by Garris Elkins | Dec 23, 2019 | Eternity, Faithfulness, Family, Fathers, Future, Identity, Peace, Thankfulness
As we get older, something visits us with increasing regularity. That visitor is closure. Seasons of life come to an end. Places we once lived change over time and close behind the door of our history. The lives of friends and loved ones end transitioning from this...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 22, 2019 | Creativity, Family, Favor, Fear, Jesus, Mercy, Redemption, Trust
A friend of our family shared this painting of the nativity scene by the artist Gari Melcher on her Facebook wall. When I saw the image, I stopped and stared, stunned by its raw beauty. It conveyed to me something more profound and impactful than any other nativity...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 21, 2019 | Change, Church planting, Culture, Discernment, Faithfulness, Favor, Five-Fold Ministry, God, Grace, Honor, Humility, Leadership
Look across the landscape of your life and ask, “Who is the least likely person I know who might become a devoted follower of Jesus Christ?” This is a question the first believers in Jerusalem would have no problem answering. They would have said, “Saul!” Saul, who...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 21, 2019 | Faith, Rest, Trust
The intersection of life you have been seeking will not be discovered by your effort alone. God is doing something you have not expected. He is bringing the intersection to you. He wants you to stand still and rest, waiting for Him to perform the promise He made to...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 20, 2019 | Church, Courage, Culture, Discernment
Patriotism, in its purest form, can be honorable if it lives in submission under the hand of God. When patriotism becomes a tool to craft a product and create an industry within the Church, it will end up polluting our soul and diminish the effectiveness of our...
