Professional Author’s Review of “The Calling” by Chuck McFall

Reviewed by Marilyn Meberg, author of 10 faith-based books

One of my favorite activities in life is reading. I love it when a book directs me to a chair, whispers “You’re going to love this” and then compels me to start a new friendship found in its pages. That being said, I’ll echo the spirit of a good book by saying “You’re going to love this” brand new book entitled “The Calling” by my friend Chuck McFall. Chuck is President and CEO of his own marketing firm and through his consulting practice has advised over 50 client companies in the US and all over the world, Imagine his surprise when Chuck felt “called” to write a book, not about business but about God’s call on his pastor father’s life, Dr. Merrill B. McFall (called “Mac” by his friends and parishioners).

The book begins at the father’s visitation service after his untimely death. It’s structured as a series of flashback memories recounted as individual persons knelt beside Dr. McFall’s open casket and recalled experiences in which he had played a transformative role in each of their lives. These “encounters” are poignant, tender, impressive, humorous, and always inspirational.

Not only are we the readers privy to the personal sharing of those in attendance of Dr. Mac’s service, Chuck reminisces about some of his own favorite memories of his dad’s life. One of which is when Dr. Mac was asked to give the invocation for one of John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign appearances in Indiana. The two men had opportunity for private conversation as they sat next to each other on the speaker’s dais prior to, and after, Mr. Kennedy’s address. The camaraderie between the two men was instant.

Another favorite Chuck memory was the story of his dad who at age 12 took on the school bully, 12 year of John Dillinger (yes, THE John Dillinger!). Dillinger was taunting and bullying Mac’s little sister. Mac flew to her defense with fists flying. After a tough fight, the future notorious criminal, bloodied and humiliated, ran away from the future highly respected Methodist pastor. Justice was served for Mac, resulting in future jail time frequently served by Dillinger (where Mac was able to visit the prisoner in jail when the two were adults).

You the reader will not only find respect for Dr. Mac as a beloved pastor and leader in his church denomination, but you will also be inspired to live out the principles that changed the lives of those many persons to whom he ministered. As one of my friends said after reading “The Calling”, “This book has it all; I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired to live a better life because of this book.”

This “laugh, cry and be inspired” response to Chuck’s memoir is fast becoming a uniform commendation. I found it gently gripping and warmly endorsing of the principles Jesus laid out for us during His teaching ministry on earth.

As Chuck draws his book to a close, he quoted Mark Twain’s line: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out the “why”. In Chuck’s words, “My father was one of the lucky ones who discovered ‘the why’ of his existence as a modern day apostle of Jesus Christ”.

As a reader of this tender memoir, I’m inspired and honored to have added yet another friend found in the pages of this wonderful new book.

Here are several of ways you can enlarge your own friendship circle by getting a copy of “The Calling”;

1. Go to www.thecalling-chuckmcfall.com and read more about the book (including an excerpt), and order from the books’ web site.

2. Enter www.westbowpress.com in web browser address bar, then enter “The Calling” by Chuck McFall in the search bar.

3. Type “Chuck McFall-The Calling” into the google search bar. Then find the several sites that pop up which and are selling the book (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book Store, and more….).

(Other Reviews and Comments):

“You’ve written a winner with this book. I loved it! It is moving, inspirational and it’s even literary, well written. It is a wonderful tribute to your father and to his life as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. I commend you for writing a beautiful and uplifting book.”

Marilyn Meberg, Faith-based author

Chuck:
“Your book had a profound impact on me. There were times when the tears would not stop flowing and other times I was smiling. You are a great story teller and many of the stories touched me deeply. It did give me insights for improving my own life and allowed me to view some of your Dad’s interpretations in a different light. Loved how he made his sermons relative to everyday life. Thanks, again, for sharing these special stories of your Dad and your family. You are blessed!”

Sincerely,
A. Martin

“My grandfather” (the subject of “The Calling”) “is the reason I am who I want to be. This book will help future generations understand the man….and why all who knew him were changed and continue to feel his spirit in their daily lives. Get this book! It is full of great stories of this great man and his “Calling” to the ministry. When you are done reading this book, ask anyone who knew him to tell you their stories about his impact on their life. Then, sit back an be ready to be changed!

D. Marc McFall, grandson of Dr. Merrill B. McFall

“I was lucky enough to have him as my pastor for the couple of years we lived in Columbus, Indiana, when I was in elementary school. I echo all of marc’s comments. His grandad was a great man.”

B. Sparks

Chuck;

“Well, I must say that you hit it out of the park! I have read your wonderful tribute to our father and I loved it. I couldn’t put it down, and read it in a day and a half…and well into the night. I will tell you that I laughed and wept many times as I went through it. Your recollections simply were wonderful—well selected and well told. I must admit that I was impressed by your writing; you did a great job. Impressive, in fact. If our dad could read it, I’m certain he would feel honored, proud, and very much loved by your handling of his life story. The stories you told will be part of the family history for many generations to come, now that they are in print.

Thank you for doing this, on behalf of our family. I know it was a work of love and it shows. I hope you’re as pleased as you deserve to be with the final result. Congratulations!!

Dr. Richard McFall, brother of the author

Chuck:

Wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book!!! It is sooooo interesting and fun to read. You are quite the writer, Chuck! I like many things, but particularly the sense of humor threaded throughout the chapters. One of my favorite McFall-isms has always been the humor, particularly the puns!

I am excited for you and this adventure into being an author! Love reading about your family….very special. Yes, you are honoring your dad….amazingly.

M. Taylor

Chuck:
I really enjoyed reading the book! I am amazed a the knowledge and details that were included in the book. I plan to donate a copy to my church! My pastor knows about the book and looks forward to reading it, as well. I feel it will inspire him with many of the sermon excerpts. He will also enjoy reading about how many people were touched by (Mac) when he ministered to them, so that it will give him insight as to how much he impacts our lives as our pastor. Your father sure did. Chuck, I cherish the book and thank you for writing it. I put off reading that last chapter (Final Goodbye) for a few days, until I ws ready to read it I had a lump in my throat as I read I, but I was happy to read the last sentence as you smiled as you departed the cemetery. Nice job. Thanks for your labor of love.

Valerie Stutler

Chuck:

This book filled me with pride and stimulated lots of conversations with family. It reminds me why I miss (Mac) so much and why I remember his love. I was blessed to have known him!

M. McFall

”I’m really enjoying reading the book about Mac immensely. I was only 13 when he passed away and I never had an adult conversation with him, nor was I ever part of the times when the “adults” got together and you heard all of his stories. So, this book introduces me to the man I’ve always admired, but really didn’t know. This is a really good book.”

Cris McFall, Grandson of Dr. Merrill B. McFall