Customer Reviews

The Seeking Heart (Library of Spiritual Classics) (Library of Spiritual Classics)

5 star:		(15)
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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Fenelon had an amazing mind and heart for God which he used to influence many of the leaders of his day. This book has inspired me to view the trials of life as the furnace needed to bring me to the end of my sinful self and accept my position as "alive in CHRIST". It is a must read for anyone who is serious about growing spiritually and intellectually.

This is one of the very best devotionals ever written, though it actually consists of letters Fenelon wrote. The issues he addresses still affect us all today, and his gentle but unflinching advice always causes me to examine my own heart. A wonderful book.

All of my Protestant brothers and sisters, relax!!! This is just about the most God centered book that I have ever read (apart from Brother Lawerence and Michael Molinos). I don't know all the ins and outs of this brothers Theology, but I do know that what he says in this book is solid. I love this book, and I am a staunch Calvinist! We Christians need a book like this just as much as we need Calvin's Institutes or Luther's Bondage Of The Will. Do you believe that we must be dead to self and completely given over to the will of God through Christ our Lord? If your answer is a resounding yes, then this book is for you. If not, move on quickly to something watered down I guess-though I would heartily exhort against it. Just being playful! God bless you in your reading and by God's grace, applying of this book.

I have many wonderful and treasured volumes in my home, and were I to be forced to give up all but two, I would choose this book to be the sole companion to my Bible. This man, who died nearly 300 years ago, seems to have truly grasped who God is, and perhaps more importantly, who He isn't. Comprised of a collection of short letters sent to various individuals for spiritual encouragement, counsel, and sometimes reproof, these pages will help readers with a seeking heart to let go of their misconceptions about God, and about what He expects of us. In other words, through these pages many will learn that God is not nearly so concerned with some things that we thought were quite critical, and at the same time, considerably more concerned about other things that perhaps we have given too little attention to. The bottom line is that it sounds a clarion call that will stir your soul to truly let God take full control of your life for His glory... a call that you will never be able to get away from.

By the way, while Fenelon was a Catholic, I am a fundamentalist Protestant and I can assure you that you will find that this difference does not get in the way at all, as it might with other writers. I have never heard anything but praise for this book from others of my faith who I have shared this book with.

"THE SEEKING HEART" IS TRULY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. I KEEP IT ALONG SIDE OF MY BIBLE.PAGE AFTER PAGE MINISTERS TO MY DAILY WALK WITH THE LORD. GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE PAGES OF THIS BOOK ON SUBJECTS ABOUT THE SELF-LIFE TO LIFE'S HEARTACHES.THIS IS A "MUST" READ BOOKFOR EVERY CHRISTIAN! IT IS A BOOK TO GIVE EVERY CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTIAN YOU KNOW.IT WILL ENCOURAGE, UPLIFT,AND WARM THE HEART OF THE MOST UNLIFTED OR DOWN AND OUT CHRISTIAN.MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU READ THIS BOOK!

Fenelon's short (1-2 pages long) letters offer godly and practical wisdom that were transforming to me. I have been thirsting to read many books through the years in the hopes of finding God more deeply, basically. After reading this one, I felt a much greater peace with God, and that desire to read actually died down. He so keenly addresses issues of yielding to God and how to deal with specific circumstances in the Christian life.

When I sat down and opened this book, I felt the writer was talking to me. He speaks in short letters to someone too active in their thinking and analyzing. To another who is ill. Another who is easily distracted. One who is suffering. The mild encouragements and insights are simply the best I've ever seen in what I would call "classic" Christian works. This includes such heavyweights as Cloud of Unknowing, Practice of the Presence of God, and more.

The message about God can be a complex system of beliefs and thoughts, but it can also be simple, direct and powerful. Learning to give one's self up to God -- step by step, bit by bit -- is at the heart of this wonderful book. I simply cannot recommend this any more strongly or deeply.

I wish the publisher would have taken time to explain a bit more about Fenelon and, more to the point, about the works. Are they strict translations? Contemporary reworkings "in the spirit of" Fenelon?

Anyway, get it. Keep the book handy and reach for it thorughout the day and read a line here and there, if you choose. It'll make a huge difference as you walk the Path.

I was moved to tears when I read this extraordinary little volume. I have loved Fenelon ever since and I'm Protestant, not Catholic! His love for Christ smashes to bits any and all barriers between Protestant & Catholic beliefs.

I have read translations of Fenelon from the original French on the Christian Classics Etherial Library and found them to be totally enlightening.
This book is an attempt to put Fenelon's writings into modern english, perhaps to appeal to a wider range of readers. If it can succeed in that then it has served a good purpose. However, this version of Fenelon's writings has lost a great deal of it's meaning due to the liberties taken by the translators, who apparently are not mystically inclined themselves. I would advise anyone who is seriously on the journey toward God to read the translations available for free on the CCEL.

The "Seeking Heart" is a compilation of letters written in such a personable matter (not to mention great spiritual wisdom) that it feels as if Fenelon is speaking directly to you. I can't think of one letter that I did not derive some benefit from. I feel, when I read his words, as if I'm breathing in the morning air or wading in the ocean; When I take them in I feel satisfied.