Giving a Measure That Runs Over

 

When I was in Zambia, there was a custom in the marketplace that left a real impression on me.  When you go to the market to purchase a dry food, such as rice or ground nuts (peanuts), it is sold out of a large sack by the container.  The container is usually about a gallon in size and after you ‘negotiate’ a fair price the merchant will then take the container, fill it with rice and then mound it up until it is running over the sides.

Rice running over the sides of the container.

 This brimming container is then carefully loaded into a plastic bag and then the merchant adds yet another 2 to 3 hand scoops of rice into the bag.

Now let's add a few extra scoops to your bag!

 Now my first reaction was about how different this was than our way of doing business in our American culture.  If you order a gallon container of rice here, that’s what you get… no more.  If we sold something in a gallon container, we no doubt would take something to level it off carefully before filling the bag.  We live our lives with careful budgets of our money, our resources and our time.  While being a wise steward of what God has given us is a good thing, we have to be careful with our attitude.  In our busy way of life we tend to constantly calculate how we can minimize our personal ‘cost’ when dealing with others.  Some even carefully scheme as to how to take advantage of others.  And yet here was a young man who has far less in earthly treasure than I and was overjoyed to make a sale and throw in some extra.

A happy merchant... notice the name on his shirt!

As I observed this gracious custom, the following scripture from Luke 6:38 came to mind, “Give and it shall be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Now there is a lot here, but let me share just a couple of thoughts that the Lord was putting on my heart; 

First of all, the way the Zambian rice salesman was blessing my rice purchase was but a small reflection of the way that my Heavenly Father blesses my life.  His generosity, as He pours into the otherwise ‘empty sack’ of my life, is beyond comprehension.  I do not serve a greedy God, but one who did not spare even His own son that I might have a relationship with Him.  Deep gratitude and affection to the one who fills my life till it’s ”running over” the sides of my clay container should be my natural response.

The second thought hit a little harder as He spoke some truth into my life.  The way that God has poured over the sides into my life should be the way that I, in turn, would bless others.  How often have I measured out my life… carefully giving only the minimum money or time to a needy soul and failed to give that extra portion that can sometimes make such a powerful impact for God.  His word promises that as I learn to give in the way He gives that I will have an even greater measure to give!

May we all be challenged to grow in the grace of giving as God works His eternal plan in our lives.

My cup runneth over!

Dan

Back To the American Pace of Life

Well, let me first of all catch up on the family news.  We have rejoiced in the arrival on August 4th of our new grandaughter, Madison Mercy Elliott, to Justin and Cara.  This beautiful little red-haired girl in the words of her completely unbiased father and grandfather is “perfect”.  That may be a little hard for her to live up to when she’s 15 years old, but at least we’re off to a good start.  Anyway, I’ll let you judge for yourself…

Madison with her proud Grandma Darla

I just called this morning and both baby and big sister, Sahara, are doing great.  The other family news is that our new foster daughter, Nicole, is adjusting to life at the Elliott’s quite well.  This energetic young lady is full of personality and very gifted in art and music (she plays the flute).  We just registered her at Redmond High School and signed her up for soccer.  She has never played before, but is very excited to get on the field mix it up. 

This Sunday (8/17) I will be sharing my experiences in Zambia twice.  At 10 a.m. I will be preaching at the Chapel of the Pines in Camp Sherman and at 6:30 p.m. I will have a more extended time to share pictures and thoughts on the ministry of our missionaries, Jason and Beckie (and kids) as they share their lives with the Zambian people.  You are more than welcome to join us for either time.  

Upon returning I’ve had a new grandaughter, new foster daughter, been catching up the yardwork, watching the summer Olympics, football camp this week, coaches meetings, preparing to speak and squeezing the last out of my summer with some hunting with my son, Brandon and camping with the Lutes, Lewis, Nicole and Darla.  Yes, that’s right Darla went camping… I think she’s preparing herself to go to Zambia next summer!  Now as you can see, my system has definitely been shocked back into a pace of life that is so typical of we Americans.  Now don’t get me wrong… it’s not like it was all rest and relaxation in Zambia despite the contrary evidence of the pose that my supposed friend, Jason, caught…

Here I am, deep in 'prayer' on the Sibley couch!

There were times of intense ministry in Zambia, especially on the weekends with MTI classes and Sunday services.  However, without the distraction of TV news and sports, the telephone and the constant demands of American life, there was a pace to Zambian life that I found very appealing.  The mornings usually began sometime before 5 a.m. with coffee and devotions (yes, in that order).  After breakfast Jason, some of the kids and I would go for a 1 hour walk through the neighborhood greeting scores of Zambians on their way to work or school.  I cherished these times of discussion and reflection with my friend.  After returning the rest of the morning was often open for preparation of teachings/sermons and extended times of prayer that I never seem to have time for here.  After lunch there was science class for the kids, which was a total ’kick in the pants’!  The rest of the weekday afternoons and evenings were for fellowship with pastors and their wives, playing “Bear” with the kids, watching a video or just fellowshipping with meaningful conversation… sometimes in the darkness when the power went out.

