Great Stories by Haven Today

#148: Messianic Jews on Finding Jesus in the Jewish High Holy Days

The Jewish High Holy Days begin at sundown mid-September with Rosh Hashanah, commemorating God’s creation of man. Faithful Jews often greet each other by saying “L’shanah tovah,” which means “for a good year.” It also includes the blowing of the shofar and the eating of apples, honey, challah bread with raisons.

But these days come to an end ten days later with the highest of all the high holy days: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when practicing Jews ask forgiveness for their sins against God and against their fellow human beings. Back in the Temple days, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies only on this Sabbath of Sabbaths with two sin offerings: a bull for his house and a goat for the people. The priest would then lay the sins of the people on a second goat, chosen by lot as the scapegoat and released into the wilderness.

But why are these Jewish holidays important for Christians? First, it’s a great reminder that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah — the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Unlike the scapegoat, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross is good for all time. Second, these holy days out of Leviticus also offer profound insight into the roots of our faith.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris is joined by three Messianic Jews who tell their stories of faith in Christ against the backdrop of the Jewish High Holy Days — all of which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

#147: Melissa Kruger Wants You to Pray for Your Children (repost)

Most online lists covering what children need most include things like education, good health, and self-esteem. These are all good, but something’s missing . . . prayer. Yet when it comes to praying for our children in the midst of our hectic daily lives, it's often difficult to know where to start. That’s where Melissa Kruger comes in. 

A Christian author and mother herself, Kruger has many helpful insights on biblical ways to pray for our children — many of which are captured in her book 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids. In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast, she reminds us that our children’s spiritual health comes first. She also offers tools to help the busy parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle begin praying more intentionally for the kids God has placed in our lives. 

#146: Ray and Betty Whipps Tell Their Story of Faith and Love in World War II (repost)

In Europe during WWII, Ray Whipps served as an infantryman under General Patton in the trenches of Normandy, Paris, and Belgium. Betty was a field nurse in Cherbourg, France. After Ray was injured in a mortar blast, the two met and bonded over their shared faith. As Betty nursed Ray back to health, they fell in love and vowed to marry after the war.

Then things went terribly wrong . . .

Hear Ray and Betty introduce their remarkable story of faith and love amidst the calamities of World War II.

#145: Louis Zamperini: Story of an Olympian, WWII Hero, and Unbroken Follower of Christ (repost)

A lesser man would have broken. Louis Zamperini was already a national hero as an olympic athlete, but then his bomber went down in WWII, leaving him adrift for 47 days. There he faced sharks, exposure, and starvation. Finally rescued, he was then forced to face relentless torture as a prisoner of war.

Today's episode recovers an interview Charles conducted with Louis Zamperini just after he turned 90. Hear Louis in his own words describe the incredible events that became a bestselling book and blockbuster movie. This fascinating conversation will keep you on the edge of your seat.

#143: Malcolm Guite on the Importance of Poetry in the Life of the Believer

When was the last time you sat down to read a sonnet? Many of us love a good poem, but poetry is rarely ever a significant part of our lives of faith. Malcolm Guite would like to change that.

Author of several books, Malcolm Guite is a Cambridge scholar, Christian theologian, pastor, and poet. On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, he and Charles Morris delve deeply into how the poetry of Scripture — as well as the poetry inspired by Scripture — helps us experience Jesus and engage God’s Word in profound new ways.

#143: Amish Stories of Grace: Finding Jesus in Lancaster County

The Amish way of life has captured the imaginations of TV viewers and novel readers for decades. The romantic ideal of simple living within one’s own community is attractive, but the one thing that’s often missing is grace. 

In 2014, Charles Morris traveled to Lancaster County to host an event featuring current and former Amish people who discovered grace in a world too often dictated by stringent rule-following and legalism. There are many wonderful tenants of Amish life, but today’s episode focuses on a core aspect of faith that too often cultivates a sense that believers must earn their place in Heaven.

Ephraim and Amanda Stoltzfus, who were also featured in the BBC documentary “Leaving Amish Paradise," discuss how they became excommunicated from their church and shunned by family and friends after joining a local Bible study and getting baptized outside of their Amish community. Jacob Dienner and Manny Zook are current members of the Amish church and talk about how they came to an understanding of grace within the Amish church.

#142: Charles & Janet Morris on Finding Courage When Death Rescued Their Son

It’s the nightmare call every parent fears. For Charles and Janet Morris, the news of their son’s death came on a late Summer night in 2003. Nearly five years later, they sat down to speak with friend and counselor Dr. Dan Allender for a public discussion of their son’s overdose, the courage they've found in the intervening years, and the understanding they've gained that Jesus rescued their son — even through death. 

Now twenty years after the incident, we are sharing this vulnerable conversation that has been a profound resource for so many who have also been touched by similar tragedy and grief. Whether you have experienced the loss of a loved one or not, we pray this episode from the Haven archives will bring you hope.

#141: Laura Story on Writing Songs about Life’s Trials and God’s Mercies

Laura Story and her husband encountered a life-threatening illness early in their marriage. She may have written the song Blessings in just thirty minutes, but she needed to go through five years of ups and downs, trials and grief, to get there. This hit song has now gone on to inspire countless Christians who have been struggling through their own trials in life.

In this interview from the Haven Today archives, Laura talks about the story behind this song, as well as how she incidentally became an award winning singer-songwriter in the first place. She’s appeared on Haven Today several times now, but this 2011 interview was her first time speaking with Charles Morris. It’s our prayer that no matter what you may be going through today, you might experience God’s blessings through this all about Jesus conversation. 

#140: Brenton Brown on Writing Everlasting God While Suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Brenton Brown is a smart and capable person. Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study politics and philosophy at Oxford University, he would have every reason to believe himself strong enough to conquer every obstacle in life. But in 2003, both he and his wife were diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A debilitating condition, this also led him to co-write the well known praise song: Everlasting God.

Brenton has worked with just about every big name in Christian music, including the Gettys, Big Daddy Weave, Stuart Townend, Chris Tomlin, and more. He was a high achieving person who’s future was stifled by illness. And yet, for a man struggling through chronic fatigue, Scriptures describing an everlasting God who will not become faint or grow weary were exactly what he needed to get through the day. It turns out, we all need this everlasting God.

In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast (originally recorded in 2013), you’ll hear more of the story behind this song, as well as a conversation concerning the worship wars within the church. 

#139: Robert J. Morgan Tells the Stories Behind Your Favorite Hymns

Do you know the story behind your favorite hymn? Whether it’s Rock of Ages, Amazing Grace, or Just As I Am, each hymn has an fascinating story behind it. And it's often once you know this story that the lyrics and melody take on a whole new meaning. That’s what Robert J. Morgan helps accomplish in this new episode of the Great Stories Podcast. 

Robert J. Morgan pastored in Nashville, Tennessee, for 40 years and has written popular books, including Red Sea Rules and Then Sings My Soul — the latter of which is the basis for this interview. This episode covers many of the most significant hymns of the church, the story behind how they were written, and the impact they continue to have in our hearts today.