TOP 20 FAVORITE SONGS OF 2025 (MY OPINION, OF COURSE)

XIII Minutes at Kingdom Come Festival, June 20, 2025. Lead vocalist Jerrod Cunningham also does vocals and guitar for I Am The Pendragon.

I am writing this on Sunday night, December 28th, for posting on Monday. Yes, that means 2025 is almost in the books, so it's time for me to give my year-ends posts. Year ends, because I'll not only be looking at my 20 favorite 2025 songs (posted on the 29th), favorite fiction and non-fiction (10 of each both posted on the 30th), and my look back at 2025 (31st), but also will give my thoughts on the new year (January 1st and 2nd).

This year, I debated on giving the list in alphabetic order plus revealing my number 1 (this refers both to songs and books), but decided to do something different, and give my favorites in order. 

I'll start by looking back. My previous favorite songs were "Truth" by Divine Martyr ('22), "WarCry" by TheoTerran ('23),  and "My Path To Walk by David Pataconi ('24). So you can say David, also being half of TheoTerran, has a two year streak going. Will he continue that streak? 

Like last year, I'll mark new artists to me from this year (marked with an asterisk). On the other side, there are groups I've followed for at least 20 years each: Amy Shreve (I met her and her husband Gary Wixtrom at a Voice of the Martyrs Conference in 2003), Mad at the World, and some obscure band called Petra - anybody heard of them? 

I'll include a link at the bottom for my Spotify list, in case you want to hear the songs on my list.  I would recommend that... but I'm biased.

Ready? Here we go.

20. "Summer Storm" by Rosalie Hovencamp.*

19. "Pain" by Sending68.*

18.  "King of Kings" by BibleWithLife*

17. "Deliver Us" by Petra.

16.  "The Storm" by End Of I.

15.  "Hope Found Hope" by Mad At The World.

14.  "How the Story Ends" by Amy Shreve.

13.  "All Things" by Sovereign Grace.

12.  "Reign Forever" by Citizen Crown.*

11.   "It Wasn't For Nothing" by The Band JAREN.*

10.  "Laodicea (Unplugged)" by Tierra Vacia.

9.   "Resistance" by Divine Martyr. 

8.  "Holy" by David Pataconi.

7.   "A Better Country" by Amy Shreve (though Gary Wixtrom sings lead on this one).

6.   "The Gospel" by Olivia Lane.*

5.   "Atonement" by I Am The Pendragon.

4.   "Enough" by TheoTerran.

3.   "War Cry" by The Band JAREN. 

2.   "Dear Martyr" by Behold the Beloved.

And now, may I have the drum roll? 

Any guess on who I put on top?

And my #1 song of 2025...

1.  "Stay" by XIII Minutes!

Here is the promised link in case you want to hear these songs.

Jeff's 2025 20 Favorites.

BOOK REVIEW - "THE INDOMITABLE MR. O: 75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION" BY NORMAN ROHRER WITH YOLANDA DERSTENE AND BEATRICE LEVANOS

I have no idea how I ended up there (though it might have been through Sunday School at the church I attended in Prescott, AZ), but in sixth grade, I attended a group with fellow students where we sang songs and heard a Bible lesson taught with a flannel graph. During the summer, I moved to Cottonwood, AZ, where I was at a different denomination church, but there was an after school Bible study at that church, singing the same songs, also with flannelgraph lessons. I also was introduced to the wordless book. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was in two different Good News Clubs, a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship (which will be referred to as CEF).

"The Indomitable Mr. O" by Norman Rohrer is a biography of CEF founder Jesse Overholtzer, following the direction of his life into the moment he realized children can understand the Gospel, at age 60. The edition I'm reading and reviewing was copywritten in 1970 and 2012.

The book starts with a preface by Rohrer and forewords by international evangelist and author Luis Palau and Reese Kaufmann, who was President of CEF from 1989 to 2022. Part One, "The Dream Begun," looks at the life of Jesse Overholtzer and how Child Evangelism fellowship came into being. Part Two, "The Dream Fulfilled," focuses on the expansion of the work of CEF into all the world. These events include the Supreme Court ruling that allows Bible clubs equal access to Public Schools after hours as other organizations like the Scouts. My hunch is that Yolanda Derstine and Beatrice Levanos wrote this part.

There are six appendixes following this second part, including "Child Evangelism as Taught in the Word of God," by Dr. Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, the statement of faith, the mission statement, the vision statement and strategy, "The Culture of Child Evangelism Fellowship," and CEF's trademarks.

