Shaken Awake

by Allen Madding

If a homeless man froze to death on the steps of a church, what would it change?

“Shaken Awake!” the story of a church in downtown Atlanta, Georgia faced with a dwindling and aging congregation that has been forced to shut down the majority of their building and dismissed much of its staff. With limited funds, they shutter all of their ministries and programs leaving only a couple adult Sunday School classes and a Sunday morning worship service. When a homeless man freezes to death on the steps of their sanctuary, the church begins to re-examine their mission and priorities.

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2014

About the author

Allen Madding is a follower of the way, author, traveler, Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys fan, and an information technology professional who lives in Thomasville, GA. He grew up in rural South Georgia where he developed a love for hunting, fishing, putting peanuts in a Coca-Cola, and racing cars. He raced short track stock cars for nine years and has written for Speedway Media and Insider Racing News. He is a retired volunteer firefighter/NREMT-I and fancies himself as a storyteller and a guitar strummer.
He is always up for a road trip and a hot cup of truck stop coffee. He feels at home in wide open spaces, hiking in the woods, walking on the beach listening to the ocean's tide, watching the sunset over a cypress lined pond, and relishes the smell of honeysuckle and the sound of the wind through the pines.
He loves a medium rare steak, cheeseburgers, blackberry cobbler, bourbon and Coke, boiled peanuts from a roadside stand, and a hotdog and beer at a baseball game while heckling the opposing team and keeping the umpire honest. He roots for the underdog and has learned how to say "I'm sorry". He believes that Dale Earnhardt was the greatest driver to ever compete in NASCAR, that Chevrolet is the heartbeat of America, and that Ford is a four letter word.
He says "Yes, Sir" and "No Ma'am" and prays before a meal. He believes that scars are the original tattoos and has a collection of both that remind him where he has been and help to keep him headed in the right direction.

Reviews

[T.J. Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good eye opener to all the hungry, homeless and needy people in America. I know there are a lot of people on the street. And I feel sorry for the ones with children. I however am one of those people who will never give money to someone holding a sign on the side of the road. About a year ago, I saw a local news station interviewing a so called homeless guy who held up a sign begging for money every day. He was proud of himself and bragged he made $100,000 a year (tax free). His sign said he was a homeless veteran, but he had never served in the military. He went on and on boasting how he dressed in rags and stood on the corner unshaven and people gave him money. He then said he would go and get free government cell phones and sell them for even more money.

I think if you want to help the homeless, you should go volunteer at a soup kitchen. Or donate money to churches and nonprofits that house and feed the homeless. Never give money to someone holding up a sign. Most of those people who stand on the corner all day holding a sign could easily get a job somewhere if they really wanted to work. Plus they are probably going to just buy drugs and alcohol with your money.

I think we can all help in some way in our own community. Even if you are a single parent like me and money is tight. You can still volunteer to help build houses or feed the needy. I think every little bit helps...TJ

[billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!

While we do have a homeless and poverty problem here in America I have to admit that the open borders problem is much worse. We can't feed our underprivileged citizens the left is opposed to stopping illegal immigration. The illegals are getting better treatment than our own citizens. God have mercy on the left for playing politics with our citizens vs hopeful voters!!!

[Leslie Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oftentimes, when we hear about a natural disaster or a civil injustice, we tend to whitewash it in our minds. We can log it away as “that thing that happened,” distance ourselves, and fail to consider the individuals who have had to suffer through or deal with a daily reality of struggle.

In his debut novel, Allen Madding removes our ability to say “I didn’t know.” He puts faces to the homeless in downtown Atlanta as well as those who suffered through Atlanta’s snow and ice storm in January of 2014. This is a work of fiction, but the description of the characters and the obstacles they face make you feel as if you are facing the same difficult choices they are.

While the story here was well written and moving, the real push comes in the epilogue. Allen shares his heart for the homeless and food insecure. He shares real, heartbreaking statistics about real people. But he does not just leave us there. He highlights some ministries that are heroically serving their communities. He gives tangible, practical ways to get involved.

[Grady Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to have a compelling point which is is made most effectively by what *isn't* told! The story starts off with interesting characterizations for numerous characters. While some characters have an obvious connection, others seem disconnected - yet the strands of each character's life are brought together in a realistic and believable way - then just as all the stories connect, the story-telling ends. It seems, at first, an abrupt and unsatisfying end, yet it has the desired effect: rather than giving the reader an ending - a resolution - it leaves the reader to resolve the story in their own life. It becomes a challenge to write one's own real-life ending. Like an alarm which awakens us, but ends once it has done its job, the real story is what comes next ...

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be kind of mystery or something... It wasn't. I wouldn't really describe it as a story; it was more like little snippets of a hard time in different people's lives, telling how they decided to go to this church for help. It's good, though. Very sweet "story", and very fast to read.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Pam Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

The numbers on homelessness is staggering The story renews your faith I humanity. Very well written and informational. It is amazing that it takes very !title to help.