Plastic or paper? Smoking or non-smoking? Now, according to World Magazine (November 6, 2004) The Vineyard restaurant in Bentonville, Arkansas, offers “cell phone” or “non cell phone” seating. World quoted customer Bo Landry, who likes the idea. “It’s an interruption. It's loud. Normally you speak louder on a cell phone, and it interrupts the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant.”

We knew that it was coming to this, didn’t we? It seems that everyone has a cell phone. Whether you are standing in line at the grocery store, or driving down the highway, you will see or hear someone on their cell phone.

Question, “What is the first thing you should do when you are involved in an automobile accident?” Answer: “Hang up your phone!”

Yes, that marvel of modern communication, the cell phone can be awfully annoying, can’t it!

As distracting and annoying as the cell phone (used by others) may be to us, the Pharisees had their own version of annoying others. They made it a practice to “just happen to be” in the most prominent places of the city when it came time to pray. Jesus told of one who “stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” His ostentatious prayer was “with himself.” I believe we could say that his prayer was just as irritating to the Lord as that unwanted cell phone conversation next to us. In fact, I am sure it was much more annoying.

But there was also another man there. “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus commented, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:11-13) His humble prayer was accepted by God. How do you pray? Does God want to hear your prayers?

Cell or Non?
By Bob Prichard
www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com