October 20, 2010

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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I like to hug and kiss.

It's the Christian thing to do: "Greet one another with a holy kiss!"

Yeah, except for up to 3rd grade, I've also always liked the other kind.

But I've been hugging and kissing in a Christian kinda way for a long time.

It expresses affection and unity; and God knows we know everybody's lusting for more of that.

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I learned about hugging and kissing in a Christian kinda way in the Bible.

It seems early Christians liked to express their love for each other by cheek-kissing and hearty embraces even more than handshaking, high fives, or fist pumps.

While full frontals and Frenchies are reserved for another kinda love that folks familiar with Greek already know - Psst! Even people who've never taken Greek know what I'm talking about! - the holy kiss means friendship in, through, and for Jesus.

It betrays a devotion to loving Jesus by loving like Jesus; and that means wanting/working/praying for everybody's best regardless of who, what, where, or when without the need or expectation of response, regard, or reward.

It reminds me of a song...

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Mother Teresa was a very good holy kisser.

I'll never forget watching a silent film of MT holy kissing starving people in the streets and gutters of Calcutta.

It converted me to holy kissing; and I've been doing it ever since: kissing hands/cheeks and hugging in hospitals, nursing homes, before/after worship, and whenever I get the chance.

I get the same results that I saw in that film.

Moretheless, she touched, cradled, hugged, and kissed those starving people until the alienation, anguish, fear, terror, and dread were transformed into peace, calm, and glistening.

Every once in a while, in my experience and most holy kissers, somebody turns away and says, "I don't do that!"

Most folks are starving for it.

Like me.

Maybe you.

There are lots of us who want to hug and kiss.

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Some people prefer to wave fists, extend middle fingers, stick out their tongues, and walk/turn/run away from affection and unity.

Christians like to hug and kiss.

It's easy to distinguish good from bad religion.

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Blessings and Love!