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Jesus at Walmart #1
Jesus at Walmart...a reed shaking in the wind
In this fully stocked 246-page novel two beloved favorites come together—Jesus and Walmart. Fueled by Pastor Malachi Marble’s fall from faith, which tumbles him into the late night world of Walmart.
Author Rick Leland spent fourteen months working as a Walmart Overnight Stocker doing research for the book. Well, not purely for research.
“Actually I needed the money to live on,” Leland said. “But I knew God was working something out in my life, as inspiration for Jesus at Walmart emerged even before my first night’s work was over.”
Walk past the greeter; into the heart of Walmart with Malachi Marble. Grab a shopping cart. You’ll need something to hang onto during this trip to Walmart like no other.
And when you exit Jesus at Walmart, expect to leave a changed person.
Author Rick Leland spent fourteen months working as a Walmart Overnight Stocker doing research for the book. Well, not purely for research.
“Actually I needed the money to live on,” Leland said. “But I knew God was working something out in my life, as inspiration for Jesus at Walmart emerged even before my first night’s work was over.”
Walk past the greeter; into the heart of Walmart with Malachi Marble. Grab a shopping cart. You’ll need something to hang onto during this trip to Walmart like no other.
And when you exit Jesus at Walmart, expect to leave a changed person.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2011
470 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Rick Leland
9 books44 followersRick Leland writes from Copan, Honduras.
He's been a professional writer for over 20 years, with numerous books and hundreds of published works, including a trilogy called Jesus at Walmart , a true story called An Amish Awakening , a devotional named Living the God Imprinted Life , and a book called Casting Out Demons for Fun and Profit , along with many more.
He has a Christian Ministry degree from Indiana Christian University and trained for two years with the Christian Writers Guild.
Live music is a passion for Rick. He enjoys blending his songwriting abilities with his growing guitar playing skills, to perform live.
With a fondness for collaboration, a mini pop-up concert with Jelly Roll at Parque Central in Copan Ruinas, Honduras might be his dream gig. As they sing both the English and Spanish version of Adorar a Jesús Ahora .
A runner for over four decades and is now opening a new chapter in that endeavor by taking up trail running.
Rick loves to visit a variety of styles of churches and always endeavors to be an encouragement when he visits
He shares more at: rickleland.com
He's been a professional writer for over 20 years, with numerous books and hundreds of published works, including a trilogy called Jesus at Walmart , a true story called An Amish Awakening , a devotional named Living the God Imprinted Life , and a book called Casting Out Demons for Fun and Profit , along with many more.
He has a Christian Ministry degree from Indiana Christian University and trained for two years with the Christian Writers Guild.
Live music is a passion for Rick. He enjoys blending his songwriting abilities with his growing guitar playing skills, to perform live.
With a fondness for collaboration, a mini pop-up concert with Jelly Roll at Parque Central in Copan Ruinas, Honduras might be his dream gig. As they sing both the English and Spanish version of Adorar a Jesús Ahora .
A runner for over four decades and is now opening a new chapter in that endeavor by taking up trail running.
Rick loves to visit a variety of styles of churches and always endeavors to be an encouragement when he visits
He shares more at: rickleland.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 14, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway and was surprised, on opening it, to discover it was fiction. But that was a delightful moment because, while I love non-fiction, a well-told story is one of greater joys of life.
Maybe that's why Jesus told so many of them.
*Spoiler Alert*
The book starts with Malachi Marble, an associate pastor whose wife is cheating on him and whose senior pastor is doing dope - for 'medicinal purposes only', as he stresses when the sheriff's department arrives on a drug bust.
Malachi's life spirals out of control when, in a machiavellian twist, the senior pastor accuses him of lacking compassion, failing to submit to authority, abusive behaviour, shirking work - in fact, a whole raft of behaviours craftily misrepresented to ensure the church elders fire him on the spot without any comeback.
