"Crossing Spiritual Frontiers" by Garris Elkins

Many people are crossing spiritual frontiers.  People are leaving old seasons of life and entering new ones. It is important to understand what is taking place in these passages.

One of the most profound crossings ever made was when the nation of Israel walked across the dry riverbed of the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua.  More than one million people camped at the waters edge waiting for the word of the Lord to part the water.  First, God would need to speak to Joshua and let him know what this passage would entail. 

Joshua 1:1 “After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua would come to understand several realities as he prepared to lead Israel across the Jordan and into the land of promise.  Israel had been in a similar place before, but because of their disbelief had spent many years wandering in the wilderness until the generation of disbelief died off. Joshua and the nation of Israel wanted to get it right this time.  Joshua would realize several important truths about crossing spiritual frontiers.

EACH CROSSING WILL BE DIRECTED BY A WORD FROM GOD

“The Lord spoke to Joshua.”

Joshua was told to walk anywhere within the land God had defined.  Wherever Joshua chose to step would be his, within the boundary of the promise.  He was a man living under the direction of God’s revelation.

Each area of our lives has a word from God assigned to it.  Each of our families has a word. Each financial decision we make has a word assigned to it. Each relationship we enter into has a word from God assigned to it that will direct how that relationship will develop. It is wisdom to discover these words before we begin the journey.

Joshua obeyed the word of the Lord.  He didn’t deviate to the right or to the left. He stayed true to the word of the Lord and the Lord stayed true to the promise He made to Joshua and the nation of Israel.

EACH CROSSING WILL REDEFINE THE NATURE OF OUR CALLING

“The time has come for you to lead these people.”

Moses was dead. A transition in national leadership had taken place. Joshua was now the leader of Israel. The steps of the nation would now follow the steps of their new leader. Obedience to the call transformed Joshua, revealing more of what God saw in him, had planned for him and wanted to do through him. 

Each time we take a step of faith our life manifests more clearly who we already are in Christ.  Like a chisel in the hand of a master sculptor, God fashions us with each step we take. Under the hand of the Master we begin to resemble the person who we already are in Christ.

EACH CROSSING WILL CARRY A PROMISE INTO A NEW GENERATION

“I promise you what I promised Moses.”

We each carry a promise.  When we die that promise does not die with us – it lives on.  The promises of God survive through the pain of divorce or the fears associated with financial collapse.  Promise lives on through all kinds of personal failure. A promise from God is birthed in eternity high above the powers of death and the finality of time.

When Joshua was about to lead Israel through the visible frontier of the Jordan River flowing at flood stage, he was carrying the promise of a past generation – “I promise you what I promised Moses.”Joshua carried that promise forward past the failed first attempt to enter the Promise Land.

Each of us can step in faith into the promise of God, despite the failures of our past or the failures of others.  While we must be faithful and step forward into the Promise, God is the One Who will be faithful to ensure its final delivery.

EACH CROSSING WILL BRING A REMINDER OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

“For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”

We never do what God calls us to do alone. He is always present with us in each moment of the passage. As Joshua called the people forward to cross the Jordan, that move could appear to be, at the very least naïve, if not foolish.   The decision to cross the Jordon River at this season of the year, would ride on the shoulders of this new leader. It was a fearful and stressful moment.  In that moment God assured Joshua that He would not fail or abandon him.

As a leader, a father, a brother, and a friend, at times, I have lived under fear and isolation, wondering and hoping that God would be there for me. We all struggle with this from time-to-time.  Fear in the present is tied to our assumption of future rejection and abandonment. 

Fear of abandonment is experienced everywhere. Spouses have abandoned their vows of marriage and left their mate for someone else.  Children have abandoned their parents and parents have abandoned their children.  Employers have abandoned faithful employees for greater profit.  In these times God reminds us, as He reminded Joshua, of His covenant of unfailing love that promises He will never leave us alone in the journey.

There is a way out of the prison of abandonment - we forgive and bless our way across this spiritual frontier.  Jesus chose to forgive His tormentors amidst the pain of His crucifixion.  He told us to bless our enemies even as they wage war against us. When we do this, our future will be defined by the heart of God, not the fear of what can happen to us as the result of human brokenness.   

EACH CROSSING WILL TEST OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF STRENGTH AND COURAGE  “Be strong and courageous.”

