On the move with the BlackPack

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Black

This is our view for the week in Millington, Tennessee. The children and the dogs are enjoying the extra freedom to run. The travel day afforded us with a blow out on the trailer but no accidents. We are looking forward to what God will be doing in the hearts of our team, this church and the surrounding community.
God gave me the opportunity to share His great name with the ladies of First Baptist at Millington and I was thoroughly blessed by all the encouraging words and life changes that God worked in and through these amazing ladies.

Shane and I celebrated 22 years of marriage while we were in Millington and we were able to sneak off the Memphis and enjoy dinner at PF Changs, something we used to do each year but have not been able to in the last few years. He had my favorite flowers delivered to our table.

Currently under construction by His Grace, Leigh

Shane and Joshua enjoying a day of kite flying.

….SECURELY FASTENED!

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Black

….SECURELY FASTENED!

“A journey is like a marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”

John Steinbeck

Wow, what a journey! Since January of this year we have been to 12 churches, 12 cities, and 7 states. Shane has preached almost 100 sermons, Leigh has ministered to countless ladies, and Grace and Lindsey spoke to students at a school assembly (which God used, partly, to spark a revival in the school). Needless to say, it has been a wild ride! But, our Lord has been faithful as He has held us securely fastened in His right hand! Praise be to our great and mighty King!

We began our travels not really knowing what to expect….boy is that an understatement. Our first Summit began with trailer problems and trailer problems pretty much followed us for the rest of our journey through May (overflowing toilets, broken toilets, leaking dishwasher, leaking ceiling, molded carpet, bent trailer jacks, frozen pipes, frozen black water tank, busted and leaking black water tank, clogged black water lines, broken air conditioner, ruptured hydraulic line, open propane gas line, no heat in 0 degree weather, melted electrical plug, and hub failure to name a few). God was merciful through our trailer problems as all of the problems, except for one (which was on the side of the interstate), were at the churches. So, we were able to call someone in to fix the problems. Thank you God! Leigh adds that riding behind Shane, as he drove the semi pulling the trailer, really gave a new meaning to earnestly praying! Now that we are on the other side of the wild ride, we say, “It was well worth it.” We were honored to be able to see God transform us and the lives of many others. Here are just a few of the testimonies we have gathered:

God has worked in me in such painful, beautiful, almost indescribable ways during the revival. I have had healing from scars of being touched by a step-dad in a sexual way as a 2nd-3rd grader. I have understood forgiveness in a whole new way. My husband and I have greater intimacy. I’ve found anger, pride, idolatry that was hidden deep and wrapped up in pretty wrapping paper. I have been completely broken, completely restored. I am amazed at my God. Tonya, Pikeville, KY

At the beginning of the week God found me not excited about revival or Life Action. I came the first Sunday merely to show my husband how much better I am than him. We have some very difficult times in our marriage. Once the Lord got done touching my husband’s life and the dust settled, I became a bitter and angry person who was beginning to question God’s motives and how he was handling my life. Like I said, the first night I was here to humble my husband. The second night was the same. Much to my chagrin, my husband kept showing up every night too! The third night, God showed me that I needed to get out of the way and let him work on my husband. I obeyed and the end of the week has found us closer than ever as a couple. Closer than ever to God. I am so thankful Life Action came to our church and so thankful that God has shown his wonder to my family. Carrie, St Marys, GA

All I had to show was what a mess I had made of my life, trying to fix it all on my own. My marriage was falling apart, my kids were scared of “mommy getting mad” and I lived a life collecting possessions that meant nothing and eating to comfort myself. I didn’t come to the summit at all for fear of being revealed for who I really was. I came the second Sunday morning (last day of the revival) and gritted my teeth the whole service trying not to be compelled by the Spirit. God grabbed me and showed me my immediate need for salvation. I was able to surrender my life, my heart, my whole self to Christ and as I did the hurt and anger of a life of sin melted away. I am filled with joy and excitement. Sarah, St Marys, GA

I have been struggling for some time now with anger and bitterness toward my husband for past sins. I have been the lonely woman you told us about on Sunday, and still am, but with God’s help I am giving it all to him. I am taking bold steps, but it is a start and I am starting to feel His presence again. Karen, Leesville, SC

