Biblical Money Talk...What's Next? Politics

I have had unresolved issues with popular Christianity ever since I joined the fold.  As a youthful heathen, church folk generally got on my nerves.  I always thought of them as boring, narrow-minded and judgmental.  As I became more convinced that there was a God, I embarked to discover which religion got it right.  To make a long story short, I came to the conclusion that Jesus is Lord.  Thus, I guess all those snooty Christian kids turned out to be right after-all.

With the good book in hand, I set off to find a congregation.  I expected to find buildings full of Bible following Christians, excited to see me, and eager to make me a disciple.  The first three churches turned out to be very far from what I expected.  Church is more like a themed social club.  They hang similar items to decorate, dress like each other, and share generally the same interpretation of the scriptures.  New folks are smiled at.. well at least two of them smiled a lot.  The first one was a Catholic Church, I think that particular order had banned hand-shaking, smiling or any outward signs of friendliness outside of "sharing the peace".  For those unfamiliar, that is a point during mass where the priest directs folks to be nice to eachother.  Weird, all of a sudden everyone smiles, shakes hands, and  say "peace be with you".  It lasts for about 30 seconds, then back to the stone-face.  We left for a new church after getting dissed in a baptism class by the class leaders and deacon.  Quite shameful events, and definitely not Christian behavior.

The next churches were more friendly, but there is just something wrong.  It's as if they have no experience or plan for dealing with adult new believers. The churches are kinda cliqued up.  You know, there are groups of friends and they acknowledge new people, but don't really move past "hello", "my name is", and "welcome to ...".  I just expected there to be intelligent strong Christians that welcomed new believers and were prepared to help them on their new found journey along the straight and narrow path.  Yea...not exactly.  It's more like prison and high school social dynamics.  I shouldn't say that, in prison you are almost guaranteed acceptance into one of the social groups.  No, I kid thee. It's not that bad.

Five years and three churches later, I'm still disappointed.  Forced into a DIY discipleship role, I've had to rely on scripture to figure this out.  Now, the problem is that the more I learn from scripture the more I realize that those in the church can't disciple newbies, because they barely seem to know or practice what it says and they've been there their whole life.  The method seems to encourage scriptures about faith, and especially the grace and forgiveness parts.  Any verses that feel convicting must be put through a three part filter process.  First you try to reinterpret it to exclude yourself.  If that doesn't work then you avoid discussing it.  Finally, when all else fails, state that everyone sins and that is why we need Jesus.  Those instances are rare because experienced Christians are wise enough to avoid those topics.  Instead it is much more effective to spend one's time talking about homosexuals, crackheads, and atheists.  They are not there to argue and chances are that no one will have that guilty convicted feeling caused by discussing sin that we actually struggle with.

Anyway, I've decided to start using my website design skills, SEO skills, and study time to make notes of different topics that I study in the Bible.  And since it is my study, I choose to discuss what I feel are our failings in modern U.S Christianity.  Not other peoples problems, but mine too.  Those sins that rest easy in our hearts due to cheap grace, and prosperity theology.  Unlike this worthless blog, I promise to actually proofread and edit the new websites.  The first will be about money in the bible. 

Shameless link to a Colonial Charleston Tea company.

If you read to here, I am sure that you are seriously disappointed.  Sorry to have wasted your time, this blog is a typing exercise.  I just type and go.  No spellcheck, no proof read, nada, just pure mental spray, lawn sprinkler status.

Pennsylvania Builder Creates Waffle Glue Themed Swimming Pool

Unbelievable!  We are thrilled beyond belief to find out that we have inspired a NJ pool builder to undertake a level of randomness that has never been attempted with aquatics.  Indeed they have achieved with their new design a pool that is as meaningless as this blog. 

The design is for a small fiberglass pool shaped in a semi-round-oblong-ovalish-kinda square about 20ft wide and 19 ft long.  It features an uneven pool bottom with peaks and valleys.  Avg depth is about 3 ft deep.

Critics say it is a complete waste of time, money, and materials.  We agree completely, it's fantastic.  Feel free to add your random input in the comments below. 

