I want to share a special story with you that clearly shows the hand of God at work.

This past week, Julia (my wife) and I went to Emerald Isle, NC to spend the week at the beach for a big family gathering celebrating my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday.

On Tuesday July 8, I went with Julia for a long bike ride. This was my first bike ride outdoors since having my left total hip replacement on June 9. About 30 minutes out, I noticed the tire on my mountain bike was nearly flat and stopped. Julia suggested I ride her bike back home while she called her sister on her cell phone to pick her up. The next day we took the mountain bike to a bicycle shop and had the flat tube replaced.

On Thurs July 10, we tried the long bike ride together again. This time I noticed my tire going flat about 2 miles out from the rental house. I suggested to Julia she continue on with her long bike ride while I walk my bike back home.

After an old man passed me walking, the scripture came to mind “In everything give thanks” (1 Th 5:18), so I thanked God for my flat tire, figuring He was sending me home for a special reason, possibly to pray more for my family. A few minutes later, a man in a minivan stopped to offer me a ride home. My initial reaction was to say no but after looking closely at my tire and seeing it was completely flat, I accepted his offer. After throwing my bike in his minivan, the man introduced himself and drove me home. After unloading my bike, he told me he liked the scripture on my “Do Gooders” T-shirt

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good” (Ephesians 2:10)

It was clear to me from that remark and the man’s demeanor that he was a Christian. Then I noticed his license plate – “IZ ON JC.” I then sounded it out saying “Eyes on Jesus Christ.” He said yes. We then had a good conversation about God and the abysmal condition of America. He told me “Comfortable Christianity is over.” Before leaving, the man said he was glad I got the flat tire so we could meet.

After going inside our large beach house, Patty Scott (my sister-in-law) showed me a book she bought for her daughter called “Anatomy of the Soul” by Curt Thompson M.D. Patty told me Curt is a fervent Christian psychologist who integrates his faith into his clinical practice and teaching. My initial thought was that I don’t have time to read another book right now because I’m reading several others. However, after going to my bedroom to read the Bible and pray, Holy Spirit nudged me to get that book and start reading it. After reading 10-20 pages, I became very interested and knew God was leading me to read the entire book, so I ordered the Amazon Kindle version.

The theme of the book revolves around the importance of being known – by God and by others. This is a much deeper and richer experience than simply knowing the bare facts of someone’s story. This book was a real eye-opener for me.

Recent discoveries in neuroscience can provide answers to some of the questions being asked by many people today such as:

• In a world that is more connected than ever before, why do I so often feel so alone?
• Why do I find it so hard to change?
• Why can’t I get past my past?
• Since my emotions often seem to get me in trouble, do they have any value?
• Why can’t I just go it alone?
• Why do I so often “lose it” with other people?
• How does Jesus make a way for me to be freed from the grip of sin here and now – not just in the new heaven and earth?
• What does it really look like when we live in community as the body of Christ?

Here is an excerpt from Introduction at amazon.com to the book:

Do you want to improve your relationships and experience lasting personal change? Join Curt Thompson, M.D., on an amazing journey to discover the surprising pathways for transformation hidden inside your own mind. Integrating new findings in neuroscience and attachment with Christian spirituality, Dr. Thompson reveals how it is possible to rewire your mind, altering your brain patterns and literally making you more like the person God intended you to be. Explaining discoveries about the brain in layman’s terms, he shows how you can be mentally transformed through spiritual practices, interaction with Scripture, and connections with other people. He also provides practical exercises to help you experience healing in areas where you’ve been struggling.

If you resonate with one or more of these questions, I invite you to read this book and go on an amazing journey to better understand your mind and to find meaningful, sometimes surprising, and practical answers.

More blessings

1) “MASTERING YOUR TIME” event

On Monday July 21, I will be sharing my “Mastering Your Time” presentation from 7 – 8:30 p.m at the Cascades Library, meeting room A, 21030 Whitfield dr. Potomac Falls, VA 20165. Author and life coach, Mercy Abbey will be the host and facilitator for this free event.

CLICK HERE for more information. Come experience a presentation that will not only shift your thinking about how you view time, but change your whole outlook on life for the better.

Note: The correct date for this event is July 21, not June 30.

Blessings to understand the importance of being known!