100 Days in the Secret Place (Large Print Edition): Classic Writings from Madame Guyon, Francois Fenelon, and Michael Molinos on the Deeper Christian Life

by Gene Edwards

Gene Edwards, the master storyteller, has gathered together the writings of three Christian mystics from the 17th century: Michael Molinos, Madam Guyon and Francois Fenelon. The writings of these 'masters of the spiritual way' will be as lamp posts leading the weary traveler towards that secret place lovingly created by the Father.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Devotional, Nonfiction, Faith, Prayer, Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Gene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over 25 best-selling books, and his signature work, "The Divine Romance," has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: "The Beginning," "The Escape," "The Birth," "The Divine Romance," "The Triumph," "Revolution," "The Silas Diary," "The Titus Diary," "The Timothy Diary," "The Priscilla Diary," "The Gaius Diary," and "The Return."

Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life.

Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough words to describe my experience while reading this book. I need to chew on spiritual meat when I read Christian books and this is one that I will go back to often. I challenge you to read this book and you'll understand what I mean, my words and praise are simply not enough, experience it for yourself.

[Bob Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I have to say is a resounding WOW! This has now become my new favorite book. I confess I have never read a single thing by Gene Edwards and this book predominantly is not even written by him. He gives a brief biography in the very beginning of the 3 people he has compiled writing from. The passages from Guyon, Fenelon and Molinos brought me to a place in Jesus that I have been longing for. The spiritual insights given here were both confirmation and new revelation. This book I will be keeping near my bed to be digested in short readings. I am already excited to go back through it much slower to digest these nuggets of spiritual gold. Highly recommended for those seeking more maturity in their walk with Jesus. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!! I will be looking for the writings of these three to add to my collection. Thank you Gene Edwards!

[Shireen Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this little book even more stars. It’s one of the best devotionals I have read in years. But it should come with a warning! This book is for those who have walked with Jesus for a bit. Who have been through some life and maybe who are struggling to stay faithful through suffering. I love learning from church leaders in history. Their perspective really does help!

[Os Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent devotional book on the Cross of Christ.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite devotionals

[John Zak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book was fairly well put together. Each chapter consists of the thoughts of three 17th century mystics—Michael Molinos, Madam Guyon, and Francois Fenelon—who excel at articulating "the meditative mind." For me, prayer, silence, and solitude do not always come easy. "The Secret Place" provides helpful insights (mostly mental) that one can easily implement into their spiritual life.

Regarding the content of the book, the only concern I had was the "anti-intellectual" attitude of the writers. They insist that the only way to connect with God deeply is to let everything go. For them, this, unfortunately, meant sacrificing one's desire to accrue knowledge (of the Bible/of God). It is true, all theologians must give up the notion that they will "figure God out" completely; however, this does not mean a desire to understand, or the efforts to do so, are against the will of God or anti-spiritual. The insistence on letting all desires go, and focusing within one's own soul reminded me more of Buddhism than Christianity.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30).

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the 3 authors whose works are compiled in this book, my wife and I related to Fenelon and Guyon the best, and their words are true and wise, humbling us and moving us to be in a closer and deeper relationship with our Father. Really great book, highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know how to get closer to God, and (in a more practical sense) be a better person, love more, be more patient and kind, and make better decisions. Good stuff.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Edwards is the editor of this little book of selected letters, not its author. I have often returned to it over the years. It's easy to read and perfect for times when you need something to revive your spiritual life and draw you closer to God - but it has to be short! A reading is just a page or two, often less.

[Nathan Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

So so good. Most of my favorite devotionals are from Guyon.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of gems in theses collected pages from three authors from the 1600s. I connected best with Fénelon the best, Guyon next and Molinos the least. Lots in these pages about being still before the Lord, suffering, prayer and surrender.

“Run your household in a godly way, raise your children properly, and give up empty pleasures. Seek to be simple, quiet, and humble. Let your life be hid with Christ in God. This is what God is after.”

“You will exhaust your mind by trying to figure out God’s will before the right time comes”

“The future is not yet yours; it may never be. Live in the present moment. Tomorrow’s grace is not given to you today. The present moment is the only place where you can touch the eternal realm.”

“God wants you to trust him alone from minute to minute. The strength he gives you in one minute is not intended to carry you through the next.”

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best devotionals!

[Lisa Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book!

[Amanda McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t recommend this book enough, it was just what I needed. While it is meant to be a devotional, I clearly read it much quicker than 100 days because it just had so much wisdom and pure truth. I’m not one to promote devotionals, ever, but these 17th century writers are A1. To be honest I was a bit hesitant to read it because no one I knew had ever heard of the four people involved in the writings, but I’ve come to cherish them and am now completely confused on why people don’t talk about their work more often!


