Like many of you, I’ve spent some time over the past few days reflecting on 2018 and looking ahead to 2019. Of course, there have been tough spots and low points just like any other year. Because my nature is to only focus on areas that need improvement, I’m aiming to celebrate more.

This list took some effort and I think it’s solid. And, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Some of these are a bit more personal. Others might seem self-congratulating. But, my hope and prayer is that through my sharing, it will inspire you to look back and find those gifts from God in your own life. We don’t deserve them, yet because of God’s generosity and love, we have the freedom to enjoy them. 

I also hope it challenges you to reach higher in 2019. When I look at this list, I certainly feel that. I’m humbled and grateful but also ready to get after it.

So, without shame or qualification, I invite you to celebrate 2018 with me. Here’s my Top 100 for 2018:

1. Saying goodbye to a Big group of talented and brilliant people after 2.5 years and stepping into…
2. …a new role at Highlands as Video Director
3. Starting the evening program at Highlands College
4. Winning the 2018 CMA Music Video of the Year Award for Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me“
5. Finishing the Ironman 70.3 in Chattanooga
6. Seeing Maria beaming at the finish line after encouraging me all the way
7. Running the NYC Marathon (the world’s largest and one of the most prestigious) with 53,000 of my closest friends
8. Strong high fives from Benaiah at Mile 16 to keep me going
9. Rewarding myself for finishing with this dope Nike Run NYC Hoodie
10. Killer pizza at Serafina in NYC with Maria and Benaiah
    
11. Organizing and creating an incredible gym space and gear wall in our garage. No excuses in 2019. 
12. Getting braces put on. Something I’ve always wanted to take care of.
13. Reading through The One Year® Chronological Bible on YouVersion. This app is such a gift.
14. Memorizing Philippians using this app
15. Motion X
16. Exploring Graffiti Pier in Philly with Benaiah
17. Buddakan
18. Cassandra! Cassandra! (An inside joke with Ben)
19. A proper cheesesteak crawl
20. Running the Rocky steps (and almost having my phone stolen)
21. Eastern State Penitentiary, Al Capone’s cell, and other creepy vibes
22. Photowalking Philly
23. The whole mantrip to Philly. We’re making President’s Day weekend an annual thing. DC here we come!
24. A 40-Day Daniel Fast. Was tough but I learned so much during this time.
25. Highlands Worship Recording
26. Riding in the back of the safety truck with Kimlin shooting Ferraris on an Indy race track in Houston
27. GoPro fun with Adam
    
28. Watching Benaiah march the streets of NYC in the St. Patrick’s Parade with Maria and Vicki
29. Having the High Line all to myself on a brisk morning run
30. Exploring the Bowery with Maria and finding Banksy
31. Brunch at The Wren with Maria and Victoria
32. Falling in love with classical music
33. Freedom Groups and Conferences x2. This is such a huge part of my life and love everyone I get to encounter in this sphere.
34. 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting with Highlands. Always an incredible way to start the year.
35. Atomic Habits by James Clear
36. When by Daniel Pink
37. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
38. Mindset by Carol Dweck
39. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
40. Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen
41. The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
42. Hanging backstage at Motion X with Benaiah
43. Watching him grow into a strong young leader in such a short amount of time
44. Playing amateur tour guide in DC for JD, Nic, and Blake
45. Visiting the “other” Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at Dulles in DC. Hello Space Shuttle Discovery. I geeked out just a bit.
46. Changing of the Guard at Arlington
47. Experiencing the “Proper Burger” at Duke’s Grocery in DC
48. Experiencing it again while watching England play in the World Cup. Doing this with some of my favorite people.
49. Designated Survivor with Maria and Benaiah
    
50. Progressive Rummy with Maria and Benaiah
51. Torchy’s Tacos in Houston
52. Hiring Falco and Blaire to the Highlands Video Team
53. Leading and being a part of the best team there is… JD, Nic, Blake, Falco, and Blaire
54. Being led well and working with a guy who has his own parody Instagram… the one and only Kellen Coldiron.
55. Making new friends
56. Tottenham Hotspur and EPL mornings with the family
57. Hope City Church in Houston, TX
58. Lifepoint Church in VA
59. i5 City in Baltimore, MD (and those crab cakes they hooked us up with)
60. Soco Church in Bentonville, AR
61. Queen City Church in Cincinnati with Chip
62. Grow Leadership Intensive
63. Shooting “The Heist”
64. Eating the biggest slice of pizza at Benny Vitali’s
65. Antique shop hopping in rural VA with the guys
66. Attempting to haggle with a shop owner only to underestimate him and buy something I didn’t want
    
67. Racing the Rock N RollMan Olympic Triathlon in GA with Matt Minor
68. Upping my coffee game with one of these
69. Thursday mornings at Waffle House with my dad and brother
70. Leadership Small Group w/Denny Hodges
71. Riding the Deep South Cancer Foundation Magic City Cycliad metric century with my friend Paul
72. Sitting with one of my best friends and praying at his father’s funeral
73. Producing an ambitious music video for the Little Big Town’s “Rocket Man”
74. Breakfast with my “big brother” Jim Rudolph
75. The three challenge coins he gave me from veterans he works with. I carry a different one each day now.
76. A guy in Houston seriously recommending Whataburger as a must-try spot
    
77. Billy Reid
78. Directing an amazingly talented group of people for “The Grinch” Christmas at Highlands Opener
79. Finally getting to use my llama contact after holding onto her info the last six years
80. Scribd
81. Kitchen on George in Mobile
82. Hallelujah Here Below
83. Amazon Echo Dots… everywhere.
84. jamesclear.com
85. Johnson Space Center
86. Crashing the Nellers for Spring Break
87. Visiting Josiah
    
88. Reconnecting over lunch with my good friend Art VanZanten
89. Consistent daily journaling and reflection
    
90. A friend surprising me with an Ember mug
    
91. Searching for the good bean/cup at Siphon, Prevail, Greenway, Onyx, Blue Bottle, Intelligentsia, Steadfast, Stumptown, and Heart
92. Speaking at Highlands Creative Nights
93. Winning a Clio Award for work on Valvoline “Never Idle – Run”
94. Nominated for ACM Video of the Year for Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me”
95. The Prez Obama Burger at Good Stuff Eatery
    
96. Deep-fried turkey for Thanksgiving with Robbie H and the rest of the fam
97. Making it into the Blooper Reel
    
98. SNKRS 
99. Scoring a free fried chicken (the best I’ve ever had) dinner because of a waiter’s mistake at The Eagle with Chip in Cincinnati
100. Reaching the one billion+ mark for online views of work I’ve had the privilege to produce