But now let me take a moment to introduce you to Pocket Jesus.

Pocket Jesus meet my loyal readers…loyal readers meet Pocket Jesus…

So yesterday I ran out looking for the number birthday candles because I wanted my 1st picture to be of Jesus and 33 in birthday candles.  I opted for the numbers so that standing up 33 little cake candles wouldn’t be depressing and I could just see the candles being more like dominos and a pain.

So as I am checking out at Hobby Lobby they lady asks me, “So are you the one turning 33?”  To which I replied, “Yes.” and I chuckled because I knew what the candles were for.  She wished me a happy birthday and I was on my way. It was then when I got out to the car that I wondered if I looked pathetic for buying my own birthday candles.  Oh well…

So let’s give it up for Pocket Jesus posing with candles that are larger than he is.  I wondered if he feared me lighting them because they would melt his little plastic self.

Anytime I think about being 33 or someone I know turns 33 I remember back to a comment a person I know made when they turned 33.  They said (with an excitement I might add) – “It’s my Jesus year!  I am the same age as Jesus.”

When the comment was made, I had only been a believer for maybe 2 years.  But I found the comment odd for several reasons -

1. Jesus died a nasty, horrible death when he was 33.  Not something I would be excited about or want to happen to me.

2. Jesus also was born and passed through every year from 1 to 33…so you were actually the same age as Jesus every year.

3. It was just odd to me to compare your age to someone else’s.  It would be like saying, “I’m the same age as when Elvis took one too many and died.”

But as the time has passed between then and now, I have realized the thought process of turning 33 and comparing it to Jesus is actually more common than not.

So as I approached this milestone I thought what can I do to keep the semi-odd, random tradition going…and that’s when the idea of my new photo project came to mind.

So allow me to introduce you to the Pocket Jesus Project.

The Pocket Jesus Project is my attempt to introduce my dollar store Jesus action figure to my everyday life.  He fits perfectly in my pocket and will go with me wherever I go.

So the whole concept of wherever you go, whatever you do Jesus is with you – well my hope is for the next year that will be a literally reality for me and my pocket Jesus.

Sure the project will have some humor in it (wait till you see some of the ideas in my head) but there will be some thought provoking moments (I hope).

So starting Tuesday, March 31st the Pocket Jesus Project will start.

I hope you join in the fun and the journey of my Jesus year.

May He be with us always.