Influences

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Listed below are some of the artists, musicians, albums, songs, etc.. that have influenced/impacted my life at various times and in various ways. It’s amazing how certain songs and even entire albums bring back distinct memories of circumstances and seasons. I listen to some of these tunes on a regular basis, and others have simply been a part at one time or another.

I will be updating this page often, as I am always discovering fabulous new tunes/artists.

Childhood Influences

Favorite Female Artists

Favorite Male Artists

Favorite Bands

Favorite Albums

Favorite Musicians

Erik Rostad
Bill Hatcher
Mike Pachelli
Ronnie Ciago
Phil Keaggy

Favorite Oldies

Dean Martin
Gene Kelly
Frank Sinatra
Judy Garland
Etta James

Favorite Soundtracks

Favorite Classical Music

Bach
Mozart

Favorite Kids Music

True Stories/Biographies

Letters of Comfort by Debi Wilkerson Jonker (My song, “Face to Face” is included in the book.)
Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
The Splendour of God – The Life of Adoniram Judson
Run, Baby Run – Nicky Cruz
The Hiding Place – Corrie TenBoom
God’s Smuggler – Brother Andrew
A Chance to Die – The Biography of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
A Passion For the Impossible – Biography of Lilias Trotter
Hand of Providence - Biography of Ronald Reagan
The Cross and the Switchblade – Story of the founding of Teen Challenge
Abiding in His Strength by Gwen Wilkerson

Fiction

The Curate of Glaston by George MacDonald
The Fisherman’s Lady (Malcolm) and The Marquis Secret by George MacDonald
The Baronet’s Song and The Shepherds Castle by George MacDonald
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery
Ramona Series by Stockard Channing (great for children!)

Other

Full Life in Christ by Andrew Murray
The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
School of Christ by T. Austin Sparks

Other Recommendations (not necessarily favorites but good reads)

Rescue the Captors by Russell Stendell (True Story)
Jungle Pilot biography of Nate Saint
No Compromise biography of Keith Green
Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot
Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
These Strange Ashes by Elisabeth Elliot
Be Still My Soul by Elisabeth Elliot
Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately? by David Wilkerson
Hungry for More of Jesus by David Wilkerson
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

Movies I’ve Enjoyed

Chic Flicks

Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Return to Me
Wives & Daughters (BBC)
Pride & Prejudice (BBC)
Sense & Sensibility (Emma Thompson Version)
Persuasion (BBC)
Emma (BBC)
North & South (BBC)

Guy/Action

A Few Good Men
The Bourne Series
Saving Private Ryan

Sports Movies (Based On True Stories) (I LOVE Sports Movies)

The Blind Side
Miracle
Forever Strong
Radio
Invictus
We Are Marshall
Rudy

Based On Real Life/Inspirational

Julie &; Julia
John Adams Mini Series
Extraordinary Measures
The Young Victoria
Saints & Soldiers
Frost/Nixon
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Secretariat
A Man Called Peter

Other

The Boys Are Back
Little Manhatten
Marley & Me

Musicals

Anything with Gene Kelly or Judy Garland
Meet Me in St. Louis
An American In Paris
Ziegfeild Girl
The Sound of Music
West Side Story
Carousel

Animated

The Chronicles of Narnia
Prince Caspian
Voyage of the Dawn Treader (although none of them follow the books)
Toy Story 3

Christmas/Holiday

Silver Bells (Hallmark)
It’s A Wonderful Life
Joyeux Noel
Elf
Pictures of Hollis Woods
The Christmas Box
Timepiece
Noelle

The authors listed below have impacted my life by encouraging and challenging me to think, to use my God-given reason, to seek, and to dig deep instead of being satisfied with the surface. A good author does that, I think, regardless of the topic, or whether it’s fact or fiction, theology or fantasy. All truths point to The Truth.

Each of these authors have all played a part in doing that.

My forever favorite author is George MacDonald. I especially love his fiction. His works have been published in their original format as well as edited versions.