by Garris Elkins | May 11, 2014 | Family, Hope, Identiy, Joy, Redemption
The measure of your love is seen most clearly when you can celebrate in another person’s life what you do not possess in your own. Your unhealthy response to loss in your life over personal lack or misfortune can create a demand in those nearest to you to silence...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 31, 2014 | Church, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Honor, Leadership, Restoration
I posted the following sentences on my social media accounts as I was thinking about the reaction of some to the recent release of the move Noah: Sometimes the Church gets upset over the least important things. This is a good time to review what upset Jesus and follow...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 13, 2014 | Death, Family, Future, Hope, Resurrection, Transition, Truth
This week a longtime friend died suddenly. He suffered a massive heart attack and was taken to a hospital. He never recovered from the trauma of that event and eventually died a few days ago. His death shocked many of us who knew this vibrant,...
by Garris Elkins | Jan 12, 2014 | Family, Future, Honor, Hope, Leadership
About 20 years ago, I began asking myself four questions. I also asked the same questions of our church staff during our quarterly planning sessions. The questions helped us engage a process of evaluation where we could leave behind what needed to be left behind and...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 12, 2013 | Family, Gifts, Giving, Hope, Sacrifice
In the late 1990’s, Jan and I lived in Berlin, Germany. Berlin was our base of operation because of the abundance of travel options the city provided. We worked and traveled in the nations that comprised the old East European Communist Bloc. Our primary...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 8, 2013 | Discipline, Family, Father, Forgiveness, Future, Hope, Humility, Repentance
Each morning I walk into our kitchen and do three things. I feed the dog; I start the coffee maker and I take my vitamins while drinking a large glass of water. This morning, I noticed that I first splashed a bit of water into my glass and then poured it...
