The Dennis Jernigan Podcast

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “Amazed” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Hello and welcome to another episode of The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. I’m your host, Dennis Jernigan, and I am so grateful you have joined me for this week’s podcast. I’ll try to get right to the heart of the matter today. The story behind this song is amazing to me. You’ll find out why shortly. 

We live in a day and age when amazing things are taking place on a daily basis. Everyday citizens, if they have the time and money, can literally fly into outer space. A person’s identity, their image, and their voice and mannerisms can be manipulated in such a way as to make them appear to say and do things they would never do. Even though it gives me chills, this ability of AI, called deep fake, is kind of amazing. And speaking of AI, entire books are being written using artificial intelligence and new uses for AI are seemingly popping up every single day. And I think it is amazing that we live in a world where everyone is connected via the internet and smartphones to such a degree that we can talk with and see anyone we would like to communicate with instantly. The world is indeed amazing.

The word ‘amazing’ literally means ‘causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing; startlingly impressive.’ That is a good thing to experience, yet even good things can be viewed through the filter of the lies of the enemy. Here’s an example of what I mean taken from my now life experiences:

For far too many years I allowed the lies of the enemy to define me and dictate to me what was amazing. I could see the way others treated me as amazing in a very perverted way. What I mean by that is this: I thought that someone mocking me or physically harming me meant that at least someone was acknowledging me, even if they were insulting me and belittling me. I longed to be known and to know others and that expectation of being put down by others at least made me feel acknowledged. That, my friends, is the depth of depravity my mind had fallen to which is, well, astonishingly sad. That all changed the day I was overwhelmed with the Truth that Jesus Christ had died for me. I was instantly set free from my past but had to walk out the wonderful but difficult journey toward wholeness. In fact, I’m still on that journey. I invite you to join me for today’s brief leg of that adventure as I share the story behind my song, “Amazed”.

Way back in 2010, I embarked on an adventure that lasted 40 days but continues to affect my life to this day. From May 3 through June 11 I went on a 40 day fast. I needed to reboot my system because I had just gone through a series of traumatic events that left me gutted. The Lord called me to a fast and led me to meditate daily on Psalm 40 and Isaiah 40. He spoke to my heart and told me He would give me a song each day of the fast and that I was to record it that same day. Since then, I put together 4 ten song volumes where you can find all 40 songs. The first ten songs are on the collection called Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1.

This week’s episode is the story behind the song “Amazed” which came to me on May 8, 2010 which was day 5 of that fast. When the Lord sent me on this fasting journey, He led me to focus and meditate on Psalm 40 and Isaiah 40 each day. He led me to write a song each day and then record it that very same day. What you are hearing is the original version of each song on the day I actually wrote it.

On day 5, He led me to meditate specifically on Psalm 40:3a which says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”

As I began to ponder on what this part of the verse meant to me, I felt led to begin just simply praising God for Who He is. It became very apparent that I was meant to live every area of my life as a conduit of praise to Him. In that moment, I was instantly filled with a sense of wonder and a  very keen awareness that the God of the universe, my Creator, was in the room with me in a very tangible way…and that was amazing!

As I began to praise God, I truly was astonished at his presence with me. In that same moment, although I didn't literally see him, I felt the weight of his presence upon my soul. What I was experiencing was the very glory of God in my heart and mind. And that was truly amazing.

As I set my mind free to focus on the presence of God there with me, I felt completely surprised at the depth of love He has for me. I stood back in wonder as I thought about the depth of my depravity as opposed to His depth of mercy toward me. I deserved death and hell, but He had mercy on me as demonstrated in Romans 5:8 in the NIV which says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I a so amazed at the mercy of God. I just am…

Even more astonishingly impressive and astonishing was the way He led me to repentance - and continues to do so. He did not belittle me or mock me or reject me as I had experienced as a boy and as a young man. It was His great kindness that led me to repent of my stinkin’ thinkin’…and most impressive and astonishing of all? The realization that He has been lovingly pursing me my entire life; That I was the joy set before Him that drove Him to willingly lay down His life on the cross; That His love could reach as far as I could fall, yet that same love would not leave me in the rock bottom depravity my mind had gotten to.

If I let my mind go to think about the nature and character of God, I think about things he has created; the beauty of nature; the precision of the universe; the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and it's effect on my life; the fact that when I think about Jesus and fix my eyes on him that I find myself completely transfixed with a childlike wonder at just how amazing our God is…and I cannot help but praise Him.

SONG

In Luke 9:37-43 in the NIV, we find Jesus coming down from the mountain after His transfiguration. Here’s what is says:

 37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not." 41 "You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

The recording of this podcast took place some 15 years after that initial 40 day fast and I still continue to find God's grace…His restorative grace…Completely and utterly amazing as I did all those in years ago. And it is my belief that we are living in a very amazing time in history, but that this amazing time in history is far overshadowed by the astonishing, incredible, massive and amazing love of Jesus Christ surrounding us at all times, through any circumstances. Let's live our lives like we believe that. We really do have an amazing God!

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For more about my journey, music, and updates, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. If you'd like to support the podcast's creation, consider joining my team at www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan.

If you're looking for the mp3 of the song “Amazed" from the album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," head over to the store at dennisjernigan.com or find it on your favorite streaming service.

Remember this from today's episode: the constant, unwavering, massive love of God is where we must choose to abide and wait on Him. He is a sure Foundation. He is Solid Ground in a shaken and fallen world. Just keep your eyes fixed on Him and keep your feet firmly planted on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. Now, go forth and embrace the truth of who your heavenly Father says you are.
Dennis Jernigan

Forty Days and Forty Nights
Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy V1

Vol. I – Song Five – Day Five
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…
Psalm 40:3a NASB
 
Amazed
Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 8, 2010
Psalm 40:3
©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
 
Verse One
I will praise You in all my ways
I will praise You. I stand amazed
Amazed at Your presence. Amazed at Your glory
Amazed at the power of all the love You have for me
Amazed at Your mercy. Amazed at Your kindness
Amazed at the length you went to rescue to find us
 
Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you
 
Verse Two
I will praise You in all my ways
I will praise You. I stand amazed
Amazed at Your presence. Amazed at Your glory
Amazed at the power of all the love You have for me
Amazed at Your mercy. Amazed at Your kindness
Amazed at the length you went to rescue to find us

Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you

Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you

 
• 7804 W. Fern Mountain Rd. Muskogee, OK 74401
•www.dennisjernigan.com•1-800-877-0406
Administered by PraiseCharts.com

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “Rock of My Life” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Hello and welcome to another episode of The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. I’m your host, Dennis Jernigan, and I am so grateful you have joined me for this week’s podcast. I’ll get right to the heart of the matter today. For far too many years I allowed the lies of the enemy to define me. That all changed the day I was overwhelmed with the Truth that Jesus Christ had died for me. I was instantly set free from my past but had to walk out the wonderful but difficult journey toward wholeness. In fact, I’m still on that journey. I invite you to join me for today’s brief leg of that adventure as I share the story behind my song, “Rock of My Life”.

