by Garris Elkins | Aug 28, 2017 | Apostle, Church, Courage, Discipleship, Fathers, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Humility, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Peace, Revelation, Word
I read a sad social media interchange between a church leader and the people responding to something he posted. The comment he made appeared flippant and out of tune with God’s heart. I assume it is a comment he now regrets making, maybe not in content but in his...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 28, 2017 | Holy Spirit, Revelation, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, Truth
Once, I was asked by another believer if I would consider a debate. I said, “No.” When asked why I replied, “Because one of us would walk away being considered the winner.” I was pressed further and shared, “When the world looks at the Church I want them to see...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 27, 2017 | Discipleship, Evangelism, Five-Fold Ministry, Forgiveenss, Freedom, Holy Spirit, Identity, Kingdom of God, Marriage, Redemption, Teaching
One of the most beautiful things about love is choice. If you remove choice from either side of a relationship it is no longer love. I remember the day I asked Jan to marry me. I asked and she said yes. I offered love and she accepted. I did not take Jan by force...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 27, 2017 | Change, Death, Fear, Future, Identity, Promise, Revelation, Thankfulness, Truth, Worship
The old dead oak tree stood on the hill above me, a bark-less memory of another life. This old gray wooden statue held his head high among the young oaks still generations away from the gray of death. They were prospering in the insulated virility of their...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 26, 2017 | Discipline, Forgiveness, Holiness, Humility, Leadership, Mercy, Obedience, Peace, Prayer, Reconciliation, Relationships, Wisdom
As a young cop, I had to learn about the judicious use of firearms. In my training, there was a term called, “Pray and Spray.” Pray and Spray means that when a threat appears that could cause death or great bodily harm, the undisciplined person will start praying and...
