by Garris Elkins | Nov 15, 2017 | Courage, Creativity, Deliverance, Dreams, Faith, Family, Fear, Future, Honor, Identity, Marriage, Miracles, Promotion, Provision, Relationships, Restoration, Thankfulness, Trust, Vision.
In 1968, at age 60, my father had a heart attack. For a man who was a carpenter and had to work with his hands to make a living, this changed everything. After his heart attack, my father took a remodeling job in an adjoining city with a plan for a house to...
by Garris Elkins | Nov 11, 2017 | Love, Marriage, Relationships
Every Christmas my father would buy my mother a perfume called, Great Lady. As a boy, I can still remember the look on my mother’s face when she unwrapped this anticipated gift each year and then glanced over at my father as our family unwrapped our presents....
by Garris Elkins | Oct 24, 2017 | Evangelism, Freedom, Giving, Holiness, Identity, Justice, Love, Obedience, Relationships, Thankfulness
This week, I was driving between meetings in Oregon. Just before checking into my hotel, I filled up my car in anticipation of a morning departure. Oregon is a state where you are not allowed to pump your own gas. When I pulled into the station the attendant came to...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 21, 2017 | Courage, Death, Deliverance, Family, Future, Honor, Hope, Leadership, Miracles, Obedience, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare, Trust
During World War II, my uncle Dan served in the Army. He carried a Thompson submachine gun and was on the front end of some of the major campaigns in the Pacific. I remember as a kid cutting weeds on his ranch in McArthur, California with a Japanese officer’s sword he...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 19, 2017 | Courage, Death, Eternity, Favor, Fear, Future, Joy, Obedience, Peace, Relationships, Resurrection, Trust
In a couple of months, I will turn 68. I knew this time would eventually come, but it always seemed like it was a place in my distant future. Many times now, I am the older pastor in the room with other leaders. I have become a father in the faith. This future...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 29, 2017 | Love, Marriage, Relationships
When I gave Jan the first hug of the morning, I pulled her in extra close. When our faces met, something funny happened. Jan said, “Look at your glasses. They are all fogged up!” Through my foggy lens, I smiled and said, “We still have the passion...