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# Favorite things from 2008
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/20081231favorite-things-from-2008-html/
- Published: 2008-12-31T17:58:30.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:31:18.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Blogging, Books, preaching, #DashHouseCom, #wp

No, I’m not Oprah, although we may be in the same weight class. Because I’m not Oprah, I won’t be giving away free stuff. But I can tell you some of what I’ve enjoyed the most in 2008.

**Books** – My favorite book of the year is actually an old one: [*The Heart of a Servant Leader*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0875527159/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) by Jack Miller. It’s a compilation of letters written by Jack Miller, pastor of New Life Presbyterian and founder of [World Harvest Mission](http://www.whm.org/?ref=dashhouse.com). They’re so full of gospel that I keep a copy on my desk so I can read a letter or two when I need to be re-centered. An excellent book.

I didn’t reach my reading goals this year, but I thoroughly enjoyed [*Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433501996/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) (a must-read if you are an ordinary pastor), [*Why We’re Not Emergent*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802458343/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) (strikes a good tone in its critique), volumes [one](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0851513530/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) and [two](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0851515649/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) of Iain Murray’s biography of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (which reminded me that most of the issues we deal with really aren’t new), and Tim Keller’s new books [*The Prodigal God*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0525950796/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) and [*The Reason for God*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0525950494/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) (the gospel for believers and unbelievers). [*Unpacking Forgiveness*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1581349807/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com) by [Chris Brauns](http://www.chrisbrauns.com/?ref=dashhouse.com) was also a highlight from the year.

**Blogs** – I read way too many blogs, but three of my favorites are newer. [Trevin Wax](http://trevinwax.com/?ref=dashhouse.com) is an awesome book reviewer and an insightful blogger. I love his stuff. [Tullian Tchividjian](http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?ref=dashhouse.com) is a must-read. Another newish one is [Ed Stetzer’s blog](http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/?ref=dashhouse.com). The more I read him, the more I like him. I could probably list about fifty that I really appreciate, but these three would be at the top of the list.

By the way, I keep seeing my friend [Bill Kinnon’s blog](http://www.kinnon.tv/?ref=dashhouse.com) making the list of people’s favorites, and he deserves it.

**Blog Post** – For some reason, [this post by Steve McCoy called “How I hit REFRESH”](http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/2008/08/how-i-hit-refresh.html?ref=dashhouse.com) stands out as the most helpful post I read all year.

**Sermon Downloads** – When I have a [Tim Keller sermon](http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/?ref=dashhouse.com) and a [Matt Chandler sermon](http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/sermons.html?ref=dashhouse.com) on my iPod, I never know which one to listen to first. But I usually go with Keller. Both are excellent and help me a lot.

**Podcast** – I’m really becoming a fan of [Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Cafe](http://www.cbc.ca/vinylcafe/home.php?ref=dashhouse.com). He’s Canada’s answer to [Garrison Keillor](http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/?ref=dashhouse.com). I started listening to him to learn how to tell stories better, but now I just listen to him for the sheer pleasure.

These are just a few of my favorite things from the past year.