“The deepest urge in every human heart is to be in relationship with someone who absolutely delights in us.” ~ Larry Crabb, Psychologist

“Love is essentially a relationship.” ~ John Powell, Professor & Author

“None of us are getting better at loving: we are getting more scared of it. We were not given good skills to begin with, and the choices we make have tended only to reinforce our sense that it is hopeless and useless.” ~ Elizabeth Wurtzel, Feminist Author

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” ~ Thoreau

“I am afraid that we may be raising a generation of young people who will grow up afraid to love, afraid to give themselves completely to another person, because they will have seen how much it hurts to take the risk of loving and have it not work out.” ~ Harold Kushner, Rabbi & Author

“Young people are cynical about love. Ultimately, cynicism is the great mask of the disappointed and betrayed heart.” ~ Bell Hooks, Poet & Author

“The central difficulty in human existence is a condition where the deepest part of who we are is vibrantly attached to no one, where we are profoundly unknown and therefore experience neither the thrill of being believed in nor the joy of loving or being loved.” ~ Larry Crabb, Psychologist

“Never build a wall until you know what you’re walling in – and what you’re walling out.” ~ John Powell, Professor & Author

“To be in the presence of even the meanest, lowest, most repulsive specimen of humanity is still to be closer to God than when looking up into a starry sky or at a beautiful sunset. For we cannot really love a sunset; we can love only a person.” ~ Mike Mason, Practicing the Presence of People

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” ~ Pablo Cadals

“At the exact center of the human personality is a capacity to give and receive in relationship, a capacity or possibility that defined what it means to be alive as a human being.” “At the exact center of the human personality is a capacity to give and receive in relationship, a capacity or possibility that defined what it means to be alive as a human being.” ~ Larry Crabb, Psychologist

“Relationship is the core “Relationship is the core of reality.” ~ Dr. Dan B. Allender, Psychologist

“Unless you love someone nothing else makes any sense.” ~ E. E. Cummings

“We were designed to connect with others: Connecting is life. Loneliness is the ultimate horror. … Rugged individualism, proud independence, and chosen isolation violate the nature of our existence as much as trying to breath under water.” “We were designed to connect with others: Connecting is life. Loneliness is the ultimate horror. … Rugged individualism, proud independence, and chosen isolation violate the nature of our existence as much as trying to breath under water.” ~ Larry Crabb, Psychologist

“I do not have a category for people I cannot love. The moment I allow such a category, I inhibit my own freedom.” ~ Mike Mason

“All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?” ~ The Beatles

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” ~ Jesus of Nazareth

"We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men." ~ George Orwell

“Beneath what our culture calls psychological disorder is a soul crying out for what only community can provide. … Damaged psyches aren’t the problem. The problem beneath our struggles is a disconnected soul.” ~ Larry Crabb, Psychologist

“It is the unbearable reality of separateness that causes us so many problems.” ~ Larry Crabb, CONNECTING

“Behind every question lies a better question, and ultimately every question takes the shape of a human face. Every problem in other words, has a relational root. The only real problem in the world is alienation, and the only cure is love. Questions are answered and problems are solved only as we come into right relationship with people. … The answer to each problem is a person.” ~ Mike Mason, Practicing The Presence Of People

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.” ~ Genesis 1:26 (NRSV)

“God is love. Those who live in love live in God, and God in them.” ~ 1 John 4:16 (NIV)

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Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.” ~ Genesis 1:26 (NRSV)

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." ~ Genesis 2:18 (NRSV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'” ~ Jesus, Mark 12:30-31 (TNIV)

“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 5:23-24 (NRSV)