Seriously, What does an Apostolic look like (was Barbie's New Look)

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Sis Kathleen wrote:
>>
What did Jesus say would be the identifying 
| characteristics of His disciples.  Was it outward clothing, 
| hair styles, beards or no beards?  It was, of course, none 
| of these things.
| 
| (John 13:34-35 KJV)  "A new commandment I give unto 
| you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, 
| that ye also love one another. {35} By this shall all 
| men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love 
| one to another."
<<

I don't know how many times I have run into people who "look" Apostolic,
but they have the most severe expressions (often downright scowls) on their
faces.  There are a couple of Apostolic/UPC churches in my immediate area,
but we don't all necessarily know each other.  I saw an Apostolic couple in
the laundromat the other day and smiled at the woman (looking right at
her).  She looked at me, then looked the other way, ne'er a twitch
resembling a smile cracked her lips.  She completely ignored me.

Ok, maybe she was shy, but shyness comes from *fear* of rejection or
something.  There is no reason to be shy when greeting a fellow saint!  She
certainly isn't the only Apostolic "looking" person I've run into who
behaves this way.  

I sometimes get the feeling they are secretly scrutinizing (judging) to see
if I look "holy" enough for them to address (I follow all of the
"standards").  I know some "Apostolics" who refuse to associate or converse
with those they don't consider "holy" enough--and those poor people belong
to the "Apostolic's" own church!!!

In NT times, the appropriate greeting for meeting a friend or
brother/sister in the Lord was with a "holy" kiss.  (In the Middle East and
most European countries, a kiss on the cheek is still considered the proper
way to greet people.)  In the US, we greet people by smiling and asking
"How are you?" (or words to that effect).

How are we to show others we have this powerful love inside us if we ignore
each other (an action some consider downright rude) in public?  Are we only
to be cheerful and "put on a happy face" at church?  No!  According to
Jesus, that should be *the most* obvious evidence of our
Christianity--LOVE.  How do you show the world you feel and are in love? 
You smile, usually, or at least have a pleasant countenance. :)  Most
people in the world know of us (and our clothing issues) already, let's
back that up with faces and attitudes to match!! :))))


Anyway, Sis. Kathleen did a marvelous job! :)
Anneliese