Great Stories by Haven Today

#98: Charles Morris Explains the Bible in 18 Minutes or Less

How long would it take you to explain the whole Bible from start to finish? On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris sets out to tell the whole story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation in less than 18 minutes. 

Just as it’s good to zero in and study Scripture closely, it’s also good to zoom out for the big picture. The Bible is made up of 66 books written by 40 authors in three languages over 1500 years. That's a lot to wrap our minds around. And so it is our prayer that this episode will give you a starting point for your own study of God's Word. We encourage you to look up the passages you find interesting, and then consider them closely within the context of the whole story of redemption.

The results are life changing. 

 

#97: Catherine Butcher on the Life, Legacy, & Faith of Queen Elizabeth II

The year was 1953. Queen Elizabeth II had already succeeded her father, George VI, upon his death in February the year before. On May 1, almost exactly a month before her coronation, the Queen began praying every day and reading private devotions that were specifically written for her by the Archbishop of Canterbury to help her spiritually prepare to become the figurehead of the United Kingdom. 

On today’s episode, Charles Morris speaks with Catherine Butcher who literally wrote the book on the Queen’s faith in Jesus. Moments after the news of Elizabeth’s death broke, Charles Morris recorded this conversation with Catherine to talk about Her Majesty’s steadfast faith in Christ and the hope she clung to as she went home to be with the Lord.

As this second Elizabethan era draws to an end, we pray this conversation will give you insights on the faith of England’s longest reigning monarch, while also giving you a sense of hope in the knowledge that all believers can look forward to a time when we will reign forever with Christ. 

#96: Joseph Loconte on the Faith of J.R.R. Tolkien

A hundred years ago, no one had ever heard of a hobbit. But you would be hard-pressed today to find anyone who didn’t immediately recognize this short fictional creature with large fuzzy feet. Most amazing of all is the faith behind J.R.R. Tolkien, the man who created the myth behind The Lord of the Rings. 

As Amazon Studios launches the most expensive show in history based on the appendices of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, we thought now would be a good time to call professor and historian Dr. Joseph Loconte, author of the NYT bestselling A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War, to talk about Tolkien’s faith, wartime experiences, and influence on the conversion of C.S. Lewis. On today’s episode, you’ll get to hear Loconte offer a unique perspective on how the first mechanized war in history affected Tolkien’s faith and led him to write one of the most revered stories of all time. 

#95: Barbara Juliani - Story of a Prodigal Daughter (repost)

Have you ever experienced the pain of watching a loved one leave the faith? Even in the most discouraging moments we can be encouraged because God is in the business of leading prodigals home. In this episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to an interview he did in Philadelphia with his long-time friend Barbara Juliani.

The daughter of a prominent pastor, Barbara decided to leave home at 18 and turn her back on Christianity. Many of the highs and lows of her story parallel the parable of the prodigal son who finally returns home to loving arms. If there’s someone in your life who has run from the faith, Barbara’s story will encourage you to not lose hope that prodigals often do indeed come home.

#94: Andraé Crouch: Stories and Songs from the Father of Modern American Gospel Music (repost)

You may not know his name but you’ve definitely heard and sung along to his music. Known as the father of modern gospel, Andraé Crouch won seven grammies and had a profound influence on the music industry.

Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard are just a few household names who covered some of the several hundred gospel songs Andraé wrote in his lifetime. He worked with Michael Jackson and Modonna, and arranged music for The Lion King and The Color Purple.

But more than all of these accolades, Andraé Crouch loved Jesus. He went home to be with the Lord in 2015, but you can get to know him today when you listen to this musical episode of the Great Stories podcast as Charles and Andraé sit around a Steinway piano to stories and the tune of some of his most powerful music. You won’t want to miss this classic conversation from the Haven Today archive.

#93: Joni Eareckson Tada Sings Hymns to Get Through Hard Times

There’s something about music that powerfully connects our minds with our hearts. Few people know this as intimately as Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident 55 years ago. She has also battled stage 3 cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic pain. In the moments when it becomes too painful to even string two words together to form a prayer, Joni says that hymns are often her most dependable source of comfort that leads to Jesus. 

In this conversation with Charles Morris, Joni discusses how hymns have been a constant companion in her relationship with Jesus. Even in her darkest moments, these “songs of suffering” are what the Lord uses to comfort her, guide her, and give her hope.

Whatever is going on in your life today, we pray this musical and encouraging conversation with Joni Eareckson Tada will help you discover new ways to rejoice in Christ’s peace and goodness, even during your own painful seasons in life.

#92: Ben Witherington on What Jesus Does and Does NOT Say About Money

Summer 2022 has been marked by record inflation, intolerable gas prices, and the question of whether or not the US economy is in a recession. With so much uncertainty surrounding finances, this is a good time for Christians to consider their relationship with Jesus and money.

This week’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast is returning to a 2012 conversation where Charles Morris asked Bible scholar and Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary Dr. Ben Witherington III some hard-to-face questions about money. Questions like: 

• What should a Christian do with his or her money?
• What does the Bible say about tithing?
• What are the myths that Christians believe about money?

Whether you have immense wealth or meager means, we pray this conversation will be a great way for you to consider how Jesus would want you to relate to your income, possessions, and the things of this world that moth and rust destroy.

#91: Michael Williams on How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens (repost)

What is the Bible all about? If this isn’t your first time visiting Haventoday.org, then you may already know our answer: Jesus.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, you’ll get introduced to Dr. Michael Williams, author of How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens. In this conversation, he explains that Scripture comes into much better focus when we realize how every book of the Bible has an identifiable theme that is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.

By the end, you’ll know how to easily find Jesus in challenging books like Joel, Ruth, Hosea, Daniel, Isaiah, and Philemon.

#90: Dr. Mathew Sleeth Wants You to Take a Day Off

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, tech worker, or tradesman, most people feel overworked and unable to find quality rest. Because there’s not just work to do—there are appointments, home improvements, recitals, family commitments … the list goes on. And when you’re not doing the things that need to be done, free time is often spent in front of screens. Spend too much time scrolling social media and you’ll be riddled with guilt for not completing your overly ambitious to-do list that keeps getting bigger every day. 

If any of this sounds familiar, this podcast is for you. 

Dr. Matthew Sleeth (author of 24/6: A Prescription for a Happier, Healthier Life) is a former emergency room physician and no stranger to the kind of busyness that can slowly chip away at your wellbeing. When he found Jesus and began reading the Bible, it was only then that he discovered how much he truly needed a day of rest in his week. In this conversation, you’ll hear how making a few simple changes in your life can allow you to make that sabbath become a weekly reality — a time for you to truly rest in the Lord. Originally recorded in 2013, this conversation is just as relevant today as it was then.

#89: Sally Lloyd-Jones Shares the Story Behind the Jesus Storybook Bible

Fifteen years ago, Sally Lloyd-Jones was tasked to write a children’s Bible that was all about Jesus. What later became The Jesus Storybook Bible would go on to sell more than 3 million copies, making it the most popular kids Bible on the market today. But the most amazing part of this story isn’t about book sales, but the lives of both children and adults who have discovered for themselves that God’s love for them is a “never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love.”At the time of this publication’s tenth anniversary, Charles Morris caught up with Sally in New York City so that she could tell how the Lord led her to craft this book, and how He continues to use it to bless millions of hearts around the world today.