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Awakened
After surviving a Winter storm in Atlanta, a small group of people are awakened to the plight of the homeless living just outside the doors of their church. Lives are forever changed as they begin to consider restoring hope and dignity to the area's homeless.
Awakened is the sequel to "Shaken Awake".
Awakened is the sequel to "Shaken Awake".
168 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Allen Madding
9 books79 followersAllen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2017
This is the second book in Madding's "Shaken" series (that's not an official thing - just my name for it). It picks up with no significant break where "Shaken Awake" left off, and tells the stories of the longer-term reactions of many characters.
The book (and series) are clearly intended to make the reader think about homelessness and American poverty, and makes no bones about having a specific point of view. In the first book, the problem was introduced, and expanded upon in order to show the scope of the problem. Only highly general solutions were provided - but the first intent of that book was to open the reader's heart. In this book, various characters discover more concrete and doable solutions - all of which have real-world counterparts. The first book left the reader with a view to the almost overwhelming scope pf the problem - this book reaffirms that there *are* things which can be done - and things which even those with fairly minimal resources themselves can be a part of.
The writing itself is uneven: Madding's pacing is mostly quick and designed for an easy read, but occasionally gets bogged in too much unimportant detail or jumps forward too quickly - without a good sense of how much time has passed. That is a pretty minor flaw in such a short book, however, and is shared by much more experienced writers in much longer stories (David Weber's data-dumps are legendary). In general, the book is an easy read, and very encouraging to those who have - or are willing to get - a heart for the homeless.
The book (and series) are clearly intended to make the reader think about homelessness and American poverty, and makes no bones about having a specific point of view. In the first book, the problem was introduced, and expanded upon in order to show the scope of the problem. Only highly general solutions were provided - but the first intent of that book was to open the reader's heart. In this book, various characters discover more concrete and doable solutions - all of which have real-world counterparts. The first book left the reader with a view to the almost overwhelming scope pf the problem - this book reaffirms that there *are* things which can be done - and things which even those with fairly minimal resources themselves can be a part of.
The writing itself is uneven: Madding's pacing is mostly quick and designed for an easy read, but occasionally gets bogged in too much unimportant detail or jumps forward too quickly - without a good sense of how much time has passed. That is a pretty minor flaw in such a short book, however, and is shared by much more experienced writers in much longer stories (David Weber's data-dumps are legendary). In general, the book is an easy read, and very encouraging to those who have - or are willing to get - a heart for the homeless.
September 1, 2017
Allen MaddingAwakened
Awakened is aptly named, as this book takes you on a journey of self-examination and truly awakens your spirit to the plight of a population so often overlooked. Homelessness is one of those uncomfortable realities that, admit it or not, impacts us all. "Awakened" is definitely a must-read. Perfect for jump-starting individuals and church groups to get involved and to truly make a difference.
Awakened is aptly named, as this book takes you on a journey of self-examination and truly awakens your spirit to the plight of a population so often overlooked. Homelessness is one of those uncomfortable realities that, admit it or not, impacts us all. "Awakened" is definitely a must-read. Perfect for jump-starting individuals and church groups to get involved and to truly make a difference.
September 19, 2017
Awakened is the book today's American church needs to read. Reading Awakened helped me to see where my compassion has lacked action. It is not enough to have a church building in an area with suffering people all around us, we need to go out and BE the church to suffering people. Madding's writing has stirred up hope in me for a people who are actively following Jesus to reach people all around them in their own neighborhoods. If you've been wondering how to help change the world, I highly recommend you read Awakened.
November 11, 2017
In his second and latest book, Awakened, Allen Madding continues the story of a church whose eyes are opened to the plight of the homeless during a snowstorm.
With its doors now thrown open to take in the homeless so they can safely ride out the storm, the story moves to the individual responses of the varied characters. The characters now search within themselves to discover, there are solutions they can offer to those who are often overlooked and forgotten.
The Peachtree Street Church could very well be any church, representing a congregation who not only sees and recognizes a problem, but is moved to action. Their story will cause one to look inside of ourselves and desire to change and perhaps never be the same.
The book is a quick read with a timely challenge for us all ... Will we view the homeless and respond with compassion?
"Jesus come to us in the poor, the sick, the dying, the prisoners, the lonely, the disabled, the rejected. There we meet him, and there the door to God's house is opened for us."
(Henri Nouwen as quoted on page 170)
Allen Madding once again brings us a novel, fiction to wake us up and make us aware there is more to be done in the communities we live. We must find meaningful ways to make a difference in the people we encounter and rub shoulders with each and every day.
The author concludes the book with questions for reflection making this a wonderful book for any book club or small group. Shaken Awake and Awakened would also make a wonderful gift combination, for individuals and churches, to raise awareness on the issue of homelessness.
** I was given a complimentary book by the author in exchange for my honest review. This book was a pleasure to both read and share.
With its doors now thrown open to take in the homeless so they can safely ride out the storm, the story moves to the individual responses of the varied characters. The characters now search within themselves to discover, there are solutions they can offer to those who are often overlooked and forgotten.
The Peachtree Street Church could very well be any church, representing a congregation who not only sees and recognizes a problem, but is moved to action. Their story will cause one to look inside of ourselves and desire to change and perhaps never be the same.
The book is a quick read with a timely challenge for us all ... Will we view the homeless and respond with compassion?
"Jesus come to us in the poor, the sick, the dying, the prisoners, the lonely, the disabled, the rejected. There we meet him, and there the door to God's house is opened for us."
(Henri Nouwen as quoted on page 170)
Allen Madding once again brings us a novel, fiction to wake us up and make us aware there is more to be done in the communities we live. We must find meaningful ways to make a difference in the people we encounter and rub shoulders with each and every day.
The author concludes the book with questions for reflection making this a wonderful book for any book club or small group. Shaken Awake and Awakened would also make a wonderful gift combination, for individuals and churches, to raise awareness on the issue of homelessness.
** I was given a complimentary book by the author in exchange for my honest review. This book was a pleasure to both read and share.
September 20, 2017
Madding does an excellent job with his follow-up to "Shaken Awake." His writing style is simple and conversational, making this book easy to get through in a few hours. Madding's passion for the homeless is evident and his well researched & creative solutions are thought provoking and inspiring. He definitely left me wanting to know more about the developments in "Home Place," as well as how the characters progress from their current state into productive members of society and contributors in their community and beyond. I hope he does a third book so I don't have to wonder what happened to these characters!
While the story is definitely 5 stars, I felt that the editing could have been more thorough. In a couple of places, the timeline did not line up and there were some minor grammatical mistakes (not related to dialog-based conversations). On the whole, most people probably wouldn't notice these things and I am likely more picky than most.
While the story is definitely 5 stars, I felt that the editing could have been more thorough. In a couple of places, the timeline did not line up and there were some minor grammatical mistakes (not related to dialog-based conversations). On the whole, most people probably wouldn't notice these things and I am likely more picky than most.
September 16, 2017
Thought provoking and entertaining! Presents an interesting solution to a very real urban challenge! Well written and nicely presented! I enjoyed reading my advanced copy very much. Thanks for bringing attention to a very real social situation.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews