Letters by a Modern Mystic [Hardcover]

Frank C. Laubach (Author), Gina Brandon and Karen Friesen (Editor), Michael Riester (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2007

Have you ever considered what it might be like to live in a conscious moment-by-moment communion with God? "Letters by a Modern Mystic" recounts Frank C. Laubach's spiritual journey as he began such an experiment. Read about the remarkable results. What might you experience in the practice of such a spiritual discipline?

Editorial Reviews

Review

You hold in your hands a treasure provided by Christ to all people who long to live their real life today in the constant presence and power of God.... If you will patiently begin to follow the instructions given in this book, you will very quickly see the astonishing results. Anyone who wants to actively love God all the time can do this. Why not begin now? Dallas Willard --back cover

About the Author

Frank C. Laubach (Sept. 2, 1884-June 11, 1970) was a Christian evangelical missionary and mystic known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." A Pennsylvanian, Laubach trained at Princeton University, Union Theological Seminary, and Columbia University (where he attained a PhD in sociology in 1915). He went to the Philippines in 1915 as a missionary for the American Board of Foreign Missions. In 1929, after fourteen years of successful teaching, writing, and administration in Cagayan and Manilla, he pursued his long-standing ambition of settling among the fierce Moros, a Muslim tribe on Mindanao. There, in the province of Lanao, he underwent a remarkable series of experiences of God and simultaneously developed a technique for reducing the Moro language to writing with symbols closely correlated to their spoken words. This technique not only made it possible to teach them to read in only a few hours but also permitted them to teach others immediately. In 1928, two years before his transforming experiences, Laubach found himself profoundly dissatisfied. He then realized in 1930 that after fifteen years as a Christian minister he was still not living his days "in minute-by-minute effort to follow the will of God." He determined at that time to seek to begin lining up his actions with the will of God every few minutes. His confidants at the time told him he was seeking the impossible. Undeterred, he began to try living all his waking moments in "conscious listening to the inner voice, asking without ceasing, 'What, Father, do you desire said? What, Father, do you desire done this minute?'" He believed that this was exactly what Jesus did every day. Letters by a Modern Mystic, first published in 1937, is a compilation of excerpts from letters that Laubach wrote to his father. The tremendous results of this experiment in living in moment-by-moment communion with God are found in the narrative of these letters. The Game with Minutes, on page 85 of this book, is the practical guide Laubach developed to assist others in applying the principles articulated in his letters. Dr. Laubach is probably best known for his work to address adult illiteracy in the world. He conceived a simple method of instruction that permitted even the most disadvantaged people in the world not only to learn to read but also to be able to teach others. "Each One Teach One" became the slogan for this instructional program, which is credited with equipping over one hundred million people with the ability to read. On September 2, 1984, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of Laubach's birth. Frank Lubach died in 1970 at the age of 85. His commitment to live in constant conscious communion with the Father not only transformed him personally but also permitted him to make a significant impact on illiteracy in the world, a work that continues today through ProLiteracy Worldwide, an organization he helped establish.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Purposeful Design Publications; 3rd edition (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583310916
• ISBN-13: 978-1583310915
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and Inspiring, September 3, 2007

By 

Edward Davis (Odenton, MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letters by a modern mystic (Hardcover)

Frank Laubach was a Christian Missionary to the Philippines in the 1930s. This book is a compilation of the letters he wrote while in the Philippines, describing his attempt to keep God in his mind each and every moment of the day, thinking of and talking to God, and allowing God to work through him. The book describes his early difficulties and later successes. He ultimately had direct experiences of God, which he describes in mesmerizing detail. The letters are beautifully written and deeply inspiring. Laubach's experiences are testimony to the fact that God longs for our love and will respond when we give Him that love and attention, and align our lives with His will. Laubach also describes how he prayed inwardly for each person he encountered, and the profound change this made in his life and the lives of those around him. I guess the greatest thing that can be said about this book is that it has encouraged me to change my life as well. I now keep God in mind as much as possible each and every day and pray inwardly for each person I meet. Frank Laubach was a great man of God. It is a shame that this little book is out of print. I encourage you to find a copy. It has the power to change your life too.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning from the Letters, January 29, 2008

By 

Lorraine A. Wadman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Letters by a Modern Mystic (Hardcover)

This little book is a true gem for anyone who would take up the challenge of living in a moment-by-moment relationship with God. Through his letters to his father, Frank C.Laubach chronicles his spiritual journey of submitting his thoughts, emotions, and actions to God by asking these simple questions, "What, Father, would you desire said? What, Father would you desire done this minute?" If every Christian would put these questions at the forefront of their minds and hearts, the whole world would be turned upside down. I've read the book twice found Laubach's letters to be a profound encouragement to my personal spiritual growth.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing..., October 2, 2008

By 

Learning to Listen (Keller, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letters by a Modern Mystic (Hardcover)

One of the most profoundly moving books I've ever read - a collection of letters from Dr. Laubach to his father about the surprise, wonder and delight that he discovers as he begins to turn the eyes of his heart, soul, and mind to the very real Presence of God with him every moment of every day.

Already having played a significant role in the Phillipines at the time these letters were written (I believe they were written in his mid forties) Dr. Laubach moved forward engaged as fully as he could be with the living Christ in everything he did. As his Practice of the Presence began to transform his heart his work took on a new depth and power. He would eventually develop a literacy teaching methodology ("Each One Teach One") that would sweep across the third world and is still in use around the globe today. It's estimated that at the time of his death in 1970 over 60 million people had learned to read and write using his methodology.

He accomplished a great many things in his life, but he would go on to state that the one thing that he felt must surely stand the test of time would be the experiences and challenges that he shares with us in these letters.

If you are experiencing a "profound dissatisfaction" in the state of your relationship with God please read this book. In following Dr. Laubach's example your life will change in a thousand ways for the better.

I know mine has.

Grace and Peace.