Three times in the first verses of Joshua 1 the Lord tells Joshua,  “Be strong and courageous.” Why would God say this to Joshua three times? Because Joshua, the great warrior-leader, would experience both fear and weakness as he faced the prospect of crossing the swollen Jordan River and the enemies beyond.

This fear and discouragement has faced the people of God in the past and it will have to be addressed by each of us now and in our emerging future.  A repeated theme in Paul’s ministry was his strengthening and encouraging of the churches.  He strengthened and encouraged these churches because they were feeling weak and discouraged when he arrived in their midst.

Today, believe that God is taking you into a new future amidst all the pain and obstacles that are now standing between you and what God has promised.  God is your passage-maker and He will never leave you alone in the crossing you are about to make. 

"Half Moon, Whole Heart" guest article by Anna Elkins

Last summer, I camped by the Salmon River for the first time. The riverbanks spread wide their stony shores, the August waters low. I drove shuttle for kayakers and practiced the art of waiting by water.  After a few hours, the water begins to speak.

Beneath a spring half moon, I’m back. Now the bars of rock are thin, rushed by water that flexes its green and fast muscles. Like men at a gym, this constant roil—noisy and strong. Yet gentle too, like mothers humming lullabies.

How do we hear the river?

When God speaks, we are often the crowd that hears thunder or angels—everything but his words.

I thought I heard the river telling of men and women. But I think it was also speaking of “other.” Of whatever it is I haven’t learned to listen to.

Perhaps the weight-lifting—wait-lifting—water is the sound of women building muscle beneath the frothy soft of their surface. Perhaps it is the song men sing when no one is listening.  Perhaps it is every word we open our hearts to.

When we see an other approaching and we hear nothing but the rush of water, we pretend that’s the only sound a river makes. Oh the strength and sweetness we will miss.

And now I am off to listen to distant seas. Here's to hearing.

Open my ears.  

"Older Preachers" by Garris Elkins

Older preachers like me

see the treadmills of passing ministry 

as foisted rides in some clergy amusement park.

To roller coaster rides of success we were drawn

the rising then the falling,

stars on the upward climb

the ticking, clacking sounds of approval, rising

taking us up to the crest for release

towards the bigger, the better, the more,

becoming models dressed for ascent

soon to be clothed in mid-life therapy.

New books now written on the healing ride down

filled with sage advice to not,

to not board the ride in the first place.

Remaining earth-bound now

reconnecting with deeper things discovered under foot

than the high ride can promise,

things missed the first time around.

At this age these rides make me dizzy.

Ride if you must,

youth may require it of you.

But here's my ticket-to-ride, its yours.

I say cash it in,

buy some cotton candy.

Then take a long stroll, look up and pray

for those on the roller coaster ride,

each one a cotton candy candidate.

“What Others Think About Us” by Garris Elkins

One of the interesting things I have noticed in my years of public ministry are the different ways people can choose to see the life of a leader.  On one hand, someone loves and respects you and says nice things, and on the other hand, someone else makes unkind comments about you as they exit your life.  I am learning that we cannot take things personal.

Recently, I had the honor of speaking at a national conference in Los Angeles. The person who introduced me is one of the most respected and recognizable faces in the Church, both in the United States and around the world.  When I was introduced this person said some very honoring things about my life and ministry.  I was overwhelmed with the favor that had been extended to me.

That same week a woman left our church because she didn’t like me.  She came to her conclusion without talking with me and decided I was a major problem in her life. Her anger and dishonor fell on me like a load of mud.

As I reflected on these two extremes of how a life is viewed, I realized that some people will love you and others may not like you at all.  This is not just a problem for pastors – we all encounter this if we live long enough. What really matters in life is what God thinks of us.  He uses words like, Loved, Forgiven and Accepted to describe His children. God chooses to see us this way even when all our warts, blemishes, and failures are fully visible to Him. He knows all about His children and He still loves us.

When I was introduced at the conference in Los Angeles my pride kicked in and I immediately had to park the kind words spoken about me at the feet of Jesus.  When the woman left our church, I had to park her angry words at the feet of Jesus also.  Only at His feet can He touch the words spoken about us – the good and the bad – and help them become a healthy influence in our lives. When God has possession of what others think about us, He can use those experiences to grow us past the personal definitions others have, so we can begin live our lives more like the person He has already declared us to be in His Son, Jesus Christ.

