, depress, malign, and even call into being death and disease.

A dangerous misconception of fear is that it is a natural necessary emotion. Many people allow fear to control their lives and accept fear as a normal way of life. If fear were natural, then it would be listed as one of God's gifts to man; however, God's word warns of the destructiveness of the spirit of fear and announces that, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a strong mind. (2Timothy 1:6-7)

A sound mind is a mind that is "free from fear." A mind tormented with fearful thoughts is anything but sound. Fear enters our mind as a seed (thought), it sprouts, takes root and begins to grow. When we act on this thought or speak it out, acknowledging it, the fear now becomes a stronghold. The Bible warns us to cast down every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge and truth of God's Word. 2Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Fear itself has no power; the power comes from our spoken words that are motivated by the spirit of fear. Satan can use these words against us to bring to pass the negative words that we speak, just as God uses our faith-filled words to manifest His power through us.

The number one goal for Satan is to destroy our faith in God. His second goal is to destroy our faith in as many of God's promises as he can. God says, "I will provide all of your needs according to my riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Satan will get you to confess lack and give you the spirit of poverty and depression. He wants to rob you of your joy and peace and replace it with fear, worry, stress, concern, care, anxiety, lack, depression and hopelessness. Jesus took your sickness, disease and infirmities on the cross. Like salvation, healing is a gift that cannot be earned, only freely received by faith. Satan wants you to believe that God allows him to put sickness on you to teach you some kind of a lesson so you won't ask him for healing, because if you do, you will be praying against God's will for you.

Fear is the foundation of unbelief and Satan's most powerful weapon of choice. Satan counterfeits all of God's blessings, promises and holy attributes. What is the greatest thing you could do for God? Love Him? Serve Him? Seek Him? Honor Him? Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. The fear of God is a righteous, holy fear, a wise fear. A fear of God brings wisdom! Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Do you now see why Satan's weapon of choice is fear? Because our source of the greatest power is from fearing God. However Satan's fear is perverted fear: fear that terrorizes, paralyzes, horrifies, destroys our hope, steals our joy, and brings pain, suffering, sickness, disease, calamity, devastation and death. Holy, righteous, Godly fear, results in wisdom and understanding; for The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:and the knowledge is understanding.

There are hundreds of phobias or spirits of fear that literally control peoples lives, keeping them in bondage. Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Hosea 4:6 says, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee. 2Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. So, if God says, He has not given you the spirit of fear, then where did it come from?

Fear is the exact opposite of faith; fear is to faith what darkness is to light. God said "let there be light" and His Word created light, His Word is light, Jesus is light! Jesus said in John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Until God spoke His Word, Let there be light...the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:2-4

God's Word separates the light from the darkness; God's Word is light, Satan's word is darkness (void of light). 2Samuel 22:29 For you are my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. We all have experienced Achluophobia (fear of darkness) at some time in our life. Why is this one so common or universal? Darkness is the absence of light! How profound. Actually it is not so much the darkness that we are afraid of as it is not being able to see. The darkness renders us blind, unable to see what the darkness is concealing.

Then the spirit of fear enters our mind, controlling our thoughts until we are consumed by the reality of darkness. Our thoughts begin controlling our imaginations which, in turn, fuel the "fear factor." This vicious cycle continues unchecked until we are paralyzed by fear and surrender to panic and hopelessness. Is it any wonder that Satan's favorite weapon of choice is fear? 1Peter 5:8 warns us to be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour...Satan has come to kill, steal and destroy.

The root of Job's misery was fear: Job 3:25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I feared has happened to me. With the use of fear Satan will get you to confess poverty or lack, sickness, disease or infirmities, sadness, depression, hopelessness, suicide, or defeat; the results are anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, mental illness, or death! Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly and the thief [Satan] has come to kill, steal and destroy.

To give you some perspective of Satan's stranglehold on man through fear, I have listed the phobias beginning with the letter "A". If you respond as I did, you will find most of these ridiculous and may even think they are made up. Sadly, each of them are someone's "real" fears and Satan has them in bondage and humiliation from others who judge the validity and authenticity of their fear.

