by Garris Elkins | Feb 22, 2018 | Faith, Obedience, Trust
I was on a phone call with my friend, Bobby Haaby, when he said something so profound that it startled me and caught my attention. Bobby said in reference to his ministry and the larger ministry of the global Church, “We are not establishing a new...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 18, 2018 | Courage, Creativity, Culture, Discipline, Prayer, Relationships, Trust, Truth
The phrase, “thoughts and prayers” is getting some negative press of late. I get the intent of that challenge if, when offering our thoughts and prayers, we don’t think or pray. Thoughts and prayers can be seen by some as a convenient kiss-off to actually...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 15, 2018 | Courage, Discipleship, Discipline, Family, Favor, Fear, Forgiveness, Honor, Hope, Humility, Pride, Promotion, Reconciliation, Restoration, Trust, Worship
I have given up 10,000 times and tried again 10,001. Knowing with God I always had another chance for a restart helped me get up and take the next step even when it felt like my fear was larger than my faith. In times of self-doubt, I forgot that faith as small as a...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 14, 2018 | Discipleship, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Giving, Identity, Pride, Trust
This week, in a conversation with a couple of pastors I respect, I was asked by one of the pastors to share something that would help him finish well in his life calling. I said, “Identify your greatest gift and give it away.” A spiritually and emotionally...
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 8, 2018 | Fear, Forgiveness, Intimacy, Marriage, Pride, Reconciliation, Relationships, Trust, Truth, Women
Last night, I had a powerful dream. It was a nightmare. I dreamt that I had never confessed my worst sins to my wife. It was a horrible feeling – a feeling worse than the sins themselves. When I awoke, I literally thanked God it was just a bad dream. The purpose of...
