Great Stories by Haven Today

#143: Amish Stories of Grace: Finding Jesus in Lancaster County

The Amish way of life has captured the imaginations of TV viewers and novel readers for decades. The romantic ideal of simple living within one’s own community is attractive, but the one thing that’s often missing is grace. 

In 2014, Charles Morris traveled to Lancaster County to host an event featuring current and former Amish people who discovered grace in a world too often dictated by stringent rule-following and legalism. There are many wonderful tenants of Amish life, but today’s episode focuses on a core aspect of faith that too often cultivates a sense that believers must earn their place in Heaven.

Ephraim and Amanda Stoltzfus, who were also featured in the BBC documentary “Leaving Amish Paradise," discuss how they became excommunicated from their church and shunned by family and friends after joining a local Bible study and getting baptized outside of their Amish community. Jacob Dienner and Manny Zook are current members of the Amish church and talk about how they came to an understanding of grace within the Amish church.

#142: Charles & Janet Morris on Finding Courage When Death Rescued Their Son

It’s the nightmare call every parent fears. For Charles and Janet Morris, the news of their son’s death came on a late Summer night in 2003. Nearly five years later, they sat down to speak with friend and counselor Dr. Dan Allender for a public discussion of their son’s overdose, the courage they've found in the intervening years, and the understanding they've gained that Jesus rescued their son — even through death. 

Now twenty years after the incident, we are sharing this vulnerable conversation that has been a profound resource for so many who have also been touched by similar tragedy and grief. Whether you have experienced the loss of a loved one or not, we pray this episode from the Haven archives will bring you hope.

#141: Laura Story on Writing Songs about Life’s Trials and God’s Mercies

Laura Story and her husband encountered a life-threatening illness early in their marriage. She may have written the song Blessings in just thirty minutes, but she needed to go through five years of ups and downs, trials and grief, to get there. This hit song has now gone on to inspire countless Christians who have been struggling through their own trials in life.

In this interview from the Haven Today archives, Laura talks about the story behind this song, as well as how she incidentally became an award winning singer-songwriter in the first place. She’s appeared on Haven Today several times now, but this 2011 interview was her first time speaking with Charles Morris. It’s our prayer that no matter what you may be going through today, you might experience God’s blessings through this all about Jesus conversation. 

#140: Brenton Brown on Writing Everlasting God While Suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Brenton Brown is a smart and capable person. Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study politics and philosophy at Oxford University, he would have every reason to believe himself strong enough to conquer every obstacle in life. But in 2003, both he and his wife were diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A debilitating condition, this also led him to co-write the well known praise song: Everlasting God.

Brenton has worked with just about every big name in Christian music, including the Gettys, Big Daddy Weave, Stuart Townend, Chris Tomlin, and more. He was a high achieving person who’s future was stifled by illness. And yet, for a man struggling through chronic fatigue, Scriptures describing an everlasting God who will not become faint or grow weary were exactly what he needed to get through the day. It turns out, we all need this everlasting God.

In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast (originally recorded in 2013), you’ll hear more of the story behind this song, as well as a conversation concerning the worship wars within the church. 

#139: Robert J. Morgan Tells the Stories Behind Your Favorite Hymns

Do you know the story behind your favorite hymn? Whether it’s Rock of Ages, Amazing Grace, or Just As I Am, each hymn has an fascinating story behind it. And it's often once you know this story that the lyrics and melody take on a whole new meaning. That’s what Robert J. Morgan helps accomplish in this new episode of the Great Stories Podcast. 

Robert J. Morgan pastored in Nashville, Tennessee, for 40 years and has written popular books, including Red Sea Rules and Then Sings My Soul — the latter of which is the basis for this interview. This episode covers many of the most significant hymns of the church, the story behind how they were written, and the impact they continue to have in our hearts today.

#138: Yoel Ben David: An Orthodox Jew Meets Jesus

As an Orthodox Jew, Yoel Ben David was challenged to study the Old Testament in addition to the Talmud — this led to questions and more questions. By the time he got to Isaiah 53, all bets were off. It didn’t take long for him to meet Jesus. 

Today, Yoel serves as the training director for Jews for Jesus in Israel. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, you'll hear how prayer, patience, and God's Word can change the course of someone's life. Recorded in 2015 shortly after terrorists killed 130 people and wounded 494 in Paris, Charles Morris also speaks to Yoel about how Christians and Jews respond to extremist groups like ISIS. 

#33: Filmmaker Ray Bruce On Making Biblical Movies

If someone asked you to retell the life story of Peter or Paul, how would you go about it?

Ray Bruce set out to do this with a documentary film crew and one of England’s most beloved actors, David Suchet. Together, they followed in the footsteps of the Apostles Peter and Paul from Galilee to Jerusalem and beyond, seeking to tell the story behind two of the New Testament’s most captivating figures.

On this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you’ll hear Ray Bruce recount what went into the research and filming of these projects, as well why he finds the lives and ministries of Peter and Paul so compelling.

This podcast was originally published on June 23, 2021.

#136: David Suchet Reflects on His Acting Career and Encountering Christ Late in Life (Repost)

David Suchet is a British actor known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and captivating portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Inspector Hercule Poirot. But there’s something else that’s even more important to him than his stellar acting career—Jesus.

In this episode, David Suchet talks about encountering Christ late in life, how he approaches acting as a Christian, and what Jesus means to him now. (Repost from December 30, 2020)

Going Deeper

• David Suchet always hoped to one day portray Paul in a movie or play. Instead, he shot a documentary for the BBC following in his footsteps. What the trailer here.
• Click here to get your own copy of David Suchet’s DVD “In the Footsteps of St. Paul.”

#135: Chuck Smith’s Daughter Tells the Jesus Revolution Story in Her Own Words

Cheryl Brodersen is the youngest daughter of Kay and Chuck Smith. Growing up in the middle of the Jesus Movement in 1970's Southern California, Cheryl saw firsthand how the revival got started and spread like wildfire. But there are a few misconceptions she'd like to set straight.

Discover how the Jesus Revolution really took place when you listen to this new episode of the Great Stories podcast. Not only will it give you insight into what the Lord did, Cheryl's story will inspire you to believe he can bring about another great revival today. 

#134: Greg Laurie Tells the Story Behind the ”Jesus Revolution”

It’s the early 1970’s. Greg Laurie has found himself in the midst of a hippie movement that is on the rise and threatening to derail many Christians’ way of life. But rather than taking young Greg away from the church, God used this unique moment to bring about revival in an unlikely turn of events. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie tells his story about how he found Christ during the “Jesus Revolution.” But he doesn’t stop there. When you listen, you’ll also hear Greg draw important parallels with our own time of spiritual apathy and outright hostility, offering hope for the next generation of unlikely believers — because God can always bring about a new Jesus Revolution.