Customer Reviews

Let Go

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This stirring, easy-to-read book ought to be passed out in every English-speaking church in the world. The author, Francois de Salignac de La Mothe Fenelon, has written letters to people within the court of King Louis XIV on the practical matters of living out their faith in a secular world. Excerpts from those letters are translated in modern English for this book. The preface reads, "Consider turning to this book not primarily to expose your mind to idea, but rather to seek to enter into companionship with this friend of God." That statement hints at the mystical quality of these letters. Fenelon urges us to live by faith through the empowering grace of Jesus Christ and to avoid loving knowledge to the extent that we may know more truth than we live. One letter is titled, "Our Knowledge Stands in the Way of Our Becoming Wise," and in another letter, he writes, "We are in danger of evaluating our spiritual maturity on the basis of the amount of knowledge we have acquired." That hits hard for someone who is more inclined to learn rather than to act. Fenelon says that the Lord is the God of truth and love, and we must act in love on the truth we know.
But there's more in the book than this. Other titles include, "Advantages of Humility," "Death of Self," "The Sight of Our Imperfections Should Not Take Away Our Peace," "True Friendships Are Founded Only in God," and "Beware the Pride of Reasoning." Don't pass up meditating on this inspirational book.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

I often carry this book with me and read a short passage during a break in my day. These spiritual letters of advice from Archbishop Fenelon (who worked in the court of Louis XIV) have a timeless quality and a simple message of humility, always humility. His messages keep me grounded.

You can't hold on to God if your hands are full of something else. This book has a simple message. Many of my struggles in life are internal. The book provies a simple, yet powerful answer...simple obedence as we follow after Christ.

Archbishop Fénelon has a way with words. He is terse, direct, and appeals to the heart. Much of what he says, we can laugh at because, not only is it true, it is filled with wisdom that somewhere along the line we missed, and we recognize that!

Take for example the call to Christian discipleship. Jesus calls us to "die" to self. This is continued by others like Saint Paul who declares "we have died," and explains that we have (see Rom 6:3-8) and that now we too--all of us--must become what we are. We must become dead. In this book, Archbishop Fénelon too takes a stab at the subject. He tells us that all that really needs to die is "the living." In reality, we look for all sorts of solutions, which are not solutions at all. They only prolong the agony. Likewise, he says, "You asked for a remedy, that your problems might be cured. You do not need to be cured. You need to be slain. Quit looking for a remedy and let death come. This is the only way to deal with self."

As you see, he is a bit more dramatic than others. However, this is no different from the decree of Jesus who summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Mk 8:34). If you like his striking words, you will love the book and learn his wise approach to "letting go!"