“A Choice within a Choice” by Garris Elkins

When Moses died Joshua became the leader of the nation of Israel.  Joshua made this leadership transition at a critical time in the nation’s history.  Where before Joshua could rely on Moses, now he would carry the mantle alone.

In Joshua 1:3-4, God said, “I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’”

God made a choice to define the Promise Land and now He invited Joshua to walk within the land of promise and make his own choices. Whatever real estate Joshua chose to walk upon, within the promise, God would give it to him.

As a young pastor-in-training, a wise older leader shared with me a simple child-like illustration about how we make individual choices in God’s Kingdom.  This leader shared with me that a father took his young son to a carnival.  While at the carnival the little boy saw a clown selling helium filled balloons, each one a different color.  The boy asked his father if he could have a balloon and the father said yes.  He then proceeded to give his son some money and told him to go and buy a balloon.  He watched his excited son run over to the clown and look up at all the colorful balloons floating in the air. After a few moments it was obvious the little boy was not buying a balloon. Slowly the boy walked back to his father without a balloon in hand.  When asked why he didn’t buy a balloon the little boy said, “You didn’t tell me what color to buy.”  The father responded, “That was your choice.”

Our movement forward into all that God has for us is empowered by our understanding of His heart.  God has made all His promises in Jesus “yes” and now He is inviting the Church to that “yes” as a place of freedom and discovery.  This is not an undefined freedom.  This freedom is within the Person of Jesus Christ – the living Word of God. 

The choices we make, within the choice God has already made for us, is where we begin to discover the real freedom that exists for us within God’s Kingdom.  As we step deeper into the promise of God, and grow in our spiritual maturity, we become more willing to risk something new because we know God will not throw us away if we fail.

When I was a young pastor I asked Jerry Cook a question about how he and his leadership team made decisions.  Jerry said that in the early years of his ministry at East Hill Church in Gresham, Oregon, they would step out in faith in a direction they thought would be pleasing to God.  Some of the steps they took were actually God and other decisions took them down the wrong path.  When they realized they were moving in a wrong direction, they called out to God for help and He simply picked them up and placed them on the right path. 

We are serving a loving Father who has given us the freedom to make choices within the greater choice of His Son.  He desires to bless decisions that reflect His heart and character.  Our individual and unique choices reflect the very nature of what constitutes a family. We reflect the image of God that was placed in us at our creation, yet we still possess the individual uniqueness that allows us to make personal choices that will have me choose an orange balloon versus your yellow balloon or have me walk on different stones along the same pathway.

For Joshua, the Promise Land was defined by natural geographic boundaries. In the New Covenant our boundaries of promise are defined within a Person – Jesus Christ.  Paul said to the people of Athens in Acts 17:28 “For in him we live and move and exist.” He is our Promise Land.

Today, chose to live in Him and make choices without living in the fear of failure. Buy your favorite colored Kingdom-balloon. Begin to step out in faith along a path that you feel will please Him. Walk around in the Promise Land like it is already yours and make decisions that you feel would best reflect the heart of your loving Father. If you somehow miss it He will pick you up and put your on the right path.   

"Experiencing the Word" by Garris Elkins

Recently, I heard someone say how sad it was that some Christians were seeking an experience from God instead of focusing solely on Scripture.  When I heard those words something didn’t set right with me.  

This morning, as I read through 2 Peter, I came across that section of chapter one where Peter said in 16, “We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes.” Peter was describing his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter went on to say, “The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’ We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.”

Many times we stop reading a sentence at the end of a paragraph, like the one above, but Peter’s thought continues on into the next paragraph with verse 19, “Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets.”  In other words, the experience Peter had with a supernatural God on the Mount of Transfiguration released a greater confidence in the message of God.

I have taught the Word a lot over the last 31 years.  Just doing some simple math, I have taught in public church services a minimum of two times a week for those 31 years – that works out to be well over 3,000 messages.  This does not include all the extra times between the weekly church services where I taught in other venues, like training seminars or conferences.  The final number could easily be over 4,000.  That’s a lot of speaking.

All the public teaching that takes place in the ministry schedule of an average pastor may be part of what has created a suspicion in some people’s minds about “experiences”. At times I think we forget what Paul said in Ephesians 4 about equipping the saints to “do” the work of the ministry.  Doing is always experiential.

