I like to think of myself as mildly sentimental and personally reflective.  So here is my abbreviated and random list of the best and worst things about the year 2008.  Feel free to agree or disagree, but remember that I am typing this post while 2 boys, still jacked up from holiday sugar, jump all over me and my Mac, while cartoons play in the background.  If I finish this post, it will be a miracle.

1.  BEST MUSIC OF 2008 (and worst)

A Matchlight in the Darkness - By Lee McDerment.  It is a crying shame that most of you have never heard of this guy.  He is a very good friend and the worship pastor at Newspring, and this record is phenomenal.  Not a bad song to be found, epic crowd pleasers and monster guitar work, as well as contemplative and stripped down hymns and laments.  I am telling you, if you do not get this record, you will regret it once you finally hear a track.

The Heat - By Need To Breathe.  A very close second, this is just an instant classic.  And these boys are from the upstate of SC and sweat like Springsteen when they play.  Run, don’t walk, and get this record.

Chinese Democracy - By Guns N Roses.  You would think that with 14 years, $13 million and 15 different studios and producers, Axl Rose could have come up with something better than this hyped-up disappointment.

2.  BEST MOVIES OF 2008

Slumdog Millionaire takes the cake.  I prefer this movie, obviously, because of my many trips to India, but also because of it’s authenticity, real street grit, and triumphant storyline.  It is raw enough to be real, and not Hollywood enough to ruin it.  A true story of nobility in the face of loss and poverty.

Bella - Oh my goodness!  Finally, a well made film with a Christian worldview that is not cheesy, preachy, or starring Kirk Cameron (no offense, Kirk).  I am partial because I am adopted but if this film were to be a reality in the church, we could stop trying to make abortion illegal through the courts and politicians and see it fade away, or at least diminish, by caring for the moms and babies that often get forgotten in the arguments.

3.  BEST BOOKS (THAT I READ) IN 2008

Instead of giving comments or synopses of each book, I will just list the ones that left an impression and that I would read again.

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns    Kahleed Hosseini

The Historian   Elizabeth Kostova

Christ The Lord; Out of Egypt   Anne Rice

Evil and The Justice of God and Simply Christian   N.T. Wright

The Humor of Christ   Elton Trueblood

Death By Love    Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

Adrenaline and Stress   Archibald Hart

4.  RANDOM BESTS AND WORSTS

Best Concert - Bruce Springsteen and the Easy Street Band

Best TV Show - Lost and AWA Wrestling on ESPN Classics

Best New Podcast Subscription - Broad River Community Church and All Souls Church, Langham England

Worst TV Show - I don’t know cause if they stink, I don’t watch them

Worst Movie - I couldn’t tell you.  Movies are a rare treat for me and Charie, so we do our homework before we go to make sure we don’t see a stinker.

Biggest Meltdown - The Dallas Cowboys.  My favorite tea, whom I still love, but goodness gracious, get rid of T.O. and stop self-destructing!

Most Hopeful - The Clemson Tigers.  Tough year guys, lost a coach and lost a close on to Nebraska, but a new coach and some good recruits will hopefully make a for a better year.

Most Delicious - Deer tenderloin taken from one harvested on my own property  

Favorite New Nation - Malaysia

Favorite Ministry Moment - Seeing nearly 700 people saved at Winterfest

Best Moment - Leading my son to Christ and baptizing him in the river at my home

Most Difficult Thing - Seeing my dad recover from triple bypass heart surgery

Most Challenging Thing - Finishing a manuscript for a new book out this spring

Most Annoying - All things Brittney Spears and politics