Empty Head and a Full Heart

Right now that about sums me up. But I wish everyone could feel this way. I spoke three times today finshing about an hour ago and counseled many people in between. My brain is shot but my heart is full. I cannot describe the experiences of this day adequately. I have never experienced what I have here in Argentina. The Lord just blessed me in so many ways. The people responded with applause or tears or hugs...their response was not measured. They responded out of the overflow of their hearts...and they had no intention of holding back.

When speaking on the subject of encouraging others I felt a strange leading to invite anyone who was discouraged to come and sit in the chair in front of everyone else. For a few minutes no one came and I was wondering how I was going to get out of this. Then one clearly heavy-hearted man came forward. I had someone bring him mat`e (mah`-tay) a traditional Argentine beverage meant to be shared with others. It makes Argentines feel better and gives them good fellowship with each other. I love what mate represents in Argentina and I felt like it was appropriate for this hurting man to feel loved and accepted.

Then I invited anyone who wanted to encourage him to come forward. Several hugged and kissed him. One saintly older woman came forward and held his face in her hands and looked in his eyes and said she loved him. I felt like I was looking over the shoulder of an angel at work. Then an alcoholic man walked forward and asked us to pray for him. The smell of alcohol was potent but this man was prayed over, hugged, and kissed just like the other man.

Then later in the lesson I spoke about being an example as a leader. I felt for some reason that I needed to sing, "His Eye is On The Sparrow" because it was the first song I remember hearing a singing group perform. To my knowledge I have never actually performed it publically. It absolutely blew the place apart. We sang it at the end of the conference again with a band and the words on the screen for 7-8 minutes in Spanish.

I finished the day speaking to the youth at the First Church of the Nazarene in Neuquen. And I was incredibly blessed again. By the way, just guess what we had at the youth meeting? Even in Argentina, we had pizza...but man was it good.

It was simply an amazing day. I must say muchas gracias for your prayers and support! I have wonderful friends now in Argentina and North Carolina, the home of my co-teacher Doug McClay. But I look forward to seeing all who read this blog soon.

Bendiciones! (Blessings!)

400 People in an El Camino

In America the phrase creates a few mental pictures. Hispanic comedian Carlos Mencia would say it is a family immigrating to America from Mexico. Some may recall the Chevelle with a truck bed on the back of it known as an El Camino. But in Neuquen, Argentina it is the church where our first gathering of the Million Leader Conference has begun. El Camino means, "the way". How appropriate, for leaders show the way.

Tonight was an awesome experience. We greeted more than 400 people tonight with "Olla" and "Buenos Noches." In Argentina everyone, women and men, kisses you on the side of the cheek. I haven't been kissed this much since that stint I did in that 80's rock band. It is a wonderfully warm experience. (Some Argentines who moved to the States moved back because they missed the affection of the people here.) The singing of the Argentine national anthem was amazing...we all need to do better at football games after hearing them. The praise and worship was simply incredible. Doug my co-teacher said it may have been the greatest worship experience of his life. The band was tight, both musically and with God--it was a killer combination.

Manny, my interpreter did a great job for me as I opened the conference teaching about God's Call to Lead. I started at 9:40 and finished at 10:45, five minutes short of the alloted time (believe it or not). This is normal for Argentines. They live after midnight. We just finished supper at 12:30 AM. In fact they only have church on Sunday nights not Sunday mornings. Most restaurants get busy at 8 and stay open often until 1 or 2.

Today we met some government officials at a place you would not believe...McDonalds! I had a Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese and fries that tasted just like home. Those officials truly have a passion for God and for their work in the government. Argentina has a bright future.

I have a busy one. I will teach two of the five sessions tomorrow and preach at the Iglesia Del Nazareno (no, that is not Spanglish; it means: Church of the Nazarene) tomorrow night. Thanks for checking in and for praying. I will be praying for you and for Karl as he preaches Sunday...I know he will do well!

