What I Am

Flashback - Edie Brickell song - What I am is What I am - You what you are, or what?

A first and important step in growing in character is to really take some time to understand who you really are - the whole picture - the good the bad and the ugly.

All of us are shaped uniquely and are given a certain type of personality - but the story does not have to end there -our experiences shape us but it it God who transforms us. Every personality has strengths and weaknesses - and our desire should be for God to transform those weaknesses in our life.

Not only that - but our positive knowing of ourselves should also be focused outward to the positive knowing of others so that we can better understand and serve them.

That's what I've been preaching about right now - you can listen to the messages at horizonschurch.com

What I am discovering is that relationships take a lot of work and a lot of vulnerability -and that's tough stuff, but it also makes for GREAT relationships.

On a personal note - Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Sean Taylor who was murdered this past week(he is a football player for the Redskins)

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Life Swap

Have you ever had a time in your life when you could swap lives with someone else because you think they have a better life. As a pastor, and just as a person I have come to realize that everyone and I mean EVERYONE has problems. Alot of our problems are spiritual, financial or physical but we also have alot of relational problems. This week - actually tomorrow as I write this we are beginning a new series that will focus on how we can understand and relate to one another better - so make sure to come or listen in at horizonschurch.com

On another note - my Redskins lost in a heartbreaking fashion last Sunday to the Eagles and now they have to go to Dallas and try and get a win against a very good Cowboys team - yeah that's right, I admitted that the Cowboys are good - you hear me Deb or Missy - btw - how does a true Redskin fan marry a cowboys fan - if you want to understand that - then ask our youth pastor Andy Rogers.

Went to the Crowder concert last Sunday - WOW! What a cool time of worship and great music.
I am still digging the new Crowder CD.

TV Show Update

Heroes - back and forth, but last week was very fulfilling.

Survivor - same ole' and yet I'm still watching -love the human dynamics

Overall, life is good - brighter days ahead - especially because this Thursday is National Pumpkin Pie Day - OK - better known as Thanksgiving - but YUMMY.

Talk at you soon - thanks for your prayers

Rich

Winner

That's how God sees you! Sometimes we look in the mirror and see a different picture.

I know this is another football reference, but you are reading my blog :)

So, this was the week of the comeback kid - for my Redskins, in both my fantasy football leagues and it's the message I want to focus on for this week - You may feel like you are losing the game of life right now - you may be down some points in the fourth quarter, but don't quit - keep holding on - keep praying and believing because victory is often just around the corner.

So the Redskins basically were losing the entire game, but they put together a 4th quarter drive and then won the game in overtime - and in both my fantasy leagues I was behind but thanks to Big Ben and the Steeler Tenacious D I had dramatic come from behind shocking victories(sorry Jim Black and JP(John Pennington, my brother))- well I'm not really sorry, just...don't even know what to say....better luck with someone else...

OK - need your prayers because I start a new sermon series Nov 18 called Life Swap - it's about how we need to think about and be concerned for the needs of others, more on that to come.

Talk at you soon.