Podcast appearances and mentions of joni tada

Joni Tada shares her testimony of the battling with becoming a quadriplegic from a water accident. She shares about her doubts, fears, and frustrations against God and her life. She learns how to surrender and then is filled with love and joy for the future.

It's Election Day 2024! We're going to talk about the way Scripture has grounded you as you've weathered this election cycle. Has there been a verse or a passage that has helped you avoid the negative ads and contentious rhetoric in the past year? You'll hear from spiritual leaders around the country who will give their perspective. Our friends include Mike Vanlaningham, Michael Rydelnik, John Koessler, Chris Brooks, Gary Chapman, Rosie de Rosset, Charlie Dyer, Chip Ingram, Trillia Newbell, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Randy Alcorn, Ray Pritchard, Joni Tada, and Philip Miller. Share yours and encourage someone else on Chris Fabry Live. For more information about the work of Care Net, click here. Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Mrs. Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization that provides programs and services for thousands of special-needs families around the world. President Reagan appointed Mrs. Tada to the National Council on Disability and during her tenure, the ADA was signed into law. Joni served as an advisor to Condoleezza Rice on the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department, and as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. The Colson Center on Christian Worldview awarded Joni Tada its prestigious William Wilberforce Award, and she was also inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University's Society of World Changers. Joni and her husband Ken were married in 1982 and reside in Calabasas, California.   On the show this week Joni discusses how the accident that left her quadriplegic at the age of 17 completely transformed her path, and why she feels her experience brought her closer to God and inspired her to do His work. She shares how Joni and Friends was born and the myriad ways in which the organization helps and supports people across the world with disabilities practically, physically, and spiritually. Joni also highlights how God has guided her on her path and why it's so important to give glory to the Lord for the extraordinary moments and experiences He gives you.   “The whole point about reach, care, and connect, is to not only share good words from God's word but to share his love in a practical way.” - Joni Eareckson Tada   “Faith is like a muscle; when you exercise it, it's going to get stronger.” - Joni Eareckson Tada   “If you want to solve the problem, you have to have a holistic, comprehensive approach. It starts with healing the individual.” - Joni Eareckson Tada    This Week on The Wow Factor: When Joni found painting and how she felt when she realized she could still produce beautiful works of arts When she decided to start an organization to shine a light on and support the billion people worldwide who have some form of disability How the reach, care, and connect framework works and why Joni is always open to connecting with people who have questions about what Joni and Friends does Joni's appearance on the Tonight Show, the book sharing her story that was subsequently made into a film by Billy Graham How Joni has scaled her personal experience of disability to help people in 40 countries worldwide What Joni learned about herself and her leadership style in the early years of Joni and Friends and how her style has evolved over the years How the COVID-19 pandemic led to the Joni's House program and what they do to help people with disabilities in the developing world The importance of providing respite for caregivers and how Joni and Friends serve families Why God loves a giver and an asker   Joni Eareckson Tada's Words of Wisdom: You have in your life, lots of awe-filled moments so find ways to breathe it in, let your soul open up, your mind get cracked open, and connect those moments of inspiration to the Lord — because that's what gives Him glory.   Connect with Joni Eareckson Tada: Joni and Friends Website Joni and Friends on Instagram Joni and Friends on Facebook Joni and Friends on Twitter   Connect with The WOW Factor: I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma Words of Wisdom Website Brad Formsma on LinkedIn Brad Formsma on Instagram Brad Formsma on Facebook Brad Formsma on Twitter    

In an interview recorded just before the news of the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S., Joni Eareckson Tada talks with Wayne Shepherd about her life of pain and the lessons learned. 

In honor of Father's Day, Sarah and Erin reflect on their own fathers and share clips of some Strong Women Podcast guests reflecting on their fathers. We honor and celebrate the men in our lives!   A Reflection on Fathers Show Notes:  Episode #1 of the Strong Women Podcast - The Life Giving Story: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_1_-_Introduction.mp3  Episode #3 of the Strong Women Podcast - Who We Are is Rooted with Joni Eareckson Tada: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_3_-_Joni_Tada.mp3  The God I Love by Joni Eareckson Tada: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/god-i-love-joni-eareckson-tada/1100269908?ean=9780310565802  Episode #22 of the Strong Women Podcast - Why Curse the Darkness? with Patti Garibay: https://strongwomen.libsyn.com/ep-22-why-curse-the-darkness-with-patti-garibay  Episode #6 of the Strong Women Podcast - Strength in Upheaval with Sheila Broderick (Sarah's Grandmother): https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_6_-_Grandma.mp3    Episode #7 of the Strong Women Podcast - Life-Long Learning with Cindy Rollins: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_8_-_Cindy_Rollins.mp3  Episode #11 of the Strong Women Podcast - High-Risk Obedience with Katy Faust: https://strongwomen.libsyn.com/high-risk-obedience-with-katy-faust  The Father Effect article by Katy Faust: https://thembeforeus.com/father-effect-daughters-divorce-serve-test-case/  Them Before Us by Katy Faust and Stacy Manning: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/them-before-us-katy-faust/1137397382?ean=9781642935967  Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-my-assassin-virginia-prodan/1123107675?ean=9781496411846  The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-prodigal-son-henri-j-m-nouwen/1102815117?ean=9780385473071  Join Strong Women on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc  Erin and her husband, Brett, run Maven which “exists to help the next generation know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty, all for the cause of Christ.” Check out more about Maven here: https://maventruth.com/   The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women   

