All of my other words since 2007 have been verbs. Things I was trying to do or be to be more “Christian-like”. I have had some success and believe this has been a great exercise. However this year I really prayed and while reading a book about following Jesus I realized that I was trying to do everything on my own. I came to the conclusion that I know a ton ABOUT Jesus, but I am not intimately connected to Him. I really want to know Jesus this year, I want to read the Gospels with the perspective of learning about His character, what is He saying about Himself when He is teaching us through His parables and actions. I know His birth, death, and resurrection are paramount in the Christian Faith, but I really want to focus on the time He spent sharing Himself with us on this earth. I want Jesus to be my very first thought as I encounter the moments of my every day. I want to have Jesus taking residence in my heart and lording over my actions. If you know the football term “stiff arm”, that is me. Everything and everyone at an arms length. This year, I want to put down the stiff arm and let Jesus in and love this world and His people more like He does.