tag:gregshumake.com,2005:/blogs/greg-s-thoughts?p=6Greg's Thoughts2017-11-01T10:19:25-07:00Greg Shumakefalsetag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/30638212014-07-08T10:01:00-07:002021-10-27T04:40:15-07:00""Why You Trippin?"<div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xO_7w0A77qI/U7wk1pH20BI/AAAAAAAAAOg/GcLpLIkMDF0/s640/blogger-image-684106545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xO_7w0A77qI/U7wk1pH20BI/AAAAAAAAAOg/GcLpLIkMDF0/s320/blogger-image-684106545.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="231" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>I was working a while ago at a call center here in Fresno and came upon an issue with a customer. I wasn't sure how to take care of their issue and was frantic in trying to find a solution. I went to one of my co-workers, my friend Tyrone Redick, and presented their issue to him. He took one look at it and said, "Why you trippin?" He had already found the solution that I couldn't see. <br>I followed his advice and instruction and the issue was solved.</div><div><br></div><div>As I read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, I could hear his words once again. But this time the words were not from him to me, but from God to Elijah. </div><div><br></div><div>Elijah had received a death threat from Jezebel because he had killed the prophets of Baal. Elijah, the prophet of the Most High God, ran for his life apparently in fear of Jezebel's threat. After a days journey the angel of the Lord came to him twice and said, "Eat because the journey is too great for you." Elijah ate the food the angel brought to him and in the strength of that food, travel forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. Upon his arrival there, God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah's response was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">"I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life. - 1 Kings 19:10" What happened next was interesting.</span>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br></span></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">It says that God told him to come out to the opening of the cave he was hiding in. After which, a mighty wind blew through and ripped the rocks into pieces, but God was not "in" the wind. Next, an earthquake rocked the mountain, but God was not "in" the earthquake. After that, a wild fire burned through the area, but God was not "in" the fire. Lastly, a still small voice was heard and it doesn't say God was not in that voice. Elijah then covered his face with his mantle and went to the opening of the cave again. The next thing we see is God speaking to Elijah asking him the same question as before, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah's response had not changed even after all he had just seen and experienced: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">"I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."</span>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">God then simply assured Elijah that He had everything under control and a backup plan was already in place. He had Elijah anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elish as a prophet to pick up where Elijah had left off. Furthermore, He assured him that He had 7000 prophets that were still totally devoted and committed to Him. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">God never appeared to be upset with Elijah for his stance and decision to call it quits. He instead seems to denote that it was all good and that His plan would not stop with Elijah. </span>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Here's what I see in this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">God was demonstrating His surpassing great power as an answer to the threat of Jezebel with the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but He demonstrated His heart to Elijah in the still small voice. In other words, the wind, earthquake and fire are what God would do to Elijah's enemies including Jezebel and was giving Elijah an opportunity to change his mind (i.e. asking him the same question before and after the demonstration of His power). When Elijah did not change his response, God put plan B into effect. In essence, God was asking Elijah, "Why You Trippin? I got this!" But Elijah had to decide if he was going to continue or quit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I find that this is the same with us. "Oh God, they're coming to take away my car." "Oh God, they're threatening eviction." "Oh God, we're facing bankruptcy." "Oh God, we can't pay our bills." On and on our prayers go, and rightly so. This is no way minimizes whatever current circumstance you may be facing. But God is attempting to display His great power on our behalf, perhaps not by removing the issues we face, but by reminding us of His ability and His heart toward us. The question is, after we have been reminded of His ability regarding the enemies of our peace and His heart toward us, will we quit? Either way, God's got this. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">So to you I present the same question my friend Tyrone Redick presented to me, "Why You Trippin?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Be encouraged today and be reminded of Who it is that fights for you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">God's got this.</span></div><div><br></div><div>
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</div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/23129102014-01-01T04:46:00-08:002014-01-01T05:08:28-08:002014<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-33vXbv5AZ3w/UsQPghW1Q9I/AAAAAAAAAME/6djHM24YK4A/s640/blogger-image--2059004261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-33vXbv5AZ3w/UsQPghW1Q9I/AAAAAAAAAME/6djHM24YK4A/s320/blogger-image--2059004261.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>Well, here we are in a new year. God has graciously allowed us another year to experience His presence, love, mercy, grace, and power. He has allowed us more time to expand and extend the kingdom to all those willing to receive it and to represent Him better than we did the year before. This is really an incredible privilege when we think on it honestly. I'm in London at the time of this writing and actually got to experience a new birth year as well as a new year. It was good, but not the same without my precious family around, though.<br><div><br></div><div>My friend and brother, Michael Randle and I, were talking last night. With the travel, time change and schedule, things can sometimes get a little confusing. I was trying to figure out specifically when I was set to return home as weary as I was (and still am). The more we talked, the more confused I seemed to make things! I couldn't get out of my mind that even though it was after midnight this morning of Jan 1, it would not be Jan 2 when I woke up later today (lol)! Blame it on jet lag! Michael looked at me and said, "Bro, when you wake up, it's still gonna be the 1st!" We laughed at that for a little while. </div><div><br></div><div>Then, in typical Mike Randle style, the profound began to come forth. He said, "You know, Man, here we are trying to figure out a time of day and the day itself and getting confused. Yet GOD has all of eternity rapped up in the palm of His hand. He knows intimately every issue that well over 200 billion people on the planet has. He know every hair, sees every tear, listens intently to every prayer, and has mapped out every life. And here we are trying to wrap our minds around a day!" Then it dawned on me. In light of the fact that we now embark on a new year, consider the mercy of God. Consider how after all the wrong things we all have done and fallen short regarding, we are STILL here and He STILL gives us yet another year to do better. Consider all those times that we have felt forsaken by Him or have felt like we have done too much for Him to love and care for us, and then consider the fact that He kept us safe and alive during the entire time of the previous year. </div><div><br></div><div>Now let all those words, what Mike said and what was just written, sink in. What is it that is plaguing your thoughts right now? What are you having a hard time understanding and figuring out? How amazing is God to take all the stuff that we throw at Him, both good and bad, right and wrong, sinful and righteous, and still love us enough to take care of us? How amazing is it that He is not governed by the actions of His kids, but deals with each one as a loving, just, and righteous Father that only wants the absolute best for His children? Mind blowing, if you try to wrap your mind around that.</div><div><br></div><div>So my encouragement for you in this year of 2014 is simply this: UNBOX GOD IN YOUR LIFE. Secondly UNBOX YOURSELF TO BELIEVE HIM AND RECEIVE HIM EVERYDAY. Let everyday be a new day of acceptance of His lordship in this year. Will you understand everything? Absolutely not. Will everything go well and perfectly for you? Maybe not what WE would consider well and perfect, but it will regarding the purpose of God regarding you. Will it be easy? No. But will it be worth it? YES!! Worth betting your life on.</div><div><br></div><div>Be blessed!</div><div><br></div><div>G</div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/15637152013-09-06T13:48:00-07:002023-05-19T04:47:17-07:00"Position Yourself!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wuk-Iudllo/UiqDAZalvqI/AAAAAAAAALo/XKAzQRGrYjM/s1600/Mantis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wuk-Iudllo/UiqDAZalvqI/AAAAAAAAALo/XKAzQRGrYjM/s200/Mantis.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="173" /></a></div>I had an interesting little experience the other day. It wasn't anything really dramatic, per se, just different. I was sitting outside on our patio at home and noticed this Praying Mantis hanging on the window screen. It is still sitting there today! I thought to myself, "Doesn't this thing have anything more to do? I mean, come on!" It just sits there and sits there "doing" nothing. <br><br>At least, that's how it appears. <br><br>In reality, it is sitting there waiting for it's next meal. It waits patiently knowing that some unlucky, unsuspecting bug will indeed cross its' path. And when it does, "SOUP'S ON!!" <br><br>But here's what I learned. This little "bug" of a predator sits patiently with it's front "paws" in a cupped position as if praying. And the Lord sort of told me that this is how I should be. Ever in a position of prayer <b>WITH</b> expectancy. 2 Chronicles 20:17 says, "You will not need to fight in this battle. <b><i>Position yourselves</i></b>, <b><i>stand still and see</i></b> the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you." All they had to do was be still. But notice something: If all they had to do was to position themselves and stand still, why then were they told to go out against them? Last time I checked, that didn't quite look like standing still!<br><br>Here's the deal. What the enemy wants us to do is to become so busy trying to find a way to win a battle, when the battle has already been won. Jahaziel, the one who prophesied this to the children of Israel, was telling them to <b>still their hearts, minds, and souls,</b> and watch as God fights for them. Their positioning of themselves put them in a place of being able to see the victory that was theirs in God. It wasn't necessary for them to come up with a battle strategy or to fear defeat, but instead to STAY in the place of KNOWING, BELIEVING, AND CONFIDENT EXPECTATION of the hand of God fighting on their behalf. They were told not to be afraid or dismayed because God was going to take care of this enemy. And also, notice he said to stand still and <b><i>SEE</i></b>. The enemy wants you to ONLY see the challenge set before you. He doesn't want you to <b>see the victory that is yours in Jesus</b>, for Jesus came to <b>"destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8)"</b>. These are God's chosen people and nobody was going to succeed in devouring them if HE had anything to say about it. Guess what? You have been grafted into this chosen-ness (Romans 11:17-18). This means that the same passion that He has for His chosen ones, He now has for YOU. That being the case, you, too, can have the kind of expectancy and trust that the children of Israel were instructed to have. <br><br>Matthew 6:30 says, "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe -- you of little faith?" And verse 34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." In other words, POSITION YOURSELVES in confidence, faith, trust, and belief in the God who fights for you. SEE yourself victorious because of what He has done for you and will do for you. This He will do so that His name may be glorified in you. What is it you need? He knows and is able to provide for you. The enemy would have you fully embrace fear of "what if" or "how will," but God wants you to fully embrace His "I have," "I will," and "It is written," for 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are YES and in Him AMEN, to the glory of God through us."<br><br>The enemy wants you to run away from this. Why not today, <b>RUN TO IT</b>? There is nothing left secure to stand upon. The only thing certain for all eternity is God and His word that is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89-90). <br><br>Personally, I am relocating from the place of the impossible to the place of the possible. The place of the impossible isn't a very nice neighborhood to live in.<br><br>How about you?<br><br>G Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/12465182013-07-23T03:59:00-07:002022-05-10T00:41:44-07:00"Mantle vs. Anointing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k-JjHx8FFqE/Ue6odiyTWII/AAAAAAAAALM/hxsJRLJYuTM/s640/blogger-image-893077016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k-JjHx8FFqE/Ue6odiyTWII/AAAAAAAAALM/hxsJRLJYuTM/s640/blogger-image-893077016.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></div>Recently I posted a status in Facebook which stated the following: "What is the difference between the anointing and a mantle? The anointing visits and the mantle inhabits." The responses that came in caused me to realize that terminology without clarification can cause confusion (duh - haha). Forgive me for not really paying attention to my own writing. Allow me to explain.</div><div><br></div><div>A mantle is a covering of sorts, but much more than that. A mantle not only covers, it envelopes whatever it covers. It totally encompasses its object so completely that the object itself is no longer visible. The contrast I desired to draw with my post was this: there is a difference between being anointed for a moment and being anointed to occupy an office or position, spiritually speaking. </div><div><br></div><div>King Saul, when he came upon a gathering of prophets, became "anointed" in that moment to prophesy, but that anointing did not last upon him. It did not envelope him. It was only for a moment in time. Conversely Elisha, when he picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell from the fiery chariot, hit the waters that they had previously crossed and it parted. The next thing we see us the company of prophets that had been watching recognizing that the spirit (anointing for the office of a prophet) now "rested" or enveloped Elisha. Ant this is why I posted the reply to my own question, "The anointing visits and the mantle inhabits", though I probably should have said the mantle envelopes (ha-my bad). </div><div><br></div><div>At any rate, I find this to be an interesting thought because there are many people in ministry that have been "anointed" to be used of God spiritually for moments needed, but not necessarily enveloped with an anointing for occupying that spiritual office. There are those who are anointed to preach, but not to pastor, anointed to sing, but not to be a pastor of music in a church, anointed to vision cast, but not to administrate. It therefore behooves to know what we have an anointing to do and be and what we have been called to walk in on a constant basis. </div><div><br></div><div>"Just thinkin'"</div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/9959112013-06-22T15:59:00-07:002022-02-25T02:20:21-08:00"Life"<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jO4AXssJlFk/UcZyrZH_61I/AAAAAAAAAK8/ewVfAMgIDZA/s640/blogger-image--230620367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jO4AXssJlFk/UcZyrZH_61I/AAAAAAAAAK8/ewVfAMgIDZA/s640/blogger-image--230620367.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a>Life happens. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day to share. Unfortunately, many of us waste those hours on unnecessary things. In the same token, though, many of us try and squeeze every little ounce of life out if every second that we fail to enjoy the time we do have. Both are frustrating. You can be so relaxed that you become completely unproductive, or you can be so productive that you can't even enjoy a breath! There MUST be balance.<div><br></div><div>Personally I like being productive, but I also like breathing! </div><div><br></div><div>When you are productive, you can enjoy the accomplishments you have attained, and that's good. But the question is how "productive" are you socially with those around you? Do those around you view you as the proverbial slave driver who is driven to get things done at all costs all the time? How "productive" is that really? Sure you finished the task, but what about the carnage of people left in your wake in trying to get the job done?</div><div><br></div><div>Adversely, when you just "chill" and relax through things, that's good, too. But the question is how confident will people be in assigning you specific tasks not knowing if or when you'll get them done? Will you be considered trustworthy? Will you be considered dependable? Sure you will be fun to be around, but what about the people waiting at the end of your obedience and diligence to accomplish the tasks set before you?</div><div><br></div><div>Therefore, it behooves us to strive for the place of balance. Put our hand to the plow and not look back. Adversely it is equally important that we learn to relax and enjoy the air. In this way we will be both trustworthy and a delight.</div><div><br></div><div>'Nuff said...<br>
</div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/3822332013-03-18T11:48:00-07:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00The Heart Never Forgets...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d6JdW3WFv0/UUel3ZUQCwI/AAAAAAAAAIw/1r4W58xc7_A/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d6JdW3WFv0/UUel3ZUQCwI/AAAAAAAAAIw/1r4W58xc7_A/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="320" /></a>I was driving this morning to an appointment with my Mother-in-Law and had one of my favorite praise and worship CD's on (Paul Wilbur's "Your Great Name." GET THE CD!!). I had not been "feeling" particularly spiritual or even close to the Lord at that moment. As a matter of fact, I had really been struggling in my walk with Him because life was, and still is, happening. It was the first bit of praise and worship I had listened to this morning and I hadn't had any time in the word, either, so needless to say my heart wasn't to tender at the time. Struggles with money, health, transportation, and ministry, seem endless and the one place I should run to, I was having a hard time entering. The presence of the Lord is the safest place to be in moments like these, but life makes it difficult. Ever been there? There now?<br><br> Well, when it came to the chorus of one of my favorite songs on the CD, "Nobody Like You," something happened. Each time I heard the words "Holy, is the Lord of Glory..." my heart felt like it took a couple extra beats. It was funny, as if the Holy Spirit was shouting, "CLEAR!!" and then shocking me with the paddles from a crash cart! My spirit remembered what it was like to praise Him, even though my mind, will, and emotions were being extremely and exhaustingly challenged. I had no joy. There was no lasting peace. Frustration and sadness seem to be my constant companions. BUT there is something about praise that causes the heart to remember where it came from. That place within us, that reborn place, our spirit, recognizes the voice that created it. It recognizes the DNA that it shares with the Almighty (Gen 2:7) and responds when it hears Him speak. My spirit remembered His presence even though I couldn't sense Him near.<br><br> The heart never forgets. When one encounters the Spirit and presence of God, you never forget what that is like. And whenever you step into that place again, whenever you relive that moment, something within you comes alive regardless of where you are and what you are experiencing. And the purpose for that moment of remembrance is to cause us to remember further what His presence meant for us when we first met Him. It's for us to remember the joy that we experienced, the peace that engulfed us, the love we felt, and the purpose we recognized. It's to cause us to remember who we are and Who's we are. That then leads us to remember the loving, accepting, and father heart of God toward us, realizing that because He's here everything will be alright, regardless of what we see. That remembrance causes us to recognize the power of the Mighty One on our behalf and to recall that no matter what we face, HE is working it all for our good. Then comes the challenge of Is. 53:1 "Who has <b>BELIEVED</b> our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" After these moments of remembrance, we are faced with the challenge of who and what we will choose to believe. <b><i>Will we believe what the circumstances say, or will we believe what God says about the circumstance?</i></b><br><br> Life doesn't play fair. Life tries to wring us out like a wet towel draining all the life blood we possess. But God is the giver of life and if we will set our gaze upon Him regardless of our circumstances and issues, He will replenish what has been drained out of us through the cares of life. Stuff is hard, but God's love and faithfulness toward us and to His word are MUCH stronger.<br><br><br><ul>
<li> The voice of circumstance rattles the walls, <b>but the voice of God shatters the mountains</b>. </li>
<li> The gaze of circumstance causes our knees to knock, <b>but the gaze of God makes demons tremble</b>. </li>
<li> The arm of circumstances press us down, <b>but the arm of the Lord scatters His enemies and sets captives free</b>. </li>
<li> The presence of circumstances brings hopelessness and depression, <b>but the presence of the Lord brings fullness of joy and pleasures forever</b>. </li>