In honor of Father's Day, Sarah and Erin reflect on their own fathers and share clips of some Strong Women Podcast guests reflecting on their fathers. We honor and celebrate the men in our lives!   A Reflection on Fathers Show Notes:  Episode #1 of the Strong Women Podcast - The Life Giving Story: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_1_-_Introduction.mp3  Episode #3 of the Strong Women Podcast - Who We Are is Rooted with Joni Eareckson Tada: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_3_-_Joni_Tada.mp3  The God I Love by Joni Eareckson Tada: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/god-i-love-joni-eareckson-tada/1100269908?ean=9780310565802  Episode #22 of the Strong Women Podcast - Why Curse the Darkness? with Patti Garibay: https://strongwomen.libsyn.com/ep-22-why-curse-the-darkness-with-patti-garibay  Episode #6 of the Strong Women Podcast - Strength in Upheaval with Sheila Broderick (Sarah's Grandmother): https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_6_-_Grandma.mp3    Episode #7 of the Strong Women Podcast - Life-Long Learning with Cindy Rollins: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/strongwomen/Strong_Woman_Podcast_-_Episode_8_-_Cindy_Rollins.mp3  Episode #11 of the Strong Women Podcast - High-Risk Obedience with Katy Faust: https://strongwomen.libsyn.com/high-risk-obedience-with-katy-faust  The Father Effect article by Katy Faust: https://thembeforeus.com/father-effect-daughters-divorce-serve-test-case/  Them Before Us by Katy Faust and Stacy Manning: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/them-before-us-katy-faust/1137397382?ean=9781642935967  Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-my-assassin-virginia-prodan/1123107675?ean=9781496411846  The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-prodigal-son-henri-j-m-nouwen/1102815117?ean=9780385473071  Join Strong Women on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc  Erin and her husband, Brett, run Maven which “exists to help the next generation know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty, all for the cause of Christ.” Check out more about Maven here: https://maventruth.com/   The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women   

A conversation about the arts and their potential to help us navigate suffering, with artist, author, and radio host Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni Tada is the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community." When Joni was 17 years old she became a quadriplegic after a diving accident and since then learned to paint with a brush between her teeth, sold her artwork, has written over forty books, recorded several musical albums, starred in an autobiographical movie of her life, and is an advocate for people with disabilities.   To learn more about Joni & Friends go to: https://www.joniandfriends.org/​ _________________________________________ For more on The Intersection at The Moody Church go to: https://www.moodychurch.org/intersect...​ If you'd like more information about our college ministry, led by Pastor Eric Targe, please visit: https://www.moodychurch.org/crossroad...​ OR for more about our High School ministry, led by Pastor Justin, please visit: https://www.moodychurch.org/revolutio...​ #Art​​​​ #Singing​​ #Suffering

This last program of 2020 features four highlights: Joni Tada, Petr Jasek, Philip Yancey, and Victor Akhterov.

“Perseverance is so key. It means staying the course, not deviating, holding fast…and especially remaining patient. Patience over time leads to perseverance. And perseverance leads to character.”When it comes to character-building, wouldn’t we all love to have a quick fix? But that’s not the way God works. It is a slow process. Through a series of small victories in suffering, our perseverance is strengthened and character is built. Today on the podcast Crystal is sitting down with Joni Eareckson Tada to talk about patience in suffering that leads to perseverance. As Joni celebrates a ministry milestone – broadcasting 10,000 episodes of the Joni and Friends radio program – she’s sharing about the long, slow road of endurance. Through quadriplegia, two rounds of breast cancer, chronic pain, and now a pandemic, hear where Joni finds the strength to continue rolling up to the microphone decade after decade to share encouragement with others in need of hope in their hardship.More from Joni:Perseverance in SufferingJoni: An Unforgettable StoryFinding God in Hidden PlacesA Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends to help make this podcast possible.Follow Joni and Friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. *Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. For more than 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousands of people impacted by disability worldwide: Joni and Friends has delivered more than 180,000 wheelchairs and Bibles through Wheels for the World and provided Christian care to 63,000 special needs family members through Family Retreats. The organization also equips individuals and churches with disability ministry training and provides higher education courses through the Christian Institute on Disability. For more encouragement, download the Joni and Friends radio podcast in English or Spanish, and view inspirational videos on the Joni and Friends website.www.joniandfriends.org*

In an interview recorded just before the new of the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S., Joni Eareckson Tada talks with Wayne Shepherd about her life of pain and the lessons learned.

Because of the fear and anxiety many people are experiencing, this special edition of FIRST PERSON addressing the purpose of suffering in this world. You'll hear comments from Ken Boa, author of SHAPED BY SUFFERING, Andrew Brunson who spent 2 years in a Turkish prison, and Joni Tada who has spent 50+ years in a wheelchair.

