Customer Reviews

Committed But Flawed

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"Committed but Flawed" is an awesome book on prayer, which I highly recommend for anyone seeking more of God -- now!

In it, Cecil Murphey provides an honest look into his quest for a deeper relationship with God, while providing an effective method for others to follow. That method focuses on Biblical figures worthy of emulation not because they're prefect, but because they have flaws and or character traits that lead to a deeper understanding of God and/or His characteristics. Murphey also provides end-of-chapter sample prayers, which were just what I needed to further bring home the principles expressed in each chapter.

Unlike other books I've read, "Committed but Flawed," does not condemn the reader for not succeeding in the discipline of prayer. Actually, it gently guides the reader back to the original purpose for prayer -- close communion with God -- while making it clear that God is waiting to fill our spiritual thirst and feed our spiritual hunger.

One caution: "Committed but Flawed" should have a sticker on it that warns "Will Bring You to Tears." It will spark tears of repentance, joy and spiritual renewal. What a blessing!

I highly recommend the book, which also is ideal for personal and/or group Bible Study.

Wow. This author offers us a fresh new approach to praying by identifying with characters in the Bible who are "committed but flawed." He expounds upon each character and relates them to his own short-comings and downfalls, as well as his strong points, in a brutally honest way. He explains how we can do likewise and grow closer to God.

I especially liked the chapter on "transparency"-- he ventures on that topic in a profound way. He identifies with the Apostle Peter--perhaps Peter's vulnerability - his transparency - was a trait that made him the leader of the Disciples, the man Jesus chose to be among his inner circle of three. Murphey's keen insight and knowledge of Scripture are brilliant, and this chapter is a perfect example.

Cecil Murphey's credentials as a missionary, Pastor, and professor are all impressive; however, as a writer he has a distinct flair. He makes us (the reader) feel as we know him as an old friend. His openness and sharing of his experiences embellish his smooth writing style. This book has inspired me to jump start my prayer life as well as to concentrate on reading the Bible in greater depths. Highly recommended!!

Wow! I've read several books by Cecil Murphey and this is his best one yet. In fact, it's one of the best Christian books I've read in quite a while. To be honest, my prayer life had been a bit stale lately, but Mr. Murphey has brought it roaring back to life.

Each chapter in his book introduces and explores a different role model from the Bible. He then shows his readers how we can pray to be like these people. Mr. Murphey also uses experiences from his own life to demonstrate how these figures are relevant.

His book is simple, yet deep. Cecil Murphey has a unique gift of transparency-he comes across as the spiritual expert that he is, yet he freely shares his personal weaknesses, as well as his desperate search for a closer relationship with God.

This book would also be great in a Bible study group-which is exactly what my church will be using it for next month.

I love all books that encourage a closer walk with God and offer practical ways to do it, but rarely does one come upon as fresh an approach as Murphey offers in "Committed but Flawed: Seeking NEW Ways to Grow Spiritually."

Focusing upon real people as presented in the Bible with all their flaws, Murphey zeroes in on one characteristic of each, one at a time, that he would like to have. He could pray to be LIKE Jacob, who with all his faults and shortcomings knew he was loved by God. Murphey wanted to know he was consistently loved by God too, despite his human failings, but rather than pray exactly this way, he chose a "shorthand" prayer simply because it seemed less cumbersome to him. He would pray, "I AM Jacob." He and God knew what he meant when he prayed that way. Others may feel more comfortable praying, "I want to be like Jacob" and Murphey recognizes that is fine, too.

Each chapter introduces a Biblical character who holds a trait Murphey wished to have for himself. Praying for each one for as long as he felt it took, over time, he believed he would take upon himself those characteristics he desired.

For some, this method of praying may seem unorthodox, awkward, or even strange--at least at first. But I encourage anyone who has a desire to grow in his or her relationship with the Lord to read this book and give it a try. It makes for a great book study. I'm leading one myself online.

