Episoder
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When it comes to suffering, the question isnât if, but when. On this side of eternity, the pain of grief and loss are simply a part of life. And yet God often uses these hard moments to bring about perseverance, character, and hope.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Kristen Wetherell who co-rote the book Hope When it Hurts. A wise and mature follower of Jesus, Kristen shares some very practical and specific encouragement to help any Christian going through a time of suffering. Whether you are enduring something slight or great, the truths discussed in this episode will help you see Christ and give you hope.
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Have you ever read the Bible and almost immediately forgotten what you just read on the page? The problem may not be memory, but method. Dr. Don Whitney, professor and author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, has candid advice for people approaching Scripture: âRead less, meditate more.â
Though it may sound counterproductive, this approach for absorbing God's Word is a critical step toward spiritual growth. To read Scripture is one thing, but to retain it in a way that fills and changes you is quite another. And yet this is just one of the several spiritual disciplines that help believers draw nearer to Jesus.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Don Whitney and David Wollen discuss disciplines such as Bible reading, meditating, prayer, fasting, and other biblical practices for the purpose of godliness. Practical and grace-filled, we pray this conversation will inspire you to make spiritual disciplines a daily part of your Christian life.
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Manglende episoder?
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Over the past few decades, culture has shifted so rapidly that young people are growing up in a world that would be incomprehensible to someone living even just one generation ago. On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Christian author and philosopher Dr. Carl Trueman sheds light on what's happening in this strange new world we're living in, how we got here, and what the church can do to respond.
When you listen in to this conversation between Dr. Trueman and David Wollen, you'll gain a better understanding of the many cultural viewpoints that are shaping modern society. It's a significant topic for each of us to consider as an increasing number of people are struggling to reconcile their Christian beliefs with the culture at large. Rather than digging a foxhole, it's important for followers of Christ to understand these cultural shifts in order to engage others with the truth of God's Word.
As our thanks for your gift to Haven Todayâthe ministry that produces this podcastâwe'd love to send you a copy of Dr. Carl Trueman's book Strange New World. One of the most important Christian books written in the last decade, we are confident this resource will help you gain a better understanding of the most perplexing issues of our day. Visit haventoday.org to learn more.
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Dr. Edmund Clowney was a spiritual father to some of our generation's most respected pastors, but many still don't know his name. A pioneering theologian, pastor, and author, he helped Christians in the West return to a Christ-centered way of seeing every page of Scripture. Most of those who knew him simply called him Ed. Today's guest on the Great Stories podcast called him dad.
Rebecca Clowney Jones is the daughter of the late Ed Clowney, but she also worked closely with him on his writing late in life. In fact, she served as an editor and contributor to his final book, How Jesus Transformed the Ten Commandments. In this episode, she discusses her father's life and legacy, as well as what it was like to work with her father on his final book.
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Too many of us live each day under the tyranny of the urgent. Not only is this frenetic pace of the 21st century unsustainable, itâs not the way God intended you to live.
On todayâs episode of the Great Stories podcast, Fernando Ortega joins Charles Morris to discuss slowing things down and making time for God in our daily lives. At the time this interview was recorded, "Shadow of Your Wings" was a newly released album. While this conversation explores some of the songs on this album, Charles and Fernando also talk about how worship extends beyond what we sing on Sunday. The question is, who â or what â do you worship?
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What is truly worth living and dying for? For Lilias Trotter, this question led her to consider two diverging paths. Would she turn her back on a promising future as one of the greatest artists in the Victorian era? Or embrace relative obscurity in service to her Lord? Lilias Trotter chose the latter, and it defined her legacy thatâuntil recentlyâwas all but lost to history.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Miriam Rocknessâa woman who has devoted three decades of her life to researching this little-known artist and missionary. It's in large part thanks to Miriam's diligent work that we can now learn Lilias Trotter's incredible story. When you listen today, you'll hear how this multi-decade journey came about, as well as how Miriam learned that the best life is one that is surrendered to Christ with no reservations, caveats, or holdbacks.
For your gift to Haven Ministries, you can dig deeper into Lilias Trotter's captivating story through the DVD Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter. Make your gift to receive your copy at haventoday.org.
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What do you do when the unthinkable happens? When your faith is tested and you are confronted with your greatest fears? On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen speaks with three widows who know this grief well. They all lost their husbands around the same time, but then they found each other.
