Packed full of stories about the human condition, this book of insightful sermons based largely on texts from Paul's letter to the Romans will be invaluable to preachers, teachers, and laypersons. Readers will serendipitously find marvelous results when one acts in faith on the "absurd" notion that God loves us unconditionally. These messages from an outstanding preacher demonstrate that when we follow the example of Paul and faithfully try to become what God created us to be, wonderful things begin to happen
"Gary Carver moves beyond those who find Paul's words to be complex and rigid. He gives to us examples in which Paul's timeless and deep theological concepts are used to address the struggles of contemporary Christians sensitively.... From teenage athletes to contacts in Alcoholics Anonymous to couples struggling with marriage and a host of other human experiences, Carver profoundly recalls experiences that illustrate Paul's insistence that one can experience a changed life in Christ." (from the Foreword)
Harold C. Warlick Jr.
Professor of Religion and Minister to the University
High Point University
"With a scholarly understanding of the Pauline writings, Gary Carver uses his masterful skills as a storyteller to bring the biblical accounts to life. His treatment of each passage is brought to a climax with probing ethical insight and deeply moving personal application. Both laypersons and preachers will benefit greatly from a reading of these prophetic sermons laced with marvelous illustrations."
Thomas H. Graves
President, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
"To experience the preaching of Gary Carver is to find oneself in a gallery of living illustrations, all pointing to Jesus Christ. No cookie-cutter preacher, this gifted communicator is endowed both with uncommon insight into the human predicament and God's absurdly fetching grace. Read this book and discover God's spirit calling you to a more meaningful, involved following of Jesus."
Timothy L. Owings
Pastor, First Baptist Church
Augusta, Georgia
"Gary Carver has a vivid sense of the wonder God creates in everyday life, and he has a keen eye for the human condition.... His insight into the Bible and into the heart of its stories always finds the underlying story of hope, even in the most hopeless-looking of situations. His discoveries, then, make it seem quite natural and sensible to "act on the absurd.""
Dudley Rose
Director of Field Education
Harvard Divinity School
Gary L. Carver is pastor of First Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has also served as pastor of churches in Alabama and Indiana. Carver is a graduate of Samford University (B.A.) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.) and has done additional graduate study at Candler School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. He has been widely published in a variety of church and clergy publications, and is the author of "Distinctively Different" and "Out From the Ordinary" (CSS).

Bridging the sometimes disparate worlds of prophecy and gospel, Hal Warlick's sermons on texts from the Revised Common Lectionary provide illustrations and themes that will enable preachers and lay leaders to clearly communicate the Christian message. His work is anchored in sound scholarship, yet is written in a flowing, easy-to-understand narrative style that readers will immediately connect with.
Most of Warlick's seventeen messages are based on passages from the letters of Paul, and Warlick finds these epistles to be as relevant today as when they were originally written. And since Paul's letters came from someone who daily faced the challenges of running a newly created organization, Warlick believes that they are a valuable resource for modern-day Christians trying to maintain a community of faith in an interconnected and spiritually struggling world.
By helping readers to visualize old truths in fresh and exciting ways, this volume makes the sometimes overlooked Second Lesson texts a meaningful resource for the season.
The author of thirteen books as well as over thirty articles and sermons in religious journals and publications, Harold C. Warlick Jr. is Professor of Religion and Minister to the University at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. Dr. Warlick has served as both Director of Ministerial Studies and Lecturer in Applied Theology at Harvard Divinity School, and has pastored churches in South Carolina, Texas, and North Carolina. He holds degrees from Furman University (B.A.), Harvard University (S.T.B.), and Vanderbilt University (D.Div.).

"Light in the Land of Shadows" contains sixteen sermons for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Transfiguration Sundays.
This book makes connections between Old Testament themes and contemporary issues. The preacher will find it exegetically sound yet filled with illustrations and insights. The lay person will find it comprehendible and useful for exploring ultimate issues within the context of meaningful Bible study.
"(The) sermons are fleshed out in normal, everyday language, grammar, and sentence structure -- Yet the faithful preacher can take comfort in the fact that they are backed up by sound biblical exegesis."
-- from the Introduction
Hal Warlick is a master at weaving a fascinating story or illustration into the sermon, dramatically portraying the scriptural message. This is Old Testament preaching at its best.
Sermon titles include:
- Lighting A Fire In A Cold Room
- All Dressed Up And Somewhere To Go
- Any FAX From God Today?
- Will We Enjoy Heaven?
- Pain And Promise In The Hand Of God
Harold C. Warlick Jr., serves as Chair, Department of Religion and Philosophy, and Minister to the University at High Point University, High Point, North Carolina. He holds a B.A. degree from Furman University, his M. Div. degree from Harvard University Divinity School, and the D. Div. degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He has served as Director of Ministerial Studies and as a member of the faculty at Harvard Divinity School and has pastored churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. This is his ninth book.

This is precisely the kind of book we need for this confused, exasperating yet exhilarating time in the life of the church. Instead of offering either despair or platitudes about the loss of traditional ambiguities and to respond to the challenge of the times with a lilting imagination and a skip in our step. It ought to become a handbook for Christians in every denomination. John Killinger Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

"It is easy to be brave when everyone agrees with you; but the difficulty comes when you have to stand out, one among many, remembering your obligations as a child of God. It is just as difficult for adults. It takes some real effort to live a good life in today's world." (from chapter 1)
Harold C. Warlick Jr. writes from his college chapel experience. He offers 15 sermons aimed especially at college students -- but useful to persons of any age.
Sermons are divided among three sections:
- What To Do When Everyone's Doing It
- Belief And Behavior
- Survival And The Self
Harold C. Warlick Jr. serves as minister to the college and chairman, Department of Religion and Philosophy, High Point College. He and his wife live in High Point, North Carolina, with their two sons.