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 the first half of 2026, except for books, which reflect books that I read during the first half of 2026, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list, and find some good recommendations.
Movies
Top Pick: A Great Awakening
Other movies that I’ve enjoyed, in order, were:
- Pressure
- Project Hail Mary
- Solo Mio
- Sheep Detectives
- The Mandalorian and Grogu
- The Breadwinner
- Tuner
Books
Top Pick: A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation – Matthew Bingham
- Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate – Steven Garber
- Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel – Matt Smethurst
- The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and Do (4th Edition, Revised and Expanded) – Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller
- What Depth of Love: Devotions on the Cross and Resurrection – Charles Spurgeon. Edited by Geoffrey Chang
- John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs – Ian Leslie
- Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar – Alan Shipnuck
- Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life – Charlie Kirk
Songs
Top Pick: The Long Surrender (Live at RCA Studios) – NEEDTOBREATHE. Watch the performance of the song here.
Other songs that I have enjoyed, in order, were:
- Home to Us – Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
- It Really Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham and Crowder
- Days We Left Behind – Paul McCartney
- Down South – Paul McCartney
- Flowers – Phil Wickham and Jamie MacDonald
- Say So – Jordan Kauflin and Bryan Fowler
- I Left It In The River – Jamie MacDonald
- It’s Been Too Long – Ringo Starr
- If God is For Us – Jordan Kauflin and Laura Story
- He Arose – Phil Wickham and Tommee Profitt
- Stand Firm – CityAlight and CXMMXNS
- Taste and See (The Love of Christ) – Bryan Fowler and Matt Maher
- For Your Glory – Trip Lee and BRAG Worship
- Finished Work – Matt Maher and CXMMXNS
- To the End of the Earth – Jon Troast
- We Rejoice in Hope – Petra
Albums
Top Pick: The Boys of Dungeon Lane – Paul McCartney
Other albums that I have enjoyed, in order, were:
- The Long Surrender – NEEDTOBREATHE
- Song of the Saints (Deluxe) – Phil Wickham
- Jamie MacDonald – Jamie MacDonald
- In Christ Alone – Sing! Hymnal at the Piano – Keith Getty
- The Resurrection of a King – Tommee Profitt
- Long Long Road – Ringo Starr
- The Commons Chapel – CXMMXNS
- Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge – Van Morrison
- For Your Glory – BRAG Worship
- All I Have is Christ: The Hymns of Jordan Kauflin
- Sing! Getty Music Conference: Generation to Generation – Keith & Kristyn Getty and Friends
- Hope – Petra
Concerts
Top Pick: Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes at the BOS Center in Springfield, Illinois
Upcoming concerts:
September 19 – Phil Wickham and Jamie MacDonald in Hoffman Estates, Illinois
October 21 – Russ Taff and Steve Taylor in Washington, Illinois
November 21 – Chris Tomlin, TobyMac and Third Day in Peoria, Illinois
Television
Note: Some of these shows contain adult language.
Top Pick: Dutton Ranch
Other shows that I have enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
- All Creatures Great and Small
- The Pitt
- Run Away
- Shetland
- Lincoln Lawyer
- The Night Agent
- Paradise
- Young Sherlock
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 or websites I’ve enjoyed, in order, were:
- Ligonier
- Gospel Coalition
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:
- Renewing Your Mind
- Truth for Life
- Ask Pastor John
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
- Albert Mohler
- Truth for Life
- Ask Pastor John
- RefNet
Conferences
Top Pick: 2026 Ligonier National Conference in Orlando
Upcoming conference:
2026 Sing! Getty Music Worship Conference in Nashville
Recommended Resources
Top Pick: Theology for All – Teaching Series from Sinclair Ferguson
These are my favorites in a variety of categories for the first half of 2026. 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 for the first half of 2026? Please share.