You are loved!

En Fuego

Dan Patrick on ESPN used to speak of a player who was tearing up the arena in which he played as being "en fuego" or "on fire." Last night we had an experience that was en fuego as we dined at the El Asador Restaurant. El Asador is a form of cooking where the meat is suspended over an open flame at an angle. Parillas or restaurants that cook over open flames are common in Argentina.

The meat we had last night was a combination of beef, pork, lamb, and goat. It had a wonderful taste and there was more than enough for everyone. The salad bar, if it could be called that, was an amazing combination of foods artistically and aesthetically blended. It was finished off with fruits and cream as well as crepes filled with "dulce de leche" or caramel.

Yesterday we spent most of time with the leaders of two Christian schools in the area. They truly wanted our advice on how to develop support for their schools within their communities and sponsor churches. The public schools are considered to be very bad in all aspects of education and character development. As in other parts of the world, Christian education is extremely important for the future of the country.

The children are all so beautiful. We probably hindered the school work as it seemed we caught the eye of so many kids. Our American connection made us quite a curiosity.

That curiosity continued as we visited Wal-Mart. That's right, there is a Wal-Mart in Neuquen. It is not totally different from the ones we visit...except there we even more people there who speak Spanish!

We begin our conference tonight with over 500 Christian leaders from this area of Argentina. We truly need your prayers...blessings!

Wonderful Fellowship in Neuquen

Here is a picture of the park we visited yesterday that overlooks the city. Last night after the finishing the tour of the city of Neuquen (pronounced No-kem) we were blessed to sit down to a traditonal Argentinian meal with three families, one of which has been pastoring in Argentina for nearly 50 years. By the way we had empanadas, a wonderful tasting pastry with either meat or vegetables baked inside them. Fresh fruit and "cafe" or coffee topped off the evening.

My co-teacher, Doug McClay and I peppered them with questions about Argentina that they were only too happy to answer. They shared the differences in Argenitinian culture and the need for leadership training. There is no question Argentina could be a major world power for the Lord. They are a wondeful people with diversity, culture, and passion. I already admire them. The language barrier was toppled by Roxana an English teacher here in Neuquen. But the Holy Spirit also connected us with each other in spite of our different heritages and upbringings.

Maybe some of you are not as familiar with Argentina as I have had to be to come here. Argentina is the country at the bottom of South America. In fact I am further South than I was in Capetown, South Africa. There are many famous athletes in the States from here: Angel Cabrera who won the US Open Golf tournament last year, Manu Ginobli the forward for the Spurs, Gabriela Sabatini the tennis player from the 80's and 90's to name a few. The Argentina basketball was the first team to beat Team USA since the use of NBA players began. Maybe their most famous and beloved athlete is Diego Marodona who was one of the greatest soccer (futbol) players in the history of the sport.

They have great rivalries in soccer within the country. Boca vs. River feels to them about like Ohio State vs. Michigan feels to me. Well thanks for reading and checking in. I continue to covet your prayers as we prepare to speak...there is no doubt about the opportunity that exists here in Argentina for the Kingdom. Please remember Karl as he prepares to speak at The Crossing this Sunday--I know he will knock it out of the park!

To the next time...olla!

Argentina Expedition

I have made it to Neuquen, Argentina in Southern South America. What an incredible place. I am here speaking on behalf of the Equip Foundation. Please pray for God to bless our time with these 500 pastors and business leaders. We will be teaching John Maxwell's leadership materials as a part of Equip's Million Leader Mandate.

The area we are in is beautiful with warm air and clear skies. The food has been excellent; we had lamb for lunch with strawberries for dessert. We are visiting a beautiful Andes mountain resort tomorrow...hoepfully I will have some pictures for you.

Thanks again for your prayers and tune in each day for updates.

