Category Archives: Pastor’s Picks – Recommend Resources

These are recommend resources that we have been personally encouraged and challenged by and hope they do the same for you. It’s been said before that great leaders are readers, and we are committed to regularly reading through our Bible and never stop learning. May the Lord bless you as you grow! -Pastor Tim Molter

Book: Harvest by Chuck Smith

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728421_w185Gang Members, drug addicts, mental patients, and society’s rejects, Chuck Smith’s amazing story of Calvary Chapel and the unlikely leaders God called to minister His Gospel. Coming from all walks of life, ten Calvary Chapel pastors share how God broke through the barriers of evil, pride, addiction, complacency and anger to carry out His plan for this vital ministry.

Pastor Chuck Smith interweaves these testimonies with his own insights. Chuck shares the vision God gave him to reach the hippies in the 1960’s. Today that same passion for the lost reaches a new generation. Learn how you, too, can take part in reaping His harvest. Read the exciting story of how Calvary Chapel has grown.

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Book: Acts Commentary by Chuck Smith

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511033oThrough the years, we have had the privilege of seeing the phenomenal, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in the growth of the Calvary Chapels. Many of these have been learned the hard way, which are fundamental principles that God has blessed. They express God’s intention for the church and are to be found in this commentary study of the book of Acts.

In reality, Acts is an open-ended book. Chapters are still being written today all over the world, as Jesus continues touching and changing lives. Presently, the Holy Spirit is indwelling, empowering, guiding, and teaching those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jon Courson says “Pastor Chuck has a uniquely beautiful way of “taking the hay out of the loft and putting it on the barn floor where the cows can eat it! And it caused me to be oh-so-deeply impressed … with Jesus. Thus, it is with a heart of expectancy and anticipation I wholeheartedly commend this Acts commentary to you.” 

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Movie: Visual Bible Series

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John-Acts-Matthew-setWe usually post a recommend book but this month we are posting a recommend movie set. Journey back to first-century and witness the extraordinary events that changed the world! Meet Matthew and John as they reflect on the events they witnessed as Jesus’ disciples. Travel with Luke as he shares the struggles and triumphs of the early church. Shot on location, these vivid portrayals are adapted word-for-word from Scripture.

The Visual Bible: Matthew – This powerful and entertaining film is taken word-for-word from the text of the New International Version translation of the Bible. [Dove approved (12+). Approx. 265 minutes.]

The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John – Vividly comes to life in a faithful and powerful dramatization of the Biblical text, word for word, based on the American Bible Society’s Good News Bible. [Dove approved (12+). Rated PG-13. Approx. 180 minutes.]

The Visual Bible: Acts – Journey with the physician Luke as he tells the enthralling story of the danger, struggles, and triumph that marks the birth of the Christian church. Taken word for word from the text of the New International Version and Good News translations. [Dove approved (12+). Approx. 193 minutes.]

Six DVDs, approx. 13 hours total.

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Movie: God’s Not Dead

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God's Not DeadIn God’s Not Dead, college freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future.

Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class.

If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is Dead” and put the whole incident behind him?

God’s Not Dead weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. What would you do if someone in a position of authority and influence in your life demanded that you renounce your faith? That’s the central question God’s Not Dead forces viewers to grapple with. And Josh Wheaton’s answer is to refuse. And then to explain exactly why he’s refusing. Would you be able to do the same?

[Dove approved (12+). Rated PG. Approx. 95 minutes.]

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