A snippet from John  Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," adapted for stage and produced by Stacey Lake (will be made available soon):

CHRISTIAN: (In earnest prayer) Good King, I have finally reached the cross, where I am told I can get rid of my burden and begin to live a new life.  I know I don’t deserve to lose my burden, and I certainly don’t deserve to live in freedom—I owe my very life as payment for the sins I have committed!  But, the Book You have provided promises me that by confessing my sins to you and asking for forgiveness, you will grant me new life!  I believe what you have said, so I am here, I am confessing, and I am asking for Your grace. . .

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From It's Not Just Gymnastics, It's Life, co-written by Stacey Lake about the life and experiences of Olympic Gymnast Lance Ringnald:

     As great as those first experiences were, and as indescribable as that moment was when I knew I had made the team, it was only in the years following the Olympics that I learned what it truly meant to be an Olympian.  I have now come to understand that making it to the Olympics is a pinnacle in life, and to have reached that felt bigger than life.  People—strangers—approached me for years after the Olympics as if they knew me, and they asked questions or told how they watched me compete and were excited to see me do well.  It was as if they knew how much hard work I had put into this and they were excited to see me succeed.  In a way it felt like we were all in it together, which is the main reason I have been genuinely proud to represent our country.  Even now, decades later in my life, people respond to me in that same way.  An Olympian is an Olympian is an Olympian, and that is a priceless thing.

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From Your Hand Will Hold Me--book one in the Morning Wings trilogy (historical fiction, set in Scotland), written by Stacey Lake:

          “Good evening, MacConnel,” the voice said. 

          “Who’s there?” William asked, somewhat startled but not at all alarmed.  He had just walked into the dark, back corner of the building to put away his tools for the night.  Darkness came early at this time of year; the end of a work day in the thick of winter naturally resulted in a far darker corner than the same time would have on a summer’s day.  Yet, William hadn’t stopped to worry himself with a lantern. He had already stayed later than he should have, the rain and sleet were beating continually outside, and he simply wanted to hurry home.  Ergo, though the voice did not sound friendly, William was not disquieted.  He simply assumed the voice came from one of his equally exhausted co-workers at the boatyard.

        Receiving no answer to his query, William peered into the darkness, but before his eyes could adjust enough to truly distinguish details, he realized that there were two shadowy figures moving his way. Without warning, the men grabbed him, one on each side. A third man hurled a punch into his gut that deprived him momentarily of breath and strength.  He doubled over, but he quickly got his bearings and overpowered one of the two men who held him. Just a twist to release his hand and then one punch to the jaw was all it took to bring the man down.  Just as he turned to enforce his control over the second man, the third man returned with a large, newly hewn board.  William easily took down the second restrainer, only to have the third man strike him across the shoulders with the board.  He dropped to his knees, saying, “I knew I should have tidied up mah station a wee bit more.  These loose boards do get in the way!”  He stood to his feet, staggering a bit, and the third man took advantage of his weak moment.  He wrapped his large, scaly hand around William’s throat and pushed him up against the wall.  He looked him squarely in the eyes.

        “Ye think you’re clever, don’t ye?” the man asked.  His face was unduly close to William’s, and his breath reeked of whisky.

        "Aye, clever enough, I'd say,"  William answered, glaring back into the man's eyes. 

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From Book Two in the Morning Wings trilogy (coming in 2025), written by Stacey Lake:

          Isaiah said,  "What we know is that Mr. Ferguson is not planning to evict us, he’s not planning to replace us with sheep, and he is planning to do what he can to help the parish.  And, he is a man of faith and a man of passion.  I think it’s good. It’s all very good.  I believe we’ll be all right, because I believe we can trust him.  He’s not here to do us any harm."  He looked deeply into his nephew’s eyes when he said it, and then he transferred his gaze to his brother, William.  

         "Aye," Sarah said.  "We’ll be all right, not because we can trust our Chamberlain, but because we can trust our God."