Great Stories by Haven Today

#133: Douglas Gresham on Growing Up with C.S. Lewis

What would it have been like to live in the same house as C.S. Lewis? For many fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, it would be a dream come true. For Douglas Gresham, it became a reality after his mother married Lewis toward the end of her life. 

In 2005, as The Chronicles of Narnia reached new heights with the release of Disney's take on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Charles Morris sat down with Douglas Gresham to talk about his late stepfather’s faith, work, and family life. More than a biographical look at the famous writer and apologist, today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast paints a unique picture of C.S. Lewis from the vantage point of a child in his home. 

#132: Paul McCusker on How He Produced The Chronicles of Narnia Audio Drama

All seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis have captured the imaginations of countless readers around the world. One of these readers took it a step further and created an audio drama out of all seven stories. His name is Paul McCusker, and he joins Charles Morris on today’s podcast to discuss the creative process, as well as how this series points to Jesus around every turn. 

Paul McCusker is an American writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the radio drama Adventures in Odyssey, and for his work with Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre, including The Chronicles of Narnia (Collector’s Edition). He has written over 50 books, 21 plays and 4 musicals.

#131: Milton Vincent on How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself

Milton Vincent had been pastoring for ten years before realizing he lost sight of the gospel. He would preach grace and forgiveness from the pulpit but somehow never experienced it himself. The solution? Milton needed to preach the gospel to himself. 

Many of us know that Jesus promises to forgive those who believe in him, but what if we you don’t feel forgiven? What if we don’t feel loved or accepted just as we are? This is the struggle Milton Vincent faced as a pastor when he finally realized he needed to preach the gospel to himself … not just his congregation.

In this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you'll hear Milton's story. But you'll also receive multiple strategies on how can follow a daily practice to remember Christ has forgiven you — and is forgiving you — once and for all. 

#130: Dallas Jenkins on “The Chosen” Series’ Development, Impact, and Road Ahead (repost)

After just two seasons, the hit television show “The Chosen” became the #1 highest crowdfunded media project of all time. Now, with Season 3 released and Season 4 underway, today's episode of the Great Stories podcast revisits a conversation with Dallas Jenkins about how it all began and where it's headed.

Listen in and discover how the first ever multi-season TV show about Jesus got started, the impact it’s had on the world, what it was like to film during a pandemic, and what lies ahead for the final seasons.

#129: Paul Miller on How to Cultivate a Praying Life

Whether you pray regularly or you’re struggling to keep Christ at the center of your life, we can all benefit from a more vibrant prayer life. The problem is, the distracting world we inhabit makes it nearly impossible to make this happen. Paul Miller, author of A Praying Life, illustrates the challenge well: 

“We are so busy that when we slow down to pray, we find it uncomfortable. We prize accomplishments, production. But prayer is nothing but talking to God. It feels useless, as if we are wasting time. Every bone in our bodies screams, ‘Get to Work.’”

So how do we turn to the Lord in prayer when so many other things are pulling at our attention? How do we pray without the anxiety that we are wasting our time? 

This interview with Paul Miller was recorded in 2009, but its call to cultivate a praying life is more relevant today than ever. Paul is the son of Charles Morris’ old pastor and mentor Jack Miller. Here, he explores how Scripture, coupled with the Holy Spirit and spiritual willingness, gives us the tools we need to commune with God. 

#128: Nancy Guthrie Wants to Teach Your Kids How to Pray (repost)

Prayer is an essential part of every Christian’s life. It’s also a mysterious and intimidating practice for believers both young and old. What’s the problem? Nancy Guthrie says, “Praying to God is so simple a child can do it, but grown-ups often make it needlessly complicated. God wants an honest conversation.”

To help you get a better handle on what every Christian — both young and old — should know about prayer, Charles Morris invited Nancy Guthrie to join him for an insightful conversation on prayer. Even if you already have a healthy prayer life, this interview will help you gain a deeper understanding of what we are actually doing when we talk to God.

You can also learn more about Nancy’s biblically inspired picture book What Every Child Should Know About Prayer at haventoday.org. 

#127: Danny Rojas on Becoming the New Director & Speaker of El Faro de Redención

Born in Miami shortly after his parents fled Cuba during Fidel Castro’s revolution, Danny Rojas is a Christ follower with a heart for the Cuban Church. Today, he is now the director and speaker of Haven’s Spanish broadcast to Cuba El Faro de Redención. In this episode, you’ll hear how Danny became the head of this ministry, as well as how he saw Christ on the move in Cuba during his very first trip to the island last week. 

Danny Rojas has been serving in pastoral and music ministry for over 25 years. His wife Luann is also from Miami and of Dominican descent. Danny earned a Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Theology. He serves his local church as an elder and worship leader. His passion and heart for El Faro de Redención is to share Christ-centered, grace-focused content along with the voice of the Cuban church, so that many in Cuba, as well as across the Spanish-speaking world, will find life and rest in Christ.

#126: Andrew Peterson On Encountering Jesus through Music, Christ-Haunted Places, and Celebrating the Resurrection (Repost)

Easter is coming. But unlike the Christmas season, Easter doesn’t have as many of the rich traditions that help us anticipate Christ’s death and resurrection. On today’s episode, Andrew Peterson helps us bridge the gap between what we read in the gospel and how these events have direct implications for how we live every single day. You’ll also hear him talk about how he connects with Christ through music and the sense of feeling God’s presence in historic Christian places that are no longer active today. 

As Easter approaches, we encourage you to prepare your heart to celebrate the Resurrection through Andrew Peterson’s album Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1. You can also view a video of one of the most powerful songs on the album here (Is He Worthy?).

#125: Marty Machowski on How to Share Christ with Kids this Easter

There are many Advent devotionals and activities for children to prepare their hearts for Christmas, but Easter is not often given the same level of care and attention — despite it being a foundational holiday for Christians. This is one reason Marty Machowski is rethinking the way families celebrate Easter with his new upside-down family devotional Darkest Night, Brightest Day.

Marty Machowski is a bestselling Children's devotional author and pastor. In this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you'll hear him discuss the creative ways that families can make the days leading up to Easter, as well as the days following, become a cherished tradition that will help the kids in your life carry their faith into adulthood. 

#124: Stories of Grace: How a Bank Robber and Slave Trader Found Jesus

To be a follower of Christ, you must believe in grace — grace for yourself and grace for others. The problem is that we sometimes lose sight of this truth when it comes to people who have done despicable things. And yet no matter how far from Jesus some may seem, you never know how the Holy Spirit may be at work to transform their hearts. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris shares two fascinating stories of grace. First, you’ll meet Ken Cooper, a former bank robber who recommitted his life to Jesus. Second, Charles will discuss the turbulent life of John Newton and how he went from slave trader to the hymn-writing pastor who penned Amazing Grace.