Customer Reviews

The Secret Things of God

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret," and have found its principles exciting and applicable in my life. But, my more common experience of "manifesting" has been through ... God, introduced in my case through the Christian perspective.*

I rented "The Secret Things of God" ("TSTOG") because I was curious to see a Christian take on "The Secret." I confess that often I am made uncomfortable by most Christian media, because it can be so heavy-handed and saccharine. But I trust Henry Cloud because of his excellent and sensible "Boundaries" books, written from the perspective of a psychologist who believes in God.

Initially, I was put off by the first minutes of the DVD, in particular because of some cheesy production values. I felt a little embarrassed to be watching this in front of my teenaged son, because he'd also loved "The Secret" -- and this looks nothing like that slick flick. Oh dear, the music, the disconnected-looking expressions on the faces of the agreeably nodding audience, the moving mist in the scenic background - eck! But then I listened, really listened to what he was saying - and was deeply affected. Deeply. Surprisingly, so was my reflexively-skeptical 14-y.o. son.

Like another reviewer, at first I also thought Dr. Cloud was putting down "The Secret," and so felt some resistance to opening up to his perspective. However, when I really listened, I heard him supporting the essential messages of "The Secret" - and yet adding so much more valuable information, not just from another, but from a broader, perspective. As examples, in TSTOG Dr. Cloud provides references to scientific research, gives the Biblical basis for "the law of attraction," clarifies God's desire for us, and explains the lessons underlying the inevitable challenges and trials we will face in life-- whether or not we "attracted" them. Parallels to the positive and negatives poles of the law of attraction, it also comfortingly emphasizes that God is actively "for" us and that guilt has no role in our relationship with God. This DVD went as far as "The Secret," and for me, well beyond, because it gives practical perspectives on real life and offers a welcome spiritual approach to transforming reality.

By the way, the (mystical) manifestations made possible by the "law of attraction" and changing our thinking are shown here to be due to opening to, and trusting God's guidance, as well as realizing the incredible power our patterns have in attracting circumstances to us. And, consistent with "The Secret," we are revealed to be co-creators of our lives, working in collaboration with God. The key difference between the two approaches is that "The Secret Things of God" asserts that the power at work in the universe is a personal, relational, intimate God.

One thing I greatly appreciated about this DVD, in contrast to "The Secret," is the absence of emphasis on lavish material abundance or "get rich quick" hopes. Long discomfited by what's at the heart of the "prosperity gospel" preached by televangelists and Prayer of Jabez promoters, I similarly squirmed at "The Secret's" promises about acquiring expensive "things." In contrast to "The Secret," TSTOG 's "things" to be gained are far more lasting and precious: powerfully satisfying relationships with others, ourselves, and God.

I appreciated the fair shot at ecumenism as well: the DVD includes interesting views by a Rabbi and an Orthodox priest.

As a thinking Christian unafraid to explore beyond the traditional faith boundaries --indeed, as one whose faith is strengthened by open consideration of other perspectives on spirituality and reality-- I found this DVD so refreshing! How delightful to find a smart, helpful, reassuring, encouraging, and both mind-broadening and faith-strengthening take on not just "the secret" of the "law of attraction" but many other "secrets" of the Judaeo-Christian faith. This has been so valuable to me that I am here at Amazon to buy this DVD.

I REALLY liked this, and recommend it especially to Christians interested in "The Secret" and to fans of "The Secret" who are curious about faith.

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*(My most significant experience with miraculous "manifestation" has been recovery from Stage IV cancer.)

When I saw The Secret, sometime ago, I feel something was missing. In that film they say, among other things, that you wake up every morning and say "Thanks, thanks for this new day"... but thanks whom? Supposedly we thanks to a great positive power around the world. It looks like we are living in the Star War movie with "the force". That the idea of the New Era movement: take us away from God.
"The secret things of God" give us the real answer and the real force behind everything: God. This movie brings us to remember what a lot of people have forgotten and how find our own correct way to success. Because there is not other way and any intention to show us another one, I don't think is a good intention at all.
I recommend this DVD to any people who really care to grow up in any way, especially if you feel you are finished, God don't want you down, He gave us the key to open the door of triumph. The only thing you have to do is take it, thru God.

Dr. Cloud in this DVD talks about 4 important secrets that God intends for us to discover in order to have a balance, healthy and productive life and these 4 secrets our Love, Relationship, Our purpose, and spiritual connection with him. The insights provided by others were very powerful. I strongly recommend both the DVD and the book for everyone who is interested in discovering and unlocking God's treasure for themselves.

