One year ago, today…

Dear fellow attendees of The Heart of Texas Boot Camp,

One year ago today we left Camp Buckner and launched into the next trek God has for each of us.  My prayer and hope is that it has been a good year for you:

• That you have gone deeper in relationship with Jesus.
• That you are more alive today, than ever before.
• And, that you are becoming more of the man God intends you to be.

Much has happened in these past 12 months.  Nationally and globally it seems there are more wars and rumors of wars, pandemics, epidemics, national fears and divisions, on and on…

All this got me thinking and praying.  In the midst of the bloody Civil War which contained some of the worst moments in our nation’s history, President Abraham Lincoln set aside the last Thursday of November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise”.

Really!  A day of Thanksgiving and Praise!?!  I doubt that would have been my first reaction in that year.  Here is an excerpt from his proclamation:

“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

…and [we] fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.”

I don’t know if this strikes you like it does me, but I am convicted by such heroic leadership.  1863 was a horrible year, and yet President Lincoln resisted with thanksgiving and praise. I commend to you the full reading of his proclamation.

What if, all of us stood up in defiance and led those around us in thanksgiving and praise, just like President Lincoln?

May Jesus bless you and keep you in his perfect will.

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Black

P.S. Would love to hear from you and how your year has been!

One Week to Live

What Would You Do If You Knew You Had Only One Week To Live?

 Watch this:  One Week to Live Move Trailer

Not many trailers need to be watched several times – this one does. It raises questions that furthers our quest for seeking more purpose in our lives.

Imagine that the rest of your life is suddenly compressed into one more week, and then it’s complete, over, finished.  Seriously, what would you do? (more…)