Ask most people to take stock of their lives and they’ll consult their PDA for the latest mutual fund quote.

Somehow, this money-driven society has lost sight of once-cherished priorities like faith, family and the sabbath.

Not long ago, technology dangled before us the lure of a four-day, 30-hour workweek.

Instead, the 40-hour week has given way to the concept of "24/7," life without an off-switch. Like it or not, that degree of indispensability once reserved for Marcus Welby is now available to us all. Today’s labor saving devices like the Internet and cell-phones have made it virtually impossible to escape the demands of the urgent.

In my mind, solitude and survival are becoming increasingly linked. I find myself obsessing over quiet corners in my home and empty spots in my day-timer.

Into this shrinking inner sanctum, only my Lord and loved ones may enter.

I suspect we all crave such moments of intimacy. Driving my son to the Cub Scouts. Playing "drive-in roulette" with my wife and son to see where we’ll have dinner that night. Sharing bed-time prayers and hearing "I love you," from those who matter most.

These are the things that make life worth living.

I could bore you with "proud papa" stories and examples of the honest, outrageous things that emerge from the mouths of babes.

I could quote statistics that might shock or astound you. Who could fathom that since 1973, 42-million American victims of abortion would never have the same freedom of choice that my seven-year-old enjoys…will it be Pizza Den or McDonalds, tonite? That is so very, very sad…

I could dissect economic, demographic and cultural trends…but really, that’s just turning up the noise. And we’ve heard enough of that, lately.

Instead, I encourage you to turn down the external volume and sample the silence. Listen long enough and you may hear the voice of your Creator calling.

And you won’t even need to reach for your cell phone.

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