Book Recommendations

Pastor Chuck Smith has been used by God in a mighty way. This is his life story which records Pastor Chuck telling the amazing work that God has done in him, as well as through him. All in all it is a testimony of the grace of God.

Chuck’s journey began long before he began pastoring the little church called Calvary Chapel. As a teenager he heard the call of God to go into ministry.

He attended Bible college, where he met and married Kay. And then went on to pastor many different churches in California and Arizona over a 17 year period. Did you know that Pastor Chuck pastored two different churches right here in Corona, CA?

During this time of ministry God taught him the essential truths that his ministry at Calvary Chapel came to be founded upon. Chuck shares how he learned to teach the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse, how important the grace of God is, and how God provides where He guides.

Chuck then shares about the work God did at Calvary Chapel during the Jesus movement. He tells the story of watching the hippies and praying for them, and then meeting one for the first time.

Calvary Chapel has grown tremendously and touched many lives with the Gospel and the simple teaching of God’s Word. This is the story of a man who had much smaller goals, but was changed and used by God in a radical way.

-Jerry

The church desperately needs good leaders, but what makes a good leader? In this book Warren Wiersbe shares what Christian leadership is all about using the Bible and his vast experience in churches and ministry.

This book is meant to be a sequel to the well-known and loved book On Being A Servant Of God by Wiersbe. In that book we have a powerful exhortation to serve God’s people and maintain a servant’s heart in ministry. In this book we have a broader look at the responsibilities, character and Biblical description of a Christian leader.

Wiersbe has an amazing style which makes his points easy to understand. He weaves into the chapters illustrations, stories and examples that help the truths sink in as well as give us a sense of their practical applications. He does not just write about theories or ideals, but he helps us to see what it looks like in a godly leader.

Wiersbe addresses topics such as discipline, opportunities and problems, personal giftings, authority, responsibility, accountability, humility, delegation, new methods, opposition and much more.

I strongly recommend this book for all Christian leaders, whether you are leading within the church or somewhere else. These truths will challenge you to make the most of the role that God has given to you.

-Jerry

Gray Matter by David Levy, MD with Joel Kilpatrick

Biography & Autobiography/Medical

God is good. This book invites you to see the hand of God move in the lives of people who have undergone surgery in the most delicate part of the human body, the brain. Dr. David Levy, a neurosurgeon from San Diego, CA recounts how he has seen God’s goodness through the power of prayer.

Dr. Levy gives us a glimpse into the world of neurosurgery; the delicate and precise use of instruments that travel through the vascular system of the human body into the brain to untangle webs of arteries that cause aneurysms, strokes or death. But the gray matter exists when God challenges him to pray for his patient bringing God into the forefront of medical science.

Through this book, we see God working in Dr. Levy’s life by tearing down his pride, ego and fear so he can pray with his patients. We see God’s goodness and faithfulness before and after the patient’s surgery (physical and spiritual). Dr. Levy talks about how anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness can cause serious health problems through the various patients he has treated. Some of the patients have experienced domestic violence, failed marriages, and day to day life struggles.

This book reminds us that God answers prayer and He is good in all circumstances. It is a must read book that challenges us to pray for others, and know his answered prayers are good regardless of the outcome.

-Elsa

It’s kind of mind-boggling that the Lord finds you perfectly beautiful – is it not? Most of us don’t fit into what society says is perfect beauty, so it seems who can pull off "allure" but some runway model? You look in the mirror and see flaws flaws flaws, what shouldn’t be, what use to be, etc – and this is what the world will tell you that you aren’t pretty unless you have this makeup, this body, weigh this much, and it goes on. But God says you are beautiful, and the Lord is always always right. This is a call to pursue the Lord’s definition of beautiful (because without Him, we are the opposite of attractive), not what the world tells you is gorgeous. It’s easy to think and hard to do – because many of us fear if we stop trying so hard that no one will give us a second glance, even if it is petty to yearn for attention from anyone but the Lord. This book doesn’t preach about not caring whatsoever about how you look, but it calls attention to fitting into the world’s standards vs. following God in His way. Because Naomi Campbell seemed really pretty until the news that she had an ugly temper and hit her maid with her cell phone came out. And haven’t you ever noticed someone so kind-hearted, good and on-fire for Jesus that beauty never seemed so beautiful?

