My friend, Jared, lives in North Idaho. He posted this note on Facebook and with his permission I’d like to share it with you unedited. It’s a powerful testimony of how God is using him in the life of his neighbor.

Meaningful encounter with my neighbor on Thanksgiving.

 Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 1:36pm

Today, when I got home from taking Meredith her lunch at work, Mike, our neighbor yelled "Happy Thanksgiving, neighbor!" I responded and we chatted for a second when he asked me if we drink wine. I said yes and he said he had a bottle of Chardonnay for us.

He then opened up and said he'd been in Jail for the last two weeks after getting his 3rd DUI. He had been in for two weeks already and was facing 6 months when he unexpectedly got a call from his attorney last night. The attorney said they'd let him post bail and he could be out for Thanksgiving. He told me he was done drinking and that he is an alcoholic.

We then chatted about my story and I told him that I understood where he was coming from. I told him I too have been to rock bottom. I stated in no uncertain terms that Jesus was the reason for my change and that I owe Him everything. He mentioned that he "believes" in Jesus but just hasn't been able to change.

I said thanks for the wine and came home and was incredibly burdened to pray for him. I did so for awhile as I walked around the house and then, while putting in a load of laundry, I started racking my brain about how I could help or if there was a Bible I could give him or a book or something! Immediately, "The Purpose Driven Life" popped into my head. I haven't thought about this book in years. This was the book God used to get my attention and after reading the first sentence of the first chapter, I crashed onto my bedroom floor crying. I was broken, lonely though surrounded with friends, and had no success in making the changes I was wanting to make. In that moment of brokenness and authenticity as I cried out to Jesus, He saved me.

I am forever grateful Rick Warren made the time to write the P.D.L. (BTW, it is the 2nd most published book in the world second only to the Bible. Despite this success and potential riches, Rick & his wife give away 90% of what they earn from its sales.) I went to our home office and found my copy. It hadn't been written in at all. I decided I'd go back, knock on the door and give it to him.

I walked outside and by that time (about 5 mins) his brother had already come home. I presumed there were others there too because Mike had just mentioned his entire family was on their way over to celebrate Thanksgiving. I stood on the porch for several seconds and felt afraid. I walked back into the house. I was trying not to back down. I felt awkward and I didn't want to look like some religious nut (just being real!). I looked at the coffee maker and had the idea to take something over there that would be a gift for everyone. I grabbed a pound of coffee (Thank you, Meredith) and then marched across the lawn and wrapped on the door.

Ryan, Michael's brother, answered and asked me to come in. We made small talk for a minute or so and then I saw Michael and slapped the book into his hands. I said, "This book was instrumental in turning my life around." He said thanks and looked at it eagerly to find out what it was. After realizing it was the P.D.L., he looked up and said, "My jailer recommended this book to me. He said it would be the best book I could ever read!" I looked at him straight in the eyes, got serious, and said, "It is no coincidence that your jailer would recommend this book to you and then your neighbor, who has no knowledge of your situation whatsoever, would bring this EXACT book to you within 24 hours of you being released. God is speaking to you."

This is my most memorable Thanksgiving to date. I pray that Jesus would get ahold of this guy's heart and give him the life-change that only God can accomplish. I myself am living proof of this God sized change. I'll continue to pursue him and make myself available if he has questions or needs support. WOW! My hairs are still standing up an hour later. If compelled, please pray for him as well. Prayer changes things and people.

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12