An Untold Love Story (Part 1) - Ken and Joni TadaAn Untold Love Story (Part 2) - Ken and Joni TadaFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Following God Together Guests:                      Ken and Joni Tada              From the series:       An Untold Love Story (Day 1 of 2)  Bob:  The quality of your marriage is affected by your priorities. Here's Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni:  Sit down, one time, with your spouse and just talk about—sketch it out—“What is the big picture?” Then, commit to make that your goal. For Ken and me—I trust for most Christian couples—it is heaven. It is the finish line. It is the end of the good fight. It is hearing those wonderful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That's what we want to hear! That's what we're living for. Bob:  This is FamilyLife Today for Thursday, May 2nd. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. We'll hear from Joni and Ken Tada today about how living with heaven in mind—the finish line in mind—can have an impact on your marriage today. Stay tuned.   And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is in Second Corinthians, Chapter 5. It talks about how Christians are new creatures in Christ; and then, goes on to say that we're ambassadors. We live as citizens in one kingdom— Dennis:  That's right. Bob: —but we're living in a different kingdom, representing the homeland—representing our King. I was thinking about that today because I was thinking we're all ambassadors; but sometimes, when some ambassadors get up to speak, I cringe a little bit at how that ambassador is going to represent the kingdom. I've never had that cringe happen when I hear our guests get up to speak and represent the Kingdom. Dennis:  No, there's something that resonates within the spirit that they should take the stage, and the podium, and the pulpit, and tell it like it is because they have lived in the presence of Jesus Christ in ways that we're going to talk about today. We're going to talk about a great love story. Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada join us on FamilyLife Today again. Welcome back, you guys. It's good to have you.  Ken:  Thank you, Dennis; and thank you, Bob. Joni:  Well, what an introduction, Bob. My goodness! How, I want to be a good ambassador for Jesus. Bob:  Wow. Dennis: You always have been! You always have been. Joni:  Oh, let me never just defame the good name of Jesus. Dennis:  Well, Joni, you've written over 50 books. Ken, you are a world-class fly fisherman. You told me that yourself. [Laughter] Joni:  Yes, he is. He really is! [Laughter] Ken:  I am not a world-class fly fisherman. Bob:  But here, I'm just juxtaposing. You've written 50 books—you can catch fish. Way to go—a great team. [Laughter] Ken:  Yes, I guess there is some connection right there. Dennis:  It's a great team. Ken leads these outfitter adventures. In fact, it's called “The Wild Adventure” in Montana. Ken:  Yes. Dennis:  I'm going to get on one of those one of these days because I can wet a fly, too. Ken:  That's a lead-in to that book because this book is for men—the book that we just wrote. Dennis:  This really is a book; and Joni, you said it earlier. In fact, why don't you comment on this book? It's called Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story.  Joni:  That's right. Dennis:  Say what you told me, just before we came on the air. Joni:  Well, I think the subtitle, An Untold Love Story—it is really Ken's story. It's an untold story about him. We have never peeled back the layers of our marriage quite like we have in this most-recent book; but after we crested 30 years of marriage, we looked at one another and thought: “You know—we're not experts. We've never been to seminary. We're not family counselors. But after three decades of quadriplegia—then, chronic pain and quadriplegia—then, breast cancer, and chronic pain, and quadriplegia—in some ways, that's given us—I don't know—some new fresh platform—a kind of an authority to speak to other couples about what commitment really is.” But it's Ken's commitment that comes shining through the pages of this book. Dennis:  I really want to disagree with you about the seminary thing.  Joni:  Oh, come on. Dennis:  I think you have both been to the ultimate seminary— Bob:  Yes. Dennis:  —every day, experiencing God and seeing Him at work in your lives, your marriage, and sharing that together. I have to say, as I told you earlier, your book really is quite a love story. It's a paradox. It's not at all the warm fuzzy that Hollywood would tell. Joni:  No. When Ken and I married—well, I should say before we married, we had lots of friends—not all of them believers, not all of them followers of Jesus—who suggested, that since I was a quadriplegic, that Ken and I should go away—try it out for a weekend; see if this was going to work—“Ken, can you handle it?” But Ken and I just decided we weren't going to do that. We weren't going to violate our convictions. So, we went into this marriage, saying: “I do, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,” really not knowing how challenging those 24/7, non-stop, daily, dreary routines of my disability could be.  We call those years in our marriage the tired middle years. The first ten years—fifteen years—of our marriage were extremely difficult. Ken:  It made for an interesting honeymoon [chuckle] you know, and— Dennis:  And you really spell that out in the book, but I want to take you back to where you start the book. You begin with this romantic date—that you're on—where you declare to Ken that cancer had been a gift. I want you to tell that story. Joni:  Well, it's hard to say it in 25 words or less; but Dennis, Ken has often said, “Joni, I don't get why God has given you cancer. I mean—quadriplegic, chronic pain—what's God doing?” I remember saying to Ken, “I think there was a time that probably the devil approached the throne of God and said ‘Okay. You see that 17-year-old girl down there, having such fun? You give me permission to smack her with a broken neck. Then, let's see if she'll name your good name.'”  Okay, so God grants Satan permission. I break my neck, and I honor the Lord. And then, a few years later, I get married. Another decade later, I deal with chronic pain. “Okay, let's see if she's going to disown you now, God. Let me give her chronic pain.” And I come through, by the grace of God. And then, the devil comes back to the throne of God and says, “Okay, so she trusts you with chronic pain and quadriplegia; but you just let me smack her with cancer. Then, I know she will really give it up. She'll cave in. She will no longer follow you, God.” And I have, but it's only by the grace of God. I have no strength within myself. It's all the grace of God. I said to Ken, “It's been a gift,” because it's not only, I think, strengthened my confidence in my Savior's ability to sustain, but it's given me such a huge appreciation for this guy, sitting next to me—the man who practices Christianity, with his sleeves rolled up, every single day, when he helps me with those day-to-day routines. They're not getting easier; they're getting harder. We're getting older. Yet, the disciplines we learned through chronic pain and quadriplegia have sustained us, not only through cancer, but are now sustaining us as we head into our late 60s. Bob:  That story you told about Satan going before God sounded like another story I've heard about that happening to another guy. I don't know if you're familiar with the story—a guy named Job? Joni:  That guy, Job. Bob:  Yes. There's a point in Job's story where, after a long period of time, he goes and says: “Okay, God. I would like some answers now, and I feel like I've earned them.” Have you ever had a moment like that? Joni:  I did, early-on. I really wrestled with what God was doing. In fact, when I broke my neck at such a young age—at the age of 17—I was extremely fearful of what God might do next to refine my faith: “Oh, my goodness! If You start with a broken neck, like what's”—  Bob:  “Where does it go from there?” Yes. Joni:  “—where does it go from there?” But honestly, Bob, as I shared that scenario, the devil going before the throne of God—and here I have quadriplegia, chronic pain, cancer—I guess I'm at the age, now, where it has become somewhat invigorating: Oh my goodness!  God thinks I can really step up to this plate and swing at this ball? He really thinks I can do that, with His grace? Well, I'm not going to let Him down. I'm not going to disappoint Him. I'm certainly not going to give Satan, on the opposing team, the advantage. I'm going to swing at this ball. By the grace of God, and God alone, we're going to hit a home run because that ball is heading to heaven. It's right on the horizon, and I don't want to do anything that's going to demerit my capacity for joy, and worship, and service in heaven. I want to—I just want to trust that God knows what He's doing in my life!  I think Ken and I, together in our marriage, have sensed that, as we move on, year after year, in our life together. Ken:  But I have to say this, Bob. When Joni was first diagnosed with cancer, Jesus and I had some long conversations because, at 45 years in a wheelchair, I'm thinking to myself and asking God: “Why? Why Joni? After all this time, why would You allow her to have this cancer?”  