</ul><br> We must decide what we want because God has already decided what He wants to give. The heart yearns for this. The heart craves this. The heart hungers for His presence because... The Heart Never Forgets.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276352013-01-15T10:21:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00"Pain and Resolve"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-laiqvyO7k/UPXyR3B6K_I/AAAAAAAAAIc/zGA18tgs1hI/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-laiqvyO7k/UPXyR3B6K_I/AAAAAAAAAIc/zGA18tgs1hI/s320/IMG_0716.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="269" width="320" /></a></div> It's a new year. 2013 is set to be a very interesting season, it seems. Sitting here in a Starbucks in Fresno, CA, many different things run through my mind. This is a bit of a rough season for us right now. It's excruciating, actually. And there are opportunities to go several directions. That's just the way pain is. Pain oftentimes causes us to forget the things we know to be true and scramble for a way out of it. Often when we are faced with it and are unable to escape, we react in unrealistic ways. We lash out, we fight the wrong opponent, we look for solutions with no success, we settle for temporary relief, and many times we simply give up. Frustration drives us instead of peace. Grief consumes us instead of faith. Sometimes we even refuse the right solution to our pain because it isn't what we want to hear or requires more time before full relief comes. Honestly put, sometimes we don't really want people to pray for us because prayer is not typically a quick fix and we are just simply tired of hurting, even though prayer is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. I've been there before, wanting the quick fix. Have you? Well this is one of those rough times of life, not pushing away prayer, but rather just a season of frustration. So permit me to preach to myself. You can listen in. It's cool with me. Maybe it'll help you in YOUR pain. This is NOT the time to the power of the pain! Yes, it has gone on for a while. No, it is not even in the arena of being enjoyable. No, it doesn't mean God is punishing you, and no you are not defeated. You are never alone and that MUST be enough for you. You want people to be around you and support you, encourage you, believe in you. But none of those people can support, encourage and believe in your more than God. Why settle for people when you can have God? Remember that The God we are talking about is someone who has promised you eternity with Him and life everlasting. But never forget that you are going FROM GLORY TO GLORY, which means there MUST be change. Each change creates in you a deeper root in Him and will be able to sustain you in greater fashion ONLY IF you allow it to finish what He started it in you for. Think of it this way: You're in good company! Think of how Joseph felt when he was promised all that God had promised him, only to end up in a prison on some trumped up charges. Consider David when God set him up as king being hunted by Saul when he was innocent. Think of Moses leading the children of Israel and having to go through all that he went through in obedience to God. How about Jeremiah, imprisoned for speaking the word of God? There was one common denominator in all of their situations: THEY WERE NOT ALONE. Be resolved that there is a plan the God is working out, even though we may not understand. Be resolved that you will say as Job said, "Even if God kills me, I’ll still put my hope in him. I’ll argue my case in front of him." (Job 13:15 New International Reader's Version) Be resolved He is STILL faithful, STILL for you, STILL involved in your life, STILL working things out according to plan, and STILL loves you. He has never led you astray in the past and isn't about to start now. And if you've been disobedient, be resolved that you are not being punished, but that what you're going through is simply a consequence and holds no bearing on His love for you, His plan for you, or His acceptance of you. Be resolved that if He died for you when it was impossible for you to do ANYTHING right, why would He cast you away for any fault or failure, provided that you are indeed repentant of it and desire to change? He pines for you every single day, whether in obedience or not, because He loves you and is greater than your faults AND your fears. Don't run away, but rather run to Him. Don't refuse His solutions simply because it is not a quick fix, but rather submit to His solutions and watch how miraculously He works on your behalf. His character is borne out in scripture and in our current lives. He can be trusted. Perhaps this little excerpt from my upcoming book "Hidden For Divine Purpose," regarding the processes God takes us through, will help just a little: "Submit to the process – As stated before, your submission to the process of God while waiting in the hidden place is vital to the revealing of who you were created to be. But you must understand and remember that the process, no matter how difficult, is for your good and your protection. Understand there is a purpose for the process and a method to the madness. The process does not DEFINE you. The process REFINES you. Never forget that you are NOT your process. However, submission to the process is the only way to mine out the jewels it contains. Consider a person with a bad heart. They have two choices: either to medicate the pain by taking nitroglycerin tablets and live with it, or they can see the doctor and prepare for open-heart surgery. One requires action on their part and is only temporary, while the other is potentially life saving and life prolonging and requires the patient to let someone else help them. Similarly you and I can either say no to the purpose of God and remain in the hidden place until stronger methods of getting God’s point across are issued, or we can submit to the hand of God in breaking us to reveal Himself in and through us at the appointed time. The patient doesn’t get truly well until they “submit themselves to the doctor’s knife.” This is not enjoyable, but afterward they have a greater chance of living a longer, more fulfilling life. And life is what God offers us. The hidden place incubates us as we grow in the life He releases to us." I guess that'll teach us to be careful with the counsel we give. One day we'll need those words even more than when we first learned their meaning (ha)! "nuff said" G Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276432012-11-04T11:44:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00"Change"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_OMSOIMjdA/UJcZmsPz4MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/W4SqFnnU2Eg/s1600/Butterfly%2BChange.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_OMSOIMjdA/UJcZmsPz4MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/W4SqFnnU2Eg/s320/Butterfly%2BChange.jpeg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>You know, life can really be lonely at times. You live, you love, you breathe, you experience, and you die. Seems like a pretty dismal existence, doesn't it? If that's all we do, then yes. Quite dismal. No purpose, no destiny, no real reason for breathing this air, leaves us wanting. But then you try to find out what your life is all about and you find that the journey is a real lonely one. This is because it is YOUR journey and not anyone else's. No one can discover your destiny and purpose for you but you. It is a task many of us hate because it requires a letting go of what we've grown familiar to and taking on the new thing that awaits us. Oh, for a friend. Life goes on. People come and go. Sometimes friends that are close to you seemingly become distant memories of years long past. You yearn for the closeness you felt with them before, but unfortunately, life happens and we are only left with a memory. Where did they go? Where did WE go? WHO MOVED?! No one did. It's just "life." I sometimes have those lonely moments in life as well. There are friends that at one point I'd talk with all the time, but then life happens and time disappears. I get busy and they get busy. It's not personal, just business (haha). But the understanding of it all still doesn't remove the sting of their absence. Sometimes as you strive to discover who you are, though, you HAVE to go it alone. I really hate those times, and yet I love them. I hate them because it means something is going to die. Maybe a comfort zone, or a thought process. Perhaps it's a pattern of living or a habit. Whatever it is, it MUST pass away before the new can come. But I love those times because it means a new and exciting revelation of who I am and who God is in me is coming. It means a new phase of living is about to spring up on the scene. It means I am growing from where I am to a new place of even greater effectiveness for the Kingdom of God. But there is still that issue of loneliness. What to do? Let me tell you, I don't have anything mastered at all in this arena. I hurt, I ache, I gripe, I cry, I do all those things. But in the midst of it all I realize that even though it seems no one else is around that cares, HE is still there. God NEVER leaves or forsakes us. He always keeps His word even when it seems like He isn't. The issue is we don't see what He sees and we don't know what He knows, but He can be trusted with our hearts because He has our good in store. Sometimes He has to strip away the things that weigh us down so that we can be free to really live. This is a painful process. In those times, He reveals to us that the things we've been trusting in are not all that we make them out to be. We begin to understand that there is a better way of living, but it will require a letting go of whatever we are clinging to if what we are clinging to is a hinderance to our lives. Listen. I don't like the processes anymore than you do. But I'll tell you that I'd rather have God's processes of change than the bondage of staying the same. I'll take it, loneliness and all. In the long run, when all is said and done, I will be like Him. And so will you. Keep holding on. Don't let go. Please. I plead with you on behalf of those who await you on the other side of obedience, don't let go. You really are NOT alone. Peace.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276482012-05-22T02:59:00-07:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00"God" Bless America?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrP-OATvJIc/T7uoo0BKCVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/uCd_KzCEnyA/s1600/DSC03813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrP-OATvJIc/T7uoo0BKCVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/uCd_KzCEnyA/s320/DSC03813.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="180" width="320" /></a></div> To all who read this, let it be noted that I speak not as one who is perfect nor as one who is superior in any area of life. Those who know me know this full well. However, I do speak as one who has simply observed a few things occurring in this, my country. It is increasingly frustrating to me how we as a nation can be so dumbfounded and blinded by a blatant disregard for “human” decency and honor. I find it appalling that we permit certain things in our government to stand, declaring we allow them in the name of progress. Tell me: what kind of progress are we making when we disavow the standard of marriage being between a man and a woman? How are we so much further forward in our “evolution”, if you will, when we do that? We call ourselves open-minded, when in reality it is only “open” as long as it’s what “we” want. This is not open-mindedness. It is rebellion. This nation was founded on biblical standards (I know I may have lost many of you right there, but I dare you to keep reading). Regardless of how much we may cry out to the contrary, it is indeed true. Our very laws support this. Who said it is illegal to kill someone? Why is it wrong? Could it be because the bible says “You shall not kill?” You may say, “Well, Greg, it’s simply morally wrong to kill someone.” I agree with you. It IS morally wrong. But my question is simply “Where do we get our standard of morality?” What defines it? Someone steals something that doesn’t belong to them and the recourse is they are arrested. Why? Is it wrong to steal? Why is it wrong? Could it be because the bible says “You shall not steal?” The very laws that we use to govern our nation come from the very book we seek to destroy and the very God we seek to deny. We say that the bible is archaic and outdated. We say we need to evolve beyond the standards it possesses. Yet to do so would require us, yes even demand of us, to disavow the laws we use to govern ourselves. It has been preached “You can’t pick and chose the parts of the bible you want to follow.” I find that very applicable here. We basically are saying to God, “I want you in my life, but on MY terms.” “I want you to be a cushion for me as I live, because it’s MY life after all. You had nothing to do with it, really, God. And for you to tell me how to live it is just wrong.” Yet we deny the very fact that our origin begins with Him. It’s wrong for us to be conformed to His image, but it’s ok to require Him to conform to ours? How does that work? We cry out for constitutional rights. Where do we really think those rights come from? We are schizophrenic, for in one breath we want to “defend” the constitution, but in another we want to “amend” the constitution. Why do we call a standard a standard? It is to be erected as a plumb-line by which everything in life is to be measured. What we have done is moved the standard to fit and accommodate our choices. If a choice we make doesn’t align with the standard, WE CHANGE THE STANDARD. How can this be considered forward progress. I watch in disbelief as we have the ten commandments set up in place in front of a government building and people dare to have a problem with it. Really? I am shocked to hear about people who want to use a very popular patriotic song, but desire to reword it simply because it says, “God Bless The USA.” How utterly idiotic! We cry out for “separation of church and state” but tell those in need, “Our prayers are with you.” WHO are we praying to? We hate any mention of God in our government while just a few days ago, our own president ends his speech at a graduation ceremony with “God bless America.” We try our best to have our own pledge of allegiance altered to exclude the mention of God. Again, HOW can this be considered forward progress? I guarantee that if you went to another nation that had a creed upon which it was founded, and you entered that nation with a desire to change it’s foundational creed, YOU would lose that fight. Yet here, in the “free” United Stated of America, we say it is wrong to hold true to the creed WE were founded upon. The more disappointing thing is that our own government agrees with this preposterous idea! We say that not allowing gay and lesbian couples to have the same rights as a married couple is bigotry and is equal to racism against African Americans. How disrespectful to a people group that has fought for RACIAL equality! Not allowing gay and lesbian couples to have the same rights as a married couple is not wrong because it is NOT a racial issue! It is a sexual orientation issue, which has NOTHING to do with marital rights! But we are SO intellectually advanced (I speak sarcastically) that we simply “change” the constitution to fit our ignorant choices and comforts. How wrong! Again, I make no attempt to portray myself as a “holier than thou” type of person. Nothing could be further from the truth. But I see a nation that is being tossed around by the power of public opinion and shaken loose from the foundations that made it a great nation in the beginning! What are we leaving for the next generation? Are we just leaving them to fend for themselves and make due in this chaotic world? We are basically destroying our nation and asking the next generation to fix it. Yet we give them no tools and no foundation to bring about repair! No, we teach them that if the standard doesn’t meet your expectations, change the standard. We are telling them that there is nothing solid, nothing sacred, nothing sure upon which to place their hope. We are teaching them that a successful life depends SOLEY upon how you want to live it. Whatever sounds good to you is totally ok. You should be allowed to live how ever you want. So what happens if I decide that it’s acceptable for me to go into someones house and rob them? It is something that works for me! It’s something that I’m totally ok with (Again, speaking sarcastically) and want to keep doing. Who are YOU to tell me it’s wrong? Why don’t we just amend the law so that it allows me the right to go into any house I see and take whatever I want? Suppose someone decided, “You know, I think it would be great to just go and shoot this guy or that because they upset me on the road and were holding up traffic. It’s not right that I should suffer tardiness because they don’t want to move. Tell you what. Let’s get them to change the law to make it ok to shoot guys like this as long as we follow certain guidelines. Yeah! That’s a GREAT idea (sarcastically)!” Who are you to tell him he’s wrong. WHERE IS THE STANDARD, AMERICA?! Here’s another question: Why is Jesus and the bible SO offensive to people? Why is it so wrong for anyone to live their faith in Jesus out loud? Try going to a foreign nation and proclaim faith in a different god then yours and watch what happens. The entire nation would have your head on a platter! Why? Because their nation was FOUNDED on the tenants of faith the believe in. We were once a strong nation. We were once a prosperous nation. Now we are becoming a byword to the other nations around us. We are being seen as gutless, weak and powerless to those who watch us. We are being seen as people who are selfish and self-centered with no control over ourselves or our people. But we are much more than that. We are much greater than that. God WANTS to bless America, but it MUST be on His terms. He is the “Boss” and we are to do what He requires. We are to conduct ourselves as He dictates because it’s His world. And no matter how much we may not like it, it still remains the truth. But He LOVES this nation deeply. We would do well to call upon Him not only when we’re in trouble, but just to know Him for who He is. It is then that we as a nation will begin our journey back to being the nation we were created to be. Instead of excluding God from our lives, it is time to INCLUDE Him once again. I still believe in my country! I still believe she is a great nation! I still believe she has an incredible destiny! And I still believe she is “One nation UNDER GOD!”Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276422012-05-14T02:04:00-07:002012-05-14T02:04:00-07:00"Maturity" <p class="bloggerplus_image_link_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left" style="clear:both;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bWmOZHSZARk/T7ESX1fslJI/AAAAAAAAAFg/YKjzLd9mYD4/CEBD4267-07DF-47F7-AAAB-ED58F73EE332.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></div><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left" style="clear:both;">I was recently in Ft Myers, FL ministering with Paul and the Lord really did incredible things while we were there. The atmosphere was charged with the tangible sense of His presence. Waves of worship moved to and fro all around us as we praised and sang to the Lord. It was quite a sight to see.<br><br>During our worship time on Saturday of that weekend, we were called upon to go throughout the crowd of people that had been called forward for prayer. We were to lay hands on them and agree with them for God's answer to their needs. I noticed that I ha not particularly heard the Lord over each person as I prayed for each one. I was searching and listening for instruction as I walked, but none was specifically given. Part of me wondered why, while another part of me was completely content.<br><br>Then I had a revelation.<br><br>It seems to me that as we grow in the Lord, the pattern of communication changes. When I first came I the Lord in 1984, He would speak to me so clearly and frequently. But I have noticed that as I've grown in Him, He doesn't speak as often regarding to others, or even personally. The one constant is that His love for me hasn't changes at all, but His expectation of me has.<br><br>The older we become in the Lord, the more He requires deeper, more confident faith on our end. We've walked long enough with Him to know His heart, His motives, His intentions, an His purpose for our success in life. These are foundations upon which we build our experiences with Him.<br><br>I have noticed this dynamic in marriage. When we first meet our spouse, we are in a constant state of discovery of them. We are learning how they communicate, how they process things, what makes them who they are interpersonally. The longer we grow with them, the less we need to figure out. We have been with them so long that we can "finish each others thoughts" as the saying goes. The same occurs between us and the Lord. The more we grow in Him, the less we need to understand from a foundational standpoint, what and why He does what He does. We have grown to a level of certainty the end result of the occurrences in our lives. We may not understand the process, but we do understand the purpose.<br><br>Perhaps you are going through a time of growth and refinement right now and you don't understand what is going on. Perhaps you've sought God and it seems like the heavens are closed and your prayers appear to stop at the ceiling. I submit to you that perhaps the Lord is silent because you really do know the final outcome of His purpose for your situation. He knows that you've walked with Him long enough to take comfort in His motive regarding your life (Jer. 29:11/Jer. 31:3/3 John 2). And if you know Then end result of His purpose for you, perhaps He expects you to simply trust in the thick of the process. Remember what Jesus said regarding Lazarus in John 11:4? “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” In like fashion the process of growth is "not into death" even if it "feels" like it is, but for the glory of God AND for your good.<br><br>So cling to the confidence you have in the heart of God toward you. Rest in that, knowing that even though He seems silent, He isn't. Even though it feels like He's far away, He isn't. Even though it feels like He's simply watching you go through without working on your behalf, He isn't. Why? Because He promised, and He NEVER breaks a promise. <br><br>He has been, is, and will always be FAITHFUL.<br><br>He loves YOU.