I have been impressed to have devotions with my wife. She was unable to come because she was recuperating from an operation. There are other areas of my life that need improvements and I will be working on that. Thomasville, GA

God met me at my lack of prayer and devotion time to Him. I have both, just not enough or the quality it should have been at. My wife and I have started praying together again. We did until we had kids, our oldest is ten. But now we have started back. It was a great experience this week meeting God every night. We had a great time. Jason, Thomasville, GA

There are many ways the summit has ministered to me. I love the emphasis on practical application of Biblical principles, especially at Home Life Café. The teachings each evening challenged me to think of forgiveness and pride as the breakers of unity in the church. I have many wonderful resources now in your literature such as the Put off/Put on pamphlet. I have begun working through each one daily and will be able to share with others. I especially love the children and youth programs as I have 8 grandchildren participating! They have not wanted to miss a single night!! They have memorized verses and worked through the take home questions regularly. Thank you for pursuing the next generation through truth and love. The most moving evening was watching my three sons-in-law, each in a huddle with their wives and children, praying for them. Then to see our church sanctuary lined around completely with our men is a sight that is forever etched in my mind. I feel compelled to pray daily for them all as a result of that incredible picture. Thank you for the teaching on Gatekeepers. Priscilla, Rocky Mount, NC

I have been blessed by our times together this week. The worship, fellowship, and encouragement are always tremendously important to me. I was most convicted in [family revivalist’s] message on Sunday morning in looking at a couple of areas in my life that indicate spiritual dryness. There were things I was already bothered by, but I was encouraged during that time. First Baptist Vidalia, GA

God opened my eyes to everything I thought I was doing right with my family. I learned how to love my wife and daughter the way Christ wants me to. I have also been having a hard time with anger. I was blaming it on other people and not that it was ME not walking with God wholly and fully. These things are going to have to be a day by day step, but with the Lord I can do it all. Thank you all for the love, prayers, and excitement the team brought to me and my family. Brian W, Mineral Wells, TX

This is just a small portion of what God has allowed us (our family and your family) to be a part of over the last five months. You have made it possible for us to travel this journey because of your faithful prayers and support. You have allowed our family to see Christ in you as you have remained at home and stood in the gap! Oh, how grateful we are to you! We desperately need you on our team. All of you are a vital part to our ministry efforts. Again, God is making it possible through you! To Him, alone, be the praise!!!

We are looking forward to our upcoming travel season beginning in September. We would ask you to begin praying for Leigh as she will start doing Ladies Luncheons. This will give her an opportunity to share her story with other ladies. You can keep up with our schedule at www.lifeaction.org under the ‘Happening Now’ tab (We are the Red Team).

Also if you would like to become a part of our ministry financial support team you can go to www.lifeaction.org/sblack to set up your giving. We are currently at about 90% of our support budget. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (Shane-Leigh Black and ourfamilyHisglory) and on Twitter (@DrAShaneBlack).

Come join us as we begin another leg of ‘The Wild Ride”! Look for pictures to come in our next newsletter! As wild as the ride has been we are glad to just get this newsletter out while on furlough! 😉

Awaiting His Fire to fall,

‘The Black Pack’

Shane, Leigh, Grace, Lindsey, Margaret, Ema, Anna Claire, and Joshua

ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Black

In 2006 we built our dream house. We built it with our growing family in mind…..plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, a playroom, a school room, a pool, a pool house, and most importantly full of a lot of love! You see, we were planning to retire here and have a place our children and grandchildren could come back to for years to come. Again, we were building our dream home.

Well, the Lord was in the process of pouring the footings (or lack there of) for our new home! It is a good thing the Lord did not invite me in on this building project because I would not have been an easy sub-contractor to deal with! “Lord, are You sure this is enough square footage. Lord, this thing has wheels. Lord, the walls are like two inches thick. Lord, really, where are we going to put everything? Uh…You are joking right!?” I mean, this is not what my family had in mind when we were thinking of a home to live in. And we were definitely not thinking about living from church parking lot to church parking lot! God, You cannot be serious! Or, Could He?

