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| From Peyton's crime |
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Facing the Giant
Our team was winning, 9-5 going into the bottom of the 5th. I brought in a kid who has struggled but looked good in practice two nights earlier. They never throw like they do in practice, though. They scored the max, five runs. We came back in the 6th and scored the tying run, but couldn't get anymore than that. The top of the order was due up and Jordan did not pitch well in his last game, plus he said his finger was sore was chewing his nail too short (ouch). But I had no choice, so I asked Jordan to pitch. Losing this game would have been a heart breaker. He struck out the first batter, but the second kid was a twelve year old 5'-10'' er, (seriously). He fouled off a few and with every swing I cringed. Jordan shook his hand after every pitch and I couldn't tell if it really hurt or this was for the dramatic effect. The ump asked if he was ok and he said yeah. Then Jordan threw him one right down the middle and my heart stopped, swing and a miss. The last kid grounded out to first and we salvaged a tie.
It's one of those moments in a kid's little league career that should be remembered, and used for encouragement to help him through the tough times to follow.
It's one of those moments in a kid's little league career that should be remembered, and used for encouragement to help him through the tough times to follow.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Muggeridge on Utopianism
Another defence against God has been utopianism, and the revolutionary fervour that goes therewith. A passion to change the world and make it nearer to the heart's desire automatically excludes God, who represents the principle of changelessness, and confronts each heart's desire with its own nullity. It was confidently believed that a kingdom of heaven on earth could be established, with 'God, Keep Out' notices prominently displayed at the off-limits. In practice, the various versions of this kingdom have one and all proved a failure; utopian hopes washed away in the blood of Stalin's purges, reduced to the dimensions of Mr Wilson's one book, liberated out of existence.
Muggeridge on prayer
Malcom Muggeridge writes: He (Dietrich Boenhoffer) is then taken to Flossenburg where he is given the death sentence. After it has been delivered the prison doctor catches a glimpse of him through the half opened door of one of the huts, still in his prison clothes, and kneeling in fervent prayer to the Lord his God. 'The devotion and evident conviction of being heard that I saw in the prayer of this intensely captivating man', the doctor was subsequently to recall, 'moved me to the depths.' The next morning, naked under the scaffold in the sweet spring woods, Bonhoeffer kneels for the last time to pray. Five minutes later his life is ended.
As this happens, five years of the monstrous buffooneries of war are drawing to a close. Hitler's Reich that was to last for a thousand years will soon reach its ignominious and ruinous end; the liberators are moving in from the east and the west with bombs and tanks and guns and cigarettes and Spam; the air is thick with rhetoric and cant. Looking back now after twentyfour years, I ask myself where in that murky darkness any light shines. Not among the Nazis, certainly, nor among the liberators, who, as we know, were to liberate no one and nothing. The rhetoric and the cant have mercifully been forgotten; what lives on is the memory of a man who died, not on behalf of freedom or democracy or a steadily rising Gross National Product, not for any of the twentieth century's counterfeit hopes and desires, but on behalf of a cross on which another man died two thousand years before. As on that previous occasion, on Golgotha, so amidst the rubble and desolation of 'liberated' Europe, the only victor is the man who died, as the only hope for the future lies in his triumph over death. There never can be any other victory or any other hope. This is what I am trying, so inadequately, to say.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Letter to Obama from 4th grade teacher
April 27, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on
your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate
representative of the United States of America
collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing
the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities
of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the
citizens of the United States . You are not responsible to the peoples of any
other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for
the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care
about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and
the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ?
Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about?
Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century? Where do you get off
telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a
Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or
the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian
ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came
along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans.
Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of
Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our
oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of
Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation
because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a
mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when
you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved
the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the
historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed
of yourselves, all of you. You are so self-righteously offended by the
big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing
about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines,
Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses.
What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses
to their staff members -- on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay
raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House
aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my
employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that?
I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million
in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45
million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie
executives have already been awarded $51 million -- not a bad take. Who
authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely
responsible for the economic mess we have right now. I resent that you take me
and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do.
