I've always liked "The Story of the Other Wise Men," a classic written by Henry van Dyke over 100 years ago.  It was made into a movie entitled "The Fourth Wise Men" a while back, featuring Martin Sheen and his son, Charlie, before the latter's career took a decidedly non-family oriented turn.

Much folklore surrounds the arrival of the magi from the east in Bethlehem, celebrated annually at this time of year.  "We Three Kings," as the song suggests, may not even be accurate.  The Bible does not actually say how many there were.  And we don't know their names.  All we know is that they were learned men who observed a unique distribution of celestial bodies that appeared about 2012 years ago.

The fictitious fourth wise man has a name, and it is Artaban. Much to the dismay of his family, closest friends and servants, "Art" sells most of what he has and takes off in search of a baby in Israel.  Being kind of a bumble-head and not as worldly competent as the other three wise men, however, he soon finds himself far behind, unable to catch up with his companions.  This is mostly because he stops to "smell the roses," as they say, and also quite often because he's helping out somebody who is hungry, without shelter, or in need of his time and/or money in some other way.  He ends up helping a lot of people, but misses the chance to see Jesus, who by the time he gets to Bethlehem, has already left with his family to go to Egypt.   

But DOES he miss him entirely?   I find I feel closest to God when I am helping someone in need.  It's one reason I identify with this story.  That, and the part about being a bumble-head.

Download the book on your Nook, or whatever, and read it to your children or grandchildren.  It's worth passing on.

A Christmas Parable

There was a time when all the angels where gathered about the heavenly throne for a discussion.  Cherubims and seraphims and the like.  It was a beautiful setting and everyone got along quite well.  But things were kind of a mess down on earth.
   
God started out by asking, "Have you noticed what's going on down there?"  One angel said, "Yeah ... things are really heating up in Africa again."  Another said, "And they're still fighting in the Holy Land." Yet another, "And there is famine in several places."  The observations went on for quite a while.  "Someone was murdered in the city."  "A homeless person died hungry on the streets."  "Many of the children are not faring too well, either."

God started complaining.  "You know, I've tried everything I can think of.  I have spoken to them some of the most beautiful words they could ever hear.  Weren't the Psalms pretty good?  'The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.  The laws of the Lord are perfect and revive the soul.  Sweeter are they than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.'  Wasn't that pretty good?"

"I really like it," said one cherubim.  "It's beautiful," said a seraphim.  

"And I thought I put some pretty poetic passages in Isaiah.  How about that one about turning swords into plowshares?  They like that stuff, don't they?"  God kept going on, which kind of surprised the angels. "Then I sent them other prophets, who promised them release from their sufferings and freedom from exile.  And how about what I told Amos:  'I despise your feasts and burnt offerings.  I just want justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.'  I got pretty straightforward with them, didn't I?"

"Well, we sure think you did!" said a chorus of angels.  There was widespread discussion among them about all that God had done and said.  A few of them, Gabriel, Micheal and others, had actually been to earth on many occasions.  They had seen for themselves the sources of God's lament.

Through teary eyes, God said, "I think the only thing left to do, is for one of you to go down to earth and live with them for a while, and gently, but firmly communicate to them the great gap between how they were created and how they are living.  You need to reveal to them who and what I created them to be."

The angels stood around in silence.  Some had been to earth to deliver messages from God, or to effect some momentary intervention in human affairs.  But they were not about to volunteer for long-term duty in such a difficult place.

The silence seemed to last for an eternity.  Finally, God broke the silence, and said, "Then I will go."

Raise your hand if you were shocked to hear that Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are divorcing.  (didn't think so)  The marriage lasted 72 days, pretty long according to some Hollywood standards.  I haven't really been fascinated by her, as some have, but have followed Kris' career since he was a MN Gopher.  Great Midwestern guy. Minnesota nice. Good values and everything.  He's one of "us."
I guess he found out by hearing about it on a news report.  OUCH!  She said it was because of irreconcilable differences.  They had their differences, plenty of money, fame, looks and a couple of other things, but, I guess, not much of a LOVE QUOTIENT.
Dr. Barton Goldsmith, recipient of the top therapist award three times from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, says the key to healthy, affectionate, loving relationships can be wrapped up in one word: TENDERNESS.  Doubt if Kim and Kris know him.  Here's a summation of his "tips for tenderness:"
  Communicate from the heart, with no thought of winning or taking control
. Notice how people are feeling before you talk to them.  Too many people jump into their own mini-dramas
    too fast.
  Be gentle with those we care about.  Honesty is not always the best policy.  Someone may not be ready to
    hear it at times.
  Communicate with affirmation rather than condemnation.  Being critical rarely gets us anywhere.
  If we've hurt someone, and we know it, ask for forgiveness, but be patient.  It may take a while to heal
   wounds.
  Be sympathetic.
  Be empathetic.
  Never be mean.  Never.
Paul puts it this way in Ephesians:  "Let no evil come out of your mouth.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be put away from you.  And be kind to one another ... TENDERHEARTED ... and forgiving one another, as Christ forgave you."
Goldsmith goes on to say that his tips work for all types of groups, including churches, and extended family gatherings.  I'm going "up north" to see the relatives for Christmas.  I'll try to be on my best behavior.