Swimming Pool Tradesman Express Mixed Feelings About DigTime Pools

Conway, SC based web company, 2ndpole.com has entered the pool industry with a new marketing concept that has raised hopes and concerns among pool industry professionals.  The design is inspiring, the concept is brilliant, but the regional exclusivity benefit is unsettling to some.  If this new venture named DigTime continues it's vigorous ascent to the top of search engines, many contractors will find themselves locked out of an opportunity.

DigTime Pools is an association of affiliated pool industry professionals that join together and pool (pun intended) their resources to lift the association's website to the top of prominent search engines.  In turn the website offers regional exclusivity to protect and reward its contracted affiliates.  Basically, they allow 124 pool contractors to stake their territory, then work together to establish a dominate presence online.  By granting exclusivity, DigTime eliminates the progress stifling competitive attitudes between contractors.  The territory rights assures the affiliates that their cooperation will not aid a direct competitor.

The DigTime Pools webplex utilizes a spoke and hub internal design.  There is a central hub website at HowMuchisanIngroundPool.com.  Then there are 48 sub-domains representing each state in the U.S. These sub-domains direct traffic to the primary domain where information and services our offered.  Each sub-domain will contains links to contracted affiliates in that region.  It also receives inbound links from these same contractors.  In states where the program is running visitors to the site are directed towards a service request form, where they can ask questions and request price quotes for services ranging from new swimming pool construction to simple pool maintenance services.

The two primary benefits to Digtime affiliates are leads sent directly via email or phone calls for service and SEO boosting links from well ranked pages.  The work leads are territorially exclusive, and not driven by pay-per-lead campaigns that often result in false leads.  The anchor text links are designed to maximize search engine rankings for the pool contractor's website.  The final goal of DigTime is to have their main website, sub-domain website, and the affiliates website all ranking in the top spots of Google for key swimming pool terms in each particular territory.  DigTime President, Stan Stephens said "We aim to make our affiliates THE leader, not just A leader in their territory. That is why the territories are exclusive, no conflict of interest, no competing interest, we can focus or that one affiliate to make them the best." 

A North Carolina Pool Contractor, who wished not to have his name published is considering a contract for the NC east region.  "It's kinda crazy, because it is a new company and there are a ton of options where I can spend my marketing dollars.  If I pass on it now, and it takes off without me, I can't get in on it later unless the contractor bails out, which ain't gonna happen if it is rolling good."  He continued, "Right now, I see it as an investment, if you buy in now your in for good.  If it continues at its current growth levels, next year I'll look back a say it was a great decision.  The price to get in on it now is low, so if by next year it doesn't pan out, I really haven't lost anything.  I'm probably going to sign up."

"Unfortunately, some pool builders see it as a threat", said DigTime President Stan Stephens.  "The contractors who don't care for it are typically the ones that have spent a lot of money getting their personal website to rank high on Google, but have a less than stellar reputation for customer service."  A DigTime contractor must meet some basic quality guidelines to qualify for a contract.  DigTime also monitors and investigates negative customer feedback.  If a contractor fails to maintain an outstanding reputation, their contact is terminated.  "Honesty and integrity are very important at DigTime, if an affiliate cannot make their customers happy, we need to find a contractor in that territory who can." 

Stan summarizes the process like this, "our goal is to attract the consumer, educate them, and develop trust.  That consumer then requests the services of one of our pool affiliates.  Finally, the work is completed, leaving the contractor and consumer satisfied with the transaction. We plan to replicate this process hundreds of times daily throughout the U.S."

Inground Pool Cost

DigTime will also provide affordable website design and search engine optimization services as well as pay-per-click advertising strategies on sites such as Youtube, Google, Facebook, Groupon, and others.  Once again all marketing services are territorially exclusive.

Pricing is value based and annually adjusted.  Affiliate contracts start for as low as $10/month for pool cleaning and maintenance service companies. Pool builders and contractors are the pinnacle affiliates, receiving the largest territories and highest priority links.  Contractors can lock in some territories for as little as $75 per month.  Territories are based on geographical distance, and population.  For example South Carolina consists of 3 territories at $75 each.  A pool builder could pickup the entire state of SC, with multi-region discounts for $200 per month.

See to learn more about Swimming Pool Leads try DigTime Pool's opportunities.