Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

My 2023 Mid-Year Favorites

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As I have done for several years now, I am going share my favorites in a variety of categories for 2022. All items listed were released or took place in 2022, except for books, which reflect books that I read in 2022, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list!

Movies

Top Pick: Air (read my review here).

Other movies I enjoyed, in order, were:

  • Jesus Revolution
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Books

Top Pick: Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin Hansen
(read my review here).

 Other books I enjoyed, in order, were:

  • Providence – John Piper
  • Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? by Tim Keller
  • Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel – Sinclair Ferguson
  • Galatians: An Expositional Commentary – R.C. Sproul
  • The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication: Apply Them and Make the Most          of Your Message by John Maxwell
  • The Sacred Meaning of Everyday Work by Robert Tribken

MUSIC:

Songs

Top Pick: You’ve Already Won – Shane and Shane (Listen to the song here).

Other songs I’ve enjoyed, in order, were:

  • Happy – NF
  • All Sufficient Merit – Shane and Shane
  • My God is All I Need – CityAlight
  • Red Hill Mining Town – U2
  • Our God Will Go Before Us – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
  • The Praise is Yours – Matt Redman
  • The Lord’s Prayer – Matt Maher

Albums

Top Pick: Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Live – Shane and Shane (Read my review here).

Other albums I’ve enjoyed, in order, were:

  • Songs of Surrender – U2
  • Sing! Christ Our Hope in Life and Death – Live at the Getty Music Worship Conference/The Sing! Sessions: Doxology – Keith and Kristyn Getty and Friends
  • Shadow Kingdom – Bob Dylan
  • HOPE – NF
  • Lamb of God (Live) – Matt Redman
  • Moving on Skiffle – Van Morrison
  • Seven Psalms – Paul Simon
  • Live from Red Rocks – Mac Powell
  • The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) – Switchfoot

Concerts

Top Pick: Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour in Peoria


Television

Top Pick: All Creatures Great and Small

Other shows I have enjoyed (some of which include adult language), in order, were:

  • Full Swing
  • Rabbit Hole
  • The Night Agent
  • Will Trent
  • The Mandalorian
  • Slow Horses

Blogs

Top Choice: Tim Challies’ Ala Carte

This blog 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 podcast is required listening for me each weekday morning. Mohler hosts a 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.

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

  • Things Unseen
  • Renewing Your Mind
  • Truth for Life
  • Ask Pastor John
  • Open Book
  • 5 Minutes in Church History

Apps

Top Pick: Ligonier

Other apps that I’ve enjoyed, in order, were:

  • ESV Bible
  • Albert Mohler
  • Truth for Life
  • Gospel in Life

Conferences

Top Pick: 2023 Ligonier National Conference, but we’re looking forward to The Gospel Coalition National Conference in September.


Recommended Resources

Top Pick: Rejoice in the Lord: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – Teaching Series from Steven Lawson

These are my favorites in a variety of categories for the first half of 2023. I hope it gives you some ideas on books to read, music to listen, and movies and television series to watch.


What are some of your favorites thus far this year? 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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