What I Listened to in 2025

Every year I build several playlists. I thought I would link to some of them here and talk about some music highlights. Each of my playlists is done in reverse order so that newer songs show up at the top.

I make a new playlist on YouTube Music each year for when I cook. I listen to it at other times, too. 

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_jAxBP__YK3Ce4H4rIQ_uU4ZtKaYbVr

Our vacation playlists are intended to introduce my kids to pop music history.

Our spring staycation playlist:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_jAxBP__YLQAbgI0F6MgwnOsSjo_P7a

Our fall vacation playlist:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_jAxBP__YITg0i5Cu2OP1OdZfuOPypx

I also update a worship playlist that I use when I get away for a day or an afternoon to pray and fast.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_jAxBP__YKISjoVo-whqCQMcSL0gfPI

A few of my musical highlights:

I discovered Jon Guerra at the end of the year. I love his music. His music is both artistic, deep, and catchy at the same time. His Christmas albums with his wife are really good. Several in our family commented that it reminded them of The Beatles.

My favorite songs this year would be "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, "In the Blood" by John Mayer, "Badlands" by Bruce Springsteen, "American Gospel by Jon Guerra, "Obsession/Worthy of It All" by Kari Jobe and Martin Smith (I love the refrain at the end because I preached through Colossians all of last year and that refrain comes directly from Colossians), "Kiss on My Lips" by Hall and Oates, "Wild Thing" by The Troggs, and "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin (I only knew this by reputation).

On Sundays when I make pancakes or waffles for the family, I tend to listen to Stillcreek. Before church and preaching, they make really good worship music. I especially like their Psalm 119 project.


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About Me

I'm a husband and father. Pastor of Manchester Baptist Church in Manchester, IL. I graduated from Bryan College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I grew up in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, and Georgia. I write about my personal and professional interests here on my website. I'm a former personal trainer and have stayed interested in fitness. You'll see a mix of things I'm interested in. Topics might include fitness, gardening, coffee, ice cream, church leadership, theology, tech, reviews, etc. This website is my social media. I deleted all of my accounts except for LinkedIn. That is why you won't find me in any of those places. * This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. You can email me at joe[...
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