Great Stories by Haven Today

#23: Elyse Fitzpatrick On How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy Our Deepest Longings

Where do we go when we die? What will heaven be like? Who goes there? How do we live each day in light of our eternal home?

Elyse Fitzpatrick wrote one of the best, most comprehensive and biblical books on Heaven called Home: How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy Our Deepest Longings. On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, she joins Charles Morris to help us peek through the cloud of uncertainty surrounding the topic of Heaven by looking at what Scripture actually says about our eternal home.

Elyse holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life.

#22: Ann Voskamp On the Abundant Life, Brokenness, and How They Go Hand-in-Hand

The prayer of Jabez. God’s Formula for Success and Prosperity. Your Best Life Now. These are just a few of the many books out there on how to achieve the abundant life. If you pray hard enough, give enough money, or have enough faith, you too can break through to the blessed life. But that’s not the way Ann Voskamp sees it.

In this conversation that originally aired as a live webcast from her farm in Ontario, Canada, Charles Morris and Ann Voskamp discuss themes from her recent book, The Broken Way. Unlike the previously mentioned books, Ann believes the only path to abundance is in the shape of a cross.

• Click here to watch the live webcast version of this episode.
• Click here to learn more about The Broken Way.

#21: Dr. N.T. Wright: Did the Resurrection Really Happen? How Can We Be Sure? Why Does it Matter?

The most startling claim of Christianity is that Jesus rose from the dead after being brutally executed on a Roman cross two thousand years ago. Could it possibly be true? And if it were, what difference could it make to us today?

Dr. N.T. Wright, a leading New Testament Scholar and retired Anglican Bishop, joins Charles Morris for a special Easter episode of the Great Stories podcast. In this conversation about the historical resurrection of Christ, you’ll hear one of the best explanations for why we can be certain Jesus really rose from the dead and why that matters today.

#20: Lysa TerKeurst On Cancer, Infidelity, and Trusting God Through Hard Times

Where is God when bad things happen? What about when things go from bad to worse?

Bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst joins Charles Morris on today’s episode to talk about a season in her life when she faced one difficult moment after another … until the words, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” just seemed empty and naive. And yet, the Lord was there all along.

If you’ve ever gone through hard times, you’re going to find a friend in this interview who knows what it feels like to walk through deep devastation and heartbreak while still standing on the reality that God is good.

Click here to read a transcribed version of this interview. 

#19: Andrew Peterson On Encountering Jesus through Music, Christ-Haunted Places, and Celebrating the Resurrection

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?).

#18: Andy McQuitty On Living in the Shadow of Death

Death is a difficult topic. Most look upon it with fear, while others try to ignore it altogether. But one thing is certain ... it’s been on people’s minds more than usual lately.

When Andy McQuitty received his cancer diagnosis in 2009, it felt more like a death sentence. Not only did he have cancer, but he was very likely going to die from that cancer. This set him on an intense journey through the valley of the shadow of death, and he came out on the other side with a new perspective on how Christians can live with purpose—even as we approach life's final chapter. Hear his profound insights and reflections when you listen to today's episode. 

#17: J.I. Packer On Weakness, the Myth of Self-Sufficiency, and Finding Strength in Christ

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.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:9)

#16: Andraé Crouch: Stories and Songs from the Father of Modern American Gospel Music

You may not know his name but you’ve definitely heard and sung along to his music. Known as the father of modern gospel, Andraé Crouch won seven grammies and had a profound influence on the music industry.

Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard are just a few household names who covered some of the several hundred gospel songs Andraé wrote in his lifetime. He worked with Michael Jackson and Modonna, and arranged music for The Lion King and The Color Purple.

But more than all of these accolades, Andraé Crouch loved Jesus. He went home to be with the Lord in 2015, but you can get to know him today when you listen to this musical episode of the Great Stories podcast as Charles and Andraé sit around a Steinway piano to stories and the tune of some of his most powerful music. You won’t want to miss this classic conversation from the Haven Today archive.

#15: Dane Ortlund On Discovering How the Heart of Christ is Gentle and Lowly

Longtime listeners of the Haven Today radio broadcast have a fond appreciation for the ministry’s third speaker: Ray Ortlund. A trusted voice on the radio, Ray also served as a mentor to Charles as he took the helm about twenty years ago. Today, Charles goes full circle and interviews Ray’s grandson, Dane, about his journey to discover the heart of Jesus. The result became a profound little book called Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, which is quickly becoming a staple for Christians wanting to draw nearer to Christ today.

Dane Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church. He is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly, and the editor of the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Naperville, Illinois.

#14: Dr. Gary Chapman Returns to The Five Love Languages

With Valentine's Day around the corner, Charles Morris returns to one of his favorite interviews on the topic of love with Dr. Gary Chapman. You might recognize him as the author of The 5 Love Languages. Written more than two decades ago, this is one of those rare books that is consistently found near the top of every bestseller list year after year. 

So why does this concept of five love languages resonate with so many people — both Christians and unbelievers? And what do they have to do with how we relate to God and others?

Charles and Gary answer these questions and get to the heart of how to better communicate and receive love in this special Valentine's Day conversation.