I highly recommend this book. It shows the importance of evangelizing youth, from what happens when we do - such as when Overholtzer experimented on a quote of Charles Haddon Spurgeon that if presented properly a child of five can understand the Gospel - and when we don't - as in Overhotzer's pastor and parents telling him he was too young to be part of the church and how it affected his life.

 

BOOK REVIEW - "DOUBLE PROTECTION DUTY" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 7) BY SHARON DUNN

 Who kidnapped Beacon, one of K-9 officer Kenyon Graves' identical twin sons, and why is the kidnapper calling him Joey? Which is the greater danger to Raina McCord: her life threatened by the kidnapper or figuring out her relationship with Kenyon and his boys, who she took care of when Graves was MIA for several months? And can Kenyon with his gun-sniffing K-9 Peanut, along with the rest of the K-9 unit, capture the two rignleaders of a gun-running cartel that had almost killed Kenyon? 

This is the time of year that I get excited - the annual Love Inspired Suspense K-9 Unit multi-author series is about to end. In this case, the source of excitement is "Double Protection Duty" by Sharon Dunn, book 7 of 8 in the Dakota K-9 Unit collection. (Technically, there's a ninth book, but as usual it's a pair of novellas dealing with introduced characters after the continuing story lines of the series have been resolved in Book 8). And in case the above questions don't clinch it, this one has you hooked in both the romance and the suspense storylines.

If you haven't read the rest of the series and you don't want the story spoiled, please stop reading this review. IMMEDIATELY. In fact, it may be too late. Why? As typical, there is a major story line that runs through the series, and usually a minor thread as well. Most of the time, you can enjoy the story when you read it out of order, but not so in this case. So continue at your own risk, and better yet, get the rest of the series.

For those who have been reading the series and are ready for "Double Protection Duty," you are in for a thrill ride. Action starting at the beginning. Dealing with Kenyon Graves' dealing with memory issues and trying to figure out his relationship with his lifelong friend who has been caregiver to his boys. Also, the overarching story of the Gun Ring competes with the Kenyon/Raina/Kidnapper story of this book. I'm at where I can't wait till I get to book 8.

Or, in simpler terms, I highly recommend this series and this book.

ADVENT THOUGHTS, CHRISTMAS SONG DEVOTIONALS, AND A RELATED HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE.

 

Felix Mendelssohn and Charles Wesley, co-writers of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."

 Merry Christmas! 

In my previous blog, I mentioned the devotional "The Christmas We Didn't Expect" by David Mathis. I'd like to share thoughts that were either inspired by that book, confirmed previous thoughts, or made me think of something else.

1. Between the above mentioned book and an episode of CBN's cartoon Superbook I saw Saturday (Dec. 20), I was hit that the first Christmas was just an ordinary day. An ordinary man and an ordinary woman (both godly but still ordinary) came to town and had to find room in the stable to have what probably appeared to be a normal baby. To me, there is no Biblcal evidence nor a necessity of the Salvation story for the teachings of Mary's perpetual virginity or her immaculate (sinless) conception, nor is there any reason to think that God expcted Mary and Joseph to live different than any other married couple. The focus of the Bible is that in a world where man wants to be a god, God the Son (Jesus) became fully man without ceasing to be fully God in the process.
2. Back to Mathis' devotional. Chapter 9 was titled "Hark, the Long Lost Verses Sing." It happens to be my favorite with words by Charles Wesley (my favorite hymn lyrist) set to the music of Felix  Mendelssohn (my favorite classical composer). Most hymnals only have three of the original five verses; there's one we have which contains a fourth - technically, the first half of the fourth and fifth verses. I learned in this devotional that another of my church history heroes George Whitfield had influence on this song as well, revising the first couplet from Wesley's original to what we sing today, and making it a four verse hymn. 
3. Chapter 10 also has musical allusions, titled "We Three Kings From Orient Aren't." His focus is that this trio (actually, many say three is not the number of the Magi but rather the number of the gifts) weren't kings or political leaders, but pagan sorcerors who normally wouldn't be looking for a Jewish Savior.
4. I'm probably the only person reading Mathis' 11th devotional who would think of a connection to a third song. His focus was on the priests who knew where the Messiah was to be born but no interest in joining the Magi to see him. The song which was probably heard by less than 100 people was part of a musical called Viewpoints, where I asked several of my musician friends to write songs giving viewpoints of people in the Christmas story. One I had in mind were the above mentioned priests, and I wrote the lyrics and the music for the chorus - titled "Do I Really Care?" - while my friend Tod Moses wrote music for the verses. That experience in '93 was one of my highpoints. One of the participants - Barry Kay - included one of the two songs he wrote for that project on what I believe was his first album. If I made a list of my fovorite songs that I wrote, "Do I Really Care?" would be one of the top three. 