We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of
you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do
and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will
work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms
destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every Real American
P.S. it's past time for all Americans to wake up!
Ms Kathleen Lyday
Fourth Grade Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. C
Hillsboro , MO 63050
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on
your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate
representative of the United States of America
collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing
the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities
of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the
citizens of the United States . You are not responsible to the peoples of any
other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for
the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care
about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and
the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ?
Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about?
Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century? Where do you get off
telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a
Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or
the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian
ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came
along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans.
Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of
Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our
oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of
Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation
because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a
mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when
you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved
the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the
historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed
of yourselves, all of you. You are so self-righteously offended by the
big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing
about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines,
Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses.
What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses
to their staff members -- on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay
raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House
aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my
employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that?
I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million
in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45
million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie
executives have already been awarded $51 million -- not a bad take. Who
authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely
responsible for the economic mess we have right now. I resent that you take me
and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do.
We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of
you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do
and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will
work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms
destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every Real American
P.S. it's past time for all Americans to wake up!
Ms Kathleen Lyday
Fourth Grade Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. C
Hillsboro , MO 63050
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Obamanation
Here I will write my list of grievances with the President and his misguided approach to life, politics, economics, foreign policy, and especially the preciousness of life.
Sure, what's makes me so smart? What gives me the right to judge? I'm not a scholar, I didn't go to Harvard, I'm not a politician, and up until 10 years ago, when I met my wife, I drank too much, partied too much and was headed down the road to hell. I do, however, fell that I am a pretty decent judge of character. I do try to live a life of integrity. I have always valued family, friendship, accountability, honesty, fairness, fiscal responsibility, and above all treating other people with respect. On the other hand I wish I was more easy going, was better at public speaking, made friends more easily, remembered peoples names more, and paid more attention to people.
With all of that said, here are my thoughts on Barack Obama.
It's definately cool that we have a black president. It makes a lot of African Americans proud. It seems to me that they finally feel important. On the other hand I have had the pleasure of meeting many black men (and women) with whom I have been very impressed. The first one that comes to mind is a gentlemen who spoke at a conference at our church. I cannot think of his name but his message was for black men to stand up and act like men. He urged them to find a young black boy, walk beside them, and raise them up in the way they should walk. His ambitions are not to be President, and are not personal at all. His ambitions are to see blacks become better contributors to society. All races could heed his wisdom.
Barack's ambitions on the other hand, are unclear, at least to me. His background seems shady. I am completely unimpressed by his education and Law degree. Being born with intelligence does not automatically translate into wisdom. Some terrorists have doctoral degrees. I have not studied Marxism or communism or socalism, and I do not understand why people in this country would favor that approach. I have studied American history, and I feel the forefathers of this country had wisdom beyond any politician that has been around in my lifetime. Their strength, courage, knowledge and especially faith guided them to defeat tyranny and create a country that respects personal liberty like no other ever created. For these reasons I think we should pay a lot more respect than we do towards the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I object when people twist the intent of these documents, as we do with the first amendment. I try to teach my kids to respect and cherish our history. We are so fortunate to be Americans.
Now for the list:
Sure, what's makes me so smart? What gives me the right to judge? I'm not a scholar, I didn't go to Harvard, I'm not a politician, and up until 10 years ago, when I met my wife, I drank too much, partied too much and was headed down the road to hell. I do, however, fell that I am a pretty decent judge of character. I do try to live a life of integrity. I have always valued family, friendship, accountability, honesty, fairness, fiscal responsibility, and above all treating other people with respect. On the other hand I wish I was more easy going, was better at public speaking, made friends more easily, remembered peoples names more, and paid more attention to people.
With all of that said, here are my thoughts on Barack Obama.