<br></p>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276472012-02-12T09:13:00-08:002021-01-09T02:27:12-08:00Go THROUGH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpBGMJH_614/TzhHZRRrrNI/AAAAAAAAAFE/j5RyKRYIvyA/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpBGMJH_614/TzhHZRRrrNI/AAAAAAAAAFE/j5RyKRYIvyA/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="240" width="320" /></a></div> There is a favorite song I have that was written by my friend and brother Ron Kenoly which says, "If you catch hell, don't hold it. And if you're going through hell, don't stop!" Catchy, isn't it? Yes, catchy, but true. Many times when we face difficult and challenging times, the enemy tries his best to get us focused more on the difficulty than the promise of victory from the Lord. He loads us with discouragement and tries to dishearten us continuously. And because we become weary in the fight, many times he succeeds in getting us so focused on our pain that we just settle for the situation as it is. And if we give up and stop fighting the battle set before us, we trade Jesus' peace for the devil's chaos. That is NOT God's plan, nor His desire. One of the devil's most powerful weapons is that of persuasion. If he can persuade us into thinking a certain way, his way, he snares us. But if we hold on tightly to what we have believed even in the midst of struggles, we WILL come out on the other side standing stronger and taller than we did when we went into it. God has called us to be effective vessels of His glory and it behooves us to be fully convinced of who we are and Who's we are on a continual basis. Remember Daniel 11:32 "...the people who KNOW THEIR GOD will be strong and do great exploits." Pressing in to know the Lord daily will cause us to stand up in that reality and fortify us against the onslaught of the enemy. But many times we DO continue the fight and continue to stand, and it seems nothing is happening. That can cause us to become discouraged and disappointed. Listen, friend, God understands and knows that. It is NOT a light thing to Him. Many times we DON'T understand what's going on, but when I don't understand, I try my hardest to turn my fight towards fighting for His peace toward me instead of trying to understand. See, I believe that when we "fight" to understand instead of "fight" to remember, we exert energy that would be better spent on fighting for our peace in Him. And the harvest of THAT fight is a stronger fortification of our confidence in His love and promises toward us. And that, in turn, empowers us to remain victorious over the onslaught of the enemy. I remember something that my Pastor friend, Pastor Danny Chambers, told me a long time ago. He said, "When you go through a transition, KEEP YOUR PRAISE HIGH AND YOUR SERVICE STRONG." Keeping our praise high positions us in a place where the Lord can release His presence on our behalf, for the Lord, "inhabits the PRAISES of His people." Know this: Where the Lord has rulership, His word has the FINAL jurisdiction. Therefore, we enthrone the Lord on our praises and He in turn lays down a judgement against the enemy that is attacking. And just like Daniel, after praying for 21 days to understand the visions given him, was told that the day he set his heart to understand, the answer was given, sot it is with us. From the day we set our heart to enthrone the Lord on our praises and persist in it no matter how long it takes, His judgement against the enemy becomes effective and begins to reap a harvest. So take courage, my friend. It may be excruciating for you right now. It may be horribly tough. But remember: "IF YOU CATCH HELL, DON'T HOLD IT. AND IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, DON'T STOP!!" Go THROUGH to the other side and stand strong. You ARE going to make it! Shalom, GregGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276492011-12-16T19:33:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00"Seasons"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLPgSlIenUc/TuxhZcDHebI/AAAAAAAAAE0/5fs88D1lv5s/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLPgSlIenUc/TuxhZcDHebI/AAAAAAAAAE0/5fs88D1lv5s/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>Life happens. It is a very indiscriminate thing. It happens to each and every one of us. No one can escape it. It is sometimes very difficult to navigate through, but once you do, breathing becomes easier. The effects of life happening change like the seasons. At one point, you could be in the season of summer, where everything is warm and cozy. Other times you could be in the the season of winter, where things are cold and icy. Then there is the season of fall where things are falling and dying or you're in the season of spring where everything is coming back to life. Each warrants a different response. The tough part for us is to recognize what season it is that we are in. I know that for many, myself included, this is both the season of fall and spring. There are things in our lives that are falling away or coming to an end, while at the same time other things are beginning. We often end up in the "place of in between" and that leaves us floundering a bit until we can get our footing sure. Personally, I know that I am in a season where what I did vocationally is taking on a new expression. In like manner, my home is also taking on a new expression as well. With a son out on his own and a daughter about to be, both out of school and in the workplace, facing the empty nest syndrome, life can be a bit disconcerting. But it is there that we MUST remember the one constant in the midst of all of it. That is, the promise that God has of having plans for our lives that are for good, not for bad, to give us a future and a hope. But when you are in the place of in between, an intense battle ensues. It is the battle for the promise. For those who strive to live life according to the word of God, no matter how imperfectly, they strain to hear what the Spirit of God is saying regarding their lives at that time. And when they believe they have heard a word from the Lord, and the timing seems to match up with the promise, they take a step out of what was toward what will be. The thing is, during the transition process we have one foot in what was and one foot in what will be and are stuck in the middle until the other foot leaves the old and joins the foot that is in the new. That can be a really tough time, which is why you must war for the promise you heard from the Spirit of God as you step out. Never forget that the enemy ALWAYS has a "hath God said" up his sleeve. And if he can get that question to take root in our hearts, he can totally dismantle our faith, which is the anchor that keeps us in place. My point is this: Recognize what season you are in and respond accordingly. How will you know what is the correct response? You will know as you listen to the Spirit of God and trust that His heart and desire toward you is nothing less than YOUR good. If we can hold securely to that truth, it will make our transitions from one location to the other a lot more confident, even in the midst of trials, because the trials will most definitely come. But if you truly believe you have heard from the Lord, there is nothing you can't step into that He will not either confirm or redeem. You are safe with Him at ALL TIMES and ALL SEASONS, even when it doesn't "feel" like it. So the word for us today is "keep on holding on to the promise He has given you and DO NOT surrender it to the hands of the enemy." There is success waiting for us if we just take the step that God has confirmed in our hearts. Go for it! GregGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276462011-05-14T15:57:00-07:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00Get In Your Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZtO0q9Bx_Y/Tc9WEQ5uZKI/AAAAAAAAADw/gEUmbZZC0Kk/s1600/Puzzle%2BPieces.jpg"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZtO0q9Bx_Y/Tc9WEQ5uZKI/AAAAAAAAADw/gEUmbZZC0Kk/s320/Puzzle%2BPieces.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606794692356105378" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" /></a><br>I really believe this is a word for some. If it applies to you, receive it. If it doesn't, pray for those for whom it is for.<br><br>I've never felt such an urgency in my spirit as I do right now about us all being in our place. The Lord is calling each and every one of us to OUR place. Sometimes it will mean digging your heals deeper into where you currently are now, making a deeper commitment to your place. Other times it will mean a change of position from where you are right now to where you are supposed to be. This is critical at this time because if you are out of YOUR place, it means you're in SOMEONE ELSE'S place, causing them to be misplaced. They can't occupy their place because you're in it. As soon as you move, you will free that space up for them to take. Until you do, there will remain a domino effect that will leave in it's wake a host of people that are potentially out of place. <br><br>GET IN YOUR PLACE!<br><br>It's time for us to seek the face of God to discover our place and dig into it with all that is in us. It is time. Many will not discover the fulness of their lives until they find their place. They will live frustrated lives trying hard to make where they are right now work for them. All it will lead to is a dead end and you will continue beating your head agains a brick wall until you stop, seek the face of God, discover where you truly are supposed to be, and get after it. Your life will remain a frustration or it will remain a temporary fulfillment for you. It will be like working hard and putting your pay into pockets with holes in them. You work hard, feel a sense of fulfillment, only to have that fulfillment drain away with nothing left to speak of. <br><br>It is time to stop beating a dead horse. I heard a phrase from a friend named Kevin Leel, which was, "If the horse is dead, dismount!" Why try to make live what has died? Don't try to resurrect a dead end. Move on to where the life is. However, this is something the must be submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit. See, God is able to make the place where you are, YOUR place and He can breathe new life into it. But it is ONLY if it is where you are suppose to be in this hour. <br><br>I say again, "GET IN YOUR PLACE!"<br><br>And do not be afraid if you don't understand it all or know how you will make it. All you have to do is be where you're suppose to be and God will cause you to make it. Please just be obedient to His voice right now and let Him sort out the details. Be like Abraham, who was told by God to leave where he was and go to a land that would be shown to him at a later time. He left not knowing where he was going, but he knew God had called. He moved out in obedience. You must do the same.<br><br>It's time! "GET IN YOUR PLACE!"Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276452011-04-21T13:47:00-07:002017-01-11T05:49:20-08:00Searching For Daylight...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsjOhKmhw6k/TbDscu9j6tI/AAAAAAAAADo/mgioiYO-bQU/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsjOhKmhw6k/TbDscu9j6tI/AAAAAAAAADo/mgioiYO-bQU/s320/IMG_0136.JPG" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598234315208256210" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" /></a><br>There are seasons when we feel like we're just sort of existing, making no progress at all in our lives. Oftentimes when this occurs, it becomes very evident that what we focus on, we will experience. If we focus on fear, fear is what we will have. If we focus on joy, joy is what we will experience. The mind plays a vital role in the effect faith has in our lives. What do I mean by this? I mean, simply, that the word of God is clear when it says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he...(Prov. 23:7)" Faith may be present, available, and effective, but if you are convinced that no matter how much faith you have you will never succeed, you will never see the success that faith can provide. I am finding in this season of my life that persuasion is incomprehensibly powerful in life. It's sort of like a person who gets on an airplane and no matter the safety precautions, they will not be at peace. Or like the super model who just can't believe that they are attractive no matter how many successful photo shoots they perform. What is one to do? <br><br>I'm reminded of a person that I had spoken with many, many years ago that lived a totally negative life. Everything in their life, no matter what, would end up in the negative. Everything they looked at would be viewed through the lens of negativity. I tried on numerous occasions to point out the upside of their life, but no matter how hard I tried, they just couldn't see it. The last time I had seen this individual, they had picked their forehead raw because they just hated the way they looked. All I could do was hold them while they cried. <br><br>Why do we do things like this to ourselves? <br><br>Listen, the value you put on yourself is far greater than the value others put on you. The belief that your existence on this planet serves a purpose is far more important than the opinions of others. If you have a purpose, you have a reason to live. No purpose means no true living. Having a purpose is the makes the difference between living and just existing. Negative focus is an incredibly powerful force that has destroyed the lives of millions of people throughout the worlds existence. Negativity can lead to depression, which leads to more negativity, which leads.... you get the picture. It becomes a vicious cycle that seems to have no end. But if you believe that there is NO WAY that the Lord of life would place you on this planet just to take up space, breathe this air, and not have a purpose in it, you can survive AND thrive. I mean, just look at the order in creation. Plants, trees, animals, everything exists with some kind of divine order. Notice how the waves of the sea most typically come only to a specific point and recess back upon itself, and there is not anyone or anything stopping it from going further, at least not that we can identify. However, God said for the go thus far and no further and that's exactly what happens every time. Notice that most typically, the moon doesn't rise at the same time as the sun, but rather, the sun comes up for a certain time and then moves out of the way for the moon to take over. Now, if God would take the time to make sure that the planet functions with some kind of order, why would He not be able to bring some order to our lives?<br><br>Listen. No matter how horrible, irritating, frustrating, or whatever other word you would like to use to describe your life right now, God has a plan that really DOES make sense. It doesn't look like it right now, BELIEVE ME, but you and I have seen too much to believe otherwise. I know this is true. God has been faithful in the past and there is absolutely no way He will start being unfaithful to you now. So by all means possible, take courage and be encouraged with that. It may look like only darkness right now, but rest assured that daylight WILL shine again. <br><br>Just don't give up now. You've come so far already. You're SO close to your breakthrough. Dig your heels in deeper and hold on even tighter. And when you look up, you'll actually find that it's not you holding on to Him, but HIM holding on to YOU.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276442011-03-17T12:20:00-07:002021-06-16T08:15:12-07:00Keep Passion Alive!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bgwnudaDy-w/TYK6YPJNrkI/AAAAAAAAADg/vZRyAtdwmXo/s1600/deep%2Bprayer.jpg"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-bgwnudaDy-w/TYK6YPJNrkI/AAAAAAAAADg/vZRyAtdwmXo/s320/deep%2Bprayer.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585231413437640258" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" /></a><br>Last night, I watched part of a show on tv where David Foster was playing music with some of his friends. It was SO compelling. And the talent? Forget about it! It was off the hook!! But what I found interesting about the whole encounter was what began to happen to me as I listened and watched. I was flooded with this wave of emotion emitting from the music. It was something that really took my breath away. There was a sweetness and a tenderness to the songs they played. When I paid particular attention to David Foster's playing, I could feel the emotion with which he played, be it ever so simple. And the brilliant collaboration of the instruments all together, the strings, brass, percussion, bass, guitar, piano, and vocals came across as two elements becoming one. The instruments alone made up one element and the vocals made the other. But when they sounded together, it was a little touch of heaven.<br><br>I was enthralled<br><br>But then I began to notice something else. I was taken back to the way I used to listen to music. I remember how it would take me to different levels of emotion and how it would "sing" my heart. I remember listening to David Foster's project that I believed was entitled "The Symphony Sessions" where I was taken away in my heart while listening to "Winter Games." Wow. And then the "Water Fountain Theme from the movie Secret of My Success." These two songs so impacted me that my wife Brenda, and I, had them played at our wedding. They carry such emotion. <br><br>But what got me was remembering my deep, deep passion and emotional connection to music and the me now that has seemed to have forgotten it a bit. Remembering that passion sometimes gets lost in the necessities of life and work. And when your vocation is in the area of your passion, oftentimes it ceases to be a passion and becomes a job. This is not because it's toilsome at all, but now it's being done out of necessity instead of pure joy. In the 15-20 minutes I listened, all the emotion and passion that I used to feel and experience came rushing back into my mind and heart and I've gotten hungry for it again.<br><br>This translates directly to our walk with God. Sometimes walking with the Lord and living and dealing with life can be in conflict. You begin to have to fight to keep things in the correct perspective. I mean, think back with me, won't you? When you first came to know God, what was it like? How excited were you? How passionate were you? What was it like for you to believe in Him and watch as He'd answer your prayers? Do you still have that passionate fire burning on the inside? If not, why not? Could it be that the very thing Jesus spoke about in Luke 8:8, 11-15, and in particular, verse 14? "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity." <br><br>Now, please note that my focus is on the renewal of passion because of it being choked out in our lives. What is it that has choked out your passion? What is it that robs you of a passionate relationship with God? Can you identify it? I know that for me, I'm attempting to rekindle the fire that burned within my heart for the love of music, but more importantly, I'm striving to KEEP my relationship with God alive, passionate, and breath-taking. That's what He feels for me. I want to always feel that for Him as well.<br><br>Join me, won't you?<br><br>GregGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276372011-03-09T09:49:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00A Parental Rant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4P8_NoyWFM/TXglQQ92VKI/AAAAAAAAADY/TDKpU45hk4U/s1600/scenery%2B1.jpg"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4P8_NoyWFM/TXglQQ92VKI/AAAAAAAAADY/TDKpU45hk4U/s320/scenery%2B1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252699488244898" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" /></a><br>There is something that boggles my mind. Parenting and is quite a challenge in this day and age. It's a challenge with TWO parents, much less being a SINGLE parent. It's tough to watch kids grow up. They become more and more independent and seem to need you less and less as the years progress. The problem is that the more they grow up, the more they feel that they are so grown up that the respect for you as the parent seems to slowly drain away. Why is that?<br><br>I'm not talking about losing respect for you as a person. I'm not just talking about losing respect for your position as a father or a mother, and showing that disrespect by the way they speak, respond, and react to you. Yet they are the first ones to cry out "foul" whenever they "feel" disrespected. These are my questions:<br><br>Is it ok for you as the child to speak to the parent anyway you want, but get angry with them when they hold you accountable for it?<br><br>Is it ok for you as the child to sometimes snub your nose at them when they make a request of you, but just because it's "uncomfortable" for you, you gripe and moan about it?<br><br>Is it ok for you as the child to argue and fight with the parent because you disagree with them, yet require them not to raise their voice to you?<br><br>Is it ok for you as the child to mope and storm out of an area in the house and slam doors just because you disagree or dislike something that you were told?<br><br>I have heard the phrase, "You give respect, you get respect." But who is the one who defines respect for the family? Is it the child? Is it the parent? Actually, it's God. But who is the one who enforces that respect? Is it not the parent? If it is the parent, why do you as the child not offer that respect simply because you don't like the requirements? Where is the honor from the family to the parents? Where is it? Why does it feel as if the parents have to explain their decisions to those who are to be submitted to them? In the employment world, oftentimes there are decisions made by the boss that affects each and every employee and the employees are expected to follow the directives given, with or without an explanation. I am not advocating blind obedience, but rather a trusting of the office held by those parents that are doing all they can to follow the Lord. They are not perfect or flawless as parents, but they strive with all their might to be fair. So why, child, do you feel the right to respond to your parents as if they are your peer? <br><br>They are not your peer. Not to the extent you think.<br><br>Please note, child, your maturity is not a license to now begin to dishonor and disrespect the office of your parents. THEY ARE YOUR PARENTS AND DESERVE YOUR HONOR AND RESPECT, PERIOD. I'm not speaking of those parents who are idiots abusing their children and not caring. But is it wrong to think that those parents YOU KNOW are doing all they can to treat you with the respect that God requires, however flawed, and strive to be the kind of parents they were meant to be in God, to be esteemed higher than they are? Is that bad? And if so, why?<br><br>Why not honor and respect the office of a parent? The President of the United States may not act very stately, but there is a respect for the office of the President. Why has the role of the parent been made to be less than it should? <br><br>It's time for a change. Not a change to something more or something better, but BACK to something foundational. Let's be a family where there is clear leadership, honor, and respect. Let's go BACK to gracious speaking with one another in the home. It will be the best PROGRESSION we've ever made.<br><br>Just thinkin'Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276042011-01-27T03:36:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00On Eagle's Wings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TUGtVchUdPI/AAAAAAAAADM/Id0_rfdErjs/s1600/Eagle%2Bin%2BFlight.jpg"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TUGtVchUdPI/AAAAAAAAADM/Id0_rfdErjs/s320/Eagle%2Bin%2BFlight.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566921198351447282" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" /></a><br>You know, life happens. It is indiscriminate as to who or how it affects us, and it always leaves us empty when it hits. It causes us to feel alone and abandoned at times, and yet we are expected to press on as if we were invincible. But the reality is that no one is invincible. Everyone is affected when "life" happens. Whe we're seemingly under the thumb of circumstances and situations, our perspective gets very cloudy, to say the least. We sometimes can't see any way out of the situation and hopelessness can begin to settle in. Even if the way things look is truly difficult, we can think that we will not survive it. However, that isn't always the case.<br><br>I remember a financial counselor friend of mine telling me years ago, "I know you're behind the 8 ball with your creditors, but remember that they can't eat you up! You WILL come out of this." That wasn't the least bit comforting at the time, even though it was true. For me, the most comforting thing would have been to receive an insane amount of finances to pay every one of my creditor in full! Now THAT would have been encouraging! But "life" doesn't always work that way. I mean, it does happen, but that isn't the norm. Working "through" tough times is really the norm of living. We must "do" life, not just simply exist while it tramples us.<br><br>Which brings me to the point of this article. How can we do life if our perspective is despair? How can we live if our perception of the light at the end of the tunnel of circumstance is really a speeding train heading straight for us? In order to do life and do it well, we must have a "higher perspective" than the one that faces us at the moment. The higher perspective can only truly come when we calm our hearts and be still long enough to notice. For example, have you ever observed how an eagle flies? You'll notice that it uses its wings only a little and then glides, riding on the wind. And it is often at that time that it is able to see from incredible heights what it needs to survive: food! From that elevated position it is able to locate precisely where their food is and find an end to their hunger for that moment. But what we don't see is that the eagle rides on "heat thurmals" rising from the earth surface. That's one of the things that keep it airborn. As long as it stays within the heat thurmal, it can see clearly how to survive.<br><br>So it is with you and I. God says in John 15:4-5, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." And further in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."