What we discovered—Joni is such a great communicator. She's been a great communicator for the disabled community; why not cancer? And we've seen, during this journey, how much God has used her to be able to speak to that very area—people who have had cancer. And not only that, the people we have come in contact with because of the cancer. Joni:  The nurses. Ken:  The nurses, the oncological surgeon, the oncologist, the—  Joni:  --the x-ray technician. Ken:  The x-ray technicians. Joni:  Blood test people, surgeons, everybody. Ken:  And we always try to insert the name of Jesus when we talk to these folks. And we would have never had that opportunity without the cancer. Dennis:  I want you both to comment on this because, again, Ken, this is not just Joni's disease. It's our disease—you, as a couple, okay? But as I was praying and thinking about talking with you guys today, I was taken back to Romans 8—to a passage that Randy Alcorn spoke to our staff, back in March 24, 2010. It's Roman's 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Ken:  Amen. Dennis:  Comment on that, Ken, because— Ken:  Well, how do we, as human beings that love Christ, show our love for Christ? Oftentimes, we say it and we pray it; but we don't get a chance to demonstrate it. Here's an opportunity for us, during this time, to honor God and to be able to show, in a tangible sense, and execute what we believe—that God is the Sovereign God. I think, for us, we've just learned to trust Him more. Both Joni and I have said, at some point, there's going to come a time when either one or both of us are going to have another diagnosis. So, it's prepared us for the other side of eternity. But for this side of eternity, we are just so thankful that God has given us this opportunity just to show Him how much we love Him. Joni:  I think of that verse so often, Romans 8:18, when Ken and I have a disagreement or when we get haggling over the small, petty stuff. Invariably, one of us will stop—most recently, it was Ken, when we were in the car, arguing about something. He stopped, pulled over and said, “Joni, what's the big picture?” That's a big-picture verse that you just read: “What is the big picture? Why are we in this? Where are we going? What's our goal?” The big picture for us is the other side of eternity. Ken and I, together as a couple, do not want to disappoint our Savior, Who has invested so much in us—my goodness, His own blood in us. Friends, listening, I don't know if you haggle with your husband; but sit down, one time, with your spouse and just talk about—sketch it out: “What is the big picture?” Then, commit to make that your goal. For Ken and me—I trust for most Christian couples—it is heaven. It is the finish line. It is the end of the good fight. It is hearing those wonderful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That's what we want to hear! That's what we're living for. Bob:  And Joni, there's another verse that's like Romans 8:18. It's the one in Second Corinthians 4 that says that what we're going through is light and momentary afflictions. Joni:  Yes; and then, it says, “Therefore, do not lose heart.” Bob:  Do you really think what you're going through is a light and momentary affliction? Joni:  This is where faith really kicks in, Bob, because I have to believe that the cosmic stakes are so high—that the joy that I'm going to experience in heaven is so great, that it is so out of this world—that in comparison to that, indeed, my troubles are light and momentary.  That's why I shared, earlier, how invigorated I am, and what a robust, rugged wonderful—I don't know—it's a man-sized faith that I can have if I would but not complain and trust God with the challenges. Again, it's not just me espousing this; it's Ken and I, as a couple. Bob:  Doing it together. Joni:  Doing it together. Dennis:  Yes, it would be one thing for me to say that, but for you two to say that in your book—I've been through your book, you know. You're really talking about some of the most challenging circumstances two human beings could possibly face in a lifetime. Joni:  Well, to be fair, I've got some great girlfriends who help me get up in the morning and lay down at night; but still, the bulk of the burden often rests on Ken, especially getting up at three o'clock, four o'clock in the morning, every single night, to turn me, to reposition me in bed so that I don't get pressure sores, to re-tuck my pillows, then to go back to sleep. That's every single night for 31 years of our marriage! That has not altered one bit. That's a lot! I will never forget the time I had double pneumonia in the midst of my cancer. Ken was up for nine, ten, eleven, twelve days—every single night—five or six, seven, eight times—pushing on my abdomen, pounding on my chest, pushing on my back: “Come on, you—cough, cough. Come on, cough.” I remember him whispering, in the middle of it all, “So is this the worse part of the ‘for better or worse'?” I said, “This is the worse part. This is, but we're going to get through it.” Even then, to voice our vows, in the midst of such a terrible ordeal, was invigorating and, I think, soul-strengthening. Ken:  I think if we were to look back on our married life, we could not have written this book, three years into our marriage—not that we're experts now. Thirty years doesn't make an expert. There are many who are married a lot longer; but I think God has brought us on this journey together, as a couple. It's been a journey, well-fought for. The lessons that we've learned have just been lessons that I wouldn't trade for anything. Dennis:  Yes. You're both hinting at a question I wanted to ask you, because in your book, you write about, Joni, how you prayed for this black-haired guy in church. You didn't know who he was. You were kind of squirming around in your chair there and decided you'd pray for this guy you didn't know. Later on, he became your husband. I mean, wow! But he told you he loved you about a year into the relationship, as I recall. Is that right?  Here's the question I want to ask both of you: You said you loved her. Today, you know what it means to truly love. Do your best to explain what love is. Ken:  I think, if I were to describe what love is—it's the love that I sense Jesus has for us. When Christ came and said that He came to serve, I just think how good of God to put me in this position that I could serve Him through serving my wife. Having a wife, who is of like-mind and loves Jesus, means everything. I think that's what's been sustaining for both of us, over these past 30 years—and especially, over these past few years, that we've had to deal with the cancer. She's my best friend; she's my biggest supporter.   But I would say this—I would say that we don't honor our vows like we once did. You know, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health”. We don't do that. Not that I—I'm still working at it; but I would love for this particular book to reach out and touch the lives of men and their hearts and say: “Hey, step up to the plate. Honor your vows and honor your commitment that you made to your wife.” Joni:  And you'll be a better person for it. Ken:  And you'll be a better person. Dennis:  Joni? Joni:  Well, mine's a little more romantic, I guess; but I know that Ken loves me because he likes me. He wants to be with me. I'm home for him; and as Dr. Robert Mount said, “Home is moveable.” When I'm in another room, Ken enjoys being with me. He enjoys bringing his fish magazines in and sitting with me—and that he chooses me, that he prefers me, that he wants to be with me, that he likes me—[emotion in voice] in spite of all the stuff that often accompanies what “me” is—that he chooses me, and likes me, and prefers me is so sweet to me, as a woman.  It touches my heart like nothing else. Of course, that fosters so much more affection for my husband when I see him choose me, be proud of me, speak about me on the phone to his buddies, tell his best friend—who is an outfitter up in Montana, a rough-and-tumble mountain man, who shoots elk with a bow and arrow, who is an expert fly fisherman—he's just an incredible guy. Ken has always said of him, “Gee, I want that guy in my foxhole.” But to hear him say, on the phone, one night, to that man, Chris, “Chris, I've always wanted you in my foxhole. Watching my wife and her courage—oh, my goodness—I want her to have my back. I want her to be in my foxhole.” Boy, that's music to my ears. Ken:  Yes. Joni says it very well; but when I made that phone call, one of the things that we have discussed is that we are all in a spiritual battle. Chris is a brother in Christ. As Joni mentioned, he is your quintessential mountain man. I watched Joni, during this cancer journey; and I saw the warrior that she is. She is truly a warrior—fighting through all these—the pain and, now, the cancer. So, I called Chris and I said, “Chris, I have to tell you that after having watched my wife, I want you in that foxhole with me if we're going to battle; but I'd like my wife in there first because I know she'll watch my back.” Dennis:  Yes. “I know you're a good shot with a bow and arrow. [Laughter] I want the shield—my shield and my hero—in there with me.” Well, you guys are heroes to many. We need models, like you guys, who are running the race, all the way to the finish line of heaven—and maybe, not always with a smile on your face—but you're not quitting. I think your book is just an unvarnished look at a real relationship that has had some very, very dark valleys that haven't been momentary. They have gone on for years. Bob:  Yes. Dennis:  I just commend it to our listeners to read together, as a couple—both husbands and wives. Bob:  We have copies of the book. It's called An Untold Love Story. You can go to our website at FamilyLifeToday.com to order the story of Joni and Ken's 30-year marriage—Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com and order a copy of the book from us. Or call 1-800-FL-TODAY to request your copy of this book. Again, our website is FamilyLifeToday.com. The toll-free number is 1-800-FL-TODAY. The book we're talking about is called Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. Go online or give us a call to request a copy. Now, with summer just around the corner, we have had some good friends of the ministry who have come to us to help us be prepared for summer. You may think to yourself, “What do you have to get ready for—for summer, as a ministry?” Well, for most ministries, like ours, summertime is a time when there is a dip. There is a drop in donation revenue that comes into a ministry like ours. The bills stay the same, but the donations drop off a little bit. These friends of ours, knowing this was coming, came to us and said: “We would like to provide matching funds, during the month of May, so that, hopefully, your listeners will take advantage of the matching gift. Together, we can provide you with a little bit of surplus as you head into these summer months and get you through the summer in good shape.”  We were very grateful for that matching gift which right now totals $576,000. That means every dollar you donate, this month, to FamilyLife Today is going to be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $576,000. And we're asking you to consider making as generous a donation as you can make today to help FamilyLife Today get through the summer. So, would you go to FamilyLifeToday.com—click the button that says, “I CARE” —and make an online donation? Or call 1-800-FL-TODAY; 1-800-358-6329; 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then, the word, “TODAY”. Make a donation over the phone. Keep in mind, your donation is going to be matched, dollar for dollar; and pray for us if you would, that we would be able to take full advantage of these matching-gift funds. Pray for us, through the summer, that we would continue to be financially healthy and strong as we go through June, and July, and August. And I want to encourage you to be back with us again tomorrow. Joni and Ken Tada are going to be here again. We're going to hear about some of the hard chapters that they've gone through in their marriage. I hope you can tune in tomorrow for that. I want to thank our engineer today, Robbie Neal, and our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. See you back tomorrow for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?  Copyright © 2013 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.www.FamilyLife.com    

