Discussing
A different way of loving your neighbor

Caryn Rivadeneira

Mark Peake
July 17, 2012

I think it makes total sense that your Facebook friends aren't necessarily you're next door neighbors. I mean, we see our neighbors every day and talk to them easily face to face.

Also, "what they aren't looking for is friends" doesn't seem quite right to me. I've seen the Nextdoor model used in and around Santa Cruz, CA and the things that they're doing, watching out for each other and catching burglars, borrowing ladders, recommending good babysitters, well, those are the things that friends, by definition do. Maybe the distinction is more nuanced? Like best friends vs. just friends?

Mattguddat
July 18, 2012

A very refreshing look at what it means to love. Love does come with boundaries. I do think that extravagant love is the basis of Christianity and whatever way it manifests itself it carries a sense of - wow you think I'm special! Boundaries protect that! My neighbors are elderly and often appreciate a "hello", some of my wifes baking or keeping my garden neat :-S
I love doing things for them and others that 'knock them sideways', and I don't need to share deep secrets or confide in them for this to occur.

TimF
July 19, 2012

"... playing ghost in the graveyard as the sun went down." Great line, Caryn!

When it comes to biblical neighborliness, I think of The Good Samaritan. That guy lived nowhere near the man beaten and left for dead, yet he was the neighbor.

I don't think neighbor has to do with residential proximity.

Tim

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