by Garris Elkins | Feb 14, 2018 | Courage, Discipline, Fathers, Fear, Future, Gifts, God, Honor, Identity, Leadership, Peace, Pride, Reconciliation, Relationships, Restoration, Trust
As a young and insecure pastor, I listened to Ron Mehl, the pastor of the Beaverton Foursquare Church, give some sage advice. At the time, I had less than 10 people attending my struggling church plant. Ron had thousands. I was asked to meet with a group of equally...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 9, 2018 | Apostle, Church, Courage, Discipleship, Fathers, Five-Fold Ministry, Future, Honor, Identity, Kingdom of God, Reconciliation, Relationships, Revelation, Teaching, Truth, Wisdom
We need to do a better job relating to each other when we find ourselves holding an opposing position on an issue of faith. These positions are in essence, only an opinion we have attached to very complex subjects. Our opinions are never the full measure of truth. I...
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 | Jan 20, 2018 | Eternity, Family, Father, Fear, Freedom, Future, Honor, Jesus, Justice, Love, Marriage, Restoration
In the two months since my dog, Abby, died, our cat, named Mister, has assumed some of Abby’s duties. Both Abby and Mister have no tails. Mister is a Manx (he looks like a little bobcat), and Abby was an Australian Shepherd (Aussie). Aussies are called velcro dogs....
by Garris Elkins | Jan 13, 2018 | Culture, Discipline, Honor, Hope, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Reformation, Relationships, Restoration, Transition, Trust, Wisdom
This is a very emotional and adrenaline-driven time in our nation. People are feeling frustrated with the current state of affairs. Every clickbait button on our computer screen, each controversy of faith or culture, foolish, and the foolish and demeaning words...
by Garris Elkins | Jan 3, 2018 | Destiny, Evangelism, Faith, Father, Future, Gifts, Honor, Identity, Kingdom of God, Leadership, Love, Promise, Relationships, Resurrection, Transtion
In 1961, as a young boy, I had the honor to walk with my father down the 18th hole at Pebble Beach where my father chipped onto the green and one-putted the final hole to win his flight in the California Golf Championship for his handicap level. My father was playing...