An Untold Love Story (Part 1) - Ken and Joni TadaAn Untold Love Story (Part 2) - Ken and Joni TadaFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Sufficient Grace Guests:                      Ken and Joni Tada              From the series:       An Untold Love Story (Day 2 of 2)  Bob:  Joni Eareckson Tada remembers a time in her marriage to her husband Ken when both of them were starting to drift farther and farther apart. Joni:  I was fearful that I was making Ken depressed. My disability was depressing my husband. So, I would be very careful to take care of as many routines as I could possibly do before he came home from school so that I would not have to walk on eggshells and ask him to do anything for me because I knew that asking too much of Ken would plummet him into depression. For a long time, it was this strange tap dance that we both played. Bob:  This is FamilyLife Today for Friday, May 3rd. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. We'll hear today what Joni and Ken Tada did when they realized they were drifting apart in marriage. Stay with us. And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. I've been thinking about—I have a son who just proposed to his girlfriend. They're going to get married soon. I was thinking, “If I could sit them down with anybody, for a little premarital counseling—the couple that could give them the benefits of great experience and theological understanding— Dennis:  You really had thought of me. Bob:  Ah-h-h. You were on the list. [Laughter] Dennis:  I'm kidding you. I know who's in the studio, Bob. Bob:  You were underneath our guests today. Dennis:  Way underneath the guests. Bob:  I just thought, “Would it be okay if we got some premarital counseling for John and Katie from our guests?” Just let them—they've written this book. Tell them about the book that they've written. Dennis:  Well, this book is called Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. So they need to hear a love story—one that's gone 30 years, plus. Bob:  And that has gone through some rocky times. Dennis:  Some? Bob:  Yes. Joni:  A few. Dennis:  A few, no doubt about it. Bob:  I just thought, “I wonder what counsel they would give to a couple, just getting started, on the frontend of the journey?” Dennis:  Well, let's ask them. Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada join us again on FamilyLife Today. Ken, Joni, welcome back. Joni:  Absolutely. It's good to be back. Ken:  Thanks. Dennis:  I know Ken would like to teach your son how to fly— Joni:  Fly fish. Dennis: —fly fish. I don't know if Ken ties the flies. Ken:  Yes, but— Bob:  Would that help his marriage if he learned how to fly fish? Ken:  It could, but don't do it the first year. [Laughter] Joni:  But you know what I had Ken's best man tell me on our wedding day? He drew me aside and whispered in my ear, “Let your husband keep his dreams.” I didn't know what he meant, at the time; but of course, this whole fly fishing thing—about which we joke—it's really important, I think, for guys to have that space—to have those times of connection with other men.  Ken:  And Joni's been my biggest supporter, during that—the whole time—not that I abuse it—but she knows that I need to have time with guys. Joni:  Oh, yes! You know how you abuse it; don't you? Ken:  How? Joni:  We're driving down the freeway and he'll say: “Hey, there's a Jaguar that just drove by. Joni, can I have a Jaguar?” “No! Of course, not!” Then, of course, that sets me up for—“Oh, then, you'll give me the fishing reel.” [Laughter] Okay. I know what you're up to! Ken:  It took 30 years—but you start high and you aim lower [Laughter]—and asking for a brand-new Jaguar convertible—obviously, I'm not going that direction—but a new fly rod—that would be kind of cool! Dennis:  Yes, there you go. Let's go back to Bob's question here. Let's put it on the line, here. Let's go back to your honeymoon to talk about some of the most important lessons you started out your marriage learning. Ken:  Well, the one lesson we learned is—I think Joni and I have said before—but we had friends who told us to go out and experiment. We decided, “No.”— Dennis:  Move in with each other. Joni:  Pretty much. Ken:  Well, for the weekend. Joni:  Just to try it out for the weekend—for a couple of weekends. Dennis:  And the reason is— Ken:  Because you know, with a disability, it was a little bit different than perhaps with an able-bodied person. Joni:  Expediency. Ken:  And just to see whether or not it would fit. Joni: If this was going to work. Bob:  See, I hear that story. I just imagine, in my head, you guys going off for a weekend and then you going, “Oh, I guess it's not going to work.”  “What? Hello!” Ken:  Where's the commitment? Bob:  Yes. How do you break that news to somebody, “I'm out of here because this part doesn't work.” Well guess what? You may have seasons where that part of your relationship doesn't work— Ken:  Exactly. Joni:  Exactly. Bob: —and you'd better figure out how to love one another in the midst of those seasons! Joni:  Absolutely, which is why—even before we got engaged and even during our engagement—there was no experimenting. There was no testing: “Let's try this out. How's this going to fly?” We went into our marriage, with our conscience tender and intact, with no violation of our convictions. As Ken has often said, “Of course, it made our honeymoon a little like handicap-awareness week; [Laughter] but that was okay.” Dennis:  Well, let's talk about that for a second—what that was like—because you write about it in your book. I wouldn't ask this question if you hadn't put this in print; alright? Ken:  Oh, there's nothing we wouldn't discuss. I think we're pretty well open with everything. Joni:  I put it delicately in print, though, Dennis—as delicately as I could. Bob:  And we can stay delicate right here. [Laughter] Dennis:  That's the truth, but you're a quadriplegic—for those who don't know your story. You had an accident when you were 17 years old. You had a great fear, going into this marriage, that he was going to find out what it meant to care for someone who was so helpless. Joni:  Okay, well let's talk about the brass tacks. Ken and I went off on our honeymoon. We took two friends—two girlfriends of mine—who stayed at a different hotel, down the beach—but they would come up during the mornings and evenings and kind of like educate Ken on my routines—not to throw everything at him at once—but just to kind of get his feet wet: “This is what it means for Joni to get up in the morning: bed, bath, exercising her legs, and then those toileting routines.” Well, I had to do a particular toileting routine in the evening. I don't know how to say this. Ken had to help carry me to the bathroom. I didn't make it. When that happened—it's funny—I choke up, talking about it now, 30 years later. Yet, it's so long ago and far away—but I was the young girl. I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted my husband to have great illusions of me and: “This is going to be wonderful! Everything is so romantic!”   Yet, I remember that first night—lying in bed after the lights were out and all was quiet. I fought back the tears: “Oh, God! This man—You are going to have to give him grace. You're just going to have to. You have to give him grace because I don't know that even I have the grace. But help him through this, Lord. You can do this! Help him through this!”  