Soothly in this point I fear that many who have taken upon them the state and likeness of poverty are much letted and hindered in their pursuit of the love of God; I accuse no man, nor reprove any state, for in each state there be some good, and some otherwise; but one thing I say to every man or woman that hath taken the state of voluntary poverty, whether he be religious or secular, or what degree he be in, as long as his love and his affection is bounden and fastened, and as it were glued with the love of any earthly thing, which he hath, or would have, he cannot have nor feel soothfastly the clean love, and the clear sight of spiritual things. (John Climacus)

Love of neighbor is - along with love of God - the foundation of faith.

Love of nature, as manifestation of God, is often a pathway to closer relations with God.

Music may be the most God-like of human creations, it can be both an expression of our love for God and a bridge to God.

Perhaps the issue is not so much one of rejecting love, but of understanding that true love does not envy nor boast, it is not proud nor self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13)

Anything worth loving is beyond owning. We cannot possess what we love. We can praise and give thanks for what we love, but it is never ours alone.