In this Christian alternative to the phenomenal bestseller The Secret , acclaimed author Dr. Henry Cloud helps readers discover truths that make life work and show how faith can guide them in achieving their goals!
The Bible claims that God has provided special truths that can change lives and uplift the spirit, but often those truths lie dormant and untapped within the soul. Offering a positive alternative to The Secret based on biblical scripture, Dr. Henry Cloud reveals that there is indeed a power of attraction ruling the universe—the attraction between God and his creation—and demonstrates how that power can shape our lives. With step-by-step practical instructions, this book teaches readers from all walks of life how to apply spiritual truths to real life. Even Christians who think they understand biblical truths often don’t know how to use them. Chapters on happiness, relationships, purpose, and God, share secrets like, “you attract to yourself relationships that fit you,” “whatever you put to use will grow,” and “there is no such thing as disconnected and happy.” The Secret Things of God reveals profoundly simple secrets and gently guides readers toward unlocking the power of these truths in everyday life.
Dr. Cloud has written or co-written twenty-five books, including the two million-seller Boundaries. His most recent books are Boundaries for Leaders and Necessary Endings. He has earned three Gold Medallion awards, and was awarded the distinguished Retailers Choice award for God Will Make A Way.
As president of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Dr. Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public seminars around the country. He speaks on relationships—marriage, parenting, dating, personal growth, and spirituality. His seminars are often broadcast live to over two thousand venues at a time.
As the New Age movement gains more and more notoriety and practice, responses like this of Henry Cloud will be very useful. It is also just a good reminder of the promises of God to believers.
The book is only somewhat a response to the extraordinarily popular book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Byrne's book rests on the idea that you create your exterior world by drawing in positive or negative energies by orienting our interior world to align with them. Cloud's book simply rests on God's promise that "surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!" This is promised to all those who trust in Jesus and follow his good guidelines for life.
Its honestly hard to write a short but comprehensive review of the book but I would absolutely recommend it for anyone who is a believer. Secondly, to those who are engaging with people who have read the book The Secret.
Really, really great. I had been wanting to read something by Henry Cloud for a while; this was the first. I now want to read everything he has written. As a psychologist, he has an extensive and profound knowledge of how our minds and emotions can operate. And as a Christian, he applies Biblical truth and wisdom to everything he talks about it and knows how our hearts, souls and minds can be improved upon with God's help (which is the only true way). He's so smart and makes you think about Scripture you have heard forever, but in a different way, with new discernment and understanding. I love that. He's really engaging; his personality, sincerity, warmth and sense of humor come through in a big way. One of my absolute favorite parts was when he recounts a discussion he had with his atheist neighbor. Long story short, read the book for the rest, was that the neighbor said "There is no such thing as absolute truth!" And Henry Cloud responded, "Including that statement?" (The statement falls in on itself; it's illogical.) He also mentions spiritual gifts, which is a subject I find fascinating. (Mine are knowledge, and if I remember correctly, faith. If you are interested, there is an online spiritual gifts inventory you can take from Lifeway which is great. You'll be amazed at how neatly you fall into 2 or more of the categories.) God has given us all different gifts and talents to use. His desire is for us to find work which requires those strengths of ours, because this is how we will find fulfillment and satisfaction. Most importantly, everything we do, including our work/career/volunteer work/ministry, is to be for His glory. I try to always live my life according to this principle. (It's quite difficult at times!) If we trust in God and rely on Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. This book is great for any Christian OR seeker. If you are a seeker, and approach with an open mind and heart, I know you will have so many questions answered. Here is a very short video in which he talks about "automatic thoughts", to give you an idea of his style if you are unfamiliar with it.
Definitely helping me become healthy emotionally. Very good insights that are extremely helpful with my understanding and relationship with God. Getting me unstuck after disappointments in life
Very insightful and thought provoking. We need to have a life centered on God and trusting Him. He is our source, but He will use people as channels for delivery.
I picked this book up randomly in a second hand shop and thought it may be worth a read ....it was. Written in a similar style to The Secret but with the basis in God and religion, rather than the laws of the universe. I’m not very religious, I don’t know what to believe, I didn’t think this would be my type of thing, but I really enjoyed it. It was thought provoking and you can take a lot from it and apply to everyday life. It’s a book I will come back too again. I think you could get even more from it with a second read.
