The 2009 Swannies!

First, let me apologize for my absence, I'm sure all 3 of you who regularly read this blog were disappointed that I didn't post the entire month of November and barely posted in this month. I've been very busy and haven't had the time to blog. But, you can take solace in the fact that I am back and will be trying to post as much as possible, I have lot of great posts floating around in my head and 2010 is going to be the year of Swanson!  But, before I can focus my attention on 2010 I have to look back on 2009. So I created my own award show! The Swannies, in which, I give away awards to those who I think earned them and made a big impact on me this year. Let's go!

Album of the Year: Church Music - David Crowder* Band

It was a tough decision but David Crowder and company earned it, unlike the Hillsong and Switchfoot releases, this one was solid from beginning to end. Probably because every song flowed into the other! It was the only album this year that had no song I disliked. To those who say Church Music has no real worship songs, I challenge you to really listen to the album. Every song on here is worship, DC*B is a band that is unafraid to try new things. Something the rest of the Christian music should really try to do.

Song of the Year: Tear Down the Walls - Hillsong United

2009 was one great music year and this was the toughest choice for me. While Crowder's "How He Loves" was filled with worship and Switchfoot's "Your Love is a Song" was powerful, "Tear Down the Walls" was the only song this year that combined both fluently. It immediately makes you want to get up and change the world. Like Hillsong's "With Everything," this song continues to build on itself until it explodes with power. It makes you want to jump up, run around, and lift up your voice. This song shouts and demands to be heard. That's why it's the Song of the Year, possibly the decade.

Band of the Year: David Crowder* Band

David Crowder* Band has always been original and has always defied the stereotype of Christian music. But this year they did it tenfold. Crowder and his ragtag group of musical geniuses crafted not only the best album of the year but set forth the challenge to all of Christian music. Are you going to defy the stereotype or live by it. Crowder has taken the old rules of what Christian music should be and thrown them out the window. What Crowder and the band showed everybody this year, is that the music doesn't have to sound the same to be worship, that we can all defy the stereotypes by being original.


Best Show on TV: Glee

Some people might be offended by this pick, and the show in general. I've heard many people say many things about Glee and most of the time, they're right. Glee does feature sex jokes, Glees does talk about Teen Pregnancy, and Glee does feature blatant stereotypes. But there's more to Glee than this. The underlying message of Glee is one everybody can relate to. Stand up and be who you are. Don't be what people tell you to be, be yourself. For that alone Glee is head and shoulders above the rest of TV.

Biggest Surprise: We're giving away a what?!?!?


The biggest surprise for me this year came from my church. Around the month of October word has started to circulate that our youth group, Revolution would be moving to one weekend service on Saturday. To make the change easier for everyone and get new people, they decided to give away a car! That's right, my youth group is giving away a car! The truth of the matter is this, most unsaved people won't come to church if they don't have a reason to. What better reason to come than getting the chance to win a new car! To those who go to Revolution: You have no reason to not invite somebody, go out and take a leap of faith, you'll be surprised what you find.

Best Part of the Year: Costa Rica


I had the distinct pleasure to spend a week in Costa Rica, and it changed my life. I never truly left Costa Rica, parts of me are still there, and always will be. And I know that I made a difference in people's lives, who may have never known God if it wasn't for us. But, the most important part of the trip, were the people. They had almost nothing and yet their loved life, how many times do you see that in America. I wish everyone could see what I saw in Costa Rica. I wish everyone's hearts could break like mine did. I look forward to going on another missions trip next year, and hopefully it fills me with the same joy and hope the Costa Rica did.

There you have, this is my best of 2009. Some of you will agree, others will disagree, that's what the comment section is for. Seriously, give me your comments, tell me what you would have put. I wait for your replies and wish you all a Merry Christmas and, if you don't see me before, a Happy New Year!