Passion Week, Day 3- Reasons for the Haze

As we near the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, many athletes around the world, not to mention the image conscious Chinese government, are worried about the haze of pollution that hangs over the city of Beijing. Some athletes especially in outdoor stamina events may wear breathing masks during their events. Beijing officials are considering extra measures to reduce pollution such as limiting the number of vehicles on the road and actually building massive exhaust fans to blow the haze into the countryside.

Those defending Beijing say that a topographical and meteorological anomalies that can't be helped are to blame. The reasons for the haze according to China is that Beijing sits physically in sort of a bowl under a weather-generated lid which traps the pollution in the city. Of course, Communist countries have always lagged behind Democratic countries in pollution control and industrial safety. (See Chernobyl) But admitting mistakes is the last thing a totalitarian regime would ever do and there is no one with influence ver them willing or able to call them on it.

While this behavior may be typical of governments it is not atypical of people. From the very beginning we have blamed things on others or on circumstances that we say or think can't be helped. I wonder what excuses for misunderstanding Christ's mission could have been offered by those in the first Easter? What would be their reasons for the haze that kept them from seeing and understanding what Christ was doing? Truly they were blinded but blinded by what?

For many it was fear. For others (like the Jewish religious leaders) it was jealousy. For some it was simple selfishness. For others it just simply the haze of ignorance--they just didn't know enough. They all had reasons for the haze. Do you and I? Is there something we are missing because we refuse to see God and what he is doing right now that may be big? What are your reasons for the haze and most importantly what are you going to do get rid of the pollution between you and God?

There are, like in Beijing, some natural barriers to connecting with him. But reduce the amount of traffic in your mind and life and spend somwe extra time with him in prayer, Bible study, and church attendance. I think you will find that the Holy wind of the Spirit will begin to blow away the smoke between you and God. At least you and I won't have any more haze for which we have to find reasons.

Passion Week Day 2: Varied Sample Group

Yesterday we mentioned that nearly all the participants in the first Easter story completely missed what was really going on. Interestingly, that group was very diverse. In polling, those surveys having what statisticians call a "varied sample group" (VSG) contain information considered to be more solid than surveys from only one group of people. Certainly those Passion week witnesses were a significantly broad and varied sample group.

They spanned the gamut: wealthy to poor; highly educated to completely unschooled; men and women; young to old; white collar to blue collar; white skinned to brown skinned; locals to travelers; people from every background, personality, and even religious experience. Religious experience...that may be the most interesting one of all.

This VSG had those who were highly religious but not necessarily spiritual--the religious leaders. Then there were the highly spiritual but not necessarily religious ones--the women who came to anoint the body. And you also had those who were somewhere in the middle--the disciples and many of the people. And finally, those who were neither--Romans, some of the Jews, and some of the travelers.

I think a 2008 VSG would not be much different than one from the first Easter...those who missed it before are not unlike those who may be missing out on something big God is doing now. Education on one hand or simplicity on the other is no hedge against missing out. The strength of wealth or the humility of poverty does not in either case help you to better see what God is doing. Even thinking you are religious or spiritual will not help you necessarily to "get it". So don't count on any of those things because if you do, you will have one more trait in common with the first Easter's varied sample group.

Passion Week Day 1: Oblivious to Something Big

The birth and death of Jesus are similar in the sense that everyone seems to be oblivious to what is really going on. The weird thing is that someone should have had known, especially as it relates to Jesus' death.

Have you seen the Arby's commercial where people have an Arby's logo on their heads because they are thinking of Arby's? In the story of Jesus' death everyone--and I mean everyone--is walking around with a big question mark on their head. The biggest thing in the world is happening right in front of them and no one has a clue...not even those who knew Him and loved Him the most. Even the people He told what would happen could not seem to figure out why things were playing out as they did.

How could this be?

It ought to scare us a little...Christ Followers missing something big God is doing. Could you and I miss out on something big? Can we get distracted and busy and caught up with life? Could we think we are so right only to discover we could not have been more wrong? Yes, unfortunately.

