Greatest Sharpshooter Ever...

UPDATE TIME!! Life is going, that's for sure. No complaints here. I've had some great shows recently, which got great laughs, but that's not why I define them as great. The measuring stick for me considering they were great is the mere fact that I had fun doing them! It's important to enjoy what you do, and for a while it seems like I've been on auto-pilot with some of my shows. There's a point where you worry, especially when you know there's industry people watching you, which makes it hard to cut loose and enjoy the moment. Believe it or not the show I had the most fun at was an open mic! The reason I enjoyed it so much is because I got to work the audience a little and even poke fun at someone I've known since kindergarten, (all clean of course...)

Eating wise, I no longer stress eat, and getting a better grasp of managing my time. I enjoy singing karaoke now, which I probably wouldn't have done a year ago. Exercise keeps coming, especially in the form of walking. I find it funny when people complain about how far I park from the entrance in store parking lots. For me personally, I like it because it helps me avoid accidents, it's easier to get out, and good exercise to walk.

In case you're wondering why I posted the above picture, it's a representation of what I feel I've accomplished. Yeah, sounds weird, but this picture is of my ALL-TIME favorite wrestler, Bret "The Hitman" Hart applying his finishing move on "Mr.Perfect" Curt Hennig which was when he defeated him to win his first major singles' title, the WWF Intercontinental Championship. This was from Summerslam 1991, and is actually my favorite match of all-time, and in my opinion, the greatest sharpshooter Bret Hart ever applied. From this victory, it catapulted him from being a tag team wrestler to a great singles' competitor, and eventually set it up for him to win the World Heavyweight Championship 7 times. For me, it's a matter of reaching the first pinnacle of my comedy career (short as it's been...) When I first started, I was determined to work with Thor Ramsey. I thought it would only take me a few months, but that turned into almost 4 years, but God blessed me with that opportunity, and even to do a DVD with him! It doesn't end there as with your own hopes and dreams. You shoot higher! That's what I'm doing!

Not much else going on... Thank you for your continued support!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Psalm 37:4 - "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Been Singing A Lot Lately...

Thank goodness it's the weekend, which really doesn't matter for me, because most shows I do are on weekends. I got my substitute teaching license renewed this week, cause I really need the material. It's actually fun for me to sub for the most part anyway. It has its days.

What a week, indeed it was. My sister came into town and I got to go out to eat with her. Honestly, I didn't go crazy as much as I would've before. I don't even feel food driven anymore. Even had a discussion with one of the cashiers at Trader Joe's yesterday about my purchase, which was two bags of peeled carrots, which I now eat like candy. They fill me up too! I don't exclusively eat them, but it's definitely a better alternative than eating a bag of potato chips. I haven't weighed myself since last Friday, which was at the doctor's office where he said I'd lost 12 pounds since my last visit a month before.

A long with eating better, I'm getting out much more. My social life, if you want to call it that is much better. It's amazing the friends and acquaintances that God places in your life, especially at that particular phase of your life. I have several big shows coming up, which I'm most looking forward to. I've even been singing a lot of karaoke lately, which a year ago, I would've never done. Occasionally, I'll try to sing a song that's serious, or insightful, but I love to sing songs that make people laugh just to see me singing them, which explains my recent serenades of New Kids On The Block & The Backstreet Boys. I also recently sang Trashy Women by Confederate Railroad, which was hilarious.

Not much else to report at this time, except I'm alive and doing well. Be sure to check out my sponsor, Mioshe Apparel. www.miosheapparel.com Peace out jabronies...

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

Chasing The Dream... Enjoying The Journey...

Last week I had to go into the doctor's office for a check-up based on some new medication I've been taking. While it has nothing to do with the story, I give my doctor serious kudos for not charging me a fee for missing my appointment July 5th (as my brain wasn't functioning properly due to the mix-up with the holiday weekend.) Anywho, so I go in and of course do the regular weigh-in they always do as soon as they call you back. I made certain to set my notebook & clipboard down, so that doesn't get included in my weight, which normally I don't think of till after they take my weight. I don't usually keep track of my weight during my doctor visits.

