Things I Don’t Like

Good morning gang!

Yesterday, I posted some things I like. Now for some things I don’t like. Let’s begin with cell phones. I know, I know. In my “things I like,” I mentioned the iPhone. Well, all things in moderation!

Here are some things about cell phone use and users that bug me:

I don’t like it when people let the cell ring six times at full volume before they answer it.

And you know that ring tone on your cell that sounds like an old-fashioned ringer on a telephone? It’s not really funny, just obnoxious.

And why is it people speak so loudly when they answer their cell phones?

Did you know it’s rude to take a call on a cell when you are in a conversation with someone in person? Now, if it’s an emergency or a call from your kids, that’s one thing. But there you are, sitting at a table in a restaurant with your friend, pouring your heart out, and suddenly their cell rings very loudly, and they answer, “HELLO? OH, I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING IMPORTANT, WHAT’S UP?” You feel like slinking under the table!

I used to think cell phones were the greatest thing going. I remember when a friend showed me his first generation cell phone (or mobiles as they call them in England).

It looked like this:

Not much smaller then a World War II walkie talkie! It had a battery life of 20 minutes or so, but it was “portable.” Only a few elite people had them. Now, everyone does – including animals, I think! They issue a cell phone to every baby who’s born, as well.

Yikes, I have used my whole blog entry up already,and I’m just getting started!

OK, a few more . . .

Here are some things about cars and driving that bug me:

Why do people insist on driving so slowly in the fast lane when there are all those other lanes available?

Why do people park in two parking spaces instead of one?

Why is it a revelation to people at the front of a line that when the light turns green, they need to go?

Don’t get me started about cell phones and driving! Now that is a bad combination. Whenever someone is doing something crazy while driving – straddling two lanes, driving too slow, or speeding through red lights, etc. – nine times out of ten they are on their phone. What are all these people saying to each other as they talk on their cell and drive?

“I almost hit that guy!”

Do we really need to spend every moment of every day on these phones? How is God going to speak to you when you are on the cell all day long?

Maybe you need to just give Him your cell number.

Then again, maybe we need to slow down and just be quiet every now and then. Turn off the phone, turn off the radio, unplug the iPod.

We are reminded in Scripture to “Be still and know that He is God” (see Psalm 46:10). That is something we rarely do.

“Be still.” Try it today, I think you might like it. And I think you may hear the voice of the Lord as well.

Greg