Best of 2008: Stuff that’s changed me
Its usual around this time to bloggers to start putting lists together to sum up the previous year – so I thought I’d provide my own. Here’s my list of a few films, albums, books, people, videos – whatever – that have left their mark on me this year. In no particular order…
Film: Changeling
In the second half of this year, Changeling was the film that hit me the hardest (Trailer here). What hit me was just how easy it was for these people who really thought they were doing the right thing to get it so wrong. Angelina Jolie played a very different role really well.
Blog: The Forgotten Ways – Alan Hirsch
Throughout this year, Alan has managed to regularly turn out thought-provoking posts about missional, liminality and communitas on his blog. This is one of the few blogs in my reader that has no unread posts.
Book: The Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claibourne
This book got me so excited and inspired. I don’t think anyone could read it and finish it unchallenged, or without catching the missional bug.
Film: The Dark Knight
Dark Knight was my film of the year (Trailer). An incredibly real, incredibly gritty superhero story. Heath Ledger was insanely good as the Joker.
Book: Surprised by Hope – Tom Wright
Surprised by Hope cleared up a lot of theological confusion for me – and built a new angle into my own personal theology of the mission of God.
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes – Matt Chandler
This year I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Matt Chandler’s sermons. (Ecclesiastes series starts with ”The Sixth Sense” on 07-09-2006). But despite still having our differences I’ve grown to respect him – especially his amazing ability to communicate so passionately. A friend managed to persuade me to try out his early series on Ecclesiastes which is one of the best sermon series I’ve ever listened to.






