Gun Lap: Staying in the Race with Purpose

by Robert Wolgemuth

You may think you’re too old to run fast, but you’re not too old to run well.
When the lead runner starts his final lap in a long-distance race, the starter fires his pistol for the second time. This signals the start of the gun lap—the last chance to leave it all out on the track.

“Gun Lap” is for men who are running their last lap. Or maybe younger men who are looking ahead to their gun lap, but want to live the rest of their lives with purpose and strength.

This is no small thing. In fact, it’s a big deal, because we only get one chance at this life. The author of the New Testament book of Hebrews agrees...wrote, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (12:1 CSB). Perseverance. No word better describes the goal of this race…every lap…including the last one. “Gun Lap” will help you pay close attention to the strides you have left.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 25, 2021

About the author

ROBERT WOLGEMUTH has been in the media business for thirty-nine years. He is former president of Thomas Nelson Publishers and the owner of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc., a literary agency exclusively representing the writing work of more than one hundred authors. Dr. Wolgemuth is a speaker and best-selling author of over twenty books, including She Calls Me Daddy, the notes to the Dad's Devotional Bible, The Most Important Place on Earth, and What's in the Bible: The Story of God Through Time and Eternity, co-written with R. C. Sproul. He is a 1969 graduate of Taylor University, where he received an honorary doctorate in May 2005. Dr. Wolgemuth is married to Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and has two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[John Sagherian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading Robert Wolgemuth’s “Gun Lap: Staying in the Race with Purpose.” Enjoyed reading it as it’s well written and full of meaningful stories. A lot of what Robert has written were good reminders to me on what to look out for, or intentionally do/plan in this phase of my life. It’s easy to sit back and coast, but as Spurgeon said, “We are all immortal until our work is done.” Thank you, Robert, for reminding me… I highly recommend this book to anyone in his “gun lap” years, which, in a sense, is everyone.

[Lee Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few men have the opportunity to write about their final days while surviving cancer. Wolgemuth is one. He is a skilled storyteller who knows what topics interest men. He ties these interests into his own story and presents a challenging list of directions for us as we start our final lap around the track. It is not morose or desperate but filled with positive insights on how older men can finish their course with glory.

[Mike Studdard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea for a book to live fully the gun lap as you sprint to the finish. The author’s style is chatty though my style is not. Many of the ideas have been used by others prior to this author. He is a guy I think I would like to meet. I read the whole book as I always do but not out of desire but out of feeling like I owed the author the honor of finishing. It seemed to be a 100 page book in a 200 page format.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book aimed at a target audience for men 55+, a demographic not often reached. As someone in that category who's (as the author puts it) in my "gun lap" I really enjoyed the book. It's easy to read and very relevant talking about things like relationships, mentoring, health, and priority setting. If you're a Christian man 55+, it's worth a read.

[Joe DeGraaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal collection of a godly man’s reflections on finishing life well. This reads more as a memoir of personal lessons or values a man should have as they enter their final lap of life. Much of these seems pretty simple, too simple even. A lasting note is to finish well as a man of God for anyone you may encounter or leave behind.

[Louis Prontnicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

With most of the book containing stories about the author, I wasn't challenged to think about how God wants me to run my "gun lap." Disappointing for me, but maybe I was looking for more biblical and specific challenges.

[Frank Deerey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book at first. I'm glad that I purchased the book and I enjoyed reading it. I don't know if I'm in my gun lap but this book has given me a better understand of what to do and things I want to strive for in my gun lap. I would recommend this book very highly.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for those of us in retirement! Robert nails the priorities by which we should run our last lap, as we fads into God’s glory.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points and some good stories about finishing your life well and not just coasting to the finish. Wasn't sure what the book was really about till I began to read it.

[Andy Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just turned 40 this year, so I thought this book might have some good advice for someone like me who is feeling like he is facing the latter-half of his life. It did. I appreciate the author's honesty and perspective as he recognizes he is coming to the end of his life. He also took time to interview several respected individuals that he is friends with to get their perspective on getting old. There is a lot of wisdom in this book, and it is well-packaged with various stories and personal reflection. My key takeaways: your own father (and grandfathers) will have a great impact on how you view and approach old age; learn to speak truth and grace to yourself, not self-condemnation or shame; invest in your relationship with your wife - it will pay the greatest dividends in the last part of your life; be involved in your neighbors' lives; everyone should be mentored and a mentor; stop being ashamed of sharing the gospel (to both believers and unbelievers) - sharing the truth brings great joy. Overall, a great encouragement.

[Bert Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Wolgemuth’s effort helpfully speaks to a good many of the challenges and opportunities that Christian men face in their latter years. The guiding metaphor is perfect. On the last lap of a one mile race a gun sounds to make sure the runners give the rest of the race their all - run as to win, says the Apostle “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
While the book is definitely helpful, it is heavier on illustrations than exegesis - more fluffy than transformational. It would be greatly strengthened by helping the reader to apply the power of the Cross to the call to change.
However, if you are looking for a friendly, easily accessible treatment of the special needs, challenges, sins and means of grace for a man’s golden years this could serve you well - or perhaps as a gift for the man who finally has time to read something to care for his soul.

[David Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual book.

This is an excellent book about a subject that not too many
people think about. The author provides encouragement, and identification because that's where he's at too. I would highly recommend it for anyone over 55 years old.

[Daniel Hilts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run it Well

A great well written book for those us who are running to the finish line, and that it is not over until we cross that finish line a winner and receive the prize. Amen!

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably read it too early in life. It has some helpful nuggets at the beginning and end but i got bored in the middle.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and thought provoking book. There are lots of topics raised that needs attention in our Gun Lap. Well worth a read...

Second read through - and a very good reminder...