Great Stories by Haven Today

#73: Karen Heimbuch on Memorizing Revelation and the Power of Spoken Word

No book of the Bible is so controversial, so polarizing, and so Christ-centered as the book of Revelation. And as war continues in Ukraine, many people are suffering and praying the words, “How long, O Lord?” That’s why Charles Morris is returning to a conversation he had in 2009 with Karen Heimbuch, who memorized the entire book of Revelation and recited it dramatically for thousands of people over the years. 

In the very beginning of Revelation, John promises that anyone who hears or reads its contents will be blessed. It is our prayer that this conversation with Karen Heimbuch will help you gain a better understanding of the Bible’s most intimidating book.

#72: Bart Millard Can’t Imagine His Life Without Jesus

The song has been sung by tens of millions of people all over the world. A song about heaven, wondering what it will be like. "I Can Only Imagine" was written by Bart Millard for his band, MercyMe. It wasn't a huge hit at first, but the Lord had plans for this special song.

On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, you'll hear an interview that Charles Morris did with Bart at his home in eastern Texas back in 2006. And you'll hear first hand how the song ended up catching him and his band by surprise. Bart also opens up about other challenges he's faced in life and how Jesus has been his comfort through it all.

 

#71: Dispatches from the Ukrainian Border — Hear from Refugees and Volunteers in Poland

Three weeks into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than three million refugees have made their way out of the country. In today’s episode, Charles Morris speaks with evacuees moments after they make it over the border into Poland, along with the churches and volunteers who are helping them find food and shelter. In this episode, you’ll hear how God is at work, even in the midst of war and devastation. 

For more up-to-date information as the conflict unfolds, visit Haven's Live Faith Updates page with specific ways you can pray and get involved. You can also click here to find out how you can support Mission Eurasia as they work around the clock to provide food and assistance to families inside and outside of Ukraine.

#70: J.I. Packer On How Weakness Makes Us Strong

While Charles Morris is traveling in Poland to capture the stories unfolding out of the Ukraine crisis, we wanted to go back to a podcast we aired last year that has become one of our most listened to podcasts. Next week, Charles will be back on schedule with a brand new podcast with many of the stories coming out of Central and Eastern Europe. 

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Today, strength is applauded while weakness is seen as a defect. For the Christian, this should be the other way around.

Having collided with a bread truck as a child and receiving brain surgery that left him with an indented skull, the late J.I. Packer (Knowing God) is well acquainted with weakness and frailty. In this conversation he tells how this shaped his life and led him to depend on Christ for strength. Throughout, he debunks the myth of self-sufficiency, laying out a path for us to follow from discouragement to freedom in light of our all-sufficient God.

J.I. Packer went home to be with the Lord in 2020. This conversation was originally recorded for the Haven Today radio broadcast in 2013. The message of Christ’s power being made perfect in our weakness is just as true today as it was then.

#69: Ukraine-Russia: The Week in Review

Much has happened in the last week. The world watches from the sidelines as Russian troops continue to encircle Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities. 

To get a better handle on the situation, this episode of the Great Stories pocast takes a step back to look at what happened in the last few days as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine. You’ll hear from pastors and radio broadcasters in the path of the conflict, as well as a call for all of our listeners to pray. 

To stay up to date as the conflict unfolds, visit Haven's Live Faith Updates page with specific ways you can pray and get involved. 

#68: Nancy Guthrie Wants to Teach Your Kids How to Pray

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. 

#67: Russia & Ukraine - Hear from Christians on Both Sides

Will Russian troops invade Ukraine? Or will they pull back? Are we on the verge of a great war in Eastern Europe? Or are tensions beginning to cool. Only time will tell. But one thing remains certain ... Christians on both sides of the border are praying for peace — and for each other — as they hold strong to the gospel.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris speaks with two FEBC broadcasters, one in Ukraine and the other in Russia. As you continue to hear news and updates of what seems like imminent war in Eastern Europe, this conversation will help you remember the millions of Christians stuck in the middle as their countries verge on the brink of large-scale conflict.

#66: Juana Mikels Offers Hope for Broken Marriages

One of the saddest statistics about marriage is its bleak success rate in the western world. Even in the church, marriages end at an alarmingly high percentage. But on today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris turns the tables on this narrative by sharing a story of a marriage that ended only to be redeemed later down the road. 

Recorded in 2015, Juana Mikels (author of Choosing Him All Over Again) tells Charles Morris about how she reached a point where she was unhappy with her life, and so she decided to leave her husband, house, and friends to search for happiness. Instead of finding a new Mr. Right, she found Jesus. But what happened next? Would her husband take her back? Listen in to hear this incredible story of how Christ’s love can transform the way we love each other.

#65: A Christian Psychologist and Counselor Talk Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety. Two words that are all too familiar for so many of us. And the statistics have only gotten more bleak in recent years. But what is the depressed or anxious Christian to do? Do we pray? Seek help? Take a prescription? Christian counselor Ed Welch and clinical psychologist Tim Sisemore join today's episode to offer practical advice and tangible hope for anyone struggling with one or both of these debilitating conditions.

Ed Welch, M.Div., Ph.D. is a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation. He's written a number of books and articles about depression, fear, and biblical counseling. Today, he speaks with Charles Morris about anxiety and how Christians suffering with this condition can find relief and heed Jesus' command: "Do not fear." 

Dr. Tim Sisemore is a clinical psychologist who served as Professor in the PsyD program at California Baptist University, and now works as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute. In this conversation, he speaks with Charles Morris about how Christians struggling with depression can find hope in our constantly changing world. 

#64: John Dickson Shares the Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission

Evangelism. There are few words in the English language that have sparked as much fear — in the hearts those on the giving and receiving end — than this common Christian practice. And yet Jesus calls all believers to share the good news.

But what if it didn’t have to be so intimidating?

On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had at Regent College with Dr. John Dickson, a scholar and an author from Australia with a heart to engage unbelievers with God's Word. In this interview originally recorded in 2015, Dickson shares what he believes is the best kept secret of Christian mission. 

If you've ever wanted to share your faith with others but have been too intimidated to start, then you’re not going to want to miss this podcast on how you can share the gospel with more than your lips.