It was a desperate cry of a very young bride, but I'm so glad God answered because things did not get easier in our ensuing life together. There were even greater challenges; but at every turn, I saw God's grace show up in my husband's life. That was huge, and that's growth. Dennis:  There are times, in every marriage, after the honeymoon—in fact, there are seasons that occur where you move into a bit of a valley. Obviously, your marriage started in one and has continued on in one—but you move into something where there is—you describe in your book as “negotiated spaces” and “demilitarized zones” in your relationship. You guys had a plateau. You kind of had the “Cease fire”— Joni:  Yes. Ken:  I think it was those middle years, where Joni was going to the ministry and I was teaching high school. Basically, we were living together but separate lives— parallel lives. Not that our marriage was bad—it's just I was occupied with what I was doing, as a high school teacher; and Joni was occupied in the ministry. We would travel during the summer. So, there were a lot of connections; but during those school days, I don't think we spent the kind of time that— Dennis:  You were teaching at the time. Ken:  I was teaching high school, yes. Joni:  And I was fearful that I was making Ken depressed. My disability was depressing my husband. So, I would be very careful to take care of as many routines as I could possibly do before he came home from school so that I would not have to walk on eggshells and ask him to do anything for me that might encroach on his emotions because I knew that asking too much of Ken would plummet him into depression.  For a long time, it was this strange tap dance that we both played—where we had to negotiate these spaces. But through it all—through it all—we both recognized we were doing this, and we didn't want to live this way. So, we prayed—prayed together and prayed separately— that God would help move us beyond this emotional fog that we were in to help us see the possibilities, in our marriage, that were ahead, on the horizon. Ken:  I think the other thing that happened during that time, Joni was—especially, this was earlier in our marriage—but because of your notoriety—people would recognize you when we were in public. One of the things that was really hard—that we look back on it now—was we'd go to church. There'd be a line of people, half an hour long, who would want to speak to you.  I was finding my—if I had a self-image problem, it was healed when I went to school because: “That was my classroom. Those were my students.” When I was in Burbank, those were people who recognized me—not that I needed it—but it was just that self-assurance, that affirmation that I was getting through what I was doing—that I think there was a balance there. Joni:  But to help move my husband past that: “Let's go to a different church. Let's get out of this big church. Let's go to some small, little church.” So, we started going to a small, very little church, just a few miles from our house. We stopped going to the big mega church, where everybody knew me, just trying to find ways, as a wife, to make it easier and finding that those negotiated spaces became smaller and smaller—to the point where we both were in it together. We weren't adversarial; we weren't on parallel tracks anymore. We were on the same track. It took a while to get there, but we did. Bob:  Did you feel invisible for a long period of time? Ken:  Boy, that's a great description of exactly what I was feeling. I mean, people would—we would stand in a crowd. I would stand next to Joni, and nobody would want to talk to me. Bob:  Yes. Ken:  But Joni has been so good about bringing me into the conversation. She would stop them and say: “I want to introduce you to my husband. He's standing right here.” She realized that, from that standpoint, that I needed that—at least, in those early years—that we were a couple. I think, over the years, it's gotten to the point where there are more people that recognize us as a couple. It hasn't been an issue. It actually has been kind of a benefit—that I think, for the both us—that we are recognized in a ministry for couples. Joni:  In those early years, when you were struggling with your self-image, those were the same times I was struggling with my self-image. I would hear him on the phone with all his buddies, talking about all kinds of things that he wouldn't talk about with me. I'd hear him hang up the phone, saying, “Love ya, Buddy.” It was like, “Ahh! Gee, I don't hear that tone of voice with me.” I remember being so— Dennis:  Now, wait a second— Joni:  No. I felt— Dennis:  —the Joni Eareckson Tada could have a pity party; really? Joni:  Oh, my goodness! In the early years of my marriage, when I would hear him on the phone with Jan or Pete, I'd be so jealous of his tone of voice with his guy friends. But okay, later on in the marriage, as we're praying—as I'm seeking God, “How can I get my husband out of depression?” Boing! This light bulb went off in my head. I realized he needs his guy friends. “Don't be jealous of them, Joni—” Bob:  Yes. Joni:  —“Put him in their camp.” So, I began encouraging Ken: “You know, your buddy Jan has been asking you to go fly fishing. Please, really, why don't you go fly fishing? Get away from the tuna boats—you gaff tuna, blood on the decks—guys with big bellies and cans of beer, cursing, and profanity—get away from that. Go fly fishing. It's more refined. You're going to enjoy it.”  I was the one who kind of pushed him—not so much because I wanted to get him away from the tuna boats—but I knew, that if he was with his Christian guy friends, that it would be invigorating—that he would get a validation, as a man, from other men that would help him and help our marriage. I think that was one of the best moves I made to help you up and out of your depression. Ken:  Joni was the instrumental tool for getting me into fly fishing. I really didn't, at the time, want to go fly fishing. I didn't want another sport; but she said, “No, you ought to go.” More than the fly fishing, I have a friend—we have a ministry to men. We use fly fishing as kind of like— Bob:  The bait. Ken:  —the bait; exactly. It gives guys a chance to get their hearts back. Bob:  Yes. Ken:  We talk about all kinds of things. We use John Eldredge's book, Wild at Heart, but— Joni:  But you got your heart back. Ken:  —but I got my heart back. Joni is a big supporter of what I do there, but one of the things that happened was—a little exercise that we had was go out and try to hear what God had to say to us. The first time I did this, I didn't hear a thing. Two years later—I can tell you exactly where I was—on a fly fishing trip. A gentleman said, “Take this afternoon and go out and try to hear God's voice.” That afternoon, I heard God say to me—not in an audible voice—but I heard Him say, “Joni is the most important gift I've given you. You take care of her.” Dennis:  And in your book, you talk about when he came back from that trip. You saw it in his eyes.  Joni:  Oh, my goodness! He stood in the bedroom and said, “Joni, you're never going to believe what God said to me.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. rocked back and forth on his heels, and said, “God said that you're the most precious gift, and I'm to take care of you, and I'm going to do it.” It was like a breath of fresh air had just blown through our bedroom. It was like the fog of depression is lifting—I can see the sun, the clouds. There's hope. My husband likes me! He wants to take care of me, for the sake of Christ. I began to see all my prayers answered or, at least, beginning to get answers.  