So that is on my plate for now. I am also nibbling through other books when the mood hits me to read those topics, but have put one on hold until I feel like getting back to it. Sort of following my instincts, here; don't you criticise me.
The book kind of talks about God's loving of us; our being His children.
Brennan quotes some nice people saying nice things. He says some good things, too. I had heard of Julian of Norwich from Medieval Wisdom for Modern Christians, I believe, as she had influence on C.S. Lewis and possibly others of the Inklings.
She said at some point or other...
Our courteous Lord does not want his servants to despair because they fall often and grievously; for our falling does not hinder Him from loving us.
Brennan Manning later in the same chapter said:
To feel safe is to stop living in my head and sink down into my heart and feel liked and accepted . . . not having to hide anymore and distract myself with books, television, movies, ice cream, shallow conversation . . . staying in the present moment and not escaping into the past or projecting into the future, alert and attentive to the now . . . feeling relaxed and not nervous or jittery . . . no need to impress or dazzle others or draw attention to myself. . . . un-self-conscious, a new way of being with myself, a new way of being in the world . . . calm, unafraid, no anxiety about what's going to happen next . . . loved and valued . . . just being together as an end in itself.
The context of the second is 1. feeling again one's own feelings, and 2. taking down the facade or mask we put on to be accepted in the world (ultimately it's to be accepted by ourselves). That we hate ourselves inherently and our hatred of ourselves means we refuse to face who we are, and to come to God out of that bareness. To be nothing, as we are without God... so that ultimately with God, we will be filled with Something, as we're meant to be: filled with our good purpose as God's creatures.
Traipsing off, now.
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