Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sin,,,Am I,,, Are we sinners ???

This has been a question in and on my mind for some time, as you may know if you have been following me. Last year I spent a lot of time with xxxchurch, disusing porn and what it does to you. I grew up in N.Y.C. and that in itself is not a very GODLY atmosphere, None the less once a month I visit two senior centers on a Sunday and give a little sermon so to speak,,, I hope I do it good enough to get them questioning life, reading there bibles or me just bringing them some entertainment. So this was this week.

I started with the reading Isaiah 64:6

All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
This passage grabbed me a few weeks ago, You see I do a fair share of good deeds. Why are they filthy rags ??? Am I not worthy of GRACE; Is my faith not strong; Do I not pray enough and lift up my heart to the lord; OR am I just wasting my time doing these things for nothing ??? [Don't anyone answer aloud]

So I read further in the BIBLE searching for the truth as we all should. This lead me deep in to Ephesians, This book was written by PAUL. I find him to be one of the first Holy terrorists, spreading the word and bringing the hard truth of the word of GOD to the people any way possible.

[I read from Ephesians] *note: you should open your bible and read it some time !!!

Any where I read in this book, there is a deep under lining talk of GRACE. We are humans, made of flesh and blood, created by GOD, And because of one moment in time in the Garden of Eden, ADAM and EVE ate the forbidden fruit causing each and every one of us to be born separate, excluded, with out hope, with out GOD,,, Simply sinners.

This is something I found hard to swallow, Don't you ???

So we must be good to be approved,,, You see we know this from when we are children, pure, untainted yet by life, no experience, no real opinions yet, simple, Right from wrong is so black and white, If we do something good we get rewarded. If we do something bad we get punished. This is the first time on earth that we will know GOOD and EVIL. The line is fine. As adults we learn and hold the gray area as kind of middle ground,,, Like hey I know I did that bad thing to so and so but they are really bad so they deserved it. I didn't hurt anyone, If it felt good I should do it again its not hurting anybody,,, You feel me right smart people.

This is when we let the DEVIL, SATAN get a toe hold in our door, Close that door and lock it tight. Keep doing right, Keep doing GOOD deeds, For this I see as our OBEDIENCE to the HOLY SPIRIT.

My pastor told me the other day that we live by the three G's: Guilt, Grace, Gratitude. You see he said "We are Guilty, We are given Grace, and we live in Gratitude" That about summed it up for me. So we are sinners, that we can not change. Just continue to be the light, Or my new word AMBASSADOR, We can do this to others in the world, spreading the word, being kind, Loving all with the big heart in our chests, Extending GRACE to all UNCONDITIONALLY !!!
Let us PRAY [this is the part you say whatever your heart needs or feels] AMEN
This is "Jeff da Plumber" until next time, Many blessings, Peace out !!!
Side Note* sometimes when I speak I hear music in my head and this time these are the songs I heard: Amazing Grace, Old rugged cross, No not one


Google them and read the words if it pulls at you, The words fit my message so I'm a guy who thinks GOD was humming them as he was listening to me, Just sayin' !!!






Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tanked vs. Tankless

With the start of the school year here, or just around the corner for some, the kiddos are leaving the house. That being said, what better time to take a look at your bills? I have kids so I know how pricey the start of the school year can be. Keeping that in mind, and speaking from personal experience, you try to save dollars in any way you can think of. Why not take a look at your hot water ???

I get this question a lot when people run into a problem with their water heater. I always suggest they switch to tankless, and more times than not, they ask my “why” or “what’s the difference?” This post will (hopefully) answer those questions !!!




For the basics, there is the obvious size difference. 




The tanked-water heaters (left) have been around for decades without much change. They keep a storage of hot water by constantly cycling on and off to keep temperature.




Tankless-water heaters (right) on the other hand, is just that, TANK LESS. It mounts to the wall and is only on when hot water is needed. There is a sensor within the heater than activated and turns on the burner or heating element.





Tanked-Water Heaters
Advantages:
  • Low first cost – about $400 – $550 
Disadvantages:
  • Energy is being used all day, every day to keep the water at temperature. 
  • Larger carbon footprint… the more water you use, the bigger the impact. 
  • Limited hot water supply. Basically you get as much water as the tank can hold. So when your kid takes a 30 minute shower, you get some chilly water to scrub-a-dub with !!! 
Tankless Water heater
Advantages:

  • Energy is not used until a demand is present. 
  • Smaller footprint than tank-type water heater 
  • Saves floor space. 
  • Unlimited hot water supply. So everyone can shower and no one feels like they are swimming in Antarctica. 
  • No risk of a broken or ruptured tank, which could lead to flood damage or worse. 
  • Longer life span with fewer repairs needed. 
Disadvantages:
  • High first cost – about $1000 – $1200 

Hopefully this can help you make the decision that is right for your and your family. If you do choose to make the move to a new water heater, remember to call you neighborhood plumber, Jeff da Plumber !!! 916-481-6593.