Way back in 2010, I embarked on an adventure that lasted 40 days but continues to affect my life to this day. From May 3 through June 11 I went on a 40 day fast. I needed to reboot my system because I had just gone through a series of traumatic events that left me gutted. The Lord called me to a fast and led me to meditate daily on Psalm 40 and Isaiah 40. He spoke to my heart and told me He would give me a song each day of the fast and that I was to record it that same day. Since then, I put together 4 ten song volumes where you can find all 40 songs. The first ten songs are on the collection called Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1.

This week’s episode is the story behind the song “Rock of My Life” which came to me on May 6, 2010 which was day 4 of that fast.

As soon as I began the fast, I felt God’s presence and love for me and my spiritual hunger for more of Him began to surpass my physical hunger. But what the Lord began to reveal to me was often not always pleasant or easy to hear. He revealed to me that I still believed certain lies about my identity; He showed me that I still battled thoughts of being unlovable and of feeling rejected; He pulled back the curtain of my heart and I saw that I still struggled with doubts and that I often reverted to a victim mentality. It felt like I was suddenly on shaky ground.

On May 6, 2010, I meditated on Psalm 40:2b which says, “And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” To say I was consumed with what that meant to my soul is an understatement. The sinking sand I had been mired in suddenly began to be replaced by the Solid Rock of my faith in the ever-present presence of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I poured out my heart to him in honest confession, anxious thoughts began to fall by the wayside; fear began to melt away from the fire of God's massive love for me; doubt was eradicated; I stepped into an even greater awareness of who I am and of whose I am; as I declared the truth of God's word over my own soul, I suddenly found myself firmly planted on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. From that vantage point, I recognized that I had set my eyes on Dennis - on myself - and we always know how that goes. I saw that in my pride there was no room for Jesus, but as I humbled myself and fixed my eyes on Him, even the most hurtful traumas of my life began to go through a whole new phase of healing.

Let's take a few minutes and listen to the song and, as we do, let us fix our eyes away from ourselves and onto the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Are you ready?

SONG

As I have said in the past few episodes, these songs have taken on a whole new meaning for me since my diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2019. But the truth of the matter is that I have discovered the rock solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ is even more solid and more steadfast than I could ever could have imagined experiencing in this life. Jesus is indeed a steadfast rock…the Rock of My Salvation…and will continue to be so until the day I die - and far beyond. The bottom line? I am not a victim. I am a victor because of the victorious work of Jesus on the cross and because of His victory over sin, death, and the grave. I am full of resurrection power…and so are you, my fellow new creations in Christ.

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For more about my journey, music, and updates, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. If you'd like to support the podcast's creation, consider joining my team at www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan.

If you're looking for the mp3 of the song “Rock of My Life" from the album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," head over to the store at dennisjernigan.com or find it on your favorite streaming service.

Remember this from today's episode: the constant, unwavering, massive love of God is where we must choose to abide and wait on Him. He is a sure Foundation. He is Solid Ground in a shaken and fallen world. Just keep your eyes fixed on Him and keep your feet firmly planted on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. Now, go forth and embrace the truth of who your heavenly Father says you are.

Vol. I – Song Four – Day Four

Psalm 40:2b NASB
 
Rock of My Life
Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 6, 2010

Verse One
One day happy, next day alone
Greatest sorrow I’ve ever known
Then I cried out to You
And You set my feet upon a rock
 
One day hopeful, next day in pain
Fears consume me, falling like rain
Then I cried out to You
And You set my feet upon a rock
 
Chorus
You are the rock and the hope of my life
You are the air that I breathe to survive
You are my hope, You are the rock of my life
 
You are my rock and the hope of my life
You are my joy with an endless supply
You are my hope, You are the rock of my life           
 
Verse two
One day standing, next day I’m down
I get so lost but I want to be found
So I cry out to you and you set my feet upon a rock
 
One day soaring, next day in shame
In my own strength, I go down in flames
So I cry out to you, and you set my feet upon a rock

Chorus
You are the rock and the hope of my life
You are the air that I breathe to survive
You are my hope, You are the rock of my life
 
You are my rock and the hope of my life
You are my joy with an endless supply
You are my hope, You are the rock of my life           
 


©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
• 7804 W. Fern Mountain Rd. Muskogee, OK 74401
•www.dennisjernigan.com•1-800-877-0406
Administered by PraiseCharts.com

