A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada

A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada with Larry Libby ISBN-13: 9780310346777 Hardback: 400 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: Oct. 4, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Do you ever wonder why God created you? The Bible spells it out plainly: God created you to showcase His glory—to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those you encounter.

After nearly 50 years of living as a quadriplegic, and dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis, Joni has learned firsthand the importance of glorifying God through the toughest of situations. Through this devotional, Joni will help you discover how to put God's glory on display—how to say no to complaining and say yes to daily following God down even the most difficult paths. Along the way, you will find great comfort and encouragement by focusing on the one who longs to lead and guide you every step of the way, every day.

Don't ever think your life is too ordinary, your world too small, or your work too insignificant. All of it is a stage set for you to glorify God.


My Review:
A Spectacle of Glory is a year-long devotional with a theme of glorifying God in every situation. Each day started with a verse reference followed by a short devotion that usually quoted that verse and ended with a prayer. The devotions generally focused on better understanding the verse and how it relates to our walk with God.

The devotions often contained the theme of how we respond to difficult situations (like health problems, financial worries, etc). Short devotions generally can't develop an idea very far, but these devotions were fairly good. They emphasized keeping our focus on Jesus, the gift of our salvation, and heaven rather than our problems.

I'm not sure I agree with some of the author's theology of suffering, but it's made me dig into the Bible to further study the topic. Perhaps people with chronic suffering (from disability or health issues) might find more comfort and encouragement in it as that's the author's perspective. Since it seemed to focus on what a suffering person should ideally be doing and feeling, it sometimes made me feel bad that I'm still confused and discouraged by my suffering and current limitations.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Beyond Suffering Bible NLT by Joni and Friends Inc

Beyond Suffering Bible NLT by Joni and Friends Inc ISBN-13: 9781414392028 Hardback: 1696 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: Oct. 15, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
There is hardly a person who doesn't know someone dealing with a disability, disease, chronic illness, or other form of personal suffering. The Beyond Suffering Bible is the first study Bible to directly address those who suffer and the people who love and care for them.

From bestselling author, singer, and radio host Joni Eareckson Tada and the experts at Joni and Friends Christian Institute on Disability, the Beyond Suffering Bible is filled with thousands of notes and features that invite readers into a conversation about suffering and its place in each person's life. Each feature has been carefully created to provide readers with valuable information, meaningful encouragement, and challenging applications as they encounter God's Word.


My Review:
Beyond Suffering Bible NLT is a New Living Translation (2015 version) Study Bible. In this paperback version, the pages are so thin that you can see the print on opposite side of the page. This made the Bible text a bit difficult to read, and I doubt you could use highlighters on these pages.

It contains the things you'd expect in a study Bible: reading plans, a topical index, a dictionary/concordance of Bible terms, maps, and footnotes. It also has features targeted at people with disabilities and/or chronic health issues and at their caretakers. It's "for people who want to understand what it looks like to think and live like a Christian in the midst of suffering."

There are some essays by Joni and others about suffering and disabilities from a Christian viewpoint. The book introductions give the normal information about each book of the Bible but also point out the themes in that book relating to disabilities and suffering. There are brief commentary notes ("Connection Points") that also expand on verses relating to these themes.

There are page-long profiles and devotions. The profiles look at Biblical (and some modern) people who suffered and how they responded. The devotions often use modern people in their examples, and they expand even further on verses relating to disabilities and suffering. Some of the devotions are by Joni Eareckson Tada, and she talks about her struggles and insights.

I've recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, so I hoped that this Bible would help me with some of the issues I'm now facing. I believe that people with disabilities or chronic diseases will find comfort and insights in the essays, profiles, and devotions. But I also think that it can be difficult to convey to others how different people have found hope and strength, perhaps because everyone's faith journey is a little different.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.