Even if this method doesn't seem to gel, I believe each reader might come to recognize there is no "one pat way" to pray, to seek His ways, or to grow in relationship with our Lord. I applaud Murphey for his courage to write something so different from the many "how-to-grow-spiritually" books available today. Thank God he was willing to "experiment" and dare to try something new, with much thought and care.

If you'd like to continue doing only what you're doing to grow spiritually, then don't buy this book. If you're willing to try something new that may definitely help you grow, then by all means, order this book today!

"Committed but Flawed" offers more than food for thought. Cecil Murphey's book delivers what we need to make healthy lifestyle changes. When Murphey found himself unable to relate to an infinite, perfect God in human form, Murphey discovered he could identify with Biblical characters who, like himself, were "Committed but Flawed".

But rather than focus on our weaknesses, Murphey turns our attention to our strengths. The result is that we can begin to like the person in our mirror. And when we learn to love ourselves as God loves us, we can love our neighbors, and God, better. I saw myself in Murphey's reflections on famous characters such as Peter, as well as when Murphey illuminated people whose names are unknown--the Needy Man and the Five-Bag Person.

Murphey again becomes transparent, as he did so well in "The God Who Pursues". If you long to see God and yourself with greater clarity, read "Committed but Flawed". If you hunger for more of God in your life, study this book and make Murphey's prayers your own. When you do, you may discover God's purpose for your life.

Prior to reading this book, I had read about "praying Scripture" but never about examining Biblical figures and praying for the strengths and character they possessed. "Committed but Flawed" spoke to me in every chapter---I too, should pray for these characteristics to increase my walk in faith. Not only did I learn more about people from Biblical times, but I learned a technique for prayer thanks to the author's humility in presenting his own prayer needs. Highly recommended.

Committed But Flawed speaks to directly to my heart. As an imperfect human, how can God use me? Murphey points out that God has been and continues to use some of the most flawed people to accomplish God's objectives. This books provides a roadmap for me to use in growing spiritually. By studying Bible characters and understanding more about them, I can translate that to how I can grow myself.

God can use me in my everyday life to demonstrate his love. This book teaches me how to pray and ask God for this kind of service opportunity.

A great book to use in adult Bible study.

COMMITTED BUT FLAWED is the best book on prayer I've read in a long time. Mr. Murphey gives superb insights and tips on how to pray with fresh eyes and an open heart. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. The author's writing style is simple and easy to read-the mark of a talented craftsman-and he shares his own struggles to pray more effectively. Rather than preach to his audience, he leads them by the hand, showing them the steps he has taken, and helps them to overcome obstacles.

In typical Cecil Murphey style, the author has once again written from his heart, humbly, sincerely, and effectively, drawing his readers into a deeper yearning for more of God. And he has accomplished this through the easy-reading careful examination of the frailties, failures, and feats of everyday (though sometimes obscure) Bible characters such as Barnabus, Timothy, Mephibosheth, and Hur. "I want to walk as far up the mountain as the Spirit will take me," Murphey declares. After reading Committed But Flawed, I want to do the same.

The author, Cecil Murphey honestly writes about his struggles with prayer. When Cecil shared his prayer struggles with a pastor and was told to indentify with Jesus, he just couldn't do that. Jesus never sinned and was the perfect man who could take our sins on his shoulders. So instead he indentified with certain characteristics of other Bible people. The first was Jacob which means "deciver." In the book of Romans God says of the patriarch, "Jacob have I loved." This statement by God struck Cecil so powerfully that he began comfessing, "I am Jacob, I am loved." After many weeks of meditating on and confessing this about himself, the truth of his confession hit home. For the first time, he knew he was loved, warts and all. From there Cecil went on to identify with other Bible humans and claim the positive characteristics of these people for himself. The book is well written, easy to read and understand. The author's honesty about his shortcoomings as well as his strengths, such as his intense desire for God make the book a winner.