Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

My 2022 Mid-Year Favorites

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As I have done for several years now, I’m going share my favorites in a variety of categories for the first half of 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced this list once again, as we have not been to a conference and have seen very few movies. All items listed were released in 2022, with the exception of books, which reflect books that I read in 2022, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list!

Movies

Top Pick: Top Gun: Maverick. Here’s my review.

Other films that I have enjoyed, in order, were:

  • Belfast
  • King Richard
  • CODA
  • Jurassic World: Dominion
  • Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Books

Top Pick: Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution by Carl Trueman. Here’s my review.

Other books I have enjoyed, in order, have been:

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More Favorite Books, Music, Television, Blogs, Podcasts, Apps, Concerts, Conferences and Recommended Resources

  • The Flourishing Pastor: Recovering the Lost Art of Shepherd Leadership – Tom Nelson
  • R.C. Sproul: Defender of the Reformed Faith – Nate Pickowicz
  • Lessons for the Upper Room: The Heart of the Savior by Sinclair Ferguson
  • The Road to J.O.Y. Leading with Faith, Playing with Purpose, Leaving a Legacy by Scott Drew
  • Up and Down: Victories and Struggles in the Course of Life by Bubba Watson with Don Yaeger.
  • Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust – Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley
  • Talking to GOATs: The Moments You Remember and the Stories You Never Heard – Jim Gray
  • Coach K: The Rise and Reign of Mike Krzyzewski by Ian O’Connor

Music  – Songs

Top Pick: Down to Joy – Van Morrison

Other songs I’ve enjoyed, in order, have been:

  • Christ Our Hope in Life and Death – Keith and Kristyn Getty & Michael W. Smith
  • Worry No More – Amos Lee
  • Come to Jesus (Rest in Him) – Jordan Kauflin and Matt Merker
  • Leaning – Matt Maher and Lizzie Morgan
  • The Goodness – Toby Mac, featuring Blessing Offor
  • Supernatural – Trip Lee

Music  – Albums

Top Pick: The End – Trip Lee. Here’s my review.

Other albums that I’ve enjoyed, in order, have been:

  • Dreamland – Amos Lee
  • Sing! In Christ Alone: Live from the Getty Music Conference – Keith and Kristyn Getty and Friends
  • What’s It Gonna Take? – Van Morrison
  • Live from Bridgestone Arena – NEEDTOBREATHE
  • What Are We Waiting For? – For KING & COUNTRY

Television

Top pick: Tucker Carlson Tonight

Other programs that I have enjoyed, in order, have been:

  • Around the World in 80 Days
  • All Creatures Great and Small
  • Endeavour

Note: an older show that my wife Tammy and I have been enjoying has been Criminal Minds.


Blogs

Top Choice: Tim Challies’ Ala Carte

This is required reading for me each Monday through Saturday morning. Challies includes helpful Kindle deals, links to a wide variety of helpful articles and quotes using SquareQuotes (that he encourages you to share). Check out Tim’s site and subscribe here.


Podcasts

Top Pick: Albert Mohler’s The Briefing

This is required listening for me each weekday morning. Mohler hosts a fast-moving podcast featuring worldview analysis about leading news headlines and cultural conversations. The podcast runs about 25 minutes and is usually posted by 5:00am. Check out Dr. Mohler’s website and subscribe here.


Apps

Top Pick: Ligonier Ministries

I really appreciate the Ligonier Ministries app, which includes thousands of discipleship resources from R.C. Sproul, the Ligonier Teaching Fellows, and other gifted Bible teachers.


Concerts

Top Pick: Van Morrison at the Chicago Theatre

Other concerts I enjoyed were:

  • NEEDTOBREATHE’s Into the Mystery Acoustic Tour at the Peoria Civic Center Theater
  • Andrew Peterson at the Monticello Christian Church

Conferences

Unfortunately, we decided to cancel our registration for the Ligonier National Conference (for the third consecutive year) due to COVID. Lord willing, we will be attending the Sing! 2022 Conference Christ Our Hope in Life and Death: Prayers and Confessions, to be held September 4-7 in Nashville.

Recommended Resources

Top Pick: The Lord’s Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest teaching series by Robert Godfrey

These are my favorites in a variety of categories for the first half of 2022. I hope it gives you some ideas on books to read, music to listen to, etc. What are some of your favorites? Please share.

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns, Christian hip-hop and classic rock. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. amazon.com/author/billpence amazon.com/author/tammypence

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