His is a once in a lifetime story.
Grocery store stocker, earning minimum wage in the middle of nowhere while at the same time working as an unpaid graduate assisstant coach at his alma mater, Northern Iowa. All while living in the basement of his in-laws home.
That's when the Arena Football League came calling. He became a star with the Iowa Barnstormers. Yes, you read that right. Barnstormers. Fierce, I know.
Finally the NFL came calling. The Chicago Bears. Invited to camp, but, eventually a spider bite got him cut. Talk about bad luck! After "Da Bers," Kurt Warner went to the St. Louis Rams, but was sent to Europe to play for the Amsterdam Admirals.
In 1998, Warner finally made it onto a real NFL roster...as a third string quarterback. By 1999, he was a backup. One injury later, and Kurt Warner is leading the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Superbowl XXXIV in one of the greatest Superbowls every played. He earned the game MVP for his Superbowl record 414 passing yards and two touchdowns.
In 2001, the Rams were once again led to the Superbowl on the arm of Warner. However, they fell short agains the rising stars of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Seven years and two teams later and Kurt Warner is with the Arizona Cardinals as a backup before the 2008 season begins. He is named the starter just prior the opening game. It was in this season that he cemented his legacy.
The St. Louis Rams had never been to the Superbowl before Kurt Warner. Now, they'be been to two. The Arizona Cardinals had never been to the Superbowl before Kurt Warner. Now they have. Prior to the '09 Superbowl vs. Pittsburgh, it would've been a tough call to get Kurt into the Hall of Fame. Now, I don't think there's any doubt.
The rags-riches story is nice, but, I think that Kurt would tell you that that isn't what he wants to be remembered for. Kurt is a family man. Him and his wife, Brenda, have 7 children (2 Kurt adopted for Brenda's former marriage). Kurt is a Jesus man, first.
Warner has never shied away from letting the world know that it was God.....family.....................then football.
Yesterday, Kurt Warner announced his retirement from the NFL. And a class act leaves his mark on the game and his legacy of faith that won't be retired.
So, today, I say farewell to the future Hall-of-Famer, and today, I say thank you to the man who lived right, spoke freely of his faith and set an example for so many to follow.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
From the Mouths of Babes
My two year old has it down. She gets it. Why, then is it so hard for me?
Every night we read stories before bed. Most of the time it's a few Bible stories from one of her "Baby" Bibles and then another little night time book. Currently, the night time book is "Good Night Little Lamb."
Tonight was not unlike any other night. Before bed, we go potty. We brush teeth. We get paci. We pray.
It was my turn tonight. I climbed up into bed with Abby reached across her to grab the two books that were on her bedside table. 1. "Good Night Little Lamb" 2. "Baby" Bible. I figured that we'd read "Good Night Little Lamb" first and finish up with the Bible stories. Abby had other ideas.
As I pulled "Good Night Little Lamb" out first, I was abruptly stopped by a little voice saying, "No! Jesus first!"
That was it. "Jesus first!" She gets it. She gets what Jesus told us in Matthew 6: "Seek FIRST His Kingdom..." Jesus first.
Now, I know that it was simply her preference order tonight. Tomorrow may be different. But that little moment spoke to me. My two year old reminded me tonight how important it is to make sure Jesus is first. Before I crack open that Vince Flynn novel to put myself to sleep, I had better crack open The Word. Before I pop in and episode of "The Office," I had better pop into Jesus' words. I need to do a better job of make sure Jesus is first.
Why does it become so easy to make Jesus second or third. Why does it become so hard to consistently make Him first?
I pray that I can find that answer. I pray that I can respond the way God has called me to.
If my two year old can get it down, then, surely I can get it. Right?
Every night we read stories before bed. Most of the time it's a few Bible stories from one of her "Baby" Bibles and then another little night time book. Currently, the night time book is "Good Night Little Lamb."
Tonight was not unlike any other night. Before bed, we go potty. We brush teeth. We get paci. We pray.