Serious indeed! Last week I flew to Buchanan, MI and picked up our ‘new ride’. Wait a minute….I meant our ‘new home’. Or is it a ‘ride’? Oh yeh, it is both! Come on Lord! Seriously! YEP! So here we go on our new journey with our new ‘home/ride’ in tow. We will be traveling from church parking lot to church parking lot preaching the revival message to families. We are serving with Life Action Ministries. It is amazing how our Lord has taken us from the desire to live in a large house for our ‘large family’ to living in a house on wheels. We are in awe at His molding our hearts to follow Him for His glory. Now hear me out! We are not beginning this journey with naivety. We are very aware that this journey will be tiring and difficult. We know that we will face great trials. We know that our family will be under attack. It has already begun. However, we are also learning that our God is bigger than all of this. We are learning that this new journey is all about Him and we want to be right where he has us. No where else!

So, “Ho Ho…Ho Ho, on the road we go!” But, we will not go unless the Lord goes with us! And He has promised us just that! Family, hang on! Cuz the Lord has a ride (home?…whatever!) in store for us!

You can see our schedule on our ministry page!

Shane Black

WE HAVE DISCOVERED FULL-TIME MINISTRY IS NOT FOR OUR FAMILY!

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Black

Our family originally surrendered to full time ministry in October of 2010. We were attending a Life Action Summit in our home town when the Lord revealed to us that He wanted our family to begin full time ministry serving with Life Action Ministries. We felt like that within a few months we would be on the road to Michigan serving full time. Well…..the Lord had something else, entirely, in mind.

A lot of time has gone by since that original moment of surrender. We have been on a long and seemingly slow journey. We have spent many days and nights wondering what was going on. Our thoughts and concerns have been as follows…….”I mean come on, we surrendered ‘our all’ Lord. Why haven’t You seen to it that everything falls into place on our time schedule? You called us, right? We have a vision of what everything should look like and when everything should take place! Can’t You see it too, Lord? What is the issue here Lord?”

Well, as the Lord took us on this ‘long and seemingly slow journey’ He had a lot that he desired to show us. I would ask you to go back and re-read our thoughts and concerns again. Do you see any problems? Did you notice the pronouns? We…..our…..us……we……! All of our concerns appear on the surface to be about the Lord’s involvement in this process. However, below the surface you will see hearts that were only concerned about ourselves…..our surrender, our time schedule, our vision, our issues!

You see, we felt like we had it all figured out. And we did in our feeble, finite little minds! But, God wanted us, mostly me, to see a very important truth. Are you ready? Here it is! Ministry is not for us…..ministry is for the glory of our Great, Wonder Working God! God needed us to see that…. yes, He does have everything worked out….yes, He does know the time schedule (He made it for crying out loud)….yes, He does know what we surrendered and what we did not surrender….yes, He did call us….yes, He does have a vision…..and yes, He sees everything…..and most importantly it is not about us! Rather it is about HIM and the advancement of HIS Kingdom. Which means it is about you as well! All of you! Everyone reading this blog! And everyone that will never read this blog! God’s ministry in our lives is about you!

What an honor! Our Lord has invited us to go on His journey with Him! We have an opportunity to see our God do things that are far greater than anything we could ever imagine! Things that we cannot explain away with our abilities and giftedness! Things that will leave us saying, “But GOD!” Things that will impact His Kingdom for eternity! Do you get it guys?! We get to be a part of something that is much, much, much bigger than our little family and our comfort and our wants and our conveniences! We get to be a part of history making! We get the opportunity to see God leave a blazing fire burning in our path for the HIS glory!

As I close, I would say one more thing…..”Look out across the horizon and watch for the ‘Fire of our Lord” burning brightly, and then come join Him.” You see, He may want you to be a part of something that is all about Him!

Shane Black

THE LORD’S TIMING IS PERFRECT!!

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Black

Christmas is nearly upon us and we are almost, exactly to the date, three years from having the official call to Life Action Ministries. God moved on our hearts to surrender to full time ministry in November of 2010. Now in November of 2013 we have been asked to go on the road with the Red Team beginning in January 2014. Shane will be serving in the position of Family Revivalist. Being a part of God transforming families is the heart beat of our family. So we could not be more excited! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Our family is in awe of the things God has taught us over these last three years. We are excited to see what changes and growth He has in store for us through this new season of ministry! We are humbled by your prayers and support and ask that you continue to pray for our family. Pray that we will seek to be continually under His authority, in His will, teachable and joyfully serving Him. Pray that we will trust Him with the dynamics of road life and new relationships. We will continue to pray for all of you and miss you as well.

