by Garris Elkins | Aug 31, 2017 | Courage, Creativity, Deliverance, Forgivness, Future, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Peace, Pride, Redemption, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare, Transition
Along the ridgeline above me, I saw the remains of an old barbwire fence. Only a few of the posts survived. Those that did were pockmarked with holes the work of decay and weather. On the north-facing side of a solitary post grew a layer of green moss. Tacked to the...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 31, 2017 | Joy, Love, Marriage, Pride
Each time I pass by JanI make sure to touch her. It may be a loving pat, a hug or simply making sure to brush up against her in passing. I do this because I want her to know I have an enduring passion to be with her. Jesus does the same with each of us. He is...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 14, 2017 | Courage, Discipleship, Forgivenss, Freedom, Humility, Kingdom of God, Mercy, Peace, Pride, Reconciliation, Restoration, Revelation, Teaching, Truth
When we pile on a perceived error the truth gets buried. This piling on can resemble a football game where the ball is in the hands of one of the players at the bottom of the heap. The officials referring the game must remove each person from the pile to find the...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 9, 2017 | Courage, Discipleship, Family, Fear, Freedom, Joy, Peace, Pride, Relationships
Earlier this week, Jan and I had dinner with friends at a nice restaurant. Shortly after being seated, a young family sat at the table next to us with three young kids. Our child-rearing years took place decades ago. We smiled as the parents tried to herd cats and eat...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 7, 2017 | Honor, Identity, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Pride, Promise
If you want to impact an emerging generation or a group of people you will need to remove complaint and criticism from your conversation. No one lends an ear to a negative spirit. Phrases like, “The youth of today…” or “Those people…” are introductory phrases that...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 5, 2017 | Courage, Culture, Discipleship, Discipline, Fear, Forgivenss, Holy Spirit, Humility, Identity, Mercy, Pride, Reconciliation
It is always a dangerous game to judge a person based on rumor and second-hand information. I have stopped coming to any conclusion about someone unless I have firsthand information about them from personal interaction with them. The higher in public visibility you...