This is only a portion of the list of phobias- a small sampling of human fears...

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing.

Acarophobia- Fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching.

Acerophobia- Fear of sourness.

Achluophobia- Fear of darkness.

Acousticophobia- Fear of noise.

Acrophobia- Fear of heights.

Aerophobia- Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airborne noxious substances.

Aeroacrophobia- Fear of open high places.

Aeronausiphobia- Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.

Agateophobia- Fear of insanity.

Agliophobia- Fear of pain.

Agoraphobia- Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets;
Fear of leaving a safe place.

Agraphobia- Fear of sexual abuse.

Agrizoophobia- Fear of wild animals.

Agyrophobia- Fear of streets or crossing the street.

Aichmophobia- Fear of needles or pointed objects.

Ailurophobia- Fear of cats.

Albuminurophobia- Fear of kidney disease.

Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens.

Algophobia- Fear of pain.

Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic.

Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions.

Altophobia- Fear of heights.

Amathophobia- Fear of dust.

Amaxophobia- Fear of riding in a car.

Ambulophobia- Fear of walking.

Amnesiphobia- Fear of amnesia.

Amychophobia- Fear of scratches or being scratched.

Anablephobia- Fear of looking up.

Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia)

Androphobia- Fear of men.

Anemophobia- Fear of air drafts or wind.(Ancraophobia)

Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.

Anglophobia- Fear of England or English culture, etc.

Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry.

Ankylophobia- Fear of immobility of a joint.

Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.

Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society.

Antlophobia- Fear of floods.

Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single.

Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity.

Aphenphosmphobia- Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia)

Apiphobia- Fear of bees.

Apotemnophobia- Fear of persons with amputations.

Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.

Arachnephobia or Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders.

Arithmophobia- Fear of numbers.

Arrhenphobia- Fear of men.

Arsonphobia- Fear of fire.

Asthenophobia- Fear of fainting or weakness.

Astraphobia or Astrapophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning (Ceraunophobia, Keraunophobia).

Astrophobia- Fear of stars or celestial space.

Asymmetriphobia- Fear of asymmetrical things.

Ataxiophobia- Fear of ataxia. (muscular incoordination)

Ataxophobia- Fear of disorder or untidiness.

Atelophobia- Fear of imperfection.

Atephobia- Fear of ruin or ruins.

Athazagoraphobia- Fear of being forgotten or ignored or forgetting.

Atomosophobia- Fear of atomic explosions.

Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.

Aulophobia- Fear of flutes.

Aurophobia- Fear of gold.

Auroraphobia- Fear of Northern lights.

Autodysomophobia- Fear of one that has a vile odor.

Automatonophobia- Fear of ventriloquist's dum mies, animatronic creatures, or wax statues - anything that falsely represents a sentient being.

Automysophobia- Fear of being dirty.

Autophobia- Fear of being alone or of oneself.

Aviophobia or Aviatophobia- Fear of flying.

Want to check out the complete list...  http://www.phobialist.com/

My favorite was: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- Fear of long words.

If you resist fear, Satan has no access into your life. When you refuse fear, you paralyze Satan; and he can't harm you. The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 2Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

You can't believe God's Word and be fearful at the same time. For you to say "I am afraid" is for you to enter into unbelief and deny God's Word. For a believer not to believe God's Word and to fear is opening the door for Satan's attack. Anything that doesn't line up with the Word of God is an invitation to the enemy.

For a believer not to believe God's Word and to fear is wicked and has potentially serious consequences. Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that he is who He says He is, and that he rewards those that diligently seek him.

Fear denies God access into your life. He can't move on your behalf if you won't believe Him. The thing you fear the most will come upon you. (Job 3:25) Fear will connect you to whatever it is you fear, just as faith will connect you to God's promises. The fear of loss and what is familiar will connect you to poverty; conversely, belief in God's promise in the Bible that if you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 Fear will connect you to sickness and disease and faith in God's Word will connect you to the promise that no plague shall come near your dwelling. Jesus said I have taken your disease and sickness on the cross. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Job submitted to fear and lost his family, property, possessions and health!