 

Just got back from a week in Haiti.  I've been on forty of these type of volunteer trips over the years, to nine different countries.  People choose their addictions.  This is mine. This was my sixth time there.  A group of seven of us worked on a church in Melliere, about 30 miles west of Port-au-Prince. 
It is always a wonderful experience living and working with the locals.  We helped the (paid) laborers prepare rebar rods for future concrete work.  The people were friendly, the food delicious, sunshine was plentiful and I could see the stars on quiet peaceful nights from my cot in the temporary school building on the edge of a lush agricultural region of the country.
I wanted to go to Haiti in response to the devastation we all heard about following the earthquake.  Literally  tens of thousands of people have responded and thousands will in the future in various ways. I wanted to GO to Haiti because I could afford to, quite frankly.  I know everyone can't.  Schedules, health and finances prohibit it.  But, to me, religion that best honors God is religion with feet, whether that's next door our across the ocean. Too many times, I and others get caught up in theological/philosophical/political discussions placing ourselves somewhere on a line from conservative to liberal.  But in the end, right action trumps right doctrine.   The book of James says:  "True religion is to care for the orphans and widows (and others) among us who need our help."
This is not to say the Haitians aren't helping themselves.  They are very industrious hard working people who have come a long way in the last eighteen months.  Rubble has been cleared, roads repaired and temporary housing (many of them tents) is up.  Now the rebuilding has started. In the town we were in, it seems every family has started to gather sand and crushed rocks, ready to mix cement mortar and build their permanent home whenever they can gather enough money to do so. It is a land of promise.   
I highly encourage everyone to go on a trip like this.  If you can't afford it, there are many people who are willing to help support you.  You will be "doing church" by doing good works.  You will be exposed to another culture, and in the process, understand more about your own.  You will also be exposed to a multi-sensory experience which includes sweet bougainvillea blossoms,  roosters crowing in the night, soccer playing school children, construction workers singing as they work, warm outside "sun" showers in the evening, delicious spicy food, fresh mango and papaya, warm ocean currents, non-English languages, burning charcoal, meringue, reggae and calypso music, colorful houses and the most hospitable people around. It will be a challenging rewarding adventure.
Put it on your bucket list, and move it toward the top.  But watch out, you might get used to it.   

When I was about eight years old, I wanted to be an architect.  Other boys wanted to be baseball players, cowboys or rock stars.  I'm not sure what that says about me.  I would draw up plans of the house I was going to build some day.  (Anybody who knows me well is laughing right now, because building my own house is about the last thing I could ever do.)  It was always a one level rambler.  It went on and on with several bedrooms and baths, a couple of offices, living space and a three or four car garage.  My father was in the building trades, so maybe it was in the Zabel blood.  It's a good thing I quit after about a year though, because, among other things, I can't draw a straight line.  Ever hear of starving artists?  I would have been a starving architect.

Being a church planter, forty some years hence, its funny how I'm an architect once more.  Don't need to know how to draw straight lines. It's more like connecting the dots.  Connecting people in the church to people in the community.  Making a connection with city council members, United Methodist Conference leaders, the parade committee, boosters, musicians and such.

Our launch team has a "blueprint" team, whose task it is to determine a floor plan, pick paint colors, purchase furniture, put up window treatments and decide fun things like where to put the coat racks and waste paper baskets. They must know something about my lack of design experience, because they didn't invite me to join them.  Good call.  I'll just be trying to make sure we all remain connected to the master architect.  And if any of you on that team end up reading this, I'd like small medium sized office with a bathroom just off to the left.   And my favorite color is blue.     

Latte with Lyndy

I've always thought the best form of communication was a face-to-face conversation over a good cup of coffee. Many years ago, when I was single and dating, I never considered any other kind of date with someone until after we had shared a good cup of Joe. Just ask my wife. It is still our favorite way to spend time with each other.

We learn so much about people through conversation. It really is a lost art. Active listening is just as much a part of it as speaking. Asking questions in a gentle, probing manner helps, too. A willingness to be a little vulnerable, at times, while sharing our own thoughts and feelings also goes a long way.


So I've decided to call this blog "Latte with Lyndy." while I don't really like lattes a much as a straight up dark roast, I do like alliteration. "Roast with Lyndy" just didn't seem quite as good.

I'll be posting my thoughts related to Northern Light Church and other matters from time to time. I will want to know your thoughts in return. Mostly, I hope we can get together sometime for a face-to-face.

Lyndy