A Step Further [Paperback]

Joni Eareckson Tada (Author), Steve Estes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1980

Personal answers to the difficult 'whys' of suffering. New 16-page photo section and illustrations by Joni. Originally published in 1978, A Step Further is Joni Eareckson Tada's response to thousands of letters she received from people puzzled about the 'whys' of suffering. Joni answers these questions by taking a personal look at how God has used circumstances, people, and events in her own life and the lives of others. A Step Further has been used by individuals, in hospitals and rehab centers, and in scores of countries overseas to bring comfort and peace to those who are suffering. It is available in over 30 different languages. New 16-page photo section.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Personal answers to the difficult "whys" of suffering. New 16-page photo section and illustrations by Joni.

Originally published in 1978, A Step Further is Joni Eareckson Tada's response to thousands of letters she received from people puzzled about the "whys" of suffering. Joni answers these questions by taking a personal look at how God has used circumstances, people, and events in her own life and the lives of others. A Step Further has been used by individuals, in hospitals and rehab centers, and in scores of countries overseas to bring comfort and peace to those who are suffering. It is available in over 30 different languages. New 16-page photo section.

About the Author

Joni Eareckson Tada is the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization accelerating Christian outreach in the disability community that numbers 610 million people worldwide. This organization operates out of the new Joni and Friends International Disability Center located in Agoura Hills, California. Joni is not only an international disability advocate but an artist and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Pearls of Great Price, Diamonds in the Dust, More Precious Than Silver, the Platinum award-winning Joni, Heaven: Your Real Home, When God Weeps, and The God I Love. SPANISH BIO: Joni Eareckson Tada es el fundadora del Centro Internacional de Discapacidad Joni y sus amigos, una organizacion con sede en California que promueve el alcance cristiano en la comunidad de discapacitados a nivel mundial (www.joniandfriends.org). En 1967, un accidente durante un salto de clavado dejo cuadriplegica a Joni, pero los anos no fueron desaprovechados. Su siempre profundo amor por la Palabra de Dios ha generado mas de treinta y cinco libros, incluyendo sus exitosos devocionales, Diamantes en el polvo y Mas precioso que la plata. Joni y su esposo, Ken, han estado casados durante veinticuatro anos y tienen su hogar en Calabasas, California.

Steven Estes holds Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary and Columbia Bible College. He is the senior pastor of Community Evangelical Church in Elverson, Pennsylvania. With Joni Tada, he co-authored A Step Further and When God Weeps and also wrote Called to Die, the biography of slain missionary linguist Chet Bitterman.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Revised edition (April 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310239710
• ISBN-13: 978-0310239710
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joni Eareckson Tada is the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization accelerating Christian outreach in the disability community that numbers 610 million people worldwide. This organization operates out of the new Joni and Friends International Disability Center located in Agoura Hills, California. Joni is not only an international disability advocate but an artist and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Pearls of Great Price, Diamonds in the Dust, More Precious Than Silver, the Platinum award-winning Joni, Heaven: Your Real Home, When God Weeps, and The God I Love.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God speaks to the heart through Joni, October 30, 2003

By 

esurra (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Step Further (Paperback)

I decided to write a review on this book because no one has yet and someone should let you know what a treasure it is. Although it has been years since I read it, this book has meant the most to me of all the books on my Christian bookshelves (except the Bible of course). Joni's experience of suffering paralysis after a tragic diving accident at age 17 has given her a unique perspective on suffering. It speaks to God's ability to see us through anything. I read it during a season of suffering, depression, anger and questioning. Joni speaks deep truths from the Lord that resonate within your spirit and help you to find peace in Christ. She helped me believe that God loves me and I learned to accept the difficult circumstances God was taking me through. Notice I said "through," Joni has been through the valleys, where there are no easy answers, and has come out victorious on the other side. One of the most beautiful aspects of Joni's book is how clearly her joy and hope shine through what could have been a life of darkness in her wheelchair.

I encourage you to read it if you need this peace, hope and joy. I often give it to friends in troubled times.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real encouragement to me!, March 17, 2007

By 

Michigan Mom (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Step Further: Growing Closer to God Through Hurt and Friendship (Paperback)

Joni has experienced hardship first hand, and she understands (and acknowledges) the hurt that we feel as children of God. This book really impressed upon me that we cannot see God's provision or glory if our lives are moving along without any problems. God uses the hard times in our life to get our attention and to reveal Himself in a more personal, powerful way. This book really helped me deal with emotions related to my cancer -- Joni does not promise a happy ending (in our definition) to all of life's problems, but she does point out that nothing happens outside of God's control or love. She is believable because she has experienced this herself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOLID THOUGHTS ON GOD AND SUFFERING, January 14, 2010

By 

Betty L. Sheldon "Betty L. Sheldon, author of... (Coarsegold, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Step Further (Paperback)

Ever wonder why suffering? Most of us have. Ever feel like you are all alone with your pain, so who benefits by it? Joni Eareckson Tada speaks from the bitter struggles of her own wrestlings with God over her paralysis from a diving accident at age 17.

At one point in her struggles, she decided to ask for an annointing service, fully expecting to be completely healed. It didn't happen. More wrestling with God followed until Joni discovered that she was caught in a cosmic conflict. Either she could sign off on God or she could trust Him in spite of her pain and hopeless condition. She turned to the book of Job in the Bible and found there one possible reason for her pain. Choosing to trust God makes all the difference in her life.

Since I've suffered many years with chronic Lyme Disease, I can identify with Joni. Yet, there are times when I wonder who this trial is benefiting. Many times I've felt like an island of misery, handicapped by my disease, but Joni's account of her own struggles gave me a lot of comfort! I especially liked when a friend told her that there were many others watching her even though she could not see them--the good and evil angels. Her life and how she managed to cling to God in spite of seeming uselessness sent a clear message: God's grace is sufficient for any trial.

Indeed, Joni's life continues to be a great inspiration to others whether their pain is physical or emotional.

A STEP FURTHER, by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes will always be a classic reread.

Betty L. Sheldon, author of OMNIPIECE