Malachi senses what is about to happen and simply keeps on driving past the church at the appointed time. Hours later, he's in another town. His uncle happens to live there - and his uncle once offered him a job. Malachi wonders if it's still open... he's done with God, his marriage and the church, so it's time to make plans for himself.
The first half of this book is a cracker. It zooms along with likeable characters and twist piled on twist. It's such a fine story even the serious lapses in character viewpoint that occur on rare occasions - when,in the middle of a paragraph, we suddenly shift locations to another character and their actions - seem forgivable.
Once it gets to Walmart, however, the pace slows considerably. The detail on the stocking of Walmart is a little too lovingly overdone, in my view.
I marked the ratings down mainly because there was no tense rise to the climax - getting permission for the Jesus at Walmart program - and it happened so fast that, if I'd blinked, I would have missed it. Instead of being a slow sizzling rise to this moment with suspense and tension along the way, it was over and done with - after a too-brief conflict.
Otherwise a fantastic - and quite different - book. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Maybe that's why Jesus told so many of them.
*Spoiler Alert*
The book starts with Malachi Marble, an associate pastor whose wife is cheating on him and whose senior pastor is doing dope - for 'medicinal purposes only', as he stresses when the sheriff's department arrives on a drug bust.
Malachi's life spirals out of control when, in a machiavellian twist, the senior pastor accuses him of lacking compassion, failing to submit to authority, abusive behaviour, shirking work - in fact, a whole raft of behaviours craftily misrepresented to ensure the church elders fire him on the spot without any comeback.
Malachi senses what is about to happen and simply keeps on driving past the church at the appointed time. Hours later, he's in another town. His uncle happens to live there - and his uncle once offered him a job. Malachi wonders if it's still open... he's done with God, his marriage and the church, so it's time to make plans for himself.
The first half of this book is a cracker. It zooms along with likeable characters and twist piled on twist. It's such a fine story even the serious lapses in character viewpoint that occur on rare occasions - when,in the middle of a paragraph, we suddenly shift locations to another character and their actions - seem forgivable.
Once it gets to Walmart, however, the pace slows considerably. The detail on the stocking of Walmart is a little too lovingly overdone, in my view.
I marked the ratings down mainly because there was no tense rise to the climax - getting permission for the Jesus at Walmart program - and it happened so fast that, if I'd blinked, I would have missed it. Instead of being a slow sizzling rise to this moment with suspense and tension along the way, it was over and done with - after a too-brief conflict.
Otherwise a fantastic - and quite different - book. Thoroughly enjoyable.
December 4, 2013
My preference in novels are those that have a Christian message -- either subtle or overt -- but this book was overkill. Much of it read like an evangelistic tract; very preachy and in addition I didn't think it was written all that well. Perhaps I just didn't care for the author's style, but at any rate I won't be reading anything else by him.
September 10, 2013
I find beauty in many of the books I read, but this one touched me in a place like no other. It was informative and spritual. This was a good read.
December 9, 2017
For as long as i can remember, Christian fiction, with a few notable exceptions like C.S. Lewis, has been sub-par. This book is even worse than that. It's crap. True, i don't share the same world outlook as the author, but i used to and i like sometimes to go back and challenge current beliefs by looking at my past ones. So i gave this book a chance. I shouldn't have bothered.
It's the story of a youth minister who has a crisis of faith after he's fired from the church he works at because he meddles with the head pastor's life and oh yeah, his wife is cheating on him cause he's a flighty dreamer who listens to voices in his head. So he does what any rational human would do. He packs up a few belongings and heads off into the wilderness outside a small town to camp alone and leach a job off his uncle in construction. But his luck hasn't changed and his uncle's business is failing and the poor guy is fighting cancer as well. So our hero goes out and finds a job at Walmart, stocking shelves overnight. And there he finds happiness and purpose and God and maybe even love again, although he must agonize over each decision he makes and must pray constantly and make "action plans" and...... on and on.
