Traveler’s Tales

Bible Stories You Should Know: Elijah on Mount Carmel

On Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah confronted 450 prophets of Baal in a dramatic showdown recorded in 1 Kings 18. After repairing the neglected altar of the Lord and drenching the sacrifice with water, Elijah prays simply, and God answers by sending fire from Heaven, proving He alone is God and turning the hearts of the people back to Him.
Read more about this HERE.
Study the life of Elijah with Scott Pauley HERE 
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The Man Behind 'Holy, Holy, Holy': Reginald Heber's Story

Discover the story behind the beloved hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the devoted life of Reginald Heber, who penned it for a special Sunday while writing hymns to minister the truth to his church family.
Learn how Heber’s faithful ministry in England and his missionary service in India turned song into a life of worship. Surrender your life to the thrice-holy God.
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Read more about Reginald Heber HERE.
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J.C. Penney: The Golden Rule is Not Enough!

Join host Greg Dowdy on Traveler’s Tales as he retells the surprising spiritual journey of James Cash Penney — the man behind the J.C. Penney empire. This episode traces Penney’s early life in Missouri, his family’s faith influence, and the founding of his first store in Kemmer, Wyoming, which grew into a national chain built on the Golden Rule: “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
The episode covers Penney’s extraordinary rise in business, the establishment of the J.C. Penney Company in 1913, and the devastating 1929 crash that wiped out his fortune, damaged his health, and exposed a deeper spiritual void. Penney realized he had been living off "spiritual capital"—the inherited faith and moral principles of his upbringing—rather than maintaining an ongoing, personal relationship with God. But that all changed!
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Read more about J.C. Penney HERE.
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A Trunk, A Railroad Disaster, and Sacrificial Love: The Story of "I Will Sing of My Redeemer"

This Traveler's Tales episode tells the story of Philip Paul Bliss, a humble teacher and hymn writer who, shaped by family faith and encouraged by D.L. Moody, devoted his music to pointing people to Christ and penned the words to "I Will Sing of My Redeemer."
Bliss died in the 1876 Ashtabula River railroad disaster while seeking to rescue his wife, yet his hymn survived in a trunk, spread worldwide, and was even among the first songs recorded by Thomas Edison. This episode recounts his life, sacrifice, and the lasting call to sing and live out the grace of the Redeemer.
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Read more about P.P. Bliss HERE.
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The Scarlet Thread: Rahab's Symbol of Hope

Journey to ancient Jericho and meet Rahab, whose simple scarlet cord marked her home for salvation. By hiding Israel’s spies and acting on faith, she and her household were spared when the city fell.
This episode shows how that single thread—tikvah—becomes a powerful picture of hope, pointing forward to the saving blood of Christ and the invitation to bring others under that promise.
Read more about this HERE.
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
 

Streetcorners to a Sinking Ship: The True Story of John Harper

On April 15, 1912, as the Titanic slipped beneath the water, a Scottish preacher named John Harper spent his final minutes drifting in the icy Atlantic, asking others a single question: “Are you saved?”
This piercing episode of Traveler's Tales, Harper’s life of faithful witness, his final courageous testimony, and the lasting challenge to share the gospel urgently and lovingly with those around us. 
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Read more about John Harper HERE.
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Bible Stories You Should Know: David's Sling

Unlike how many think of the account of David and Goliath. Ancient slings were a serious instrument that this young man had prepared himself with. He had trained and now went into battle in the strength of the Lord.
We are in a spiritual battle, and we must train with the weapons God has given us. That must happen in private before the battle. Listen to today's episode of Traveler's Tales for a fresh look at David and his sling as found in 1 Samuel 17. 
Read more about this HERE.
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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The True Story Behind 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus'

This episode tells the story of Louisa M. R. Stead, who, after witnessing her husband's tragic death, wrote the hymn "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" out of consuming grief and unyielding faith. She did not just write the words. She lived them. Her simple, faithful trust became a lasting encouragement to countless believers facing the storms of life.
Hymn Lyrics: Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus
1. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,and to take him at his word;just to rest upon his promise,and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
(Refrain) Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!How I've proved him o'er and o'er!Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!O for grace to trust him more!
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,just to trust his cleansing blood;and in simple faith to plunge meneath the healing, cleansing flood! (Refrain)
3. Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,just from sin and self to cease;just from Jesus simply takinglife and rest, and joy and peace. (Refrain)
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Bedford Prison and God's Purpose: The Story of John Bunyan

