Designing Swimming Pools

I've been taking the online "Pool Studios" classes for about 6 weeks. Things started off really good, I was feeling like this project was going to be "A Piece of Cake". Around the 3rd week, I found out that "A Piece of Cake" was the wrong term. Progress was slowing down and at times I actually had to just get away from the computer and give my mind a rest. I do have unlimited access to software support through telephone, email, and training videos.

I am not the type of person who likes to ask for help, but I found a spot that I just could not figure out. I looked at the videos concerning that part of the project and they were pretty generic. I was needing some specific guidance and I emailed the support staff along with some pictures of what I needed to create. I was having trouble creating multiple roof lines on a specific part of a house that I was trying to duplicate. My answer was a little bit disappointing. They started off by saying roof lines can be very hard. (duh) He then gave me a CAD drawing of a house with multiple roof lines.

I needed to work backwards with that drawing to see how they were able to perform the task at hand. I have been deconstructing and deconstructing and deconstructing. Finally I think that I may have a breakthrough. I really should have known this project was not going to be "A Walk in the Park" because there are very few local companies that use this software to show customers what their house, pool, and landscaping can look like before any work is ever done. My friend, Ronnie Cue, uses this tool and makes things look so simple. He came over a few months ago to give me an idea of what is required to build virtual swimming pools. Ronnie is very talented and makes most things look simple or easy.

As I backed away from the computer this week I was thinking about my lack of progress. Psalms 23 came to my mind.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

I was reminded that I should not expect “A Walk in the Park or a Piece of Cake”, but rather trials and tribulations. I am going to encounter days and seasons in my life that are character building. Just like walking through the valley in life, I will maintain a steady pace and push forward with my CAD training. I know that in time they will both end with success.

Much love, Dennis

God's Army

Army vs. Marines

Two Marines boarded a quick shuttle flight out of Dallas, headed for Houston. One sat in the window seat, the other sat in the middle seat. 

Just before take-off, an Army soldier got on and took the aisle seat next to the two Marines. 

The Soldier kicked off his shoes, wiggled his toes and was settling in when the Marine in the window seat said, "I think I'll get up and get a coke." "No problem," said the Soldier, "I'll get it for you." 

While he was gone, the Marine picked up the Soldier's shoe and spit in it. When the Soldier returned with the coke, the Marine in the middle seat said, "That looks good, I think I'll have one too." 

Again, the Soldier obligingly went to fetch it and while he was gone, the Marine picked up the soldier's other shoe and spit in it. The Soldier returned and they all sat back and enjoyed the rest of the short flight to Houston. 

As the plane was landing, the Soldier slipped his feet into his shoes and knew immediately what had happened. 

"How long must this go on?" the Soldier asked. 

"This fighting between our services? This hatred? This animosity? This spitting in shoes and peeing in cokes?"

I’ve heard it said that the only Army that shoots its wounded is the “Christian Army”. As members of the Army of the Lord, we should be more appreciative of our differences. Each one of us was wonderfully and uniquely created and equipped for a purpose. I know that I am preaching to the choir, but I believe that we are allowing the enemy, (Satan) to drive a wedge between the members of God’s Church. As with any army we have different factions equipped to perform specific tasks. We wouldn’t expect someone trained and equipped to drive a tank to crawl into the cockpit of a fighter jet and be successful. Neither should we expect cookie-cutter type Christians. We have been equipped differently and our differences should be celebrated because when we work together as a unit, performing the task that we have been created to do we are invincible. I really like the way that Romans 12:9-21 explains it.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”  says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I don’t know how many Christian denominations there are, but I know that each one has their own doctrine. I can’t tell you which ones, if any, are entirely biblical, because doctrines although Bible-based are man-made and subject to error. I’m sure that statement could be debated by many. My proposal would be to focus on the things that we agree upon. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

Much love, Dennis

MISSIONARIES

An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of the Israel museum in Jerusalem.

"I've just discovered a 3000-year old mummy of a man who died of heart failure! the excited scientist exclaimed.

The curator replied, "Bring him in. We'll check it out."

A week later the curator called the archaeologist, "You were right about both the mummy's age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?"

"Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said '10,000 Shekels on Goliath'."

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I have a couple of friends who are full-time missionaries outside of the United States. One is in Italy, Hannah, and Andy, in Ecuador. Another friend, Chris, is transitioning from stateside ministry to overseas service.  I have tremendous respect for them because they heard God speak and listened to what he asked them to do. I know that God equips those he calls, and he obviously knows what he's doing because these people have been very successful spreading the Gospel throughout the world.

Many other friends have been equipped to minister to people closer to home. Some visit people in prison, people trapped in substance abuse, people living in poverty, the homeless, hungry, those struggling with health issues and many other infirmities. All of these are done in the name of Jesus, because of a love that has been instilled in a newborn heart.

Romans 12:1-2

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Love in Action

 Romans 9:12-16

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.


Much love, Dennis