Neighbors

By -

 

Neighbors

“Good fences make good neighbors” is a proverb that exists in many different cultures and languages. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where this thought originated. It is not believed to be biblical since the bible would teach the opposite. In our time its frequent usage began with Robert Frost’s use of the phrase in his poem, “Mending Wall,” published in 1914.

Wolfgang Mieder’s, research traces the history of different versions of the proverb dating back to the 17th century. Caroline Westerhoff’s book Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality, outlines the conflict between boundary and hospitality.

How can neighbors come together if they are divided by fences? As Caroline Westerhoff stated, “there is value in balancing the fine line between welcoming people in and keeping them at an arm's length.” Even  Benjamin Franklin is known to have said, “Love thy neighbor, yet don’t pull down your hedge.”

Do fences communicate the same nonverbal massage as crossed arms? Or do fenses make a healthy barrier between associates?

Social distancing and masking both signals a desire to keep distances between all those we meet. The best part of a smile hides behind colorful face masks. Church services are hampered by the rules of non-contact. “Love thy neighbor as thy self” can be accomplished but from an approved isolated distance. Those who disregard the practice of fighting COVID-19 in this manner are ostracized. Fences do not have to be made of stone, wood or wire. Separating one from another, fences can be visible or invisible. They nonetheless set at difference many neighbors.

Matthew 5:. 42 “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,”

Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. [John 13:34] “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;...”
Mark 12:31 “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Know the purpose of any fence and respect its boundaries. Never let fences separate you from the Love of God. Know God, know peace. Amen. 01/12/21 BLL

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thy will be Done...the Wayfarer 3/15/19

By -
Thy will be Done 3/15/19 Matthew 6:9-13 King James Version (KJV) 9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11  Give us this day our daily bread. 12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. The "model " prayer, given us by Jesus, repeated daily throughout the world, by many denomination and sect, though seldom examined by those parroting the words is NOT an empty example that is to be followed by congregant, memorized by children and adult alike.  It is exactly the opposite of that emptiness, holding the essence of what SHOU LD be in the heart of the one praying. It is GOD'S will that need be sought, not just daily, but continually by all wishing ...
Read more

Remember Therefore from Whence Thou art Fallen,,the Wayfarer 3//27/13

By -
Image
 3//27/13 “Remember from Whence Thou art Fallen” “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5) Today we touch the untouchable book of Revelation, given to us by John of Patmos, through our Savior Jesus Christ himself. This particular message is one I have given before, in places where I knew none of the congregation, and had no idea why God wouldn’t let me preach from any other scripture.  It is probably one of the most important messages for the people of today’s church to hear. It is also probably the hardest for today’s “Christians” here in our country to comprehend, and even harder to accept. Take note of the use of the phrase “ the first works” used by Jesus, we will delve deeply into the meaning of this phrase as we progress through today’s message. First, however let us back...
Read more

The Life is More than Meat...the Wayfarer 11/29/15

By -
The Life is More than Meat  11/29/15 22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. (Luke 12:22 &23) Life is indeed more than meat, food, clothing and the things that are constantly demanding the attention of the physical, carnal man, whose concern for himself and those he considers his own, all too often revolve. Life also consists of the inner being, the soul of that man, and those he considers his own, and all others as well with whom he is in contact in the process of what is called living. It is that very essence of life, that eternal soul that holds preeminence and prominence above all physical “needs”. The necessity of a warm coat to stave off the chill of the winter’s cold is undeniably important, without it the physical body, first suffers discomfort, and if ...
Read more