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “You Came For Me” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast, where we journey together towards healing, hope, intimacy, and refuge, ultimately seeking a deeper connection with Jesus. Throughout my years, one truth remains clear: God makes purpose out of everything. He will not waste anything we bring to Him. Not our sorrows, not our wounds, not even our failures.
Hey there, I'm Dennis Jernigan, your host, and today I'm thrilled to reveal the story behind my song, “You Came For Me," featured on the album Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1. Back in 2010, I felt a divine nudge to embark on a challenge I had never attempted before—a forty-day fast. Admiring those who had accomplished such a feat, I found myself teetering between awe and amusement at the thought of completing a forty-day fast. Yet, one day, I felt a compelling urge to begin this uncharted journey.
Little did I anticipate the profound revelations and life-altering transformations God had in store for me during those forty days. Having weathered three years of grief and loss, navigated economic downturns, grappled with my identity and relationships, faced major surgery, coped with my daughter's marriage and relocation across the globe, and felt alienated from the Christian music scene, I woke up that morning realizing the urgent need for a comprehensive reboot—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
From May 3 through June 11, I embarked on a journey consuming only water, fruit, and vegetable juice, shedding 40 pounds in the process. While the physical transformation helped post-surgery, the realignment of my mind, emotions, and spirit towards God set my entire being on a new course. Each morning, I delved into either Psalm 40 or Isaiah 40, and with each meditation, the Lord inspired a new song within me—each promptly recorded as it came to me. These forty songs across four volumes represent the essence of a 40-day voyage of self-discovery.
My aspiration for these collections is for you to use them as spiritual reflections in your daily walk of intimacy with Christ. The lyrics and corresponding Scriptures are accessible on this website, serving as a roadmap to help you rediscover your identity in Christ and unearth hidden treasures in your relationship with Him. If you ever consider embarking on a fast of your own, I enthusiastically recommend Dean Briggs' book, Consumed: 40 Days of Fasting, Repentance & Rebirth. Dean's guidance offers a soul-nourishing, Christ-centered approach to a spiritual fast, providing you with encouragement and strength along the way.
Today I am sharing the story behind the song, You Came For Me, which, now sounds funny to say, came to me on May 5, 2010 or day 3 of my 40 Day Fast, as I meditated on Psalm 40:2a in the NASB which says, He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay…
Whenever I mediate on the Word of God, I take it very personally. Due to the deep hunger pangs of my physical body, it didn’t take long for my soul to begin to experience very similar hunger pangs I sensed in my thought life, my emotional life, and in my spiritual life. For the first 22 years of my life I had felt trapped - hopelessly trapped - mired in the unforgiving muck of my own depravity. My mind began to flood with the realization of just how far I had fallen away from the Lord as a young man and just how stuck I had been in my sin.
I remember feeling so alone in my younger days, trying to make sense of my sexual identity and feeling completely abandoned; feeling that if I were to suddenly disappear, no one would ever even notice, much less come looking for me. 
But then, on November 7, 1981, completely out of the blue, God revealed Himself to me; Revealed just how massive His love for me truly was; Reaching out to me in the middle of my sin-soaked identity showing me that He could reach as far as I could fall; helped me see that not one time in my life had I ever been alone. Showed me that for each and every step of my entire life and existence, He had been pursuing me. That knowledge left my heart undone, sitting there in His presence, being soaked with His wonderful grace and being wonderfully drenched in His incredible love. He did bring me up out of the pit of destruction and out of that miry clay. Never once had He stopped pursuing me…and has never stopped since the day I came to that realization. Let’s take some time to bask in that realization for the next few minutes.
SONG
The Lord reminded me that every tear I have ever cried, He has saved. Why would he save or keep a  record of my tears? I believe that He used them - still uses them - as a form of prayer. When I have come to the end of words I have to say to Him and the cares of the world have left me reduced to nothing but tears, He uses those very tears as a weapon of warfare against the lies of the enemy.

Psalm 56:8-9 in the NIV says, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll; are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”

It does the human soul well to know God pursues us. Luke 19:10 in the NIV says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Who was lost? Every single human that has ever existed and ever will exist. Jesus came for us but loved us enough to not leave us in that state of lostness. That is simply astounding.

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For more about my journey, music, and updates, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. If you'd like to support the podcast's creation, consider joining my team at www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan.

If you're looking for the mp3 of the song “You Came For Me" from the album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," head over to the store at dennisjernigan.com or find it on popular streaming services.

Remember this from today's episode: the constant, unwavering, massive love of God is where we must choose to abide and wait on Him. He loves you and eagerly waits to meet with you. Can you spare a few moments today, tomorrow, and beyond to wait on the Lord? I assure you, it will be worth that wait. Now, go forth and embrace the truth of who your heavenly Father says you are.
Dennis Jernigan
 
You Came For Me
Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 5, 2010
Psalm 40:2a
©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
 
Verse one
You brought me up when I was down
Sin took me in. You brought me out
You delivered me. You came for me, my God
 
You rescued me when I was bound
You set me free, lost is now found
You delivered me you came for me, my God
 
Chorus
Out of destruction You made a way
Out of the darkness You brought me light of day
Out of despairing my burdens baring,
You made a way
 
Up from my sorrow. Up from my tears
You came restoring all of my wasted years
Out of my sorrow, brand new tomorrow
You delivered me. You came for me
 
Verse two
Bound up in chains, mired in doubt
You broke the curse, bringing me out
You delivered me. You came for me, my God
 
Downcast in shame, too many days
You lifted my eyes up to Your redeeming gaze
You delivered me. You came for me, my God
 
Chorus
Out of destruction You made a way
Out of the darkness You brought me light of day
Out of despairing my burdens baring,
You made a way
 
Up from my sorrow. Up from my tears
You came restoring all of my wasted years
Out of my sorrow, brand new tomorrow

Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 5, 2010
Psalm 40:2a
©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan•www.dennisjernigan.com•1-800-877-0406
Administered by PraiseCharts.com

