Graham CookeCritiques

Developing an internal spirituality

Small Interactive journal on how to live in the consistent nature of God

It's always nice to read a book that is just the perfect length: no fluff, no writing to meet a certain word count. Small and succinct and very practical.

There are some useful insights in this book, which - like many others - looks at ways in which the church needs to move beyond the traditional Sunday morning 'entertainment' style. But I found it over-prescriptive, with several rather depressing sections about stages which the authors feel everyone needs to go through before moving into new expressions of faith.

My main gripe, though, is the sloppy writing style and repetition. Frequently the same thing is said two or three times, or one point takes several pages to be made. I was also irritated (and sometimes amused) by the almost continual clichés; there were sometimes three or four within the space of one paragraph.

I downloaded this free for my Kindle a couple of years ago. Perhaps worth reading if you can find it free again, or borrow it, but I would not recommend buying it.½

I am a disgruntled charismatic and believe that prophecy is a gift that can operate in the church today even if most of the people who claim to be prophets are kooks. I appreciated Graham Cooke's emphasis on the need to offer prophecy in the Spirit of Love and the need for careful discernment, even when you are sure that you discerned God's word correctly.

So why the low rating? Well Cooke claims that this book is part of an updating of an earlier book he wrote on prophecy because he's learned so much about the prophetic that he can no longer say what he needs to say on prophecy in one book. In fact, there are several in the series, that Cooke wants you to read to give his take on prophecy.

Having read this installment, I am not sure that what Cooke needed was multiple volumes to say what needs to be said, but a good editor. I found this book repetitive and poorly organized. Just because you have something to say, doesn't mean you should be trusted to write your own books.

Yes! light bulbs blazing as Truth expressed and explored.. the ebb and flow of God's seasons - hiddenness for training - manifestation for experience.
ALL beautiful! developing God's image in us..

TY Graham for teaching and training us to see with new eyes of understanding - perspectives we need to live in understanding of God and God's ways. For attending to God's ways that bring Peace, Rest and Joy!

LOVED THIS !! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !! GO. Get yourself a copy :))

I could not rate this book higher !

Absolutely foundational for spiritual understanding of the life of trust in relationship with a Father God Who LOVES us!
filled with TRUTH and GRACE ~ new perspectives on ancient Words.
Life Giving thoughts and challenges to think deeply. Meditate. BE.
Still your heart. Move from emotion to will. Our will supports Faith. Submit our will to the Truth of the Love that consumes us and we will live in that expectancy of ALL things working together for our GOOD - those plans that are for our GOOD and not ill...
absolutely revolutionizing for any faith journey... blessings on yours!

TY Grae for writing these journals!
Loving the participatory aspect~
putting the learnings into practice solidifies the reality of them.

Another Victoria Long Weekend Challenge completion..

Re-read Nov 2012 along with working on the interactive challenges [included at book end] to implement the learnings...
Fascinating new perspectives of life and faith essentials - highly recommended.

We become what we focus upon.
Another essential book of new perspective in our life and growth as followers of Christ.
I found it a great Advent addition to our focus on the coming of Christ and all that affects in living life and pursuing His nature.

These lovely interactive journals challenge much typical thought and theology. They also include great participatory exercises that bring the new ways of thinking into new ways of being. Highly recommended. ebook versions also available at Brilliant Bookhouse

Great clarifications. New perspectives. Foundational essentials to living spiritually strong.
61 pages of Highly recommended reading. Interactions included for practical life applications and furthering what has been learned are helpful additions.

Just started reading. Very good book.