Great Stories by Haven Today

You may not know his name, but you’ve definitely sung his music. Known for writing songs like “In Christ Alone,” “How Deep the Father’s Love,” and "The Power of the Cross," Stuart Townend has given the church many modern hymns that will draw believers closer to Jesus for years and years to come. 

In this conversation, you’ll hear him discuss what goes into writing a memorable hymn that is theologically sound and has the power to resonate in the hearts of worshipers of every generation around the world.

The sound of a child’s little feet pitter-pattering across the linoleum floor can bring so much joy to our hearts. But what about those times when that same sweet sound is accompanied by your child running a marker along the wall while he toddles away from you? 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris returns to his conversation with author, blogger, mother, and missionary Gloria Furman. Having written books like Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full, Glimpses of Grace, and Missional Motherhood, she has many life-giving words for Christian moms who never quite feel like they have enough time or energy to develop their own spiritual health and well being. It is our prayer that this episode be an encouragement to you and the moms in your life, as you prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend.

Is there enough joy in your life? What about the lives of your children? When we turn to the book of Philippians, we’re struck by two things: it’s all about Jesus. And it’s all about joy.

On today’s episode, Charles Morris has a conversation with Randall Goodgame, creator of Slugs & Bugs and the catchy Sing the Bible albums. Randall has been writing music for more than a decade to help kids know the Bible better. Here, Randall talks about the joy he has found in Jesus, as well as how he wants to help you and me and the kids in our lives experience this joy as well.

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.

This interview originally aired on the Great Stories Podcast on March 31, 2021. Find out more about N.T. Wright's Resurrection DVD at haventoday.org.

In a special Easter episode, we’re digging deep in our interview archives to a 2006 conversation Charles Morris had with Metropolitan Opera singer Jubilant Sykes. A classically trained baritone singer, he’s also a follower of Christ. In this episode, Sykes talks about some of the challenges he's faced singing spirituals and hymns in secular spaces. He also talks about his upbringing, his faith in Christ, and the power that sacred music has—even in a room full of unbelievers. As Easter approaches, you'll also hear Sykes talk about the significance of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, along with samples of him singing "Were You There" and "Deep River."

Hymns seem old fashioned to many in the modern church. So how in the world did a “modern hymn” become one of the most popular songs sung in churches around the world? 

20 years after Keith Getty and Stuart Townend wrote “In Christ Alone,” the song has not diminished in popularity. From Lauren Daigle to Shane & Shane, it’s also been covered by many leading Christian musicians at work today. But how did it come about? And what does it mean to the two people who first brought it to a global audience? 

On today’s episode, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had with Keith and Kristyn Getty at the 10th anniversary of “In Christ Alone.” Sitting at a piano in an empty church, they discuss topics ranging from music and worship to parenting and what it takes to live the Christian life. They also discuss the release of their album “Hymns for the Christian Life,” which we still have available for your gift to Haven Ministries at haventoday.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.