The Best of 2015

I love recapping my favourite things from the year.It's mostly for me... this time next year I'll look back on what I loved from the year before... it becomes a nostalgia trip for me. Hopefully you enjoy the ride! Please note, some of these things didn't come out this year, but I discovered them this year, which is why they are on the list.

Favourite Worship Album
Empires - United
Song Highlights - Say The Word, Touch The Sky, Street Called Mercy 

I've been a Christian for longer than I was a non-Christian. That being said, growing up, I hated worship music. Loved Christian music, just not the stuff you hear on Sundays. The band that got most of my fire was Hillsong United. The fact worship music is one of my favourite genera is a small miracle... the fact I bought and like a Hillsong United album is a sign of the end times. I guess we really do change with age.

Warning, the album isn't a big and bold endeavour. It's a very quite, reflective record. Great way to get yourself in a head space for church or to unwind for Sunday night devo.

Favourite Pop Album
Heart In Motion - Amy Grant
Song Highlights - Every Heartbeat, Good For Me, Ask Me, Galileo and Hope Set High 

I've been in love with how good this album is since the summer. SO CATCHY. Apparently Amy took a lot of heat for this one back in the day... that confuses me... it's the perfect mix of flaky relationship songs, deep reflections on faith and driving synth beats. I love it.

Favourite Album That Actually Came Out This Year
This Is Not A Test - tobyMac
Song Highlights - Light Shine Bright, Backseat Driver, Like A Match, Feel It

Welcome To Diverse City is one of my favourite albums of all time. It's strikes a great balancing act between tight professionalism and fun over the top youth. It's great. Most of his newer stuff lost that vibe to me, but with This Is Not A Test, Toby is on a rebound... not that his other stuff wasn't good. This was just more fun!




Biggest Nostalgia Trip
Jurassic World

Every kid has that one film they watch over and over and over and over until their parents beg them to stop. For me it was Jurassic Park. I still love it. Believe me when I say that the first 15 minutes of the film were an emotional 15 minutes. The movie was fun, if a little contrived, but the nostalgia was strong with this one!

Rapid fire honourable mentions!

Favourite song to play on guitar - Found In You
Biggest Relief of the Year - Force Awakens being great
Favourite New Food - Brie hamburgers... seriously... soooo goood
Favourite Thing I Made -



Favourite Concert - For King & Country - Kingdom Bound 2015
Favourite Memory - Touring with AFT
Best Musical Surprise - Kevin Max - Broken Temples

Selma

David Oyelowo says that God told him to play Martin Luther King Jr in the film Selma. When someone says something like that, I will hold them too it. In fact, my expectations are doubled.

I had really high expectations going into Selma.

It exceeded them all.

I haven't been moved by a movie to that extent in a long time. It leaves a mark on you. Makes you look at the world a little differently than you did when you went into it.

It did for me at least.

The part that stuck out to me the most, was King. He was a guy that wanted to make a change.
He dedicated his life to a cause that he felt called to. He put his career, reputation and even his life on the line. Selma shows that. What it also shows is the faith that motivated him to do that in the first place.

And David Oyelowo nails the performance.

It may be tricky to find a showing (limited release by the look of it). However if you can find a showing, check it out. It's more than worth the price of admission.

All that praise aside, there is some content that you may want to be in the loop about - http://www.pluggedin.ca/movies/intheaters/selma.aspx

The Best of 2014

I love the New Year. It gives you a chance to reflect on how (hopefully) awesome the preceding year was and get excited for the up-coming year.

I normally do a retrospective of my favourite things from the year, this year is no different!

Favourite Album - Switchfoot - Fading West

I don't listen to albums as much as I once did. Mostly, I listen to the radio. However, every now and then an album comes along that I just love to the max. Fading West was that album for me. It's one of those rare gems that doesn't stop being good from start to finish. It's artsy, it's catchy and it's fun. Plus, it's Switchfoot. How can you go wrong!?!? I would name a favourite track... but I can't. It's a solid album








Favourite Worship Album - Tie - Crowder - Neon Steeple/ John Mark McMillian - Boarderlands

I know I just said I hardly listen to CDs and I have 3 down as being my favourites, but to be fair... these were basically the only ones I listened to all year!


Hearing David Crowder's voice again was a treat this year. The guy is an amazing composer/ song writer. Loved being able to enjoy the guy that made me love worship music again.

John Mark McMillian is an acquired taste. His voice is... unique. Sometimes that means it's in it's own special key... however, that doesn't stop Boarderlands from being beautiful. It's a really weird album, mixing elements of 80's pop with modern worship. That's not even mentioning the blues fuelled horn sections. If you're a worship leader looking for some new songs, give it a listen. Future// Past alone is worth it.








Favourite Christian Movie - Grace Unplugged/ Believe Me

I know I know... that's two ties in one blog... I am an indecisive person when it comes to picking a "favourite".

Grace Unplugged technically came out last year, but I saw it this year. It's really good. It's the story of a girl who walks away from her family and faith to pursue a record deal. It's pretty realistic without being over the line. A good film for family movie night.

Believe Me is a really hard film to describe. It's one of the best examples of what Christian film should be, well shot, fantastic acting, believable characters and a story that makes you think long after the credits roll. However, it's not for everyone. Some of the jokes they make can definitely hit the wrong buttons... they did for me... but that's sort of the point. I recommend it, with the caveat that you it may offend you at times. And not in the ways you think it will.










And now for the rapid fire honourable mentions...

Favourite Superhero Movie - Captain America: Winter Soldier
Favourite Kids Movie - Lego Movie/ Big Hero 6 (nuts! another tie... I do have a problem...)
Favourite New Food - Chimichangas
Favourite Thing I Made -





Favourite Concert - 15th Anniversary of LIFE 100.3
Favourite Pair of Pants - Those sweet, sweet blue jeans.
Favourite TV Show - Doctor Who

O.K... that's enough about last year. Onward to 2015! What were your favourite things of 2014?