Ten $1 Bills

It was early in 2010 when Thomas Black began asking himself, “Am I called to go and help two communities in Nicaragua build a 200 foot walking bridge across a raging river?” Searching for the answer to that question, he watched the DVD movie about the early years of Billy Graham’s ministry, to learn how […]

It was early in 2010 when Thomas Black began asking himself, “Am I called to go and help two communities in Nicaragua build a 200 foot walking bridge across a raging river?” Searching for the answer to that question, he watched the DVD movie about the early years of Billy Graham’s ministry, to learn how Dr. Graham knew he was being called by God into the ministry. Then twice as Graham began preaching, rivers of tears began streaming down Thomas’ face, the last instance prompting Thomas to stop the movie, look up and shout, “GOD, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME . . . ARE YOU CALLING ME TO PREACH?”

Then Thomas had a vision, that at the age of 60, he died and went to heaven. He found himself face-to-face with Jesus. Jesus asked him one question, “Twenty years ago I gave you this vision, and now, who have you helped in the past twenty years?” Thinking back, Thomas’ eyes quickly fell away from His face, his head hung low, and he answered, “No one Lord . . . no one.” Jesus simply said, “Then go back and start telling the stories I will give to you, tell others about Me, and help as many people as you can.”

Thomas prayed that night for God to give him a physical sign that he was being called “out of the boat.” The answer to that question came, with God not only showing him the physical sign he had prayed for, but taking him on a faith journey that would change his life forever. A journey that would allow him to share not only his faith and stories with others, but also share with a family a card with ten one-dollar bills inside.


The year 2010 would quickly become a spiritual marker for Thomas. Ten One-Dollar Bills not only tells the story of this incredible journey but reminds us that life is a journey not a destination, and as with any journey, Serving the Lord + Loving People = Purpose. AND we are all challenged to “get out of the boat” – “move beyond comfort” – “love without limit” – that is where we’ll discover not only who we truly are, BUT the bounty of Christ.

The book Ten One-Dollar Bills can be purchased at www.WestBowPress.com by the title: ten one dollar bills. An e-book is also available. And Thomas’ journey continues in his second book Lord, Increase My Faith, where he shares an answered prayer of finding and meeting his birth-mother, who revealed to him the branches of their family tree, which is filled with preachers and evangelists, including the one featured in the movie! This book contains the faith stories Jesus said would be given to Thomas in his vision. Lord, Increase My Faith is a free PDF download from Thomas’ website: www.tenonedollarbills.com

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