It's definately cool that we have a black president. It makes a lot of African Americans proud. It seems to me that they finally feel important. On the other hand I have had the pleasure of meeting many black men (and women) with whom I have been very impressed. The first one that comes to mind is a gentlemen who spoke at a conference at our church. I cannot think of his name but his message was for black men to stand up and act like men. He urged them to find a young black boy, walk beside them, and raise them up in the way they should walk. His ambitions are not to be President, and are not personal at all. His ambitions are to see blacks become better contributors to society. All races could heed his wisdom.
Barack's ambitions on the other hand, are unclear, at least to me. His background seems shady. I am completely unimpressed by his education and Law degree. Being born with intelligence does not automatically translate into wisdom. Some terrorists have doctoral degrees. I have not studied Marxism or communism or socalism, and I do not understand why people in this country would favor that approach. I have studied American history, and I feel the forefathers of this country had wisdom beyond any politician that has been around in my lifetime. Their strength, courage, knowledge and especially faith guided them to defeat tyranny and create a country that respects personal liberty like no other ever created. For these reasons I think we should pay a lot more respect than we do towards the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I object when people twist the intent of these documents, as we do with the first amendment. I try to teach my kids to respect and cherish our history. We are so fortunate to be Americans.
Now for the list:
- Reversing the ban against the government sending tax dollars overseas to finance abortions. Clearly the man is pro-abortion. We should send our money overseas to help the poor, widows, and orphans. (and it should be voluntary and come from the heart as it says in 2 Cor. 9:7)
- The "Stimulus Package": A colossal mistake, rammed down the American public's throat, to be paid for by generations to come (sorry kids).
- Cuts in defense spending: the forefathers thought this to be the main function of the federal government, yet they are cutting spending on it, while protecting turtles in California, and Iran and Korea have nukes.
- to be continued
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Einstein Quotes
I've heard conflicting sides of whether Einstein was a believer. What do you think?
"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."
"I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice."
"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
"A person starts to live when he can live outside himself."
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."
"I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice."
"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
"A person starts to live when he can live outside himself."
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
THE TRAVESTY OF BEING AN ORPHAN
To be an orphan is to be a human being without filial relationships. Scripture is clear: we were created by God to enjoy a filial relationship with God and other human beings. We were made for filial relationships—and this is why we believe that God is so passionate about His people caring for orphans and why being an earthly orphan is such a travesty. T4A wants Christians to recognize that there is an entire theology of adoption behind, underneath, and around Scripture’s concern for orphans that really needs to be explored and articulated. -Together for Adoption (T4A).
Kids growing up
We call them the twins. Baka and Paypay. You just wonder what their relationship will be like when they get older. Life had such a terrible way of pulling us away from each other. We get so busy, that anyone not living in our house or next working in our office is not really in our lives. And some day, hard to imagine now, they too will be gone. Enjoy it while they're here, everyone says. We're all so divided, democrats and republicans, liberals and conservatives, Cowboys against the Eagles, get outta my lane, hurry up, slow down, I guess that's one thing everyone agrees on, our kids grow up too fast, and then make the same mistakes we made.
Christmas 2008
Merry Christmas to all!
Wow, I cannot believe that it is this time of year again. Where does the time go? So many things have happened to our family over the last 3 years, since my last Christmas letter. I thought it about time to catch everyone up. Since the last letter, we have added 3 to our household (yes, 3!). Peyton was a surprise to us all when she joined our family 1year after I was diagnosed and treated for Thyroid cancer. This year our family entered the wonderful world of International adoption, and our family grew by 2 more, when we brought home our 2 newest sons, Micah and Daniel, from Ethiopia in August. God has certainly blessed us! We have been, and continue to be, awed by His faithfulness and grace. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33
Jerry – Jerry continues to work at LF Driscoll. He is currently working on the Art Museum project, helping to restore the beautiful Philadelphia Art Museum. He works hard so that I am able to stay at home with all the kids, and do the mommy thing. Besides working, he loves to coach Upward basketball, and the local little league baseball club. He has also mastered tossing kids in the air, knowing who Barbie is, decorating with Christmas lights, diapers, and all that other fun Daddy stuff. He is a great Dad! When he does get a free moment, he keeps himself busy with all of our home projects. He has gone on a few short-term missions trips to Louisiana with our church, and looks forward to being able to do more of those, possibly to other destinations. “May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.”
