The Dennis Jernigan Podcast

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Song of Arolis", 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!

Welcome to the Dennis Jernigan podcast, a platform designed to offer you a fresh perspective on life. Life, undeniably, presents us with a myriad of challenges - be it physical, emotional, mental, or relational pain. Let's be real, life can be tough and unfair at times. But here's the thing - amidst the struggles, there is room for healing, hope, intimacy, and solace. This podcast aims to guide you towards a deeper connection with Jesus by helping you navigate through life's twists and turns with grace and faith.

I'm Dennis Jernigan, your host, and today, I'm thrilled yet slightly nervous to dive into the story behind a unique song. While I usually share songs of worship and ministry, today's song was born from a trilogy of fantasy novels I penned for my loved ones in 2015. You might wonder, "Why would a worship leader venture into the realm of fantasy storytelling?”

I won't rehash what was discussed in the previous episode, so if you want the backstory, check out the two previous podcasts titled “Riding the Wind” and “Warrior." They shed light on why these songs hold significance for me. It's fascinating how the Lord used fantasy and myth to deepen my unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Now, let's dive into the heart of this episode—the "Song of Arolis," a track I composed for the book "Captured," the first installment of The Chronicles of Bren Trilogy. 

This book serves as an allegorical recounting of my life, intended as a legacy for my descendants. While crafting the novels, I couldn't help but imagine how these stories would translate into a Disney movie soundtrack. I managed to complete the songs for the first two books, but the third remains unwritten, reflecting my vision for my nine children, whose real-life tales are still unfolding. They will have to pen their own melodies. 

Here's a piece of exciting news: you can now enjoy the entire album inspired by book one, "Captured - Songs For the Journey," available on www.thechroniclesofbren.com. I urge you to delve into the book "Captured" first, then savor the songs intricately linked to each main character. Interestingly, the song list is in reverse order, prompting you to listen from bottom to top and sync each track with its corresponding chapter. Simply hit play and let the music speak to your soul. This album is a beacon of encouragement, inspiring young men to rise above their flaws, failures, and the enemy's deceit, embracing their true identity as defined by God.

Introducing today's featured song, the captivating "Song of Arolis," a melody that found its way to me around 2015 or 2016. Let's delve into the world of Arolis—a name intertwined with my lifelong equine companions. From my early days, horses have been a significant part of my life. Picture this: Spot, my first pony, tragically met his end in a car accident, leaving me heartbroken. Then there was Big Red, my father's sturdy, red-coated horse whose name was as straightforward as his appearance. And who could forget Silver, the mischievous pony intent on testing my riding skills by attempting to dislodge me near fences and trees? But it was Robin, our spirited Welsh pony, that sparked endless adventures. Tethered to a red wagon, Robin would gleefully pull my siblings and me at breakneck speed across our farm, pushing the wagon to its limits, requiring regular repairs from my dad's welding skills. 

Amidst these tales of equine antics, one horse stood out—Sugar. This noble gelding, my faithful companion from boyhood to my senior year in high school, was more than just a horse; he was a trusted friend. Together, Sugar and I roamed the countryside, forging unforgettable memories. We swam, fished, raced, and herded cattle, all while building an unbreakable bond of trust and camaraderie. Every Saturday, I'd ride Sugar into town, collecting and selling pop bottles along the way to earn enough for a well-deserved burger. With Sugar, I could perform daring feats, including mounting him mid-run from behind, a display of mutual trust and companionship. As I crafted the character of Arolis, the beloved horse of Prince Leonolis, all these cherished moments flooded back, inspiring a tale where a boy on horseback can embody a warrior, an explorer, a hero, and soar with the wind—all at once.

Let's unravel the multifaceted essence of Arolis, a name that carries profound meanings of commitment, promise, truth-seeking, and wisdom. In a deeply personal context, Arolis, among other characters in the narrative, embodies the Holy Spirit and the embodiment of authentic friendship. 

