questions....

so, i read a lot. okay, maybe that is an understatement but come on. :)

since i do read a lot i feel like i have a lot of questions. a lot of the times i find the answers to them. some of the times i question basic thoughts of theology because i just want to 'make sure' i am thinking along the same lines as i feel like i should be....maybe i have a confidence issue but regardless, i have a question i want to ask. maybe you can help me :)

so a few weeks ago i was in the middle of 'a glimpse of jesus' by brennan manning. i would definitely encourage any and all to read this book on self-hatred. it is remarkable but some of the things manning stated in it i wasn't so sure what to think. i've heard it discussed a few times before but never really got any solid answers.

so, my question is this: is it true that we have to 'accept' or 'love' ourselves before we can ever fully love God muchless another human being? I've heard psychologist type people talk about 'loving yourself first' in order to fully get out of your 'pit' (whether it be cutting, depression, eating disorders, etc). Manning stated "we can only sense ourselves and our world valued and cherished by God when we feel valued and cherished by others" (p. 35).

I'm not sure what to think about this, honestly. I don't think we have to 'love ourselves first' before we can reach out and love others, or God. He uses the weakest of vessels to do His work.

So, if you have any thoughts or whatever. shoot them my way. I would love to hear what you have to say because I've been thinking about it for a while and I haven't really gotten anywhere.

Hope you are all doing well....