Thankfully God won't leave us in the dark for too long. All of our doubts will eventually become opportunities to touch his wounds and prove his words. Humility is the key. May none of us ever assume we have it all figured out. We may actually discover that all along we have been oblivious to something really big.

Guest Blog By My Son, Landon

Contentedness sucks.

It’s something that you can't really work toward; it's more a result of all the right actions taken in the right sequence. Or at least that's what I tell myself when I figure being content is impossible.

Being content is every facet of my life being not bad. Or at least that's what I tell myself when I figure being content is impossible.

It's one of those ideas that is just too big for me to wrap my head around; like how God has no beginning or how at one time in history God may have literally set time aside to make Landon Saunders. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I figure being content is impossible.

Being content is the one elusive thing that celebrities and the homeless alike can never seem to find; simply because there are so many things that can and do go wrong in life. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I figure being content is impossible.

Being content is a state of being, but somehow it is a state that I always seem to drive through and never get to stop and look around in; like Kentucky or Virginia. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I figure being content is impossible.

And then...

I see a baby finding his hands and their functions for the first time, or my three year old cousin slipping on his Spiderman web shooting gloves, or my dog Daisy when someone will finally give her a piece of whatever they are eating, or my dad when word gets to him of me or Logan truly displaying God's love, or when my Mother has Starbucks, Michael McDonald's new CD, and any car to speed in, or when Jesse hears that one girly song that he somehow knows all the words to, or when Adam comes to the end of a long line to receive his very own copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, or Brandon (Jesse, Adam, and Brandon are good friends) whenever I bring home treats from work, or my great grandfather whenever he hears my dad preach.

It’s then when I realize contentedness isn’t a state of things or a result of certain events. It’s simply a gift granted from God to me; something that has no specific formula or route other than loving my Creator and him loving me back, and doing in that exact moment in time exactly what God intended me to do.

Or at least that’s what He tells me when I figure being content is impossible.

Mad At Hell

Last night was an incredible gathering for the people who meet in my small group. We use a curriculum based on the message I do each week. We, like always had good food and enjoyable conversations prior to beginning our study.

But last night's time of study was especially powerful. Our focus was Judges 6 & 7 and the defying-the-odds-to-go-Over-the-Edge life of Gideon. Of course it is our understanding that Gideon's life is the life we have all been called to live. As Christ was the ultimate over-the-edger, God wants lead us all where Christ went--where it is not comfortable, predictable, or safe--but to where life is good.

Two key questions emerged as we discovered what God had to do in Gideon's life to use him. Since God had to change the way Gideon saw himself we asked, "What will God need to change in the way you see yourself before he can use you in an over the edge way?" You should have heard the honesty and trust people expressed sharing what God needed to do within them. Probably some of you have the same challenges before God can use you: self-doubt, fear of failure, confidence, control--things we all struggle with. We prayed for God to help us with those things.

The second question was based on good anger...the kind Jesus had in the temple, David had towards Goliath, and Gideon had about the plight of the people. Gideon was so angry about the condition of his people that he didn't have the normal reactions people have when they see an angel (fainting, terror, losing bodily control, etc). He got in the angel's face basically and questioned the assertion that, "God is with you," as the angel said. But the angel who later became God himself told Gideon to go in "this" strength, the strength of his anger for the condition of the people and lead them in defeating the Midianites who oppressed them.

"This strength" is that which burns in righteous indignation within you. What is it that burns in you? What is it that makes you question God and or even be angry enough to get in an angel's face? What is it that makes you not "mad as hell" but mad at hell for the evil in the world? Is it racism? Is it child pornography? Is it broken homes? Is it disease, hunger, or injustice? Is it the fact that millions of people all round us are going to spend eternity in hell? What makes you mad?