<br><br>The application is this: Christ is your "heat thurmal" and causes you to "mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31)" so that you can see clearly how to make it through life's intrusions. Stopping and being still in your heart and mind is you waiting on that heat thurmal to lift you up above the circumstance so that you can see with a heavenly perspective instead of an earthly one. You don't have the power to do this by yourself, so God says you can do it by the power of Jesus as you abide and live and daily exist in the knowledge, understanding, and relationship with Him. And in turn, receiving Him to live, abide, and daily exist in you. He will lift you up and cause you to see as He sees. Therein lies YOUR hope for tomorrow.<br><br><br>Happy hunting!Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276412010-12-26T04:35:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00"Steadfast.."<img src="//lh4.ggpht.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TReK04IN2sI/AAAAAAAAADI/As9LpgNlcXA/img_1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" width="640" /><br>You know,time is a bit of a frustrating thing sometimes. It scurries on minding it's own business as well as affecting yours. It is always important and necessary to maintain the consistency of that which cannot be shaken. The confidence of the Lord's faithfulness at all times must NEVER be surrendered to the whim of circumstances. I believe me, as I'm sure many of you know, "stuff" always tries to shake that reality.<br><br>You MUST remember that at the foundation of your life is the never ending love of God toward you at ALL times. There wasn't anything you could do or have done in order to cause Him to love you more and there is nothing you can do to cause Him to love you any less. I encourage you to keep that at the forefront of your heart at all times. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. <br><br>His plans toward you are nothing less than good. Therefore, you can trust that He will never do anything in you life or to your life that is to result in your demise. It will ALWAYS be used for your good and for the good of the kingdom.<br><br>You never really know when the final tick of the clock will strike, so it is necessary to be ready to fight as needed for your confidence. NEVER give up to the enemy that which Jesus died and rose again to grant to you. <br><br>Your anointing individually is powerful, but when your anointing mingles together with the rest of the body of Messiah, it is much more difficult to stop. The anointing grows to astronomical sizes when joined together with others forth COMMON good. The old statement, "No man is an island" comes into play here. Life was never meant to be lived void of others. We all need each other and the enemy would want to discredit those connected to us in massive ways to cause dissension. We must wage war on that ugly enemy. Remaining steadfast in the midst of challenge is key to our survival. Steadfast in faith, steadfast in trust, steadfast in peace. Keep working hard to stand.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276402010-12-25T16:00:00-08:002010-12-25T16:00:00-08:00"Weary..."I find myself at this time of life to be very tired. I live in an environment where smiles, words if encouragement and hope, joy, positivity, and faith are all expected. But what do you do when none of those attributes can be found? Where is your reprieve? Where is your rest?<br><br>Everywhere you turn there are people looking to you to be positive and up, but if you ever seem not to be that way, all of a sudden they come out of the woodwork with all of these well-intentioned words to build you up and encourage you. The problem is that most of the word they use come across as nothing more than a regurgitation of old Christian qliches that seem to hold no real life. What does the preacher do when HE feels hopeless? What does the prophet do when he seems to have lost his footing? Is there any opportunity for that man to be weak? Is it just ok for others to be weak and tired, but not for the "man of God?" <br><br>I don't really know right now. Life for me at this moment is frustrating and bothersome. I have blood pressure issues that few are even aware of and stress issues that I'm simply told to suck up and be a man about them. And that's to suggest that I'm less of a man because of my lack of dealing with issues the way THEY think I should. <br><br>Where is the peace? Where is the hope? Where is the joy? At this point, I really wish I knew.<br><br>Health issues creep up on me and threaten to take me out. Often I am unaware if how to deal with them. I have so much more that I can do with my life, but feel as if I can't even FIND the surface to barely scratch it.<br><br>It's in moments like these that I just want to retreat and run. But unfortunately I am not allowed to. Men of God never run, never retreat, never fail, and never make mistakes, right? At least that is what is portrayed. But what to do?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-6352090719886359342?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276392010-12-12T15:15:00-08:002020-12-08T01:33:38-08:00The Path...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://openphoto.net/volumes/sizes/lrech/15291/3.jpg"><img src="//openphoto.net/volumes/sizes/lrech/15291/3.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 642px; height: 490px;" /></a><br>In this season and time, there seems to be some kind of universal sense in almost everyone I have come in contact with lately. It's the sense of beginning to do what they have been called of the Lord to do. There is a sense of searching in the hearts of many wondering what on earth they are supposed to be about in the first place. I have felt this myself in this season as well, wondering what and where is my place in God's overall plan. What does my piece of the puzzle look like? What is the expression I'm supposed to contribute in His plan for the world?<br><br>I find this to be an extremely important question to answer because it really identifies with whom we are to partner with in order to accomplish our purpose. You see, nothing of what we are called to do in the earth today is to be done alone. God has called us all to work together for the advancement of His kingdom and for the building up of His body, the body of Messiah. If we do not have the proper alignments, we will hinder the effectiveness we are meant to have. It will mean the Lord will need to either make work what we have locked ourselves into, or He will have to work things differently in our lives to get us back on track. Never the less, in all of this, He will turn it around for our good and for the good of the Kingdom. I would just rather get it right the first time instead of having to take the "make up test," if you know what I mean.<br><br>In this season just before a brand mew year, I encourage you to join me in seeking the face of God for our purpose and the expression thereof. If we hear it right the first time, we will have less time to have to make up or catch up. There is a path for each and every one of us to walk. We do well to hear HIS voice and gather HIS plan in order to accurately walk it out.<br><br>A pastor friend of mine said years ago, "There are souls waiting on the other side of your obedience." I really try to take that to heart as much as possible. In this season, hear the voice of the Lord for your life. Patiently wait on what He tells you regardless of the things in your life that try to get you to rush His process. But once you hear, be faithful to OBEY His word regardless of how insurmountable or scary it may seem, if that is the case. If HE said you are to do thus and so, then you are guaranteed EVERYTHING He has declared over you.<br><br>THIS is the time when this generation needs you to be in YOUR place! Step up to the plate a take a swing. Who knows? You just might hit one out of the ballpark!<br><br>See you on the path...<br><br>GGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276382010-11-29T04:55:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00Fighting for Faith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TPP77wva3lI/AAAAAAAAAC8/nGQNb77IDmM/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TPP77wva3lI/AAAAAAAAAC8/nGQNb77IDmM/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545052570337861202" style=" margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" /></a><br>Today is a tough day. Each and every one of us have them, so welcome to reality, huh? And the crazy thing is you never know when they will show up. Stuff comes at you sideways and knocks you on you rear, and in that moment you have two choices: 1. stay down on the ground, curl up into a little ball, and pray that it all goes away soon, or 2. get up and start standing again.<br><br>You choose.<br><br>Something like that happened to me this thanksgiving. It was totally unwelcomed, uninvited, and far from desired, but came nonetheless. When the tailspin ensued, I found myself grasping for emotional stability and noticed in that moment how easy it is to want to gain comfort in anything else but the Lord. Needless to say, the battle has been great.<br><br>And that's exactly what it is even now: a battle.<br><br>But battling for what, is the question. Am I battling for mental stability? Am I battling for security? Am I battling for provision? No. I am battling for the faith to believe that God is greater than ANYTHING that could and will ever come against me, whether it be personal or corporately. I'm battling for the faith to believe that absolutely NOTHING escapes the all-seeing eyes of the Lord. He sees, He knows, and He IS involved. Emotions SCREAM loudly for me to run and escape. But it all still comes down to the words of Peter when Jesus asked if they were going to leave Him like the others: "Where else can we go, Lord? You alone have the words of eternal life." That really is the bottom line. Mental stability, security, provision, peace, joy, hope, confidence, all of these are found in the very capable hands of the Almighty, the Abba of our hearts.<br><br>Even when you are faced with the past as it rears it's pitiful ugly head yet again, He is STILL greater. And if your past blunders and sins have been removed from you in Jesus as far as the east is from the west, there is no need to blubber over it.<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Your past only has power over your future if you allow it, and you DON'T have to allow it.</span> I don't have to allow it.<br><br>Strength is in the presence of the Lord. That's where I MUST run to. In so doing, I don't run from the issues, but rather I run into a place where I can see clearly how to deal with each and every one of them. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> The certainty of victory depends on the vantage point from which it is attempted.</span> I'd rather attempt AND attain victory from God's vantage point instead of my own.<br><br>Fight for Faith!<br><br>GGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276232010-11-15T14:12:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00Pressing Forward<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TOIP9QIYLvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/qb3LY-S7Gt4/s1600/tumblr_lbjw7lFH4E1qd0h9ho1_500.jpg"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TOIP9QIYLvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/qb3LY-S7Gt4/s320/tumblr_lbjw7lFH4E1qd0h9ho1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540008036595674866" style=" margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" /></a><br>At the time of this writing, I am on a plane heading home to Jacksonville, FL from Cincinnati, OH. We had an incredible time of worship this weekend, though not without it's challenges. One of the venues had issues that were out of our control, but affected what we do very directly and had to be overcome. Praise be to the Lord for bringing us success. God's presence was strong and powerful in our midst an many were blessed. At another venue this weekend, we were faced with exceptionally few issues and were even more free than before to enter into the presence of the Lord. That got me thinking.<br><br>Each time Paul and I go out to minister, there is always a sense of assignment that we feel. We know the Lord has called us to the place were we're going and that he has already prepared the way. That causes there to be great expectation and confidence in Him to accomplish exactly what He has declared for us. However, issues in the natural plague and attack our flesh all the time, causing us to potentially lose focus on what He has assigned for us and what He has declared and to instead focus on the problems coming against us. Once that happens, there is a battle that ensues and we must now fight to regain our stand in the Lord. But if we STAY focused on what God has declared and on what He has assigned for us, we will be better equipped to remain in position to be used by Him to accomplish His plan.<br><br>Case in point: Jesus declares to His disciples, "Let's go to the other side.". They all got into the boat and started across the see. As they went, Jesus went to sleep. But in the midst of the journey, the storm arose and the waves began to beat upon the boat. The winds began to blow increasingly and toss the boat around on the water. However, Jesus remained asleep until His disciples woke Him and asked Him, "Master! Don't You care that we Re perishing!?" Jesus rises and rebukes the storm and the waves and then turns to His disciples and said a most curious thing: "Why is it that you have no faith?"<br><br>I've heard it taught that Jesus was telling them that THEY had been given authority to calm the storm. And though I do subscribe to that thought to a degree, could it be that it was something much simpler than that?<br><br>I submit this: Jesus was telling them, "Listen, Guys. When I told you that we were going to the other side, I didn't say we'd get there if the weather permitted. I said we're going to the other side because we have an ASSIGNMENT to complete there. So next time, I want you to believe me when I DECLARE something to you, ok? Ok."<br><br>The point is this: Whatever God has declared over your life, put your TOTAL confidence in His word because it will SURELY come to pass exactly as He said. Understand that there will always be opposition to your stand for God and for the Kingdom, but if we stay in our position of victory regardless of experience, if w fight to hold on to what we KNOW God gas told us, we will see our God-given purpose become a reality.<br><br>Press forward toward that which God has declared, but leave the fulfillment of His word in His hands. You and I are not big enough, strong enough, wise enough, ANYTHING enough (smile) to make it happen. We do what is before us to do and watch Him be faith to "complete that which He has began in you."<br><br>Peace<br><br>GGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276262010-11-12T00:39:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00"Welcome Into the Stuff"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TN1YLn9Pk4I/AAAAAAAAACo/kGV99KE6Dlw/s1600/tumblr_lbjxf7jxEg1qzxrs2o1_400.jpg"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TN1YLn9Pk4I/AAAAAAAAACo/kGV99KE6Dlw/s320/tumblr_lbjxf7jxEg1qzxrs2o1_400.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538680073463239554" style=" margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" /></a><br>There's a little phrase that sits in a frame on my desktop that I have sitting in from of me everyday. The phrase reads, "The man who KNEELS to God can STAND up to anything." That phrase is something that I try to practice everyday, though I don't always succeed. I mean, sometimes I come into the office and am more focused on welcoming the day instead of inviting the Lord of the day. Know what I mean? That's something that I really want to change.<br><br>It's sort of like stepping into a gun fight without putting bullets in the gun (ha)! That's not a good way to fight, but it's a great way to get slaughtered! And when we neglect kneeling before the Lord to welcome Him into our stuff, we become powerless to fight against the things that hit us. But welcoming God into the midst of our stuff, whatever our "stuff" is, gives us a much better perspective on how to view it. He empowers us to stand up in the midst of the stuff because we are able to see it from His perspective instead of our own.<br><br>Consider Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6:13-18. They were surrounded by the Syrian army and the servant became deathly afraid. Elisha told the man not to fear for "more are with us than are with them." He prayed for God to open the man's eyes, and when he did, the man saw the mountains full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding the Syrians. One perspective was that of the "stuff" while the other perspective was that of the Lord. Notice that the perspective they gave their attention to was the deciding factor in their victory or defeat. And because they were enabled to "see" from a different perspective, they walked out in victory.<br><br>If you're going through the "stuff" today, I encourage you to welcome the Lord into the midst of it and see from His perspective instead of what you're facing. What does God say about it? How does He see it? What's more is how does He see YOU in it? If you are willing to believe foudationally that God loves you, that He has your best in mind, that He's for you and not against you, that He is working on your behalf for good and not for evil, and are willing to fight for those foundational convictions, you will have positioned yourself to see CLEARLY from His perspective. These foundational convictions are to be the backdrop of our lives in Him from the beginning. The enemy knows this and tries to discredit God in our hearts all the time. If he succeeds in doing that, he weakens us at our core and then attacks with a vengeance.<br><br>Welcome God into your "stuff" today and see the salvation of your God. He's for you.<br><br>PeaceGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276282010-11-09T01:21:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:00Reflections on How Cool God Is...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TNlx-t9VjPI/AAAAAAAAACg/0qZNaWEnqmM/s1600/tumblr_lbjy7fOk2y1qzmenso1_500.jpg"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/TNlx-t9VjPI/AAAAAAAAACg/0qZNaWEnqmM/s320/tumblr_lbjy7fOk2y1qzmenso1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537582539131423986" style=" margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 188px;" /></a><br>So many times, stuff happens, ya know? I was sitting in my office and some friends walked in with a guest. As I stood there talking to them, the Lord began to reveal some things about the guest, whom I'd never met before, to encourage them with. Now, I had just gotten back home from a major ministry trip with Paul Wilbur and had been met with our only vehicle being out of commission. We had no money to cover the repairs. I had a fight going on in the inside to just stay positive. And when you have to fight to stay positive and had just poured out of your spirit for 6 days straight, it really is a challenge. You're tired physically and still have to hear God to minister to others.<br><br>Kinda tough at times under those conditions.<br><br>But along comes the Holy Spirit to help. As I stood there conversing with them, the Lord began to show some things in this friends life that He wanted to encourage over. He began to speak as this tired keyboard person began to listen. He received the glory and a fellow member of the family of the Lord was encouraged and edified.<br><br>It's always amazing what the Lord can do even if you're not feeling like you're in a position to be used by the Holy Spirit. Just goes to show that it's not us, but it's all Him and however He desires to flow.<br><br>Just be available to Him even in your weakness.<br><br>God bless you richly!<br><br>GGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276362010-07-19T10:19:00-07:002010-07-19T10:19:00-07:00Emotions vs TruthAt the time of this writing, this is a rather trying time on a very personal level. Ever been there? Ever felt like things just keep going wrong in certain areas no matter how hard you try to make them go right? I mean, you've done everything you know to do as well as you could, but no matter what, it seems that things strike against you and you find yourself on the ground again and again and again.<br><br>Why?<br><br>That's the question that continues to emerge from the rubble of frustration.<br><br>Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no answers to that monumental question. However, there is one thing to understand. That is this: we all have a common enemy and he doesn't ever play or fight fair. He doesn't know the meaning of courtesy or demilitarized zones. His is a "destroy at all costs" mentality. He hates you and me. For those of you who read this and are believers in Jesus, he hates the God you serve. He hates what you were created to do and to become and he wants you to become unproductive in all areas of your life. He fears your success in the Lord and wants you gone. But he's not just after you, he's after the seed you sow. He is after your seed.<br><br>Everything we do now is a seed planted into our future and will one day yield a harvest. The question is, "What kind of future are we planting for?" That is determined by the seeds of works and words you sow today. Life is a field, a fertile land, so be careful what you plant in it.<br><br>But sometimes when you plant seed in the ground, it just doesn't seem to be yielding anything no matter how you cultivate it. It seems like it's a struggle from the word go. Yet in other places in the field, other seed seems to sprout up with no problem. Why? I don't know. But the thing to remember is that you DID plant the right seed into the RIGHT soil. Therefore, no matter how long it takes, a good farmer will be certain to continue to do what he knows to do and to expect the harvest he has been wanting in due time. It doesn't matter what he feels or sees because he KNOWS how the laws of planting seeds in fertile soil works, and it always works. Therefore, what his emotions scream at him, he has a choice to make: Does he listen to the emotions or cling to the truth?<br><br>That's how things are for us. Our emotions scream at us, "Just give up! It's useless! You'll never win! Things will never change! Prayer won't work because it hasn't up to now! You're forsaken and done! You're wasting you time on this or that!" But <span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT DID GOD SAY</span>? What did God say about His own word? <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11</span>. Now, did God say that His word wouldn't come back to Him void <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">if it looks like it's working</span>? No, He said it wouldn't come back to Him void <span style="font-weight: bold;">PERIOD</span>. And that includes <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">HIS</span> word that has come forth from <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">YOUR</span> mouth as well. His word is powerful seed planted in the soil of our hearts and released from our mouths. It is not dictated OR intimidated by what we FEEL with our emotions or SEE with our eyes.<br><br>I encourage you as I encourage myself with this note: BELIEVE GOD IN SPITE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE.<br><br>Be blessed.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276342010-07-07T01:32:00-07:002010-07-07T01:32:00-07:00Surely You're Kidding!I received an email this morning from Godtube that just about took my breath away and made my blood boil. It was a story about a mosque being built at Ground Zero in New York. The statement made by the proponent of the building of the mosque said that it would be used as "a bridge for peace between Muslims and Americans." He goes on to say that the people desiring to have the mosque there were outraged at the attack on 9/11 and that is why they are wanting to erect the mosque.