25 Things I Liked in 2025
Why 25? No one knows.
I relished many things in 2025, and I contend that you will enjoy many of these things as well. Here are 25 of them. These are not the only things I enjoyed this year, nor even necessarily my top 25. But it’s the end of the year, and people like lists, so here we are.
My children enjoying being siblings: Our youngest turned one this year, and reaching three kids over the age of one has added a sweet element to being siblings. Two sisters and one brother in the middle. They delight in one another (and bicker too), but it’s been a unique joy watching them grow not just as kids, but toward each other.
The Common Reader: I providentially got a new coworker this year, Henry Oliver, who writes The Common Reader. He reminded me of something I had forgotten—that great literature conveys the heights of human intellect and is an extraordinary work of aesthetic achievement.
Reading the Bible in a Year: I started reading the Bible in a year around the age of 26 or 27, when Christ became uppermost in my affections again. Such reading plans are standard fare for Christians, but after going through a few of those plans, I swapped that practice out for going more deeply and slowly into one book at a time. But this year, I felt a pull toward reading widely again. Both approaches are good; I find that the change-up helps me.
Readwise: This app is dead useful for categorizing, saving, and creating a repository for quotes and thoughts I have while reading. This is quite instrumental in writing.
George Eliot: Middlemarch is the most formidable work of literature I have come across in years. Her grasp of philosophy, theology, economics, culture, and politics is substantial, and then she turns all of that into a gripping novel. The Mill on the Floss is devastatingly honest, and both have superlative prose.
Buffalo Jackson: For years, I wanted a bag that could hold my computer, a notebook, a few books, pens, a charger, and the related cords. In other words, a mobile office. And I wanted it to be leather and delightful. Buffalo Jackson makes that kind of bag.
The Philadelphia Eagles Winning the Super Bowl: Need I say more? The Eagles stomped the most dominant team in the league and potentially ended the mini Chiefs dynasty. Cooper DeJean had one of the slickest pick-sixes you’ve ever seen. Vic Fangio’s defense was magnificent. Jalen Hurts raised his level in the biggest moment. Not as sweet as the first, but still sweet indeed.
Writing: I had a previous blip of writing productivity in 2012–2013, but it was sophomoric. Maybe it still is, but writing here and a few other places has helped me sharpen my thinking and serves as a natural outlet for reading more.
Russell Kirk: It was refreshing to be reminded of principled conservatism. I think he unfairly lumps classical liberals in with liberals/progressives/Marxists, but I understand the mistake given his context. And boy, are things different now.
Systematic Theology: I read the following systematics, here, here, and here. There are few things as gripping as pondering the imponderable wonders of God.
Bible Talk: One of the marks of a good podcast is thinking, “I’d love hanging out with these guys.” Jim, Sam, and Alex do exactly that, and they do it while talking about the deep, Christ-exalting truths of Scripture. They push me to re-engage with the original languages.
Gotham Chess/Chessly: I crossed 1500 in Daily and 1170 in Rapid this year, almost entirely due to Chessly courses and tactics. Throw in some puzzles and AI game analysis, and you’ve got my game plan.
Pluribus: Offbeat, funny, and surprisingly philosophical. I recommend it.
Stranger Things: I still love this show after all this time. It captures ’80s childhood well and has been a fun ride. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and still pulls off a compelling narrative.
G.K. Beale: A New Testament Biblical Theology and his shorter commentary on Revelation were perspective-altering. His work on the picture of the temple throughout Scripture will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Harry Potter World: I went to Universal with my two eldest kids for their birthdays, and had some core memories formed. Harry Potter World is impressive, and the rides were a blast. It’s worth the hype.
The Emerging Scholars at The Mercatus Center: At work, we launched a program tasked with finding brilliant minds who want to do brilliant work. Henry Oliver, mentioned earlier, was one of those. This program is headed up by Rebecca Lowe, who has become one of those annoying colleagues you call a “friend.” Beyond that, Patterson Beaman, Elsie Jang, John Maier, and Revana Sharfuddin are all incredible to work with.
“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.”Self-recommending.
Florida: “Florida Man” gives Florida a bad rap. Our family went on vacation there, and the water was warm, the weather was beautiful, and the beaches pristine. Florida is great.
Craig Jones BJJ instructionals (and none of his nonsense): Craig Jones is many things, and he’s not a paradigm of virtue, but he is a superb jiu-jitsu instructor. His concepts are easy to grasp and effective. I have adopted his approach to the bottom game in BJJ for sure.
Room for Nuance: Sean DeMars started this podcast to give space for longer, deeper conversations about ministry, theology, and church life. He also endeavors to recommend solid resources. Compelling listen for pastors and lay leaders.
Landlines: The 1990s were the last great American decade, and one of the great things about that time was landlines. The simple joy of my kids being able to call me or their grandparents from a landline that has no internet browser, no video, no nonsense is nostalgically charming. It also enables us to leave the older kids for short periods of time with the confidence that they can call us without the dangers of the internet.
Forgive by Tim Keller: The relationship between repentance and forgiveness is hard to understand. Keller does a good job of presenting the Christian concepts of internal and external forgiveness—attitudinal forgiveness and reconciliation. The latter requires repentance; the former does not.
Giving Up Sugar: I’m currently not doing this, but wish I was. I gave up sugar for two months and felt better, more energized, healthier, and my doctor was happy with me too.
Ramen with Marion: It’s common for married couples to have default date places. This is not necessarily bad, though avoiding ruts is ideal. Nonetheless, having a default, good place to enjoy time with one another is a gift. Masui Ramen is that place for us. When we don’t know where to go, we go there. There’s rarely a wait, it’s not crazy expensive, and the ramen is good. More importantly, it’s quiet enough to have long conversations.