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “Breathe” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. The purpose of this podcast is to help you find healing for your wounds; find hope in your despair; find intimacy in your loneliness; find refuge from the storms of life; Basically, to help you find a deeper walk with Jesus. There is one thing I know after having lived all these years: God wastes nothing. Not our sorrows. Not our wounds. Not even our failures.
Hey there, I'm Dennis Jernigan, your host, and I'm excited to unveil the story behind my song, “Breathe” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1.
As I shared last week, in the year 2010,  I felt led to embark on something I had never experienced in my life…a forty day fast. Always marveling at those who had accomplished such a feat…marveling at, while at the same time,  considering those who had completed a forty-day fast somewhere between ‘hero’ and ‘eccentric’…I woke one day feeling compelled to begin my own journey of a forty-day fast. Little did I know that God would speak to me in such profound ways and so radically re-order my life in the process.
Having just gone through 3 years of grief and sorrow at the loss of relationship with several friends…reeling from the dramatic downturn of our economy…recognizing the lonely place I found myself due to the call to declare to the world my freedom from same sex attraction…major surgery…another daughter marrying and moving literally to the other side of the earth…coming to grips with how different and removed I was from the ‘normal/mainstream’ Christian music scene…I woke that day knowing I needed a change…needed to reboot my system in every way – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
From May 3 until June 11 I consumed only water and fruit and vegetable juice losing 40 pounds in the process. While the weight loss helped get my body back on track after the surgery, the re-focusing of my mind, emotions, and spirit on the things of the Lord began to get my entire being back on track. I began each day meditating on either Psalm 40 or Isaiah 40. With each day’s meditation the Lord saw fit to give me a song…which I recorded immediately after receiving it. The forty songs in these four volumes are the culmination of a 40-day journey of self-rediscovery.
My vision for these collections is that you would use them as devotional meditations in your personal daily spiritual walk of intimacy with Christ. We have made the lyrics available to you on this web site along with the Scriptural reference on which I meditated. Use this as a guide to help you rediscover a deeper awareness of your identity in Christ or to uncover new hidden treasures concerning your relationship with the King. Should you decide to set out on your own fast, I strongly encourage you to get the book Consumed:40 Days of Fasting, Repentance & Rebirth by Dean Briggs. You will be greatly encouraged and strengthened in your soul as Dean leads you through a healthy, Christ-centered approach to a spiritual fast.
Today I am sharing the story behind the song, Breathe, which came to me on May 4, 2010 or day 2 of my 40 Day Fast, as I meditated on Psalm 40:1 which says, “I waited patiently for the LORD” along with Matthew 6:17-18 in the NIV, which says, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
At this point in my fasting journey, I felt it was important to take heed of the Matthew 6 instructions as I continued to wait on the Lord for whatever he might have for me. I continued with my daily physical workouts. Continued with my daily focus on my music ministry. I continued with my duties toward my family and toward my marriage. I carried on with my duties at our local church body. In other words, the only ones who knew I was really fasting were my wife, my children, and a few close friends. The fast was not about stroking my pride or inflating my ego. It was about whatever the Lord wanted me to gain from Him concerning not only my life but those to whom I ministered to as well.
I woke that day feeling a deep sense of hunger, both physically and spiritually, and with a deep anticipation of what the Lord would speak to me or reveal to me that day. As the first words of the first verse reveal, I did not even know what I needed other than I knew I needed Jesus first and foremost to be the Lord of every area of my life and existence. The more I thought on these things, the more I related my need to physically breath in order to keep existing. This, in turn, had a direct correlation with my need to breathe in all the Holy Spirit had for me.
At that point, the song began to flow out of me. I had physical hunger. This reminded me of my spiritual hunger. I was thirsty and this reminded me of my thirst for God’s presence in my life. It reminded me of just how bound up in sin I had once been and of how many more lies of the enemy I had still been believing.
It became apparent that I had a great void in my heart that only my heavenly Father could fill. It became very apparent that I had been wondering in the desert for quite some time and I needed the refreshing rain of God’s presence to drench my soul.
Those 40 days proved to be very healing to my body and to my soul and I must add this: since I have been struggling with Parkinson's, the Lord has brought these songs back to my mind and I find myself, once again, having to still and quiet my own soul - especially since my body is in perpetual motion due to the tremors caused by this disease. It is as if I’m learning an even deeper stilling of my soul even as my body ails and refuses to cooperate. Just do what I do. Just take a few minutes. Get alone with the Lord if possible and make this your heart’s cry for today:
I waited patiently for the LORD…
Psalm 40:1a NASB
Let's just do that. Let's just sit here a while and patiently wait for the Lord. He is here whether you feel Him or not. He is just here.
SONG
What I found on day two of my fast was my great need for intimacy with the Father. My soul longs to just feel Him breathe on me; aches for just a drop of the rain of His presence; yearns to have the chains of the enemy’s lies broken from my mind; and now that I battle Parkinson’s, I recognize how much more I need Him to set me free from the cares and fears  of this world; that in Him I find that even in the midst of a life-altering sickness, in His presence I have room to breathe.

Let's be as those who wait on the Lord this week; among those who find room to breathe even in the midst of our circumstances; room to breathe in our our sorrows; room to breathe even in our fears; room to breathe even when bombarded by the enemy and his lies. Let’s just wait on the Lord. Let us learn the art of lingering with Him. It’s time well spent.

Thank you so much for joining me here on The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For further insights into my journey, music, and more, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and find my music on most major streaming services. To help with the ongoing creation of this podcast, would you consider becoming a member of my team? If so, just go to www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan to find out more! 

If you're wanting the mp3 version of the song “Breathe" from the studio album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," simply head to the store at dennisjernigan.com or, again, on most major streaming services. You can also find a very amazing version of this song on my album “Days of Awe.” Check them both out and let me hear from you which version you prefer.

If you get nothing else from today's podcast, get this: the constant undercurrent of God’s love is the place we must choose to wait on Him. God loves you and He is patiently waiting to meet with you. Can you spare a little time today, tomorrow and the next to wait on him? I guarantee it will be worth the wait. Now go and be who your heavenly Father says you are.

Breathe
Words & Music: Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 4, 2010
Psalm 40:1b; Matthew 6:18
©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan

Verse One
I don’t even know what I need
All that I know is that I need You

The hunger and thirst of my heart?
All that I know is I need You

Like a child needs a Father
I need You

Like a desert needs the water
I need You

Chorus
Lean so close that I feel You breathe
Lean so close You quench this thirst in me

Lean so close You loose these chains in me
Set me free…

So I can breathe…

Verse Two
The world has grown so dark I can’t see
Reminding me just how much that I need You

Much more than the air that I breathe
All that I know is I need You

Like a child needs a Father
I need You

Like a desert needs the water
I need You

Chorus
Lean so close that I feel You breathe
Lean so close You quench this thirst in me