Please be sure to visit our website, ourfamilyhisglory.org often to see how God is moving on the hearts of His people. The website should have a schedule of the churches we will be ministering in and our family’s prayer concerns. Please include how we can be praying for you on the site or if it is too personal you can email, text or call us directly. We love you and love to pray for you.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude for those of you who that have been supporting us financially. We would not be able to do this with out you. Please continue to send your gifts the same way you have been doing. Your gifts are a blessing to us and they speak volumes of your sacrifice and dedication to the glory of our Lord!! Having you on our ministry team points us to the love and faithful provision of Christ!

As always, may we forever be in awe of His grace and striving to glorify Him in all we think and say and do. You will be in our hearts and prayers as we go to share God’s message of restoration and love. We pray that God will bless you for your faithfulness to His ministry. We leave you with the message God has been plowing, cultivating and nurturing in our family….

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

Wonderfully made, securely hidden, and

awaiting His Fire to fall,

Shane and Leigh Black and Family

sblack@lifeaction.org; lblack1487@gmail.com

Shane: 334-791-1488; Leigh: 334-791-1487

How Do You (Christians) Approach Halloween?

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Black

Halloween…..do you think it is good, bad, or you just don’t know? My family has always taken the approach that we avoid Halloween completely. We want to abstain from all appearances of evil. We have always participated in our church’s (Mt. Gilead Baptist Church) Fall Festival. But as far as at home, we would be the family on the block that turns out all the lights ‘inside and out’ because we do not want to participate. However, I am currently struggling with the best way to handle this day. Our desire as a family is to live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. So that creates the question, “How is turning off our lights and “hiding our light” being gospel centered? Hmm…good question. I do not have all of this figured out right now in my mind and heart. I do know that there will be people out and about tonight that need Jesus. The question is what can our family do to impact them and bring the greatest glory to our Lord?

I read this post from Keith Sewell’s Blog and with his permission I am re-posting it here for your review. Keith originally got permission from Jeff Vanderstelt to post it on his blog. I would love your interaction concerning this matter. Your input will help me work through this in my own mind.

The following was originally posted by Jeff Vanderstelt on October 27, 2011.

Halloween offers a great opportunity for many to engage in new relationships with those around us or to revisit some old relationships with new missional intentionality. Regardless of what you think of the holiday and it’s roots, the culture we have been sent by Jesus to reach is going to celebrate Halloween this Monday. We all have in front of us a wide open door for missionary engagement in our neighborhoods. I want to encourage you not to miss out on the opportunity.

If you are looking to be more intentionally engaged this year, I want to present you with a few ideas for how you can more effectively walk through the open door that Halloween presents to us as Jesus’ missionaries.

BE HOSPITABLE…Don’t just give out candy

Give out the best Candy. Please, don’t give out tracks or toothbrushes or pennies…kids are looking for the master loot of candy. Put yourself in their shoes.
Think of the Parents. Consider having some Hot Apple Cider and pumpkin bread or muffins out for the parents who are bringing their little kiddos around the block. Make your entry-way inviting so they want to come closer and hang for a bit if possible.
Be Present. Don’t hide out all night. Come out to the door or hang out on the porch and if they stop to have some cider, get to know their names and where they live in the neighborhood.
Be Encouraging. Tell the kids you love their costumes and to have a great night. Practice building others up with words.
Party. If you’re really into it, you may want to throw a pre-Trick or Treating party. Provide dinner and drinks. Then, send the dads out trick or treating with the kids while the moms continue hanging with some hot apple cider, coffee or tea. Then reconvene with the parents and kids together to examine all of the loot (kids love to show their parents and other kids the loot).
Learn the Stories. If you are out T or Ting with the kiddos or staying back with the other parents, ask questions…get to know their stories. Pay attention to their hearts and their felt needs. Look for opportunities to serve them later. This is how I first got to know Clay (while Jayne was hanging with Kristi and the other moms). I learned his story while we were with the kids and Jayne got to know hers. This led to both of them eventually coming to faith in Jesus.

