Saturday, July 7, 2012

Let Go

Every once in a while I'll come across an amazing book that grips my heart from the moment I open it. One of these "treasures" is a short book called LET GO ,by Fenelon, an archbishop from the seventeenth century. I couldn't put this book down. It's right up there with Practice of the Presence of God  (Br Lawrence of the Resurrection). I'd like to recommend this book to those who are struggling and having trouble "letting go and letting God".  The book is so good that I keep going back to it again and again. Here are some "gems" from the book:

"Whatever spiritual knowledge or feelings we may have, they are all a delusion if they do not lead us to the real and constant practice of dying to self. And it is true we do not die without suffering. Nor is it possible to be considered truly dead while there is any part of us which is yet alive. This spiritual death is undeniably painful. It cuts 'swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are.' The great Physician who sees in us what we cannot see, knows exactly where to place the knife. He cuts away that which we are most reluctant to give up."


"You have been asking for comfort and peace. But you do not understand that you have been lead to the brink of the fountain and are refusing to drink."


"Though it sounds strange to say it I am rejoicing that God has reduced you to a state of weakness. Your ego can neither be convinced nor forced into submission by any other means; it is always finding secret lines of supply from your own courage; it is discovering impenetrable retreats in your own cleverness."


"I beg you not to listen to self. Self-love whispers in one ear and God in the other."


"You can always tell when self is speaking. Self always wants to entertain itself and never feels sufficiently well attended to."


I came across this book by accident but I'm glad it fell into my hands. I have a hard copy of the book but  
read the samples from my Kindle too since there are a few translations of it. I recommend the version put out by Whitaker House to begin with because it's clear, concise, and easy to read.



14 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing about this book and giving us a few samples from it, Mary. It is definitely being put on my list of to reads.
    I like the last quote~so true! Our egos and "selves" are never satisfied, they always need to be fed.
    The pruning God does in us is painful, but if we let Him do it, the results are wonderfully fruitful.

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  2. Hi Karin,
    This book is quickly becoming a personal favorite of mine. It's a series of letters written by the archbishop and it's one of those life changing books (you know the kind I mean).

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  3. Thank you so much for recommending this Mary...I have it on Kindle and have so much highlighted and I want to go back and read it again.

    Have a blessed weekend!

    Prayers going up for your friend's son...

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  4. THANK YOU Mary for this suggestion. I seek the book now...

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  5. Hi Theresa,
    Thank you for praying for Liz' son.

    You're welcome on the book :) Glad you liked it. My dogs chewed on mine but it's still readable thankfully. Still, the little guys need training!

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  6. Hi Liz,
    I know the book is available on Kindle. It may be available free online too. I thought I saw it somewhere but can't remember where.

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  7. Wow, this is why I enjoy blogging. Learn about writers and books I otherwise wouldn't. I will probably download it. Of course now I know he has several others that are also interesting: The Seeking Heart (sadly not on Kindle), and then The Complete Fenelon that unfortunately doesn't have Let Go or The Seeking Heart, but is on Kindle. It has 4 other of his books. Prayers for your friend and her son. God Bless You, Mary! Thank you for the reading recommendation!

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  8. I'd love to read it, it sounds wonderful...thanks for the recommendation!:)

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  9. Hi Colleen,
    I got a sample on the Kindle of The Complete Fenelon and it's on my wish list. I never heard of The Seeking Heart but you can bet I'll be looking for it. Thanks for the heads up on the book and for praying for Liz and her son.

    God bless you, too :)

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  10. Hi Colleen (CDG),
    I loved this book! Blunt and straightforward - just the way I like my spiritual reading to be right now!

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  11. Thank you for recommending this book on "letting go." That's my biggest trial these last few years...trying to let go of a particular thing. My husband reads, Practice of the Presence of God.

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  12. Mary,

    I agree with Colleen: it's good to hear other people's book recommendations. I'm off to Kindle! Thank you.

    God bless!

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  13. Hi Monica,
    The Practice of the Presence of God
    is another favorite of mine. Let Go is written in a similar manner - a series of letters, the difference being that in Let Go they are exhortations (powerful ones at that).

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  14. Hi Sue,
    I hope you enjoy it. Archbishop Fenelon's manner of "speaking" reminds me a bit of Padre Pio's. It's a wonderful gift to be able to write so clearly and simply on spiritual matters.

    Let me know what you think of it :)

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