Hope this was a blessing, and I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas, or if you guys prefer, a Joseph Christmas.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOK REVIEWS: "PROMISED PRESENCE" BY NATHAN BROCK, "THE CHRISTMAS WE DIDN'T EXPECT" BY DAVID MATHIS

 

Last year, I read the Advent Devotional "Promised Presence" by my friend Nathan Brock (he was on staff at the church Becky and I attend before becoming joining a mission organization. By the time I finished, it was too late to review it at an appropriate time.

This year, each attender in our church received "The Christmas We Didn't Expect" by David Mathis. I finished it today, just in time for Christmas Eve. So for Christmas, I will review both of them. 

"Promised Presence" is Biblically centered: it mostly includes quotes from Scripture with a few poems in there, focusing on the first Advent. There's no commentary, no personal anecdotes, and just a few poems and other writings on the theme. It is letting Scripture speak for itself. 

"The Christmas We Didn't Expect" is more what one would expect with a devotional book. Well, maybe and maybe not. Most devotional books are focused on a reading for each day. David Mathis, Senior Teacher and Executive Editor for desiringGod.org, has a very well organized book. The 24 readings are set in eight sections of three each, focusing on certain things that are unexpected, such as "An Unexpected Birth," or "Unexpected Guests," I found this to be an uplifting and inspirational devotional set. 

I recommend both of them.

BOOK REVIEW - "THREAT OF REVENGE" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 6) BY JESSICA PATCH

An exploding car... a bag with a live rattlesnake thrown her way... within a few minutes of getting into town... could it be somebody wants to kill patrol officer Jenna Morrow? Is this connected to an anonymous tip concerning a gun ring that Jenna and her K-9 partner Augie were sent to investigate? And is Clay Miller, the mysterious handsome stranger that rescued her, someone she should trust? (Considering this is published by Harlequin imprint Love Inspired Suspense, I guess we know the answer to the last question.)

Jessica Patch is the author of "Threat of Revenge," book 6 of Love Inspired Suspense's Dakota K-9 Unit series. You have a pair of very interesting charters with Jenna and Clay, and you have plenty of plot twists. 

Let's say you found this book when looking on-line, and you haven't read the previous 5 books in the series. Can you enjoy this story without feeling lost not knowing what happened previously or spoiling some of the earlier stories? Note - normally with these Love Inspired Suspense multi-author K-9 suspense stories, the answer is yes, but not this series. There is a major overarching story through the collection, and there is an unexpected plot twist that reading them out of order would spoil. 

My advice? Get and read the whole series (at the time of writing this, I just finished book 7). It is fun reading a series with different authors, and Jessica Patch is one I usually perk up with - if I made up a list of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense characters, most of the top ten would be found in Patch's stories, and Clay belongs in that group. In other words, I highly reommend this book and the rest of the series.

BOOK REVIEW - "TRACING KILLER EVIDENCE" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 5) BY JODIE BAILEY

 Why is a serial abductor becoming a serial killer? Should forensic artist Isabella Whitmore be more concerned about this fiend targeting her or FBI-agent and former fiance Liam Barringer, who came to her rescue with his cadever finding K-9 Guthrie? And are there any other shocking surprises are face Liam as he tries to protect Isabella and bring down a gun-running ring?

We have reached the middle of the Dakota K-9 Unit series with Jodie Bailey's "Tracing Killer Evidence." This is a beginning to end thriller that also deals with the fact that you might be operating on incomplete information. As usual with Jodie Bailey, I feel inspired, as well as wonderful characters.

As mentioned, this is the mid-point of the series (book 5 to be exact). This book, like the others, has a story of its own, but there are other concerns that run through the book, such as who is running a gun ring and who killed one of their fellow officers, Kenyon Graves, leaving his twins without a father. Thus, the question is if you can read this book before its predecessors without spoiling them and with keeping from feeling lost. With this book, as typical, you can enjoy the story by itself, but as regards to spoiling: PLEASE. READ. THESE. BOOKS. IN. ORDER! 

I am  a fan of Jodie Bailey (I've read 19 books of hers at this point), of Love Inspired Suspense (109 of this imprint read) and the K-9 series (I'm in my 7th series, with 55 stories read). So will it surprise you to give it my total approval?

