Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Keith MadisonSCORE InternationalNational Baseball Director305 Drake LnWilmore, Ky 40390-9548
“A person’s wisdom yields patience;it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11
Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those
who seek the Lord rejoice.Psalm 105:3
Sharon Madison: [email protected]
Merry Christmasfrom
The Madisons
Hank is a roaming disaster looking to happen; he istruly a test of true love.
“Love each other deeply, because love coversa multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8)
Our son and family had to set up temporary living quarters before they could move into their new home; and this did not allowroom for their 6-month old pup. So, we decided to help them out and offered to foster Hank, their rambunctious but loving pet, foralmost 2 months. Hank is a beautiful chocolate Labrador. He currently weights about 45 lbs and stands to the height of my hips. I’ve been tryingto train him, but often my patience is sorely tried. I discovered a marvelous training tool called “Bitter Cherry Spray;” and Ipurchased what I call “Hank Cheese” to reward him for his good behavior; but each day is a new challenge—I just don’t under-stand how a pup can succeed in such blatant mischievous behavior. One morning Hank found a dead dove in the yard; he wasn’t hungry but liked the idea of us chasing him around the yard tryingto free the carcass from his jaws. Keith and I don’t “run around our yard” very much anymore. When Keith stopped to catch hisbreath, Hank swallowed the bird whole then ran into the house and vomited the soggy mass on the carpet. He discovered thetasty texture of the frosted decorative grass that lines our sidewalk and quickly trimmed and devoured two healthy bushes; earlythe next morning a revolting mushy leafy mass lined the back of his pen. When he is out of our sight, I know he’s searching forsomething to destroy. He managed to demolish the lights on our pre-lighted Christmas tree; our home Christmas decorationshave been very scant this year. He loves to snag dirty clothes from the hampers and chew on them which can prove embarrassingwhen friends drop in. Anything dropped on the floor (socks, house shoes, remotes, even quarters) initiates a tedious game of“catch-me-if-you-can.” Keith says Hank could destroy an iron wedge! He is my poor cat’s living nightmare and covers Meowgy innasty pup slobber or literally runs over him. Hank is loveable but right now, he’s so demanding. He will eventually mature into a faithful, protective pet, but whenhe refuses to behave,I realize that I don’t like him. I suppose our Lord feels the same about us, sometimes. I am working daily on my patience with this loveable, goofy animal. We are constantly taught how tomold and mature our Christian walk. We are to exercise patience to those who are lost and show lovethrough our actions. (I John 3: 18) I suppose that could also refer to my training of Hank. And when my patience wavers, I must remember “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one whospeaks the very words of God.” (I Peter 4:11) With Hank, that’s a walking hourly prayer for me. But, this crazy, constant chewing machine just an innocent animal that needs training, love andforgiveness. Isn’t that kind of like us? Aren’t we blessedto be loved and forgiven even when we emulate Hank?
PAGE 2
Teaching Baseball and Spreading God’s Word
The Word of God is powerful. Hebrews 4:12
LEFT-Miles Noland-TransylvaniaAssisttant tried toignore the goats inthe outfield.RIGHT-Ron Polk wasa hit with thecampers.BOTTOM CENTER-PaulPatterson taughtone-on-on e.BOTTOM RIGHT-MattHusted demon-strated hittingtechniques
Jake McDonnell and Roger Gum congratulatedthe campers’ success.
Dan McDonnell-Univ of Louisville-paused for histranslator to interpret good baseball strategy.
Dan Lewis taught the importanceof eye contact.
Will Thompson showed a camper how tohold the bat.
Tyrstan Magnuson-Toronto BlueJays-answeredcampers’ questions.
Andy Pettitte talked with Herb and PatRawlings of the Rawlings Foundation;
they built the D.R. Highlands Complex.
Tyler Madison interviewed Damaso Marte for thenew magazine Inside Pitch.
SCORE’s 2011 November Baseball Outreach inthe Dominican Republic allowed for the teaching ofbaseball fundamentals through well-organized freeclinics and the sharing the Word of God. This year’s260 men divided into teams and provided clinics tovarious locations around the island. Over 8,000 youngathletes honed their baseball skills and heard theGospel and testimonies from coaches and players.At the end of the morning sessions, the coachesboarded their bus and the young clinicians laughedand waved goodbye with charmingly wide toothygrins spread across their faces. One of the coaches expressed well what they allfelt: “I wish I could just take them all home with me,but at least we get to do this again tomorrow.” (observations from Tyler Madison’s first D.R. trip)
Please Pray For
PAGE 3
**Mary-Louise, daughter of John Pawlowski—the Head Coachat Auburn Univ. Her cancer treatments have been successful.**Mike Montgomery’s son, Todd, has been diagnosed with can-cer.**Dan McDonnell-Univ. of Louisville coach-and his family asthey mourn the death of his father.**Todd Hicks—Girls H.S. Basketball Coach-OK—has been di-agnosed with quick progressing ALS.**Gary Carter (Hall of Fame) has brain cancer and being treatedwith chemo.**Monte Thelen, Head Football Coach at Cherokee Trail H.S.-Aurora CO, requests prayer for his brother’s family. They losttheir 12 year old son.**Sam Marsonek as he and other former MLB players in theTampa area start a dynamic summer baseball program that willhave international influence.**A former student of Sharon’s, Kelly Owens and her familyas they mourn the loss of their 6-month old daughter**Finn--newborn son of John Collier--bornwith serious heart disorders. He will requiresurgery.**Jess Staples-pitcher/outfielder atLafayette H.S. in Lexington, KY-lost his dadto cancer
Winter-201130th Edition
in the Dominican Republic-November 2011
Jeremy Campsang at a rally in
San Pedro.LoriannaSchaffer
memorized asong in Spanishand sang it withJeremy to the
Dominicancrowd of 2,500.
