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Battling Snakes and Poison—Just for a Drink!

The only source of water for Idealis was a river in their remote village in Indonesia.  But the path there can be dangerous.  Idealis explained, “When we went to the river to collect water, we often found snakes along the way. It took an hour to get water.”  Idealis lives with his mom, who is a widow.   His mother said, “The river water is contaminated because people put poison in it to kill fish. It makes the water smell bad and makes us sick when we drink it.”    Idealis explained, “When I...




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The Unstoppable Rita Green

May 18, 2006. It had been three days since Diane Pinkins’ husband, Ron, brought their only daughter, Rita, to the ER at Ascension St. Vincent hospital in Indianapolis.   The 27-year-old single mother of four had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Now she was in a critical care unit fighting for her life. “It was very devastating. Prayer was just the constant thing that held us all together,” Diane recalls. While on chemotherapy, Rita continued to deteriorate and ten days later...




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Workplace Violence or Terrorism? CA Massacre Probe Unfolds

A day after a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, authorities are trying to figure out why a couple would embark on a deadly killing spree.




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Marco Rubio Impresses Evangelical Pastors in Iowa

CBN News gained exclusive access to private meetings between Republican presidential contender Marco Rubio and about 100 pastors in Iowa. Rubio sees this effort as just the beginning of his relationship with evangelicals.




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By His Marvelous Grace

Before Christ transformed my life, I walked a sad, lonely road. According to the world, I had it all. However, from an eternal perspective, I was a dead woman walking. Like the Apostle Paul—and all those who call Jesus Lord and Savior—I experienced the life transformative power of Christ and was never the same.  But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the...




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Tale of the Terebinth

What comes to mind when you hear the word stump? It’s likely you do not think that a tree stump has a future—much less a promising one. But I believe that the Lord saw something entirely different when He pruned the nation of Israel. In Isaiah 6:13 (NKJV), God is referring to Israel when He says, “As a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.” While living in northern California, I worked and resided on a ministry property...




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What You Believe Matters

It's been more than 30 years since I heard a sermon illustration that I will never forget. There was a man, explained the preacher, who was visiting northern Minnesota in the winter. As his cab driver took him from the airport to his destination, he noticed a man sitting in the middle of a frozen lake fishing.  The man wondered out loud, “Is that safe?” “Yes,” answered his driver, “Let me show you.” His driver maneuvered the cab to the edge of the water. “Try it,” he said. “It’s perfectly safe...




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The Wolf and the Lamb

One of the most beautiful images in Scripture that illustrates the transformation of the universe with the second coming of Jesus is described in Isaiah 65:25 (NLT) where the wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. As I was reflecting on this passage, it struck me that this is also a wonderful metaphor for our own transformation as Christians. As God sanctifies us through the renewing of our mind (Ephesians 4:20-24), promotes our dying to the self (Romans 8:13),...




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I Don't Want It, But I Need It!

“Polly Prius” was the first car I ever purchased brand-spanking new. I vowed to read the 636-page operating manual that arrived with Polly from her trans-Pacific Ocean trip from Japan. It wasn’t until a few years later, when the dashboard lights flashed a maintenance issue, that I scrambled and looked up the engine icon in the diagnostic section of the manual.  I have yet to read any more of that manual.  When a crisis happens, I tend to hurriedly flip through the Bible for answers. But...




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Let Us Be Content

I came back with more lessons than souvenirs during my trip to the Emerald Isle this past summer. One of them I learned from a local Irish family who welcomed me and other members of my tour group into their home.  Seated around a beautifully laden dining table, we all joined in a riveting discussion on the intricacies of Irish culture over homemade shepherd’s pie. At one point during the evening, our hosts—a wonderfully hospitable married couple—asked their 17-year-old daughter to play the...




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Let the Lost Be Found

My dog ran away last summer. My husband decided to go for a run and I decided to paint our front door. I grabbed the paint and the tarp and propped open the door. Then, when my husband went running down the road, Dodger took off out the propped-open door after him. Dodger was gone from my sight for about two minutes before I rounded the corner to find him being carried home by my husband. But during that time, I was absolutely sick to my stomach. I was praying for his safety, that he wouldn’t...