<br><br><a href="http://%3cembed%20src=%22http//www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf%22%20FlashVars=%22viewkey=bef8e2afd93a3b71ee4f%22%20wmode=%22transparent%22%20quality=%22high%22%20width=%22330%22%20height=%22270%22%20name=%22tangle%22%20align=%22middle%22%20allowScriptAccess=%22always%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20pluginspage=%22http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer%22%20/%3E%3C/embed%3E"><embed src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" flashvars="viewkey=bef8e2afd93a3b71ee4f" wmode="transparent" quality="high" name="tangle" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" height="270" width="330"></embed></a><a href="http://%3cembed%20src=%22http//www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf%22%20FlashVars=%22viewkey=bef8e2afd93a3b71ee4f%22%20wmode=%22transparent%22%20quality=%22high%22%20width=%22330%22%20height=%22270%22%20name=%22tangle%22%20align=%22middle%22%20allowScriptAccess=%22always%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20pluginspage=%22http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer%22%20/%3E%3C/embed%3E">GodTube video</a><br><br>Oh really?? Hmmmmm.<br><br>Tell me, where was the outcry from them condemning the attacks on 9/11? Why has it taken 10 years or so for them to surface with an <span style="font-style: italic;">"attempt"</span> to do something about it or make a statement about it? Where is the consideration for and sensitivity towards the families who lost members in the collapse of the buildings on that day? And why now when we have a President who has on different occasions admitted he is a Muslim? Why now when the President has <span style="font-weight: bold;">CLEARLY</span> shown a bent toward Muslims and <span style="font-weight: bold;">TOTALLY</span> against the foundations upon which this nation was founded? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Please understand and let me be clear. There is nothing at all wrong with being Muslim in the sense of being a people group. But there is something totally wrong with setting up what would be considered a monument to the destruction and murder of innocent people.</span> And that is precisely how this edifice would be perceived.<br><br>Something is wrong.<br><br>Something is wrong when a people group affiliated with another people group responsible for the innocent and unnecessary deaths of thousands who did nothing to provoke it, desires to erect an edifice that represents the very people who committed such crime. What's worse it that something is wrong when some of the people of the land have no problem with it.<br><br>But something else is even more wrong.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHERE IS THE CHURCH?</span> Where are the believers, who have been given the right to bear the name of Jesus, that will stand up against injustice? Where are the intercessors that will join arms and bow the knee to pray for this nation and for the rulership of God to be manifest in our midst? Where is the outcry of the church against the unrighteousness in government? Where is the church that will band together and make their voices known at the voting booths? Are WE really that asleep? Have we REALLY given up our nation because of personal fear? Are we more concerned about offending others above offending God? What are we, the church, doing? Why are we silent.<br><br>What has happened to our nation?<br><br>Is this the "change" that this nation desires to embrace? Where are the absolutes? Where are the standards? Is there anyone who will put their foot down on solid ground and say, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"NO! NOT HERE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!"?</span> We are a nation of survivors, a nation of people proud to be free. We are a nation that stands up for truth and righteousness. We are a nation founded on a solid and unmovable foundation and liberty fortified and purchased by the blood of countless brave Americans who embody the essence of what this nation stands for.<br><br>There was a day when the law meant something. There was a day when a slap in the face like this would NEVER be tolerated, much less given an audience. There was a time when the decisions of leadership in this nation would be immediately contested by a voice so loud, it would have shaken the foundations of the earth and knocked it off of its axis! Where is that voice now? Where are the watchmen on the wall who declare with a loud voice, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"NOT ON MY WATCH!"</span>? Where are the proud Americans who would dare to stand up in the face of tyranny and join forces to protect this nation and its inhabitants from enemies both foreign <span style="font-weight: bold;">AND</span> domestic? Are we so asleep? Have we changed from being the proud majestic Eagle to the frog boiling in a little water with NO IDEA he will be dead in a matter of minutes?<br><br>Here stands one.<br><br>This is MY nation and we have power in the polls, in the voting booths, in the media, and in print, and we CANNOT allow our voices to be silent. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Our voices become silent when our hearts become cold."</span> May it not be said of us. May we not sit idly by and watch our nation become a sleeping giant again. Let the sleeping giant sleep no more! Let the mighty warrior be released to do battle against the forces that want to strip us of our God-given identity.<br><br>WE ARE AMERICA!Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276332010-05-28T17:12:00-07:002010-05-28T17:12:00-07:00Time....I was just thinking today about time. Each of us has time as a commodity, but time can either be a asset or an enemy, at least in the natural. We are born and in TIME we grow up. We make choices and in TIME we find out if they are wise choices or unwise. We do actions and in TIME discover if they are profitable or not. We live and in TIME we die. And the time differential could be a matter of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even years.<br><br>But the question that comes to mind is "What do we DO with the time we have?" Our response to time can determine how we survive in days to come. And our response to time will also determine if it is an asset or an enemy to our lives. What I mean is sometimes we wait and wait for the right time, only to realize that the TIME has passed us and no we must either catch up or wait for the next "wave" of time to come. Other times we become impatient because time seems to be taking way too long. And as a result, we launch out prematurely to bring to pass what we're waiting for, only to realize that what we've actually done is launched ourselves into an even longer waiting time. We launch out at the wrong moment only to be forced to wait longer for the correct time to move. To many, time will be a teacher, but to some it will be a task master. We are the deciding factor. <br><br>What should one do with time? Many of us have been waiting for the return of the Lord to explode in the sky above when every eye shall see Him and time has progressed further and further. But one thing is certain: HE IS COMING! We just don't know when, even though the whole world is groaning in waiting for His appearing. So what should we DO during the TIME? <br><br>What is it that you have been called to DO? Are doing it now? If not, why not? Are you where you are supposed to be right now? Do you know? Are you living the way you are supposed to be living right now during the TIME? Are the relationships that surround you the relationships that are supposed to be in your life right now? Are they adding to your purpose or subtracting from your purpose? ARE YOU LIVING ON PURPOSE RIGHT NOW, OR JUST EXISTING? Only YOU can answer these questions for you. No one can answer them for you. No one can answer them for me. I will say this, though, "I want to be living on purpose and not by accident." TIME is too short for anything less. <br><br>What about you?<br><br>Just sayin'. <br><br>G Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276322010-04-05T11:21:00-07:002010-04-05T11:21:00-07:00Living Is A Choice Pt. 2Recently I posted a blog about living life on purpose. In it, I attempted to focus on living life by choosing who to live it for. I was stating that living life for "things" is really a waste of life because things wear out and break down. Things are temporary and run out. But choosing to live life in God is something that is well worth it. Well here, I just want to discuss the rest of the thought.<br><br>Making the choice is one thing, but really living life is quite another. <br><br>One of my favorite movies of all time is "Braveheart". In that film there is a very pointed moment when Wallace says to the wife of Longshank's son this awesome phrase: "Every man dies, but not every man really lives.". MAN I love that statement. I love it because to many times we miss out on life because we never really choose to live it. We have been given this incredible life to live and we end up missing out on it for a myriad of reasons. Sometimes it's fear of taking risks. Sometimes it's too much over thinking, etc. Instead, we should be people who take life by the throat and drain it of every bit of experience we can.<br><br>We were created to be adventurous people who approach life fearlessly and boldly. I think of Paul the Apostle who said that he had "finished the course, run the race, and kept the faith" declaring that he had lived his life in God to the fullest, leaving no stone unturned. He had completely spent and poured out his life and knew that there was a crown of glory awaiting him. Another film that I also thought was kinda cool was "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman. These two terminally ill guys become friends and ine DECIDES to make a list of all the things he wanted to do before he died and set out to do it, and take his friend with him. And before they died, that's exactly what they do. <br><br>But know this: we do NOT have to wait for some terminal illness or something to get after really living life. We shouldn't need anything like that to motivate us to go for it. We were BORN with that motivation!! <br><br>I want to be one who could say like Paul, that I, too, have finished my course, I have kept the faith, and I have run the race. I don't want the Lord to have to say to me, "You did good, Son, but this is what else I had for you that you could have done". And I'm not just talking about stuff we DO, but also the stuff we could experience! <br><br>All I'm trying to say in this thing is GO FOR IT! Don't let yourself be short changes in life. Remember that Jesus said He came to give us life AND THA LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY. I challenge you to find the abundance He was speaking about, the abundance He has for YOU. Find your life in Him and begin to live that abundance His way, submitted to His will. If you'll do that, you'll find your life being SO MUCH MORE fulfilling.<br><br>And the world will be better for it!<br><br>GO FOR IT!!!<br><br>PeaceGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276312010-04-01T01:54:00-07:002010-04-01T01:54:00-07:00"Living Is A Choice"I had a conversation with my wonderful son last night. It's one of those conversations that will last a lifetime. That conversation was rather pointed and spurred this thought in my heart. Many of the lives of people are lived at the mercy of circumstances, situation, issues, people's opinions, and the like, instead of being lived the way it was meant to live from the beginning. We were never meant to live our lives according to all of the those things, but rather to live our lives in fullness of what the Lord had intended for us to live. Now I know that many of us gain our life substance from what we do, and men are notorious for doing that. But I would like to suggest to us that we take a step back and look at what we're calling "living". <br><br>I know people who live to ride motorcycles. Their favorite thing is to get on their crotch rockets or hogs or what have you and feel the wind on their faces, throwing caution to the wind, and feeling free. Nothing wrong with that at all. Not in the least. Then there are people that live for the music and the stage. What drives them is the rush of the shouts of the crowd, the excitement of their name in lights, and the notoriety of their achievements. Their are people who live for sex, who live for food, you name it and there's bound to be someone who lives for it. <br><br>But here's a question.....<br><br>What happens when the motorcycles break down? What happens when the music stops and people are no longer cheering for you? What happens if something traumatic happens to your body and sex is no longer an option? What happens when you become too overweight to even enjoy food because is you attempt, you will die? You know what happens?<br><br>Your life ends.<br><br>If you live for money, eventually the money will run out. If you live for conquests of businesses, buildings, stocks and bonds, eventually there will be nothing more to conquer. <br><br>So what's my point? I'm glad you asked.<br><br>Look. Everything else we have in life to pour our energies into will require <span style="font-weight: bold;">US</span> to make happen. They are not self-sufficient and cannot stand on their own. They are powerless in life unless we do something with them. They need US to exist. But that's <span style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> what God has made available to us. <br><br>Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Moses said to the Children of Israel by the word of the Lord that God had placed before them <span style="font-weight: bold;">LIFE</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">DEATH</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">BLESSING</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">CURSING</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">THEY</span> had to make the choice of which they would take. There were consequences to both, but the choice was theirs. That same option stands before us today, everyday of our lives. If we <span style="font-weight: bold;">CHOOSE</span> to walk contrary to the word and the plans of God, we will experience the fruit of it. If we <span style="font-weight: bold;">CHOOSE</span> to walk in the ways the Lord has planned for us, we will experience the fruit of it. The question is: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"WHICH FRUIT DO YOU WANT?"</span> I mean, it's one thing to say <span style="font-weight: bold;">YES</span> to God, but it's a whole different thing to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">follow up our "yes" with obedience to His word and submission to His ways and plans</span>. <br><br>It seems to be the "in" thing nowadays to "claim" to be a Christian without submitting to the plans of God in regards to that declaration. Therein lies our life. Walking <span style="font-weight: bold;">WITH</span> God is life. Walking <span style="font-weight: bold;">WITHOUT</span> God is death. <br><br>Listen. God says He came to give us life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). But remember that the life He offers has come at a high price and requires a high price from us as well. He said to "take up your cross and follow Me." All of us have a personal cross that we must carry in order to follow Him. For some, it's <span style="font-weight: bold;">CHOOSING</span> to lay down the desire for riding motorcycles <span style="font-weight: bold;">IF</span> it comes between them and God. For some, it's laying down eating food in excess <span style="font-weight: bold;">IF</span> it comes between them and God. For some, it's laying down the fame <span style="font-weight: bold;">IF</span> it comes between them and God. Do you see a pattern here? God has given us all good things to enjoy in this life and in the life to come. But the moment the "things" of this life become more important than living for and in obedience to Him, we have a major problem. He is to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">FIRST</span> and everything else second. <br><br>So what's <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOUR</span> cross? What do you hold dear to your heart that has become more dear to you than God? <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Are you willing to lay it down until things in your life are in the correct alignment?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Would you be willing to lay it down forever if it is required?</span> You have to choose.<br><br>I encourage <span style="font-weight: bold;">US</span> all to <span style="font-weight: bold;">CHOOSE</span> life.<br><br>Peace.Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276272010-01-15T15:44:00-08:002010-01-15T15:44:00-08:00Who Are You, Really?Pressure. Fatigue. Worry. Stress. All of these are issues we all face on a daily basis. Situations come around and makes eveything go haywire. It mounts up more and more until it explodes in our faces. But then the situation tries to tell you how you should respond. Problem is when you do, you end up feeding the situation making it stronger against you and cause it to grow instead of diminish.<br><br>But who are you, really? Are you someone who is under the thumb of their circumstances? Are you someone who HAS to do what the circumstances tell you? Are you really powerless against the whims of issues in life and doomed to obey them?<br><br>I submit to you that if you are a believer in Jesus belonging to Him, you are most definitely NOT any of the above.<br><br>I think about police officers who encounter criminals at large. Let's say it's a hostage situation. The criminal says that he WILL NOT come out without his demands being met. And if his demands aren't satisfied, he will take a life. Now, all the circumstances say, "Give this guy what he wants!". But in reality, the officers hear what the criminal is saying, but they respond according to a higher standard. They respond according to a different set of rules, and these rules supercede the rules of the criminal. They have been given the authority to act within the realm of those rules to the fullest extent. And in the end, the higher rule of authority wins. Why? Because the law is the final authority and the criminal will submit to the higher rule of authority either WILLINGLY or UNWILLINGLY, BREATHING or not BREATHING one way or another. <br><br>Now, how does that apply to us, you may ask? <br><br>Jesus has given you authority OVER YOUR OWN EMOTIONS which will not necessarily decide the outcome of the situations, but will decide the EFFECT of the situation in YOUR life. Circumstances, like the criminals, DO NOT have the right OR the authority to tell you how to live unless you give it that authority. God has empowered you with a Higher Rule of Law than the rules of situations and issues.<br><br>Remember: "WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON WILL RULE YOU."<br><br>There is something greater on the inside of you than the situations around you. The circumstances will come AND go, but the word of the Lord will stand forever. And His word toward you is for your good and for your success. Again, realize that the circumstances may not change right away, but YOU can change. Let the Lord show up on your behalf. Give Him your FULL attention instead of yielding attention to the issue. When you do this on a consistent basis, peace will meet you and lift you up.<br><br>Be encouraged!<br><br>GregGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276302010-01-09T06:59:00-08:002010-01-09T06:59:00-08:00Random ThoughtsWe're on our way today to Ft Myers and Naples, FL to minister. There is anticipation of what the Lord has in store for us. At this start of a new year there is an even greater sense of being on target and purposeful in what we do.<br><br>All of last year we sense that there was a change or shift in what we are doing as a ministry. God seemed to be moving us from just going and ministering wherever to ministering as a result of being on assignment. <br><br>There is a difference.<br><br>Now, when Paul and I go out to different places to minister, we recognize that we are going somewhere to minister with something the Lord plans to release through us specific to the congregation or city we are in. And so far He has been faithful to meet us at each and every location ministering in power. <br><br>We have seen God heal people instantly without anyone laying hands on them and we've watched as countless many have come to give their hearts to him. <br><br>I encourage you in this year to really lock in with the Spirit of God to find out your "assignment" and start walking accordingly. You'll find yourself living life more full because you'll be doing what you were created to do. Set your sights on God and strive to see His FACE and His purpose and live out of that place.<br><br><br><br>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276292010-01-01T06:49:00-08:002017-01-11T05:49:19-08:002010We have just stepped over a line drawn in the sand. 2009 has come to an end and 2o10 has just begun. There have been many things that have occurred in 09 that are mind boggling and surprising. I think we can all attest to that in our own individual lives. Changes, surprises, challenges, victories, defeats, successes, failures, all of these are things we can all attest to at one point or another.<br> However, as I write this, I must say that I tremble inside. I shudder to take the step I am about to take with this writing because it challenges me personally as I trust it will challenge you.<br><br>I believe that in 2010:<br><br>- There is a line being drawn in the sand by the Spirit of God. The line is the place where the ones who claim to belong to God will have to decide if standing for Him is more important than being liked by everyone else. This is a line of "chose you this day whom you will serve." This is a line drawn where people who are "playing" church, or go to church "just to get their church on," will need to decide if they will continue to live that way or shake off that mindset and truly surrender to God in every area.<br><br>- There will be greater opportunity to press deeper into God to know Him. Much of the work of the Lord has been hidden from the eyes of all and has been reserved only for those who will dare to press in to know. This is the time when the "trustworthy" and the "trust-able" will be shown step by step what the activity of the Spirit of God is in this hour. These will be those who will rightly discern the moving of the Lord, but will be faithful stewards of the information they receive and speak them ONLY when instructed to. Many yearn to know, but too few pay the price. The Spirit of God is calling for all who desire to know Him to pay the price for intimacy with Him.<br><br>- This WILL be a year of breakthrough, but for MANY it will not be the breakthrough they thought would happen, nor will it be the breakthrough they have heard preached. For some, it will be a breakthrough regarding blessing and favor and provision. For some it will be breakthrough in relationship with others, breakthroughs in jobs, etc. But for MANY, it will be breakthroughs in intimacy with God, for therein lies their breakthrough. They may not see the financial prosperity that they've longed for, no, but instead they will see the breakthrough that is critical for them to have IN ORDER TO RECEIVE the breakthrough they desire. God is raising up a people who will go beyond what is "desired" to what is "needed." It will be different for everyone, but regardless of the difference, it WILL be breakthrough.