Gold to Refine

About the Book

Gold To Refine is a collection of short stories. It is stories about my experiences as a student, youth director, minister/pastor/preacher, and teacher in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and England. It covers a period of about fifty years. It is stories about places I have lived and places I have visited - wonderful places. But much more, it is stories about people – people I have known and admired over the years – people who have been important in my life and in the lives of those around them – wonderful people (there are a few tales about not-so-nice people, too). If anyone is in contact with all kinds of people and situations, it is clergy. These are stories about the amazing experiences of a particular minister, which happens to be myself. The stories are true. Some of the stories are humorous - even slapstick – others are quite serious. As I say in the preface, I believe we all need stories – funny stories, touching stories, loving stories, happy stories, stories with a moral, stories with hope. I offer this collection from the events of my life in the hope that in them are elements of humor, hope, and love…for entertainment…but also for encouragement.

About the Author

Richard Shriver was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the second of three sons of Thomas A. and Attie Gene Shriver. His father was a highly honored judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. His education was in the public schools through the twelfth grade. His bachelor’s degree is in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University, and his Master of Divinity degree also is from Vanderbilt. He is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, having served churches in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and England for thirty-two years. Dr. Shriver continued his education in History, Music, and Christian Education in the graduate schools of Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, Scarritt College, Wisconsin State University, and Middle Tennessee State University, and earned his doctorate in Education and Theology at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He has been active in radio and television as a regular guest on Nashville’s Channel 5, Lebanon, Tennessee’s Channel 66, and WLAC Radio. He shares the hosting of Nashville’s CATV’s “We Believe,” and is a regular guest on WNQM Radio’s “We Believe,” a Roman Catholic sponsored show. Dr. Shriver’s first book, The Gabriel Letters, was published in 1990. He presently is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee and is Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at Volunteer State College in Gallatin, Tennessee where he lives with his wife, Joy. They have two grown children…son, Colin and daughter, Kendal.