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