Book Reviews

Mike Dente

Hard is Only Half the Story: Real Adventures From My Journey Into the Unknown is a poetical book exploring cross-cultural ministry’s deeper side. Beginning with the opening poem and with each chapter, Wendy Zahorjanski unveils her spiritual, emotional, and psychological journey. Yet it’s not a Mémoire or a Confession. She uses both first and second-person voices to bring us along with her while adding a well-crafted summary that adds an aspect of encouraging and instructing.

Honestly, I think this book would’ve been helpful for me as I made my way through the wilds of missionary life. Her inviting style made me want to read with a cup of coffee. But the subject matter never let me get too comfortable; the lessons are subtle and profound amid prose that draws us in, like talking to a friend.

I enjoyed Wendy’s transparency. She lets us see the reality of her heart and the very human struggles of being a cross-cultural minister. She doesn’t allow us to get off the hook easily; she invites us to look into our hearts and see what lies in the dark corners. In this way, she paints an accurate picture of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of missionary life. Although she shows hope in Jesus, this book is not afraid to look into the darkness and doesn’t shy away from the real pain of ministry.

Elaine O’Connor

Editor’s Note: I also read Wendy’s latest book and can’t keep quiet about its potential to inspire and encourage solo readers and groups alike. Here goes. –Elaine O’Connor

As someone who wants to remember what I’ve read, to have it impact my life, I was thrilled to discover Wendy included a list of key takeaways at the end of each chapter—as well as Discussion Questions and a Verse for Meditation for each chapter (located at the end of the book). They serve as bookends of sorts, increasing the possibility that Wendy’s goal of “attempt[ing] to expand your perception of the unknown” is met.

I read this book three times and have been thinking about it quite a bit. As a result, the way I look at the unknown has morphed from one of fear to one of anticipation. I’m an extremely grateful reader.

To give you a sense of what I’ve been experiencing, here’s a peek at the “Things Worth Remembering” from chapter four:

• Strange people and strange places = spike in humility
• You will, at some point, be embarrassed
• Open yourself to the idea that it can be the source of growth
• Don’t run
• Allow yourself to be rebuilt

Suffice it to say this book has earned a spot on my books-I’ll-read-again-and-again bookshelf.

Of note, Wendy dedicated this book to her fellow cross-cultural workers. She wanted to encourage them to keep following and to keep looking … “no matter how dark the shadows grow.” Although not a cross-cultural worker myself (in the strictest sense of the term), I benefitted greatly—as have those I’ve engaged with. I sense the same will happen to anyone who contemplates the wisdom Wendy’s latest book has to offer.

I could go on, but I think I’ll let the book speak for itself.

From the back cover of Hard Is Only Half the Story: Real Adventures From My Journey Into the Unknown by Wendy Zahorjanski:

“Do you ever feel that if life was just a little bit easier, it would be a hundred times better?

In this faith-filled, open-hearted memoir, author Wendy Zahorjanski proves that the opposite is true. When we go through difficult times and trials in life, hard is only half the story. As Zahorjanski explores the journey into grief, doubt, and struggle, she admits that she was surprised to find joy, faith, and friendship on the other side.

In a culture that both intrigued and confronted all of her expectations, Zahorjanski was forced to embrace imperfection, look past seeming dichotomies, and be willing to let her well-laid plans for her life look as if they had turned to mush.

Take a walk into the woods with this raw, real account of one Christian missionary’s hike into the unknown where you’ll learn how to:

• Embrace vulnerability to find some of the most precious moments in life.
• Experience that even when things are far from perfect, God still is.
• Laugh at the failures and absurdities that happen with authentic joy.
• Honestly look at your past and present hours of grief and embrace the person they’ve helped you become.
• Take a look at who God is making you into, one persistent action at a time.

This book is an invitation to step beyond the veil of fear to enrich your existence with the rawness of life by looking to God: the bringer of life and healer of sorrows.

