As a longtime Peyton Manning fan, I have found it perplexing to hear some people assert that if the Broncos do not win Super Bowl 48 it somehow tarnishes Peyton’s overall legacy. I disagree with this. I submit that Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game of football (if not the greatest), and this is true whether Denver wins or loses on February 2nd.
This is going to be Peyton’s third Super Bowl appearance. Thus far he has won one and lost one. No one will dispute that Dan Marino was a fantastic quarterback, and he had one Super Bowl appearance (which he lost). No one would dispute that Brett Favre was also a fantastic quarterback; he had two Super Bowl appearances (he won one and lost the other). Active quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are also great, and to this point, each has one Super Bowl appearance. This is certainly not to minimize Marino, Favre, etc. My point here is Manning has accomplished a lot in both his regular season and postseason career.
Yet in spite of this, many still call Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback in the regular season, who allegedly ‘chokes’ in the postseason. Clearly, this is false. It is obvious that Peyton has the capacity to win in the postseason. He has helped three different squads get to the Super Bowl, twice with the Colts, and once with the Broncos.
Kevin
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
A simple but true thought
The reality of the Super Bowl is someone is going to lose. I know that’s an obvious and simple thought, but stay with me on this one. While I certainly love the idea of having a Super Bowl, I have to admit that every year I always have a tinge of sadness for the team who loses. Think about it. Here is a team that fought, battled, endured blood, sweat, and tears only to lose in the Super Bowl.
What makes it worse is that the losing team is generally remembered as nothing more than a failure (if they are even remembered at all). All that hard work; all the success they enjoyed to get to the big game, but then you lose and you are relegated to being considered nothing more than the loser. This is really unfortunate. They should be remembered as the best team in their conference.
In fact, as many of you NFL fans know, for years in the NFL there was no Super Bowl; the AFC would have their championship game and so would the NFC, and the season would end there. There was an AFC champion and NFC champion and that was it. But then someone had the idea to have the winner of the AFC and the winner of the NFC play each other in what was coined the Super Bowl. This was, of course, almost 50 years ago. While it was a great idea, I think as a result of that decision, today many fans undervalue and denigrate the overall reputation of the team that loses the Super Bowl rather than applaud the fact that they made it to the big game in the first place.
Kevin
What makes it worse is that the losing team is generally remembered as nothing more than a failure (if they are even remembered at all). All that hard work; all the success they enjoyed to get to the big game, but then you lose and you are relegated to being considered nothing more than the loser. This is really unfortunate. They should be remembered as the best team in their conference.
In fact, as many of you NFL fans know, for years in the NFL there was no Super Bowl; the AFC would have their championship game and so would the NFC, and the season would end there. There was an AFC champion and NFC champion and that was it. But then someone had the idea to have the winner of the AFC and the winner of the NFC play each other in what was coined the Super Bowl. This was, of course, almost 50 years ago. While it was a great idea, I think as a result of that decision, today many fans undervalue and denigrate the overall reputation of the team that loses the Super Bowl rather than applaud the fact that they made it to the big game in the first place.
Kevin
Monday, January 20, 2014
A 'super' Super Bowl matchup
Well, the matchup for Super Bowl 48 is set. It is very exciting that the AFC will be represented by the Denver Broncos. Denver will square off against the Seattle Seahawks on February 2nd.
In the two weeks leading up to the game, I’m going to write several different blog installments about the Super Bowl, some of the players involved, and eventually I’ll offer up my prediction for who I think will win (although I’m sure you can already guess who I’ll pick).
For today I just wanted to express my congratulations to both the Broncos and the Seahawks for making it to the final game. It should be a great contest. Being a Denver native and Bronco fan since I was a very small boy, I’m obviously biased toward the Broncos and will be rooting for them to win, but I’m also happy for the Seahawks for getting to the big game as well.
Kevin
In the two weeks leading up to the game, I’m going to write several different blog installments about the Super Bowl, some of the players involved, and eventually I’ll offer up my prediction for who I think will win (although I’m sure you can already guess who I’ll pick).
For today I just wanted to express my congratulations to both the Broncos and the Seahawks for making it to the final game. It should be a great contest. Being a Denver native and Bronco fan since I was a very small boy, I’m obviously biased toward the Broncos and will be rooting for them to win, but I’m also happy for the Seahawks for getting to the big game as well.
Kevin
Saturday, January 18, 2014
"Do not worry about your life"
Check out these wise, instructive words from Jesus:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
Comprised in this passage, Jesus emphatically states not to worry three different times (verses 25, 31, and 34). In fact, Jesus’ perspective is that it is absolutely useless to worry. I love verse 27: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” There’s no point in worrying. We don’t accomplish anything when we do so.
In my own life, I’ve learned that the things I’m tempted to worry about don’t even come to pass anyway. Don’t get me wrong: I’m as susceptible to worrying as anyone. Believe me I know the temptation to worry, and I can’t honestly claim that I never do so. But I’ve learned over and over again that it is so much better to simply put my trust in God rather than worry; I know that ultimately He will take care of me.