It was my turn tonight. I climbed up into bed with Abby reached across her to grab the two books that were on her bedside table. 1. "Good Night Little Lamb" 2. "Baby" Bible. I figured that we'd read "Good Night Little Lamb" first and finish up with the Bible stories. Abby had other ideas.
As I pulled "Good Night Little Lamb" out first, I was abruptly stopped by a little voice saying, "No! Jesus first!"
That was it. "Jesus first!" She gets it. She gets what Jesus told us in Matthew 6: "Seek FIRST His Kingdom..." Jesus first.
Now, I know that it was simply her preference order tonight. Tomorrow may be different. But that little moment spoke to me. My two year old reminded me tonight how important it is to make sure Jesus is first. Before I crack open that Vince Flynn novel to put myself to sleep, I had better crack open The Word. Before I pop in and episode of "The Office," I had better pop into Jesus' words. I need to do a better job of make sure Jesus is first.
Why does it become so easy to make Jesus second or third. Why does it become so hard to consistently make Him first?
I pray that I can find that answer. I pray that I can respond the way God has called me to.
If my two year old can get it down, then, surely I can get it. Right?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Now we know
I was going to make my second post anything but about football. I've spent the last few hours going over different topics to write about after the games were over.
Now they're both over.
After that, how can I not write about these games?
The early game (Colts vs. Jets) was not one for the ages. There was nothing grand about the score or the defenses shutting anybody down. There was nothing great about it, that is, unless you watched it. Peyton Manning. Need I say more? He's always been good. He's always been better than good. But today he was great. Against a Rex Ryan defense that has been the best all season and has been near perfect in the postseason. Manning shredded them like cheese. He was precise. He was in control. 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. He looked great. Games like that are what he will be remembered for.
The late game (Saints vs. Vikings) wa s one for the ages. I can't lie. I wanted the Vikes to lose. I didn't like what they did to the Cowboys last weekend with under 2 minutes left and wanted to see them get a beat down this week. It didn't happen. At least not the way I thought. I wanted it to be with points. (Let me note here that I didn't want Favre to be injured in any way, but I wasn't going to shred a tear if he threw 2 interceptions). This beat down came in the form of pressure. Brett spent half the game on his back. The Saints defense was relentless. They never quit despite the way Favre played in the face of some pretty large bodies. I'll give him credit. He showed why he's been able to play for 19 years and start every game since he first went to Green Bay. Just one too many turnovers. Back and forth all night. No lead greater than 7. Two premier quarterbacks. And what did it come down to? A 2nd year player and a 40 yard field goal. Yes, the Vikings go their beat down. 3 points and they were crushed.
WHO DAT?
So now, we look on to February 7th. Miami. Colts vs. Saints. Two number one seeds meeting in the Superbowl. How many times has that happened in the last 15 years? I would guess, not many. This will be an interesting game. I'm pulling for the Colts, though. I'm not gonna buy the Team of Destiny stuff that they're throwing out for the Saints. Congrats on getting there guys, but I like the Colts too much to not root for them. I'm picking the Colts as well. As good as the Saints looked on offense and defense, I'm not gonna bet against Peyton. Not after today. He finds a way to win. He makes everyone around him look better. Pierre Garcon from Mount Union? That's D-3. I know them because I went to a D-3. But how many people know of Mount Union? Peyton makes D-3 look good.
Knowing that, I'm gonna walk on to the Colts next season. Maybe Peyton can make me look good enough to get on the team. Sure. You all believe that. He's good. He's not God.
So...here's my congrats to the Saints and my good luck the the Colts.
Now they're both over.
After that, how can I not write about these games?
The early game (Colts vs. Jets) was not one for the ages. There was nothing grand about the score or the defenses shutting anybody down. There was nothing great about it, that is, unless you watched it. Peyton Manning. Need I say more? He's always been good. He's always been better than good. But today he was great. Against a Rex Ryan defense that has been the best all season and has been near perfect in the postseason. Manning shredded them like cheese. He was precise. He was in control. 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. He looked great. Games like that are what he will be remembered for.
