Q: Using a tape measure, make a pencil mark in the center of each post. This will probably be between between 36 inches (91 cm) and 42 inches (110 cm), according to your preference and building codes. Many homeowners like to leave a couple of inches open below the bottom of the railing. To compensate for this, set the railing height mark slightly higher than the height of the railing itself. For instance, if you want a railing that is about 36 inches (91 cm) high, make marks on the posts at 40 inches (100 cm). That will leave enough room for the balusters, the top and bottom of the rail, and a couple inches open at the bottom. If you didn’t install the posts yourself, you’ll need to know the exact distance between them so that you can cut the railing pieces to size. You’ll need a helper for this.  Ask your helper to hold one end of the tape measure in place against the center of a post. Stretch the tape measure tightly across to the center of the next post and make a mark. Record the distance between the posts. Check the distance where you want the top and bottom rails to sit. If your posts are straight, the distance should be the same. If they're not, change the length of the rails to match the actual distance. Take a trip down to the lumber supply store. You’ll need to get several pieces pre-cut or cut them to size yourself. You can also ask the supply store to cut it to size for you.  Cut 1x3 or 2x4 lumber into lengths equal to the distance between your deck posts. You’ll need two pieces for each length of railing (one for the bottom and another for the top). Get plenty of 2x2 balusters to use for the railing. You’ll want to space these no more than 4 inches (10 cm) apart. The length of the balusters should be approximately the height you want the railing to be. If they’re too long, cut them down. You’ll also need thin strips of wood. Get something that is about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) by 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Cut it into lengths equal to the distance between the deck posts. You’ll need one strip per section. If you want to apply a finish to your deck, such as a coat of polyurethane or paint, do this before assembly. Coat all of the pieces on all sides, and let them dry for about 24 hours. That way, the pieces will be more protected from weather conditions.  Make sure you've finished cutting, sanding and drilling everything before you apply a finish. Let the finish dry completely before assembly to avoid smudges.
A: Mark the railing height on the posts. Measure the distance between the posts. Get balusters and wood for the handrail. Finish all of the wooden pieces.

Q: Read through your chosen passage again, but this time, take notes on its content. You may wish to highlight, underline, or write short notes directly in on the page, but you should also keep a dedicated journal so that you can take more extensive notes. Highlighting ideas can redirect your attention to key elements during later readings, but actually writing notes on each verse will make it easier for you to think through it. Summarizing ideas and responding to them in this manner forces you to think fully on the words in front of you. Even though your space and heart should be quiet, don’t be afraid to think out loud. Talking over the passage can help you process the information and work through its mysteries more effectively.  You can think out loud in the form of a prayer, but you can also think out loud to help yourself work through complex ideas. The Bible is often referred to as the "living word" of God. As suggested by the term "living," the text is meant to be active, which also means that you can (and should) interact with it. Don't be afraid to vocalize your questions, praise God's promises, or respond honestly to the things you read. While this won’t be feasible for meditation on multiple verses or full books, it’s often a good idea to memorize the passage word-for-word when meditating over a short paragraph or single verse. Consider using the building block method of memorization. Repeat one word or short phrase roughly 6 to 12 times. Add new words or phrases onto the first, then repeat the entire thing again. Continue until you work through the full passage. Spend some time writing out the meaning of the passage in your own words. Go into as much detail as possible, drawing out as much meaning as you can find in the process. Paraphrase the passages you read by putting them into your own words, but remember to stay true to the meaning behind God's words as you do this. The idea isn't to alter or twist the truth, but to access it in more familiar terms. Think through the passage on which you're focusing. Try to pinpoint God's desires as expressed through those words, and attempt to align yourself with those desires so you can feel some degree of what God feels. By allowing yourself to feel emotion alongside God, you can make the passage you’re reading seem more “real” to yourself, which should create a richer experience. Instead of merely looking like text on a page, God’s words should seem notably more meaningful—as meaningful as they were always meant to be. Like secular meditation, meditating on God's Word can provide you with a renewed sense of calm, but the blessings of this meditative practice can extend even deeper than that. As you meditate, seek guidance, comfort, joy, reassurance, and wisdom that come from an enriched understanding of divine truth.  As Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) notes, "Blessed is the one [...] whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night." Meditating on God's Word will give you a greater understanding of what God wants from and for you, thereby providing you with guidance. Reading of God's promises and mighty deeds can give you comfort during times of trouble and an enhanced sense of joy. Improving your understanding of God's redemptive love should offer you reassurance. Lastly, by improving your understanding of God's Word through meditation, you can equip yourself with the wisdom you need to navigate through spiritual darkness. Once you understand the depth and meaning of the meditative passage, it's time to take action. Assess your own life and determine how you can apply your new understanding of God's Word to your behaviors and perspectives, then make the necessary changes immediately.  Consider the words of James 2:17 (NIV), which states, "...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Actions are a sign of faith and understanding. Meditating on the Word of God is a practice designed to improve both faith and understanding, so action should be a natural result of effective meditation. That being said, don’t assume that one 30-minute meditative session will make it easier to live by God’s Word for the rest of your life. Meditation is a discipline, and as such, you will need to continually and intentionally work at it to reap its full benefits.
A:
Take notes. Think out loud. Memorize the words. Rephrase the chosen passage. Evoke an emotional response. Actively seek the blessings of meditation. Apply the words to your own life.