<br><br>- God will begin to bring an end to useless revelations spoken out of the souls of men and will begin to show Himself strong and mighty regarding His word. The end is coming for mockers to have their time. But know this: The mockers are not just those who mock OUTSIDE the church, but INSIDE as well. God is dealing with those who mock Him by living double lives; life one way in the church and another way outside of the church. BE WARNED.<br><br>Please understand, I am not attempting to say that all of this will be fully accomplished in the year 2010. Rather, I believe this is the starting point of these things that will be accomplished in time. We MUST be careful to be on the correct side with Him. Never the less, you and I MUST choose. We will either be FOR Him and AGAINST Him, which will be shown in the way we live our lives both publicly AND privately.<br><br>So in this year 2010, PLEASE look deeper into the Lord and surrender everything. Let your lives and may my life be lived pleasing God in everything we do. Will we fail? Most likely. But the real question is, "WILL WE GET UP AND RUN TO HIM OR RUN FROM HIM?" I'm running TO Him.<br><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/Sz5pDbKA5mI/AAAAAAAAABQ/tsUyLGM4PN8/s1600-h/IMAG0022.JPG"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/_1WU4l-mmAyg/Sz5pDbKA5mI/AAAAAAAAABQ/tsUyLGM4PN8/s320/IMAG0022.JPG" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421886508950939234" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 145px;" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>How about you?<br><br>GGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276252009-09-30T21:45:00-07:002009-09-30T21:45:00-07:00"Jerusalem"Here I am in Jerusalem, a place I have visited once before. But that was then and this is now. I'm in a different place in my life this time around. As I sit here in the Aroma Cafe, I find myself reflecting on the fact that I'm here. All I can say is WOW. I'm blessed to be standing on this soil.<br><br>But I must say that all the excitement of being here in the land where my Savior walked and lived, it is really short lived to an extent. What I mean is many times people come to this land with ENORMOUS expectation of some spiritual experience, and MANY do indeed have just that. But many have not. Some have come away from the land thinking, "Well, that was a nice trip." It begs the question of why. Why is it that some have this incredible experience in this land while others don't? Honestly, I don't know. I have no explanation for it. But this I do know: The expectation should be an extension of the DAILY expectation we have of meeting with the Lord everyday. <br><br>I think back to when Promise Keepers was really in full swing in the early days. So many men would come up to me and say, "Man! I can't wait to get to PK! It will be SUCH in amazing experience! God's all over that and I'm chomping at the bit to get there!!" Then after they went, they were singing a different tune. "Well, it WAS cool, but not all it was cracked up to be." I'm not necessarily saying that about this place, Jerusalem, because it IS an amazing experience being here. I am simply meaning being here is more FOR ME an extension of my desire to daily meet with the Lord right where I am wherever I am, whether it's here or in the US. God's presence can be just as rich at home as it is here. I think it all depends on your heart and your focus. <br><br>Please DO NOT misunderstand me. I am TOTALLY reveling in the fact that I'm walking on this soil and I am soaking it all in. But is it really necessary to go to certain special places to experience an even greater sense of God's presence? If so, how would you explain Paul and Silas in prison experiencing the presence of the Lord? What about Paul during a shipwreck? Or how about the apostle John on the island of Patmos in exile? Or the underground church in China? Or what about all the people that have been martyred for their faith and going through great persecution, all the while their praise and experience with God's presence grew all the more? <br><br>All I'm saying is that, (FOR ME, OK?), I want to be sure that I'm not coming to a "place" to experience the presence of the Holy One, the God of Abraham, Issac and Israel, the God of Jerusalem. I want to experience Him in the deepest of depths regardless of where I am, but to CELEBRATE Him here in HIS land!! Oh, how I celebrate Him here!!!! Oh, how I adore Him here!!! But that is an extension of how much I want to strive to daily celebrate and adore Him wherever I am.<br><br>Praise the Lord for Jerusalem!! Baruch Haba, B' Shem Adonai (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!). Praise the Lord for this land. But even greater than this, Praise the Lord for who He is.<br><br>I love you, Abba!!<br><br>ShalomGreg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276242009-09-28T08:13:00-07:002023-12-10T09:47:15-08:00"Sensitivity"Lately, there seems to be some kind of heightened awareness in my heart. Something is happening all around me and it's very interesting to me. When Paul and I traveled together in the past, there were incredible times of worship that took us over and the presence of the Lord was really strong. Lately, though, when we travel now, it's different. God seems to be doing more in our midst than we've seen before.<br><br>Case in point: In Indiana about a month ago, a woman who was paralyzed in her left leg, had a battle with breast cancer, struggled with bone cancer, and had braces on her upper arms, was carried into a meeting we were ministering in. Miraculously, she got up and jogged on her own right there in the meeting. <br><br>Case in point: In Florida, we were ministering in a church and during the worship, 5-6 people who were partially or totally deaf were instantly healed without a hand being laid on them. Also, a man with curvature of the spine was instantly healed.<br><br>Case in point: In Texas, a young man who had fallen at a construction site and had badly damaged his back (his back was in the form of an "S") was instantly healed during the praise and worship. His back was straightened and his doctor was with him to verify the event.<br><br>Case in point: In Indiana, we were ministering at the same place mentioned above and it was brought to our attention that we were standing in a building that was given to them. The interesting thing is, Paul had prophesied about 1-2 years prior that this would happen, and EVERYTHING he prophesied came to pass, right down to the "salt and pepper shakers on the fellowship tables."<br><br>Case in point: In New Jersey, we were ministering at a messianic congregation where a woman invited about 10 Holocaust survivors and in that meeting they ALL received Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord of their lives. <br><br>Invitations are coming from high ranking individuals all around the world and the favor of the Lord is growing on this ministry.<br><br>What's going on? God is on the move, that's what. It would be a good thing for us to be as sensitive to Him and to His voice and heart as possible, because who knows, maybe YOU will be one of the next people who's shoulder He taps and says, "Hey, I need you to do something for Me. Are you willing?" When you get that nudge, Friend, DON'T shrink back and step away from His beckoning call. Step up and do it! <br><br>SOMEONES LIBERTY AND FREEDOM COULD BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S CALL!<br><br>Shalom<br><br>G<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-5024794298531032145?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276222009-08-13T01:57:00-07:002022-05-13T00:38:35-07:00"THE" Difference<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">You know, it has always amazed me how everything has a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everything that has been made was made with a specific use in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eating utensils were created for people to use instead of having to use their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Vehicles of all types were made so that we could cover greater distances than we would if we had to travel by foot or by horse, or what have you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I even remember once when one of my kids got something really small stuck in their ear when they was younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They even had a tiny tool at the hospital to get it out (<i>and it was a couple hundred dollars for that!</i><span style="font-style:normal">).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Amazing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-style:normal">It is interesting to me that we can find a purpose for almost each and every tool in a toolbox, but can't seem to decipher our own purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What's up with that?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Here we are, some of the most advanced minds in the world and yet many of use spend time trying to fulfill someone else's purpose instead our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I'm not talking about helping someone fulfill a purpose or make a difference, but rather taking on the purpose of someone else as if it were our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That's like the analogy I often use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A screwdriver was made to drive screws into things, but you <i>COULD</i><span style="font-style:normal"> cut a cake with one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A credit card was made so that you could "spend money easily," but, if you know how, you could open a door with one (</span><i>I've never quite figured out how to do that</i><span style="font-style:normal">).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Things work best when they are functioning according to the purpose for which they were made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You were created to make a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You were created to make YOUR mark on this world and NOBODY can make that mark but YOU.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">There's a not-so-old movie that Dennis Quaid did called "The Rookie" that I strongly suggest you watch about a baseball coach who steps out to fulfill a life-long dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I won't tell you anymore in case you haven't seen it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is one scene in it when he asked his father, whom he had grown far apart from over the years, for advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He basically asked him, "Should I do this?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I thought the father had the most profound response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He said, "Well, it's fine to do what you CAN do, but ONLY until it's time to do what you were BORN to do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>DUDE!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>DOES THAT NOT JUST ROCK?!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Check it, ya'll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don't live your life in the shadows longing to step out into the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You might be waiting on God, but what if GOD is waiting on YOU?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><b>There is a difference between making "</b><i><b>A"</b></i><span style=""><b> difference and making "</b></span><i><b>THE" </b></i><span style="font-weight:normal;font-style:normal"><b>difference you were created to make.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Personally, I've had enough of just kinda going with the flow of living. I know I was made for something greater than what I've accomplished in my life and it's time to get after it. Risk is scary and uncomfortable. That's why it's called a "RISK." But when you think about it, what do you REALLY have to lose? You take a risk and it either pays off or it doesn't. My dear friend Liz Cooley said something to me one night while we were in college that really drove my life from that point on. I was telling her how afraid I was to try because I didn't want to fail. She stood up and yelled out, "OH NO, GREG! DON'T DO IT! If you DON'T try, YOU HAVE FAILED ALREADY!" From that moment I have been "trying" every chance I got. The problem is I seemed to have forgotten how to try. Why? Because of the "program." We get into a routine of living where everything just kinda works and we don't have to really even think about it much. It's a machine that runs fine and needs no help. The problem is we STOP living and begin existing. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">I don't wanna do that anymore. Do you?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In this time and season, Man, it's time to be done with the mediocre. It's time to find your niche and work it to the bone. And you can't find your niche without connecting with the One who made you. He knows EXACTLY what it is and can guide you to it AND through it. So get with God and find out what you're REALLY supposed to be about, get His wisdom about the process, sever the ties with mediocrity, and DO IT.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is a world out there (out here) waiting on you to start making "THE" difference you were BORN to make.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peace,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">G</p><p></p> <!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-6081173527010500115?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276212009-07-21T10:09:00-07:002009-07-21T10:09:00-07:00Driven By... ?I just watched a really cool video about people receiving an anointing to minister to others through signs and wonders. Some guys were up there praying over the whole congregation that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">healing</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">deliverance</span>, miracles, etc would be manifested in the lives of everyone there and those watching by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TV</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Internet</span>. I thought it was cool because to a great degree, that's what Jesus did. He sent out the 70 and told them to heal the sick, cast out devils, and to freely give what they had freely received. As they went preaching the kingdom, all of these things occurred just as Jesus prayed and the 70 came back rejoicing. Way cool.<div><br></div><div>I have seen some of this happen in my own life as well. Sometimes it happened through my hands, but most of the time it has happened before my eyes through the lives of others. And still other times, it simply happened during worship where no one laid a hand on anyone. Those are the REALLY cool times because that's when you can physically see that it was God and no ones manipulation or emotion or whatever.</div><div><br></div><div>But here's the other side of the coin: WHY? Not why did these people experience the hand of God, no. Not that. But instead, why do any of us desire to be used of God to release His power in the earth. Hey, like it or not, Man, that's part of the call. You may not believe it, but it's true. Sometimes it's releasing people from discouragement with a word of encouragement. Sometimes it's releasing someone from worrying about bills by blessing them with finances. Sometimes it's blessing someone with a meal that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to have. All of that is fine and good... and explainable. But what about those things that can't be taken care of by the natural?</div><div><br></div><div>TOO MANY TIMES we have backed down and said, "Well, the Lord knows and He will take care of it." Hey, Man, think about this: What do you think Jesus was doing when He sent out the 12 and the 70? What do you think Jesus meant when He said in John 14:12, "He that believes on Me, the WORKS that I do HE WILL DO. AND GREATER WORKS will he do because I go to My Father?" Who was He talking to? If you say He was talking to the disciples, what are YOU? Are YOU His disciple? Is the word of God relevant for today? Is the word of God true? Why do we run and hide and break out in hives when we are faced with someone who is sick and in need of a healing touch, when the Holy Spirit lives inside of us just like He lived inside of the apostles. And by the way, they did EXACTLY what Jesus said they'd do. He said that the one who believes on Him would do the same works He did. Read the book of Acts lately? And yet we say that we can't function like that. THAT is a total lie.</div><div><br></div><div>But an even deeper question, and the main point of this blog, is "Why do we really want to move in these things?" Is it so that we can say to the world, "Hey! Look what I can do?" Is it so we can cash in on it with books, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cd's</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DVDs</span> we create for sale? Is it so we can perhaps get some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TV</span> program with our name on it? GOD FORBID!! GOD FORBID!! GOD FORBID!!</div><div><br></div><div>Listen, this is what I've seen in the book. Jesus was driven by compassion for people. He didn't like seeing them sick, imprisoned, bound up, tormented, or whatever. Therefore, He did something about it. And now, YOU and I are the vessels through which He desire to KEEP doing something about their demise. But you have to be willing to at least let Him do a "little something" through you. </div><div><br></div><div>What are YOU driven by? Are you driven by notoriety or by compassion? Are you driven by the opinions of those who see you, or by the opinion of the King who made you. Do you want to see the Kingdom of Heaven released on the earth? If so, guess what? YOU are the conduit through which the Kingdom of Heaven will manifest. Me? I wanna be moved with compassion to see the sick healed, the dead raised, demons cast out, the Holy Spirit freed up to move on and in people, and the gospel to be preached throughout the whole earth so that people can come to know the Lord in His <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">fullness</span>. To know Him and to know His heart. That's what I'm hungry for. If I can somehow latch onto that, I can tap in to His compassionate heart, listen for what He wants to do, and then partner with Him to get it done. How about you?</div><div><br></div><div>What have you done for the Kingdom, lately?</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-8589778047899632740?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276202009-07-01T17:00:00-07:002009-07-01T17:00:00-07:00Silence is MORE than Golden...I'm a talker. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. They'll all say, "Yep! That guy just won't shut up!" It's how I've always been, even though to an extent I'm actually pretty introverted. Never the less, I am definitely a talker. The problem is in the listening. I'd like to think I'm a good listener as well, but there's definitely room for improvement! Unfortunately, though, that sometimes spills over into my walk with the Lord. He's trying to speak and I won't let Him get a word in edge-wise. Next thing I know, the time has flown by and I've done all the talking. <br><div><br></div><div>The downside of all that is when we come to the Lord with issues and desires for direction and instruction, we talk and talk and talk, but we leave having unloaded all our thoughts but not receiving any of His. We walk away and wonder why we just can't seem to understand how to get a breakthrough. But all the while, during our dissertation to the Lord, He had the answer to our need. If we'd just hush a moment and listen, He just might be able to shed some light on the subject. </div><div><br></div><div>I know that I've often been guilty of this in my personal life. I go to the Lord to gain understanding, but I kill the time with the noise. Another thing that has often happened is I ask for understanding and then substitute my own thoughts for His, thinking that what I'm hearing is really Him. But in reality it's my own thoughts and understanding, which leads to a deeper demise to whatever I was needing assistance with. What a pickle!</div><div><br></div><div>But on an even more personal level, we spend much time trying to dictate the relationship between us and God when in reality it is just that, A RELATIONSHIP. That means there is a two-way street in this thing. We speak, He listens. HE SPEAKS, WE LISTEN. That's one of the ways WE walk TOGETHER in this thing called life. </div><div><br></div><div>There is a well of understanding that awaits us if we would just quiet ourselves and "be still and know that He is God - Psalm 46:9." The thing we begin to know is NOT how to get out of something or whatever, but to know HIM, who He is, how He feels, what He thinks, what makes Him tick, and on and on it goes. In THAT understanding lies the answer to anything we feel we might need. Being silent long enough to hear Him speak to us is a release of life into our spirits and into our hearts. Being silent long enough to hear is a way to recognize Him when He moves on our behalf. Silence is MORE than golden. It's a portal to life and peace.</div><div><br></div><div>Listen, why not in your daily life, take some time to listen more and talk less. Listening is an integral part of prayer as well. Try it. Believe it. Know that He will NEVER speak anything to you that is at odds with His word. You can trust His answer.</div><div><br></div><div>He's listening. Are you?</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-3092364646245186352?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276052009-06-22T17:00:00-07:002009-06-22T17:00:00-07:00"Death to Auto Pilot"Technology is an incredible thing. We live in a day and age when things that would normally take about 5 days to accomplish now take about 5 hours. Transportation that would normally take us a week now take us a day. Communication is another area where technology has exploded. Instead of sending messages and letters by pony or train, we can now send messages to a host of people in a matter of seconds by group email. We can now hold conversations with crowds of people at one time and interact with them all at the same time in seconds. <br><br>Quite amazing.<br><br>The food industry has been influenced by technology as well. Instead of slaving over a hot stove everyday, we can now simply put food in a microwave and have it ready to eat in minutes. That which we only thought could be possible in science fiction and fantasy have now and are becoming a reality. And because of these conveniences, we can simply start the machine and it'll run all by itself. We can set things on auto and sit back while it all happens.<br><br>But what about relationships?<br><br>Technology is a good and necessary thing in this day. But have we forgotten what it's like to talk to one another face to face? I mean, I've been guilty of this, too, and it bothers me some. One family member is upstairs and another is downstairs and instead of getting up and GOING to them and speaking face to face, we send a text message or make call them on their cell phone. Again, I appreciate technology and use it daily, but I just don't want to lose touch with the "human" element of it all. I mean, now, it's unnecessary to even talk to a person on a phone. Everything is automated and your questions and needs are handled by a few simply programmed responses.<br><br>There's GOT to be more than this.<br><br>But the REAL question is, what is your relationship with God like? Is it like using technology? Do you rise up to speak with Him face to face or do you simply send Him a text message without any kind of interaction? Do we walk in love or do we simply turn on the machine and let things take their course?