MOVIE COMPARISONS: "FIREFOX" (1982) AND "BLUE THUNDER" (1983)

 

Name the movie. It's about a super airbound war-machine, with technology so advanced the pilot could as quick as a thought launch an attack. The hero, who has war induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, knows his job is to steal that machine to keep the bad government to use it for their nefarious purposes. Hint: the movie's poster is pictured above. Second hint: there is more than one correct answer.

"Firefox," adapted from Craig Thomas' '77 novel and directed by Clint Eastwood in '82, is the name of an experimental military airplane that not only is fast, but it is capable of eluding radar. Additionally, the pilot wears a helmet that reads his thoughts and automatically does the assigned task. "Blue Thunder," directed by John Badham in '83, is an experimental police helicopter that is equipped to perform surveilance, both by sound and sight. If the pilot is wearing the helmet and turns his head, the weapons turn in the same direction.

Michael Gant (Clint Eastwood) in "Firefox" and Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider, one of my favorite actors) in "Blue Thunder" were both exceptional pilots (Murphy was able to fly a loop with a helicopter, which is supposed to be impossible, but of course Murphy did it at the end). Both, as mentioned above, dealt with trauma from being in the Vietnam War. Gant's job was to steal the Firefox from the governmental baddies; Murphy stole the Blue Thunder after learning the evil plans of the governmental baddies.

And here's where these two super-pilots take their sophisticated machines in two opposit directions. Or to put it a different way, what is the role of OUR government? "Firefox" is a cold-war era espionage adventure where our government (the good guys) sent Gant to Russia to steal the Firefox before the Russians could use it. "Blue Thunder" is described as neo-noir, where our government (the bad guys) were planning on using the Blue Thunder for surveilance and quelling domestic unrest, so Murphy steals it and destroys it after an exciting but somewhat implausible climatic dogfight. 

The difference affected the movies. "Firefox" received a PG rating in the pre PG-13 era, and possibly could have kept that rating after PG-13 came into being. "Blue Thunder" got an R, and like most movies, could have been a better PG (or PG-13) movie than with the R. The enemy in "Blue Thunder" was an officer in the military Murphy had dealt with. In Firefox, the antagonists were the Russian military and government, where the two sides treated each other with respect and without personal animosity. For example, during the final dogfight between Gant and an equal Russian pilot, Gant lost control of the plane due to his PTSD, the Russian gave him a thumbs up when he was able to regain control. You wouldn't be surprised for Eastwood to direct a pro-US movie. Likewise, it wasn't a surprise for Badham to have an anti-war movie - in addition to "Blue Thunder," '83 saw the release of "Wargames," also directed by Badham and also wary of our government.

From here, I'm making comments of the movies more from an artistic perspective than my previous look at worldview. 

As I mentioned before, "Firefox" was based on a novel. Which was better? Good question. The movie had three divisions: 1) Gant's recruitment and training, 2) Gant arriving in Russia and getting to the plane, and 3) flying the plane out of Russia. In the book, the first section was a brief prologue, with the ten chapters equally dealing with the other parts. In this, I think the book was stronger - the first section was a little slow for an adventure. However, two of Gant's allies in getting to the plane died after seeing they did their job; the book had those two die not knowing if they succeeded.

Let me move to the characters of the movies. "Blue Thunder"  was my fifth Roy Scheider movie, including "The French Connection" and "Jaws", and I consider myself a fan. I only saw three Eastwood movies before "Firefox," and I didn't enjoy them as much as the Scheider films. I liked their portrayals. Both movies also introduced me to actors I've grown to like: Freddie Jones as Gant's recruiter (I loved seeing his joy when Gant succeeded in stealing the plane) and Daniel Stern (Marv in "Home Alone) as Murphy's observer and partner. 

As far as story-telling, I will admit "Blue Thunder" had a more interesting start, though both movies smoothly moved into the main plot. After that, I think "Firefox" was better. Part of it was being loyal to the book. However, it also was more realistic in parts than "Blue Thunder." They did end off with the character heading into the horizon (Gant flying the plane into friendly airspace, Murphy walking beside the train track with the demolished Blue Thunder in smoke behind him). 

Which did I enjoy more? Let me answer it this way. I watched "Firefox" four times - twice in its theatrical run, once on TV, and a few years ago on DVD. I might watch it again. I've never thought of watching "Blue Thunder" a second time.

BOOK REVIEW - "COLD CASE PERIL" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 4) BY MAGGIE K. BLACK

Why is a driver with blaring rock music trying to force dog trainer Micah Landon off the road Was this due to him looking into who killed his mother a decade earlier by a hit and run driver? Or could it be connected to a guns case officer Lucy Lopez and her K-9 partner Piper are looking/sniffing into? 