-Justine

The first time Daniel stepped foot into church he did so with the intent of catching Christians practicing lewd and sinful acts of which he was sure they practiced. To his initial disappointment these Christians didn’t engage in such acts, and the confusion led him to question God later on that same night. The moment he realized who God is as his loving Father (and not as a diety posed to strike at whim) his life took on an entirely different purpose. So enamored was Daniel with Jesus Christ that he set to spread the good news throughout Egypt, but in a Islam land this was a dangerous mission. More than shock and bewilderment, there was intense anger toward Daniel’s transformation. His evangelical mission eventually led him to a tiny prison cell where starvation, bitter cold, and darkness was all too real; but the reality of God and His love for him was a presence felt even stronger. This is an extraordinary read, reminding us how the love of God prevails and how it preserves those who love Him no matter how dire the surroundings.

-Justine

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes bad people are found innocent for crimes they did indeed commit. Most of the time, “God works in mysterious ways” isn’t an answer that pacifies. It does seem an insane contradiction – that evil should exist so abundantly in a world that is supposed to be governed by an all-powerful and all-loving God. Because of evil, Atheists come to the conclusion that no such God thrives. Because of evil, even strong believers begin to doubt God and his plan. But, whether circumstances point to it or not, the Lord always always works everything out for good. This book is refreshing and makes complete sense – like looking back at an impossible situation and now being able to say, “Ooooh! So that’s why that had to happen”

The account of David’s life contained in the Scriptures is a lot more than just a story of what he experienced. For example, the account of David’s battle with Goliath pictures the victory that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. From this we learn the key to effectiveness in the church, and why so many things are not effective.

Redpath works through David’s history, highlighting the many lessons illustrated by this man of God. He deals with the contrast between Saul’s decline and David’s rise., how important a good friend is, how David handled the pressures of opposition, persecution and depression, how David learned to inquire of the Lord, and how to go from deep crying to joyful praise. David was a man just like us and the lessons that can be learned from his life are applicable to each of us.

Redpath gives a clear picture of the events that occurred using the accounts in 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles and the Psalms that David wrote along the way. Using these he draws out the spiritual lessons and illustrations they contain, and he  also makes sure to point out and dwell on the personal application for the truths found in David’s example. If you desire to be a man or woman of God, this book will be an invaluable resource for God to work in you.

-Jerry

“David had the anointing of God upon him because of faithfulness in the obscurity in his home life, because there he passed the test.”   -Alan Redpath, page 33

This book by Charles Swindoll is an in-depth study of the book of Nehemiah. Swindoll begins the book with the background and overview of Nehemiah’s work in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He follows Nehemiah’s three different roles: Cup bearer, builder and governor.

-Jerry

If I were to keep constant focus on Christ, if I were to be burned alive at stake, I am confident His love for me could be felt burning hotter than the flames that would lick my skin. If you were to be isolated for following Jesus, if your name was to be hideously slandered, I am confident His love for you would be a comforting companionship that could out rival any supposed friendship on earth. Men would torture, kill, maim, and abuse those who seek after God’s divine will and Word. Yet for all these men have “achieved”, God’s kingdom could not, would not, shall not be stinted in advancing among the hearts of His followers. Skeptics and catholic Pharisees and all non-believers in between, could not stop others from following Christ, not for lack of trying (no, men truly outdo themselves and their resources when trying to destroy what God has planned) but because God is that wise, powerful, mighty, that far ahead of us. I think if the entire world went blind, His Word would then be audibly heard. Picturing things like starvation, infection, burnt flesh, beatings and the like would make anyone cringe. To imagine going through such things just because you were a disciple to God is horrific to mention, yet when “Foxe’s Christian Martyrs” went through such ordeals most lifted their hands, praising God for his influence, even to the end. This is how mighty God is, and how he can sustain us so – His love and strength mightier felt than any opposing influence on earth.

-Justine