Great Stories by Haven Today

#33: Filmmaker Ray Bruce: Tracing the Apostle Peter's Steps Through the Camera Lens

If someone asked you to retell the Apostle Peter’s life story, how would you go about it?

Ray Bruce set out to do this with a documentary film crew and one of England’s most beloved actors, David Suchet. Together, they followed in the footsteps of the Apostle Peter from Galilee to Jerusalem and beyond, seeking to tell the story behind one of the New Testament’s most captivating figures.

On this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you’ll hear Ray Bruce recount what went into the research and filming of this project, as well why he finds the life and ministry of Peter so compelling.

#32: Rosaria Butterfield on Her Conversion Story, LGBTQ Theology, and Hospitality as Evangelism

Rosaria Butterfield was a tenured English professor at Syracuse University, happily partnered to another woman, and a leading thinker in queer studies. All of this changed when a Christian couple welcomed her into their lives, slowly sharing the gospel through inclusive hospitality. She’s now a pastor’s wife in North Carolina and mother to four adopted children. In this episode, Rosaria recounts her story as an unlikely convert and discusses how Christians can begin engaging their lost friends and neighbors—even the ones we’re afraid to approach—in a more gospel-centered way through regularly practiced radical hospitality.

#31: Gary Thomas: The Best Marriages Are Not About Happiness … but Holiness

What if God’s primary intent for your marriage isn’t to make you happy . . . but holy?  And, what if your relationship isn’t as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God? 

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker who specializes in bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others. In this conversation, Gary and Charles delve deeply into how marriages can become a doorway to a closer walk with Christ and each other. Rather than wasting time with how-to steps that are “guaranteed” to give you a happy marriage, Gary makes the case for friendship, hard work, and holiness. Whether you’re in a relationship or want to be in one, this episode is for you.

#30: Jack Klumpenhower on How to Effectively Teach the Gospel to Children

Are your kids as brave as Daniel, as wise as Solomon, or as humble as Ruth? The answer is probably no on all counts, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris is joined by gospel teacher, parent, and author Jack Klumpenhower. He wrote a helpful Christ-centered book called Show Them Jesus on how to effectively teach the gospel to children in a way they can internalize it and carry their faith into adulthood. He also has some great insight into how adults can preach the gospel to themselves every day.

#29: Jay Stocker on Scripture Lullabies and How Kids Hide God’s Word in Their Hearts

One of the best ways to find relief from anxiety and stress is through music. Jay Stocker knew this, which led him create a series of lullaby albums meant to help children escape nightmares, get a better night’s sleep, and hide Scripture in their hearts.  

After nearly eight years without a new installment in the Scripture Lullaby series, Jay Stocker is releasing the fourth volume of Hidden in My Heart: A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture focused on how we can all find hope in the Lord, even in a world of uncertainty. Charles Morris caught up with Jay in his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, to talk about how  kids, parents, and grandparents alike use this music to find much-needed peace and trust Jesus.

You can listen to the full interview right now or watch the video version here.

#28: David Instone-Brewer On Divorce and Remarriage in the Church

The Bible offers guidance on many issues. But when it coms to issues like divorce and remarriage in the church, there are still many questions that don’t have quick and easy answers. Questions like …

• Is adultery the only grounds for divorce?
• Is remarriage considered adultery?
• What should you do if your spouse walks away from the marriage?

Dr. David Instone-Brewer helps clear things up on these issues that continue to remain controversial in the church today. Originally recorded in 2013 on the grounds of Tyndale House in Cambridge, England, today's episode of the Great Stories podcast is packed with answers to some of the toughest questions surrounding divorce and remarriage, along with helpful insights on what is actually said in the Bible and how the church should respond.

Dr. Instone-Brewer is the author of several books, including Divorce and Remarriage in the Church. He is also a research fellow at Tyndale House, which is a research library in biblical studies located in Cambridge, England. He previously served as a Baptist minister.

Going Deeper

• Take a deeper dive into the research behind Dr. David Instone-Brewer's conclusions by getting a copy of his book on the topic.
• Read some excerpts from his book in this short blog titled 4 Questions you were scared to ask about divorce and remarriage.

#27: Fernando Ortega Wants You to Slow Down and Worship

Too many of us live each day under the tyranny of the urgent. Not only is this frenetic pace of the 21st century unsustainable, it’s not the way God intended you to live. On today’s episode, Fernando Ortega makes the case for slowing things down and making time for God in our daily lives. If you’ve ever heard him sing, you know the sound of his voice is unmistakable. Here, he talks about how worship is more than what we sing on Sunday. It’s a way of life that happens ever day. The question is, who — or what — do you worship?

#26: Tim Keller Answers Your Biggest Questions About Faith, Jesus, and the Reason for God

• Why does God allow suffering in the world?
• How could a loving God send people to Hell?
• How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”?
• Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

These are questions Dr. Timothy Keller has been fielding from doubters in New York City for the last 30 years. On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Tim answers some of the toughest questions that often come up about Jesus and the reason for God. By the time he's finished, you’ll have a better understanding of how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

#25: Nabeel Qureshi on Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, and What That Meant for His Family

As a young boy, Nabeel Qureshi wanted to be just like his father—a devout Muslim. Eventually, he started studying the claims of Christianity and found the historical evidence for Jesus to be more strong and credible than his own religion. This led him on a journey to know Jesus. 

Recorded just a few years before his death, Nabeel Qureshi sat down with Charles Morris to talk about this journey from seeking Allah to finding Jesus, the events that took him down this road, and what it meant for his close-knit family. 

Click here to learn about a documentary called American Gospel: Christ Alone, which features segments of Nabeel's story as he faced life's final chapter. 

#24: Costi Hinn on the Prosperity Gospel, His Famous Family, and Finding Jesus Outside the Word of Faith Movement

Wealth. Luxury. Comfort. Who wouldn’t want these things?

Costi Hinn is the nephew of one of the most famous prosperity preachers in the world, but he no longer works for his uncle. After growing up in a life of luxury, Costi found Jesus outside the Word of Faith movement. In what became our most listened-to interview of 2019, he tells his story, while also explaining what the prosperity gospel gets wrong about Jesus.

• To hear more from Costi in a new documentary, watch American Gospel: Christ Alone.
• To read Charles Morris’ article on this topic, read What’s wrong with the prosperity gospel?
• Get your own copy of Costi’s book God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel. 
• Get the audiobook version of Costi’s book here.