You are not subject to the world's belief system which is orchestrated by Satan. The world wants you to believe that the flu is out there waiting for you and you should get your flu shot. The world says that you may already have this disease, or statistics show you will more than likely get it so you should "ask your doctor if this drug is right for you."

One out of four commercials is promoting drugs or health-related products. Psalms 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. Hebrews 2:14-15 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death Jesus might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Sickness and death is a curse and Jesus took our sickness on the cross and died for us, becoming the curse for us that through Him we might have healing and eternal life. Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.

There is no need to fear death, because you hold the power of life and death in your tongue. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. You are the establishing witness; you can either produce life or death with the words of your mouth. Your words will determine your destiny for you have a free will to choose life or death: Things don't work for Christians who break the laws or don't understand them. Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

What you are afraid of is directly related to your lack of faith in God's Word or what you don't believe to be true. Discover the promises in the Word of God and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ; then fear will flee, along with doubt and unbelief, and the promises will become a reality in your life. Fear is designed to create doubt and doubt destroys faith and trust. A barometer of your faith is the words of your mouth. They will reveal what is in your heart, for: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

Examine your life and determine if the negative circumstances are in direct proportion to your words and the confessions of your mouth. Are you experiencing financial problems or some other lack in your life or relationships? Are you confirming these situations and predicaments verbally and announcing from your mouth to others how bad things seem to be? You're not alone! Job and millions of others have done the same thing and got the same results. The thing that you are afraid will happen, will happen, and the thing you are afraid will come upon you, will come upon you. That's how fear and fear-filled words work! So repent for your unbelief and move on.

Psalms 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments in your heart; So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;

Yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you shall understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

This has been an excerpt from the new release,

Why Do Bad Things Happen To So-Called "Good" People?



    

Why Build a Pond With Concrete & Rebar?

Many pond builders have started out in the water garden industry by building ponds the easy way, by using a rubber liner, biofalls, and a sump pump. Many of these landscapers were not informed of what to expect in terms of durability and the longevity of these building materials. Unfortunately, the manufacturers of the pond liners only warranty this material against factory defects.

A few years down the road and a few water features under their belts, and the bad news starts trickling in from perplexed or downright irate customers, complaining of losing water from their ponds. There are a myriad of reasons:

>Improper sealing of liner seams;

>Holes in the liner caused by the weight of the            boulders sitting on the surface stretching the liner;

>Holes created by burrowing animals; ie.                  gophers, ground squirrels, rats, mice, chipmunks etc   

>Holes created by children with sharp toys or objects like sticks, lawn darts etc.;

>Holes created by the sharp claws of dogs, raccoons, hooves of deer, moose etc.;

>Holes made by roots of trees and plants

>Leaking around drains, piping and skimmers.

There are many of these pond builders who have tried to solve the leak problems to satisfy their clients, but have done so at a very high financial cost. After 15 years of pond liner construction in Southern California, these liner short falls are showing up on a regular basis. The problem is so prevalent that many realtors are asking their clients to remove the liner pond from their yard and fill the hole before they will list the house since the liner ponds are such a great liability and litigation risk for the realtor, bank and seller of the home.

I would highly recommend to any contractor who is constructing ponds with liners, that they should make it very clear to the client prior to signing a contract that there are certain liabilities associated with this type of construction. You should let your clients know in advance that a liner has limitations, and then explain in detail what those limitations are.

You should also let the customer know that for approximately 20% more, you can construct their pond and waterfall out of concrete and rebar which would increase their pond's lifespan by decades. Because many pond builders only know how to construct a pond using a rubber liner, they do not make concrete and rebar an option for the client. This fact alone can create a serious customer relations problem in the future, when the customer finds this fact out on their own, especially after a couple of minor leaks.

If the customer is told about all of the potential issues with maintenance and upkeep associated with liners and compares this to the peace of mind, lack of maintenance and upkeep, and the overall longevity and the equity added to their real estate, they will most likely opt for reinforced concrete construction for the extra 20% in cost.

