Joni

[Anchorman]

Just flagging up the fact that a rather remarkable lady is celebrating her 70th birthdy....over fifty of those years confined to a wheelchair due to a diving accident in her teens. Her quadruplegia has not limited her work, and has enhanced her faith. She has written books, hosted radio shows, painted pictures, made music CDs, and leads a charity aiming to provide wheelchairs to disabled folk in the developing world. I've met her three times, and count her as more than a facebook friend. https://www.joniandfriends.org/joni-celebrates-her-70th/?fbclid=IwAR3yYII_jHIVtStcOSljAggdBLqUwDbt-XA_8rIiNsC3dgvD51aPcoGyXZo

[Roses]

Just flagging up the fact that a rather remarkable lady is celebrating her 70th birthdy....over fifty of those years confined to a wheelchair due to a diving accident in her teens. Her quadruplegia has not limited her work, and has enhanced her faith. She has written books, hosted radio shows, painted pictures, made music CDs, and leads a charity aiming to provide wheelchairs to disabled folk in the developing world. I've met her three times, and count her as more than a facebook friend. https://www.joniandfriends.org/joni-celebrates-her-70th/?fbclid=IwAR3yYII_jHIVtStcOSljAggdBLqUwDbt-XA_8rIiNsC3dgvD51aPcoGyXZo

One could question why her god, if it exists and is so wonderful, didn't look upon her more kindly and heal her?

[Walter]

One could question why her god, if it exists and is so wonderful, didn't look upon her more kindly and heal her?

my thoughts entirely Lr

[Anchorman]

One could question why her god, if it exists and is so wonderful, didn't look upon her more kindly and heal her?

   


There's more than one kind of healing.
Every time such a thing happens in the New Testament, it's not to show some healing magic, but to illustrate a point.
Even Paul, in his later life, was losing his sight. From the tantalising clues in Acts and a few of his own letters, he may ave been almost blind.
If Christ had a purpose for Paul in his disability, then he can equally use us in ours.
By the way, Joni was a cultural Christian before her accident.
She only accepted Christ AFTER it.
Her sequal to "Joni" - which charts her accident, the depression which followed it, and her coming to Christ, entitled "A step further" is very revealing, showing just how valuable and fruitful her life could be, and would become.

[Roses]

   


There's more than one kind of healing.
Every time such a thing happens in the New Testament, it's not to show some healing magic, but to illustrate a point.
Even Paul, in his later life, was losing his sight. From the tantalising clues in Acts and a few of his own letters, he may ave been almost blind.
If Christ had a purpose for Paul in his disability, then he can equally use us in ours.
By the way, Joni was a cultural Christian before her accident.
She only accepted Christ AFTER it.
Her sequal to "Joni" - which charts her accident, the depression which followed it, and her coming to Christ, entitled "A step further" is very revealing, showing just how valuable and fruitful her life could be, and would become.

I feel very sorry for the poor woman.

[Anchorman]

Why? We do not want your sympathy. Joni certainly wouldn't. You ask why God didn't heal her? Well, here's her own answer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejbHemlrbU4&app=desktop

[Walter]

Why? We do not want your sympathy. Joni certainly wouldn't. You ask why God didn't heal her? Well, here's her own answer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejbHemlrbU4&app=desktop

anchs

I had to turn it off half way through , absolute bollocks !

Although as someone who also spent 3 months on a Stryker frame I sympathise with her physical pain and suffering and wish her good health in the future

[Robbie]

Joni Eareckson Tada is certainly a remarkable woman who is inspirational to many, not just disabled people. I've felt inspired by her writings in the past and saw the film about her (starring her), mentioned in the first link, some years ago which was thought provoking. Her husband, Ken, is such a good man too, they're a team.

What I didn't know, Anchor, is that she had breast cancer, so far successfully treated but what an ordeal that must have been for her to go through mastectomy and chemo on top of her disability, then a recurrence and more treatment.

I certainly don't see Joni as a 'poor woman'. Can't believe she is seventy!

My personal faith is a 'quieter' one than Joni's but what she has certainly works for her (very American), and I respect that.

[Anchorman]

Joni Eareckson Tada is certainly a remarkable woman who is inspirational to many, not just disabled people. I've felt inspired by her writings in the past and saw the film about her (starring her), mentioned in the first link, some years ago which was thought provoking. Her husband, Ken, is such a good man too, they're a team. What I didn't know, Anchor, is that she had breast cancer, so far successfully treated but what an ordeal that must have been for her to go through mastectomy and chemo on top of her disability, then a recurrence and more treatment. I certainly don't see Joni as a 'poor woman'. Can't believe she is seventy! My personal faith is a 'quieter' one than Joni's but what she has certainly works for her (very American), and I respect that.

I first met Joni at a Glasgow conference in the mid 1980s. What struck me wasn't some halo, like a spiritual Colgate ring of confidence; no, what struck me was her infectious sense of humour. We were at a symposium on disability and faith, and Joni was the keynote soeaker that year. I've met her since then, and had conversations by 'phone, etc. She's dealt with the cancer - which has returnwed twice - in the same manner as she dealt with her quadruplegia.

[Robbie]

She has certainly been blessed and it shows in her work. Her parents and siblings were always a great support and, of course, Ken. I wish I'd met her, you were fortunate to do so.