The nice thing about fiction is you control the outcome of things. In real life if this character preached and meddled half as much as he does in this book, he wouldn't have a friend within a mile of him and he certainly wouldn't be converting the wicked hand over fist. But this is the author's world and he seems to confuse God with Walt Disney, where every good girl has a prince and every bad one goes up in flames. This book is a terrible deception. Christianity is not and never has been a solution to all a person's problems. In the Bible, the saints and patriarchs almost never had a happy ending. My position didn't change after reading this. In fact it made my position stronger. Christian fiction (at least this book) is crap.
It's the story of a youth minister who has a crisis of faith after he's fired from the church he works at because he meddles with the head pastor's life and oh yeah, his wife is cheating on him cause he's a flighty dreamer who listens to voices in his head. So he does what any rational human would do. He packs up a few belongings and heads off into the wilderness outside a small town to camp alone and leach a job off his uncle in construction. But his luck hasn't changed and his uncle's business is failing and the poor guy is fighting cancer as well. So our hero goes out and finds a job at Walmart, stocking shelves overnight. And there he finds happiness and purpose and God and maybe even love again, although he must agonize over each decision he makes and must pray constantly and make "action plans" and...... on and on.
The nice thing about fiction is you control the outcome of things. In real life if this character preached and meddled half as much as he does in this book, he wouldn't have a friend within a mile of him and he certainly wouldn't be converting the wicked hand over fist. But this is the author's world and he seems to confuse God with Walt Disney, where every good girl has a prince and every bad one goes up in flames. This book is a terrible deception. Christianity is not and never has been a solution to all a person's problems. In the Bible, the saints and patriarchs almost never had a happy ending. My position didn't change after reading this. In fact it made my position stronger. Christian fiction (at least this book) is crap.
October 25, 2025
This book made some interesting spiritual points toward the end, but it really could have used a good proofreader/editor. The many grammar errors, sentence fragments, etc. detracted from its message for this reader. It is a unique story with some valuable things to ponder at times, so I am glad I read it.
January 6, 2025
Rick Leland's "Jesus At Walmart" is a compelling exploration of faith, human imperfection, and the often-overlooked spiritual dimensions of everyday life. The narrative follows Pastor Malachi Marble's tumultuous journey, offering a profound commentary on the fallibility of human nature.
The setting of Walmart serves as a unique backdrop for spiritual exploration, adding a layer of relatability and humor. Leland's depiction of Walmart is both insightful and entertaining, weaving in observations about consumer culture and the human spirit.
"Jesus At Walmart" is a delightful read that combines humor, insight, and spiritual depth. Mr. Leland's ability to highlight our imperfections while offering a path back to spiritual wholeness is truly commendable. This book offers valuable perspectives that are both enlightening and heartening.
This is a story that life can be challenging. Things aren't always the way we think they should be but this book highlights that things happen for a reason. It's a story of ups and downs that life can throw at all of us and that there's hope. God brings us through. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.
The setting of Walmart serves as a unique backdrop for spiritual exploration, adding a layer of relatability and humor. Leland's depiction of Walmart is both insightful and entertaining, weaving in observations about consumer culture and the human spirit.
"Jesus At Walmart" is a delightful read that combines humor, insight, and spiritual depth. Mr. Leland's ability to highlight our imperfections while offering a path back to spiritual wholeness is truly commendable. This book offers valuable perspectives that are both enlightening and heartening.
This is a story that life can be challenging. Things aren't always the way we think they should be but this book highlights that things happen for a reason. It's a story of ups and downs that life can throw at all of us and that there's hope. God brings us through. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.
August 24, 2017
Great book!