The author has constructed well over 2,000 reinforced concrete ponds and waterfalls over the past 30 years and has never encountered a crack or leak of any kind.

There are a number of other issues associated with liner ponds, such as the use of submersible pumps and the lack of bottom suction drains, that also create a serious issue with water circulation within the pond and higher maintenance costs associated with the inefficiency of a sump pump's energy consumption.

Many liner pond installers avoid cutting the liner to install bottom suction drains since they can become a source for a leak. Unless water is drawn from the bottom of the pond, there can be areas that do not receive adequate circulation. Consequently, it will lead to stagnant water and algae problems.

When used in the proper applications, pond liners can become an asset rather than a liability for the simple fact that they do cost less than concrete construction and are quick and easy to install. So for situations where the pond is needed for a short period of time, a liner pond is the perfect solution.

Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of over 2,000 waterfall and ponds in CA (30 years). Author of Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual & developer of Ultimate Training Course.

                                                                                                                                  Dougas C. Hoover

Tropical Paradise - In Your Back Yard?

If they could afford it, most people would love a vacation in the Hawaiian Islands or the Caribbean. Those who have been fortunate enough to do so wished they could stay. More homeowners are now spending money on home improvement that they may have saved towards expensive vacations or purchasing a second vacation home. The high cost of living and plummeting property values have made investing in their primary residence much more attractive and economical. This means that they plan to stay in their home for some years to come and make improvements to the inside as well as the outside.

A tropical resort-style atmosphere can be attained for as little as $30,000 if you are able to do it yourself. Labor costs are sometimes twice the cost of materials in such a project.

I wish I could teach you how to design, lay out, excavate, engineer and build a permanent pond, waterfall, gazebo, bridge, decks, landscaping, lighting, pondscaping, irrigation, and much more - not to mention building codes, covenants and restrictions associated with your community, city, county and state.

I have spent the past 29 years designing and building well over 2000 water features in San Diego, California, and I am going to attempt to give you as many do's and don'ts as I can. Let's start with a true story to illustrate the importance of having a good plan and conducting adequate research.

The wrong choices and decisions can turn your home into a "money pit." The worst-case scenario I have seen was in Rancho Santa Fe, California. A former client called to say they were purchasing a 15,000 square foot house that had a 50' high waterfall spilling into a pond in their front yard. The previous owners had it built and paid a liner pond contractor $276,000. In less than four months it was leaking like a sieve. The contractor refused to correct the problem, explaining the cause was from gnawing gophers, and the liner warranty only covered factory defects.
They paid a second liner pond contractor $75,000 to fix the problem. Rather than employing a crane to remove the boulders and rocks in order to find and patch the gopher damage, they simply tried to paint concrete sealer around the base of every rock in the falls.
Two weeks later the leaking resumed at the same rate. The second contractor was nowhere to be found and they had to rip out the entire feature and do it right, using rebar and 3500 psi concrete, for an additional $235,000. Now it will last for decades.

In the past 15 years I have witnessed this scenario countless of times. Leaky liners caused by rats, rice, ground squirrels, gophers, chipmunks, tree roots, sharp objects, or from heavy boulders stretching the liner. Other issues are the result of a simple lack of planning or inferior materials or workmanship. A few examples are: cracked patios due to improper compaction; high water bills from poorly designed irrigation; property damage or standing water from improperly installed drains; algae-ridden ponds that are murky, smelly eyesores.

Or maybe your Tropical Paradise is overrun with bamboo or papyrus or other fast-growing, spreading plants or bushes. Another mistake is not researching the types of trees of plants to ensure that your choices are suitable for the area in which they are planted. It is costly to relandscape due to overgrown plants or to replace trees because their roots are lifting a sidewalk or patio, or breaking irrigation lines and structures built with inferior lumber, risking termite damage.

A tropical paradise is incomplete without a pond or water feature. The most significant element contributing to a tropical atmosphere is moving water. Why? - you may ask. Water moving over rocks and passing through the air releases negative ions to the surrounding oxygen. Breathing this charged air has been proven to be healthy; it relieves stress, tension and anxiety. Have you ever noticed the wonderfully clean and refreshing smell in the air just prior to a rainstorm? You are breathing negatively charged air. You find the same effect at the beach from the waves crashing on the shore.

