Unlikely Praise Read Online Free Page A

can’t place you.”
    And just when he was starting to have fun.
    His vital organs twisted into panic mode, churning and turning until his mouth went completely dry. His greatest fear, besides having never been involved in a Christian praise and worship team, was that someone would recognize him from his former rock band and know instantly his whole tainted and sinful story. Anyone who knew anything about the Austin music scene could have read a blog or visited a website about the band. It wouldn’t be hard to discover the accident that caused him to end his career, or uncover the addictive behavior that fueled his disappearance from the music business.
    “He’s been in church several times,” Candi was quick to intercede. “Do you think you just saw him here?”
    Max scratched his head. “No...that’s not it.”
    “It’s the ponytail,” Rocky offered. “He reminds you of Kelly.”
    Kelly nudged his chair while everyone else cackled.
    Candi snorted into her hand to hide her laughter.
    Ironically, this opening jibe at his expense was the first sign they were accepting him. The hallmark of any good band was their merciless pranks and tendency to tease each other. He would have enjoyed this first shot if his lungs weren’t collapsing.
    Once again, Kevin seemed to be bouncing in his spot. “I know who he is.”
    “ What? ” Now it was Candi and Shade who answered together.
    Rocky shrugged. “He’s Shade Blackledge, leave it at that.”
    So he knew, too?
    But Max apparently didn’t. “Tell us.”
    Kevin all but exploded. “He’s the lead guitarist for Dead Lizard Highway.”
    “ Was ,” Shade clarified. “ Was the lead guitarist.”
    “That’s it!” Max seized his hand and shook it hard. “I knew it. I just couldn’t put my finger on it!”
    Shade backed up. “Really, guys, that was a while ago.”
    “Yeah,” Kevin went on, “you know that black t-shirt I have with the bright green lizard on it, and it’s, like, sitting in the middle of the road holding a sign? That’s from the cover of their last CD. The name of the CD is on the sign. What is it again?” He snapped his fingers as he tried to recall. “Uh...oh, yeah, Let Dead Lizards Lie , right?”
    Shade nodded, and boy, he wished Kevin would let it lie.
    Max crossed his arms, his huge grin too big for his face. “So you’re one of the Lizards. What are you doin’ here , man?”
    “ Was . Was one of the Lizards. I live here now.”
    “Hey, Shade,” Kevin shouted a little too loud, “can I see your tattoo?”
    Max’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah, let’s see it.”
    “That’s enough.” Candi’s arms went up in protest. “Not to be a wet rag here, but this is worship practice, remember? And Shade was gracious enough to come here at Pastor Charles’s request. Let’s give him some room. You guys can talk later. C’mon, grab hands, and get your heads back in the game. We have some serious prayer requests and some serious work to do.”
    Shade took the hand she offered him. One look at her face told him she knew nothing about him. But the strength and warmth she conveyed in the way she held his hand told him something else.
    She suspected there was more.
     
     
     
     
     

2
     
    From: Pastor Charles Littleton
    [mailto:[email protected]]
    Sent: Wednesday, April 15 7:52 AM
    To: Candi Canaberry [email protected]
    Subject: Last night’s practice
     
    Candi:
    How do you think it went last night? I got a quick e-mail from Samuel this morning. He thanked me for the opportunity and said he thought it was a productive practice. I’m anxious to meet with the two of you. Keep me posted.
    Charles
     
    Candi entered the Cornerstone Fellowship office at exactly ten o’clock. The church secretary looked up from her crowded space behind the tall counter.
    “Mornin’, Candi.”
    “Hey, Ms. Mattie. Is he back from his meeting yet?”
    Ms. Mattie rolled her office chair a little to the right and stretched to retrieve