Great Stories by Haven Today

#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how he connects with Christ through music and the sense of feeling God’s presence in historic Christian places that are no longer active today.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.

#123: Bruce Hindmarsh on the Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind Amazing Grace

On Friday, January 1, 1773, a pastor of a small church debuted a hymn that he wrote to accompany his New Year’s Day sermon. He called it “Faith’s Review and Expectation” — not exactly an exciting title. And yet little did he or his congregation know this humble chorus would go on to be the most-sung song in the English language: Amazing Grace. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris speaks with Bruce Hindmarsh, a professor of Spiritual Theology and Christian History at Regent College Vancouver, a John Newton scholar, and co-author of the new book Amazing Grace: The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song. 

When you listen, you’ll find out how Newton’s life was difficult, utterly sinful at times, and littered with contradictions ... and yet Christ offered him grace and he eventually repented. If you’ve ever been moved by the hymn Amazing Grace, then this episode is for you.

#122: Jeremy Walker on the History of Revivals from Pentecost to Present Day

The word 'revival' has been on countless minds over the past month when Asbury University students carried on a multi-week prayer and worship service that brought 50,000 pilgrims to the sleepy town of Wilmore, Kentucky. Though it is now being called an outpouring, Christians around the world have a renewed interest in what revivals are, how God works through them, and what basis they have in Scripture and history.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris is joined by Jeremy Walker to explore these historic movements of God — from Pentecost to present day — as they both also pray for revival to take hold in the hearts of the next generation. Jeremy Walker is a pastor, author, and host of the new documentary Revival: The Work of God. 

#121: Asbury Revival — Meet the Asbury Students Who Have Been Praying for Revival Since 2019

The Asbury Revival may have officially begun on February 8, 2023, but the roots of this spiritual phenomenon began long before those few students lingered after chapel to pray. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, you're going to meet the Asbury Seminary students who have been diligently praying for this very thing since 2019. 

From the living room of New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Keener, these few seminary students have been holding weekly prayer meetings with one bold request in mind — Lord, bring about a revival at Asbury. They've asked us not to share their names, but they do share their stories, as well as an oral history of how the Asbury Revival began. 

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines through news coverage and social media commentary, then this episode will be a wonderful way for you to become intimately acquainted with the roots of the world’s newest spiritual revival — a revival that we hope is only just getting started.  

#120: Ivanka & Alexey Volkov — A Ukrainian Couple’s Prayers for Their Homeland

Ivanka and Alexey Volkov were already living abroad when Russia invaded Ukraine. Now, one year in to the war, they have not been able to go home. Friends have died. Family members still living in Ukraine face extreme conditions daily. There are few ways for them to help from the outside, except offer prayers and support for their homeland. 

In this special episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris shares his full interview with the Volkovs, a Ukrainian Christian couple who are currently sharing the gospel in Israel. Here, they share their hopes, fears, and prayers as Ukraine experiences the greatest humanitarian crisis Europe has seen since World War II. 

An edited version of this interview first appeared on Haven Today’s daily radio broadcast. We are now posting it here in full. 

#119: Bruce Waltke — Rediscover Your Faith in the Old Testament

If we didn't have the Old Testament, Christians would live in a state of spiritual amnesia. Rather than having a healthy understanding of who we are and how we got here, believers who neglect the Bible's first 39 books often begin filling in the blanks with their own ideas. Bruce Waltke wants to change that. 

A world famous Hebrew scholar with a PhD from Harvard and Dallas Theological Seminary, Bruce Waltke is uniquely equipped to speak about how we can read the Old Testament in light of the New. In this episode, Waltke discusses how the Scriptures contain our memory, history, and even our core identity as believers. 

Bruce Waltke is the author of many books, including Old Testament Theology. He was the head of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary for many years and has also served at Westminster Philadelphia, Regent College in Vancouver, and Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

#118: Joshua Cooley on the Faith of the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champs

Before the 2018 Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles had never tasted victory at the highest level. When back-up-quarterback-turned-MVP Nick Foles and the rest of the team closed the book on their Cinderella season, many of the players did not bask in their own glory. After winning their close match against the favored New England Patriots, several of the key players gave all the glory to Christ. 

As the Eagles now attempt their second ever Super Bowl trophy this Sunday, Charles Morris returns to his 2018 interview with author and sports writer Joshua Cooley to discuss the faith of these team members who reached the pinnacle of their sport. Though many of the players mentioned in this episode are no longer on the Eagles' roster, we pray this episode will bolster your own faith as you prepare to watch North America's biggest primetime sporting event this Sunday. 

#117: Corrie ten Boom’s Story — Told By Her Longtime Assistant

You may have heard Corrie ten Boom’s story before. Maybe you read her book The Hiding Place, or even saw the 1975 film adaptation. But you may never have heard it quite like this. Several years ago, Charles Morris got on the phone with Corrie’s longtime companion and assistant Pamela Rosewell Moore to hear from someone who knew her well. 

Pamela worked for several years with the team of Brother Andrew ("God's Smuggler") in the Netherlands, before accompanying Corrie to America. As Corrie reached the end of her life, Pam served as a nurse and companion until her death in 1983. 

In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Pamela takes us back to the beginning and walks us through Corrie’s story from start to finish. You’ll also hear excerpts from Corrie herself talking about how the Lord brought her through her darkest moments. Whatever trials you might be facing today, it is our prayer that this conversation will help you cling to the Lord who will never leave you nor forsake you.