Lean so close You loose these chains in me
Set me free…

So I can breathe…

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “I Wait Here” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast, a journey towards healing, hope, intimacy, and refuge in the storms of life – basically, a guide to a deeper connection with Jesus. Through all my years, one thing stands true: God doesn't waste a thing. Not our sorrows, not our wounds, not even our failures.
Hey there, I'm Dennis Jernigan, your host, and I'm excited to unveil the story behind my song, “I Wait Here” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1.
In the year 2010,  I felt led to embark on something I had never experienced in my life…a forty day fast. Always marveling at those who had accomplished such a feat…marveling at, while at the same time,  considering those who had completed a forty-day fast somewhere between ‘hero’ and ‘eccentric’…I woke one day feeling compelled to begin my own journey of a forty-day fast. Little did I know that God would speak to me in such profound ways and so radically re-order my life in the process.
Having just gone through 3 years of grief and sorrow at the loss of relationship with several friends…reeling from the dramatic downturn of our economy…recognizing the lonely place I found myself due to the call to declare to the world my freedom from same sex attraction…major surgery…another daughter marrying and moving literally to the other side of the earth…coming to grips with how different and removed I was from the ‘normal/mainstream’ Christian music scene…I woke that day knowing I needed a change…needed to reboot my system in every way – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
From May 3 until June 11 I consumed only water and fruit and vegetable juice losing 40 pounds in the process. While the weight loss helped get my body back on track after the surgery, the re-focusing of my mind, emotions, and spirit on the things of the Lord began to get my entire being back on track. My good friend, Dean Briggs, sent me a new book he had just written as a guide through a forty-day fast called Consumed:40 Days of Fasting, Repentance & Rebirth. Written in the form of daily devotions, I began each day meditating on either Psalm 40 or Isaiah 40. With each day’s meditation the Lord saw fit to give me a song…which I recorded immediately after receiving. The forty songs in these four volumes are the culmination of a 40-day journey of self-rediscovery.
My vision for these collections is that you would use them as devotional meditations in your personal daily spiritual walk of intimacy with Christ. We have made the lyrics available to you on this web site along with the Scriptural reference on which I meditated. Use this as a guide to help you rediscover a deeper awareness of your identity in Christ or to uncover new hidden treasures concerning your relationship with the King. Should you decide to set out on your own fast, I strongly encourage you to get the book Consumed:40 Days of Fasting, Repentance & Rebirth by Dean Briggs. You will be greatly encouraged and strengthened in your soul as Dean leads you through a healthy, Christ-centered approach to a spiritual fast.
Pun intended, I cannot wait for you to hear this song, I Wait Here, because it was the first song I received on the first day of my 40 Day Fast, but also that it encapsulates the importance of quieting and stilling one's soul before the Lord. Those 40 days proved to be very healing to my body and to my soul and I must add this: since I have been struggling with Parkinson's, the Lord has brought these songs back to my mind and I find myself, once again, having to still and quiet my own soul - especially since my body is in perpetual motion due to the tremors caused by this disease. It is as if I’m learning an even deeper stilling of my soul even as my body ails and refuses to cooperate. Just do what I do. Just take a few minutes. Get alone with the Lord if possible and make this your heart’s cry for today:
I waited patiently for the LORD…
Psalm 40:1a NASB
Let's just do that. Let's just sit here a while and patiently wait for the Lord. He is here whether you feel Him or not. He is just here.
SONG
Isaiah 40:31 says , “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Let's be as those who soar this week. Soar above our circumstances; Above our sorrows; above our fears; above the enemy and his lies. Let’s just wait on the Lord. Let us learn the art of lingering with Him. It’s time well spent.

Thank you so much for joining me here on The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For further insights into my journey, music, and more, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and find my music on most major streaming services. To help with the ongoing creation of this podcast, would you consider becoming a member of my team? If so, just go to www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan to find out more! 

If you're wanting the mp3 version of the song “I Wait Here" from the studio album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," simply head to the store at dennisjernigan.com or, again, on most major streaming services.

If you get nothing else from today's podcast, get this: God loves you and He is patiently waiting to meet with you. Can you spare a little time today, tomorrow and the next to wait on him? I guarantee it will be worth the wait. Now go and be who your heavenly Father says you are.

I Wait Here
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
May 3, 2010
Verse One


I wait here in the quiet


I wait here and I quiet my soul


I wait here for You


I wait here in the quiet


I wait here for You

Chorus


So be still, my soul, for my God is here


So be still, my soul, for my God is here

In this quiet place I am free to hear


Free to seek Your face


Father, I am here



Verse two


I wait here in the silence


I wait here and I silence my soul


I wait here for You


I wait here in the silence


I wait here for You

Chorus


So be still, my soul, for my God is here


So be still, my soul, for my God is here

In this quiet place I am free to hear


Free to seek Your face


Father, I am here




•©2010 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
• 7804 W. Fern Mountain Rd. Muskogee, OK 74401
•www.dennisjernigan.com•1-800-877-0406
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In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Live the Adventure", from the album "The Chronicles of Bren: Captured – Songs for the Journey". That mp3 is available at https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. The purpose of this podcast is to help you find healing for your wounds; find hope in your despair; find intimacy in your loneliness; find refuge from the storms of life; Basically, to help you find a deeper walk with Jesus. There is one thing I know after having lived all these years: God wastes nothing. Not our sorrows. Not our wounds. Not even our failures.

Hi. I am your host, Dennis Jernigan.
Today’s podcast is gonna be a bit different from most of my podcasts. This is the story behind the final installment of the music from my fantasy book series, The Chronicles of Bren: Book One: Captured. The collection of songs is called “Captured: Songs for the Journey.” 

This week’s episode is the story behind the last song in the series. That song is called, “Live the Adventure.”

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller

I love that quote. It almost captures my heart for this series of books. Almost. I have adapted a  personal version that has influenced the writing of these stories of and from the land of Bren.

“Life is either a grand, daring adventure or it is nothing at all.” Dennis Jernigan

My love of writing and my love of hearing great stories of people who have overcome impossible circumstances has led me to write…in spite of whether those writings are ever considered great or not. The reason I wrote The Chronicles of Bren series and The Bairns of Bren series is simple. I wanted to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren for generations to come. As a part of that legacy, I endeavored to write stories which depict the realities of life. Life is not easy. Life is full of sorrow. Life brings times of wounding of both body and soul. Life brings times of disappointment and even betrayal. 

My goal is to leave my family a legacy that explains how life, even with its many hurtful episodes, is meant to be lived with joy. And just how does one do that?

I personally believe that if one sees life and its circumstances - both good and bad - from the Lord’s point of view, insurmountable mountains become molehills. Impassable rivers become rites of passage. Unbearable grief becomes an opportunity to receive comfort. Fear is replaced with love. Rather than being something to somehow endure, life becomes the most grand adventure because a life lived with the Lord ever-present at one’s side sands away the bitterness of life revealing a many-faceted treasure of great worth. 

