A few decades ago, I remember talking with my dad on the phone as he shared with me the news of my sister's birth earlier that morning. I was staying at my grandparents' house, and had to stand on a chair in order to speak directly into the mouth piece as I held the receiver to my ear to hear my dad's voice. As part of the excitement, I practiced writing my sister's name on paper over and over again, and shared the news with my kindergarten buddies concerning the addition to the Limback family.

The personal touch in communicating with others has taken on various forms, and it's debatable if they are effective. Instant messaging, texting, Facebook or My Space accounts, and email have become the acceptable communication outlets for millions of people. It's fast, easy, and relays messages to others in a quick and easy format. And I've found if you want to stay in touch with the younger crowd, this is the avenue they respond to!

Prevalent in the business world is the replacement of the one-to-one personal touch with the impersonal, computer generated voice. We are greeted with a message, followed by a succession of commands to either speak or punch a series of numbers from the phone pad. Eventually, depending on the nature of the call, a live voice may be heard in order to access the data needed.

The Old Testament bible reading assigned for today describes God's personal chat with Samuel. Samuel was living in the Temple with Eli, his mentor. One night God spoke to him, and Samuel thought it was Eli who had called out to him. After Eli realized that it was God who had been calling out Samuel's name, he told Samuel to lay still and listen to God's voice. I wonder if as a pre-adolescent boy, Samuel was afraid when God's face was before him. Did he tremble? Or did Samuel view this as a casual conversation with a dear friend?

God's personal call to Samuel is just one of many encounters the bible documents. We've heard the stories about the variety of communication styles He's made over time to Moses, Adam and Eve, Saul, and to each of the disciples. But He didn't stop once the bible was written and at the printers! Two thousand years later He is still daily calling people listed in His phone book, and as a baptized child of God, you have a listing in this book. He daily calls you to be a witness for Him. He has asked you to be involved in His service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He has called you to be a disciple whether you are on the property of Our Saviour or elsewhere, dialing you up to be in full time ministry for Him.

God's phone doesn't have a hold button, nor does He transfer you to someone else if we think the problem is too difficult for God to handle. He's qualified to hear the needs, trials, and fears of His people. He loves chatting, and He's there to listen and respond with a message of peace, forgiveness, and assurance that He's heard the petitions clearly. He never gives the excuse that the connection was poor!

Have you heard His voice? Have you answered the call? Or is God getting a "busy" signal? I pray that you are moved to build upon the personal relationship which God desires to have with you.

Enjoying the ride,

Jane