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Gordon Robertson's Response to the 2024 Election

Today, I felt compelled to reach out to you all with a message of unity and hope, inspired by Daniel 7:27 (NKJV)— Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. In a world often divided by political differences, I believe we can find common ground in our shared humanity and our collective aspiration for a better world. Regardless of our individual faiths or beliefs, we all seek peace,...




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Bundle Me Up

Why pay multiple dues and attend several events when it can all be bundled into one payment and one show? 




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What You Need to Know About Flashing a Window

Tips to keep in mind about window installation.




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Habitual Success

Eight philosophies that will help you as an individual—and as a business owner.




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Best Practices

The best way to do something may differ depending from person to person.





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Be Safe!

Protecting your workers goes beyond OSHA standards.




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energex Wall Systems One-Step Trowel-On Membrane

One-Step Trowel-On Membrane is a self-gauging trowel-on membrane that acts as both moisture/air barrier and adhesive. One-Step Trowel-On Membrane produces a level surface of approximately 1.5 mm thickness of membrane and adhesive and allows simultaneous installation of drainage insulation. This feature makes waterproofing applications fast and easy, saving labor costs of 25% or more in efficient application of drainage insulation over vapor/air barrier membrane.




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SPFA Excellence Awards To Be Announced at SprayFoam 2022 Convention & Expo

Winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony to be held Wednesday, March 2nd at 1:00pm onsite at the convention in San Antonio, Texas. 




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NIE Awards – Reminder to Start Thinking Submissions

The NIE Awards submission process will be open from approximately late Aug. through Nov. 28, 2022. 




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TaskBrand Prep-Paint-Finish Wiping System: A Complete Five-Step Solution

Painting and refinishing is a painstaking, multi-step process that requires attention to detail and quality materials to achieve the desired outcome. The necessary materials extend beyond the coating or paint being applied.




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More Than Marble

The magic of Scagliola can be found around the world.




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Hospeco Brands Group Purchases Canadian-Based Innocore

Hospeco Brands Group, a United States-based, full-line manufacturer of cleaning and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, food service, health care and hospitality markets, has purchased Innocore of Ontario, Canada, maker of Touch Point and Certainty Brands premoistened, non-woven, surface and personal wipes and other hand care products.




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San Diego Contractor Pays Workers $363,000 in Back Wages and Damages

The U.S. Department of Labor forced a San Diego contractor to pay thousands of dollars to employees for back wages and liquidated damages, reported Amber Coakley of Fox 5 San Diego.




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Contractor Forced to Pay More Than $360K in Damages and Back Wages

If you are an employer, you know there are strict laws about minimum wages and overtime. But what about the time your workers spend preparing for a job or being trained?




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Monarch Brands Joins Hospeco Brands Group

Two powerful market leaders are joining together to form one powerhouse partnership. Hospeco Brands Group, a United States-based, full line manufacturer of personal care, cleaning and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, automotive, foodservice, health care and hospitality markets, is announcing a merger with Monarch Brands, wholesaler and manufacturer of microfiber, commercial laundry linen, institutional textiles and wiping products.




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Webinar: Using Spray Textures on Walls and Ceilings for Stunning Results

Join us at our upcoming webinar “Using Spray Textures on Walls and Ceilings for Stunning Results” on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. ET.




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IMCD Strengthens North American Technical Capabilities with New Laboratory

IMCD, a leading distributor, formulator and solutions provider of speciality chemicals and ingredients, announced June 1 the relocation and opening of the new IMCD Coatings & Construction Laboratory serving customers throughout North America.




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Simpson Strong-Tie Introduces AT-3G Hybrid, Acrylic Anchoring Adhesive

Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced AT-3G, a new, all-weather, hybrid, acrylic anchoring adhesive engineered to deliver a faster-curing, high-strength bond for cracked and uncracked concrete and post-installed rebar connections.




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Building EIFS Houses

At one time, 30 percent of the EIFS business was in the residential market.