In 17th-century England, a tinkerer named John Bunyan experienced the transforming power of the gospel. He became a Baptist pastor but was imprisoned for refusing to conform to the state church. During long prison sentences, he wrote prolifically, including one of the most influential works ever written: Pilgrim's Progress.
Listen to this tale of God's blessing on the faithfulness of John Bunyan. The same God who used a prison cell in Bunyan's life can use your challenges for your good and His glory. 
Read more about Bunyan HERE
You may read Pilgrim's Progress for free online in many places, including HERE.
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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Jesus Loves Me: The Simple Poem that Reached the World

This episode tells the true story of Anna and Susan Warner, two sisters who lost their fortune but found their ministry. Living on Constitution Island, they gave their lives to a humble ministry to West Point cadets and the writing of children's books. 
From this quiet work came perhaps the most famous children's hymn of all time: Jesus Loves Me. Set to music by William Bradbury and sung by billions of children around the world and throughout history. Even reaching famous Christians like Amy Carmichael.
Listen to today's Travelers' Tales for this amazing account. 
Read this true story HERE.
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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The True Story Behind "Rescue the Perishing"

"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying." Those words were the marching orders behind the life of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer who penned thousands of hymns and urged God's people to demonstrate compassion and remain faithful in spreading the gospel to a dying world.
This episode of Traveler's Tales explores the story behind her famous hymn "Rescue the Perishing," the mission hall testimony that inspired it, and the lasting call to tell others about Jesus. 
Read an overview of Fanny Crosby's life HERE.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE VIDEO LESSONS ON HOW TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS. 
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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R.A. Torrey: Strong Faith and Faithful Service

Some lives are loud, others are steady, and sometimes the most powerful legacy is not found in a dramatic moment, but in a lifetime of quiet faithfulness. This episode tells the story of R.A. Torrey, a man whose influence shaped generations through intense prayer, faithful service, conviction in Scripture, and steadfast integrity.
Listen to this account of R.A. Torrey on Traveler's Tales. 
READ OUR REPRINT OF ONE OF HIS BOOKS HERE
DOWNLOAD "TEN REASONS WHY I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD"
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Running Your Race: The Story of Eric Liddell

During the weeks of preparation before the track and field events of the 1924 Olympics, Eric Liddell was informed that his best races would be held on a Sunday. Despite fierce criticism, Liddell positively refused to run on the Lord's Day. What happened next is a reminder of the power of surrender to the will of God! While no one remembers the winners from the 1924 Olympics. The medals are all lost. Yet, Eric's life continues to encourage millions to a life of full surrender. Listen to this stirring account on Traveler's Tales. 
Read more about Eric Liddell HERE.
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Hymn History: At Calvary

God used a once apathetic and stubborn young minister's son to bring us the beloved hymn, At Calvary. What a blessing it is to know that Christ's sacrifice sets the child of God free from sin! Listen to this stirring account of William Newell and this classic hymn on today's Traveler's Tales.
Read more about this account HERE
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Hymn Lyrics: At Calvary 
1. Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified,knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.
Refrain:Mercy there was great and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me;there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.
2. By God's Word at last my sin I learned; then I trembled at the law I'd spurned, till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary. [Refrain]
3. Now I've giv'n to Jesus ev'rything; now I gladly own Him as my King;now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary. [Refrain]
4 O the love that drew salvation's plan! O the grace that brought it down to man! O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary! [Refrain]

Hymn History: I'd Rather Have Jesus

At the age of 23, George Beverly Shea (1909 – 2013) had a hard decision to make. He could accept a job offer in a secular singing position in New York City, with a great salary and wide respect; or he could continue singing in churches and on Christian radio programs. The poem God used in his life became "I'd Rather Have Jesus."
Listen to this stirring account on today's Traveler's Tales.
Read more about this account HERE
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Hymn Lyrics: I'd Rather Have Jesus
1 I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;I'd rather be His than have riches untold;I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Refrain:Than to be the king of a vast domainor be held in sin's dread sway.I'd rather have Jesus than anythingthis world affords today.
2 I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame.I'd rather be true to His holy name [Refrain]
3 He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom'He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;He's all that my hungering spirit needs.I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Refrain]