We came to a painful conclusion last night...we are not mad enough. Either it is the busyness of life, or comfort, or money, but something has us all going through life singing, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Our anger-motivated-I'm-taking-a stand-for-Christ-lives amounted to little more than putting a fish on our cars. Not good considering the fact that when we get mad it is probably road rage. Sadly our anger is usually about a perceived injustice to ourselves not others.

God we need your help...we need a cause. We need something to burn within us. We have been lukewarm for far too long. You would rather have us be cold-hearted or red-hot for you than be passionless and tepid for you. Whatever is choking out the fire that should burn within us for you and others please release its grip or show us its fingers. And God, identify and ignite what things we should burn for. We are tired of just going through the motions...take us over the edge!

Something Is Happening

I have heard several people who have attended the last two services say they sense something is happening at The Crossing. Now I don't know what that may mean but I have sensed something in my own messages. Maybe it is the Over The Edge series. I mean the topic is powerful and God is speaking powerfully through it. I am encouraged to see where things are going. I see energy in some of our new leaders and in some who have been around longer. Now some others may see less than a rosy asessment of The Crossing. But then again Gideon's army didn't look too mighty as 300 marched out to conquer the 100,000 Midianites. But I do feel like something is happening...let it happen!

Group Dynamics and The Crossing 'Club'

Most of us would agree--our auditorium is not conducive to good group dynamics. We have 500 seats occupied by about 120 people sitting in scattered clumps all over the auditorium. Imagine a family meal with 2 people in the kitchen, 3 in the living room, 2 more in a bedroom, and one guest sitting in the dining room. That is the feel in our church. Maybe the family doesn't mind because they see each other all the time, but the guest feels strangely alone at what is supposed to be a 'gathering.'

Something good happens when people experience things together but we are spread out all over the place at The Crossing. I think our experiences would be greatly improved if we were sitting closer together. So we put up pipe and drape to change the feel in there. Now we did not do a very good job with it because we failed to inform and include people in the process. They walked in Sunday and there it was. And unfortunately some reacted rather strongly...too strongly I feel. But I will talk more about that later.

The biggest concern is how new people feel when they walk in to our church. They see a bunch of people in the foyer laughing and having a good time. But when they enter the auditorium it looks and feels lifeless and empty (partly because so many are still out in the lobby hanging out with their friends). First timers usually walk immediately into the auditorium because they do not have friends out in the lobby to talk with. I wish that would change too. I wish our people would put their focus on the new people whenever they are there and make them feel included. What is more important than new people?

I think we have the mindset that The Crossing is sort of like a club. A club exists for the sake of its members. The mission of the club is to make sure the members are well taken care of. The club's workers worry about the members and their needs.

But if we are a club at The Crossing we are called to be a very different kind of club. We exist for the sake of those who are not yet members. Our mission is to make sure the non-members are well taken care of. Our workers are to worry primarily about the non-members and their needs. In fact, membership in this club, the church of Jesus Christ means you become one of the workers. In this club the members are serving the non-members.

As members of God's kingdom at The Crossing our job is to think about those who are not part of God's Kingdom and to worry about them. They are facing an eternity in hell. But so often I see those who call The Crossing home (those who are supposed to be the workers) worrying about what they are getting out of it. They are thinking like members of a club.

We cannot be selfish...nothing about us can have that vibe. This past Sunday we learned that Gideon sent home 97% of his army because they were only thinking of themselves. We must keep our perspective. We are members of an 'un-club'. The un-club's members are called to serve not be served. That is the story of our Founder who left the most exclusive club, Heaven, to serve mankind on Earth by giving his life. But what are we willing to give up for lost people when we walk into The Crossing? If we are going to be a church founded on Christ we cannot be anything that looks like a club.

That is why the pipe and drape was put up, that is why we are trying to make things better in the auditorium for everyone, most especially new people, and that is why our people must come to The Crossing every week and not think of themselves. That alone will probably change the group dynamics as much as anything. People will feel the love and sense the unselfishness and it will draw them to Christ!