by Garris Elkins | Mar 3, 2009 | Church, Hope, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Restoration, Vision.
Last week I took a hike. Most of the time I like to hike alone so I can talk with God. My hike began in the historic mining town of Jacksonville that is located in southwestern Oregon. After walking across town I went through the pioneer cemetery and then linked up...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 2, 2009 | Church, Holy Spirit, Kingdom of God, Leadership, Restoration
As I look out from my hotel room in Long Beach I see the great Queen Mary passenger ship docked across the harbor. She is visible through an urban forest of yacht masts, man-planted palm trees and large dock cranes. In the distance freighters inch across the horizon...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 2, 2009 | Church, Hope, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Restoration
My father has been gone for over 20 years. Tonight, my thoughts linger around the memories I have of the last months of his life. When I was a nine year old boy I cried myself to sleep one night thinking that my father would die some day. I don’t know why I...
by Garris Elkins | Mar 2, 2009 | Holy Spirit, Hope, Kingdom of God, Leadership, Obedience, Prayer, Restoration
In our family, I grew up hunting and fishing. Each fall we would make a man-trek into the wilds to pursue deer. I loved the coming of fall. The preparation and plans for the annual hunt was something that occupied my boyhood thoughts from the start of hunting season...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 3, 2008 | Church, Hope, Kingdom of God, Leadership, Spiritual Warfare
Recently, I was in Central Oregon speaking at a men’s retreat. I enjoyed the drive over the Cascades and was looking forward to speaking to this group of men. The previous Sunday, on the way out of the sanctuary, one of the women in our church stopped me and...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 3, 2008 | Church, Holy Spirit, Kingdom of God, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare
When God prunes His people He is preparing them for a coming season of fruitfulness. Have you ever wondered why God cuts back certain resources or relationships in our lives? Are you going through a pruning season right now and find yourself searching for the reason...