As I have done for several years now, I am sharing my favorites in a variety of categories. All items listed were released or took place during 2025, except for books, which reflect books that I read during 2025, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list, and find some good recommendations.
Movies
Note: Just a few years ago, my wife Tammy and I would see at least one movie per week in the theater. The pandemic and actor and writer strikes changed our viewing patterns, and we have moved much more to home streaming.
Top Pick: Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning
Other movies that I’ve enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- David
- September 5
- Nuremberg
- Song Sung Blue
- Paddington in Peru
- Bono: Stories of Surrender
- The Amateur
- Eleanor the Great
- F1
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Books
Top Pick: Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life – Paul Tripp
Other books that I’ve enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- The Sing! Hymnal – Keith Getty and others
- The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans – R.C. Sproul
- Things Unseen One Year of Reflections on the Christian Life – Sinclair Ferguson
- Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music – Charlie Peacock
- Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry – Paul Tripp
- Spurgeon: A Life – Alex Diprima
- When Work Hurts: Building Resilience When You’re Beat Up or Burnt Out – Meryl Herr
- The Elder-Led Church – Murray A. Capill
- Faith & Work: Galvanizing Your Church for Everyday Impact by Missy Wallace and Lauren Gill
- Truths We Confess: A Systematic Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Revised Edition) by R.C. Sproul.
- A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation’s Capital Influenced Evangelicalism by Caleb Morell
- Union with Christ: The Blessings of Being in Him – Sinclair Ferguson
- Go Forward in Love: A Year of Daily Readings from Timothy Keller
- Why Your Work Matters – Tom Nelson
- The Multigenerational Church Crisis: Why We Don’t Understand Each Other and How to Unite in Mission – Bryan Chapell
- What You’re Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports – George Raveling and Ryan Holiday
Songs
Top Pick: The God We Love (Nicene Creed) – CityAlight, featuring Matt Redman
Other songs that I have enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- Heaven on My Mind – TobyMac
- Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory) – Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Boswell
- He Will Be – CityAlight
- Never Let Me Go – Ringo Starr
- He Has Done Great Things – Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham
- He is Making All Things Right – Bryan Fowler, Skye Peterson and Ben Shive
- Down to Joy – Van Morrison
- Swimming in the Ocean – Wilder Woods
- Homesick for Heaven – Phil Wickham
- Heaven on My Mind – TobyMac and Forrest Frank
- Celebration – Forrest Frank
- Come, Christians, Join to Sing – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
- What an Awesome God – Phil Wickham
- Your Ways Better – Forrest Frank
- Come, Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Boswell, Cochren & Co., and Matt Papa
- Christus Victor (Amen) – Bryan Fowler and Terrian
- Go Rest High On That Mountain (extended version) – Vince Gill
- Give Me Jesus – Fernando Ortega
- Praise to the Most High – Matt Redman
- How Good It Is – Chris Tomlin
- All Sufficient Merit – Bryan Fowler and Shane and Shane
- Rise With the Sun – CityAlight
- Psalm 8 (hallé) – Phil Wickham
Albums
Top Pick: Sing! The Songs of the Bible (Live from the Getty Music Worship Conference) – Keith & Kristyn Getty and Friends
Other albums that I have enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- Heaven on My Mind – TobyMac
- Cover Story – Russ Taff
- Curioso – Wilder Woods
- Hear the Hallelujahs Roar (EP) – CityAlight
- Look Up – Ringo Starr
- Psalm 119 Volume 1 (EP) – Stillcreek
- Remembering Now – Van Morrison
- Walk This Road – Doobie Brothers
- Song of the Saints – Phil Wickham
- The King is Still the King – Chris Tomlin
- Life & Breath – Matt Redman
- Anthology 4 – The Beatles
- I Heard the Bells (EP) – Sandra McCracken
- Wings – Wings (Deluxe edition)
Concerts
Top Pick: Paul McCartney: Got Back Tour at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This video from the concert will give you a taste of what the show was like.
Other concerts that we enjoyed, in no particular order were:
- Crowder and Matt Maher at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, Illinois
- Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois
- Jerry Seinfeld at the Old National Centre in Indianapolis
Television
Top Pick: The Beatles Anthology 2025
As we transitioned from seeing movies in the theater, we watched much more streaming. Some of these series have adult language or other content that may not be acceptable to all.
Other shows that I have enjoyed, in no particular order were:
- The Pitt
- The Bear
- Severance
- Death Valley
- All Creatures Great and Small
- Night Agent
- Shetland
- The Recruit
- Full Swing
- Paradise
- Protection
- I, Jack Wright
- Q
- Patience
- Slow Horses
- Lazarus
- All Her Fault
- Task
- Blue Lights
- Down Cemetery Road
- Man in the Middle
Blogs/Websites
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.
Other blogs/websites I’ve enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- Ligonier Ministries
- Desiring God (John Piper)
- The Gospel Coalition
- Clearly Reformed (Kevin DeYoung)
Podcasts
Top Pick: 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 (Sinclair Ferguson)
- Renewing Your Mind – Ligonier
- Truth for Life (Alistair Begg)
- Ask Pastor John (John Piper)
- Five Minutes in Church History (Stephen Nichols)
Apps
Top Pick: Ligonier Ministries
This app is like carrying a vast theological library on your devices, filled with thousands of discipleship resources that you can read, watch, and listen to anytime. Find resources from R.C. Sproul, the Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellows, and more of your favorite pastors, authors, and teachers.
Other apps that I have enjoyed, in order were:
- ESV Bible
- Truth for Life
- RefNet
Recommended Resources
Top Pick: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: An Introduction to Covenant Theology Teaching Series by J.V. Fesko
Other resources I enjoyed, in no particular order were:
- Everything in Christ – Joel Kim
- Who Are They? – Derek Thomas
- Following Jesus – Robert Godfrey
Conferences
Top Pick: Ligonier National Conference: “I Will Build My Church” in Orlando, Florida
Another conference that I enjoyed was the Gospel Coalition National Conference: “Alive Together” in Indianapolis, Indiana
These are my favorites in a variety of categories for 2025. I hope it gives you some ideas on books to read, music to listen to, and movies and television series to watch.
What were some of your favorites from 2025? Please share.