And now—even back then—when his buddies call the house, and I get them on the phone, before I hand it over to Ken: “Jan, God bless you. Sir, I don't know what you're doing in my husband's life. Keep it up. I know you're memorizing Scripture. I know you're doing some new Jerry Bridges Bible study together on the phone. Keep it up! I love it. You're going in the right direction.” I'm thanking Pete, I'm thanking Chris, and I'm thanking Jan—all these guys—that I used to be jealous of—they're the best because they help my husband be the man that he can be. Dennis:  And that story occurred—what I want our listeners to hear—21 years into your marriage.  Bob:  And the next time you go out with Pete, and Jan, and Chris, we've got a resource for you to take with you—a Bible study for guys called Stepping Up™, based on Dennis's book by that title. It's a video resource, and it'll spark some great discussion with you and the guys. Okay? Ken:  Great. Thank you, Bob. Dennis:  One last story. Joni, this one's for you. You battled cancer. You went through chemotherapy. In the process of going through that, fell prey to pneumonia. You had a moment, in the midst of that, that was pretty grim. You had your own encounter when God spoke to you. Would you share with our listeners that story? I think that is incredibly powerful. Joni:  Well, as a quadriplegic, I'm susceptible to things like pneumonia. I have extremely limited lung capacity. I had to be in the hospital for nine or ten days. My husband, bless his heart, made a little cot, out of a couple of plastic chairs. He slept by my bedside. Instead of me having to be intubated, Ken got up every night—would cough me—pound on my chest. One night, I was so exhausted. I had so flattened out, emotionally. I was crying out to God. I had no physical ability. My lungs were gurgling. I could hardly breathe. I felt like I was drowning. I just didn't want to have to get my husband up another time. I remember saying, “Lord Jesus, I need You. I need to see You tonight. I just need to feel Your touch. I need to feel Your hand on my head. I need You!”  I fell into a sleep. Then, when I woke up, with the gurgling and needed to be coughed again, Ken came over to my hospital bedside. As he began to lift me up, I looked at him, wide-eyed, and I said, “You're Him! Oh my goodness, you're Him!” Jesus visited me, that night, through my husband. I felt his hand on my forehead, and it was the touch of Jesus. I felt him push on my abdomen, and it was the strength of Jesus. I felt him pound on my back to give me air, and it was Jesus, the Breath of Life. Everything about my husband was Jesus. I said to Ken, “You're Him! Jesus showed up and you're Him!” It was such a beautiful revelation of how God can answer prayer—the prayers that are desperate and show up best through them. That was a beautiful moment. You know, we've talked a lot about cancer. We've talked a lot about quadriplegia. I'm going to confess to you those things are a cinch compared to the daily grind of pain that I deal with. Through my PET scans—a couple more years, maybe—I'll be declared cancer-free. Things are looking hopeful. My quadriplegia—I kind of know that route. But boy, the daily grind of pain is so hard. My husband, a couple of weeks ago, did a beautiful thing. Before he saw me head out the door, he could see the look in my eyes that I was going to have a very painful day. He said: “Wait a minute. Wait a minute.” He quick ran and got a stick-um, and etched on it a big “C”, and put it over my heart—slapped it right over my heart. He said: “There you go, Joni. You've got courage, and you're going to rise to that challenge.”  I think what I love best about my husband is that he can find the infinitesimally small Christ-like characteristics in my life—he can find them, pick them out, and affirm them. He can water them and nurture them with actions such as he did with that stick-um on my chest. He believes that I can be courageous. I don't want to disappoint my wonderful husband. I want to be courageous, in Christ, for his sake and for the sake of the Gospel. That is, honestly, how I get through the toughest days of my pain. Dennis:  You both are courageous. Recently, I did a little Bible study in Joshua 1—three places where courage comes from: God's mission, being obedient to God's Word, and third, practicing His presence. As I'm watching your lives, as a couple, you're on mission. You're on task, as a couple. You're about the glory of God and running the race to finish it well. Secondly, you've both been obedient. You've kept your covenant. You're not only still married—you love each other. And third, you're practicing the presence of God, whether it be fly fishing or whether it be flat on your bed, in a hospital room, battling pneumonia. You're experiencing the presence of God, and you're bringing a lot of hope to a lot of people. May God's favor be upon this book and you guys, as you go forward. Joni:  Thank you, Dennis. Ken:  Thank you, Dennis and Bob. Bob:  We love you guys and hope folks will get a copy of your book. It's called Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. Thirty years of marriage—as you guys peel back the veneer and show us what real marriage is all about. I hope listeners will go online at FamilyLifeToday.com to order a copy. Again, the website is FamilyLifeToday.com. Or you can call to request a copy of the book, Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. Call 1-800-358-6329; that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then, the word, “TODAY”. Don't forget the title of the book—Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. We'd love to get a copy to you. Now, I know most of you are excited that summer is almost here—got graduations happening this month and all kinds of activities during the month of May—and then, it's summertime, just around the corner. I love summertime, too. I love vacations. I love the break you get. I love the warmer weather. But for a ministry, like FamilyLife Today, summer can be a challenging time because a lot of listeners get out of the normal pattern of listening and out of the normal pattern of helping to support the radio program. Donations to the ministry fall off a little bit during the summer. We had some friends, of the ministry, who came to us, knowing that that happens every summer. They said, “We'd like to help you guys build a little surplus—a cushion before June, and July, and August hit.” They have put together a matching-gift fund of $576,000. They have said, “We'll match every donation you receive, between now and the end of May, dollar for dollar, until that fund is gone.”  We appreciate their generosity; but obviously, the only way we can take advantage of their generosity is if listeners, like you, will go to FamilyLifeToday.com, click the button that says, “I CARE”, and make an online donation. Or call 1-800-FL-TODAY. Make a donation over the phone. When you do that, your donation will be matched, dollar for dollar, with funds from the matching-gift fund. You will help us get ready for the summer months ahead. So, can we ask you to do that? Go to FamilyLifeToday.com. Click the button that says, “I CARE”, and make a donation; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY. Make a donation over the phone. We appreciate your support, and we are always happy to hear from you. And we hope you have a great weekend. Hope you and your family are able to worship together this weekend. I hope you can join us back on Monday when we're going to talk with Laura Petherbridge about some of the challenges that step-moms face. Ron Deal will be here with us, as well. I hope it works out for you to be here. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, and our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. Have a great weekend. We will see you back Monday for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?  Copyright © 2013 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.www.FamilyLife.com    

