As we have the mid-year point, I want to share with you some of my favorites from 2016 in a variety of categories. Except for books, these are all items that were released or took place in 2016. For books, I include my favorite books that I’ve actually read during 2016. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think by clicking on the ‘Comment’ link above.
MUSIC: I enjoy music in a variety of genres. My favorites were:
Albums
Top Pick: Church Clothes 3 – Lecrae
Other albums that I’ve enjoyed have been:
Wow to the Deadness (EP) – Steve Taylor and the Danielson Foil
Fallen Angels – Bob Dylan
Stranger to Stranger – Paul Simon
Hymns II – Michael W. Smith
Salvation’s Tide is Rising – Passion
Love Riot – Newsboys
Worship and Believe – Steven Curtis Chapman
This Time Around (EP) – Tedashjii
Facing a Task Unfinished – Keith and Kristyn Getty
I’m really looking forward to two July releases – Where the Light Shines Through by Switchfoot and Hard Love by NEEDTOBREATHE .
Songs
Top pick: Jumped Out the Whip – Tedashii
Other songs I’ve enjoyed have been:
Float – Switchfoot
My Worth Is Not In Not In What I Own – Keith and Kristyn Getty with Fernando Ortega
Vaporized – Amos Lee
That Old Black Magic – Bob Dylan
It Is What It Is – Lecrae
God and God Alone – Chris Tomlin
I Trust in Christ – Matt Redman
Wow to the Deadness – Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil
Cool Papa Bell – Paul Simon
Down to the River to Pray – Michael W. Smith
I Don’t Know Why (Jesus Loves Me) – Michael W. Smith
White Bikini – Charlie Peacock
Happiness – NEEDTOBREATHE
Concerts
Top pick: Lecrae in Peoria
We’ve only seen one concert this year thus far, but I am looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney at the Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee in early July.
BOOKS: In this category, while some of the books will have been released in 2016, I list those books I have actually read in 2016. My favorites are:
Top pick: The Whole Christ – Sinclair Ferguson
Others books that I’ve enjoyed have been:
Unashamed – Lecrae
Living Forward – Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
The Legends Club – John Feinstein
Core Christianity – Michael Horton
Simply My Window – Pam Hodel
Ichthus: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the Saviour – Sinclair Ferguson and Derek Thomas
The Gospel According to Daniel – Bryan Chapell
J.I. Packer: An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken
Prayer by Tim Keller
Dispatches from the Front by Tim Keesee
Intentional Living by John Maxwell
Christians Get Depressed Too – David Murray
Surprised by Suffering – R.C. Sproul
The Blessing of Humility – Jerry Bridges
Parables – John MacArthur
The Cardinals Way – Howard Megdal
The Ideal Team Player – Patrick Lencioni
Paul McCartney: The Life – Philip Norman
A Camaraderie of Confidence – John Piper
Living in the Light – John Piper
See what I’m reading now.
MOVIES: We usually see at least one movie a week. Here are the best – and the worst – of what we’ve seen this far.
Top Pick: The BFG
Others I have enjoyed are:
Zootopia
Captain America: Civil War
The Jungle Book
10 Cloverfield Lane
Room
Brooklyn
45 Years
Risen
Eye in the Sky
Finding Dory
Unfortunately, there have been a number of poor movies we’ve seen as well. Here is the list of my worst movies thus far:
Hail, Caesar!
Batman v. Superman
Mother’s Day
Elvis & Nixon
A Hologram for the King
Kung Fu Panda
TELEVISION PROGRAMS: 
Top Pick: Downton Abbey
Other programs that I’ve enjoyed are:
Blacklist
Blindspot
The Night Manager (miniseries)
PODCASTS:
Top Pick: Albert Mohler’s The Briefing.
Each weekday morning, Albert Mohler hosts a podcast providing worldview analysis about the leading news headlines and cultural conversations. This is required listening for me. Check out Dr. Mohler’s website.
BLOG:
Top Pick: Tim Challies’ Ala Carte.
This is required reading for me each Monday through Saturday. Challies includes helpful Kindle deals, links to a good variety of helpful articles and a quote. Check out Tim’s website.
RECOMMENDED NEW RESOURCE:
The Babylon Bee, “Your Trusted Source for Christian News Satire” has been a welcome addition. Check out their website.
These are my favorites in a variety of categories at mid-year. What about you? Please share your favorites by clicking on the Comment link.
