Obedience is only possible if we know we have been set free.
FREEDOM
read more
Blog
Prophetic Horizons
Aligning people with their God-Defined identity.
THE SEAT OF TRUE POWER
With all that is taking place in our nation and on the world stage, it is important to understand that none of what is happening has ultimate authority over a follower of Jesus. These things can make life challenging, in some cases, even under the threat of death....
LOVE PROTECTS
In Paul’s definition of love, he writes, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (I Corinthians 13:6-7). The word “always” is repeated four times including the duty...
“A Hundred Dollar Cry” by Garris Elkins
Thirty-one years ago I was a struggling young pastor. Jan and I, along with our two little children, left all that was known and familiar to us and journeyed north to Montana to plant a church. This was our first attempt at starting a church and our first...
“What Marks Us” by Garris Elkins
From my earliest memories, I can remember my father’s tattoos. He had one on each arm. On his right arm was a beautiful old style tattoo where he had inked my mother’s name, “Lavert.” On his left arm was another tattoo with the word, “Mother”. My father...
“Shadow Land” by Garris Elkins
“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves.” Hebrews 10:1 Jesus cast His shadow from eternity into the history of the Old Testament. The festivals, feasts and observances...
“The Next Big Thing” by Garris Elkins
As a pastor, I receive some of the latest information about what is taking place within the church world. A lot of what I read is the search for "The Next Big Thing" coming to the Church. Over the years I have seen this search take people on a quest...
“When We Used To Wear Suits” by Garris Elkins
When I started in full-time ministry over 30 years ago most of us wore jackets and ties to preach on Sunday morning. Recently, I looked at some old pictures of me back in the early 1980’s and according to the fashion standards of the day we looked just fine....
“This Good News” by Garris Elkins
“And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.” II Timothy 1:11 When Paul wrote these words to his spiritual son, Timothy, it was the second letter Paul had written bearing Timothy’s name. There is a sense of urgency...
“Preparing A Spiritual Go Bag” by Garris Elkins
A couple of months ago Jan and I flew to Phoenix, Arizona. My flight was in the month of May so Phoenix was already getting hot. I decided to wear shorts, flip flops and a tee shirt for the flight anticipating a very warm arrival. The flight from Medford,...
“A Supernatural Staging Ground” by Garris Elkins
When Jan and I lived in Berlin, Germany our ministry assignment during that time was to strengthen and encourage churches and leaders in Europe. As we traveled each week we were constantly crossing national borders. More importantly, we were also crossing...
“The 50 Year Letter” by Garris Elkins
About 20 years ago I changed how I counsel couples who come to me wanting to get married. I used to struggle with why I didn’t like the more academic approach of having couples read books and take tests to direct their new relationship. There is really nothing...
“Exchanging the Now for the New” by Garris Elkins
As I drove to my office this morning I turned on the CD player and a worship song began to declare these words, “Take me where I’ve never been. Take me where I’m scared to go.” Those words began to touch me and I found myself pressing the replay button...
“God’s Opinion About Us” by Garris Elkins
This week, I am preparing to teach out of Mark 3 where two groups of people have expressed personal opinions about Jesus. His family thought He had lost His mind and they wanted to "rescue" Him from His ministry. The teachers of religious law declared that...
“A Choice with in a Choice
"A Choice within a Choice" is a short video excerpt from a message I shared during the Sunday morning service at New Hope in Salem, Oregon. It is about making personal decisions within the larger decisions God has already...