Reflections on Kurt Warner's Retirement

This past Friday, Kurt Warner, All-Pro and MVP quarterback retired from the NFL. It was expected but at the same time kinda sad. He went out on his own terms and did so while still having something left in the tank.

There are several things I've thought about in reflecting on Kurt. First, he's a great guy and a class act. He is someone who is strong in his faith and has reflected Christ both on and off the field. I must admit, I wasn't too happy when his team won the Super Bowl (the Rams back in Super Bowl XXXIV because they beat my Titans) but I admired the guy from where he came from. This was even more the case the past few years in Arizona. Though he was a rival to the Seahawks (who became my second team after living in Seattle for three years), I was really impressed by how he handled being a backup to Matt Leinart to coming in and lighting up the desert. I was rooting for Arizona last year in the Super Bowl and for Kurt.

There's always the debate about when one retires. In the end, I hold it's up to the person. Just as much as Brett Favre deserves to play as long as he wants, I think Kurt's right in deciding to retire now. God has blessed those who get to play the game with the ability and desire. I'm sure Kurt still loves the game but I believe he loves Jesus and his family more than the game and rightfully so.

Kurt, you will be missed and I hope you continue to do big things and serve God in whatever way He calls you to.

Sports Analogy: "The Backup Quarterback"

I shared this analogy with my small group in my church last month. It was one that I thought of when our small group leader asked the question "What has God taught you lately?"

Here's the analogy: I was spending the last year (2007) a starting quarterback on a team that wasn't successful. My contract was ending at the end of the year and I knew that it was time for me to move on. So I signed with a different team in another city. However, I went from being a starting quarterback to being the backup quarterback. I was not the one who was ultimately responsible. I was the one with the clipboard and the headset. But the team I came to was successful and was a winning team. And I was able to get excited and find joy again after being on a team that wasn't as successful. Also, as a "veteran", I've been able to share my experiences and advice to the "young starter" who's leading the team. I'm able to help him grow and through that help the team be even more successful. All the while, I'm still preparing knowing that at sometime I'll get a starting opportunity again and that can be at any moment.

It was for the best that I left Seattle. Even though I still love the city and the people, things just weren't working out being with the church plant I was with. Coming to Kansas City and being at Fellowship of Grace has been refreshing and renewing for me. Things are on the upswing and I'm excited to see how things will turn out. Sometimes a starter needs to get a view from the sidelines in order to better handle situations when you do get back on the field.