by Garris Elkins | Aug 22, 2018 | Discipleship, Discipline, Father, Forgiveness, Freedom, Giving, God, Honor, Justice, Kingdom of God, Mercy, Obedience, Peace, Pride, Restoration, Wisdom
The word “they” has been used to distance people from each other ever since the first tribe went to war with a neighboring tribe. The problem with the word is the separation it creates between people. I have used the word in negative tones and so have you. Here is...
by Garris Elkins | May 2, 2018 | Deliverance, Faith, Father, Forgiveness, Future, Giving, Humility, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Peace, Provision, Reconciliation, Restoration, Trust, Worship
The situation you have been forced into through no fault of our own is not your final destination and condition. God always has a plan to prosper His people no matter what their circumstance may seem to indicate. Joseph, who was sold into slavery and unlawfully...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 14, 2018 | Discipleship, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Giving, Identity, Pride, Trust
This week, in a conversation with a couple of pastors I respect, I was asked by one of the pastors to share something that would help him finish well in his life calling. I said, “Identify your greatest gift and give it away.” A spiritually and emotionally...
by Garris Elkins | Jan 22, 2018 | Giving, Honor, Identity, Kingdom of God, Marriage, Relationships, Revelation, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, Trust, Truth, Worship
I remember the first time I kissed Jan. It was 47 years ago. We drove from Multnomah School of the Bible (now known as Multnomah University) in Portland, Oregon to the Eagle Creek trailhead in the Columbia Gorge. I had to borrow a car to make the trip. After a long...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 24, 2017 | Creativity, Faith, Family, Gifts, Giving, God, Intimacy, Peace
When Jan and I pastored our first church in Kalispell, Montana, we experienced a lot of firsts. We had our first Sunday as pastors of a new church with only one visitor attending. Our first real Rocky Mountain winter was a new experience, and so was the view from our...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 22, 2017 | Creativity, Discipline, Family, Freedom, Giving, Honor, Intimacy, Love, Marriage, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Relationships, Wisdom
My pastor, Roy Hicks, Jr., told a humorous story about how his wife Kay got his attention late one night. After many years pastoring the Eugene Faith Center, Roy became the Director of Missions for the Foursquare Church. It was a demanding job. Roy spent many...