The late game (Saints vs. Vikings) wa s one for the ages. I can't lie. I wanted the Vikes to lose. I didn't like what they did to the Cowboys last weekend with under 2 minutes left and wanted to see them get a beat down this week. It didn't happen. At least not the way I thought. I wanted it to be with points. (Let me note here that I didn't want Favre to be injured in any way, but I wasn't going to shred a tear if he threw 2 interceptions). This beat down came in the form of pressure. Brett spent half the game on his back. The Saints defense was relentless. They never quit despite the way Favre played in the face of some pretty large bodies. I'll give him credit. He showed why he's been able to play for 19 years and start every game since he first went to Green Bay. Just one too many turnovers. Back and forth all night. No lead greater than 7. Two premier quarterbacks. And what did it come down to? A 2nd year player and a 40 yard field goal. Yes, the Vikings go their beat down. 3 points and they were crushed.
WHO DAT?
So now, we look on to February 7th. Miami. Colts vs. Saints. Two number one seeds meeting in the Superbowl. How many times has that happened in the last 15 years? I would guess, not many. This will be an interesting game. I'm pulling for the Colts, though. I'm not gonna buy the Team of Destiny stuff that they're throwing out for the Saints. Congrats on getting there guys, but I like the Colts too much to not root for them. I'm picking the Colts as well. As good as the Saints looked on offense and defense, I'm not gonna bet against Peyton. Not after today. He finds a way to win. He makes everyone around him look better. Pierre Garcon from Mount Union? That's D-3. I know them because I went to a D-3. But how many people know of Mount Union? Peyton makes D-3 look good.
Knowing that, I'm gonna walk on to the Colts next season. Maybe Peyton can make me look good enough to get on the team. Sure. You all believe that. He's good. He's not God.
So...here's my congrats to the Saints and my good luck the the Colts.
Friday, January 22, 2010
We've only just begun...
Well, I did it. I finally gave in to the pressure--and by pressure, I mean Dustin telling me one time that I needed to create a blog. I have now started a blog. A real shocker to anyone reading this, right?
Me: Reader, you're reading a blog.
You: Wow! I never would've guessed that this was a blog. (Probably because this guy's too good)
At least you're here.
When thinking of what my blog was going to be about I knew that it wouldn't be me if I didn't write about my faith in my Lord and what He is doing in my life. The One thing in life that completes it. That saves it. That sustains it. But how could I leave out my family? The most important people in my life this side of Heaven. God has blessed me too greatly to leave out my beautiful bride, my two wonderful princesses, the family who has loved me and the friends that should be family. And the very distant third is football. From pee-wee to NFL retirees...it's all fair game.
Starting this reminds me of a quote I read at Despair.Com: "Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much so much to so few."
Hopefully, you will come here to find more than it seems most bloggers offer and most readers read. Hopefully, you will come here and be blessed and have some fun.
Untill the next time: "May the Lord bless you and keep you."
Me: Reader, you're reading a blog.
You: Wow! I never would've guessed that this was a blog. (Probably because this guy's too good)
At least you're here.
When thinking of what my blog was going to be about I knew that it wouldn't be me if I didn't write about my faith in my Lord and what He is doing in my life. The One thing in life that completes it. That saves it. That sustains it. But how could I leave out my family? The most important people in my life this side of Heaven. God has blessed me too greatly to leave out my beautiful bride, my two wonderful princesses, the family who has loved me and the friends that should be family. And the very distant third is football. From pee-wee to NFL retirees...it's all fair game.
Starting this reminds me of a quote I read at Despair.Com: "Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much so much to so few."
Hopefully, you will come here to find more than it seems most bloggers offer and most readers read. Hopefully, you will come here and be blessed and have some fun.
Untill the next time: "May the Lord bless you and keep you."
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