As we approach mid-year, I wanted to take a quick look back and share some of my favorite music, books, movies and a new podcast.
Music
I enjoy music in a variety of genres. As a result, you will see in my 2015 favorites thus far music in such diverse genres as hip-hop/rap to sacred music. My favorites thus far, in order are:
Albums:
- Saints and Sinners – Matt Maher
- Before This World – James Taylor
- Glory to the Holy One: Sacred Music for the People of God – Jeff Lippencott and R.C. Sproul
- Shadows in the Night – Bob Dylan
- Tomorrow We Live – KB
- Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship – Third Day
- Duets: Reworking the Catalogue – Van Morrison
- Live from Red Rocks – Amos Lee
- Live from the Woods – NEEDTOBREATHE
- The Wonderlands: Sunlight (EP) – Jon Foreman
- Passion: Even So Come – Various Artists
Albums that I’m aware of being released later this year that I’m looking forward to are:
- Unbroken Praise – Matt Redman (June 16)
- The Wonderlands: Shadows (EP) – Jon Foreman (July 17)
- This is Not a Test – Toby Mac (August 7)
Songs:
Top choice is “Abide with Me” written and performed by Matt Maher. Matt Redman has also covered the song on his new live worship album Unbroken Praise. Other songs I’ve enjoyed thus far this year, in no particular order are:
- Soul on Fire – Third Day
- Sideways – KB (featuring Lecrae)
- Wonder – Crowder
- Even So Come – Chris Tomlin
- Clothed in Righteousness – Jeff Lippencott and R.C. Sproul
- That Lucky Old Sun – Bob Dylan
- Watchin’ Over Me –James Taylor
- Sweet Pea (live version) – Amos Lee
Books
In this category, while many of the books will have been released in 2015, I list those books I have actually read in 2015. My favorites thus far, in order are:
- Reformation Study Bible (revised and updated edition)
- Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression – Zack Eswine
- A Loving Life: In a World of Broken Relationships – Paul Miller
- Counter Culture: A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture in a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Abortion, Persecution, Orphans and Pornography- David Platt
- Rising to the Call: Discover the Ultimate Purpose of Your Life – Os Guinness
- John Knox: Fearless Faith – Steven Lawson
- Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work – Tom Nelson
- The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert – Rosaria Butterfield
- The Next Story: Faith, Friends, Family, and the Digital World (revised and updated edition) – Tim Challies
- Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story – Trip Lee
- The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do – Jeff Goins
- Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty – Bengie Molina
- Chess Not Checkers: Elevate Your Leadership Game – Mark Miller
- The New One Minute Manager – Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
- The Mingling of Souls: God’s Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption – Matt Chandler
See what I’m reading now.
Movies
We love going to the movies, but frankly it’s been a very disappointing year so far. My favorites thus far, in order are:
- Avengers: The Age of Ultron
- Cinderella
- McFarland USA
- Woman in Gold
- The Drop Box
- Far From the Madding Crowd
New Podcast
Over the past few years Eric Metaxas has become one of my favorite authors. I was excited to hear about his radio show and even more excited when it became available in podcast.
What are some of your favorites thus far this year?
