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Glorious Intruder: God's Presence in Life's Chaos
A guide to Christian life covers waiting, praise, obedience, trust, suffering, perseverance, and God's assurance.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
85 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books551 followersJoni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 1, 2022
One of my favorite devotional books. I return to it often for edification, enrichment, and encouragement.
November 6, 2024
I pulled this book off of my shelf during a very challenging time in my life (2023) not knowing what it was about. God knew what I needed in that moment and I am so thankful. I love Joni and her beautiful testimony of God’s goodness.
Favorite quotes:
Even as a baby, the Lord Jesus had a mission. Before He could even speak, His life was a message. His birth, in many ways, was a sermon. From the very beginning He was demonstrating the extent to which divine love would reach.
This is the High Priest to whom we give our praises— during the Christmas season and all year long. This is the One we adore and to whom we sing our thanksgivings. We have a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.
On one of those moonlight rides, I remember my father telling us about the relationship between the moon and the sun.
He explained how the sun—in all its glory and greatness-was the source of our world's light. And though the sun was on the other side of the earth and out of sight, the moon, devoid of any brightness of its own, reflected the light of the sun. Like a mirror, the moon was in the right place at the right time the best position to reflect the brightness of the sun.
Daddy went on to tell us that we as Christians relate to our Lord much like the moon relates to the sun. If we're lined up in His will, we are in the best position to reflect the glory of the Son, Jesus Christ. For that matter, like the moon, we can only reflect His light. We have no real goodness, no real virtue, apart from our Lord. He is the Source of it all and the best we can do is get in a right relationship to Him so that we can be His light here on earth.
Not everyone could be trusted with what you're wrestling with today, but you have been so trusted. Find meaning and joy as you draw on His resources... and persevere.
God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your
"thorn" uncomplainingly—that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak—is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace. The healing of your sinful person thus goes forward, even though the healing of your mortal body does not. And the healing of persons is the name of the game so far as God is concerned. 6
In a child, an animal, a flower, or a tree, lack of growth signals a problem. A healthy life will always show itself by progress and increase. Anything else begins to look like death.
So how can you tell if you're growing? Ask yourself a few simple, direct questions.
Is my sense of sin becoming deeper?
Is my hope brighter?
Is my love more extensive?
Is my spiritual discernment more clear?
Is my faith stronger?
Favorite quotes:
Even as a baby, the Lord Jesus had a mission. Before He could even speak, His life was a message. His birth, in many ways, was a sermon. From the very beginning He was demonstrating the extent to which divine love would reach.
This is the High Priest to whom we give our praises— during the Christmas season and all year long. This is the One we adore and to whom we sing our thanksgivings. We have a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.
On one of those moonlight rides, I remember my father telling us about the relationship between the moon and the sun.
He explained how the sun—in all its glory and greatness-was the source of our world's light. And though the sun was on the other side of the earth and out of sight, the moon, devoid of any brightness of its own, reflected the light of the sun. Like a mirror, the moon was in the right place at the right time the best position to reflect the brightness of the sun.
Daddy went on to tell us that we as Christians relate to our Lord much like the moon relates to the sun. If we're lined up in His will, we are in the best position to reflect the glory of the Son, Jesus Christ. For that matter, like the moon, we can only reflect His light. We have no real goodness, no real virtue, apart from our Lord. He is the Source of it all and the best we can do is get in a right relationship to Him so that we can be His light here on earth.
Not everyone could be trusted with what you're wrestling with today, but you have been so trusted. Find meaning and joy as you draw on His resources... and persevere.
God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your
"thorn" uncomplainingly—that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak—is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace. The healing of your sinful person thus goes forward, even though the healing of your mortal body does not. And the healing of persons is the name of the game so far as God is concerned. 6
In a child, an animal, a flower, or a tree, lack of growth signals a problem. A healthy life will always show itself by progress and increase. Anything else begins to look like death.
So how can you tell if you're growing? Ask yourself a few simple, direct questions.
Is my sense of sin becoming deeper?
Is my hope brighter?
Is my love more extensive?
Is my spiritual discernment more clear?
Is my faith stronger?
November 30, 2008
Joni is an amazing person, and whenever I need an attitude adjustment, reading one of her books will do it for me! I liked page 54-55 where she talks about letting your life overflow. She quotes Rom. 15:13 & I Thess. 3:12. Then makes this statement: "If you want to make an impact for Christ then let God fill you with His joy and peace as you trust Him. He'll fill that cup of yours to the brim, and then pour in more. And over it goes, right over the edges of your soul. Your love will stream out in all directions. Your joy will cascade like an artesian well, soaking into the thirsty ground of the discouraged and cynical lives around you."