In their church community, Cherrie, Linda, and Susan are known collectively as "The Strand of Three." Each of their testimonies are unique, but together they also have a shared testimony of loss, grief, and the Lord's unending mercies. It's a touching conversation that we pray will give you hope and encouragement for your own dark valleys.
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At the age of 16, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the youngest U.S. track and field athlete to compete in the Olympics since 1972. Eight years later, she's broken the world record in the 400 meter hurdles five times and won two Olympic gold medalsâyet, by the time listeners tune in, these stats may already be out of date.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is partnering with Jason Romano from Sports Spectrum by sharing a conversation he had with Sydney earlier this year where they talked about preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and the release of Sydney's new book about her life and faith called Far Beyond Gold.
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Known as the Flying Scotsman, Eric Liddell had high Olympic hopes. But he also wouldnât run on Sunday ⊠even if that meant missing out on a gold medal for himself and his country. What happened next stunned the world.
100 years after his historic race and stand for his faith at the Paris 1924 Olympics, the games have returned to Paris and Eric Liddell's story is just as relevant as ever.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen reflects on Eric's life as an athlete and, more importantly, as a Christian. Eric's granddaughter, Patricia Russell, makes an appearance. You'll also get to learn more about the lesser-known, but no less incredible, parts of Eric's story following the Olympics, as well as the sacrifice he made before his death in a prison camp.
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In 1962, Don and Carol Richardson, along with their seven-month-old baby, traveled to a remote tribe known for treachery, headhunting, and cannibalism. Eventually, after living among the people and learning their language, this tribe came to know Jesus. The dramatic story is captured in the classic "Peace Child" book and movie, but what was it like from the perspective of the Richardsons' child who saw it firsthand?
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Steve Richardson, the boy who grew up among the Sawi people, joins David Wollen to share the story behind the story, as well as what it's like among the Sawi people todayâmore than a half century later.
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Weâve all been there. Peer pressure, desire for acceptance, fear of rejection. These aren't just issues for teenagers in the lunchroom. From young adulthood into old age, these struggles are still an issue for many of us. The Bible calls it fear of man and demonstrates it against the backdrop of fear of God.
Ultimately, they cannot coexist.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Dr. Ed Welch to discuss these common struggles. Using his book When People are Big and God is Small as a launching pad for the conversation, this episode strives to help youâwhether you have been aware of it up until now, or notâto grapple with the tug-of-war between fear of man and fear of God.
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What are you ashamed of? If you're like most people, a blunt question like this has the power to resurface long-ago-buried memories of wrongdoing. It doesn't even matter whether you were caught or got away with it, shame can stay with us for many yearsâand yet it is too often ignored and unresolved.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen and his wife, Marci, are joined by author and counselor Heather Davis Nelson. In this conversation, they discuss the destructive force shame can have on the life of a believer, how it is as old as sin itself, and how Jesus ultimately redeems us and rescues us.
For more on how to find freedom from shame, visit haventoday.org to receive a copy of Heather's book "Unashamed" as our thanks for your gift in support of this podcast ministry.
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"Weakness on one side, fatigue all around." Charles Morris was 18 months old when he contracted Polio. And while the Lord spared him the most debilitating parts of the disease, he's had to live with the effects ever since. Those effects only become more amplified with age.
On a special episode of the great stories podcast, David Wollen speaks with Charles Morris about what his everyday life is like with post-polio and how it reminds him of the Lord's strength when he is feeling weak. No matter what troubles and weaknesses you may be facing today, this episode will keep you looking to Jesus.
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Did you know that Haven Ministries is celebrating 90 incredible years of ministry?
If you missed our live 90th anniversary celebration, no worries! You can catch all the highlights and heartwarming moments in this episode of the Great Stories podcast. Be encouraged as David Wollen, Charles Morris, Joni Eareckson Tada, and more reflect on Havenâs rich history of sharing the gospel for 90 years ⊠and counting!
Watch the video version of this episode on Haven's blog at haventoday.org.