GO TO THEIR PLACE…Join what is happening elsewhere

Attend the Party. If others are throwing parties, you may want to join them. If so, bring drinks, food or whatever is needed. Then, serve by helping to clean up.
Join the Community. If your community has key events, join them and invite some neighbors to go with you (then get to know their stories along the way). Our area has a trick or treating event on a main street where all the businesses give out candy, the firemen give tours of the fire engines, etc… We go with a group of friends to this each year and consistently meet more people to reach out to.
Head to the “Watering Holes”. If you do not have kids or are not going to engage in the Trick or Treating activities or events, consider going to the local pubs, restaurants or clubs near you for their events and get to know the people there. Make it your goal to learn the story of at least one person who needs Jesus and walk away with some next steps on how to serve them. You will want to do this with others so that you don’t go it alone.

BE PRAYERFUL…Ask for the Spirit to led, guide and work

Pay Attention. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes and ears to the real needs around you.
Stay Dependent. Ask the Spirit to help you listen, care and serve those around you.
Open Doors. Ask the Spirit for open doors for new relationships and gospel conversations

For further reading about Halloween check out this post by Winfield Bevins – What to Do with Halloween

I need You Lord! I desperately need YOU!

Shane

My Children: Their Hearts vs My Heart

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Black

This post comes from the heart of a daddy that struggles at being a daddy. Maybe some of you can relate and maybe some of you can add comments of instruction or encouragement. Most of the time, when it comes to parenting, I feel like Paul…”the things I desire to do I do not do and the things I do not desire to do I do”. Quite honestly, this leaves me frustrated. I understand the responsibility and the honor to disciple my children. And I truly want to be as effective at this as I possibly can. But you know what….I mess it up. Can you relate?

Let me give one case in point. I made a commitment to my children, my wife, and myself many years ago that I would pray with my children every night before bed. I want to lift them up to the Throne Room of Grace…praying for their souls, for their walk, for their actions, for their future, for their husbands to be, for their hearts to be utterly surrendered to the Lord, that they would fall deeply in love with Christ, etc. I understand the weight of this responsibility. I am their spiritual leader. I am the priest of my home. I have a responsibility to intercede for them. But, even when this understanding I find it a struggle to be consistent. There seems to be so many things warring against this time of deep intimacy with my children. Actually, there is probably only one thing warring against this time….self.

My girls will ask me every night before they go upstairs to go to bed, like they did last night, “Are you coming up tonight, daddy?” Translation….”Daddy, we desire that time of intimacy with you…daddy, we need you to pray for us…..daddy, you speak value into our lives when you come up at night…..daddy, you tell us you love us by this action….daddy, it means something to us….daddy, you win our hearts when you pray with us”! Yet when I am asked this question, many times, a struggle begins inside of me that goes something like this….”this is my time of the day….this is when I get to wind down….I have already mapped out my time for this part of the day.” Obviously, you see the struggle. In an instant I am faced with a decision, “Will I think of myself or will I think of others?” I would love to be able to say I think of others every time. But, you already know from the previous words that this is not true.

How in the world can I fight this battle. My only hope is to live out Rom. 6, 7, and 8….die daily….die daily! This thing called parenthood cannot be done in my own strength. I must fall before my Lord in utter surrender asking for Him to do in me what I cannot do! My decisions will be a direct result of my relationship with Christ. Am I walking in the flesh or am I walking in the Spirit? Which one is stronger? Well….the one I feed the most! As I….”seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness….then…”all these things will be added unto me”. I want to live so close and clean with my Lord that it shows not only in my relationship with my children, but in all of my relationships. I am desperate for the fruit of the Spirit to be ripened in my life!

I need YOU Lord! I desperately need YOU!

I feel rather vulnerable with this post, but I will trust the Lord to use it. Those of you that read this post….would you please pray for this struggling daddy that so often is consumed with himself? I would greatly appreciate it!

Shane

Lindsey’s School Project

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Black

Great Job Lindsey Blue!!!!!

Lindsey had to do a project for co-op where she picked a state, studied it, and then did a work up on the state. Well this is the product of her hard work. She decided to make a map of Michigan with Play Dough. I think she did a very good job. She did this by her self…with very little help from mommy. I am so proud of her. She gets her creative side from her mommy….definately not from daddy! Good job Blue Bird!

Shane