Sharon Dees helped make Christmascrafts at a small child care center. Sandra Pinol and her new friends posed for pictures.
Jan Neighbors played with the children atthe Mirqueya Child Care center
Mothers and grandmothers enjoyed the newborngifts we brought to the Maternity Ward.
This year 22 American ladies made the November Outreach trip to the D.R. We did ourown morning mission work and spent the afternoons serving with the men.
Brothers and sisters, rejoice! Encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.And the God of love and peace will be with you. (II Corinthians 13: 11)
Do to others as youwould have them do to
you. Luke 6:31
Sing praiseto Him;tell of all
His wonderfulacts.
1 Chronicles16:9
Lorianna found a precious littlebuddy who she hated to leave.
Sunday, we took a bus full of coaches to the newly built church at Los Altos; and the villagers warmly welcomed us into their service. When thecollection plate was passed around, it returned overflowing with American dollars; and after the service and singing, we all gathered outside thebuilding to socialize and play with the children. (TOP LEFT) Our youngest son, Tyler, made the trip this year and plans to write of his experience inKeith’s new magazine Inside Pitch. (TOP MIDDLE) I shared some family pictures with the villagers; they were amazed to see pictures of Kentuckysnow. (TOP RIGHT) The pastor (left) of the church at Los Altos thanked Keith and Jose Alvarez for visiting this small village.
SCORE International is a non-profit mission ministry. Our goal is to introduce baseballcoaches and players to short-term mission work overseas. We need a strong “HomeTeam” to become the financial backbone for our out-reach. If you are not already amember of our “home-team, would you consider providing financial and prayer supporton a regular basis? Please contact Keithby mail : 305 Drake Ln Wilmore, KY 40390-9548E-mail : [email protected]: 859.858.4935
PAGE 4
or 859.230.0580 (cell)
Bi-weekly, Keith sends out an E-devotional to about 1,000 coaches and friends. If you would like to receive his E-devotions, contactKeith at his E-mail address: [email protected]
Even the youngest Dominicanbaseball player seems to in-stinctively master the skill ofhitting. Boys of all ages cometo the November camps tolearn more about the game ofbaseball; andthey also hearthe sharing ofGod’s Word.
Slade Heathcock, Yankee’s 1st round draftpick, didn’t mind having his beared strokedby an elderly Dominican man.
The Magi from the East saw the light of a star and followed. Many saw the light, but few followed. On coming to thehouse, they saw the Child with his mother, Mary; and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened theirtreasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:10 Not only did these wise men follow, they also gave gifts and worshiped a poor infant ‘King’ in a feeding troth in abarn. Our world would be a better place if we followed the examples of the ancient Magi…follow, worship and give.This is so different from many people’s view of God. Many of us expect God to come looking for us, toexplain Himself, prove who He is, and give us gifts. During this Christmas season and throughout the New Year, Iwant to follow the example of the Magi from the East. I want tofollow, worship and give. The following and worshipping is for the most part clear cut. Ineed to spend more time in God’s Word, in prayer and in worship—both privately and with other believers. The giving can sometimes be more challenging. I become too tightfisted with my time and money. By opening up our clinched fists, weboth give and receive blessings.
Follow, Worship, Give
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during thetime of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusa-lem and asked, ‘Where is the One who was born King of
the Jews? We saw His star in the East andhave come to worship Him’” (Matthew 2:1-2)
“It’s not the light we see, but the Light we follow…and we will always return on a different route.”
(Roy Lauter)
John Zeller, Executive Dir. SCOREInternational, worked on the fieldscoaching and directing the camps
Dan McDonnell (U of Louisville), Jeremy Sheetinger (St Joseph), RichMaloney (U. of Michigan), Ron Polk,Keith, Matt Husted (Assist Coach U.
of Michigan) and Spanky McFarland (James Madison) stood in the“Field of Dreams”-Dominican style!