It's a knock off of the original Secret, and has an argument for every topic. It's a great message and explains alot, But didn't disclose full Bible verses, you can tell they didn't work on the same budget the original video did.
I would recommend it for those who are searching for some answers.
It made a lot more sense to me than the original.

I read Norman Vincent Peale as a teenager. Ask and Receive (from Luke) has always inspired me. Principles from the Secret have worked in my life for years even before I saw the movie. I also have experienced a relationship with god for several years. Thus I can appreciate how well Dr Cloud expands and makes the secret even better. His contribution is in stressing relationships between a person and god and also between other people. I am so impressed with both Rhonda Byrne and Henry Cloud. I think both movies will help a lot of people.

I am not saying this is a bad 'movie' about the Law of Attraction. It's just that it's too much like The Secret. The format, the interview styles, layout, etc... only it is 'marketed' to the Christian market. Not that it's bad, just too much like The Secret, that's all. No matter what, there is always value to something, even if the value is us realizing that something is not for us but it could resonate to others. It is good for people who are uncomfortable with the LOA that is not pushing Christian verses. I think it's high time that we all realize that religions basically are the same at the base. The message just got distorted because of 'self-interests' of people who run these religions.

After reading "The Secret" I was wanting to find more material that is similar. I purchased the DVD as I am familiar with the work of Dr. Cloud. I found the content "ok"--but it wasn't what I was really looking for. The studio audience looked very staged. Did not feel authentic and did not flow as such. Still, I would say it is worth a watch.

I enjoy this dvd very much, partly because I already have such a respect for Dr. Cloud and his work both in print and on New Life Live radio. But I didn't buy the dvd for that reason, but rather to learn more about our Creator, and I am not disappointed in the presentation. My intent is to watch it, along with a dvd about prayer, every 3-4 mos. & just let the words gel in my heart and soul. Definitely a quality teaching to help counteract the false teachings that our culture is being deceived by.

This is a good video & expands on The Secret on a religious base.
Not bad.
Any Christian & any interested in Christian-Judaic teaching should get this. It is a good watch.

If you are a Christian, and you have seen the Secret, you may feel like I did: there's something missing. It also didn't help that Rhonda Byrne made it sound like some big conspiracy had been hatched to keep all of us from knowing the truth?

After all, what Byrne teaches is from the Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles, a book I might add that outlines the process from start to finish, including the fact that God is involved. It's nothing like the Secret where all you have to do is think your way to success. No action required.

Regardless, after reading The Secret, I have to say that I was severely disappointed. It took longer to watch the movie than it did to read the book, and there really wasn't any difference between the two. Even worse, it was a lot of metaphysical garbage. I've learned that without God in the process, The Secret may work, but it certainly won't lead to the level of happiness, joy, and peace we achieve in following Jesus Christ.

That's why this movie is so vitally important. It goes beyond The Secret to reveal what the Bible has to say about how we are to really live our lives. Too many today get Christianity wrong and because of it, they lose out on the life God really wants them to have.

For me it was understanding how to operate within God's laws and live the life I want. What we sometimes don't understand is that the life we really want is the life that God really wants to give us. God made each of us for a purpose. When we avoid living that purpose, we often fail to reach our full potential.

One thing I liked about this movie that the Secret just completely failed to cover is the information on relationships.

The Secret originally comes from the Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Watttles. The problem with The Secret is that the author only focused on a small part of what Wattles was saying. She also put a metaphysical spin on it, and although Wattles studied metaphysics and philosophy, he was still a Christian minister, and there was no escaping what he knew the Bible said about money, relationships, and how we were to live our lives.

In order to fully live the life we were created for, we have to learn how to get along with others. We also have what makes good relationships if we want to have the kind of relationships that will bring us satisfaction and joy in life and enrich our lives. Although money and personal satisfaction are important, ultimately relationships are the thing that make or break us.

The bottom line is that this movie covers everything that Rhonda Byrne failed to include in the Secret and kept the Secret from being anything more than a bunch of metaphysical BS. What this movie clearly shows is that there's no need for us to be afraid of living the life God created for us to live. God has our best interests at heart. When we live the life he created for us, we get a life better than we can even imagine. We can trust God with our lives. He is the one who created the healthy desires of our hearts in the first place.

If you want everything that The Science of Getting Rich/The Secret type books can provide for you, then watch this movie. Filled with scripture and step by step instructions, you'll go the rest of the way to finding the life you want.