Quick note from Tyler: I have recently transitioned this newsletter over to Substack. Those of you who already subscribed via email should not notice much of a difference, but from now on you can point people here to be able to subscribe.
I also write a weekly devotional for my church that gets sent out on Fridays. Head here to sign up for that.
Best Songs of 2022
10- "One Day" by Jonathan Ogden (listen here)
A song for those eagerly awaiting Christ's return.
Noteworthy lyric:
I just keep on looking up at the sky
It's a hope that carries me through my life
To be with You 'til the end of all time
It's my future forever
9- "Blown Away" by Hillsong United and Matt Crocker
A song so simple, just some heavy reverb guitar and a vocal, but so beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time.
Noteworthy lyric:
Draped with the weight of the world on Your shoulders
As You climbed that hill
A burden far too great for flesh and bone to bear
You stretched out Your arms as You welcomed those Roman nails
8- "Here to Forever" by Death Cab for Cutie (listen here)
Who wants to introduce Ben Gibbard to Jesus?
Noteworthy lyric:
And the only way I seem to cope
Is by trying to hold onto hope
If just for a while
7- "Time is a One Way Mirror" by Tyson Motsenbocker
Tyson is a great songwriter, period.
Noteworthy lyric:
“It stabbed me and twisted,”
He said, “from behind.”
“I’ve got bone screws in places
Only T.S.A. finds.”
6- "Blue Eyes" by Judah and the Lion (listen here)
A heart-breaking song, but so powerful. This is a song about the passing of band lead Judah Akers' grandfather.
Noteworthy lyric:
I miss the beautiful and innocent blue of your eyes
The comfort of your coffee with your bible right by your side
5- "Home" by Jeremy Riddle (listen here)
A simple, beautiful reminder of the home that heaven is and will be.
Noteworthy lyric:
Home, I know one day You’re calling me
Home, find me watching, find me ready to go
To my Father and a wedding
What joy and celebrating
4- "How" by Marcus Mumford (listen here)
The me-too moment continues.
Noteworthy lyric:
And I have reckoned with what you've taken from me
And I killed that liar in my head
I buried him beneath the maple tree
There's no joy in dancing with the dead
3- "Life According to Raechel" by Madison Cunningham (listen here)
A song about Madison's grandma passing. What a song.
Noteworthy lyric:
It’s not if, darling it’s when
Was there something left unsaid?
Were your eyes green, were they blue?
What was it that I forgot to ask you?
2- "Dreamland" by Amos Lee (listen here)
A song about the tenacity it takes to dream.
Noteworthy lyric:
Here in dreamland
Everything's a broken line
You think it's you who's falling apart and
Everybody else is fine
1- "Consider it Joy" by Son of Cloud (listen here)
Jonathan Seale, aka Son of Cloud, has written my favorite song of 2022. A song clearly inspired by Paul's words in 2nd Corinthians 12: "my power is made perfect in weakness." Not only is this a great song but it has such a personal element for me this year, a year of learning to embrace weakness.
Noteworthy lyric:
If I have to grow weaker in order to grow stronger
If I have to die a little in order to live longer
Let myself sink lower in order to reach higher
Learn how to be a fool in order to grow wiser
May I consider it all joy
Listen to these songs plus many others on my best songs of 2022 playlist!
Best Albums of 2022
In our day of EPs and artists releasing single after single, I have a deep appreciation for a full-length album release. These releases tell a story, on top of including great songs.
5- "Revival" by Judah & the Lion
They might be known for their upbeat mash-up of styles, but Judah & the Lion have a depth that can easily go unnoticed if you don't listen carefully.
Three noteworthy songs:
Revival, Blue Eyes, Be Here Now
4- "Future Forever" by Jonathan Ogden
A Christian artist still largely unknown, but an album like this should change that. Are there any skip-worthy songs? I don't know think so. Also, it's a sneaky trick putting one of the best songs as last on the album. After Covid, an album about an eternal home with God is a breath of fresh air.
Three noteworthy songs:
One Day, No One Like You, Always Will Be
3- "Dreamland" by Amos Lee
Amos Lee is back! It's been nearly 20 years since Amos released music that captured me, but this album is incredible.
Three noteworthy songs:
Worry No More, Dreamland, Hold You
2- "Revealer" by Madison Cunningham
Two Grammy nominations by the age of 25. Just incredible. She's come a long way since her Phil Wickham duets.
Three noteworthy songs:
Hospital, Life According to Raechel, Anywhere
1- "Faint" by Colorvault
The best compliment I can give Colorvault is that no one else is creating music like them.
Three noteworthy songs:
Dwell in Your House, Faint, With Us Still
Listen to all 5 of these albums plus others on my best albums of 2022 playlist!
Best Worship Albums of 2022
I tend to listen to a lot of worship music, in part because of my role as a pastor. But I also enjoy praying in the morning or evening while listening to worship music.
4- Self-titled debut album by TAYA (Spotify link)
She can just flat-out sing.
Three noteworthy songs: Canticle, For All My Life, Getaway
3- "The Hope of Christ" by Aaron Williams (Spotify link)
Three noteworthy songs: No Height No Depth, The Hope of Christ, Abide
2- "This is How I Thank the Lord" by Mosaic MSC (Spotify link)
This album carried me through two of the harder months I've ever faced. It was my running companion and when running became my anti-anxiety medication, this album became my soundtrack.
Three noteworthy songs: This is How I Thank the Lord, To Your Arms, Generous Love
1- "Live from the Prayer Room" by Jeremy Riddle (Spotify link)
I have tended to ignore Riddle's solo stuff due to his connection to Bethel and some concerns I have about the theological foundation of that church, but this album is undeniably incredible. Definitely in my top 5 worship albums of the past decade.
Three noteworthy songs: His Name is Jesus, We Crown You, Home
A few of My Favorite Things from 2022
Be Thou My Vision, a book for daily liturgy and prayer has been such a wonderful addition to my morning prayer and reading times.
Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allberry. I taught a class on gender and sexuality this fall and found Allberry's book to be especially helpful.
AfterShokz headphones for running/exercise. Having been attacked by a dog twice in the last 18 months, running while being able to hear my surroundings is invaluable.
Strange New World by Carl Trueman. My favorite book I read this year that was also released this year. If you thought the sexual revolution was about equality for various sexual preferences this book will be a wake-up call.
You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble. Released last year but I read it in the early months of 2022. I have quoted this book in my sermons more than any other this year.
You're Only Human by Kelly Kapic. Check out my interview with Kelly below. I appreciate Kelly's mix of theological depth, anthropological examination, and practical application.
Blundstone boots. If you can get them used, as I did, that's a good way to save some cash.
See you in 2023! Another year for contending.