by Garris Elkins | Apr 13, 2015 | Church, Culture
How can we blame a culture for their anger and distrust of religious institutions if somewhere along the way we began to think we could displace the merciful voice of God and begin telling people how to live? Paul said, “It isn’t my responsibility to judge...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 31, 2015 | Church, Family, Freedom, Joy, Kingdom, Ministry
As your faith matures it becomes less cluttered with the demands, opinions and speculation of those whose circles of fellowship are birthed, fueled and maintained by increasing levels of discord. You will know that you have come to this place of freedom when you find...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 13, 2015 | Church, Culture, Discipleship, Five-Fold Ministry, Future, Gifts, Identity, Leadership, Rest, Vision.
When I was a young believer, I always admired people who were literalists when it came their understanding of scripture. I felt this way because I thought these people carried a higher level of faith than the rest of us that enabled them to literally believe...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 7, 2015 | Apostle, Church, Culture, Discipleship, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Ministry, Revival
The Early Church planted the presence of God before they planted churches. In the Book of Acts, our original church planting manual, the birth of a local church came after the presence of God was released in a community through signs, wonders and...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 5, 2015 | Church, Identity, Joy, Peace, Truth
A life without a foundation of truth will eventually begin to wander. Our perception of truth becomes relative and flexible if sourced in human logic and emotion. If we allow these two issues to become our truth interpreters, it becomes difficult to live a simple and...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 28, 2015 | Church, Courage, Destiny, Dreams, Faithfulness, Favor, Five-Fold Ministry, Future, Gifts, Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Thankfulness, Vision.
I live in the small historic mining town of Jacksonville, Oregon. Our community is immersed in the early history of Oregon. Gold was first discovered here in the 1850’s within a block of our home. Miles of hiking trails form a necklace that surrounds our little town....