To my surprise, he told me I'd lost 12 pounds since my last visit, which was about a month ago. Apparently, I'm more motivated and he was pleased. I've been walking a lot more, and certainly eating much better. Of course it's also a plus when you surround yourself with positive people who are willing to encourage you, and share your burdens as much as you should do the same for them.

On another positive note, I recently performed my first comedy show ata Womens' Retreat. It went super well! I got tons of great laughs! They say that women tend to laugh at comedy shows a lot more than men do. A big reason for this is men are afraid to laugh in front of the women they came with for fear of them not liking the joke resulting in a later argument. So it's important to make jokes that are appealing to women, if you're smart anyway.

At this time, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce one of my sponsors for my weight loss journey. Mioshe Apparel has graciously offered to sponsor my journey. They support a great cause that is dear to my heart, and I would like to encourage everyone to check them out at www.miosheapparel.com

Human trafficking is one of the worst crimes today, and they seek to help put an end to it. When you get a chance be sure to check them out.

So what does the future hold? One can be sure it won't be anything left to chance...
God bless & thank you for your continued support!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Ecclesiastes 8:7 - "Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?"

Still Going Strong & That My Friends... That's Cool!!!

Happy to report the Independence continues!! I'm even doing a Womens' Retreat this weekend... Wow, that should be nothing short of amazing! I bet I'll find plenty of them will respond, I go up & say, "Excuse Me..." by telling me I'm fine...

Lots of great things are happening. It's funny when you find out the people you hang around build you up rather than tear you down, which is why it's important to do the same for them, as you would have them do for you. I've been receiving a lot of encouragement. God has placed a number of wonderful people in my life within the past year. Several of which I had been praying for that type of friendship/relationship.

The life-style modification is holding. The biggest challenge for me this week, will be the arrival of my sister into town. Usually, the family wants to go out to eat, which I will probably be too busy anyway, but will make certain to spend quality time with my sis...

Been having a lot of fun lately, especially getting out of my comfort zone & even singing some karaoke!! I even sang a New Kids' song the other day! Love making people laugh, which is what it's all about. Got to meet some great pro wrestlers the other day, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Carlito, both of which did intros for my comedy videos!!! How awesome is that???

Anywho, thanks for tuning in to this edition. Love that you guys still care about my progress thanks for the prayers!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Independence Day 2011

For many who know this day, it's either associated with the birth of a great nation, or a sleeper movie hit from the 90's about aliens who try to enslave the human race and just happen to be defeated on July 4th. Whatever you remember it as, it has new meaning for me today. As life is all about re-commitments, this too is my re-commitment day. The past is the past, and it cannot be changed, but the future has yet to happen, and we can make a difference for the day we are guaranteed.

I encourage any of you who haven't yet, to follow me on twitter. twitter.com/richjonescomedy

My life is often an open book, and one that I seldom ever thought even I could get through. Great things are happening. I have a potential sponsor for this journey to be healthy. More on that as it comes. Also, I just started a comedy tour with some really great comedians. We are known as the Comedy Odyssey.

As well as the tour, I've been working on my first novel, as well as my first Indie Film, Ehahamony, which now includes involvement from a number of great comedians!! On board, we have Thor Ramsey, Kenn Kington, Jeffrey Jena, Derrick Tennant, Rik Roberts, Ken Groves, Dave & Brian, & more to come! I'm really excited about the response from my peers to be apart of this project.

Many would consider me a hypocrite for constantly struggling with the issue to maintain this challenge. Some people might even say I'm all talk. I will reiterate that life is full of re-commitments. Each day is a new challenge. Apart from Jesus Christ, I can do nothing.

I want to thank you for sticking it out with me, and stay tuned for more news regarding this challenge. God bless!! Happy Independence Day!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"

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."