Great Stories by Haven Today

#8: David Suchet Reflects on His Acting Career and Encountering Christ Late in Life

David Suchet is a British actor known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and captivating portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Inspector Hercule Poirot. But there’s something else that’s even more important to him than his stellar acting career—Jesus.

In this episode, David Suchet talks about encountering Christ late in life, how he approaches acting as a Christian, and what Jesus means to him now. 

Going Deeper

• David Suchet always hoped to one day portray Paul in a movie or play. Instead, he shot a documentary for the BBC following in his footsteps. What the trailer here.
• Click here to get your own copy of David Suchet’s DVD “In the Footsteps of St. Paul.”

#7: Veiled in Flesh: The Haven Today Christmas Special

What comes to mind when you think about God? It’s hard to fathom someone who is infinite, all-powerful, and in all places at once. But on that first Christmas, God became veiled in flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. In today’s special Christmas episode, Charles Morris reflects on this Christ of Christmas and what it means for Jesus to be both fully man and fully God.

Featuring both music and message, this episode departs from our typical interview format and challenges you to consider this divine mystery as you prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all this year—God with us.

 

Going Deeper

• Want more Christ-centered Christmas content? Listen to last week’s episode on the Forgotten Spirit of Christmas.
• Watch this Christmas video from Charles Morris about how this biblical event is ultimately about promises made and promises kept.

#6: The Forgotten "Spirit" of Christmas (Feat. Laura Story and Costi Hinn)

On today's episode, Charles Morris talks about someone who was a significant part of the first Christmas, but who often overlooked—the Holy Spirit. The arrival of Jesus is the “main event,” but none of it would have been possible without the third person of the Trinity. Today, we're going behind the scenes of the typical nativity story to give you a more complete view of that first Christmas. 

This special Christmas podcast also features conversations with Grammy, Billboard, and Dove winning singer-songwriter Laura Story and former prosperity gospel preacher Costi Hinn. As we all begin to celebrate a very different and, for many, a very lonely Christmas, we pray this episode will help you prepare your heart for Christ this season. 

#5: Ruth Smith & Sarah Bardwell: The Unlikely Story Behind Handel's Messiah

For many, Handel’s Messiah is what people listen to most at Christmastime, but did you know it was originally written for Easter? The scope of this musical masterpiece spans the entirety of Scripture with the central point resting on the birth of our Savior and culminating in God’s ultimate victory over sin.

On today's episode, Charles Morris returns to two interviews he did in London to learn more about the story behind George Frideric Handel's most famous work. Dr. Ruth Smith, a widely respected Handel historian, and Sarah Bardwell, director of the Handel House Museum in London, discuss the theological purpose of Messiah, the controversy it created, it's first performance at the Foundling Hospital, how Handel wrote the massive score in three weeks, and why it's gone on to have such a lasting legacy today. 

To watch the mini-documentary mentioned in the podcast touring Handel's House, visit https://haventoday.org/a-visit-to-handels-house-gsp.php 

To see a list of all the lyrics and Scripture references that make up the famous libretto, visit https://haventoday.org/handels-messiah-lyrics-verse-references-gsp.php 

And, finally, to get your own copy of the 2-CD set, we'd love to send it to you as our thanks for a donation to Haven Ministries. Learn more (and listen to samples) here: https://haventoday.org/handels-messiah-gsp.php 

#4: Phil Vischer On the Rise and Fall of VeggieTales, Christmas, and What He’s Doing Now

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. The creator of VeggieTales knows this all too well. So why did he rejoice after the Lord took his beloved cartoon creation away from him? In this new interview, Phil Vischer discusses with Charles Morris how he went from building a Christian cartoon empire to losing it all and finding something even greater as a result. 

On this episode, you’ll hear how Phil came up with VeggieTales, how it rose and fell, how this taught him a valuable spiritual lesson, and how his work is much different today as he focuses each project on the great story that’s all about Jesus. In the interview, Phil also shares how those facing a lonely Christmas this year can use it as a unique opportunity to draw nearer to our Redeemer.

#3: Thanksgiving with Phil Vischer and Sally-Lloyd Jones

As we prepare for a very unique 2020 Thanksgiving in the US, Charles Morris is returning to two conversations he had with two special people who have done tremendous work in helping children learn about Jesus: Sally Lloyd-Jones, bestselling author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, and Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, the What’s in the Bible? DVD series, and the new Laugh and Grow Study Bible. 

In this episode, Sally and Phil talk about the history of Thanksgiving and what it means to them. Rather than celebrating the gift of food and excess, they challenge us to draw our attention to something greater … the gift of knowing Jesus. 

Though these interviews were recorded well before entering a pandemic, the message of giving thanks to the Lord in good times and bad is especially poignant as travel and safety restrictions hinder the opportunity for families to get together this year.

#2: Dr. Alister McGrath On C.S. Lewis' Life and Transition From Atheism to Christianity

Originally recorded in 2013, 50 years after the death of C.S. Lewis, Charles Morris had a conversation with Dr. Alister McGrath to shed new light on the most famous atheist-turned-Christian of the 20th century. 

Dr. McGrath has written one of the most comprehensive biographies on the life of C.S. Lewis. After reading everything Lewis had ever written—including recently published correspondence—Dr. McGrath challenges some of the previously held beliefs about the timing of the beloved author's shift from atheism to theism and then to Christianity. But he also paints a definitive portrait of Lewis' life as an eccentric thinker who became an inspiring, though reluctant, prophet for our times.

In addition to his work at Oxford, Dr. Alister McGrath is Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and serves as associate priest in a group of Church of England village parishes in the Cotswolds.

#1: Barry Black (U.S. Senate Chaplain): A Beacon of Light on Capitol Hill

U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black holds a Bible study with senators and their staff every week, always pointing to Jesus and never taking a side politically. As the United States remains divided after a heated presidential election, Barry Black’s conversation serves as a reminder for American Christians to pray for their nation and neighbors—no matter what side of the aisle they’re on.

Barry Black has been serving the US Senate as chaplain since July, 2003. Before this, he served as a United States Navy Chaplain. Rising to Rear Admiral, Black ended his career as the Navy’s Chief of Chaplains. More recently, Black wrote the forward for the One Year Pray for America Bible that includes non-partisan prayer prompts and inspirational prayers. 

To hear more from Barry Black, watch his powerful 2017 National Prayer Breakfast speech that sparked cheers and brought thousands of attendees to their feet.

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