Impressed with his knowledge of the Bible.... Interesting way he moves from the Secret to talking about God. You can tell he really believes what he is saying. It’s just so hard to hear anything Christian at this point when clearly the radical right is doing everything it can to destroy everything about our democracy and our enviournment. These are dark times and it’s very hard to hang on to faith - yet that’s all we really have...
This book was written not such much as a rebuttal of Secret Things (it is) but also a gentle correction. It has some basic life stuff that is invaluable as only Henry Cloud could deliver it. But it does not back down from the truth either. I would recommend this to give to an unbeliever. It isn't busy... but definitely leaves the ball in their court.
This book was a beautiful reminder of the powerful truths in Gods Word and His great love for us. Dr. Cloud skillfully applies these truths to all parts of our lives. Spiritual, mental, emotional, relational and physical. A true treasure for applying the truth and treasures of God to our lives in a very powerful and practical way
The Secret Things of God is a response to the Secret and answers many questions I had regarding the Secret. Cloud responds to every point in the Secret with an answer from God‘s perspective. Clouds answers are informative and understandable and offers tools for moving forward in a godly way for many areas of your life.
All of the principles discussed and explored within the writing on Dr. Henry Cloud address who Jesus is and how to follow Him wholeheartedly. Dr. Cloud emphasizes how active He is in the lives of everyone and how empowered people truly are, regardless of circumstances. I am encouraged to see Him daily and to read His Word while applying principles.
I would consider this a must read for Christian’s. And non Christian’s. It’s a deep exploration into God and His roles in our lives. It explores relationships, guilt, salvation, and everything in between. It’s very readable. I recommend having a highlighter close by. I marked it up a lot.
If you’ve read “The Secret” then is the biblical contrast to that, really enjoyed it. The “other” book spoke heavily on the universe and attracting or manifesting what we want, this book shows biblical references of why that isn’t the way a believer should think
I liked "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne, but I was skeptical about many of the concepts she presented, even though many others I felt were true.
Dr. Henry Cloud dose a wonderful job not only expressing the "secrets" of God, but also how many of them compare to the concepts Rhonda Byrne presented. I highly recommend it for anyone interested is in truths in the Bible, God's secrets, or even the more "new age" concepts and tough life questions.
In addition the 5th chapter does a great job on the topic of guilt. Anyone struggling with this should defiantly give that portion a read.
A must read for everyone who fights their own battles to those who look for answers to so many questions. A book that you can't leave until you close the last page.
Another CD audio listening that I had in the car driving to and from work. I liked it and maybe would have done a 4 star, but it turned at times to counseling for yourself on other matters and a bit marriage counseling. Some of that I skipped and it didn't apply to me, but overall it was good. It was a nice relaxing listening while stuck in traffic.
The one thing that I liked best was when he said about when people always say that they trust in God. He was saying he has heard from people that always say, well God will take care of us, or God will provide, etc. He said that is all good in everything, but you can't put yourselves in bad situations where if it doesn't work out then it is God's fault. Like buying a house with lots of problems, but then saying well God will make it OK for me, or be in a bad relationship and say God will make it work, not look for a job and say God will get me one, etc. He said God gave you a brain to use it.
I've read a lot of Dr. Cloud's books and this one just seemed like a giant mishmash of all of them. It's very good and the principles are great, but I rather didn't like that it has to be considered the "Christian" version of the very popular secular book "The Secret." He talks about relationships, success, loving one's self. It was very good, but again, I'd rather just read one of his topical books instead.
I have been reminded that our God is a loving God and our Salvation is only through Christ.What I've learned is that so many of us miss the boat here on this earth with the blessings He has for us, if we would just KNOW Him. Getting to KNOW Him means action on our part. I love our God, our creator, our Heavenly Father. Awesome Book!!
If you wanted to read a Christian counterpart of the book the Secrets, then you can begin with this one. Once you have grasp the concept and reality of the spiritual realm then you can move towards other matured Christian books. I would recommend any books from Charles Capps since he has a lot to say on this issue.
While I really liked this book and it spoke directly to me and what I'm struggling with right now, it wasn't a quick read and I struggled to get through it. If anyone has questions about God or Christianity (or even if you don't) - I'd suggest it, however don't go into it thinking that it will be a light-hearted book that captures your interest and makes you want to stay up late reading!