Reflecting on my own journey, I yearned for a steadfast companion, someone with whom I could share my deepest thoughts and who would stand by me through life's trials. This longing persisted through my school years and into college until a transformative moment when I encountered Jesus, who became that unwavering friend I had always sought. Through Him, I discovered the presence of the Holy Spirit as a comforting guide, offering solace in times of turmoil and unwavering honesty, even in the depths of solitude that marked my early years. 

Within the pages of "Captured," the character Leonolis experiences the remarkable ability to engage in conversations of thought with Arolis, a revelation that initially surprises him but eventually becomes a wellspring of vitality and resilience as the plot unfolds. This song encapsulates the yearning of a boy to be truly understood, a desire to both seek and be seen in the rawness of his being. Let’s listen.

SONG

[Jhn 15:26-27 NKJV] 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 "And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Arolis symbolizes a steadfast companion, a loyal helper, and an unwavering friend to Leonolis, mirroring the role that the Holy Spirit has played in my own life's journey. 

I wholeheartedly recommend delving into the pages of "Captured: The Chronicles of Bren Trilogy, Book 1" and immersing yourself in each song as it intertwines with the characters within the storyline. I firmly believe that through imaginative storytelling, God can utilize these narratives to inspire us to anchor ourselves in the unshakeable truths of Jesus Christ and His word. 

The process of crafting these books proved to be a cathartic and liberating experience for my heart and mind, offering me fresh perspectives on the twists, turns, heartaches, and failures that have shaped my life. My aspiration is that these tales will similarly resonate with you, providing moments of reflection and insight. 
For a deeper exploration of the enchanting realm of Bren, to discover songs inspired by its tales, to uncover the origins of specific characters, and to view original character sketches handcrafted by yours truly, venture over to www.thechroniclesofbren.com. Yes, you heard it right, www.thechroniclesofbren.com. 

As an added treat, the lyrics of today's highlighted song can be found in the podcast notes below. I appreciate your presence on The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. To learn more about my personal journey, my music, and the stories behind them, pay a visit to dennisjernigan.com. You can connect with me on Facebook and Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. For those eager to join my team, consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/dennisjernigan. Your support is truly valued! To acquire an mp3 of this week's enchanting melody, "Song of Arolis," featured in the book "Captured: The Chronicles of Bren Trilogy: Book 1," simply direct your steps to www.thechroniclesofbren.com, as this exclusive track is not available on mainstream streaming services - yet.

Discover the captivating world of "Captured" available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats at https://www.amazon.com

Your presence on today's podcast is deeply appreciated. Always remember, you are cherished by God and by me. Embrace the challenge to step into the role of a valiant warrior for the kingdom you are destined to be a part of today. Embrace your identity as defined by your Heavenly Father, and go forth to embody the truth of who you are meant to be…an overcomer!

Dennis Jernigan

Song of Arolis
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
2015

Verse
Can you hear me?
I am but of man
Can someone like You ever understand?
Yet, I can hear You
When You think my name
Horse and boy
Two wild hearts never tamed

Chorus
Arolis, I trust You with my heart and soul
I trust You, my Friend
Arolis, I trust You with my very life
Let us ride and conquer the wind

Verse
Will You go where
I go, come what my?
Will You carry me to the end of day?
The horizon far seems
To call out our name
Let us ride for the King
To break of day

Chorus
Arolis, I trust You with my heart and soul
I trust You, my Friend
Arolis, I trust You with my very life
Let us ride and conquer the wind

Bridge
In the name of the King
And in the name of the realm
Let us fly! Let us fly! Let us fly!

Over mountain and stream
Through the dark forested veil
Let us ride! Let us ride! Let us ride!

Chorus
Arolis, I trust You with my heart and soul
I trust You, my Friend
Arolis, I trust You with my very life
Let us ride! Oh, let us conquer the wind

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Warrior", 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!

