"Bad Connection"
Date: April 6, 1997
Series: "How To Hear From God"
Message: "Promises To Those Who Hear"
Scripture: Psalm 25
Time: About 4 minutes

Concept: A man is eagerly awaiting a call from the Lord.  As he gets ready for the call, he turns on a TV, a radio, and a tape player all at once, sending up a chaotic blend of noise.  As the call comes, he can't hear what the Lord is saying because of all the other noise in the background.  But...instead of turning off the noise, he gets frustrated at the "bad connection".  He feels God can't be understood...and hangs up the phone blaming the connection and God's inability to speak clearly instead of recognizing the hindrances he himself had placed between him and God.

Scene: A living room setting, or a man sitting at a table.  There is a TV, a radio, a tape player and phone...

Man (entering the room and checking his watch) Its almost time for the call!  I've been waiting for this all day.  I sure do want to hear from God...there's so many things going on in my life right now that I need His direction on!  I've got so many questions to ask Him about...what He's like, how He feels about me, what His plans are for me, how I can cope with all the stress I've been under lately...I sure want to hear from Him.  (checks watch again)  Yep, I should be able to make that call any time now...

(He notices the TV)  Hmmm...might as well watch a little tube while I'm waiting.  (He switches on the TV, flips through several channels and settles on one, leaving the sound up high enough so the audience can hear it).  

While I'm at it, better check on the weather quick...the radio guy should have it. (Turns on radio, leaving it on so the sound is about as loud as the TV's.  Both are now going at the same time)

Hmmm...wouldn't hurt to have a little music in the background.  (turns on the tape player with some music, also leaving the sound high enough to hear.  All three are now going on at the same time, but the audience needs to still be able to hear the man's voice).

(Checks watch again)  Better make that call now.  Don't want it to get too late.  (Dials the number, has a hard time hearing it ring.  Plugs one ear to hear better)  Hello?  God?  This is Brian...Brian Smith.  I want to talk to You about some things....what?  I can't hear You very well, could You speak up?  I've been wanting to get to know You better, and I need some guidance....what?  I can hardly hear You!  What's that?  Turn what?  I can't understand what You're saying!  There must be a bad connection or something...is there something wrong with Your phone?  I CAN'T HEAR YOU!  Don't You want to talk to me?  Look....call me back when we have a better connection, OK?  Maybe You should get Your phone fixed.  (he hangs up, very frustrated)

Man!  Here I try to talk to God, and He's got phone problems.  What a bad connection.  Wish He'd do something about it.

(The man sits down with all three things still running, watching the TV and fiddling with the radio...oblivious to the real problem)