It culminated the other day when my wife told me I had a bad reputation.

My mom had said something rather accusatorially the other day as well.

It goes something like this… I don’t answer my cell phone very often. People call me… a lot. They know I have it with me. But I don’t answer it. So, my lack of picking up the phone apparently gives me a bad reputation.

Let me respond.

These people who are calling me AREN’T paying my cell phone bill. I’ve yet to receive a supplement cell check from any of them.

Another thing: I’m scatter-brained. Very. It’s a curse. If I am focused on something and get sidetracked, it’s very possible that I will forget what I was originally doing and not get back to it till later. Many times, when my cell rings, I’m in the middle of something, even if it’s thinking about something important. This same curse causes me to often wander around the church or my home looking for a coffee cup, pen, wallet, you name it. Anything I’ve had with me, set down for a moment, and then been interrupted.

So anyway… what was I talking about?

Oh yeah. Anyway, my cell phone is mine. I pay the bill. It’s for my convenience, not anyone else’s. Since I have this nifty blog, how about all of you just leave me messages here via the comment form? Wouldn’t THAT be great?

With the advent of cell phones, everybody wants you available to them on their timetable, at that moment, for their convenience. I’m sorry, but I don’t even like talking on the phone anyway, much less to be “on call” all the time.

So here’s an idea… leave a comment on my blog if you want me to contact you in some way.

Or you can try to call my cell phone…

On this day...

Worship services of significance - 2008
Signs that someone is leaving your church - 2007
Finding God at Harvard... - 2006

15 Comments

Jeff December 10, 2005 at 2:40 pm

Mom,

If you’ll just post a quick comment on this blog when you’re feeling like dying, I’ll be sure to call! ;)

I love you too! (Uh, hope no one else is really reading all this!)

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Marylee Noble December 10, 2005 at 2:30 pm

When you miss my funeral because you wouldn’t answer your phone (cell or home) I hope you feel really bad. I still love you and pray for you every day. How’s that for some Mom guilt!!!

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Carolyn Bakalekos December 10, 2005 at 9:36 am

I think it must run in your family judging by your sister’s same attitude. I won’t take it personally if you don’t answer when I call, but I will track you down.

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Jeff December 5, 2005 at 5:01 pm

Taylor,

Being a pastor doesn’t mean that you service everyone everytime everywhere. Scripture says that we are to “equip God’s people for works of service…” In my mind, that means that I’m helping to propel others into service, so that more people’s needs are met. I’m only one person…

And I hardly think that my cell phone has anything to do with servant leadership.

BUT, my back DOES still get quivers when it thinks about helping you and your dad move that printing press made out of cast iron…. Now THAT’S servant leadership! ;)

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Taylor James December 5, 2005 at 4:54 pm

It hurts me to think that a pastor doesn’t think that he should be “”on call” all the time” to his friends and fellow christians.
Allow me to quote the Journey Church web page: “There is a high level of trust for the church’s leaders, and our leaders actively seek to practice servant? leadership.”

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Amy Darcey December 5, 2005 at 3:22 pm

Thanks for such a clear cut way to get under your skin. Usually takes years of finding just that one thing that will drive someone crazy, course I’ve almost perfected that.

Talk to you soon, one of many, hundreds of calls to place.

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Jeff December 5, 2005 at 1:03 pm

Jim,

I love it!

Taylor, my new number is (202) 452-7468. Please call me anytime. I guarantee an answer.

Jeff

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Taylor James December 5, 2005 at 12:53 pm

I think that you are just making excuses. You can call people from the church office and your house.

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Jim December 5, 2005 at 11:48 am

Jeff,
Here is a cool solution to slackers who call your cell phone frequently and drive you crazy for no reason at all. (People like me) Give them your “new” cell phone number. Give it a call you will fall in love. (202)452-7468.
Jim

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Jeff December 5, 2005 at 10:57 am

No, Taylor. I like it cause it has cool games and keeps my calendar. Oh, and sometimes, I call people.

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Taylor James December 5, 2005 at 10:26 am

If you are so adamant about this whole cellphone thing I say you chunk it.

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Ben Coulter December 4, 2005 at 11:04 pm

my thoughts exactly!
Gayle, you read my mind.

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Traveler October 19, 2007 at 5:22 pm

Traveler,

May be you should turn off your phone?

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Jeff October 24, 2007 at 3:49 pm

This was all written very tongue in cheek, and I continue to be amused by it all. It is still one of the top posts of all time, and it’s simply… well, silly.

One other thought though… when someone calls me, and I’m on the other line (which is frequent) and don’t beep over, folks don’t realize that I’m perhaps occupied. It’s strange, really. We tell our kids not to interrupt us when we’re talking with someone, and then if we’re not careful, we readily permit folks to do that to us by “beeping in.”

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A little self-flagellation | Notes from the Trail January 26, 2008 at 11:36 pm

[...] Hyper-focused – I have no idea how I can be both this and scatter-brained. All I know is that when I get going on something, whether a project or overall vision, I’m like a pitbull. It’s hard for me to see or pay attention to anything else. The crazy thing is that any interruption can pretty much sideline me from productivity if I’m not careful. (That’s one reason I don’t answer my cell phone a lot. See here.) [...]

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About

Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.