And P. 229, "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full" (Jn. 10:10). The life He's talking about, of course, is His life, flowing in and through you. This is life that bubbles up and spills over the rim. More than you ever expected or could possibly contain. This is the very life of God. We are participators in the divine nature. It is the best life that can be."
P. 242-243 "Right from the beginning of His journey on earth, the Lord Jesus sympathized with our weaknesses. He entered history in a smelly stable with a handful of hay for a pillow. The first fragrance to fill his nostrils was musty straw and animal manure. Maybe God planned it that way to make a point. That in weakness there is strength, in poverty, riches, In humiliation, dignity. This is the High Priest to whom we give our praises - during the Christmas season and all year long. We have a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16)."
And P. 229, "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full" (Jn. 10:10). The life He's talking about, of course, is His life, flowing in and through you. This is life that bubbles up and spills over the rim. More than you ever expected or could possibly contain. This is the very life of God. We are participators in the divine nature. It is the best life that can be."
P. 242-243 "Right from the beginning of His journey on earth, the Lord Jesus sympathized with our weaknesses. He entered history in a smelly stable with a handful of hay for a pillow. The first fragrance to fill his nostrils was musty straw and animal manure. Maybe God planned it that way to make a point. That in weakness there is strength, in poverty, riches, In humiliation, dignity. This is the High Priest to whom we give our praises - during the Christmas season and all year long. We have a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16)."
Read
February 27, 2011In ten groupings of devotional insights (total of 90 insights), Joni shows how God's constant presence can bring peace, perspective, and healing into the puzzling and chaotic circumstances of your life. Each insight was only two pages long, so it is a perfect book to use in daily devotions for 90 days.
January 14, 2008
I read this book right after it was available. God bumped His way into her life and mine in similar ways yet different. She spoke to my soul. God will "intrude" where and when you need it! I love Joni's books!
December 11, 2008
An intimate look at how Jesus enters our lives, sometimes in difficult ways, in order to heal us and shape us into beings who mirror His beauty and grace.
August 11, 2022
An amazing devotional book written by my favorite Christian author and Christian hero.
December 12, 2018
A thoughtful collection of devotionals from Joni Eareckson Tada, dealing with God's mysterious and disruptive ways of working in our lives. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. This is a recurring theme in these devotionals.
Generally sound, there are a couple of points where I demurred from Tada's take on a passage or point, but overall very helpful and valuable.
Generally sound, there are a couple of points where I demurred from Tada's take on a passage or point, but overall very helpful and valuable.
December 15, 2024
a wonderful experience of being present with Christ through Joni writing
a wonderful experience of being present with Christ through Joni writing who is an outstanding writer in that she relates very well her own Experiences.
a wonderful experience of being present with Christ through Joni writing who is an outstanding writer in that she relates very well her own Experiences.
July 7, 2017
Joni is such an inspiration. This book is special like her. If you need encouragement this is a must to read!!!
Read
November 8, 2019lots of good stuff on dealing with pain and suffering
May 29, 2020
Filled with deep thoughts, this is a book to read slowly. More of a devotional as each two to three page spread can stand on its own. I am thankful for Joni's life and ministry, so much to glean.
February 12, 2021
I LOVED this book! I highly recommend it! If you really want to learn more about trusting and depending on God this is the book!! Kyle, perfect for the women who did the last Bible study!!
April 8, 2024
I like Joni's devotionals very much. I did delete one star in my rating because of an anti-Catholic reference.
June 4, 2024
Excellent
May 1, 2013
Words fail me regarding this book. It is one of the best books I have ever read, particularly regarding the subject of suffering and how we should respond to it. God really used this book to help me during the hard times, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The sections titled 'What Can You Bear?' and 'But What About Him?' were particularly challenging to me. Definately read it!
August 14, 2013
Joni has a gift for hitting the refresh button on passages of scripture. With each devotion, she gives new life to the topics of obedience, suffering and more. Since each section is about two pages, it provides a great spiritual snack!
May 20, 2014
This is an outstanding book! Though it deals with being handicapped I found it really applied to my life as a missionary on a difficult field. This book really challenged and helped me. Highly recommended!
October 9, 2012
I must read this again as I can't remember much about it.
February 2, 2016
Thought-filled morning devotion!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews