Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

mckaycaston.com

Living All of Life in View of the Cross

Filed under: reflections

Thoughts on a Comeback

Today Auburn pulled off what most have to admit was a remarkable comeback victory over Alabama. Down 24-0 in the second quarter, the Tigers walked away with a 28-27 win. Here are some reflections on how that game reveals a lot about the rest of life.

  1. When things look impossible, they aren't.
  2. Stick to what you do best. Don't play someone else's game.
  3. Don't panic, and don't give up.
  4. Setbacks are part of the game.
  5. It helps to have a hero.
  6. The best is yet to come.

Right now, I'm watching the Oregon Ducks play Arizona. Oregon is the team that Auburn likely will play if they defeat South Carolina next week in the SEC Championship game in Hotlanta. Oregon isn't in the SEC, but man, they look really, really good. Just for the sake of watching some good football, I'd love to see an Auburn and Oregon National Championship game.  Actually, I would like to see an Ole Miss versus anybody National Championship game. But that is unlikely in my lifetime. Maybe in my dreams. Good night. :)

Reflections at 41

While enjoying a birthday rest yesterday afternoon, in a state of semi-grogishness I began to reflect on being 41. Here are some of those thoughts. They are not necessarily deep or profound, nor in any particular order... and I'll probably add a few more before the day is out.

  1. I've finally made enough mistakes to have some helpful experience.
  2. Unfortunately, I realize that I have lots of mistakes left in me... so those folks who are 81 are the ones to look to for the most helpful experience. After all, Moses didn't even really get out of the gate until 80.
  3. "Assuming" is almost always a mistake.
  4. I think I know myself better than ever, which is scary. When I was in my 20s, I thought I was kind of okay. Now I have discovered what a mess I really am. 
  5. I'm realizing that I'll never read all of the books that I want to read, nor write all the books that I want to write. So relax, McKay. Go take that nap by the fire.
  6. I think I just might be mortal after all. 
  7. I wish I had prayed more– not ritually or formally, but relationally to God as my Abba, Father... just talking, being real, honest, needy. Why not begin now?
  8. I do not feel old. Tired, yes. But not necessarily "old." Maybe 40 really is the new 30.
  9. Sentimental idealism is slowly being replaced with biblical realism. 
  10. The world (especially my own heart) looks darker and more evil that it used to, but the gospel is looking brighter and more hopeful than it used to as well.
  11. I have come to hate duty bound, legalistic, rule-oriented, petty, ingrown, spirit-less, two-faced, hypocritical religion; mainly because feeling quite comfortable in that context is one of my biggest sins.
  12. I long for a church that "glorifies God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the gospel"... period.
  13. I am thankful for a wife who loves me the way the Bible defines love, not as reward, but as grace.
  14. I am grateful for my children. I believe that they genuinely love Jesus because they know Jesus genuinely loves them.  And though they struggle with their own sin natures, I see the Spirit cultivating a real desire to obey and honor me. I don't deserve it, but they still desire it, and express it in so many thoughtful ways.
  15. Some decisions that I would NOT change if I had the chance: asking Kristy to be my wife, going to seminary to study, becoming a teaching pastor, having our children, and choosing to live and plant a new church in Dahlonega, GA, my "briar patch."
  16. I'd like to cut down on my face-time with my email, and replace that with face-time with my wife and kids.
  17. I don't just want to preach "good sermons," but raw and uncut messages that storm Golgatha, because the cross is our only hope.
  18. I want to be more of an evangelist for the gospel than I am for my Mac. 

"Where the Wild Things Are"- Reflections

The film version of Where the Wild Things Are is not at all what I was expecting. It was far deeper... and far darker. Here are a few post-film reflections.

1. We are all "sons of dysfunction" and have beastly/sinful tendencies.

2. Our beast within that expresses itself in various personality and temperament quirks, which inevitably create interpersonal conflict.

3. Nevertheless, we long for a community where we can be real and accepted at the same time- personal funkiness and all.

4. In a word, we long to be... happy.

5. And we long for a "sovereign king" who can fulfill that dream of happieness in the context of genuine community.

6. We try to kill kings (whether literally or figuratively) who do not live up to our expectations.

7. The fact is that no mere beast can fulfill that dream. He must come from another world, express unexpected kindness, so that we can learn that it is love expressed toward the unlovely and beastly that is the power that fulfills the dream and changes people deeply.

8. Enter Jesus, who came to the land "where the wild things are"... reveal the cross, where the king, out of love, allowed himself to be killed for the beasts... and gather the church, a community of loved beasts whose lives sing the tones of grace in worship of the one who has loved them with the ultimate love.

 

​