Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a special announcement!
I am a big fan of Mike Huckabee. I love the natural way he expresses his faith in Christ; I appreciate his view on most political issues; and Ken and I really enjoy watching his program on Fox News every weekend. And that’s why my husband and I were so honored to be interviewed recently on the Mike Huckabee program—and guess what?! It’ll be aired Thanksgiving weekend—that’s this weekend.
We flew to New York to do the taping and, of course, it was a lot of fun to see the Huckabee set and meet the studio audience beforehand. There were two of his producers standing there, a couple of other guests, some staff people … and right before the taping, well I just thought we should take a moment to pray not only with the Governor, but for him. I asked one of his producers if that would be okay, and she shrugged her shoulders and said, “Sure!” So we gathered a small circle, and Ken and I lifted up before the Lord this dear man, asking for protection and wisdom. We especially asked that God would increase His favor and influence in the media and in politics. There aren’t many Christian men who are as articulate as Mike Huckabee when it comes to expressing Christ-centered values and a biblical worldview for these challenging times—but the Governor certainly is!
During the interview, Huckabee asked Ken and I about our marriage, about my battle against cancer, and about the ministry of Joni and Friends. And what was neat is that he gave copies of my booklet on breast cancer to everyone in the studio audience! Oh, and by the way, if you know someone who’s dealing with cancer, then visit joniandfriends.org and find out more—all this to say, I was able to talk so freely about my faith in Christ. And the Mike Huckabee Show is such an easy place to talk about the Lord, which is amazing, because it is one of the most popular shows on the most popular cable news network. So thank you, Mr. Huckabee, for giving me the opportunity to share how the Lord Jesus and His amazing grace sustains me in this wheelchair each and every day, whether through cancer or chronic pain or quadriplegia.
Psalm 40, verses 9-10 say, “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” I think that’s what you’ll see this weekend when you watch the Mike Huckabee Show on Fox News. And I think it’s very telling that the producers decided to schedule our interview on Thanksgiving weekend. Because no matter what disables you—whether you are handicapped by a difficult job, a marriage, or whether you feel crippled or limited by other life circumstances—we have so much to be thankful for. The wonderful grace of Jesus gives us the strength to persevere through every painful trial; and as we do, we are able to speak of God's faithfulness and salvation, just like it says in Psalm 40.
So I'll see you on Fox News this weekend; and again, if you’d like information about the booklet I wrote on breast cancer, then visit joniandfriends.org and learn about that and our other resources on cancer. Finally, join me in praying for Mike Huckabee, that the Lord will protect him and use him mightily to pave the way for revival across our great nation.
By the way, I would love to hear what you are praying about for 2013, or a favorite Bible verse that you are memorizing for the New Year; tell me about it. Just go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org, or you can just write me at Joni and Friends, PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376.
© Joni and Friends, 2012
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376