Jesus at Wal-Mart caught me by surprise. At first I thought, "that's a weird title" but I decided to take a look at the sample. The plot and characters were interesting so I purchased the book. (Great price helped too) it was delightful and well written. As a Christian I am encouraged to share Jesus where I am too. The reason I have this book 4 stars instead of give is because I would have liked a little more time spent Malachi and Annie's failed marriage. Malachi seems to have given up and disappeared in an unpredictable way
Jesus at Wal-Mart caught me by surprise. At first I thought, "that's a weird title" but I decided to take a look at the sample. The plot and characters were interesting so I purchased the book. (Great price helped too) it was delightful and well written. As a Christian I am encouraged to share Jesus where I am too. The reason I have this book 4 stars instead of give is because I would have liked a little more time spent Malachi and Annie's failed marriage. Malachi seems to have given up and disappeared in an unpredictable way
November 17, 2011
An associate pastor declares he is through with God after a run-in with his marijuana smoking head pastor. He flees "Up North" (Michigan) and becomes an overnight stocker at Walmart.
December 4, 2012
Very good read. I really care about the characters.
May 30, 2025
SPOILER ALERT: The book was, in many ways, simplistic and predictable, yet I found it hard to put down. Not certain I agree with every single theological twist of the story, but it's very good. I would recommend the book. SPOILERS: The more I think about this book, the more I have issues with it. Malachi lied about his work history, putting Sal's job in jeopardy. Of course, he did this while he was away from God. But after he rededicated himself to Christ, he didn't work very hard at all to reconcile with his wife. (Probably because he already had eyes for Mandy.) He also threatened the store manager Burt, saying he would reveal skeletons in Burt's closet if he fired Malachi. Doesn't seem like something a Christian would do. Also, he moved forward with his romance with Mandy, even though he was still married to Annie. Carl pointed out he had the biblical right to remarry, as Annie had been (conveniently) unfaithful. But he rightly told Malachi to cool the romance until he was officially divorced. Nothing is said as to whether or not Mandy's spouse cheated on her. Hopefully, he did, or the relationship between Malachi and Mandy would still be wrong. Carl also explains Mandy needed to be a believer, but the book ends with Mandy obligingly moving toward that direction.
December 22, 2025
JESUS IS EVERYWHERE, even Walmart
I did not like the story. It is poorly written. A 42 yo man who becomes a Pastor to children no less but can't face and deal with the fact his wife is cheating on him and his lead Pastor is a pothead. Mind you the least of these is being a pothead in my opinion, but then the lead Pastor goes on to lie and be vengeful and fires him. Instead of facing these life issues "with God" as an adult Christian, Malachi runs away, denying God? True We all fall short of the glory of God but this falls to totally being juvenile. Then he lives in a camp ground for free but skirts paying the vehicle fee of $30...oh yeah plus..backup a bit.... hid $5K from his wife, then gets a job at Walmart and argues with someone who blatantly chases him to receive Christ and when he finally does return to Christ he recruits the entire nightshift plus Team to join a study and only 1 person comes...a lady/waitress he wants to have relations with who he's fallen in love with in like what 10 days?....Its all totally weird. I wont read Book 2 or 3. But God Bless His little heart.
I did not like the story. It is poorly written. A 42 yo man who becomes a Pastor to children no less but can't face and deal with the fact his wife is cheating on him and his lead Pastor is a pothead. Mind you the least of these is being a pothead in my opinion, but then the lead Pastor goes on to lie and be vengeful and fires him. Instead of facing these life issues "with God" as an adult Christian, Malachi runs away, denying God? True We all fall short of the glory of God but this falls to totally being juvenile. Then he lives in a camp ground for free but skirts paying the vehicle fee of $30...oh yeah plus..backup a bit.... hid $5K from his wife, then gets a job at Walmart and argues with someone who blatantly chases him to receive Christ and when he finally does return to Christ he recruits the entire nightshift plus Team to join a study and only 1 person comes...a lady/waitress he wants to have relations with who he's fallen in love with in like what 10 days?....Its all totally weird. I wont read Book 2 or 3. But God Bless His little heart.
