Importance of Foundations

Over the next several posts, I want to explain the importance of having a solid foundation for your renovation.  Sounds elementary, but I've seen my share of structural misfortunes.  Problems are frequently revealed when weight is increased or storms blow in.

I'll cover the materials needed and the proper process to install a foundation correctly.  Hopefully this will set you up for success in future renovation endeavors.

The picture to the right is a simple diagram of a typical foundation.   The unchanging components of a foundation are footings, foundation walls, and anchor bolts (sometimes metal straps are used).  Classic materials used in the formation of the foundation are rock, concrete, rebar, mortar, and block (if it's not a solid concrete foundation wall). 

The first step in the foundation process is to dig and dig deep.  That means going past the top soil, below the freeze line (usually 18" below surface), until you reach a level of undisturbed soil.  In other words, solid ground.  Now if the ground had feelings, this would be painful.   

The same is true when renovating our minds.  I'm not talking about digging deep in your brain.  For some of us that would be a shallow dig.  I'm talking about making sure the spiritual foundation we're building our life on is dug deep, below the surface, on solid ground. 
Fortunately for us,  the original builder has taken care of this for us.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:11

TIP:  Your foundation must be built on solid ground in order to withstand the weight of responsibility and storms that blow in.  When we build our lives on the foundation of Christ, we withstand storms that certainly will come.

Production vs Custom

What is a Production House?

Subdivision of Production Houses

A type of house that generally doesn't use unique, architectual-designed plans. 

Typically uses stock plans with few variations in floor plans and elevations.  Although they are often identical, roof design and exterior materials may vary to give the appearance of diversity. 


What's a Custom Home?

Custom Home

House Plans

Can you imagine building a home without plans?  

Conceptual

As a matter of fact, 
it's impossible!  
Think of the difficulty, the amount of guessing, and the enormous amount of mistakes.  

Did you know it takes an architect or draftsman sometimes hundreds of hours to complete a house plan from conceptual design to the construction drawings?

There are literally thousands of decisions that have to be made and it all has to fit together in order for a builder to build the house properly. 

You can't build a home by looking at a picture, that's called a puzzle. 

You need a plan! 

Now when it comes to renovating, you're way ahead if you have access to the original house plans. This not only saves time and money, but a tremendous amount of guess work and frustration.  

Completed Home

Now what's that mean for the renovating of a man's mind? 

Fortunately, we have access to the "man plans" in written form and the "original builder" to superintend us. The original builder not only designed the man plans, but he built man. Essentially we were the first Design/Build Project! (See previous post.)

Therefore, when you need a personal renovation, ask the original builder to do the work, and use the man plans he designed. He knows every intricate detail, the how and why we were built.  He will always be on time and he's rarely early.  He will do exactly what he promises to do.  If you choose to follow his instructions and commit to his process, you will save time, money, guess work and frustration.

Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

Psalms 119:73

Renovated Defined

Before

Renovate (ren-uh-veyt)
-verb (used with object)

1. To restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair.
2. To reinvigorate; refresh; revive

As a builder, I prefer the "make new or as if new again" portion of that definition. It indicates that at one time, the home or room was brand new.   But over time it deteriorates, is not being used as originally intended,  it has lost the original value or it's just plain ugly.   One satisfying aspect of my job was to "make new again" by restoring its usefulness, purpose, value, and beauty.

The same can be said about us MEN.   We were built by The Master Builder for a specific purpose and destiny.  But, because of passivity and lack of leadership by one man, our minds are constantly under renovation.  In an ideal world, every man would have a t-shirt that read, "Excuse the Mess, Renovation in Progress".

After

Consider this, if you bought a home and wanted to add-on or renovate, the most significant person you could talk to would be the original builder.  So when it comes to "renovating" our minds, who then would be the best person to ask for help?  Of course, the one who knows why we were created and the purpose for which we were created.  Trust me, there's several builders out there vying for your mind, but there can only be one "original" builder. The builder of builders who built everything.







For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.   Hebrews 3:4