A Much-Needed Reality Check | There is More to the Secret: An Examination of Rhonda Byrne's Bestselling...

book: There is More to the Secret: An Examination of Rhonda Byrne's Bestselling Book "The Secret" | Ed Gungor

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	• There is More to the Secret: An Examination of Rhonda Byrne's Bestselling Book "The Secret" Ed Gungor Thomas Nelson, 2007 - 144 pages average customer review:based on 29 reviews view larger image
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The "Secret" is the authors have a good thing going

From the beginnings of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale on down to the present, I have read countless versions of "positive thinking" and "believing it makes it so" versions of the self-help movement. I have had no better and certainly often no worse luck than anyone else on the human journey, but I long ago came to believe that the real "secret" to all of these books (and now CDs and DVDs) is the profit it brings to the authors. The Bible is really not that clear on "ask, believe, receive" as to what you receive - and as every realistic, believing person knows, sometimes the answer is "no." Taking these things literally can be devastating. Everyone is looking for the easy way out and some mind-game to create the life of our dreams. I still think there aren't any substitutes for hard work, good judgment, and a little bit of luck along the way. When "The Secret" was really all the rage, I decided to give it whirl since it was a while since I had delved into this genre, having found it wanting in the past as to really changing my life. The dang disc broke my DVD player, which was almost new, so what do you make of that? I am foolish enough to admit that I have put up the dollar bill with $1,000,000 written on it; I have written "checks" for items I visualized coming into my life and stuck them on my refrigerator. I feng shui'd the "love" corner of my home only to have the object of my heart tell me he met someone else. I am not cynical and I believe a positive attitude and a sense of gratitude throughout life tends to make the world go 'round a little better. While I often have not received things I "want" I have had many unexpected blessings I didn't even ask for. I am amazed that people do not realize that most of these things - while perhaps containing a modicum of common sense positive attitude - are designed to make money for the promoters. I know some people swear by the miracles they have experienced but I don't know anyone personally who has ever drastically altered their lives by following these self-proclaimed gurus. I know it all falls into the realm of free speech, but that doesn't mean the rest of have to be gullible and line the pockets of what used to be referred to as "snake oil salesmen."

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A Much-Needed Reality Check

"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." ~ Jesus

I've read "The Secret" book and have seen the movie. Since then I can't seem to get enough of books about The Secret and have been reading all the books I can find on the subject. It is interesting to see how it applies to all areas of life as we know it.

This book in particular addresses an intriguing conundrum. Can we believe in God and also believe in the law of attraction? Didn't Jesus say that we should ask and receive? Then there is the whole subject of becoming too materialistic. Many Christians are turned off by the thought of "greed" or lusting after money (read up on the seven deadly sins). The Bible clearly states that we can't serve God and money at the same time. So what is a Christian to do? Should they reject the whole idea of the law of attraction or put it to good use? After all, didn't God create all the laws of the universe? Doesn't he allow humans to be part of the creative process?

Ed Gungor takes on all these topics and more. While some may see this book as an attack on Rhonda Byrne's bestselling book I found it to be more of a thoughtful exploration that leads to serious spiritual considerations. This book is a much-needed reality check! I found Ed Gungor's thoughts to mirror some of my own. Does "The Secret" also have a dark side? If you have been wondering about how "The Secret" could be used for evil purposes then you need to read this book.

"... are you using the law of attraction to have what you need in order to change the world for God?" ~ Ed Gungor

In my own life the law of attraction has drawn things that are good and bad into my life. I can see a direct correlation between negative thoughts and negative experiences and positive thoughts and positive experiences. So I believe that the law of attraction is at work in our lives. I like how Ed Gungor explains that we don't use this law in a vacuum. There are other players and other forces in motion. So when disaster strikes it isn't necessarily all your own fault. God can also play a role in your life allowing or not allowing you to become wealthy. In this book Ed Gungor explains how we should also be living in God's will. There are apparently other forces that are greater than the law of attraction.

So while I've been intrigued with "The Secret" I must say that this book answered a lot of my nagging questions. I've always had better luck praying for what I want. After all, Jesus is the one who tells us to pray for our desires. This book is a great addition to all the other secret books and I like that it is a pastor's take on the subject. I think you will find this to be instantly compelling; at least it kept my attention for hours right up till the last page.

If you are very interested in this subject here is a list of books on the Law of Attraction that I think you will enjoy (they explore the subject more deeply):

The Secret of The Secret: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Runaway Bestseller

The Secret

The Science of Wallace D. Wattles: The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Being Well, The Science of Being Great

Secrets of Attraction: The Universal Laws of Love, Sex, and Romance

The Answer: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life

Develop Irresistible Attraction

Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't

~The Rebecca Review

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Is it possible to believe in both God and the law of attraction? A core argument of Rhonda Byrne's best-selling book The Secret, the law of attraction says that thoughts are magnetic. Anyone can have whatever they want, be it good health, wealth, or even relationships. They need only train their minds to dwell on what they desire. But is this true?

In this companion audio book to the current media storm, author Ed Gungor believes there is more to the story. Respecting the real needs that have caused so many to seize on Byrne's program of mental self-help, Gungor uncovers a more accurate representation of the power of the mind by examining the role God plays in the equation. His goal is not to attack, but to correct what he says is misguided advice in a manner both compassionate and compelling. His results may surprise you!

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