Great Stories by Haven Today

Kristen Wetherell on Finding God's Purpose and Goodness in Suffering

When it comes to suffering, the question isn’t if, but when. On this side of eternity, the pain of grief and loss are simply a part of life. And yet God often uses these hard moments to bring about perseverance, character, and hope. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Kristen Wetherell who co-rote the book Hope When it Hurts. A wise and mature follower of Jesus, Kristen shares some very practical and specific encouragement to help any Christian going through a time of suffering. Whether you are enduring something slight or great, the truths discussed in this episode will help you see Christ and give you hope.

Dr. Don Whitney Discusses Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Have you ever read the Bible and almost immediately forgotten what you just read on the page? The problem may not be memory, but method. Dr. Don Whitney, professor and author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, has candid advice for people approaching Scripture: “Read less, meditate more.”

Though it may sound counterproductive, this approach for absorbing God's Word is a critical step toward spiritual growth. To read Scripture is one thing, but to retain it in a way that fills and changes you is quite another. And yet this is just one of the several spiritual disciplines that help believers draw nearer to Jesus. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Don Whitney and David Wollen discuss disciplines such as Bible reading, meditating, prayer, fasting, and other biblical practices for the purpose of godliness. Practical and grace-filled, we pray this conversation will inspire you to make spiritual disciplines a daily part of your Christian life. 

Dr. Carl Trueman on the Strange New World We’re Living In, How We Got Here, and How the Church Can Respond

Over the past few decades, culture has shifted so rapidly that young people are growing up in a world that would be incomprehensible to someone living even just one generation ago. On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Christian author and philosopher Dr. Carl Trueman sheds light on what's happening in this strange new world we're living in, how we got here, and what the church can do to respond. 

When you listen in to this conversation between Dr. Trueman and David Wollen, you'll gain a better understanding of the many cultural viewpoints that are shaping modern society. It's a significant topic for each of us to consider as an increasing number of people are struggling to reconcile their Christian beliefs with the culture at large. Rather than digging a foxhole, it's important for followers of Christ to understand these cultural shifts in order to engage others with the truth of God's Word.

As our thanks for your gift to Haven Today—the ministry that produces this podcast—we'd love to send you a copy of Dr. Carl Trueman's book Strange New World. One of the most important Christian books written in the last decade, we are confident this resource will help you gain a better understanding of the most perplexing issues of our day. Visit haventoday.org to learn more.

Edmund Clowney Through His Daughter's Eyes

Dr. Edmund Clowney was a spiritual father to some of our generation's most respected pastors, but many still don't know his name. A pioneering theologian, pastor, and author, he helped Christians in the West return to a Christ-centered way of seeing every page of Scripture. Most of those who knew him simply called him Ed. Today's guest on the Great Stories podcast called him dad. 

Rebecca Clowney Jones is the daughter of the late Ed Clowney, but she also worked closely with him on his writing late in life. In fact, she served as an editor and contributor to his final book, How Jesus Transformed the Ten Commandments. In this episode, she discusses her father's life and legacy, as well as what it was like to work with her father on his final book. 

Fernando Ortega Wants You to Slow Down and Worship (repost)

Too many of us live each day under the tyranny of the urgent. Not only is this frenetic pace of the 21st century unsustainable, it’s not the way God intended you to live.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Fernando Ortega joins Charles Morris to discuss slowing things down and making time for God in our daily lives. At the time this interview was recorded, "Shadow of Your Wings" was a newly released album. While this conversation explores some of the songs on this album, Charles and Fernando also talk about how worship extends beyond what we sing on Sunday. The question is, who — or what — do you worship?

Three Widows Talk About Loss, Grief, Faith, and Friendship

What do you do when the unthinkable happens? When your faith is tested and you are confronted with your greatest fears? On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen speaks with three widows who know this grief well. They all lost their husbands around the same time, but then they found each other. 

In their church community, Cherrie, Linda, and Susan are known collectively as "The Strand of Three." Each of their testimonies are unique, but together they also have a shared testimony of loss, grief, and the Lord's unending mercies. It's a touching conversation that we pray will give you hope and encouragement for your own dark valleys.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Talks Faith and Preparation for the Olympics

At the age of 16, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the youngest U.S. track and field athlete to compete in the Olympics since 1972. Eight years later, she's broken the world record in the 400 meter hurdles five times and won two Olympic gold medals—yet, by the time listeners tune in, these stats may already be out of date.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is partnering with Jason Romano from Sports Spectrum by sharing a conversation he had with Sydney earlier this year where they talked about preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and the release of Sydney's new book about her life and faith called Far Beyond Gold.

The Life and Legacy of Eric Liddell (feat. his granddaughter Patricia Russell)

Known as the Flying Scotsman, Eric Liddell had high Olympic hopes. But he also wouldn’t run on Sunday … even if that meant missing out on a gold medal for himself and his country. What happened next stunned the world. 

100 years after his historic race and stand for his faith at the Paris 1924 Olympics, the games have returned to Paris and Eric Liddell's story is just as relevant as ever.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen reflects on Eric's life as an athlete and, more importantly, as a Christian. Eric's granddaughter, Patricia Russell, makes an appearance. You'll also get to learn more about the lesser-known, but no less incredible, parts of Eric's story following the Olympics, as well as the sacrifice he made before his death in a prison camp. 

Steve Richardson Tells the Story Behind "Peace Child"

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.

Dr. Ed Welch on the Tug-of-War Between Fear of Man and Fear of God

We’ve all been there. Peer pressure, desire for acceptance, fear of rejection. These aren't just issues for teenagers in the lunchroom. From young adulthood into old age, these struggles are still an issue for many of us. The Bible calls it fear of man and demonstrates it against the backdrop of fear of God.

Ultimately, they cannot coexist.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Dr. Ed Welch to discuss these common struggles. Using his book When People are Big and God is Small as a launching pad for the conversation, this episode strives to help you—whether you have been aware of it up until now, or not—to grapple with the tug-of-war between fear of man and fear of God.