In our fast paced society we can easily lose two things that I found an abundance of in Zambia… alone time with God and time for people.  The alone time God allowed for a lot of reflection on the meaning and significance of my relationship with Him.  Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God.”  How often do we really allow ourselves to really “Be still”?  Since returning to the States I’ve found that it is really difficult to have that quality of a time with God, because there are simply so many distractions.  And then there is taking time for people.  We’ve been trying to get together with another couple now for about 3 months for dinner and between our schedules we still haven’t pulled it off.  Zambians are exceptional in fellowship and conversation, because much of their lives are dependent upon meaningful relationships with one another.  Jesus gave us a new command in John 13:34,35 “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So how does this effect the way I choose to live my life?   Well for one thing I’m not watching nearly as much news as I was… less than an hour all totalled in the last 2 weeks.  Other than the Olympics, which will end in a week, I’ve watched a lot less TV and have not really missed it.  I will have to contend with an enormously busy life to keep focused on the most important things and I invite you join me in defeating the time thieves of our culture.

Growing in Christ,

Dan

Thank You, Dear Sibleys!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank my most incredible hosts for my Zambian mission.  Jason, Beckie and their beautiful children definitely have the gift of hospitality.  They kept me well fed and even spoiled me with some good ol’ ice cream and chocolate bars.  (What American can survive for a month without those?!)  Isata, Shauna, Carlin, Steven, Sia and Caylie provided more than enough entertainment with games of “Bear” and their insufferable joy for life!  I will miss them dearly.  Beckie, who is the ‘ballast’ that keeps my crazy friend Jason lined out, was always more than gracious in giving me opportunities to learn the Zambian culture, sharing her gift of photography for my posts and opening their home to visiting pastors and wives for the blessing of getting to really know the hearts, history and visions of these precious servants.  And then there’s my dear friend Jason… who fired up the brazier when the power went out just to make sure I got my coffee and carted me all over the city of Ndola to experience the life of a Zambian.  I probably owe him 500,000 Kwache (~$150) in taxi fare for the extra miles we put on going out to buy more drums, going back to the Marcella market just to get a picture I wanted, etc.  I will cherish the memories of our daily ~3 mile hike in which we were able to solve all the problems of the world.  But more than anything I am so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to serve my Zambian brothers and sisters through teaching MTI classes and preaching the word of God.  It is when we are able to serve that we are most blessed because we simply cannot outgive God.  There are so many other things I could mention, but I have brought back cherished memories, a fullness of heart, new relationships and a treasured part of Zambia with me and for all of that I simply want to give you a most heartfelt “THANK YOU!”

From these faces, I think you could call these Zambian "Happy Meals"

Some of the beauty that graced our morning hikes. (Jason, Steven, Isata, and Shauna)

My journey home got quite interesting and I’m thankful to not still be waiting for a flight out of Frankfurt, Germany.  About 20 minutes before landing in Frankfurt from Johannesburg, South Africa, the intercom informed me that my connecting flight to Portland via Lufthansa Airlines had been cancelled due to the strike by their workers.  So after getting off the plane in somewhat of an exhausted stupor at 5 a.m., I tried to orient myself and finally found a Lufthansa ticket counter and they booked me on an American Airline flight through Dallas.  All was well until I went to get my boarding pass and they wouldn’t give one to me because they said I was only on standby and there was a list.  So it was off to the main Lufthansa ticket counter where there was now a line about an hour long.  When I finally got to the counter and informed them of my situation with the AA ticket they had issued, I actually had the supervisor go to work on finding an alternative.  After about 10 minutes of speedily tapping in possibilities and shaking his head in the wrong direction, he exasperatedly informed me that he couldn’t even get me on a flight through Tokyo… the long way around the planet.  I suggested maybe trying to find a flight early the next day and his reply was “O no, it’ll be far worse tomorrow!”  At this point of wondering if I will ever see my wonderful wife again, that I know without a doubt that the prayers that were being offered over my journey kicked in.  After another 5 minutes of frantic searching he finally said, ”Ha!  How about Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada) to Fairbanks, Alaska to Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon?”  Without hesitation, I said, “I’ll take it!”  So I got the bonus of seeing the Yukon and Alaska and 46 hours after being left at the Ndola airport, I finally got to see my sweet wife’s beautiful green eyes!  My check-in baggage was another story, but it finally arrived in Redmond on Sunday… even bearing the 4 drums I had packed!

Life hit the ground running as I returned home… yesterday morning my son, Justin, and his wife, Cara, had their second little red-haired daughter born.  Her name is Maddison Mercy and we are travelling to Portland to meet her today.  I will post a picture later.  And travelling with us is a new 15 year old foster daughter, Nicole, who came to live with us yesterday.  Be praying for her as this is her first time in foster care and it is quite traumatic for her.  More on this also in the future.

If you are interested, Dan-on-a-mission has not ended just because I have returned to the States… it simply has shifted to God’s continuing call on my life back here.  There is much to be established in building God’s kingdom and it is my hope and passion to be actively involved in that very mission.  I will continue to post about once a week. I have a couple more posts on my heart that I bring back from Zambia.  Feel free to drop in a keep tabs.

Blessed to be alive in Christ!

Dan