Never before have I been so convinced that faith is not just a set of doctrines to believe in. It is a life lived. It’s how you live what happens to you. Joni Woelfel’s story sings of a resilient faith that has been lifted out of the bitter-sweet dance of life. Here is a woman whose courageous and passionate spirit has enabled her to step over the edge of greatness. She knows how to walk on water because she has kept her eyes on the One who created the waters. Read this book and be blessed. –from back cover by Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, author and retreat guide.
Joni Woelfel is fast becoming the ‘canary in the mine’ for the human race. Her excruciatingly sensitive insights into the human experience absolutely sing, even as she provides an early warning system for our worst fears. She is truly on the edge of greatness. –from back cover by Gregory F.A. Pierce, author of Spirituality @ Work, publisher of Acta Publications.
I absolutely love your book. You are so talented---I love how you write. Thank you for writing this book. It will help many, many people. It is inspirit and practical. It is real and challenging. I really like the He Said/She Said commentaries, too. (By Joseph and Sheila Biernat.) I think this will be a big seller. –Adolfo Quezada, therapist, author of Heart Peace, Loving Yourself for God’s Sake, Rising Through the Ashes, Sabbath Moments.
I can’t put it down! I love the format and the exercises at the end of each chapter. This book is truly inspired. This book is the best one yet! Thank you for sharing so much of your self and your triumphs through your craft… -Dee Frye, Place of Light facilitator, story teller and colleague.
…ordered 25 copies to give. You are unbelievable…so proud and admire your wisdom… we want to buy your next book too. –Sr. Ave Clark, Heart to Heart Ministry, author of Lights in the Darkness.
I am in awe of what you accomplished. Your words are always soothing, touching the core of every heart. It is unbelievable how you wrote all through your separation, move, and general upset in your life. The Holy Spirit was definitely with you. I am in awe of the research you did for the book. You quoted so many books and favorite authors---no small task. Also, the scripture quotes added a beautiful touch to each chapter---all 30 chapters. My book is underlined like crazy---so many powerful, empowering thoughts.
Your friends, Sheila and Joe shared heartwarming stories/and the valiant battle they have survived. I love your sense of nature, your warm family ties, (I loved the mother-in-law chapter), your rich spiritual heart. The revelation of your 31 year marriage falling apart/and reconciliation is so inspiring and hopeful for so many. Best of all, I love your prayers. Talk about surprise endings---you have touched so many with your journey, showing them that you can survive--- including your heartbroken times following Mic’s death. Anyone reading The Edge of Greatness will be blessed with the encouragement to move forward, the desire to be prayerful, and the inspiration to listen to nature. I am giving your book for all my Christmas presents! -Elaine Stillwell, author of The Death of a Child, Bereavement Coordinator for Ministry to Families of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
-Joni’s latest book is another of her collections of short essays, several of which were previously printed in CWN, NCR and ACTA. Her 30 essays are divided into 1)Living as a Voice, 2)Living the Journey of Faith, 3)Living the Truth. Each essay has a Work Book page which contains Discussion or Journal questions, Goal, Task, Prayer Image and Affirmation Statement. As a reader of Joni’s columns you know the melody of her writing, her expansive use of description, her tender emotions and her ability to make one stop and wipe away a tear. This is a great book for bedtime reading or small group discussion material. She has truly touched our hearts with her stories. –Arlene Goetz, editor of Catholic Women’s Network.
-As Joni states at the end of the book, "While the journey for each of us is unique and we can’t know ahead of time what joys, trials, ascents and descents the road will pass through, one thing we can know for certain is that living on the edge of greatness is not a place or a destination---but rather a state of being." I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed it---the stories, the quotes, the Bible verses and how they all tied together to give me a better understanding. If you are at a crossroads in your life, this book will help guide you, giving you meditations for life. And even if you’re not, it is a book worth reading. –Excerpt from Krista Daniels, Managing Editor of The Wabasso Standard.
Once again we appreciate your skill as a writer who combines personal story with deep faith. Thank you again for giving so generously of your time and experience for readers of Faith @ Work. –Marjory Zoet Bankson, Editor of Faith @ Work.
Yesterday I received your beautiful new book in the mail! You always pick the perfect cover to express the meaning of the book. I put up flyers all over church… – Ann Poplawski, colleague and writer in the book.
Thanks, Joni. You’re one of our best reviewers and I really do appreciate the careful work you do. Congrats on the new book and keep up the wonderful work! -Donna Cole, Editor of Ministry and Liturgy.
Wow! I just read passages from each of your newest books, they are beautiful! They are holy, they are right from the heart! You are ministering mightily to a center of believers that are crying for that beauty. The covers have been wonderfully inspired. Truly, I felt like weeping; I love the format of "He Said, She Said." I remember a story about an older lady who didn’t do what her true desire of her heart was to do in life. Her desire was to sing. She had to raise a family and was placed in an area that did not delight in her gift. Not only that but somewhere along the line, she was hurt by it. There was the saying that went with that, "She died with the music still in her." The lesson was "Don’t die with the music still in you…" You are a musician from the heart weaving a tapestry that is connecting hearts for Him. Thank you, beautiful writer… -Kathy Kjolhaug, columnist/Theology in the Trenches.
The treasure chest arrived! Thank you! What a beautiful book you have created, nourishing and lovely to read. The cover picture fits so well, that I have now renamed the Image after the book, "The Edge of Greatness." I feel so honored to be a part of this work. I shared the book with ten women at a conference and they went right down to the gift shop to put in their order. Congratulations a hundred times over. It is a great gift to the world, to our "fellow Americans" so in need of hope these days. You are in my prayers of gratitude… –Mary Southard, CSJ, cover artist for The Edge of Greatness, Tall in Spirit and Meditations for Survivors of Suicide.