–Daniel 3:20
Jordan Thomas – Jordan turned 9 this year. He is home schooled and in the 4th grade. He loves Science and art. Jordan is our sports fanatic and plays Upward basketball, little league baseball (yes, his Dad is his coach for both sports), and does gymnastics. We all enjoyed watching the Phillies win the World Series this year! Jordan is an awesome big brother, always full of energy. He is a Wii bowling expert, a TobyMac fanatic, and is always ready with some sort of joke. He was able to travel with us this summer by raising all of his travel expenses himself, and even got to spend his 9th birthday in Ethiopia! He even spent a short time in the country of Jordan, so “Jordan was in Jordan” (his joke). He has grown up so fast. He continues to keep us young, and laughing. As much as he has grown, he still loves to snuggle with Mom, much to my enjoyment. “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him…Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” –Psalm 127:3,5
Anika Hope – Anika is 7 this year; oh how time flies. She is home schooled and in the 1st grade. According to her, she loves all school subjects, but I think reading is her favorite. She is a cheerleader with the Upward program, and although she is generally rather quiet, she has blossomed into quite the cheerleader. Anika is a huge help with the little children, always ready to mother if needed. She has a huge heart, and such a gentle spirit. Anika is always standing by with a hug, making our home full of love and happiness. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” –Romans 15:13
Peyton Esther – Peyton just turned 2. She is a bundle of energy, and giggles. Always into something, she keeps me on my toes. Christmas lights are a huge hit with her this year. It is so much fun to see, and hear, the excitement. She loves babies, candy canes, Elmo, lights, “her Anika” (“Ka-ka”), and having Daddy toss her in the air. She keeps this family laughing and moving. She has blessed us all in so many ways. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” –2 Corinthians 9:15
Micah David – Micah is 2 1/2. He is extremely intelligent, full of energy, and he and Peyton work very well together when getting into things. In 4 months he has picked up the American language extremely well, as well as the culture. French fries, pizza, Elmo, cars/trucks, tractors, horses and cows… these are a few of his favorite things; as well as any kind of sweet you can imagine. Truly the child has a sweet tooth! Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Santas, snow, all are new to him, and what fun it is to be here when he experiences these. It has been a blast sharing all of his “firsts”. He has the ability to make us all smile, just by being so stinkin’ cute! He is a true blessing to our family. “O Sovereign Lord, You are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things” –2 Samuel 7:28
Daniel Luke – Daniel is our baby, at 10 months old. He has fit into that roll exceptionally well. I find it truly amazing how God fit just the right kids into our family, in just the right birth order. He is a roly-poly, happy baby, growing like a weed, and almost always smiling that big toothless grin. Don’t get me wrong; he is also very strong-willed, as evidenced by his screaming in discontent from Ethiopia to Philadelphia. God bless the British Airways flight crew! However, with 4 older siblings, someone is always around to play with, pick up a dropped toy, or accomplish whatever it seems he needs at that moment. He can light up a room with that smile. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.” –Isaiah 43:5-6
Kim - I continue to stay at home and take care of the children, as well as the general running of the household. I home school the school kids, and chase after the toddlers. I am so appreciative that I am able to continue to do this. Our children grow up, and move on so quickly. I am very thankful for being able to spend this short period of time with them, watching them grow. “But as for me, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the Lord, with justice and courage…” –Micah 3:8a
Our hope is that this letter finds you happy and healthy. We are privileged to know family and friends who are serving overseas, fighting for so many, and so much. We pray daily for their safety, and swift return home. We are so thankful for each and every one of you. May joy be your gift this Christmas, and may faith, hope and love be your treasures in this upcoming New Year. Merry Christmas!
In faith, by grace –
-The Seitzingers!
Jerry, Kim, Jordan, Anika, Micah, Peyton, and Daniel
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” – Matthew 2:10-11
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural decent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” – John 1:11-13
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