Was Jesus there?

While reminiscing about the fun we had at Sonshine music festival, I started searching through old pictures. What a good time! The music, our friends, the sun (or the lack of), the wind, and of course pancakes and ramen.
However, in one picture I noticed that we all look extremely sad, so I studied it further. I came to notice some funny faces: I was wondering where and the heck did Rachel get lemons before the picture? Why is Kelsie so pissed off? When did Dalton learn to levitate? Who is Emily even looking at? And when did Ally’s lip get stung by a bee?
But as I focused more, right above Grants beautiful noggin,about 4 feet north and 1 foot west of marks orange cupcakes, I gazed at a strange face-like figure. I squinted my eyes, backed away, and looked closer. I couldn’t figure what it looked like. Then I may have noticed a beard… some eyes. Could it be? I started getting excited. Did I see Jesus, or is it Billy Mays? Looking more and squinting harder, I couldn’t tell!!!
Who is it?

Spring cleaning

So I just recently cleaned out my car for the first time in a long time. (apparently)

Here is a short list of some of the more interesting things I found:

3 packs of guitar strings from what looks like 2003
Unopened easter candy from LAST Easter
7 (count em') 7 bingo dabbers!
My actual birth certificate
A ticket stub from a summer music festival I went to back in 2007
A neon yellow softball I received as a gift for being a ring bearer in my uncle's wedding when I was 6.
An old Playstation 2 memory card (I wonder what's saved on it?!)
Two free lift tickets to Afton Alps
Numerous cd cases without cd's in them
A post-it note with directions on how to get to the Omaha Zoo
A map of downtown Minneapolis torn from a phone book (i kept that because one time I got really lost walking around)


I can't tell you how many times I saw the old easter candy in the glove box over the past year, only to close it and say to myself "Don't worry, I'll eat that soon." Now, I think there is a lesson in here somewhere about hoarding being a sin. I can't quite come up with anything at the moment. I mostly just wanted to share with you the magic that can happen on my days off from work. :)

Markonius L. Richards IV

The art of being 6'1"

Since I was a teenager I have had this theory. I believe that short men get less respect than their above average height counterparts. Google it....I'm sure some scholarly journal has done numerous studies that show it is easier to get ahead in life while sitting above 5'10". (Average male height)

So my motto, so to speak, when getting ahead in life is this.....think 6'1"

I feel that if I imagine myself and carry myself around like I'm 6'1"....folks will take me more seriously. People will say yes more to my requests. Doors will magically open for me. I will get more respect for the simple fact that I am at eye level with you. (by you I mean all other males)

How does this effect my luck with "the ladies" you ask? My wife will be more inclined to wear heels more often....which she likes to do because she is a classy gal. Everybody wins. :)

By now I hope you can tell that I'm being a bit facetious. Long ago I came to terms with my apparent lack the height genes and just went on being my big ol' 5'8" self. You know who else was a small guy? That Zacchaeus guy in the bible. You remember, that tax collector who climbed up a tree to get a better glimpse of Jesus because he couldn't see over the crowd of people?

Then look what happens. Out of the blue Jesus stops under the tree and invites Zacchaeus to have him (Jesus) stay in his house! (Zacchaeus's house) This is a huge deal because tax collectors back in those days were a pretty despicable bunch. But Jesus reaches out to Zacchaeus despite his "small" stature among men, both socially and physically.

So there you have it. A story where the short guy is redeemed by the power of God. It doesn't really matter where you stand with the culture of this world. Jesus saw in Zacchaeus what he sees in every one of us....sinners needing salvation. And no matter where we stand amongst the crowd, He will always seek us out. :)

Markonius L. Richards IV