“What’s in the Water?”

About ten people gathered at the Burney Community Center at 7 p.m. on the evening of  February 16 to hear a very interesting talk about water by Jim Simmons.

Jim Simmons explaining the molecular structure of water and it’s effects

Mr. Simmons worked in the past for Ford at one of their American Satellite Ground Terminals. During that time he became acquainted with Chuck Missler who also worked for Ford. After a diverse career in the hi-tech industry Dr. Missler has developed a ministry as an evangelical Christian author and Bible teacher. He is the founder of the Koinonia House ministry based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Mr. Simmons talk was entitled “What’s in the Water.” He began by pointing out that water is essential to life. His premise, which he demonstrated through a PowerPoint presentation, was that water has a unique molecular structure engineered by God. This structure endows water with several attributes which enable it to fulfill it’s life supporting role.

Using graphics, Simmons explained that water, H2O, is made of hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen has one proton with one electron revolving around it. Oxygen has a nucleus with eight protons plus neutrons. It has eight electrons revolving around it: two in it’s first shell and six in it’s second shell. Because the second shell needs two more electrons, an oxygen atom combines with two hydrogen atoms to create a molecule of water.

Hydrogen bonds in water

The interesting aspect of the structure of a water molecule that Mr. Simmons pointed out is that the two hydrogen atoms always bond with the oxygen atom at a 105 degree angle. This makes water a dipolar molecule. The side of the water molecule with the two hydrogen atoms has a positive charge and the side without the hydrogen atoms has a negative charge. A water molecule is a dipole.

This dipolar nature of the water molecule give water it’s adhesive and cohesive properties. These properties play an important biological role. For instance water is transported in plants from the root up the stem to the leaf because of it’s cohesive and adhesive properties in conjunction with the tension caused by transpiration (the evaporation of water from the leaf). It’s an amazing process without which we would have no food.

Another interesting quality that Simmons explained is that each water molecule, as a dipole, is a miniature receiver of electromagnetic waves. Specifically, water resonates at frequency of 2 gigahertz. This is what makes a microwave oven work. Microwaves at a frequency of 2 GH cause the water in the food to heat up thus warming the food.

Mr. Simmons talk was illustrated with other interesting facts and anecdotes relating to fishing, the search for extraterrestrial life, the fact that the surface of the earth is 71% water, etc. He translated the information into layman’s terms using personal stories while peppering the talk with a warm sense of humor.

The underlying theme is that our present reality is “an integrated whole” intelligently engineered by a beneficent creator, who Mr. Simmons referred to as “Our Father.”

The presentation was followed by a stimulating question and answer period.

As I listened and reflected it popped into my mind that water was mentioned in the very first two verses of the Bible:

Genesis 1-2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

All in all, it was a fascinating talk. I think it would be wonderful if various organizations had more presentations and discussions on a variety of topics to help develop our individual and community mind.

I also want to thank Rev. Pat Nugent who invited Mr. Simmons to give his talk at the community center.