 The song I am sharing on this week’s episode is called “Warrior”, a song I wrote for the book “Captured (Book 1 in the The Chronicles of Bren Trilogy). “Captured” is my life story written in allegory as a legacy to my children and grandchildren. As I wrote the books, I envisioned what it might sound like if Disney ever made a movie about them. I completed the songs or the first two books but never got around to writing songs for book three. That book is about my vision for my 9 children…and their real-life stories are still being written. They will need to write their own songs.

On that matter, before I go on, I have some great news. You can listen to the entire album for book one. It is called “Captured - Songs For the Journey” and it can be found on the website www.thechroniclesofbren.com. I encourage you to read the book “Captured” and then listen to the songs inspired by each of the main characters. For some reason, the song list is in reverse order, which means you need to listen from bottom to top. Try not to listen to each song until you are reading the chapter it goes with. You can simply click on the play button and hear the entire song. This album is meant to encourage young men to look past their shortcomings and failures and the lies of the enemy and see and be  who God says they are.
 Today’s song is called “Warrior” and it came to me sometime in 2015 or 2016. It is a massively hard-charging rock song meant to stir up the man that resides in every little boy. It was inspired by my childhood am my own lack of belief that I could ever be a man…that I was something less than a man…that other men considered me a sissy and a failure…and that I was certainly not a warrior.
 But God had other plans for me. When I had given up on seeing myself as a real man, the Lord met me in that place of defeat and began to defend me against the lies of the enemy. He gave me a brand new identity and then he taught me how to be the warrior he calls every man to be. He called me to battle and to wage war against the lies of the enemy and he equipped me with the weapons of spiritual warfare and with the armor of God.
 In the book “Captured”, Prince Leonolis finds himself taking part in the traditional rite of passage from boyhood into manhood but finds himself suddenly faced with the loss of his best friend and leads to him ultimately being captured by the deceiver, Lucian. Leonolis was held captive by the Liar, just as I was held captive by the liar in my real life as a boy. This song came about as a clarion call from the prince’s father and from his mentor to believe and receive who he was truly called to be. As I listen to it now after all these years, it gets my blood flowing and charges my spiritual batteries. Are you ready? Hold on to your seats!

SONG

2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV says 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB says 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.

As believers in Christ and as his followers, we have been given the heart of a triumphant warrior. Let us never pull away from the truth, but rather let us walk in the reality of what it means to be an Overcomer. yes, we were all once captured in sin and captured by the lies of the enemy, but when we were born again, that all changed. We were changed. Let’s walk in victory today. 

 I encourage you to read the book “Captured: the Chronicles of Bren Trilogy, Book 1” and then listen to each song as its character is introduced in the storyline. It is my belief that God can and will use imaginative storytelling to encourage us to stand on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ and his word.

The writing of these books proved to be cathartic and freeing to my heart and mind and helped me see my life and its many twists and turns, heartaches and failures, from a different point of view. My hope is the they would serve to do the same for you.

To learn more about the mystical land of Bren, hear songs inspired by the stories of Bren, learn how certain characters were inspired, and to see original character sketches created by yours truly, go to www.thechroniclesofbren.com. One more time, that’s www.thechroniclesofbren.com

As a bonus, I will include the lyrics from today’s song in the podcast notes below.

Warrior

Verse
He’s a warrior in the kingdom
That’s what they’ve told him
Since he was a boy
He’s a warrior in the kingdom
And that to lay down his life
Would be his honor and joy
His honor and joy

He’s a warrior in the kingdom
And now the darkness has come
But will he know what to do?
Oh, he’s warrior in the kingdom
Though he may be just a boy
The man inside’s coming through
Heart of a man breaking through

And now the fight has come to him
It’s up to him to sink or swim
And now the fight has come to him
But does he know that deep inside
That he is destined to win

Chorus
Oh, ride, boy! Ride into the fight!
Ride, boy! Ride with all your might!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!
Ride, boy! Ride for what is right!
Ride, boy! Laying down your life!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!
The heart of a warrior! Yeah!