March 9, 2025
Oh my, this is one of them books that I wish I could give more stars to, cause I really don't think 5 is enough to show how much I loved this book. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I have to admit I got this book thinking it would just be a funny but maybe alittle sacrilegious. But it was so good I can't believe how good it was, When I first started reading it, I thought they were just making fun of God and I was about to DNF it, I'm just so glad I didn't, this book makes me think of Casting Crowns song Praise you in this Storm, if you know you know. I would personally recommend this book to anybody but if you're not a Christian you probably won't fully understand it.
January 1, 2019
Lovely book!
This book captures the dynamic quality of spiritualism; as we are imperfect humans, all of us, our spiritualism becomes habit and we begin to stray, in little ways and thoughts. This book brings to you back center. The story is delightful and full of insight about Walmart! And about the human spirit. A warming, insightful read on a cold winter’s night. Keep going, Rick. I will read everything you write because you have Something Important to say; let the Good News roll!
This book captures the dynamic quality of spiritualism; as we are imperfect humans, all of us, our spiritualism becomes habit and we begin to stray, in little ways and thoughts. This book brings to you back center. The story is delightful and full of insight about Walmart! And about the human spirit. A warming, insightful read on a cold winter’s night. Keep going, Rick. I will read everything you write because you have Something Important to say; let the Good News roll!
December 9, 2017
A cute story about a pastor who was accused of wrong doing. But he wasn't the one doing the wrong. He left his wife and left one day with no idea where he was going. He started to not accept God in his life anymore. He found a job at Walmart in another town.. He lived at a campground in a tent.If you don't care for lots of religious talking you may not enjoy this book , but then again it may open your eyes and your heart to God. Lots of Bible verses too.
July 7, 2020
mildly entertaining. I expected a lot more theater in the Walmart scenes, but this was more about a realistic view of what it's like to work there as someone who stocks the shelves. I wanted more about the freaks who frequent the place. Also found the book preachy without being warned that it was about a minister who falls from grace and works his way back into his beliefs. typical self published work.
October 21, 2024
Redeeming power of Jesus
This was a very great read. The message was edifying and uplifting. The reed being shaken was about how we can be shaken at times and still God can redeem the wrong, the rejection, the lies, and all that life can give is if we turn to Jesus. Even though this is simplified within the book, I believe the principles of living for Jesus are the same.
Simply put; I enjoyed the read.
This was a very great read. The message was edifying and uplifting. The reed being shaken was about how we can be shaken at times and still God can redeem the wrong, the rejection, the lies, and all that life can give is if we turn to Jesus. Even though this is simplified within the book, I believe the principles of living for Jesus are the same.
Simply put; I enjoyed the read.
June 12, 2024
This is the second time I read this book. I like the characters and the way they fit together through a Walmart store to bring Malachi back to his original Faith. His hurt from his church and the backstabbing that happened is familiar to many Christians.. Once he gets over the hurt and accepts God again, he marches on to start a new ministry at Walmart.
August 3, 2024
Aread for today's life.
It was about what can be about any of our lives. How one day everything can change, and then we need faith in something bigger. The day when we lose everything and there is nothing left for us but God is there to pick us up and sends an unexpected "angel" to show us the way after we have given up.
It was about what can be about any of our lives. How one day everything can change, and then we need faith in something bigger. The day when we lose everything and there is nothing left for us but God is there to pick us up and sends an unexpected "angel" to show us the way after we have given up.
October 1, 2024
Jesus at Walmart
A good read. It’s a combination of fiction and truth. Fiction because of the story and characters, but truthful about people and how they accept God and all His glory. Truth because you can go to the Bible and find each verse. Truth to the believer uncertain to those who don’t know the word of God
A good read. It’s a combination of fiction and truth. Fiction because of the story and characters, but truthful about people and how they accept God and all His glory. Truth because you can go to the Bible and find each verse. Truth to the believer uncertain to those who don’t know the word of God
October 20, 2024
Malachi is the pastor at a church, but when he finds out that pastor Nell is smoking weed , he confronts him. That’s when Malachi life turns where he has no job, no marriage and is done with God . He gets a job at Walmart we’re everything changes. He brings God back into his life and at his job too.