[Spud]

She has a beautiful voice. One of my favourite songs ever:
https://youtu.be/B26yJeYY8LU

[Robbie]

Yes she is a good singer, very natural country style. That in itself is quite amazing considering her disability, she mentions breathing difficulties in the youtube clip Anchorman posted.

[Anchorman]

She has a beautiful voice. One of my favourite songs ever:
https://youtu.be/B26yJeYY8LU

   




Yes.
Considering the fact that she has no sense of filling her lungs, the whole album "Spirit wings" is remarkable.

[Alan Burns]

Just flagging up the fact that a rather remarkable lady is celebrating her 70th birthdy....over fifty of those years confined to a wheelchair due to a diving accident in her teens. Her quadruplegia has not limited her work, and has enhanced her faith. She has written books, hosted radio shows, painted pictures, made music CDs, and leads a charity aiming to provide wheelchairs to disabled folk in the developing world. I've met her three times, and count her as more than a facebook friend. https://www.joniandfriends.org/joni-celebrates-her-70th/?fbclid=IwAR3yYII_jHIVtStcOSljAggdBLqUwDbt-XA_8rIiNsC3dgvD51aPcoGyXZo

Thanks for this Anchorman.  I read Joni's first book many years ago.  It is truly inspiring to know that she is still doing remarkable work and spreading the Gospel.  She has achieved far more than she could ever have done if she had not had the tragic diving accident, by being an inspiration to thousands of people.  A wonderful witness to how God can bring good from anything if we put our faith and trust in Him.

[Steve H]

One could question why her god, if it exists and is so wonderful, didn't look upon her more kindly and heal her?

One could question why you feel the need to disfigure so many threads with your adolescent, sneering cynicism.

[Roses]

One could question why you feel the need to disfigure so many threads with your adolescent, sneering cynicism.

That is a good one coming from you, go back and read your posts, many of which aren't very pleasant.

[Walter]

One could question why you feel the need to disfigure so many threads with your adolescent, sneering cynicism.

Don't get ME started .

Only politeness has kept me silent on this thread !

[Roses]

Don't get ME started .

Only politeness has kept me silent on this thread !

You have posted on this thread previously.

[ippy]

   


There's more than one kind of healing.
Every time such a thing happens in the New Testament, it's not to show some healing magic, but to illustrate a point.
Even Paul, in his later life, was losing his sight. From the tantalising clues in Acts and a few of his own letters, he may ave been almost blind.
If Christ had a purpose for Paul in his disability, then he can equally use us in ours.
By the way, Joni was a cultural Christian before her accident.
She only accepted Christ AFTER it.
Her sequal to "Joni" - which charts her accident, the depression which followed it, and her coming to Christ, entitled "A step further" is very revealing, showing just how valuable and fruitful her life could be, and would become.

I suppose that's all you can do you have to make up elaborate excuses where reason and logic's not present.

It's a pity the poor woman couldn't give out a bit more of a realistic reason for her well meant actions although having said that I have every sympathy for her plight, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Regards, ippy.

[Walter]

You have posted on this thread previously.

you are right , but only mildly 

[Robbie]

Joni is far from being a 'poor' woman, ippy & I am not talking about material riches though she probably has those too.  She doesn't need or want you or anyone else to feel sorry for her, she loves her life.

[ippy]

Joni is far from being a 'poor' woman, ippy & I am not talking about material riches though she probably has those too.  She doesn't need or want you or anyone else to feel sorry for her, she loves her life.

I'm sure you knew what was meant by me when I used the word poor, I wouldn't have thought her condition was something that would be described as a welcome disability please tell me what word would you have liked me to use?

Are you telling me that if someone has a disability such as Jonie's, does that mean that I should be required to admire whatever her superstitious belief happens to be and as well as that I'm not exactly corresponding directly with her, I was writing on a blog where she's not present so whatever I think about her penchant for a bit of superstition will hardly be hurting her feelings.

Regards, ippy.

[Gordon]

I would just like to say, and though I don't share her religious convictions, is that she seems like a life enhancer as regards both dealing with her own situation and her impact on others who share her faith: good for her.

[Anchorman]

I suppose that's all you can do you have to make up elaborate excuses where reason and logic's not present. It's a pity the poor woman couldn't give out a bit more of a realistic reason for her well meant actions although having said that I have every sympathy for her plight, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Regards, ippy.

In whatt way is she a 'poor woman'? Disabled people require neither sympathy or pity. Many of us use our disability as empowerment, some regard it as a means to share our faith. My own particular disabilities don't bother me as much as they seem to bother others, and if I can use them in some way to share my experience of Knowing Christ and trying to live out His Gospel in my life to someone else, then I can even get to the stage of thankung God for it.

[Steve H]

In whatt way is she a 'poor woman'? Disabled people require neither sympathy or pity. Many of us use our disability as empowerment, some regard it as a means to share our faith. My own particular disabilities don't bother me as much as they seem to bother others, and if I can use them in some way to share my experience of Knowing Christ and trying to live out His Gospel in my life to someone else, then I can even get to the stage of thankung God for it.

Gross generalisation, surely: you can't speak for all disabled people. Some probably regard it as a personal tragedy. How a disability can empower anyone escapes me; I suspect that you are just using a trendy word without thinking about its meaning.