That's a Wrap! Our Top 5's of 2021
2021 has been quite the year, hasn't it? Perhaps you're like me, and began the year with so much hope and anticipation that it would be a far better year than 2020 was. Much to my dismay, this year was just as hard - if not harder than the year before.
Natural disasters, political usurpations, worldwide illness, social unrest piled upon the normal difficulties of daily life have left me feeling weary, unsteady, and uncertain.
The chaos of the past two years has left me more thankful than ever for the anchor of the Gospel. How incredible to know Jesus and have Him as the sure, steady, and constant foundation to build life upon.
As we look back on 2021, and ahead to 2022, may we rest in the promises of the Lord.
Now, 2021 wasn't all bad. There was an abundance of good music, art, and moments woven throughout the year.
Here's a look at some of our favorites. We hope they encourage and inspire you as much as they did us at The Five Sixteen Co.!
Top 5 Listens:
Hold Still - Taylor Leonhardt
Spotify | Instagram
A beautiful, honest, album that left me feeling seen, known, and not-so-alone. Taylor has a gift of taking you on a journey through her music, with words and melodies that give you permission to process emotions and find hope along the way. The world is better because of artists like her - believers who create in such a way that whether the final product is explicitly "Christian" or not, all have an underlying Gospel-driven theme. My favorite song from the album is "Poetry" - an anthem I've had on repeat since it came out.
3 + 7 - JUDAH.
Spotify | Instagram
Admittedly, I have a bit of a soft spot for anything Judah releases. From his Harp + Arrow days, to the more well-known band, Judah and the Lion, his music has been a constant source of comfort over the years. When he began releasing music under JUDAH., I was an instant fan. Christian music goes far beyond the hymns sung on Sunday morning and "positive, encouraging" songs played on Christian radio. This album is fun, different, raw, and best of all - filled with Scripture. My favorite song from the album is "The Getting Through" - which released as I was studying the book of James, pondering what it meant to take joy in trials.
Evergreen - Thomas Austin
Spotify | Instagram
Thomas Austin is one of my favorite discoveries of 2021. One Monday morning, the title track (and my favorite song from the album), "Evergreen," appeared on my Discover Weekly and I dove head first into the rest of the EP. There's a genuineness in his lyrics and a calmness in his music that puts listeners at ease as they consider life, faith, and their response to it all. I've found many of my prayers this year to be filled with words from Thomas' songs - from confessions of feeling "Dry" and tired to pleading with the Lord to grow me into something new again, and make me "Evergreen."
Hymns 1 - Lovkn
Spotify | Instagram
I love hymns. I work for a Christian music company centered on hymns. I sing hymns daily. I mediate on hymns often. I love the tradition of them, the ease of singing them, and the rich theology embedded in them. But there's something so exciting and refreshing about hearing new versions of the classics. Words you've sung a thousand times before can land on your heart in a new way with subtle melodic and musical changes. That's what Lovkn has done with Hymns 1. I'm excited and hopeful for the way the Lord will use his work to grow a love of hymns in a new generation.
Get Out of the Way of Your Own Heart - Chris Renzema and Canyon - Ellie Holcomb come in tied for #5.
Both albums are fresh lyrically and musically. They both include songs that speak hope and truth as well as challenge listeners to live lives worthy of the Gospel. And both Chris and Ellie have such unique ways of connecting to different audiences. When I think about my favorite "Christian artists" (though I'm not a fan of that category), I think of Chris and Ellie.Perhaps my favorite song of the year, "Just as Good," is from Chris' album and it features Ellie. The song is a sweet reminder, especially after such a difficult year, that God is no less good than He was when we first encountered Him, with a sobering call to raise up ebenezers to remember that goodness.
Honorable Mentions:
Confessio - Keith and Kristyn Getty
Almost Home - Matt Boswell & Matt Papa
Top 5 Reads:
When People Are Big and God is Small
The fear of man takes on different forms in each of our lives. Edward T. Welch provides Scripture-saturated answers to questions of codependency, people-pleasing, and peer pressure, among other facets of daily life that are impacted by having a big view of people and a small view of God. As someone who struggles with this, and at times is paralyzed by fear of others, this book was so helpful. It will continue to be in my reading rotation for the years to come.
Gentle and Lowly
This book has gotten its fair share of positive and negative press in 2021. I'll admit, I ordered the book after seeing some heated tweets and wanting to know what the hype was about. But what began as an attempt to analyze doctrine and theology, turned into the Lord revealing more of His heart to me. Now, there are aspects of nearly every book I read that I don't agree with - as there should be. There is no perfect argument or presentation of an idea apart from God's Word in Scripture. What I will say, is that for someone like me, who struggles to understand God's heart for me in light of my sin... always feeling unworthy and like grace is given begrudgingly, Dane Ortlund's words were like a salve on a wound. He clearly, and patiently walks readers through an understanding of Jesus' heart that leaves you rejoicing in His gentle spirit.
Mere Christianity
I can't believe it took me this long to read this classic. CS Lewis has an incredible ability to communicate intellectually rich topics in an accessible way. For seekers and long-time believers alike, this book is flooded with comprehensive depth and breadth about what it means to be a Christian. There aren't enough words to express the power behind this book.
Untangling Emotions
God created us with the capacity to feel. Emotions are a gift. But in a fallen world, they can drive sin, destruction, and disfunction. How do we experience and express emotions in a way that honors the Lord? In Untangling Emotions, J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith present a biblical framework for engaging with emotions.
From Eden to the New Jerusalem
T. Desmond Alexander illuminates the big picture of Scripture, tracing central themes from Genesis to Revelation. This was a required reading for one of my classes this year, and it's one that will continue to be on a shelf within reach, as I return to it often. Filled with "lightbulb" moments that leave you in awe of God and the intricacies of His plans, as well as straightforward explanation of certain topics along the way, this book - this study, will leave you inspired and hungry to know God and His Word deeper than before.
Honorable Mentions:
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion by John D. Wilsey
How to Listen So People Will Talk by Becky Harling
Top 5 Experiences of 2021:
Attending CROSS Conference - a Gospel-centered, missions-focused conference for 18-25 year olds.
Attending Radius Missiology Conference - an incredible conference for pastors, missionaries, and church leaders focused on the state of modern missions.
Joining the Getty Music staff and moving to Nashville - I'm overjoyed and honored that the Lord would allow me to be part of such a wonderful organization.
Live music and concerts finally making a comeback. From house shows to arenas, it's been a great year of seeing friends, coworkers, and longtime favorites perform in-person again!
Launching The Five Sixteen Co. site and podcast. I'm grateful and humbled by the support we've gotten this year. The Lord has used your kind words, comments, and shares to affirm our mission and keep us going.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue to learn, grow, and let our light shine at The Five Sixteen Co. in 2022!
