A few of My favorite things in 2022
As we reflect on this past year, I thought I’d contribute by sharing some of my favorite things from 2022. It’s a bit like a mind-dump, but with a special focus. 😊
Favorite worship song
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” by Cody Carnes was a song that touched my heart lyrically and musically, and showed up at a few pivotal moments this year. I especially love the chord progression at 1:07 and then how it shows up again but with a minor chord resolution at 4:59 (yeah, I kind of nerd out with little details like that).
Favorite other songs
A number of other songs showed up on my “top songs of 2022” playlist…
Craig (feat. Mercy Me) by Walker Hayes
Sunday feat. Snoop Dogg by Ben Rector (I loved the whole album)
Doin This by Luke Combs
Yours by Russell Dickerson
Bless Me by Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin
Favorite song i sang with seth at a christmas party
Maybe someday I’ll show you the actual footage… but probably not. 😂
Favorite book i read
A few different friends have recommended Like Dew Your Youth by Eugene Peterson over the years and I finally got around to reading it — so glad I did!
The big takeaway was that teenagers are God’s gift to middle-age parents — infusing us with new energy and new awareness of our need for God’s help.
Favorite movies i saw
I love going to movies in the theater — it’s one of my favorite hobbies. I distinguish between movies (which are made to be broadly appealing) and films (which tend to be more artistic). I love both.
Movies
Top Gun: Maverick
The Lost City
Spirited
The Unbearable Weigh of Massive Talent
Hustle
Films
Nope
Banshees of Inisherin
Vengeance
Emily The Criminal
Don’t Worry Darling
For more about this, listen to the special podcast episode I recorded with some friends about our favorite movies of 2022.
Favorite podcast i discovered
This summer I stumbled on Heaven in Your Home by Francie Winslow, which is a podcast about the goodness of God in sexual intimacy.
Francie’s approach is so refreshing. She’s candid and unembarrassed in speaking about married sex and the goodness of the body. Her frequent bursts of prayer model what she’s teaching. And she’s a mother of six — most of whom are under 10 years-old — so she understands the challenges many couples face.
I’m not the target audience of course — it’s really aimed at women. But this podcast has really blessed the sexual and relational connection between Molly and I this year.
A few episode recommendations:
Favorite home run
Favorite SPEECH I MADE MY KIDS WATCH
Favorite image in my head
Favorite snl Skits
Favorite snl recurring bit
The “please don’t destroy” videos are quickly becoming some of my favorites…
Favorite twitter STORY
Favorite sermon seth preached
Not sure why, but I often learn best from negative examples. And I know this message struck a chord with a lot of people.
Favorite sermon I preached
I had a lot of fun preaching in 2022, but this sermon was probably my favorite.
Favorite homemade fries recipe
For Christmas, my kids bought me a cooking apron that says, “Don’t worry… I watched a YouTube video.” Yeah, that’s about right.
Favorite BO JACKSON HIGHLIGHT REEL
Favorite podcast I launched
Podcasts have been a fun part of the last few years for me. In 2022, I started a new one with my friend, Dave Shrein, all about preaching. It’s really aimed at preachers, but check it out if you’re interested in how I think through things like
👓 Vision series
🇺🇸 Election seasons
✝️ The Gospels
🗞️ Cultural controversies
🎄 Christmas & Easter
❤️🩹 Seasons when you're in pain
🤔 Difficult passages
