I was a different person...

Ever hear that person who treated you no so friendly before use the excuse they were a different person at that time? I've heard it said quite a bit, and to be honest, the main person I've heard say it is myself. It's such a constant battle to fight unfriendliness to those who seem to have a hidden agenda. In my experience, if I'm too nice they'll walk over me even more. More recently, I've tried to go out of my way to help people because life is not just about pleasing ourselves.

I've been told a few times recently that I don't shove my "religion" down others' throats. While I wouldn't classify my faith as a "religion", more so as a means to an end to a new beginning, and certainly based on a personal relationship.

Now that I've been "preachy", it's time to focus on the point of this blog. With any lifestyle modification there comes temptation. There's so many stressers out there to make someone who constantly stress eats go insane. I'm back on track now, but there have been many challenges. So much is heavily based on my spiritual growth at the moment. I faced the challenge of what kind of comedian to "brand" myself, which was never an issue before, yet it keeps coming up in my personal life. I have enjoyed bringing the comedy that I do into places that your average "Christian" comedian wouldn't dare set foot in. It's been a wonderful challenge, and a greater reward to see how much lives can change. Remember, Jesus didn't meet the woman at the well in a church service. I posted this quote on my twitter the other day, but it ring true for my heart, which is being challenged everyday to be conformed to likeness of my Savior.

"Comparing your success to someone else's is like putting a value over two totally different passions & the hearts that beat within them, discrediting one over the other, no matter how many peoples' lives they've impacted..." - Me

Okay, so I'm not rolling in the dough doing what I love to do, but that doesn't matter cause what else would I be doing? They say you should always have a back-up plan. Comedy is my back-up plan!

Today has been a great day health wise. My novel is coming a long. I'm currently on chapter 8 of the first book, which in case I haven't told you it's a 3-part book.

I apologize to those who I haven't been as faithful to post updates to. I still love all of you! Thank you for letting me share my life with you and for all those who encourage me! If you're in the Dayton, OH area this Thursday, June 2nd, come out to the Dayton Funny Bone for a great show which I'll be hosting!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Titus 3:7 - "so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

The Crown I Wear...

It's been a few days, possibly almost a week since I updated all of you. The competition I was in, the World Series of Comedy in Dayton, OH went okay. I didn't win, but it was a great experience! The crowd actually warmed up great after I performed, which was pointed out to me by some of the comics, who said they were sure I would place for that reason. Honestly, I didn't share the same enthusiasm, but still had a great time. I managed to throw in a slam on Xenia, OH, which I actually was inspired to do so by attending a Tim Hawkins' show where I saw him do it.

This Friday I'm performing my very first political rally, which should be an interesting experience to say the least. I can't stand politics anymore. There's certain issues I feel passionately about, but neither side really has my full support. It totally depends on the issues, and the candidates. That's as much as I'll say.

It hasn't been a very big struggle for me, but the last several month it's been weighing on my heart what type of comedian I will be. There's comics who are dirty (which I won't ever be), and there's those who brand themselves, "Christian Comedians", which I don't think is wrong. I've heard comics say they're a comedian who happens to be a Christian, and vice versa. I will admit I've pushed the envelope a few times, but try hard not to. It's easy to get edgy when people are laughing, which I don't think makes it totally right.

One story I recall that totally reaffirms making what I do to be pleasing to God is about Tiffany Arbuckle, who's the lead singer of the band, Plumb. I read years ago, she was about to leave the music industry. She felt her career was over, and not going anywhere. Close to the end when she was about to wrap it all up, she got a letter from a fan that told her they had contemplated suicide, but her music helped convince them not to go through with it. Rather than quit the music industry, she stayed in, and has been going strong ever since. There's so many people out there watching, and listening to what we do. As it relates to comedy, I have the opportunity to make someone forget about their troubles even for a short period of time. How vulnerable can it be to make someone laugh. Try getting on stage with no one else up there to back you up, and make a room full of strangers laugh. It's not as easy as it looks. I should know, because I ran into that myth when I first started. I've been told I'm not funny. I've been kicked off the stage. Some people call it paying your dues. I call it learning from your mistakes.

So as I finish this entry up, I promise I'll talk about the weight-loss journey more tomorrow, but I would like to reiterate the label which I fall under. You will soon know my story, which I'm writing. You will soon see my heart, my passion, and my calling, the crown I wear, and the cost that was paid for me to attain it. It's a strange world we live in.

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

2 Timothy 4:8 - "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."