When Shovels Break by Michael Shank

This is just one of those books I had to share. If you haven't read When Shovels Break you need to. It was written for Christians who have fallen away, and it is moving mountains getting the erring to come back to Christ.

When Shovels Break: (sequel to Muscle and a Shovel)

"This is a true story about John - a Christian man who is at the brink of suicide. Struggles, discouragement, and John's improper expectations of what God was "supposed" to do for his life caused John to leave his faith and the Lord's body, the church.

John went back into every form of sin imaginable: alcoholism, drug abuse, adultery, and pornography - just as a dog returns to its vomit. John's shame and guilt, his failure to provide for his family, and the loss of all hope that God could ever forgive him brings John to a terrifying moment... holding a shotgun to his chin. He starts to pull the trigger...

Can God forgive this wretch of a man? Is it possible for John to be restored and to be able to return to Jesus Christ? This raw, gritty, true story grabs the reader from beginning to end. It is a story about the real life of a discouraged Christian, and it is a story of hope, love, and the redemption found through the grace of God!

Be prepared – this story will shock you. When Shovels Break is the sequel to Muscle and a Shovel. It is a true, candid, and raw story about a Christian couple who falls away from the Lord, their faith, and the Lord’s church; returning to a world of sin far worse than before their conversion. This true story, written in novel form, addresses the seriousness of Christians who fall away, the possibility of God's love, His grace and His incredible forgiveness!" (Amazon)


From Church of Christ Women Authors

It's easy to see that the world is in a mess. We must open our hearts and teach others the gospel of Christ. We must. Sometimes teaching our family and friends is extremely difficult, but it can be done.  Michael Shank wrote his book Muscle and a Shovel as a tool to convert people to Christ, and it works. I am planning to buy several of them for my family members for Christmas this year.

I have a friend back home who studied the book with her mother, and yesterday her mother was baptized for the remission of sins. It is a beautiful, soul-searching book, and it is a MUST read! I couldn't put it down, and I hope you don't either!

If you don't have a kindle app you can get a free one here: Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices

Have you read either of these books?

Sometimes There's a Book That Takes The World by Storm: Muscle and a Shovel by Michael Shank

About Muscle and a Shovel:

"Muscle and a Shovel is a raw and gritty true story about a pair of young newly-weds who move to the city to chase the American dream. In the process they're befriended by a man who turns their belief about God, their church, and their faith upside down! Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, the Community Churches - none are spared when Truth is at stake and their new friend Randall isn't about to "candy coat" God's Word for the sake of "political correctness" or "religious tolerance." 

This story will grip you from opening to close and will stimulate your spirit on levels you didn't think possible. Get ready to fight or flee because Muscle and a Shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your heart-rate and your blood-pressure. You won't want to wait to share it with your friends or you'll want to dowse it in gasoline and set on fire! There'll be no middle ground. Many Christian reviewers have said, "This book will turn our current religious world upside-down!"(Amazon)

From Church of Christ Women Authors:

You may be asking yourself why a blog that caters to women writers who are members of the church of Christ is posting this book. It's obviously not written by a woman (although-- you might notice Christa Bryant, author of The Treasured Woman: Profiles from Proverbs 31 is the editor, (Check out her Meet the Author's Page).

From time to time there is a book that everyone needs to be aware of.  This is that book. I read it several months ago, after it was recommended by many friends. I will tell you that the first few pages had me in tears for joy. It is a beautiful book and is great for a gift for people who are not Christians. It not only points the way to Christ through a compelling read, it reminds us of our responsibility to teach those around us.

Everyone should own a copy of Muscle and a Shovel !



Have you read this book?