by Garris Elkins | Oct 2, 2017 | Culture, Forgiveness, Identity, Kingdom of God, Mercy, Peace, Reconciliation, Restoration, Teaching, Truth
Today, I have been numb. I have been numb since I first awakened from a fitful night of sleep at 3:30 a.m. to hear the news coming out of Las Vegas. This is the kind of numbness that does not come from insensitivity to the pain and suffering of others. It is a numbing...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 26, 2017 | Discipline, Forgiveness, Holiness, Humility, Leadership, Mercy, Obedience, Peace, Prayer, Reconciliation, Relationships, Wisdom
As a young cop, I had to learn about the judicious use of firearms. In my training, there was a term called, “Pray and Spray.” Pray and Spray means that when a threat appears that could cause death or great bodily harm, the undisciplined person will start praying and...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 7, 2017 | Courage, Discipline, Forgiveness, Freedom, Humility, Mercy, Obedience, Reconciliation, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare
Each of us will encounter an occasional anonymous critic. If you open your mouth and express your opinion you will have someone who has no relationship with you pull out their fillet knife of correction and attempt to cut you down to their size. These are people whose...
by Garris Elkins | May 16, 2017 | Death, Deliverance, Faith, Forgiveness, Freedom, Future, Hope, Joy, Peace, Promise, Redemption, Resurrection, Thankfulness, Trust
A time in your life when something was killed – a dream, a relationship, a hope – is now being redefined and restored. The memories of sorrow will give way to something new. The stench of death and loss will be replaced with the fragrance of life and...
by Garris Elkins | May 8, 2017 | Forgiveness, Freedom, Relationships, Restoration
Those who mocked your joy in the past will someday return to you broken and frail looking for the joy they once mocked. If you have kept your heart open and forgiving God will be able to use you to help heal these broken relationships and release a miracle of joy into...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 29, 2017 | Creavity, Destiny, Dreams, Father, Fathers, Favor, Forgiveness, Freedom, God, Honor, Hope, Kingdom, Peace, Promotion, Relationships, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare
Years ago, a man approached me after a Sunday morning service. He was concerned with something I had preached. He was a veteran pastor so his words carried extra weight. In the sermon, I said, “God has no favorites.” He was truly concerned because I think he felt he...