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It all started on an early foggy morning in 1934, when Paul Myers, a former Los Angeles radio personality and station manager of leading radio stations woke up near a wharf in San Diego. Hungover, he heard the sound of a shipâs bell ring out eight times at 4:00 a.m., signaling âallâs well.â
Only one month later, Myers would be back on the radio, but this time, sharing his newfound faith in Jesus. What happened in between is the extraordinary story of how Myers would go on to found a Christian radio program that continues till this day. At that point, it was called âHaven of Rest,â and Paul Myers would endearingly become known as First Mate Bob. Now, 90 years later, that ministry is called Haven Today â the very same ministry publishing this podcast.
Hear Paul Myers tell this story in his own words. Itâs also our story here at Haven Ministries. We pray this episode will serve as a reminder that the Lord is in the business of redeeming sinners and using them to go on to do great things for the Kingdom.
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God speaks powerfully through the books of the Bible. This is especially true in the Psalms. Not only does it include words to help us express our deepest thoughts and emotions to the Lord, it can also direct our worship and draw us nearer to Jesus.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by one of his good friends and mentors, Dr. David Sunday. After serving 30 years as a pastor, Dr. Sunday is now the president of WordPartners, a ministry that exists to train pastors to teach Godâs Word with Godâs heart.
In this conversation, Dr. Sunday shares how the Psalms teach us to lament, repent, praise, and thankâall while pointing to Jesus and giving us a path to flee to Him for refuge.
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How can all the Bible be all about Jesus when His name doesn't explicitly appear till the New Testament? From Genesis to Leviticus to Esther, it may be hard to see Jesus on the surface of every page, but he's thereâin profound and subtle ways.
Dr. Dennis Johnson is a scholar and one of the founding faculty members of Westminster Seminary in California. Today, he joins David Wollen to discuss a christocentric approach to reading and studying God's Word.
If you are new to this way of reading the Bible, we encourage you to be patient. It may take some time to learn to see Jesus on every page, but it's important and worth the effort. Because this is not merely a hermeneutical trick of smoke and mirrors ... it's the way Jesus himself taught his disciples to study and teach the Scriptures.
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The data is clear. Our world and culture are shaping our kids in ways that are often difficult to detect. For parents and grandparents, the natural reaction might be to shield them from dangerâbut this tactic in isolation may end up doing more harm than good. So, what's a well-meaning caregiver to do?
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen speaks with Julie Lowe. A licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a registered play therapist supervisor, Julie has over 20 years of experience helping children, teens, and families work through difficult issues. In this conversation, she provides practical, biblical help that, in many ways, runs counter-intuitive to the culture we live in. For many, this episode may serve as a wake up call regarding the types of dangers and issues children and young people are facing every day.
As a thank you for your support of this podcast by Haven Today, we'd love to send you a copy of Julie's recently published book Safeguards: Shielding Our Homes and Equipping Our Kids. To learn more, visit haventoday.org
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A lot has been said about C.S. Lewis the writer, the professor, the theologian, the apologist. But what about C.S. Lewis the friend? Joseph Kohm has written extensively about the surprising, yet tragic, friendship between Lewis and his childhood pal, Arthur Greeves.
On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Kohm joins David Wollen to discuss how Lewis considered friendship to be the chief source of happinessâand his friendship with Greeves lasted for half a century. This conversation also covers Lewis' life story, the unique approach he took to defending Christianity, and how his words continue to speak to us in our modern world.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Lewis' writing or you're just wanting to learn more about his life and work, this conversation will likely shed new light on one of Christianity's most beloved writers.
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C.S. Lewis is arguably one of the most quoted individuals from the 20th century. Despite passing away 60 years ago, his thoughts remain timeless. His books, essays, and children's stories continue to resonate, offering prescient insights even in today's world. As a brilliant intellectual, Lewis's apologetic approach to the truth claims of Christ and the Gospel has helped countless people find faith.
Itâs surprising to learn that C.S. Lewis, by his own admission, fought vehemently against becoming a Christian. His unwavering commitment to academic and intellectual integrity compelled him to continually reexamine the truth claims of the Bible. Inch by inch, he drew closer until finally, he became a Christian, describing himself as "the most reluctant convert."
In this episode of Great Stories, we welcome award-winning actor Max McLean, who portrays C.S. Lewis in the film "The Most Reluctant Convert." Max will share his experience making this incredible movie, which chronicles Lewis's journey from atheism to becoming a follower of Christ. It's a powerful story you need to hear, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus.