I generally keep personal information to a minimum on this blog – assuming that’s not why people are here – but I will make an exception in this case. I enjoy learning more about bloggers that I follow; perhaps I’m not the only one? In this post I’ll give a little info about what the Lord is doing in my life, some highlights from the year, music I enjoyed, and books that made the biggest impact. That is the closest thing to a “best books of 2014” post that you will see here, so if that’s what you’re after, I won’t be offended if you skip this one and wait for the next!

Personal Update

2014 was an eventful year for our family:

  1. My wife gave birth to our first son, Whitfield (Whitley until he grows into it).
  2. We moved out of our increasingly cramped flat/apartment and into a more spacious house not too far away here in York.
  3. We released our first graphic novel called Reklas Abandon. This is, Lord willing, the first of many to come over the years. We’re working on a huge series…
  4. I had the honour to teach Romans and Intro to Theology at CCBCY in Spring. The former was a life goal and a tremendous blessing (and I get to do it again this Spring)! I also taught Christ and the Cross in the Fall, the second time I taught this class of my own making and had a lot of fun with it, my third child.
  5. I have long wanted to overhaul our Calvary Chapel York and Calvary Chapel Bible College York websites and managed to squeeze in both.

The Music of 2014

Why am I talking about music on a Bible blog? I don’t know. Why should you care? Again, don’t know. But here I am, talking about music. I have a microphone and no one can stop me.

My wife says I’m a recovering music snob. Unfortunately, with ministry, marriage, and kids, I don’t have the time, money or interest to be following all the latest releases. Nonetheless, here is what I liked from 2014, in no strict order:

  • The Twilight Sad – Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
    I’ve loved these loud Glaswegian sad-smiths since their debut album, and this is the closest they’ve come to matching the quality of that release. I’d go so far as to say I think this is superior.
  • The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
    Dire straits, Dylan, and Springsteen. The War on Drugs have received many comparisons but really, the music transcends these.
  • Ásgeir – In the Silence
    Yet another magical offering from the tiny Iceland. On first listen, aside from a few standouts, it was a little underwhelming. Now it’s grown on me like a warm beard.
  • Sleeping At Last – Atlas: Year One
    It’s a rare treat when you rediscover an artist, only to realize that they have released a ton of music that turns out to be their best work. This was what happened when I found Atlas. The Space album is a true highlight.
  • Spoon – They Want My Soul
    These guys can always be relied upon to craft fresh and minimalist rock music. Probably their best album next to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
  • Wovenhand – Refractory Obdurate
    Drawing on a vast range of musical genres (post-rock, metal, European folk) and with lyrics heavily drawn from Scripture, there’s no one else out there like David Eugene Edwards.
  • King’s Kaleidoscope – Becoming Who We Are
    I always feel a little guilty admitting it, but I don’t enjoy listening to worship music. I have no complaint about it’s place in congregational singing; that’s where it shines. I just don’t enjoy the experience of listening to it on it’s own. Anyway, Kings Kaleidoscope is my one exception. They avoid all the cliches and make very unique music.

If you’ve made it this far, I am impressed. Next post I’ll talk about books of the year.