Let Go - Kindle edition by Francois Fenelon, David Bercot.
What a fountain of life it would be to discover how to let go of those distresses and learn to embrace the joy and peace that God has promised!
Bykene@elliscom.comon December 4, 1998
This loose translation of Fenelon's letters to friends speaks directly to the heart. Fenelon's approach is "right attitudes will lead to correct thinking" instead of the more common approach of "right thinking will lead to correct attitudes." Even the chapter titles will cause the remotely sensitive heart to reflect on its attitude towards other people and circumstances. My family is on its second generation of Fenelon writings and both generations have found Let Go to be an all time favorite.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsLet Go
ByAmazon Customeron January 3, 2000
This may well be my favorite book after the bible.It is a must read for anyone wanting to live the deeper Christian life.The key,according to Fenelon is to let go of your own selfish will,in order to surrender to God's will in your life.Buy it and learn to let go to your God.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsEssential for the Christian seeking after God
ByCori Whiteon September 25, 2001
My mother found an old copy of the letters of Fenelon in a used book shop and paid a premium for them; little knowing that a inexpensive reprint was published for pennies! Next to the Scriptures and my childhood favorite, Pilgrim's Progress, this book has had more of a positive effect on my Christian life and personal walk with the Lord than scores of other Christian books and devotionals. I would even rate it above My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It is a serious book for the serious Christian desiring to walk in the Holy Spirit, yet translated to an easy-to-read format like the New Testament epistles (letters). Very practical advice for everyday Christian living and sanctification. We have purchased scores of copies and given them out for any and every purpose imaginable -Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thank yous, Graduation, Hospitality, Sympathy, etc.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsA book for living
Bydaidreemaon November 24, 2003
I first read this book 30 years ago! It is shocking to realize the huge impact it continues to have on my spiritual walk through this life. Next to "True Submission to Divine Providence," this book as taught me tools for living the truth more than any other book or experience. This book will also appeal especially to persons familiar with the 12-step lifestyle. I have given this book away to possibly over 100 people over the years. I recommend it to all Christians and to Catholics inparticular.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsLet Go and Let God
ByA customeron June 15, 1997
Please note that the title of this book is misspelled. It should be _Let Go_. This refers to Fenelon's urging to submit to God, and let go of your own selfish desires. Let God teach you about Himself and learn to love Him for His own sake, not for what He can give you
---
5.0 out of 5 starsDon't Let Go of this book!
ByThomas Powerson February 2, 2005
This is not a book that you read once and put on your shelf. It's one you go back to time and time again. Fenelon's writings are timeless. They apply as much today to one's life as I am sure they did many years ago. I have found much comfort in this book, I am sure you will too!
---
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Devotional
ByThom Minnickon November 20, 2014
François Fénelon (May 11, 1707):
“Tell Him all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart to a dear friend of all that gives it pain or pleasure. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your mislikings, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him all the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them. Lay bare to Him your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your dissipation, your instability, your leanings to a corrupt world. Tell Him how self-love disposes you to be unjust to your neighbors, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, and to dazzle those with whom you are concerned; how your pride disguises you to yourself as well as to others. If you thus pour out to Him all your weakness, needs, and troubles, there will be no lack of what to say; you will never exhaust this subject, it is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want subjects of conversation; they do not premeditate or weigh their words, because there is nothing to be kept back. Neither do they seek for something to say ; they talk together out of the abundance of their heart — without consideration, just what they think. The heart of each speaks to the other; they pour out, so to say, one into another. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God!”
5.0 out of 5 starsNot for the Faint of Heart
ByNoir Manon January 26, 2015
I easily include this work by Fenelon in my Top 5 Books...next to the Bible...Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle.
Instead of commenting on the chapters I will present an anecdote: I bought copies for the men in my Christian Spirituality group for us to read through and discuss over the months. The oldest man, older than I, after taking a couple of weeks to sink his teeth into the letters, thanked me with a glint in his eye. He found it to be depthy, meaty. The other man, a few years younger than I, looked at times rather uncomfortable, almost angry. It was if he was found out! Fenelon's wisdom stirred up the truth inside him about how he didn't trust God. How he wasn't free.
And I include myself in that struggle. I thank God for this book being given to me years ago, by chance? I have taken and absorbed the challenges and encouragement and love I find in his reflections and guidance. And at other times I have simply put the book down not wanting to follow and obey. Such is the common experience in the Christian Life. If you don't want to live an ordinary life, then bless yourself and buy this book now. It will help you become truly free and a better friend of God.
-
5.0 out of 5 starsDie to Self 101
Bythemissaon November 28, 2015
This is a stunning book of letters...each no more than 3 pages providing ways to die to self. They include: true goodness is only reached by abandonment, how to bear suffering peacefully, the advantages of humility, our knowledge stands in the way of our becoming wise, quietness in God our true resource...just to name a few. It helps you to keep a detached attitude about life and seek Him with all your heart and mind and soul. I highly recommend a chapter a day!
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation)
From the Back Cover
Are you struggling?
Do you struggle through family problems, battle with the tensions of raising children, or find yourself overwhelmed with pressures on the job? Are personal failures and disappointments on the increase as you face each day?
Fénelon––with amazing insight––speaks firmly, but lovingly, to those whose lives have been an uphill climb and reveals just how to Let Go!
About the Author
Francois de Salignac de la Mothe Fénelon (1651–1715) was a French archbishop, theologian, and writer whose excursions into the contemplative life, especially the quietism espoused by Mme. Guyon, caused controversy in the church of his day. His writings remain, though, as an encouragement and source of spiritual growth for many Christians today.