Forgiveness and humility replace bitterness with the heroic heart of a benevolent conqueror. My desire, as a dad and granddad, is that my heirs would come to see themselves as overcomers.

I believe Almighty God created the human imagination as a means of revealing His nature to mankind and as a means of helping the human mind understand and begin to unravel the wonderful mystery of Who God is. The gift of imagination has helped me see how even things that are meant to hurt me can be seen from a different point of view - and perspective is everything.

Why write in the fantasy genre? Simple. God used fantasy to rescue my heart and mind when I was just a young boy. I felt trapped in what I now call stinkin’ thinkin’ concerning my identity. I felt I was being held captive in my own mind but God did something amazing during my boyhood that carried me through to the day He set me free. 

From the time I was a little boy and all the way into my marriage and adult life, God has used fantasy, mythology, and imagination to rescue and save me. Just a quick case in point. When I was a boy, I felt constantly bullied and that my father could not possibly love me and that there was no escape and no one to rescue me…but each night as I fell  asleep, I was suddenly on the USS Enterprise. My dad was none other than Captain James Tiberius Kirk and my mother was Doris Day. Each dream I was captured by aliens and just as they were about to end me, my dad, Captain Kirk, would materialize and blast them with his phaser, not set to stun but set to destroy. My mom was always there singing Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be…Just a cool memory of how my mother used to comfort me. I believe the Lord used that recurring dream to keep me hanging on…to make me feel someone or something good was pursuing me. When it dawned on me that this was the case, I began to understand the role of imagination in the way I viewed the world and the massive creativity and divine order God set in motion by His own imagination.

What does any of that have to do with living the adventure? A simple example from my own life. When I was about 30 years old, I asked myself this question: When you get to the age of 65, what is something that you would look back on and regret not even having tried?

For me that was writing and recording music and authoring books. In college I was not allowed to major in song writing because they told me they saw no potential in me. I nearly gave it all up…but something deep inside of me kept nudging me to step out and see life as a grand adventure…so I did. And Father God has seen fit to spread my music literally all over the world.

I also wanted a large family, but many told me we needed to wait until we had enough money to start a family before we should even consider it. If I had taken that advice I would not have had the privilege of raising 9 of the most amazing men and women I know of on this planet. I worked hard to provide for my family, but set aside personal time to be with them a lot, and I also carved out time to write each and every day. But had I not dared to believe what the Lord was putting in my heart, I never would have taken one step toward any of my dreams. 

Even if you’re 65, it’s not too late to begin living out the adventure of things you have dreamed of doing. If you’re breathing, there is hope…and if you take that first step in the journey, your adventure has begun. What is your heart telling you right now? 

[Pro 13:12 NIV] 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

SONG

[Joel 2:28 NIV] 28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

I certainly enjoyed writing the three book series, The Chronicles of Bren. They honestly helped me get a better grip on Father God's point of view of my life. My hope is that you would discover joy and solace within the pages of the books and the melodies of the songs. May they serve as uplifting companions, guiding you to encounter Jesus even amidst life's toughest trials. 

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. For more about my journey, music, and more, visit dennisjernigan.com. Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram, and explore my music on various streaming platforms. If you're keen on joining my team, consider becoming a Patron at patreon.com/dennisjernigan. Your support means the world to me!

The book "Captured" is now available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook versions. Once you have finished reading captured, I invite you to read the next two books in the series. Book Two is called “Sacrifice” and Book Three is called “Generations”. All are available on Amazon. 

Soon, I hope to introduce you to the songs from book 2, but that will be at sometime in the near future. In the meantime, I encourage you to delve into "Captured" and then enjoy the songs inspired by its characters, all available for FREE. Simply head to https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ to download the complete collection at no cost.

Thank you once more for being a part of today's podcast. Remember, you are deeply loved by God and by me. Dare to see life as a grand adventure - in spite of your circumstances - and dare to live that adventure with fullness of joy. Now go and be who your heavenly Father says you are.

Live The Adventure
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
October 2012

Verse
Life is best lived with a sense of adventure!
You can wonder what flying is like
Or you can take to the sky!
Life is the best lived in wonder and splendor!
Even when you're knocked down
Just get back up and dare to believe!

Chorus
Live the adventure! 
Conquer the wind!
To the ends of the earth
And right back again!
Live the adventure! 
Dare but to dream!
Around every corner new sights to be seen!
But you'll never fly if you never try
To conquer the wind!

Live the adventure! 
Dare to believe
Knowing he cannot fly
Who won't spread his wings!
Live the adventure! 
Knight, take your horse!
Ride to the horizon,
Eyes fixed on the course!
But you'll never see what you don't believe!
And you'll never live what you never dare to be!

Verse 
Life is best lived with a sense of pure wonder! 
Even storms that we face can be seen
From a new point of view!
Life is best lived with a sense of pure wonder!
Dare to see far beyond
What most human eyes dare to conceive!

Chorus
Live the adventure! 
Conquer the wind!
To the ends of the earth
And right back again!
Live the adventure! 
Dare but to dream!
Around every corner new sights to be seen!
But you'll never fly if you never try
To conquer the wind!

Live the adventure! 
Dare to believe
Knowing he cannot fly
Who won't spread his wings!
Live the adventure! 
Knight, take your horse!
Ride to the horizon,
Eyes fixed on the course!
But you'll never see what you don't believe!
And you'll never live what you never dare to be!

Chorus
Live the adventure! 
Conquer the wind!
To the ends of the earth
And right back again!
Live the adventure! 
Dare but to dream!
Around every corner new sights to be seen!
But you'll never fly if you never try
To conquer the wind!

Live the adventure! 
Dare to believe
Knowing he cannot fly
Who won't spread his wings!
Live the adventure! 
Knight, take your horse!
Ride to the horizon,
Eyes fixed on the course!
But you'll never see what you don't believe!
And you'll never live what you never dare to be!

You, dare to be!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Battleground", from the album "The Chronicles of Bren: Captured – Songs for the Journey". That mp3 is available at https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. The purpose of this podcast is to help you find healing for your wounds; find hope in your despair; find intimacy in your loneliness; find refuge from the storms of life; Basically, to help you find a deeper walk with Jesus. There is one thing I know after having lived all these years: God wastes nothing. Not our sorrows. Not our wounds. Not even our failures.

Hi. I am your host, Dennis Jernigan, and I am so excited about the final two installments of the music from my fantasy book series, The Chronicles of Bren: Book One: Captured. The collection of songs is called “Captured: Songs for the Journey.” 

This week’s episode is the story behind the next to last song in the series called, “Battleground.”

The story behind this song is really quite simple. This is classic darkness versus the light; good versus evil; truth versus lies; the understanding that true love involves the laying down of life.
There came a point in my life on November 7, 1981 where I had to do it decide if Jesus Christ was real; if he thought that I was worth dying for; if I thought he was worth dying for; if he truly loved me or not. 

I came to the irrefutable conclusion that he thought I was worth dying for; that he thought I was worth fighting for; that he, indeed, had paid for my life and my sin-debt by the shedding of his own blood. In the process, he had gone to battle on my behalf and conquered Satan, hell and its demons, giving me a brand new identity and a brand new start on life in the process.
God was no longer a distant, unknowable force of the universe. He was now alive and well and living in my heart, giving me a brand new purpose and a brand new perspective on living out my life in joy. I have now been granted a forever relationship with God who created all that is good.

What I soon discovered was just because the enemy had been defeated did not mean that I no longer had to fight for my freedom. I discovered the true battleground of my life was not some thing I could see with flesh and blood. The true Battleground of my life is my mind; the thoughts I think; the perspective through which I run my thoughts. The enemy’s only option was to try and trip me up through his deception and lies about who I am. 
I learned that God had equipped me, as a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, with the full armor of God and that my greatest weapon against the lies of the enemy is the truth of God's Word. My battle-sword!

As I begin to recognize the lies of the enemy, I soon learned the key to renewing my mind. As soon as the lie was revealed to me, I picked up my sword, the Word of God, and replaced that lie with the truth of God's Word. I have since discovered that the enemy does not stop lying to me, so I must be vigilant by putting on the Word of God each and every day of my existence. In fact, I have learned the best thing to do regarding the enemy is to run towards the battle and not away from it. Having read the end of the book, I know who wins. Now you know the story behind the song, ‘Battleground”, let's all pick up our swords and take it to whatever dark lies the enemy has spoken against our minds over the next few minutes. The Truth of God’s Word is clear: we are more than conquerors! We are sons and daughters of the Most High God!

SONG

[Rom 8:37-39 NASB20] 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I certainly enjoyed writing the three book series, the chronicles of Bren. They honestly helped me get a better grip on Father God's point of view of my life. My hope is that you would discover joy and solace within the pages of the books and the melodies of the songs. May they serve as uplifting companions, guiding you to encounter Jesus even amidst life's toughest trials. 
We only have one song left to go in this series which has gone by so quickly for me. Be sure and listen to next weeks episode because I think he will enjoy it thoroughly and that it will minister to your soul in someway.

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. For more about my journey, music, and more, visit dennisjernigan.com. Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram, and explore my music on various streaming platforms. If you're keen on joining my team, consider becoming a Patron at patreon.com/dennisjernigan. Your support means the world to me!

The book "Captured" is now available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook versions. Once you have finished reading captured, I invite you to read the next two books in the series. Book Two is called “Sacrifice” and Book Three is called “Generations”. All are available on Amazon. 
Soon, I hope to introduce you to the songs from book 2, but that will be at sometime in the near future. In the meantime, I encourage you to delve into "Captured" and then enjoy the songs inspired by its characters, all available for FREE. Simply head to https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ to download the complete collection at no cost.

Thank you once more for being a part of today's podcast. Remember, you are deeply loved by God and by me. Be quick to humble yourself when pride raises its ugly head and be quick to seek forgiveness when you have wounded another. Now, I challenge you to rise as the warrior for God's kingdom you are called to be today. Cast off the enemy's lies, embrace the truth of your identity in the Lord, and go forth as the cherished son or daughter of your Heavenly Father.

Battleground
Words & Music
Dennis Jernigan
©2015 Dennis Jernigan

Verse
Standing on the battleground
Faced with life or death
Faced with ‘Will I run away?’
Or “Give my very best?’

Standing on the battleground
Faced with destiny
This could be the difference
Between victory or defeat!

Face to the fight!
Fight for what is right!
Conquering the night!
Swords lifted high!

Son, this is war!
Better be sure
What you fight for
Is worth dying for!

Chorus
Fight for what is right!
Keep truth on your side!
Love lays down its life!
Willing to die!

Verse
Facing down the enemy
Facing down your fear
Look ahead to victory
And keep your vision clear

Facing down the enemy
Warrior, stand your ground
You will have the victory
This freedom comes with life laid down

Face to the fight!
Fight for what is right!
Conquering the night!
Swords lifted high!

Son, this is war!
Better be sure
What you fight for
Is worth dying for!

Chorus
Fight for what is right!
Keep truth on your side!
Love lays down its life!
Willing to die!

Bridge
Put on the armor!
Prepare for war!
This is a cause worth dying for!

Put on the armor!
Prepare for war!
This is a cause worth dying for!

Put on the armor!
Prepare for war!
This is a cause worth dying for!

Chorus
Fight for what is right!
Keep truth on your side!
Love lays down its life!
Willing to die!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Chiroptera", from the album "The Chronicles of Bren: Captured – Songs for the Journey". That mp3 is available at https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ The lyrics can be found below.

You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month.

Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX

Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Welcome to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast, where we journey together toward healing, hope, intimacy, and refuge, ultimately fostering a deeper connection with Jesus. Through the years, I've learned one thing for certain: God doesn't waste a single moment. He redeems our sorrows, our wounds, and even our failures.
Hey there, I'm your host, Dennis Jernigan, and I'm thrilled about the upcoming episodes on the podcast, diving into a topic I'm truly passionate about. For some time now, I've been unraveling the tales behind songs inspired by a fantasy book series I crafted for my children and grandchildren. However, in my excitement (I'll blame it on my forgetfulness due to Parkinson's), I overlooked sharing the core reason behind these stories—to paint an allegorical representation of salvation in Christ and a Christ-centered worldview. The Chronicles of Bren subtly weave in images of Jesus and the discovery of one's identity in Him.
But wait, there's more! I've penned not just one, but two book series. The initial trilogy, The Chronicles of Bren, sets the stage for the adventures that follow in the upcoming fourth book of The Bairns of Bren series. In this second series, my grandchildren take the reins as heroes, leading us on an exhilarating journey. Stay tuned for updates on the release of book 4 in this captivating saga.
You're accustomed to my tales behind worshipful, comforting, and ministerial songs straight from the heart of Father God. However, the song I'm unveiling today draws inspiration from a trilogy of fantasy novels I penned for my beloved children and grandchildren back in 2015. The first installment, Captured (Book 1 in The Chronicles of Bren Trilogy), sets the stage for this enchanting journey. You might wonder, "Why would a worship leader and songwriter delve into the realm of fantasy literature?”
I won't divulge all the intricacies that led me to craft fantasy novels. To catch up on the full story, tune in to the podcasts starting from the episode "Riding the Wind" up to today's episode. This week's featured song, "Creatures," born around 2015 or 2016, delves into the eerie depths of the spiritual realm. Some creatures embody goodness, while others embody malevolence. Through this song, I aimed to impart the lesson of discernment to my young ones, urging them to trust their instincts and remain wary, as the adversary often disguises himself as an angel of light.
I hope to instill in my grandchildren a sense of vigilance, for the enemy prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may deceive with his falsehoods. Last week I shared the story behind the song “Creatures”. This week I am sharing the story behind a song about a specific creature called “Chiroptera”.
"Chiroptera" is the name of the order of the only mammal capable of true flight, the bat. The name is influenced by the hand-like wings of bats, which are formed from four elongated "fingers" covered by a cutaneous membrane. 
In the book, “Captured”, the Chiroptera are giant bats...yet their facial features are those of men (albeit with pointy ‘bat’ ears and sharp ‘bat’ teeth) and instead of claws extending from mid-wing they had actual fingers, though with long claw-like fingernails extending in a menacing fashion. On the ground they make bird-like hops. Those who hover in the air above hold large stones in their hands, ready to wield great destruction on any whose head they are dropped upon. In the story, they are meant to represent opportunists. Sometimes they are good. Sometimes they are enemies. Their attitude just depends on what is most advantageous to them in their agenda. They are meant to be and depict yet another reality of living life in the real world. The leader of the Chiroptera in “Captured” is called Falling Rocks and the story behind that name was inspired by a story my mother used to tell my children when they were small.
When my children were young, my mother told them many stories. One of those stories was about a little Native American boy called Falling Rocks. This story began when my mom and dad took my nephew and niece on a trip to Utah. Being very young at the time, my niece and nephew asked why there were so many signs that said ‘Watch For Falling Rocks’ along the mountainside roads. My mom came up with this story: there is a little lost boy named Falling Rocks and his mother has placed those signs there so she can get the public to help her find her little lost son. Not but a few minutes after she came up with this story meant to entertain the children than a little Native American boy in full Native American dress was standing on the roadside. My niece burst into tears and asked her grandparents to stop and help him. My mom told the children that she would stop at the next rest area and call the boy’s mother. The children were beside themselves in panic over helping this boy. At the next stop, my mom made a ‘phone call’ to the boy’s mother, relieving the children of this great burden to help Falling Rocks. As my children heard the story from my mother, the legend only grew! To this day, whenever we see a sign warning of ‘Falling Rocks’ we all laugh and enjoy the memory all over again! I had to use the name Falling Rocks for a character in my book. It seemed appropriate to call the leader of the mountainous dwelling creatures, the Chiroptera, Falling Rocks.
SONG

[1Pe 5:8 NIV] 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

I firmly believe that the enemy's roar, embodied by Satan, is merely a facade of lies—a cacophony intended to instill fear and lure us into temptation. Like a lion without teeth, his power over us is solely through deception. Let's not forget that crucial truth.

I trust that this series of songs on my podcast hasn't been too overwhelming for you. These narratives offer me a unique insight into the hearts of my grandchildren. Many of them are reaching an age where they grasp the allegorical essence and its profound significance, and for that, I am truly grateful.

May you discover joy and solace within the pages of the books and the melodies of the songs. They serve as uplifting - and, I’ll admit, sometimes scary - companions, guiding you to encounter Jesus even amidst life's toughest trials.

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. For more about my journey, music, and more, visit dennisjernigan.com. Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram, and explore my music on various streaming platforms. If you're keen on joining my team, consider becoming a Patron at patreon.com/dennisjernigan. Your support means the world to me!

The book "Captured" is now available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook versions. I encourage you to delve into "Captured" and then enjoy the songs inspired by its characters, all available for FREE. Simply head to https://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/store/captured-songs-for-the-journey-album/ to download the complete collection at no cost.

Thank you once more for being a part of today's podcast. Remember, you are deeply loved by God and by me. Now, I challenge you to rise as the warrior for God's kingdom you are called to be today. Cast off the enemy's lies, embrace the truth of your identity in the Lord, and go forth as the cherished son or daughter of your Heavenly Father.

Chiroptera!
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
©Dennis Jernigan 2015

Verse
Wings like a bat
Face half human 
Talons like a bird of prey
Making their abode in the heights of the mountains
Hunt by night
Sleep by day

Chorus
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Shadow in the sky overhead!
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
See them coming, hope they’re well fed!

Like a cloud in the sky on a moonless night
You’re never really sure if you’ve seen one!
Like a storm in the night
You better hope it passes by
‘Cause you’re always better off
If you never meet one!

Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Phantom of the air on high!
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Better hope they just pass by!

Verse
Preying through the night on owls and fairies
Any creature small and weak
Waiting in the shadows 
For their unsuspecting victims
Sinking in their jagged teeth

Chorus
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Shadow in the sky overhead!
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
See them coming, hope they’re well fed!

Like a cloud in the sky on a moonless night
You’re never really sure if you’ve seen one!
Like a storm in the night
You better hope it passes by
‘Cause you’re always better off
If you never meet one!

Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Phantom of the air on high!
Chiroptera! Chiroptera!
Better hope they just pass by!