Great Stories by Haven Today

#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.

#88: Paul Goldschmidt on Living Out His Faith in Major League Baseball

First basemen for the Saint Louis Cardinals, Paul Goldschmidt (a.k.a. Goldy) might be the greatest slugger in Major League Baseball today. Already a favorite for MVP, he’s also a golden glove winner and multiple time MLB all-star player. But more than any of the achievements or accolades, Goldschmidt is a follower of Christ.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, we’re bringing back an interview we did back 2018 when Goldschmidt played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Listen in and discover how the only thing in Goldy’s life to match his fervor on the field is his steadfast faith in the Lord.

#87: First Mate Bob Tells the Story Behind the Haven of Rest

It all started on an early foggy morning in 1934, when Paul Myers, a former Los Angeles radio personality and station manager of leading radio stations woke up near a wharf in San Diego. Hungover, he heard the sound of a ship’s bell ring out eight times at 4:00 a.m., signaling “all’s well.”

Only one month later, Myers would be back on the radio, but this time, sharing his new-found faith in Jesus. What happened in between is the extraordinary story of how Myers would go on to found a Christian radio program that continues till this day to share the great story that’s all about Jesus. At that point, it was called “Haven of Rest,” and Paul Myers would endearingly become known as First Mate Bob. Now, that ministry is called Haven Today — the very same ministry publishing this podcast.

Hear Paul Myers tell this story in his own words. It’s also our story here at Haven Ministries. We that this will serve as a reminder that the Lord is in the business of redeeming sinners and using them to go on to do great things for the Kingdom. 

#86: John Lennox Answers the Question: ”Has Science Buried God?”

Have you ever heard it said that you have to be a fool to believe in God? John Lennox has come toe-to-toe with many of Christianity’s harshest critics, some of them colleagues at Oxford where he is a Professor of Mathematics (emeritus). Many of those critics argue that science and faith are like two ships passing in the night — John Lennox wholeheartedly disagrees. 

Charles Morris conducted this interview with Lennox at C.S. Lewis’ old home, “The Kilns,” which seemed an appropriate place to have a conversation about how those who believe in God can absolutely live and work in the world of science. It’s an inspiring conversation that proves how science and belief have more in common than meets the eye. 

#85: Max McLean on Portraying C.S. Lewis in ”The Most Reluctant Convert”

If you’ve ever listened to an audio version of the Bible, chances are you were hearing the captivating voice of Max McLean. A classically trained actor, McLean dedicates his talents for the presentation of Scripture and other Christian material. And though many may recognize his voice as the narrator of multiple translations for the Listener’s Bible, he also received great acclaim for his theatrical presentations of The Screwtape Letters, Mark's Gospel, and Genesis.

In this conversation, Charles Morris speaks with Max McLean about his experience writing, starring, and now filming his newest production: The Most Reluctant Convert. Hear what went into telling this groundbreaking story behind C.S. Lewis' long, heel-digging conversion to Christianity, along with how this film is now touching countless lives around the world.

#84 Dr. Lazarus Chakwera - Serving God as the President of Malawi

For years, Malawi has been among the handful of African countries where political corruption and questionable elections have become the norm. But this East African nation made history in 2020 when it became the first country to elect an opposition leader following the annulment of the previous election due to vote tampering. The newly elected president? Theologian-turned-politician Dr. Lazarus Chakwera. 

On this week’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris hands the microphone to ministry partner Jim Grams who recorded this interview with Dr. Chakwera before he was elected president. In this conversation, you won’t hear the typical posturing you might expect from a politician. Instead, Dr. Chakwera speaks primarily about his deep love of Jesus.