This was a great year for some of my favorite names in Christian music to dig deep into God's Word for inspiration. God's Word doesn't return void, and these albums have blessed me the most this past year. 

There have been several career albums released this year by both new and established artists. Matt Maher, Sara Groves, JJ Heller, Owl City, Ryan Kirkland (of Between the Trees), Rend Collective, Josh Wilson, Big Daddy Weave, John Waller and Chris August each released their "best" albums yet in my opinion, and they round out my Top 10. 

I've purposely left off worship releases since I have already posted a separate list of my top albums in that area. This was yet another great year for Christian music. Don't miss out on any of these great albums, along with the 10 honorable mentions, rounding out my top 20 albums of 2015. 

Feel free to share albums I might have missed and whether there are any surprises on this list.

1. Saints and Sinners by Matt Maher
 
Highly anticipated after the success of his last album, All the People Said Amen, this compelling, 11-track album Saints and Sinners is an excellent follow-up. The album keeps Matt's signature holy energy flowing and has plenty more songs that you'll soon be singing with fellow believers. The album perfectly captures the penetrating spirit and charisma Matt Maher's worship songs have become known for. 

Maher's theological, holy and reverent style of writing and singing worship songs has consistently attracted me. Several of Maher's new prayerful sentiments should be added to your Sunday morning worship set, especially "A Future Not My Own," "Deliverer," "Glory Bound," "Because He Lives (Amen)" and the gorgeous ballads "Abide with Me" and "Rest." This album provides listeners with eleven tracks of vertical offerings to God that you can sing in any circumstance, making it my album of the year.

2. Floodplain by Sara Groves 
 
I have the opportunity to listen to literally everything released in Christian music, and Floodplain is a profound listening experience. This album dramatically affects me personally and spiritually, and is my top "gourmet" album of the year. Sara Groves is an incredibly anointed singer-songwriter in the style of Ellie Holcomb, Christa Wells and JJ Heller. It is the ultimate privilege for me to experience her gift of music making with all of my senses "in Spirit and in Truth." The songs are all captivating, and if you like Sara's emotional songs "Miracle," "Obsolete" and "It's Me," then you absolutely must have this album. 

Sara has always had a knack for hitting me where I am spiritually and expressing the prayerful yearnings of my heart. This album is no exception as I get welled up praying along with several of the songs, especially "This Cup," "Expedition," "Floodplain," "Enough," "I've Been Here Before," "I Feel the Love Between" and "Signal." They are all stand-out tracks filled with overwhelming biblical truth and are companions in my personal prayer and worship time. Sara has captivating and catchy songs filled with inspirational lyrics. Sara brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. This is truly a great album, a moving and prayerful listening experience which reflects how we are bound together as believers in faith, love and vulnerability.

3. Sound of a Living Heart by JJ Heller
 
JJ Heller's vocals will soothe your soul, and several songs have vertical lyrics that will direct your attention and focus to Jesus. This is a very worshipful album. JJ has blessed listeners by writing and singing such piercing and moving songs. I have to fight back tears while listening to several of the songs, especially "Let Down Your Guard," "Meant to Be," "Father-Daughter Dance," "Holy Ground," "Daylight" and "Sound of a Living Heart." The new worshipful songs "The Well," "Fully Known," and "Scarlet Thread" are not to be missed. 

If you liked the recent "gourmet" worshipful albums by Audrey Assad and Ellie Holcomb, then you must pick up Sound of a Living Heart by JJ Heller. JJ's remarkable singing voice and her interesting music and lyrics are truly captivating. What's especially cool about this album is how JJ invites listeners into her life by sharing what's on her heart and reflecting on life and faith issues with every single note. This album is JJ Heller's crowning achievement. It is flawless, and you'll hang on every word she emotionally sings.

4. Mobile Orchestra by Owl City
 
Something about Owl City's music that I've consistently enjoyed is the ability to escape daily stress and pressures while listening to the songs. Knowing Adam's faith as a Christian allows me as listener to share his optimism that we weren't made for this world. Mobile Orchestra is easily the best alternative music album of the year. I love that this album is chock-full of optimistic messages about love, faith and life wrapped around some incredibly hooky beats and dance floor tempos. If you liked Ocean Eyes and All Things Bright and Beautiful, you'll be thrilled by Mobile Orchestra. Do yourself a favor and get this album immediately.

5. Wanderer by Ryan Kirkland
 
This is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. The songs are poignant and powerful. There are no filler tracks, and this is easily one of my top "gourmet" albums of the year. If you want to experience an uplifting, soul-stirring, stunning and worshipful album, look no further than Ryan Kirkland. My favorite songs are "Thirst," "Let Me In," "Among Lions," "Somehow He Does," "Never Leave You" and "Abide (Breathe Me In)," which has quickly become one of my favorite worship songs. If you like the alternative rock artists The Fray, Lifehouse, The Rocket Summer and Between the Trees, you need to check out Wanderer by Ryan Kirkland. 

These songs will certainly connect with listeners as they showcase the multi-talented singer/songwriter's trademark balance of vocal tenderness and intensity, his energetic piano playing and, above all, a sense of hope and inspiration. This album is all about finding our true identity in Christ. He is the answer. Wanderer is an incredibly deep, worshipful and emotional Christian alternative rock album. 