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Prefab Wall Systems With EIFS

If you’ve ever purchased ready-to-assemble furniture at IKEA or if you’ve put together toys on Christmas Eve you have been involved with prefabricated products. 




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Combat Price Increases as a Result of Coronavirus

The Coronavirus has caused many material shipments to be delayed or cancelled. As a result, the cost of ordering and supplying materials for many items has increased. 




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Fair Labor Standards Act Proposed Rule Change

The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed more than 80 years ago, and since then, the United States Department of Labor has struggled to define the term “independent contractor.” 




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Ransomware is Rampant: Is Your Construction Business Safe?

With ransomware attacks on high profile businesses like Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods in the headlines, construction managers at organizations of all sizes are increasingly asking, “Are we vulnerable too?” or even “Are we next?”




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Five Best Tech Opportunities

Construction has been one of the last industries to adopt technology. That’s partly cultural—folks in the industry like to solve problems with their own ingenuity.




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LEED Data in Green Building

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a well-documented impact on the U.S. economy, the construction industry and real estate.




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Checklist for Business Owners

For many business owners, it is estimated that as much as 80 to 90 percent of their net worth is tied up in the value of their company.




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What You Should Know about Florida’s New Property Insurance Law

How Florida lawmakers’ attempt to make property insurance more affordable could affect your business.




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Time for a Breakthrough

Escaping the entrepreneur's trap in the construction industry.




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Cyber Security: Is Nothing Safe?

Take heed that cyber security is critical for your company—and cash flow.




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How to Work Effectively with Your Local Building Department

Building departments and the hardworking professionals working within them are the silent defenders of our communities. By overseeing the permitting, inspection and occupancy authorization processes for new construction, renovations and repairs, your local building department plays a vital role in ensuring that projects are built to applicable building safety codes and standards.




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The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

A wildland-urban interface area is, “that geographical area where structures and other human development meets or intermingles with wildland or vegetative fuels.” Approximately a third of all housing units in the United States are located within an area that meets this definition.




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InfernoShield Non-Combustible Insulated Glazing Panels from Laminators Composite Panel Solutions

InfernoShield is a new non-combustible insulated glazing panel designed to provide superior protection from fire when installed in window, glazing and curtainwall systems. InfernoShield panels create a highly decorative and durable surface with exceptional fire performance properties.




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The Future of Fire-Rated Building Materials

We all know the importance of fire safety in the workplace and in our homes. Utilizing fire-retardant materials is an effective method for containing and controlling potential fires.




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L.B. Hall Fireproofing Announces Estefania Roa as CEO, Launches New Logo Showcasing Company Values

L.B. Hall Fireproofing, a minority- and women-owned fireproofing company located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, announced that Estefania Roa will become the company’s new CEO. In 2022, Roa became president and owner.




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FCIA Board of Directors Meets

FCIA’s Board of Directors met in Portland, Maine, and looked ahead to the future of the association and industry. The board, comprised of specialty firestop installation contractors from around North America, approached the discussions with one common goal: having FCIA members be recognized as the industry experts in the field of passive fire and smoke protection systems.




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Announcing the Brand-New Specified Technologies Website

Specified Technologies announced the launch of its new corporate website. The new face of stifirestop.com is designed with customers in mind, increasing discoverability and ease of use while still empowering the core group of power-user customers.




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ALUCOBOND PLUS and ALUCOBOND FaceFastened Pass NFPA 285 Fire Code Testing

3A Composites USA announced that its ALUCOBOND FaceFastened system successfully passed third-party NFPA 285 testing on a wood-framed assembly, which is commonly used in low-rise, multifamily and mixed-use market segments.




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ClarkDietrich Adds BlazeFrame Tape to Line of Firestopping Products

ClarkDietrich is giving framing contractors greater flexibility in leveraging the firestopping power of its BlazeFrame family of products with the introduction of BlazeFrame Tape.




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Announcing Abhishek Chhabra, FCIA’s New Director in the Middle East and Asia

The Firestop Contractors International Association announced the appointment of Abhishek Chhabra as its director in the Middle East and Asia.