Blog
Two days ago, I shared a word about surprises coming in both the political and financial realms. ( https://garriselkins.com/surprises-are-coming-2/ ). As the assassination attempt took place against President Trump, I knew that event was the beginning of those...
Every life has a turning point that will change how we interpret our suffering. That point turns our thinking toward a place of hope even if the evidence of hope is not yet present. It is a point where we recognize God’s mercy is present and will appear in our place...
I appreciate a principled life. But if we are driven only by principles and not by compassion, the principle will fall flat and become a hard and loveless response to those who are suffering. After listening to Bildad’s insensitive words as to why Job was suffering,...
In the middle of all that is swirling around you – your emotions, your challenges and your doubt, and all that is taking place in the world – the sorrow, the suffering and the despair, you are reflecting the glory of God. You are mirroring the image of the risen Lord...
Every season of life has an expiration date. Don’t fear the closure of a relationship, a ministry assignment or a season of life that has come to an end. Fully embracing our God-assigned reality requires courage and faith. As you face the challenge of change, never...
This month, Jan and I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. Today, as we typically do each day, we took communion. Between passing the bread and the wine, I heard the Spirit speak the words, “Colt 45.” Immediately, I saw the image of a Colt 45 revolver. For...
Bicyclists who ride along country roads have a saying, “The biggest and meanest dogs are always waiting at the top of the steepest hills.” In essence, when a bicycle rider is tired and slowed down near the top of a steep climb, the biggest and meanest dogs will...
A sifting is taking place in the Church, especially among those who walk in the gift of prophecy. The voice of a prophet must be clear and refined by the Spirit free from too much personality or a pre-planned ministry agenda. It must be sifted of any corrupting...
When I was a cop, I had to disarm people who wanted to kill an innocent bystander or me. As a Hostage Negotiator, I disarmed people using words crafted from proven negotiation tactics. When I worked as a street cop and later as a SWAT officer, I disarmed people at the...
Yesterday afternoon, I walked by clusters of grapes hanging from one of the vines on our property. Grapes grow well in this region. For the early French settlers, our valley reminded them of the south of France. We have excellent soil and a climate able to produce...
Have you ever contemplated the moments in life just before everything changes? The moment just before you met your significant other or your best friend. That moment just before you lost a job or got a new one. What about the moment just before a loved one passed away...
A lot of challenging and stressful things are taking place. An abundance of difficulty is moving across the lives of many people. I have friends and ministries in Redding, California who are being devastated by a fire that has been labeled, “Out of Control.” A friend...
Yesterday some strange things began to take place in our home. I won’t go into detail, but after two events manifested, I realized hell was at work. I literally stopped what I was doing and commanded those things to cease and desist their activity. What was...
It is interesting to experience the tug in our heart when we visit a place that holds significance in our personal history. In 1981 as a young couple with two little kids and a couple of cats, Jan and I left a known life in Oregon to embrace a new and unfamiliar life...
Nothing in a life of faith works without God’s mercy. Through the course of our lives, each of us will make both good and bad decisions. Some of these decisions will hurt others. The response to our failed choices can also wound us. No one will have a perfect track...