Yesterday I preached a message entitled, "When God Doesn't Intervene." It focused on why God chooses not to stop the tragedies in the affairs of mankind (i.e. the Virginia Tech massacre.) I offered 6 reasons and the sixth was "sometimes we won't know why God chooses not to intervene." The wonderful thing about yesterday was that God DID intervene in our midst.

My home is about 1 hour from the church. I had taken home the laptop that powers our powerpoint to enter the slides for my message, keeping it in my brief case. I am diligent (if not obsessive) in making certain that I have everything I need before I leave the house for church. Yesterday I wasn't so diligent.

When Mary Ann and I arrived on campus, I asked her where she put my briefcase, to which she answered, "What briefcase?" Worship was 20 minutes away and we had no laptop to power our music and message AND I didn't have my sermon nots as well.

For years I have always admired preachers who do not use notes. They amaze me. I have aspired to preach like that--but the times I've tried have been less than stellar. Now I was faced with another opportunity and I knew the folks were very interested to hear what I had to say.

We found another laptop; our worship leader scrambled to enter song lyrics; and the worship center was filling up. I prayed, "Lord, you filled my mind once this week with Your truth, I need you to do it again." Well by the end of the worship service, we had all witnessed the INTERVENTION of God. Not only did I recall what God wanted said, but people were also saved during the invitation. Now that's what I call "intervention."