by Garris Elkins | Nov 9, 2014 | Obedience, Power, Promise, Provision, Restoration, Spirit, Trust, Wisdom
This morning, as I lay in bed in the darkness, my first conscious thought was an image. I knew what I was beginning to see was important and needed to be remembered in detail. I waited and let the image fully develop before I rose in order to write down what I...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 15, 2014 | Deliverance, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Miracles, Trust, Wisdom
When I was a young cop, I was working the midnight shift as a rookie. My training officer and I received a call to respond to a domestic dispute. These calls carry the potential for violence because people release a lifetime of pain in a single, unscripted moment...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 10, 2014 | Church, Courage, Leadership, Wisdom
(“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.) #20 Avoid Early Criticism Make the choice to not align with the first critical voices that demand your alignment...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 14, 2014 | Church, Leadership, Wisdom
Twenty-five years ago, I asked a wise pastor his opinion about the battles he fought over issues of faith. As a younger pastor he was known to have had a history of picking verbal fights with anyone with whom he disagreed. He had thankfully mellowed over...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 10, 2014 | Culture, Forgiveness, Truth, Wisdom
There are slippery slopes on both sides of every mountain of human opinion. Be careful. Some people believe that slippery slopes exist only on the opposite side of the mountain from their current understanding of the facts. When you ask God for wisdom you are not...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 30, 2014 | Discipline, Faithfulness, Love, Wisdom
Some of the goodness you are now experiencing can be traced back to a single decision someone made years ago not to compromise. Someone made a decision to believe for more and that choice has become a blessing in your life. God began to position His promise...