If you are going to have a pond and waterfall, you need to add fish, frogs, a turtle, aquatic plants, and for a special finishing touch you should add a bridge somewhere. A common mistake that most people make is inadequate planning and research. Regardless of your hopes, dreams or expectations, you can find a source of information to help you plan by researching the internet.

The following are my 18 do's and don'ts related to the construction of a tropical water garden paradise:
1. Take your time.
2. Plan it out.
3. Research the subject thoroughly.
4. Seek out an expert in the field. A few years of experience are important.
5. Make sure the expert is licensed and bonded.
6. Accept only concrete and steel rebar construction. If you desire a permanent, maintenance-free structure, never use a pond liner.
7. Do not use submersible pumps; they are inefficient and expensive to operate, and are difficult to maintain.
8. Use a biological filter to help eliminate nitrates and nitrites from the water. (I recommend a pressurized back-flushable filter, not a gravity flow.)
9. Install a skimmer for removal of surface leaves and debris.
10. Use two anti-vortex drains on the bottom of the pond for suction line to prevent whirlpools and fish or turtles from being sucked into the drain.
11. Make sure your pond is a minimum of three feet deep to regulate water temperature in the summer months and to discourage herons and raccoons from dining out.
12. Build caves and ledges for turtles and fish to hide in.
13. Install an ultraviolet light to kill bacteria that cause smells and pathogens which will kill fish and algae spores that create green water.
14. Do not use mechanical auto-fill valves; only use an electronic one like the AquaFill System. It does not stick or malfunction - thus preventing pond overflow and dead fish from chlorine poisoning.
15. Use plenty of water plants in the falls and pond. They provide extra oxygen and food for the fish and act as natural filters, utilizing the nitrate nitrogen in the water.
16. Use a high-efficiency, out-of-pond pump that conserves energy.
17. Make sure you have proper drainage around the pond and waterfall so run-off from the rain storms does not enter the pond, contaminating it with silt, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.
18. Learn basic pond maintenance - "an ounce of prevention is worth a (pond) cure."
When I say "everyone should have a tropical paradise," I'm not simply promoting my life's passion. Considering how much enjoyment a tropical water garden and waterfall can give you, dollar for dollar, cubic foot for cubic foot, hour for hour, it can now become your own premiere personal tropical vacation resort.

Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of over 2,000 waterfall and ponds in CA (30 years). Author of Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual & developer of Ultimate Training Course.

                                                                                                              Douglas C. Hoover

Provident Living - Escape the...

Provident Living - Escape the "Global Warming" Madness
An increasing number of families are realizing they cannot continue to spend more than they earn while expecting to get ahead or, more importantly, enjoy life. Our society has become driven to keep up with the Jones' at any cost, which results in second and third mortgages and crushing credit card debt. Pay later? The truth will be revealed, later soon becomes too late. Americans are motivated by the media's pronouncements that "you deserve it" or "you have earned it". Buy it now and enjoy, this will bring you happiness and great pleasure.

America is discovering the truth the hard way, "there is no such thing as a free lunch." Whatever happened to delayed gratification? Most children today have been deceived into believing they deserve everything their parents have, and want it now! I wonder who taught them that lie from the pits of hell? I think it started with the commercials on TeleTubbies, and they were not directed at the parents.

Many families are beginning to see the futility of the rat race and consequently are embracing the idea of provident living to gain greater peace of mind. This holds the promise of being prepared to meet life's challenges and unexpected events. Provident has several meanings, which include spending less than you earn, preparing for cloudy days ahead, and planning for the obvious storm gathering on the horizon.

Provident living can also mean focusing on life's basic necessities and practicalities while acquiring the skills necessary to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread calamity. People once upon a time would mock and laugh at the "Jesus Freak" carrying the placard, proclaiming the need to repent, for the end of the world is near. They are no longer laughing but are, rather, taking up the banner themselves.

