Book Review: Constant Forward Motion

This is the first time I've reviewed a book written by a friend. I'll start off by saying that I'm more than a little impressed that Craig took the time to record his story and publish it for the benefit of others. Craig has blessed me through his book Constant Forward Motion: The Running Of The Lymphoma Ultra Series.

Craig offered to give me a free copy if I would write this review. In good faith I purchased my own out of the trunk of a sedan in a shady deal. But price paid, I now had freed myself from holding back any comments and was not beholden to the author. (I'm sure Craig will love reading that.)

Constant Forward Motion is a book that chronicles the journey of Craig Burns from 2004 when he met with his doctor and heard the word, "You either have Cancer or HIV." through the racing seasons of 2007 and 2008. Throughout that time Craig learned that his life could be more than MRIs and CT scans. He embraced a chance to allow his body to be used as an offering to God. Craig became involved in running ultra marathons (any race longer than a standard marathon) and began collecting sponsorships that supported children's cancer research, fighting sex trafficking of teenage girls in India, and the building of Bible training centers in Africa. He developed a ministry that he calls Motion for Missions whereby he at first and now his church in Vienna, Virginia participate as a congregation to gain sponsorships by the mile to support world missions projects as a Faith Promise to Jesus Christ.

Each chapter is essentially a short story of his encounters when Motion for Missions came to a head in the running of the ultra marathon series. Page after page is filled with insight into the sub-culture of ultra runners, and experiences that will send your emotions up and down like the Shenandoah mountains Craig races up and down as he struggles to face an incurable cancer and take the next step of constant forward motion.

Craig is very open with his Christian spirituality as he writes this autobiographical account. In very inspiring ways he shows how a person can combine faith with every part of life, and be empowered to go farther and do more with the life that we've been graciously given.

I have found myself wondering if I liked this book so much because I like Craig so much. And honestly I have not found the answer on that one. Those that know him will almost hear his voice dictating each chapter. We who know him know his unique personality and even more unique humility. He would have benefited from an editor. He has a habit of changing verb tenses as he writes, but if you'll get past some petty technical issues you'll find yourself like me; enjoying every page and being inspired to make some changes in your own life. (And hey if you're still reading with all my technical writing problems you'll make it through anything.)

I recommend this book for an inspirational read and for the benefit that it will be to missions efforts around the world.

--Ben