We had an EMT at church for many years. When his pager or cell phone went off it was a cause for concern and prayer. I'm a little sensitive on the subject; in 1984 the church phone rang and someone went to answer. The call was for me - the ambulance was home and about ready to rush my father 30 miles to the hospital with a ruptured aorta. The church prayed as I rushed to take family to his side. BTW, he had a 10% chance of making it through surgery, which he did, to die just over a year later of cancer. (Edit - actually we were told after the surgery that his chance was far less than 10% of making it through the surgery, he had lost most of his blood, but the Dr didn't want us to give up hope - God gave us another year to patch past disagreements.) I usually leave my cell phone in the pickup, but I understand the need for cell phones on and ready to receive a call. If that church phone rings during the service, I will strive to get it answered quickly - and yes, I have also taken emergency calls there. If you have no room in your religion for the needs of others you will find a very lonesome path the entire way to eternity. Church pharisees are probably more common today than at the time of Christ. |