6. As Family We Go by Rend Collective
 
This is one of the most meaningful albums I've ever heard. Every song is absolutely amazing. I can't get the catchy melodies of many of these songs out of my head. The project is perfectly produced, and the song order brilliantly invites listeners to join in with the band on their journey. This album includes a solid mix of folk-style indie worship tinged music with inspirational and worshipful lyrics. Don't miss the standout songs "Celebrate," "Free as a Bird," "Every Giant Will Fall," "One and Only," "Never Walk Alone," "Your Royal Blood" and "The Artist." Get the Deluxe Edition, and you'll love the standout anthem, "Ireland's Call." 

The very relatable and transparent words of these songs perfectly depict our daily walks as believers wrapped around catchy songs. All of the tracks really display the musical and lyrical excellence and intentionality of Rend Collective. You'll enjoy the emotive vocals and harmonies layered over one catchy and meaningful song after another. The musical and lyrical excitement of the band's engaging live performance is perfectly captured in these recordings. 

7. That Was Then, This is Now by Josh Wilson
 
With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, this album solidifies Wilson's place among the finest song crafters of his day. Josh's poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. Josh invites you into his life in such an authentic and relatable way, you'll feel like you are a lifelong friend after you hear this album. Wilson always writes about themes that cause me to hang on every word he sings, and this album is no exception. It once again exhibits Wilson's gift of relating the challenges of life and the need for a Savior like no one else, found in the standout songs "That Was Then, This Is Now," "This is the Day," "No More," "Blown Away," "Coming Home" and "Grace Upon Grace." The very relatable and transparent words of these songs depict our daily walks as believers. 

The mix of tempos from song to song is just right, and the emotive vocals, biblical lyrics and tight musical arrangements are layered over one catchy song after another. Josh writes memorable folk-pop style melodies and story-songs, and if you like Matthew West and Jason Gray, then you should really enjoy Josh Wilson. I can't get enough of this album, Wilson's best overall.

8. Beautiful Offerings by Big Daddy Weave
 
This new album demonstrates once again the passion and energy that have made Big Daddy Weave one of Christian music's most compelling acts. True to form, this new project Beautiful Offerings reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude, with front man Mike Weaver's forthright songwriting and intimate and unmistakable vocals backed by powerful arrangements and stellar musicianship. It derives its power from the fact that life and music intertwine so fully. These are very passionate worship songs with biblically based lyrics sung with vocal sincerity and reverence.

There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements. I especially recommend "Beautiful Offerings," "I Belong to God," "Come Sit Down," "The Lion and the Lamb," "It's Already Done," "Praise You," "You're Gonna Love Him," "Welcome," "When You Love Somebody," "Jesus I Believe" and one of my favorite songs of the year, "My Story." All of the songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. Beautiful Offerings is a must-have for your praise and worship collection, providing multiple ways of "praising my Savior all the day long." This album is Big Daddy Weave's crowning achievement and one of my top albums of the year.

9. Crazy Faith by John Waller
 
Waiting on the Lord has been a theme in all of John's albums. His faithfulness and commitment to write and sing songs based on his personal experiences makes him one of the most relatable artists I've ever heard. This is a great adult contemporary worship album perfect for fans of Steven Curtis Chapman, Josh Wilson and Casting Crowns. If you like John's hit songs "The Blessing," "While I'm Waiting" and "As for Me and My House," then you're in for a real treat with Crazy Faith. 

The songs are a welcome companion in my quiet times of reflection and prayer, in particular with the songs "Life is a Gift," "I Know My God," "Crazy Faith," "Forgive Me" and "Your Word, My Life," which are my favorite songs on the album in addition to the single "Orphan." Waller's poignant songwriting is coupled with his vulnerability as each song urges me pray more along with him. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like sincere and catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God.

10. The Maker by Chris August
 
"The Maker" and "He's Still Here" are just a foretaste of what I consider to be Chris August's best overall album, which is deeply rooted in the Word of God. Chris was inspired to write these songs and come out of darkness and deep depression and into "His marvelous light." Knowing that God's Holy Word is true and Jesus is Risen, I am very moved by Chris's "Unashamed of You" proclamation of Truth in the title track: "More than just some Words upon a page, You've shown me in a million ways, But there is One that stands above them all, Hands of creation on a Cross." God's resurrection power from The Holy Spirit, that same power that defeated death and raised Jesus from the grave, is available to followers of Jesus. Jesus is ever true to His Word. What He spoke on earth, He affirms in heaven. The Word is a message of grace. We can all make the choice to ask The Holy Spirit to indwell us with His supernatural ability to overcome what the Enemy wants us to think about ourselves. We are aware of many situations involving people dealing with depression. Chris's hope with this album is to pass on the life-giving message of Jesus Christ.

This is one of the most compelling and lyrically transparent albums of the year. Chris has vaulted himself among the industry's top singer-songwriters with an album that rivals the latest by Josh Wilson, Brandon Heath and Matthew West. As it turns out, we only scratched the surface of August's soulful, inspiring and meaningful storytelling. If you want to be challenged, moved, and get deeper with Chris August, don't miss out on this practically perfect album. Several of these songs are instant classics.

Honorable Mentions:
11.    Children 18:3 -- Come In
12.    Brandon Heath -- No Turning Back
13.    The Neverclaim -- The Joy
14.    Sidewalk Prophets -- Something Different
15.    Mat Kearney -- Just Kids
16.    Tree63 -- Land
17.    Aryn Michelle -- Depth
18.    Cindy Morgan -- Bows & Arrows
19.    Jeremy Camp -- I Will Follow
20.    Matthew West -- Live Forever