The Race

Book excerpt: The Race is about a young man struggling with his past, his family, and the church. He created a venue to allow Christians to develop their musical and speaking skills independent of their church. He also wants people to be physically active and to see the heavenly Father's creativity in nature. As all this goes on, he is hiding horrible pain inside his heart, hoping no one will ever know. A one-hundred-mile relay race is proposed to his closest friends and his brother, Kenzie. As the time for the race nears, established folks from the church bear down on Lake's positive attitude. The pastor's son despises Lake and threatens him. A visiting narcissistic pastor causes Lake to violently respond to a false accusation. Lake warns his friends to watch for sheep that are wolves in disguise. Church gossip nearly destroys the friendship. A death in Lake's family brings hidden shame to light. The friends have a special event to pray for the church, each other, and for forgiveness and reconciliation. The event takes place at a special secret facility only Lake and his brother knew existed. The race day arrives. Lake's friends and his brother run the race as a relay team. Lake runs the race as an ultra-runner as well as one of his newfound family members. All goes well, but the enemy is waiting to ambush. What the enemy aims to destroy, the Lord uses for his glory.