Joni joins us to share with us on how becoming a quadriplegic through a diving accident and enduring suffering in community brought her into a meaningful relationship with Christ.

Joni Tada asked the Lord to set her free from her confinement to a wheelchair. Instead of answering that prayer, He gave her a different kind of freedom.

Joni Tada asked the Lord to set her free from her confinement to a wheelchair. Instead of answering that prayer, He gave her a different kind of freedom.

Our special guest is Joni Eareckson Tada, the Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, an international advocate for people with disabilities. A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. Visit her website at www.joniandfriends.org During her rehabilitation, Joni spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth. Her high-detail fine art paintings and prints are sought-after and collected. Her best-selling autobiography Joni and the feature film of the same name have been translated into many languages, introducing her to people around the world. Mrs. Tada has also visited more than 47 countries, several many times. Mrs. Tada has served on the National Council on Disability and on the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department. She has served as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and serves in an advisory capacity to the American Leprosy Mission, the National Institute on Learning Disabilities, Christian Blind Mission International, as well as on the Board of Reference for the Christian Medical and Dental Society. Joni Tada currently serves on the Young Life Capernaum Board. After being the first woman honored by the National Association of Evangelicals as its “Layperson of the Year” in 1986, Joni was named “Churchwoman of the Year” in 1993 by the Religious Heritage Foundation. She has received numerous other awards and honors, including the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award; The Courage Award from the Courage Rehabilitation Center; The Award of Excellence from the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center; The Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and The Golden Word Award from the International Bible Society. Joni has been awarded several honorary degrees, including: Bachelor of Letters from Western Maryland College; Doctor of Humanities from Gordon College; Doctor of Humane Letters from Columbia International University, the first bestowed in its 75-year history; Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary; Doctor of Divinity from Lancaster Bible College; a Doctor of Humanitarian Services from California Baptist University; and in 2009, a Doctor of Humane Letters by Indiana Wesleyan University. She was also inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University’s Society of World Changers. Joni has written over 50 books and is a regular columnist in several magazines. She was inducted into the Christian Booksellers’ Association’s Hall of Honor in 1995 and received the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Joni’s works cover topics ranging from disability outreach to understanding the goodness of God and the problem of suffering. Her books include: A Christmas Longing, depicting her best-loved Christmas paintings, and Life and Death Dilemma, addressing the complex issues surrounding physician-assisted suicide. The mystery of suffering is systematically examined in When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty, a book written with Steve Estes in 1997 which won ECPA’s Gold Medallion Award. In 2003, Joni wrote her memoir The God I Love, chronicling a lifetime walking with Jesus. In 2011, A Place of Healing was released, recounting her journey through physical pain and addressing questions concerning prayers for healing. After battling stage III breast cancer in 2010, Joni wrote Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: Life after Shock, released in the fall of 2012. Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story was released in 2013. Joni’s book detailing her latest health challenges, Beside Bethesda: 31 Days Toward Deeper Healing, was released in 2014. In October 2016, her new daily devotional,

Arguably the world’s most poignant speaker and author on the topic of God’s provision in suffering and disability, Joni Eareckson-Tada has inspired, challenged, and strengthened the faith of uncounted millions. By her side, stands Ken Tada, her husband, friend, confidant, and caregiver for 35 years. The two of them joined me for a special interview where they shared personal moments, insights, and the quiet dignity and wisdom that continues to define this extraordinary couple.  

I. vv35-41 Analogies from Botany, Zoology, Astronomy II. vv42-49 Explanation: Raised Imperishable, In Glory, In Power, Spiritual, Heavenly III. Application: 1) Don't be a fool. 2) Don't fear. 3) Don't be short-sighted