by Garris Elkins | Sep 27, 2014 | Change, Church, Courage, Culture, Discipleship, Faith, Family, Fathers, Five-fold, Five-Fold Ministry, Identity, Kingdom
(“Thoughts I Want To Leave Behind” is a collection of thoughts and impressions I want to leave behind as I begin to make my final pastoral transition.) #7 Religious Skeletons Our physical body is supported by our skeletal structure. Remove our skeleton and we would...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 17, 2014 | Apostle, Church, Culture, Identity, Leadership, Transition
When I came to Medford, Oregon 15 years ago to pastor what would become Living Waters Church, I remember one particular day shortly after my arrival when the Lord gave me a distinct assignment for our church. I remember the day well. I was driving on an...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 9, 2014 | Destiny, Honor, Identity, Trust
A couple of years ago, I was hiking on a mountain trail above our home. As I hiked, I came across a very large and aggressive dog. I could see the owner had let his dog off leash to enjoy a run. Unleashed dogs are not allowed on this particular trail system. There are...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 8, 2014 | Faith, Forgiveness, Hope, Identity, Intimacy, Joy, Prayer, Trust
As a young man, I heard Richard Wurmbrand speak. I sat in awe as I listened to his testimony. Richard was held captive in horrible prison conditions in Romania because of his faith during the time of Communist rule. He was separated from his wife and...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 29, 2014 | Change, Courage, Culture, Honor, Identity, Kingdom of God, Spiritual Warfare
Many people have no idea what it means to live in a state of terror on a daily basis. Those in the war torn nations of the Middle East understand terror. A rape victim understands terror. Soldiers and police officers and those who put themselves in harms way...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 7, 2014 | Destiny, Discipleship, Holy Spirit, Identity
During the last several decades the Church in Western culture has become over-programmed. I think we educated ourselves into this predicament. There now exists a program for almost everything including discipleship. But that is changing. A new...