Common sense would dictate that in light of the current world's political climate, with the meltdown of our constitutional rights and the growing civil unrest, we should expect the best while preparing for the worst. I am speaking of preparing for both man-made and natural disasters. In the event of a terrorist attack on our electrical grid system, earthquake etc., do you have sufficient water and food storage, emergency supplies and equipment? For example, how will you cook if you no longer have electricity? Do you have a camp stove and an adequate supply of fuel?

Personally, I have stockpiled canned meats, fish, butter, cheese, condensed milk, powered eggs, freeze dried fruits and vegetables, rice, flour, cornmeal, oatmeal, wheat cereal, beans, spices, sugar etc. Most of these items, if properly packaged, have more than 5 years of storage life. What about seeds for growing a garden?
How will I cook this food? Well, I could do as most do, buy a propane or gas camp stove, or a dual fuel stove which uses both types of fuel. How much fuel can be safely stored? What if you have to leave your home and neighborhood in a hurry?

Many families who practice provident living have set aside food but struggle with the issue of how to safely store enough fuel. There is an answer to this dilemma, and it involves no fuel storage at all!
Using a solar oven eliminates the need to store fuel. Solar ovens use only the energy from the sun. There are a couple of sun ovens that will reach and maintain 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and as much as 400 degrees. Anything that can be cooked or baked in a conventional oven can also be cooked in a sun oven, in the same amount of time. You just need sun. In areas blessed with an abundance of sunshine, the sun oven can cook up to 70% of a family's meals. Even though it is called a solar powered oven, food can be baked, boiled, and steamed. As an added bonus, the food will never burn.

So, other than fried foods, anything normally cooked on a stovetop or in a conventional oven can be cooked in a solar oven. To some, provident living is strictly a doomsday matter. They store food and emergency supplies just for the peace of mind, knowing they are on hand. Others see provident living as an ordinary approach to using resources. They use the free resource of the sun to cut their utility bills by doing their daily cooking in a sun oven. When harnessed for solar cooking, the sun can be a valuable resource which can save money and promote healthy eating. Bread or roasts can be baked outdoors without heating up the kitchen.

Thousands of families have purchased a solar oven to have on hand in the event of an emergency, and have been pleasantly surprised by the improved taste of sun cooked foods as well as the lifestyle advantages of cooking with the sun. For example, there is no movement of air in a sun oven.. This allows food to stay moist and tender and flavorful. Sun-baked roasts are tastier and more succulent, and sun-baked bread has unparalleled taste and texture. The aroma of food sunning itself in a sun oven is sure to please anyone's senses.

In addition, the temperature in a sun oven rises slowly and evenly, allowing complex carbohydrates time to break down into simple sugars, emanating subtle, natural flavors. The even temperature prevents burning, so you do not need to stir your food while it is cooking. It can be used for slow cooking, much like a crock-pot. Simply prepare your dinner early in morning, put it in the sun oven, point the oven south in the Northern Hemisphere, and leave. You will come home to a tasty, slow-cooked dinner. If you run late, there is no need to worry; the sun oven will keep your food warm, moist, and fresh for hours. Or, if you choose to refocus the oven to follow the sun every 25 to 30 minutes, cooking times and methods will be very similar to cooking with a conventional stove or oven. The choice is yours.

Have fun turning your backyard into a gourmet kitchen with solar cooking. You will be amazed at how the sun can transform ordinary foods into mouth-watering delights. The energy wasted when cooking indoors is more than what is burned on the stovetop or in the oven. A conventional oven requires over 5000 watts of power to cook a three pound chicken in one and a half hours. The sun oven only uses solar power in the same length of time.

In the summer, additional energy is often required to cool down the rest of the house, which can get heated up by cooking in the kitchen. When you use a sun oven, the heat stays outdoors, saving energy costs while shrinking your alleged, notorious "carbon footprint."

Store up some food and water, buy a solar oven and start saving money while being kind to our "fragile planet."

                                                                                                                                      

Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of over 2,000 waterfall and ponds in CA (30 years). Author of Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual & developer of Ultimate Training Course.   Douglas C, Hoover