<br><br>Look, I'm not trying to slam anyone because I'm in no place to do so. But I'm just encouraging you to not get too satisfied in your walk with the Lord. Let it stay fresh and do all that is in your power to CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIP with Him. He does it for you and I 24/7 even when we have no signal on our cell phones (ha)! So look, He says He loves you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3) so let that love be reciprocal, ok? "Death to Auto Pilot" Christianity, and life to an experiential relationship with God.<br><br>You CANNOT exhaust His resources. His love never fails, His faithfulness is everlasting, His power is unmeasurable. He is available to you at ALL times. <br><br>Let's enjoy technology, but let us LIVE for the Lord!<br><br>G<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-6151273847563316352?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276182009-06-02T17:00:00-07:002009-06-02T17:00:00-07:00Understanding Without Understanding...<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>You know, God is amazing. He has been faithful and constant all the time, even when it seemed like He just wasn't around or just didn't care. I find in my life that all the times I felt like He was simply ignoring me, He was actually working on my behalf behind the scenes and I had no idea. In reality, He kinda-sorta was ignoring me, but not in the way we usually think. He was not ignoring me just for the sake of ignoring me. Instead, He was giving His attention to something that had to be handled in order for me to experience the abundant life He promised. He NEVER ignores out of spite, but out of concern.<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Some may say, "Yeah, but don't you think that the whole idea of ignoring is pretty harsh, given the days we live in? Seems kinda mean, wouldn't you say?" Well, on one hand, yes I would agree it's a little harsh. But not very different from when YOU sort of ignore your own children or friends in order to accomplish something for them that you KNOW is in their best interest. Have you ever done that? I mean, really, come on. Be honest with yourself. Have you? <br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Neither you nor I are better parents than God is. Oh, we sometimes like to think that we're so much more advanced in our thinking than He is because we view Him as being outdated or archaic. But how foolish. He knows how to handle His kids and knows what is best for them at all times. He works feverishly to prepare the future for them at all costs. How amazing is that.<br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The challenge for us is to trust in the face of misunderstanding. I struggle with this all the time and God has been faithful to patiently win me over with His consistency. I many times fail to understand what in the world is going on and why, and He doesn't always tell me what's what, either. And that's when it gets REALLY difficult. But see, there HAS to be a principle that we live this thing out by which will direct our heart's focus if we give attention to it. By that principle, you are able to understand even when you don't understand. The principle I strive to keep in the forefront of my heart is found in Jeremiah 31:3, which says, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"...I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, I am drawing you with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lovingkindness</span>."</span></span> If I know that His feelings toward me is love continually, that helps me to rest, be it ever so difficult at times, in His plans for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm far better off than I used to be.<br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So take heart today. I don't know what you're going through and I don't have an answer as to why, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I know it's not because God is ticked off at you and is taking out His aggression on you.</span></span> He doesn't function that way. The principle I listed above isn't just a principle for me, but for you, too. Why? Because it's in the word of God and His word is not for a select few, but for ALL who claim Him as their Lord and Savior and strive to live in obedience to Him. That's YOU. His heart toward you is love continually, He draws you with His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lovingkindness</span> constantly, and He works feverishly regarding your future because He has planned it all out for your good. <br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>No matter what happens in your life, good or bad, hard or easy, joyful or traumatic, He is not out to get you, but is for you always, even unto the end of the age. It may be hard to believe sometimes, but it's true. Give your attention to the PROMISE NOT THE PROBLEM.<br>
</div><div><br></div><div>Feel better today!</div><div><br></div><div>Peace,</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-7750323682647807888?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276082009-05-26T17:00:00-07:002009-05-26T17:00:00-07:00What Do You Want?Music. What a concept. I've been involved in music ministry now for about 25 years in a myriad of venues, from performance to worship leading to back up vocals, to band member, and on the list goes. I've been out front for a good while, but have been in the shadows mostly. <div><br></div><div>That's where the real rubber meets the real road.</div><div><br></div><div>I've found that many of us "musical type" folks are like untamed race horses in the stalls. We were built for running out front ahead of the crowd, but have to wait in the stocks until time to run. We get impatient and frustrated in the wait. We chomp at the bit trying to find some kind of way out. But the more we try, the more frustrated and irritated we become. And as a result of our impatience, we could even injure ourselves to the point that we destroy all chances of running period. Just like that race horse kicking against the stall continues to kick and kick until it kicks wrongly and breaks its leg in a way that it can no longer stand the pressure of running, so we keep kicking and kicking to try and find a way to get going that we blow any real chance of it. This sometimes shows up in bad and hasty choices, wrong decisions of who to hook up with, jumping at insecure opportunities, and so forth.</div><div><br></div><div>Many times, though, we strive to become household names and well-known people. Many times it's an innocent pursuit of something we simply love and as a by-product, we enter the curse of exposure and forfeit privacy. Other times it's just the pursuit of being the center of attention. But here's my question: "When all is said and done, what will you have left behind?" Will you have been popular only, or effective for something that will last forever. What do you want? Notoriety or lasting effectiveness? What do you want? To be famous or relevant? It is possible to have both, but your heart motive will decide it. What are you motivated by? Why do you do the things you do? What's the REAL reason? </div><div><br></div><div>What do you want?</div><div><br></div><div>Selah.</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-1485189441713514147?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276092009-05-21T17:00:00-07:002009-05-21T17:00:00-07:00"Simplicity Again" Throughout my years of walking with the Lord, and sometimes being chased by Him, I've come to notice things changing with every step. Each time a child is born, they begin their lives in total dependence on the parents. Later on as they continue to grow, they learn how to express love to the parents. Still later, they become more and more independent and less dependent on the parents, but only in certain areas of life. This continues on and on throughout their entire lives, but one thing is hopefully constant, and that is the love and acceptance they have toward AND receive from their parents.<div> Unfortunately, the child now an adult, has also learned that with growth comes complications. Now they have to deal with bills, employers, employees, taxes, relationships on a much higher level, expectations of others, rejections, acceptance, and on it goes. But one thing is hopefully constant, and that is the love and acceptance they have toward AND receive from their parents. </div><div> Then later on, hopefully MUCH later, they have to deal with old age, retirement, weaknesses, loneliness, wrinkles, gray hair, NO HAIR, death of family members, and eventually death themselves. Buthopefullyone thing was constant, and that is the love they have toward AND receive from their parents.</div><div> For some reason in the Body of Messiah, we tend to go through all of these things and all of these stages, but seem to easily let go of the simplicity of loving God and being loved by Him. We grow and mature, but let go of the simplicity of living in and walking in the understanding that we are "accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)." Unfortunately we replace the acceptance of the Lord for the acceptance of people. But our life's blood is in HIS acceptance and love of us and for us. </div><div> I am personally desiring to return to the simplicity of trusting Him. He calls it child-like. It's returning to the place where all we needed was to see Him or hear Him, even just to sense Him near, and everything would be fine for us. If we needed something, all we needed do was ask and the level of trust we had in Him at the start set our hearts at ease, for we KNEW He would grant our requests. We knew He would do it not only because He was able, not only because of His power, but because we KNEW He loved us. We felt like His favorite child. We felt His pleasure of just being with us and us with Him. We believed Him simply because it was Him. We believed Him because He is Papa God (Abba Father) and that was enough.</div><div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So how about you? Enough of the things we say we must do in order to be close to God. Enough of the parlor tricks and gimmicks in the Kingdom. Enough of the replacement of people for God. And enough of the personal brow beating we put ourselves through as a result of it all.<br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jeremiah 31:3, one of my absolute favorite scriptures, says, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love. And I am drawing you with My lovingkindness." Friend, this is foundational to your walk with the Lord. I challenge you to fully embrace this reality: "You are abundantly loved and accepted by God" As a result of this acceptance, you vow to walk in obedience to His word and to His desires. And also you LIVE in the reality that His heart and intentions toward you are ALWAYS for your good no matter what comes your way. Good times, bad times, not so good times, not so bad times, happiness, sadness, peril, safety, defeat, victory, all of these God "works together for your good (Romans 8:28)." But it's in the simplicity of living in and embracing this reality that we REALLY begin to live.<br>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So all I'm saying is this: As much as it depends on you, as best you can on a daily basis, PLEASE strive to continually find that place of simplicity toward God. That's where your victory will come from. That's where your joy will arise from. And you'll start living FROM A POSITION of victory instead of fighting FOR A PLACE of victory. <br>
</div><div><br></div><div>Hope this encourages ya.</div><div><br></div><div>Shalom,</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-2212773910203622622?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276102009-05-12T17:00:00-07:002009-05-12T17:00:00-07:00"Who? Me?"As I look around the world in the places we go to minister, I see people all over the place with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">giftings</span>, callings, and abilities just laying there dormant on the inside of them. Yet at the same time, these same people that are exploding with incredible creativity gaze at others wishing they could do what they see others do. They strive for the abilities in the lives of other people all the while neglecting the gifts inside themselves. What a tragedy!<div><br></div><div>People walk up to Paul and I many times telling us how much they wish they could be doing what we're doing. But the reality is, you really DON'T wanna do this unless you're called to it. I mean, you next home becomes the airport because that's the one place you start to see more consistently than your own home. A hotel room becomes your bedroom and an alarm clock becomes your spouse. The restaurantbecomes your kitchen. A suitcase becomes your closet. On and on it goes. Your life is placed at the mercy of the next airplane you catch and you trust that all of your luggage and personal items will all make it to your destination, much less that they'd make it in one piece! Yuck!!</div><div><br></div><div>However, there is an INCREDIBLY PRICELESS REWARD for doing this kind of thing: GOD'S PRESENCE. You have the privilege of watching others connect with God in ways they never thought they could. You get to be a part of seeing people come into the Kingdom of God. You get to see the Kingdom of God manifest in many different ways: worship, praise, miraculous healing and deliverance, freedom to love, freedom to be loved, and liberty in an entire congregation, just to name a few. That makes all the other crap worth going through. Just let the Lord be glorified and His presence be experienced, and let lives NEVER be the same after each God-encounter. That's the REAL payoff.</div><div><br></div><div>But my point is this: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE DOING WHAT YOU SEE OTHERS DO IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR MARK ON MANKIND. However, you DO need to do what God has called YOU to do. Nothing He has called you to do is insignificant in the Kingdom of God. And understand this as well: Whatever He has placed inside of you to accomplish is NECESSARY for THIS generation. It is a tragedy that this generation gets short-changed because of our lack of what you have to offer. Author, Speaker, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Pastor Myles Monroe</span></span> said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"The richest place in the universe is the grave yard."</span></span> It's the place where dreams were never accomplished, visions never manifested, inventions never came about, songs were never written, books were never scribed, and we are all the lesser for it. We need what you have. If you don't rise up and do what God has given you to do, we as a generation have a deficiency. </div><div><br></div><div>NO ONE can do what YOU were called to do. </div><div><br></div><div>So look, don't shy away from opportunities to put into practice what God has placed inside of you. You have that thing for a reason and for a purpose for the Kingdom. You don't have to be on stages all over the world because, in reality, the whole world is YOUR stage and you're in the spotlight. All you have to do is let out what's on the inside as God matures you step by step.</div><div><br></div><div>A successful vision remains successful when the focus on it is not diverted.</div><div><br></div><div>Keep believing that you have something great on the inside of you, because you DO! God doesn't mess around, Man. He didn't look at the creation and say, "I need some filler space here. I think I'll create ___________ just to occupy some space while I bless all the others in My creation." Not so much, Dude. Not so much. No, He doesn't waste time and He doesn't waste resources and YOU are a resource in His hands. You gotta fight for that reality and not let people, life, or the devil steal it from you.</div><div><br></div><div>You're worth more than you'll ever be able to comprehend.</div><div><br></div><div>Stand up. We're waiting!</div><div><br></div><div>Shalom,</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-4033716322076477989?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276112009-05-05T17:00:00-07:002009-05-05T17:00:00-07:00Is Anybody Out There?You ever hear the phrase, "Stuff Happens?" That's a little safer than how many others say it, but anyway.... It's true that stuff happens. Many times it's stuff we don't usually have any control over, Which makes it tough because we can begin to feel that we're at the mercy of our circumstances. We bow down and cower at the feet of circumstances and issues in life feeling like it's hopeless to go against the grain. And then we begin to feel like we're the only one going through our type is struggle.<br><br>But that's not true.<br><br>There isn't anything under the sun that happens to us that someone else either HAS gone through, IS going through, or is COMING OUT of what we're going through. The question is: "Will you be humble enough to recieve from the what they've learned or are learning?" You have a choice in this life about how you will live. How you decide will deternine the outcome.<br><br>Stuff happens. Issues come and go. But what will you subscribe to when the stuff happens? What will you choose to focus on in the midst of difficult times? What will yor words sound like? What kind of conversation will you participate in? The answers to these questions and many others will decide how much of God's peace you will allow into your life. He has already given us His peace in Jesus. How much of His peace do you really want?<br><br>Listen. You're not alone in what you're experiencing right now. God IS walking with you through it, and you'll be able to recognize that if you allow yourself to. How do you allow yourself to recognize His presence? You CHOOSE TO BELIEVE HIM over your circumstances, situations, issues, and even self-condemnation. He promised He'd NEVER leave or forsake you. He said He loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremaiah 31:3) and He didn't lie. On the contrary, the enemy tries to persuade you to the opposite of what God has said. And if you choose to believe what he says, he's got you. <br><br>But you're not that way.<br><br>You're the kind of person who knows better. You've walked with God too long to fall into the trap of doubting Him to the point of no return. No, you're one that believes Him because you've seen His faithfulness. And if He's been faithful in the past, you're one that knows He'll be faithful in the present and in the future. <br><br>So listen. When you go through hard times, cling to His faithfulness REGARDLESS of what you see with your eyes, hear with your ears, or feel in you emotions. Believe Him. Will it change your circumstances? Maybe. Maybe not. But will it change you?<br><br>Definitely.<br><br>You'll find the strength in Him to keep on going.<br><br>"Keep on keeping on!"<br><br>G<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-5525896217482195158?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276122009-04-29T17:00:00-07:002009-04-29T17:00:00-07:00How Bad Do You Want it?Lately, I've found myself really wrestling with a few issues on a personal level. I mean, the call of God is so incredible for all of us, but requires so much of us. When you really consider it in the grand scheme of things, it really ISN'T that much. But on the other hand on a practical level, it's everything! Take for instance the call of God to follow after Him where Jesus says unless you're willing to "hate" father, mother, sister, brother, cat, dog, and everything else in between and follow Him, you can't be His disciple. Now of course He didn't mean hate in the sense of the absence of love, honor, and respect. To require so would contradict His very character. But in the sense of loving Him exceedingly more than all of these is the real premise. Think about it. For the former explanation to be the truth would mean that even Jesus hated the creation because He loved the Father. Yeah, that makes sense. I don't think so. But I digress...<div><br></div><div>Anyway, what I'm getting at is this. In the natural it costs EVERYTHING to follow Jesus, Man. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">talkin</span>' EV-ER-Y-THING. You ever hear of the phrase, "Give until it hurts?" How about "Love God until it hurts?" In the long run, Man, none of the stuff we call important will even come close to rating with God, ya know? Not money, prestige, fame, glory, friends, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, children, anything, will be able to rival the importance of God, even though each and everyone of those things and people are VITALLY important. But in comparison to God, they don't even come close.</div><div><br></div><div>You and I have been called by the creator of all to live for Him and Him alone. And as a result, there is such an incredible reward for walking in obedience to Him. And the neat thing about it is, in reality, everything you give up to follow Him could possible be returned to you because the focus of your heart would be correct. However, even if they WEREN'T returned to you, you'd still follow Him at their expense. Question is, "How bad do you want it?" Better said, "How bad do you want HIM?" Are you willing to give up every aspiration you've ever held onto in order to gain being in relationship with Him as your prize? Are you willing to let go of every passion of your heart whether it be vocationally or relationally to follow after His heart, and in so doing find YOUR heart? What are you willing to pay?</div><div><br></div><div>You were created to be like Him on the earth. How bad do you want it?</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-9074449701318101887?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276132009-04-15T17:00:00-07:002009-04-15T17:00:00-07:00Just a Quick Passing Thought...You know, in thinking about life and living, there is much to be said about making plans and sticking to them. There is great excitement awaiting each and every one of us IF we are willing to pay the price to see it. Pressing forward is the thing we MUST do in order to truly enjoy the greatness of the day. <div><br></div><div>In light of that, think about driving in a car. You ever wondered why the windshield is so much larger than the rear view mirror? It's because the focus is SUPPOSED to be on where you are GOING instead of where you have LEFT. If you spend your life looking in the rear view mirror at what you've left behind, you will not only miss where you're going, you'll crash and burn as well! In addition to that, you'll probably injure someone along the way as well. Again, think about driving in your car. If you're driving north, but looking south, God help whoever is in front of you! They'll be jumping for cover and hopefully make it. Secondly, they'll take away your license to drive for sure! But how does that apply to life? Easy. If you are looking at your past while trying to attain your future, you'll hurt people along the way because you won't even notice them as you're "progressing," thereby potentially damaging their faith and hopes, and possibly even their lives by the decisions and turns you make. The reason is because YOU won't even know where YOU'RE going! Secondly, there are people that are following you as well and therefore will be misdirected by YOUR misdirection. And lastly, you will not be trusted to lead ever again, thereby losing your "license" to speak into the lives of others. Your words become untrustworthy and are therefore discarded. The worst of all of this is that you will render yourself ineffective and disqualified to stand in any position of influence or authority, which is one of the things we are to occupy during our time here on this planet.</div><div><br></div><div>So hey, Man, open your eyes. The windshield is bigger than your rear view mirror for a reason. It holds a clear view of your purpose and a clear picture of the steps you're taking. It opens your eyes to the lives of those you were created to effect for the kingdom of God and the lives of those you were ordained to influence for the good. It holds a clear picture of the deposits you are destined to leave here on the earth to remain after you are gone. Where are you looking today? What are you watching? See the bigger picture today and "watch" what happens.