December 29, 2024
Wonderful book
I was so happy to find that this book wasn't your usual run of the mill bible thumper books. It was actually about a pastor who was a real human, undergoing real human emotions, and trials. It was, at times a little too over the top with somethings, but it was still a good book. It makes one think about their own walk with Jesus, and about their own faith.
I was so happy to find that this book wasn't your usual run of the mill bible thumper books. It was actually about a pastor who was a real human, undergoing real human emotions, and trials. It was, at times a little too over the top with somethings, but it was still a good book. It makes one think about their own walk with Jesus, and about their own faith.
January 31, 2025
Laughed and cried thru out this book
All of Christianity can remember a moment in our lives when our faith was shaken - trampled on. I loved following the main character thru his journey to gain his faith back and how he funneled his newly found faith to help friends, coworkers, and some strangers come to Jesus.
All of Christianity can remember a moment in our lives when our faith was shaken - trampled on. I loved following the main character thru his journey to gain his faith back and how he funneled his newly found faith to help friends, coworkers, and some strangers come to Jesus.
September 27, 2025
I struggled with this book because it did not appear to have been proofread. I couldn't concentrate on the message with so many grammatical errors. I found myself switching from reading a book to looking for a red pen to make corrections. To add insult to injury, this was the first book I had to purchase since our book club began 5 years ago.
March 31, 2018
Interesting story
Wasn't sure what to think at the beginning of the book. The more I read the better it got! If your doubting your faith in God this book has a clear message for you!!
Wasn't sure what to think at the beginning of the book. The more I read the better it got! If your doubting your faith in God this book has a clear message for you!!
July 13, 2024
Fantastic
Thought this was going to be a funny fluff book. Wrong! We're doing a Tele ministry at my church, and I was wondering if I'll know what to say to folks who are hurting. This book was a God-send!
Thought this was going to be a funny fluff book. Wrong! We're doing a Tele ministry at my church, and I was wondering if I'll know what to say to folks who are hurting. This book was a God-send!
August 28, 2024
Great title, great book!
This book, Jesus at Walmart. Initially caught my eye because of the catchy title. I could tell the author understood how easily the churches downfall can happen,pride and lies abound but God's love always wins.
This book, Jesus at Walmart. Initially caught my eye because of the catchy title. I could tell the author understood how easily the churches downfall can happen,pride and lies abound but God's love always wins.
August 31, 2024
Praise God
Awesome read! Especially now the way this world is going,we need a personal relationship with Jesus.No matter what we have done He's there with His open arms and loves us unconditionally!
Awesome read! Especially now the way this world is going,we need a personal relationship with Jesus.No matter what we have done He's there with His open arms and loves us unconditionally!
September 12, 2024
A story for sinner & saint….
The story flowed well. The struggles were real and the out comes as well. I encourage every young person who may question their faith, to read this novel.
The story flowed well. The struggles were real and the out comes as well. I encourage every young person who may question their faith, to read this novel.
October 5, 2024
great encouragement for Christians
I love how Jesus is glorified throughout. It was encouraging to see so many point of view but only a few were with Jesus in mind. It was a much needed story at this point in life.
I love how Jesus is glorified throughout. It was encouraging to see so many point of view but only a few were with Jesus in mind. It was a much needed story at this point in life.
October 29, 2024
Loved This Book
I couldn't resist the title of this book. It pulled at my spirit. And...this book was full of the Spirit. So many good lessons were taught by Malachi's story. Ill be thinking about it for days. I look forward to the sequels.
I couldn't resist the title of this book. It pulled at my spirit. And...this book was full of the Spirit. So many good lessons were taught by Malachi's story. Ill be thinking about it for days. I look forward to the sequels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews