by Garris Elkins | Jun 28, 2020 | Courage, Culture, Fear, Future, Healing, Hope
In the noise of the current social clamor, the voice of the Church can become diluted by politics, personal preferences, and undisciplined emotions. In this back and forth defensive environment, we can defend our preferred position to such a degree that we miss the...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 27, 2020 | Discernment, Discipleship, Discipline, Healing, Justice, Kingdom of God, Peace, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare
The “Don’t” and “Why” of Life I DON’T confess my sins against my wife to clean the relational slate and just move on. I confess my sins to honor her and the Lord. I DON’T work out just to stay in physical and emotional shape. I work out so I can stay in a fight as...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 23, 2020 | Culture, Discernment, Discipline, Favor, Grace, Healing, Honor
Today, an angry man sped past Jan and me on our morning walk. It happened at a four-way stop and was a bit too close for comfort. Instead of offering him a vulgar gesture or a word of cursing, we blessed him. Everyday angry, depressed, and fearful people will...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 13, 2020 | Discipline, Dreams, Fear, Freedom, Healing
When Jan and I were first married, we went on a cruise in the Caribbean. Our room was a cheap windowless enclosure the size of a walk-in closet somewhere near the engine room. About two nights into the cruise, I had a nightmare. I thought we were under attack. At the...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 9, 2020 | Church, Courage, Creativity, Culture, Discernment, Five-Fold Ministry, Freedom, Healing
When I was a young pastor, I had a private conversation with a mentor of mine who was a noted apostolic leader. He had a large church with far-reaching influence. In the youth of my ministry, I placed this man on a deserved pedestal of honor. When he passed away, the...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 8, 2020 | Courage, Deliverance, Faith, Fear, Healing, Honor, Hope
Following a feeling of frustration is like the Chinese symbol for a crisis. It offers both danger and opportunity. As I look over Church history, I see believers who followed their unsettled frustrations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and encountered unique...