</div><div><br></div><div>See you at the crosswalk!</div><div><br></div><div>Peace.</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-8952285855673642943?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276142009-04-07T17:00:00-07:002009-04-07T17:00:00-07:00Can't Do Without...?We were in Grove, OK last night ministering in worship. Everything was set up. The platform, the instruments, the tracks, everything. Everything was plugged into its correct place. Yet when we fired up everything, the tracks didn't play, the sound module wasn't communicating with the keyboard, nothing was working! How frustrating. What to do? Well, we just went ahead since we were out of time and the meeting had to begin. Paul grabbed his guitar and I sat at the keyboard and off we went. We didn't have all the components that we wanted in order to bring comfort to OUR hearts in the presentation.<div><br></div><div>But that didn't stop God.</div><div><br></div><div>As we worshipped, the atmosphere was energized with the presence of the Lord. People worshipped freely without distraction and shouts of praise and rejoicing filled the room. All we had was a simple keyboard, simple guitar, and two simple voices, but the room was filled to capacity with the praises of the Most High. We'd been in this situation before many times, and worse, and the outcome has been the same. God showed up when we worshipped.</div><div><br></div><div>What this tells me is that you don't need to have all the "earthly" components around you or at your disposal to entertain the Spirit of God. All He needs are people who want Him around and are willing to host Him at any cost. We don't need the flashy stuff, just a heart that is in love with Him because His heart is definitely in love with us. </div><div><br></div><div>Think about the woman who gave 2 mites compared to the hundreds given by the masses. They all gave, but HERS is the gift that caught GOD'S attention. It wasn't much. It wasn't flashy. It was simply all she had. What about you? Could you be content with simply giving God all you have regardless how it looks to you? Would you be willing to worship God with simplicity instead of with the latest and greatest thing that catches the eye of people? Do NOT get me wrong here. I don't mean to say that excellence and relevance is not needed. OH NO! Quite the contrary. Instead, I'm saying that if your "equipment" isn't state of the art no matter how much you prepare (and please, for the love of God, prepare!), will your heart of worship be less than excellent toward the Lord? If it ends up being less than excellent toward Him, you're depending too much on your external excellence! Again, we MUST be excellent in our presentation at all times. We SHOULD have the state-of-the-art equipment in our worship services and churches. But we should NOT become dependent upon them at ANY time in order to have an anointed worship experience.</div><div><br></div><div>Look, Man. All I'm trying to say is, "be free to worship regardless." You know? Have all the stuff. Yes indeed, have all the stuff. But know that the ONLY One who gets your heart is the King of Glory.</div><div><br></div><div>He's all that really matters in the end.</div><div><br></div><div>Shalom,</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-6224216844784186880?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276152009-04-06T17:00:00-07:002009-04-06T17:00:00-07:00Living "LARGER"Here's a question for you. Are you REALLY living up to the potential you were created to contain and maintain? Are you living a life of just getting by or just ok? Are you just faking it til you make it? What are you really doing with your life?<br><br>Look. Jesus said that He came to give life and that life more abundantly. Is you life abundant FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD? The abundant life He came to give was not just for us to sit back and wallow in, but to be a blessing to the nations. But before I lose you on that one, hear this. Notice that He DID give US life more abundantly, which means we're supposed to be enjoying it, too, as well as sharing it with the world.<br><br>God doesn't want you to be some overly modest, religious, staunch, dry prude trying to "win the lost." He wants you to be a joyful, peaceful, steadfast, confident, faithful, exciting person whose life is fulfilled because of His presence. That will cause people to stand up and take notice. When you start living like that, regardless of circumstances and issues, they'll want what you've got.<br><br>My point is this: you are called of God to live life large! You're not meant to be beneath the circumstances, but above them, because you're not living according to what you see, but how you believe.<br><br>What do you believe about God today? whatever you believe about Him, that's exactly what you'll experience.<br><br>According to your faith, be it unto you.<br><br>G<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-1747232355994704103?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276162009-04-03T17:00:00-07:002009-04-03T17:00:00-07:00God Is On The Move!We just had an incredible time of worship and praise last night at our home church here in Jacksonville. A special speaker, Sid Roth, was there. This guy is VERY strong on winning souls for the Kingdom of God, and moves stomgly in the healing ministry. Millions have been healed in his meetings as well as through his television program "It's Supernatural." We had a great time.<br><br>But what I wanted to convey in this note is to simply tell you that God is one the move. He is still active in the world today regardless of what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears. Last night, I watched as God supernaturally healed people of all kinds of things, and I'm not just talking about headaches, either. I'm talking cancers, tumors, deafness, blindness, and on and on. Not one hand was laid on anyone. The healings happened through the declaration of the word and durning the worship.<br><br>People seem to have a hard time sometimes thinking that God doesn't do this kind of thing. Well, tell that to the guy who's ear just popped open during worship last night. So far lately, in each place we've gone to, this kind of stuff happens. Now, we don't go around telling people that they're gonna get healed if they come to our meetings. Our goal is to encounter the presence of God, and as a result, these things seem to take place. Don't ask me why.<br><br>But my point to you is this: don't let life rob you of God's presence in your life. Believe God whether you get a healing or not. Just believe God loves you and values you and be open to ALL that He wants to release into your life.<br><br>Let Him blow your mind.<br><br>(more to come)<br><br>G<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-326586378793139564?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276172009-04-01T17:00:00-07:002009-04-01T17:00:00-07:00Contributing to the World...I've been thinking a lot about life during the short duration of this year. There is a question that comes up in my mind many times, which is, "What am I going to contribute to this generation?" Am I just here to occupy space and to take up air, or am I here for something bigger than myself? I submit to you that you ARE indeed here for something bigger and greater than yourself and it's supposed to go on and on after you've left this planet. <div><br></div><div>Consider people like:</div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Martin Luther King, Jr.</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now generations of people of all races can enjoy one another, if they choose to, without racial prejudice. </div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">George Washington Carver</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now generations of people can enjoy and reap the benefits of his inventions, which far exceeds the peanut (check your history).</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. Charles Drew</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, countless lives have been saved and healed through his discoveries regarding blood plasma.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Alexander Graham Bell</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, the world has a way of communication more intricate than anyone ever dreamed.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Benjamin Franklin</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, the world has the ability to harness and utilize the power of electricity.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wilbur and Orville Wright</span> - They had a dream and did something about it. Now, the whole world has enjoyed air travel, which was considered anathema by many, stating, "If God meant for man to fly, He would have given them wings." How many frequent flyer points do YOU have?</div><div><br></div><div>And what about people like:</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. David Yongi Cho</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, he's the pastor of the largest church in all the world in Seoul, Korea, well surpassing over 1 million members. He is also one of the strongest components in the world prayer movement.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. Billy Graham</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, countless millions have their names recorded in the book of life and are being taught the Word of God.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. Lester Sumrall</span> - He had a dream and did something about it. Now, through the continuation of his work through his brother Steve, Feed the Nations Feeding Programs reach billions of people all around the world with food they would not have otherwise received.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Paul and Jan Crouch</span> - They had a dream and did something about it. Now, the gospel of Jesus can be heard around the world throughsatellite.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Joni Ericson Tada</span> - She had a dream and did something about it. Now, people around the world are blessed by her art, which she paints with a paint brush in her mouth! Millions are encouraged to face another day because of her courage.</div><div><br></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mark and Hulda Buntain</span> - They had a dream and did something about it. Now, millions of people in Calcutta India have come to know the Lord Jesus through their faithfulness and tenacity. Even after Mark's passing, Hulda continues the work to this day.</div><div><br></div><div>All were told:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">It can't be done.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You're crazy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">That's not possible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Don't waste your time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">It's hopeless.</span></div><div><br></div><div>With their lives, all responded with:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">It COULDN'T be done until I came along.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Nope. I'm more sane than anyone.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">It WASN'T possible, but it is now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I'm not wasting time, I'm taking advantage of an opportunity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I've been gifted to bring hope into a hopeless situation.</span></span></div><div><br></div><div>We could go on and on about people who invented things, wrote songs and books, took earth shaking ventures, made world changing statements and decisions, preached life altering messages, and started movements that transformed the masses. But what about YOU? YOU have something that the world needs. YOU have a gifting that we're all waiting for. YOU have something on the inside of you that is awaiting YOUR recognition. Don't be intimated into stagnation by the world, circumstances, situations, or even the opinions of people. YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES. And in this day and age, we need what you have. So come one. What will people be reading about you in generations to come? How will YOU be remembered? What will be YOUR epitaph? What will be YOUR legacy? Will YOUR name be added to the list of achievers for the GOOD or for the BAD? </div><div><br></div><div>God has created you with purpose and destiny. Jesus had a dream, and it was YOU being transformed into His image, which is the image you were made to reflect. He did something about it when He died and rose again to save you and give you abundant life. Now, all the world can have fellowship with the Father once again and become what we were created to become. He's done all that needs to be done. He just waits for you to step into it.</div><div><br></div><div>Now it's up to you and no one else.</div><div><br></div><div>G</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-8758649881351704966?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276072009-03-22T10:00:00-07:002009-03-22T10:00:00-07:00Living in the Moment You know, there's always stuff all around us that trys to fight for our attention. The cares of the world, society, family, bills, creditors, etc. The list goes on and on. There are so many distractions that it makes it difficult to see the road ahead of us, you know? And there is so much to do in our fast paced lives. We hustle and bustle about working for this and saving up for that, knowing that if we just do this at this point, we'll be able to enjoy it later on. But sometimes we get so focused on preparing for tomorrow that we miss enjoying today!<br>
Jesus addressed this issue once in the gospels. He said in Matthew 6:24, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things, Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Now, He didn't say not to plan for tomorrow or to even prepare for it, but instead, not to live for it. People get so focused on what they will yet receive that they neglect the things they already have, including people in their lives. If you would purpose in your heart to live for today and enjoy today even while preparing for tomorrow, you'll find yourself so much more happy and content. Jesus said He came to give us life and that life was to be more abundant than what we're currently experiencing. He didn't just mean "in the sweet by and by" but in the "right here and now." There is so much joy to experience in Jesus during the CURRENT time of breathing this air, Man! Don't miss out on it. God has so much to show you if you'll simply take the time to recognize Him in your current day.<br>
So listen, realize God is not just an "I'll see you in a little while in heaven" kind of person. On the contrary, He is a "Let's go and explore today while we're on our way to tomorrow" kind of person. He has so much for you now and bunches and bunches more for you tomorrow. Take comfort, Friend. He's got your tomorrow and your today in His hand. He's already mapped out your tomorrow, so you can let Him take care of it while you continue to be faithful with what He has given you today.<br><br>
Live! Live! Live! Today!<br><br>
"<i>I'm Just Thinkin'"<br></i><br>
Greg<br type="_moz">Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276062009-02-04T03:06:16-08:002009-02-04T03:06:16-08:00Hanging on for Dear Life!Hey there. As you may have noticed, the format for the "I've Been Thinking" page has changed. I'm going to do my best at being more consistent in updating this blog. I can't promise I'll be successful, but I will do my best. Anyway...<br><br>
And speaking of promises, I don't know about you, but I've been given many, many promises during my 45 years breathing this air. Some of those promises were fulfilled while others fell by the wayside. Well-intentioned people promised to do something to bless me only to fail at being committed to it. Hey, Man, life happens. It's all good. But sometimes when you get a promise, you yearn for that promise to come to pass. You find yourself clinging to the promise that was made to you and you really invest a great deal of yourself in the expectation of it. And you hold on to it so tightly that when challenges and struggles come at you threatening your promise, you fight back with a vengence and just hold on tighter.... for dear life.<br><br>
Well, God has made a few promises in His word and He "promised" the fulfillment of each and every one of them. He has made promise after promise and many see them come to pass as they wait patiently for them. But what happens when you've been waiting and waiting and waiting, and ......? You just want to quit and you begin to entertain thoughts of being forgotten or overlooked. <br><br>
Look. That could not be further from the truth! Please know that you're not being overlooked, ignored, or forgotten at all by the eye of God. He, instead, is working for you and for the fulfillment of each and every promise that HE has made to you. Listen, He's not gonna give up on you ever. He promised that He'd be faithful to watch over His word to perform it and to bring it to pass. He promised that He will never leave or forsake you. For Him to not fulfill His word to you would mean He would become untrustworthy, and He's not about to let that happen. Instead, He CAN be trusted to come through and make good on what He tells you.<br><br>
But the question is "Will we put ourselves in the place to be blessed?" Will you submit to Him and to the processes of waiting? Stuff happens many times to get you out of position to be blessed. You can't let that happen! You've got to hang on to God for dear life in the face of the opposition that stands against you. You've got to make up your mind that you're gonna believe that God meant what He meant when He said what He said! Secondly, you must fight for confidence in His character regarding you. Jeremiah 33:3 says, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love..." That's His character postion toward you. You MUST be convinced of His love for you regarding your LIFE, much less the promises made. <br><br>
Listen, Man. Hang on to that promise He made to you because sometimes His word is all you have when you're going through tough moments. DO NOT allow the trial to determine your faith level. Rather, let your faith determine your trial level. You do that and you'll see that you were never alone in the first place. And THAT'S a great thing know.<br><br>
Keep hanging,<br><br>
Greg<br><br><br>
I'm just thinkin'<br><br><br type="_moz">Greg Shumaketag:gregshumake.com,2005:Post/276192008-10-24T17:00:00-07:002008-10-24T17:00:00-07:00This Election...You know, so many people are voicing their opinion about this election, and rightly so because it's by far the most important election of the century. People don't really understand the severity of making the wrong choice or the blessing of making the right one.<div><br></div><div>But I'm not talking party affiliation.</div><div><br></div><div>In my travels and what I see and hear on the news, I run into a lot of people who will vote for McCain because of his stand for America in the military while others will vote for Obama because of his commitment to Roe v. Wade or something.</div><div><br></div><div>I'd rather vote for someone who will uphold the beliefs of our founding fathers. Freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But honestly, so many people are crying out for freedom, but are unwilling to pay the consequences for it. We seem to want to have freedom without any rules, regulations or guidelines. We seem to be a nation that rejects absolutes of any kind except those that we create. Does that seem wrong to anyone else out there but me? </div><div><br></div><div>Now, someone would say, "Ok, smart guy, who decides what the absolutes are?" Well, let's look at that. We have laws both natural and manufactured, but the foundation for those laws, if you're willing to be totally honest, cannot truly be found anywhere else but in the bible. "Oh really, Dude? Well, the koran says things like the bible says and so does Buddism. How do we know that the Bible is the only authority to be the standard of living?" Glad you asked the question. Listen, though it may seem elementary to some, the Bible has been around WAY longer than any of the other "books" that exist out there. Believe me, I know they have some resemblance to some of the truths of the Bible, but when you look at the heart of the Bible, it has the best interests of man in mind. Many of the other "books" call for the death of many innocent people and things of that nature. It's unfortunate.</div><div><br></div><div>I mean, why do some people feel wrong about stealing things from others?</div><div>Why do some people fell wrong about speaking wrongly about others?</div><div>Why do some people feel that unnecessary violence is wrong?</div><div>Why do some people feel that killing someone is wrong?</div><div><br></div><div>Could it be that maybe it's because the Bible says it's wrong? You be the judge. Never the less, regarding this election, I look at Obama and at first, as a black man myself, I was excited about the possibility of a Black President. But I must tell you that after watching the meeting at Saddleback Community Church, my opinion drastically changed. I watched in shock as it seemed he could not answer even one simple question with a yes or a no, but had to go on and on about his point, and still hadn't made one. I watched as he said that answering the question about abortion was, "way above his pay grade." Are you kidding me?!? What the heck does that mean? The questions on that forum were personal opinion questions. When asked, "What do YOU think about this?" or "What is YOUR opinion on that?" how are those difficult questions? It's YOUR OPINION, not your party's opinion, not public opinion, but YOURS as an individual. Yet in contrast, I watched McCain answer each question with conviction and resolve. His answers where straight and to the point. </div><div><br></div><div>Now you tell me. Understanding that neither candidate is the greatest fit for the white house, in MY opinion, which one would you like to occupy that office? Someone with resolve and conviction, or someone who just wants to make everyone happy and follow public opinion? I want someone who can stand up to the big dogs himself without having to cower before his enemy. I know that many will disagree with me on my thoughts, but that's the point, they're MY thoughts, not yours. But when I see a country rallying around an individual about whom it is RUMORED he will not swear allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, it is RUMORED that he will not even where an American flag pin, and it is RUMORED that he refuses to swear on the Bible, but on the Koran, SOMETHING IS WRONG! (I put the word rumored in caps because it's just that, a rumor, until it is disproved or proven to be true.) </div><div><br></div><div>But on a more personal note, when I see people in the church refusing to fellowship with or affiliate with a church because they do not support the candidate of their choice, it makes me weep because THAT is detrimentally wrong and sinful! Honestly, you should be ashamed of yourselves. As believers in Jesus, God is supposed to come first and everyone and everything else comes second. What in the WORLD is wrong with us.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, these are just a few of my thoughts, in case anyone out there wants to read them.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5189978091662192584-2693633602229734654?l=gshumake.blogspot.com" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>Greg Shumake