Are you ready to embrace the hard moments in your life so that you can finally see what the other half of hard can really bring? It’s time to lean into the transformation that awaits you. Grab your copy of Hard Is Only Half the Story: Real Adventures From My Journey Into the Unknown today.

Wendy Zahorjanski is a nonfiction writer whose life has been an incredible journey guided by faith. Her writing goal is to unveil the amazing moments of opportunity and spiritual growth concealed within seemingly unsurmountable moments.“

Whole-Hearted Work

Christians, just like everyone else, spend a significant portion of their lives in the workplace. But does our work matter to God? Can our work please God? And why is it often hard? Does the Bible have anything to say about doing good work?

In Whole-Hearted Work, Calvary Global Network executive team member Nate Holdridge explains what the Bible says about work, vocation, and career. Beginning with why work matters to God and should matter to us, Nate will carefully explain why work is hard and how, from a biblical perspective, we can do good work, then conclude with a chapter on trusting God while we work.

If you are a believer who needs to make the connection between your faith and work, this book is for you. For a free PDF of the first chapter, visit here. To purchase the book in paperback, e-book, or audiobook form, go wherever you buy books, including Amazon. For other books by Nate, visit his author page.

“TV host, Tania Turner, interviews comedian, speaker, pastor and author, Joel Turner! They have a few laughs and Joel talks about his new book, Humor Me. Joel also shares about his marriage to his wife, Tania Turner…oh, wait…are they married?!”

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Calvary Publishing & Calvary Global Network present Humor Me: How to Add Comedy to Your Brain, Your Life, & Your Message. Written by Joel Turner of Mountain Springs Calvary Chapel, this book seeks to come alongside Christians & ministry leaders to share an understanding between humor & hope:

• Discover technical fundamentals of humor and comedy
• Learn practical tools for growing in humor
• Add humor to your message and your life
• Uncover what makes something funny
• Make the spiritual connection between humor and evangelism

Order your copy today!

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Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Christ Unites: How Jesus Connects His People to His Purpose

In “Christ Unites,” Pastor Nate Holdridge takes you on a journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. There, Jesus is seen as the head of the church, the originator of a new humanity designed to carry out His will. Each chapter tackles a different dimension of Christ’s work at unifying all things to Himself, at His purpose and plan for His people.

Purchase Book

Live Life is a simple and concise discipleship book. It targets four of the main issues every believer faces after receiving Christ. It is uniquely designed to be a follow-up and follow-through book that equips believers in their faith. It strategically takes a believer through four sessions of life’s greatest questions of how to Live Fresh, Live Free, Live Forgiven and Live Forever.

Available Now

We are very excited for the newly released book, A Woman’s Battle for Grace: Why God is More Than You Expected And Everything in Between, by Cheryl Brodersen! Cheryl will be leading a Training Track on women in ministry at the CGN International Conference on June 24-27! Ladies, this will be a great opportunity to meet and talk to Cheryl! Register now!

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When Guilt Wages War,

Fight for Grace

Christian women repeatedly fall into the trap of self-condemnation. They choose to berate themselves in their weakness rather than fight through their pride to receive the strength only God can provide.

Cheryl Brodersen, ministry leader and popular speaker, knows it’s time for women to understand the daily battle they’re facing—to pinpoint their enemies, claim their God-given weapons, and examine the true prize awaiting them. God wants His daughters to live moment by moment in His victory, but first they have to see what’s at stake when they go their own way.

The truth about grace is simpler—and deeper—than you may realize. Discover how this life-saving, life-sustaining resource can be your motivation and means for living in freedom today.

We are giving away 2 free copies now!

Enter giveaway!

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Visit Amazon.TheChapelStore.com to purchase your copy!

^{Video credit to Thomas Nelson Publishing}

Enjoy an excerpt from Kate Merrick’s new book, Here, Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overconnected World.

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Purchase, “Here, Now”

Hear from Miles McPherson Live on “Pastor’s Perspective” on his new book, The Third Option!