Great Stories by Haven Today

God speaks powerfully through the books of the Bible. This is especially true in the Psalms. Not only does it include words to help us express our deepest thoughts and emotions to the Lord, it can also direct our worship and draw us nearer to Jesus.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by one of his good friends and mentors, Dr. David Sunday. After serving 30 years as a pastor, Dr. Sunday is now the president of WordPartners, a ministry that exists to train pastors to teach God’s Word with God’s heart.

In this conversation, Dr. Sunday shares how the Psalms teach us to lament, repent, praise, and thank—all while pointing to Jesus and giving us a path to flee to Him for refuge. 

How can all the Bible be all about Jesus when His name doesn't explicitly appear till the New Testament? From Genesis to Leviticus to Esther, it may be hard to see Jesus on the surface of every page, but he's there—in profound and subtle ways.

Dr. Dennis Johnson is a scholar and one of the founding faculty members of Westminster Seminary in California. Today, he joins David Wollen to discuss a christocentric approach to reading and studying God's Word.

If you are new to this way of reading the Bible, we encourage you to be patient. It may take some time to learn to see Jesus on every page, but it's important and worth the effort. Because this is not merely a hermeneutical trick of smoke and mirrors ... it's the way Jesus himself taught his disciples to study and teach the Scriptures. 

In 1962, Don and Carol Richardson, along with their seven-month-old baby, traveled to a remote tribe known for treachery, headhunting, and cannibalism. Eventually, after living among the people and learning their language, this tribe came to know Jesus. The dramatic story is captured in the classic "Peace Child" book and movie, but what was it like from the perspective of the Richardsons' child who saw it firsthand? 

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Steve Richardson, the boy who grew up among the Sawi people, joins David Wollen to share the story behind the story, as well as what it's like among the Sawi people today—more than a half century later.

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” It's a question many of us have wrestled with.

On this week's podcast, Charles Morris joins David Wollen to share about his recent medical diagnosis, what it means to face life's final chapter, and the enduring hope he has in Christ.

Listen to the new episode: Charles Morris on Facing Life’s Final Chapter.

In this world, suffering touches every life, including those who follow Christ. Why does God allow hardship? And how can we continue to trust Him when life feels overwhelming?

Join David Wollen on a new episode of the Great Stories Podcast as he talks with special guest Joni Eareckson Tada to explore how God meets us in our deepest pain and offers lasting hope through every trial.

What is truly worth living and dying for? For Lilias Trotter, this question led her to consider two diverging paths. Would she turn her back on a promising future as one of the greatest artists in the Victorian era? Or embrace relative obscurity in service to her Lord? Lilias Trotter chose the latter, and it defined her legacy that—until recently—was all but lost to history.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Miriam Rockness—a woman who has devoted three decades of her life to researching this little-known artist and missionary. It's in large part thanks to Miriam's diligent work that we can now learn Lilias Trotter's incredible story. When you listen today, you'll hear how this multi-decade journey came about, as well as how Miriam learned that the best life is one that is surrendered to Christ with no reservations, caveats, or holdbacks.

For your gift to Haven Ministries, you can dig deeper into Lilias Trotter's captivating story through the DVD Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter. Make your gift to receive your copy at haventoday.org.

Among the stories of believers who came before us, there are some who stand out—lives that point to God's faithfulness across generations.

Join David Wollen this week on the Great Stories Podcast for "Erwin Lutzer on What Makes Someone a Giant of the Faith." David is joined by pastor and author Erwin Lutzer to reflect on the life and legacy of Warren Wiersbe and the qualities that made his faithful ministry an inspiration to generations of Christians.

Artificial intelligence is becoming an unavoidable part of everyday life, from smartphones and navigation apps to customer service and media creation. As AI continues to advance, many people are asking what it can do. But for Christians, an even more important question may be what AI should not do. This week on the Great Stories Podcast, join David Wollen and Brett Larson for a powerful discussion on artificial intelligence, faith, and discernment in a rapidly changing world.

What if you could learn about Jesus from someone who spent years walking beside Him? The Gospel of John offers exactly that perspective. Written by one of Jesus' closest disciples, it gives us a firsthand glimpse of His glory and grace. Join David Wollen, along with John Schafer and Brennan McPherson—the creators of a new animated film about Jesus—for a special episode of The Great Stories Podcast, Jesus Through the Gospel of John Part 2.

Reading a biography is one thing, but hearing from someone who actually lived with the subject is even better. That's precisely what we find in the Gospel of John. As one of Jesus' closest disciples, the Apostle John helps us behold the same glory of Christ that he witnessed firsthand. Join David Wollen, along with John Schafer and Brennan McPherson—the creators of a new animated film about Jesus—for a special episode of The Great Stories Podcast, Jesus Through the Gospel of John.