God Is Not Techno

     The information highway has so many avenues, lanes and frequencies we’re lucky the air around us doesn't start crackling with energy and fry all our hair off. Some obvious evidence can already be seen in our male population, who seem to be more susceptible to this particular phobic phenomenon. Cell phones, tablets and laptops have replaced cigarettes and loud conversation everywhere in our society and the verdict is still out on which of these unsocial graces has been the least healthy for the continued development of our species ability to love and understand one another. People are emailing, texting, sharing, liking, tweeting and talking faster than the speed of light as they rush from task to task throughout their daily life only to realize for a split second it’s already the middle of July and over half the year has passed by. It really is no surprise to me that drugs and alcohol are the choice of escape for those who can’t seem to cope with the magnitude of today’s fast-pace complicated life. I’m doing my best, but sometimes I think, “Stop the World - I Want to Get Off”, also the title of a little known 1961 musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Set against the backdrop of a circus, it focuses on Littlechap, whose first major step towards improving his lot is to marry Evie, his boss's daughter, after getting her pregnant out of wedlock. Saddled with the responsibilities of a family, he allows his growing dissatisfaction with his existence to lead him into the arms of various women. As he searches for something better than he has, only to realize in the twilight of his life what he always had, the love of his wife was more than enough to sustain him. (Wikipedia) I have always found running my own life was enough of a struggle.

[Psalm 121; James 5:13-20] Prayer is a local call to heaven; no charge; no hidden fees; no taxes; no monthly bill. Can you imagine what it would be like if God got so busy tending to other things rather than His creation, that he found it necessary to installed Voice Mail? Just think; right after you start praying you hear this: “Thank-you for calling Heaven. For English think 1. For Spanish think 2. For all other languages think 3. Please select one of the following options: Think 1 for request; Think 2 for thanksgiving; Think 3 for complaints; Think 4 for all others.” Some silence and a few clicks later: “I’m sorry; all our angles are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.” A hymn or two later: “The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday. If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact the leadership of a local congregation representing heaven on earth. Thank-you, and have a heavenly day.” I thank my God that he isn’t always thinking up some new plan for me to contact him in a “more intimate way” getting me to join some new and improved media with more toolbar buttons for more options of getting more out of and using God in ways more convenient and suitable to my lifestyle. No, God has given each and every one of us the opportunity of a personal close relationship with Him through his son, Jesus Christ. There are no options. A little boy prayed for God to take care of his mommy and daddy; his brother and sister; his doggy and himself. Then he added: “And take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re going to be in a big mess.” Amen!