by Garris Elkins | Dec 5, 2019 | Creativity, Discipline, Faith, Gifts, Humility, Obedience, Teaching
Whenever I write, whether it is a short article or something more substantial, like a book, I do two things in the process. I write the piece first, then I read it. In the writing part, it’s not that I don’t actually read while I am writing, it is just a different...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 2, 2019 | Change, Creativity, Discipline, Dreams, Faith, Freedom, Future, Mercy, Peace, Pride, Transition, Trust
This morning, I walked into our kitchen to start the coffee. In the darkness, I noticed the digital clock on the stove read 3:39, and the clock on the microwave was reading 3:40. When the time changed in November, I set the clocks back an hour and thought I did it at...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 29, 2019 | Creativity, Culture, Faith, Freedom, Future, Grace, Identity, Love, Revelation, Teaching, Wisdom, Women
I recently saw a creative artistic expression posted by a friend of mine on his Facebook wall. I did not know that particular form of creativity was part of his life. As soon as I saw what he created, I imagined a book he could write. My friend is well-educated and...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 5, 2019 | Change, Church, Creativity, Faith, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Truth
For 18 months, I did not read the Bible. I listened to it on a Bible audio app. I wanted to experience the Word like someone sitting in a home meeting 2,000 years ago when a letter from Paul was read to the small group gathered. Not everyone present in those meetings...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 4, 2019 | Creativity, Dreams, Eternity, Faithfulness, Favor, Fear, Freedom, Future, God, Holy Spirit, Identity, Mercy, Obedience, Peace, Thankfulness, Transition, Trust, Wisdom
When I write a book or an article, it is rarely done in a linear fashion. I am not a traditional author who works from an outline. Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz, once said of his writing style, “If you want to see where my next book will come from, read...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 2, 2019 | Church, Creativity, Dreams, Faithfulness, Favor, Future, Holy Spirit, Intimacy, Kingdom of God, Ministry, Prayer, Promise, Revelation, Sacrifice, Worship
In a dream, I saw a large conference center. It was just used to host a gathering of hundreds of people. When the event was finally over, and all the attendees had departed, a stillness settled over the facility. Looking around the room, I could see it needed...