Fénelon, descended from a long line of nobility, started his higher studies in 1672 at Saint–Sulpice seminary in Paris. He was ordained a priest in 1676 and appointed director of Nouvelles Catholiques ("New Cathoics"), a college for women who taught converts from French Protestantism. Fénelon, while never supportive of Protestantism, was nonetheless critical of harsh treatment toward Hugeunots (French Protestants) and the many forced conversions that occurred under King Louis XIV. Fénelon instead held open meetings with Protestants to share the Catholic doctrine in a non–threatening environment.
Fénelon's first important work, "Traite de l'education des filles" ("Treatise on the Education of Girls"), was conservative overall but also suggested non–coercive concepts for educating females that were very innovative for his day. His second and best–known work, Les Aventures de Telemaque (The Adventures of Telemachus), outlined Fénelon's political beliefs through the account of Telemachus's search for Ulysses. It was written during Fénelon's time as tutor to Louis, Duke de Bourgogne, the grandson and heir to Louis XIV.
---
5.0 out of 5 starsMessages for the heart.Bykene@elliscom.comon December 4, 1998
This loose translation of Fenelon's letters to friends speaks directly to the heart. Fenelon's approach is "right attitudes will lead to correct thinking" instead of the more common approach of "right thinking will lead to correct attitudes." Even the chapter titles will cause the remotely sensitive heart to reflect on its attitude towards other people and circumstances. My family is on its second generation of Fenelon writings and both generations have found Let Go to be an all time favorite.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsLet Go
ByAmazon Customeron January 3, 2000
This may well be my favorite book after the bible.It is a must read for anyone wanting to live the deeper Christian life.The key,according to Fenelon is to let go of your own selfish will,in order to surrender to God's will in your life.Buy it and learn to let go to your God.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsEssential for the Christian seeking after God
ByCori Whiteon September 25, 2001
My mother found an old copy of the letters of Fenelon in a used book shop and paid a premium for them; little knowing that a inexpensive reprint was published for pennies! Next to the Scriptures and my childhood favorite, Pilgrim's Progress, this book has had more of a positive effect on my Christian life and personal walk with the Lord than scores of other Christian books and devotionals. I would even rate it above My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It is a serious book for the serious Christian desiring to walk in the Holy Spirit, yet translated to an easy-to-read format like the New Testament epistles (letters). Very practical advice for everyday Christian living and sanctification. We have purchased scores of copies and given them out for any and every purpose imaginable -Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thank yous, Graduation, Hospitality, Sympathy, etc.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsA book for living
Bydaidreemaon November 24, 2003
I first read this book 30 years ago! It is shocking to realize the huge impact it continues to have on my spiritual walk through this life. Next to "True Submission to Divine Providence," this book as taught me tools for living the truth more than any other book or experience. This book will also appeal especially to persons familiar with the 12-step lifestyle. I have given this book away to possibly over 100 people over the years. I recommend it to all Christians and to Catholics inparticular.
--
5.0 out of 5 starsLet Go and Let God
ByA customeron June 15, 1997
Please note that the title of this book is misspelled. It should be _Let Go_. This refers to Fenelon's urging to submit to God, and let go of your own selfish desires. Let God teach you about Himself and learn to love Him for His own sake, not for what He can give you
---
5.0 out of 5 starsDon't Let Go of this book!
ByThomas Powerson February 2, 2005
This is not a book that you read once and put on your shelf. It's one you go back to time and time again. Fenelon's writings are timeless. They apply as much today to one's life as I am sure they did many years ago. I have found much comfort in this book, I am sure you will too!
---
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Devotional
ByThom Minnickon November 20, 2014
François Fénelon (May 11, 1707):
“Tell Him all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart to a dear friend of all that gives it pain or pleasure. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your mislikings, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him all the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them. Lay bare to Him your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your dissipation, your instability, your leanings to a corrupt world. Tell Him how self-love disposes you to be unjust to your neighbors, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, and to dazzle those with whom you are concerned; how your pride disguises you to yourself as well as to others. If you thus pour out to Him all your weakness, needs, and troubles, there will be no lack of what to say; you will never exhaust this subject, it is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want subjects of conversation; they do not premeditate or weigh their words, because there is nothing to be kept back. Neither do they seek for something to say ; they talk together out of the abundance of their heart — without consideration, just what they think. The heart of each speaks to the other; they pour out, so to say, one into another. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God!”
5.0 out of 5 starsNot for the Faint of Heart
ByNoir Manon January 26, 2015
I easily include this work by Fenelon in my Top 5 Books...next to the Bible...Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle.
Instead of commenting on the chapters I will present an anecdote: I bought copies for the men in my Christian Spirituality group for us to read through and discuss over the months. The oldest man, older than I, after taking a couple of weeks to sink his teeth into the letters, thanked me with a glint in his eye. He found it to be depthy, meaty. The other man, a few years younger than I, looked at times rather uncomfortable, almost angry. It was if he was found out! Fenelon's wisdom stirred up the truth inside him about how he didn't trust God. How he wasn't free.
And I include myself in that struggle. I thank God for this book being given to me years ago, by chance? I have taken and absorbed the challenges and encouragement and love I find in his reflections and guidance. And at other times I have simply put the book down not wanting to follow and obey. Such is the common experience in the Christian Life. If you don't want to live an ordinary life, then bless yourself and buy this book now. It will help you become truly free and a better friend of God.
-
5.0 out of 5 starsDie to Self 101
Bythemissaon November 28, 2015
This is a stunning book of letters...each no more than 3 pages providing ways to die to self. They include: true goodness is only reached by abandonment, how to bear suffering peacefully, the advantages of humility, our knowledge stands in the way of our becoming wise, quietness in God our true resource...just to name a few. It helps you to keep a detached attitude about life and seek Him with all your heart and mind and soul. I highly recommend a chapter a day!