Maggie K. Black's "Cold Case Peril" is the fourth novel of the Dakota K-9 Unit series. As you would expect if you read any of the books in this collection or previous series by this imprint, you have exciting action and characters you care about. For example, there is the interaction between Micah and his half-brother dealing with the loss of their mother. 

Is this a series that you need to read in order? I would highly recommend it. Yes, it is written where you can enjoy the story without being lost or spoiling a previous story. However, this series is one where you'd enjoy it more reading the books in order.

By the way, in spite of the main male character having a name that sounds like a popular actor, there are no references to Little Joe. Sorry.

I recommend both this book and the full series (this is book 4 of 9).

BOOK REVIEW - "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?" BY KEVIN DEYOUNG

 This book, "What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?" is on a subject where the majority of people have a strong opinion and a good number of which are unwilling to show tolerance for the other side. One question, though, is whether one believes the Bible is an authoritative, inerrant, infallible, and accurate source we're to consider the Word of God written so we can understand it or if fallible men (we all fall into that category) know what's best with a changing of minds from the traditional to the anti-traditional.

Author Kevin DeYoung points right off in the introduction states the book is a Christian book with a narrow focus to defend a traditional view of marriage. Thus, we should expect him to present that view as the best alternative.  

Part one of this book focuses on Scripture, with chapters 1-5 dealing with, respectively, Genesis 1-2, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18 and 20, Romans 1, and 1 Corinthians 6/1 Timothy 1, all of which deal with God's design for marriage and teachings on Homosexuality. The second part deals with answers to seven pro-LGBTQ+ arguments (one per chapter).

There are three appendices after Chapter 12. The first two address the issues of gay marriage and same-sex attraction. The third appendix is titled "The Church and Homosexuality: Ten Commitments." DeYoung points out the different groups of people we're dealing with - in other words, we wouldn't treat a person who's asking questions and possibly struggling with the issue, a sufferer who has been mistreated by the church, and an activist who has less tolerance for traditional Christians than they think the Christians have.

Allow me to offer some insights both from before reading this book and looking at negative reviews. One is that those who consider that the Bible is authoritative and opposes homosexuality is based on what the Bible says. Okay, maybe not much but what it says is consistent. On the other hand, I've seen inconsistency with the arguments of those who affirm that lifestyle - some say that the Bible doesn't mean what we think it means while others say it does mean what it says, but it is a reflection of the views of that time and not God's view. 

Also, I see the cliche that those oppose LGBTQ+ are hateful in the criticisms of this book. However, if we believe that lifestyle is leading a person to judgment, which is more loving? Allowing them to leap off lemming cliff and face condemnation? Or to warn them and plead with them to avoid the destruction they're headed to? If you read the whole book, you'll see it is focusing on the actions being wrong, but God desiring the person would turn and avoid destruction.

BOOK REVIEW - "SHATTERED SANCTUARY" (THE ERIN DELANEY MYSTERIES BOOK ONE) BY NANCY MEHL

 

Mystery Writer and former police-officer Erin Delaney's only friend is an ex-FBI Behavioral Analsyst she has never met in person; will that friendship endure spending some time together in an isolated cabin? Oh, did I mention that there is a ghost walking around? No? How about the body the local police discovered?

"Shattered Sanctuary" is the first book in Nancy Mehl's new "The Erin Delaney Mysteries," and it is what you expect. A well woven mystery. Creepy villains. A nail abiting Psychological Thriller. And it delivers.

Longtime Mehl readers like myself (this is my 21st novel of hers I've read) will be happy to see Kaely Quinn-Hunter return early in the story; Quinn was the main character in a previous series and guested in another novel ("Dead Fall"). My interest piqued with the title "Shattered Sanctuary" because Mehl also had a trilogy called "Finding Sanctuary," and I wondered if there was a return to that small Midwest town. It didn't take me long to realize this was another small town called "Sanctuary," this time in the Smokies.

Yes, this is the first in a series, and usually there is no need to worry about if you're spoiling a story by reading it out of order, but would the return of Kaely change that? In my opinion, not at all. Yes, reading the "Kaely Quinn Profiler" series would help you get to know her, and the same is true with "Dead Fall," but it won't have an effect with enjoying this new tale.

As usual, I highly recommend this novel by Nancy Mehl. By the way, I also recommend the"Kaely Quinn Profiler" trilogy and for that matter, the Quantico Files trilogy, of which "Dead Fall" is the middle story. And I'll add the "Finding Sactuary" series to the list, though it's in a different genre.