A friend of mine, who spent years ministering in Africa, described to me what is called, “The God-Line.” In Western culture, where we place a high value on our intellect and on our ability to understand and define all that takes place around us, the God-Line is just below our head.  If we can’t understand it with our mind it is suspect and must remain below the line.  In the African culture, and most of the world not dominated by a Greek way of thinking, the God-Line is above their heads.  In other words, all of life is spiritual.  There is no separation between teaching and experience.

When Jesus sent out The Seventy in Luke 10, He empowered them to do the experiential part of life with Jesus.  He said to them, “Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’”  These first disciples not only shared God’s Word, but they expected some kind of experience with God to follow their sharing.  An experience with God is where people would see God’s Word come alive in their lives.

On the Day of Pentecost the Church was empowered to do supernatural works that would end up being processed as an experience with God. The early disciples got into a lot of trouble when they released these supernatural experiences in the cities across the Middle East.  If what they believed had not become such culturally disturbing experiences most of them would have died as old men and women without experiencing the pain of martyrdom. An experience with God that flows from the Word of God is both powerful and dangerous.

In the western world we have become really good in our presentation of God’s Word.  We have become skilled presenters. I am happy for that, but I think that in some cases we might have driven our religious car out onto the theological highway and simply parked it in the fast lane short of the destination called, “Experience.”  The Word without experience or encounter is only a lecture.

When God created the heavens and the earth the elements had an experience with God’s Word and became terra firma.  The formless, empty and dark places were joined together and became something tangible, emerging as physical by-products of God’s voice. When God uttered the words, “Let there be light”, some very powerful interactions took place – and this was just with natural elements. Imagine what happens when the Word of God is released into a human being?

Whether God’s Word is preached from a pulpit, or spoken prophetically on a street corner, the very evidence that we are alive and human is our response – we should have an experience when the Word enters our life.

Over the years, I have realized that God will expose some of us to experiences that we might find uncomfortable  – experiences that are outside our comfort zone or tradition.  Have you ever wondered why this happens?  I think I have part of the answer.  God allows this to take place so He can work on the gate of our heart.

The heart-gate is that place within us that can hinder or release our ability to experience more of God.  Gates can swing open or shut. As the writer of Proverbs said in 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

It is so easy to shut ourselves off from experiences because we saw someone do something that put us off.  We close the gate to our heart and then retreat into only what we can manage with our intellect – above the God-Line.  In the end, we begin to lessen in our impact in the world around us because the experience of the Word is absent from the presentation of the Word.

When Peter was describing what he saw and experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration that experience deepened his confidence in the message that Jesus, and all who went before Him, had proclaimed.

As we study God’s Word, it is good to walk in the kind of faith and obedience that will release those supernatural experiences that affirm what we have studied. In the end, we will begin to walk in a balanced confidence in His Word and with those experiences that confirm His Word.

Peter said something about “experiences” at the start of his ministry, 30 years before he wrote his two epistles.  In Acts 2:22, as Peter was trying to explain what had just happened on the Day of Pentecost, he said, “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders and signs through him, as you well know.”   Peter was saying that, Jesus, the Word incarnate, was endorsed by God through the release of supernatural experiences. I am thinking He wants to do the same thing today.

"Receiving New Sight" a word from Jan Elkins

My wife, Jan, received the following word during a recent worship service at Living Waters Church in Medford, Oregon.  I wanted to post this for that person(s) who needed to hear the hope these words contain. 


"During the worship, I saw myself swimming in the ocean of His love, (representative of us and and the church) and He had given us new capabilities to live in this place.  The Lord reminded me of how in nature He has put specific DNA into his creatures so that micro-evolution is possible.  There are fish who live in complete darkness and therefore have no eyes...there is no need.    But if brought into waters where there is light, they can develop eyes because imbedded in their DNA, they can evolve.

Imbedded in your spiritual DNA, created in My image, is the great capacity to see where you have never seen before. I am giving you altogether new eyes when you have need of clarity, either in wisdom or discernment and also in your spirit, soul, and body, God is giving us new capacities of sight...for Himself, for our situations, for our life, for whatever we are deciding about right now.  We could not see before...we did not need to.  Now, we have need of this new sight. "