Verse 
He’s a warrior in the kingdom
And now his friend is in need
In need of one to defend
Oh, he’s a warrior in the kingdom
And what is love if not laying
Down one’s life for a friend?
His life for a friend

He’s a warrior in the kingdom
And now he takes up his sword
Not knowing what he might see
Oh, he’s a warrior in the kingdom
And whether knowing or not
He rides into destiny
Right into his destiny

 And now the fight has come to him
It’s up to him to sink or swim
And now the fight has come to him
But does he know that deep inside
That he is destined to win

Chorus
Oh, ride, boy! Ride into the fight!
Ride, boy! Ride with all your might!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!
Ride, boy! Ride for what is right!
Ride, boy! Laying down your life!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!

Bridge
He’d go through darkness!
He’d go through flame!
He knows that his friend would do the same!
Though others see him as just a boy
He rides with honor!
He rides with joy for his friend!
For the Kingdom!
In the name of the King and for his friend!

Chorus
Ride, boy! Ride into the fight!
Ride, boy! Ride with all your might!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!
Ride, boy! Ride for what is right!
Ride, boy! Laying down your life!
Ride, boy! Ride with the heart of a warrior!
The heart of a warrior!

 

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, "Riding the Wind", 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!

Riding the Wind
WORDS & MUSIC 
Dennis Jernigan
2015

Verse
Little boy lost
Little boy alone
Little boy gone far from home
Little boy journey
Just what will he see?
And when he finally gets there
What will he be?

He’s becoming the man 
He always dreamed he would be
No longer bound  by the world
His eyes are opened to see
To see and believe his destiny

This adventure is calling to the boy,
“Come and see!
Come fight the battles of men
That set the little boy free
To see and believe his destiny!”

Chorus 
And he goes riding the wind 
In the name of the King
It will take him as far as he can dream
And he goes riding the wind
And the wind calls his name,
“Son, come be free!”

Once he goes riding the wind
The boy is no longer seen
For he’s becoming the man
He’s called to be
“Son, come riding the wind,
The wind of destiny!”

Verse
Little boy captured
Prisoner of the world
Deep into the darkness
He is hurled
Fighting for his honor
Fighting for his life
Fighting for the Kingdom
Through the night

He’s becoming the man 
He always dreamed he would be
No longer bound  by the world
His eyes are opened to see
To see and believe his destiny

This adventure is calling to the boy,
“Come and see!
Come fight the battles of men
That set the little boy free
To see and believe his destiny!”

Chorus 
And he goes riding the wind 
In the name of the King
It will take him as far as he can dream
He goes riding the wind
And the wind calls his name,
“Son, come be free!”

Once he goes riding the wind
The boy is no longer seen
For he’s becoming the man
He’s called to be
“Son, come riding the wind,
Riding the wind of destiny!”

Chorus 
And he goes riding the wind 
In the name of the King
It will take him as far as he can dream
He goes riding the wind
And the wind calls his name,
“Son, come be free!”

Once he goes riding the wind
The boy is no longer seen
For he’s becoming the man
He’s called to be
“Son, come riding the wind,
Riding the wind of destiny!”

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, It's Gonna Be Alright from the album Kingdom Come/. That mp3 is available at most streaming services.

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!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, A Shoulder to Cry On, I Will Trust You. That mp3 is available at most streaming services.

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!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, The Middle of Nowhere, from his recording, The Middle of Nowhere. That mp3 is available at https://dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2217 or on iTunes. This is an encore presentation of this song because Dennis loves it so much!

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!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, Oh, Give Thanks, from his recording, Sanctuary. That mp3 is available for downloading or streaming on most streaming services.

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!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, Sanctuary, from his recording, Sanctuary. That mp3 is available for downloading or streaming on most streaming services.

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!

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, The Safe and Mighty Arms of Your Love, from his recording, Sanctuary. That mp3 is available for downloading or streaming on most streaming services.

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!