Like many people who wrote reviews, I related most to Fenelons writings, then Madam Guyon, and least related to Molinos.

If you’ve read this book or any of their writings, what were your thoughts?

[Robert King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food for the soul. Dying to self. Christ alone.

Simple readings with profound gleanings for the spiritual development of the life of God within. The western mind is more concerned with head knowledge; even in matters of faith. But a relationship with The maker of Heaven and Earth is beyond the mental capacity of mankind. The study of scripture and the writings of learned people is but a start with God. We must move into the secret place of the heart of God dwelling within us in our hearts, through our faith in Christ, to learn to walk in step with God. I will read this again.

[Elizabethdwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 Days in the Secret Place is my favorite book of all time. It made me fall in love with theology and being close to God. It is one of the most challenging and most enlightening books I believe a Christian could ever read. I am currently reading this book for the 5th time but I constantly reading it as it is composed of essays from Miguel de Molinos, Madame Jeanne Guyon, and Francois Fenelon dating back to the 1600s. It is incredible to learn the relevance that the experience of Christianity has over 100s of years, it is simply unchanging. I would urge anyone to give this book a try.

[Jeanne Lambrianou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual necessity

The excerpts from the writings of these three ultimately connected people moved my spiritual markers yet deeper. Their instruction can lead to more meaningful experience of God, directly, personally, and most movingly. These are not the instructions of scholars to scholars - these are the held up lamps of personal experience - that lead to full on heart to heart with God.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praise for the book 100 days in the Secret Place

This is an interesting and wonderful book for meditation and for drawing closer to God. I have truly experienced the wonderful overwhelming grace and love of God while reading and meditating over these pages.
As the writer said, the purpose of this book is to offer a way in which the LORD Jesus can take full possession of you.
Truly, its a book that we can turn back to as we seek to walk deeper with the Lord.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful devotional books with short readings related to prayer and the interior Christian life written by three early church mystics: Francois de Fenelon, Michael Molinos and (Madame) Jeanne Guyon. This book really helped me so much in my private faith life and I am exceedingly grateful for it :)

[Jay A. George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wisdom on prayer

This is a wonderful compilation of thoughts on prayer. Three 16th century believers who were serious about the life of prayer and teaching others how to have the constant presence of the Lord. If you are looking to increase God in your life these meditations are worth your next 100 days.

[Ken Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exploration of spiritual disciplines

This book is a compilation of a few authors who come from a very different faith tradition than I do. While I did not agree with everything I read, I was challenged to think about spiritual disciplines in new ways and to be more open to the Holy Spirit's role in directing my time with him.

[Rosanne V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nice Compilation

I liked the thematic sections in the book. There was a sequential order from the 3 writers listed. In the Kindle format, you may have to go backward a bit to remember which writer you are reading.

I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to read about historical Christian writers. It is structured for Christian believers and their walk in faith.

[Ron Kastner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the spiritual and pastoral insights of Archbishop Fenelon are the high points of this book.

It is also clear why the 17th century Church in France had concerns about Jeanne Guyon and Quietism as a whole. There wasnt much room for the activity of the Church itself not the sacraments in this turning inward to reach God..

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was about halfway through before I ran into the first Scripture reference. This book has three different writers. One I really liked, the other was ok, the third had theology that was questionable relative to my personal beliefs.

[John Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and anointed

Some of the most powerful works I have ever read, great as a devotional and especially used as a guide towards a closer relationship with God if you dare step in this arena you may lose yourself finding more of Christ

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this immensely. I added it to my daily reading for the last ~100 days. I will repeat that immediately. It's a deep work that needs to be nibbled daily, at that I feel that I've left alot undigested.

[Timothy Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I don’t align perfectly with everything in here, wow. So much here. So many concepts that will stick with me forever. And most of all, just an encouragement to dwell and rest in Jesus. Don’t waste a second.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

This book was recommended by a good friend, the first few pages I almost quit reading it. Thank God I didn’t it turned out to be an awesome book, in fact I think I am just going to turn around and read it again.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holistic growth

More like journal made by the author. It could also be our devotional. The writing is classic, some would said it's boring, but we could learn many things from these writings.

[Jack Keeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Insight And Reminders Of What Matters

I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave me the opportunity to look at different areas of my walk with Christ and focus on them each day. Absolutely worth reading.

[Peter C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute abundance

I have used this compilation over the last hundred days as a devotional and highly recommend it.

One can begin to understand that the Presence of God is a universal intimacy to those who open their hearts to faith in Christ.