Kevin
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
Comprised in this passage, Jesus emphatically states not to worry three different times (verses 25, 31, and 34). In fact, Jesus’ perspective is that it is absolutely useless to worry. I love verse 27: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” There’s no point in worrying. We don’t accomplish anything when we do so.
In my own life, I’ve learned that the things I’m tempted to worry about don’t even come to pass anyway. Don’t get me wrong: I’m as susceptible to worrying as anyone. Believe me I know the temptation to worry, and I can’t honestly claim that I never do so. But I’ve learned over and over again that it is so much better to simply put my trust in God rather than worry; I know that ultimately He will take care of me.
Kevin
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Concluding thoughts on 2013
As 2013 is drawing to a close, I’m feeling reflective. I’m thinking about how there have been episodes of acute pain in my life this year. This is undeniable. But, thankfully, at the same time, there have also been moments of delightful bliss as well.
One of my blessings in 2013 is all of you, my beloved readers. I’m so blessed and humbled that you would choose to invite me into your house, in a way. It’s a tremendous gift to me, and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for that. I don’t know what 2014 holds, but I do know that I’m going to continue to write installments in this blog.
I’ll conclude with a Bible verse. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (NASB). Yes, amen! All the glory, honor, and praise goes to the spectacular God of the universe.
Talk to you all in 2014!
Kevin
One of my blessings in 2013 is all of you, my beloved readers. I’m so blessed and humbled that you would choose to invite me into your house, in a way. It’s a tremendous gift to me, and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for that. I don’t know what 2014 holds, but I do know that I’m going to continue to write installments in this blog.
I’ll conclude with a Bible verse. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (NASB). Yes, amen! All the glory, honor, and praise goes to the spectacular God of the universe.
Talk to you all in 2014!
Kevin
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
My Christmas blog
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18)
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
“When I saw him [Jesus], I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever!” (Revelation 1:17)
Merry Christmas to all!
Kevin
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18)
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
“When I saw him [Jesus], I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever!” (Revelation 1:17)
Merry Christmas to all!
Kevin
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Where is your hope?
One of the definitions that dictionary.com gives for the word hope is “a person or thing in which expectations are centered.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that you can inadvertently put your hope in the wrong thing. I think this is a common occurrence; it is certainly something that I struggle with from time to time in my life.
Let me give an example: I’ve gotten so swept up in the success that the Denver Broncos are having that I’ve had visions of Denver going all the way to the Super Bowl and winning. But what happens if they don’t? What happens if the defense is not strong enough to win a championship (particularly now that Von Miller is out for the rest of the year)? It’s easy for fans to put their hope in success for an NFL team, but that is much too unpredictable a source.
At this time of year, I think it’s easy to put your hope in the fact that you will get the perfect Christmas gift. But it may result in disappointment. You’ve asked for the hottest new trend or gadget, but instead you may get something that is a complete disappointment and it will ruin your Christmas, that is, if you have put your hope in that. Christmas gifts are great, but this is not where one should put their hope, either. They should only be the cherry on top, as it were.
As a single man, I naturally gravitate toward putting all my hope in the fact that one day I will get married. So I have another Christmas without a wife this year, what does that do to me emotionally? It does a lot if I’ve inadvertently put my hope exclusively in having a spouse. To be sure, a husband or a wife is a gift from God, but a finite human being cannot be your source of hope. The reason for this is because a spouse, no matter how wonderful, is not perfect and will let you down from time to time.
So where, then, should we put our hope? Most of you can see where I’m going with this, can’t you? The Bible gives us the answer in Psalm 42. The Psalmist is pouring out his angst to God. Perhaps he too put his hope where it shouldn’t be. But then in verse 5, we read, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Where should we put our hope? We should put our hope in the God of the universe. Anyone or anything else is completely inadequate.
Kevin
Let me give an example: I’ve gotten so swept up in the success that the Denver Broncos are having that I’ve had visions of Denver going all the way to the Super Bowl and winning. But what happens if they don’t? What happens if the defense is not strong enough to win a championship (particularly now that Von Miller is out for the rest of the year)? It’s easy for fans to put their hope in success for an NFL team, but that is much too unpredictable a source.
At this time of year, I think it’s easy to put your hope in the fact that you will get the perfect Christmas gift. But it may result in disappointment. You’ve asked for the hottest new trend or gadget, but instead you may get something that is a complete disappointment and it will ruin your Christmas, that is, if you have put your hope in that. Christmas gifts are great, but this is not where one should put their hope, either. They should only be the cherry on top, as it were.
As a single man, I naturally gravitate toward putting all my hope in the fact that one day I will get married. So I have another Christmas without a wife this year, what does that do to me emotionally? It does a lot if I’ve inadvertently put my hope exclusively in having a spouse. To be sure, a husband or a wife is a gift from God, but a finite human being cannot be your source of hope. The reason for this is because a spouse, no matter how wonderful, is not perfect and will let you down from time to time.
So where, then, should we put our hope? Most of you can see where I’m going with this, can’t you? The Bible gives us the answer in Psalm 42. The Psalmist is pouring out his angst to God. Perhaps he too put his hope where it shouldn’t be. But then in verse 5, we read, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Where should we put our hope? We should put our hope in the God of the universe. Anyone or anything else is completely inadequate.
Kevin
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