Dennis Jernigan | All Blog Entries

Generations is Here!

Posted by: DJ on Jun 20, 2016

My new book in The Chronicles of Bren series is here! To get your copy of Generations, go to http://www.thechroniclesofbren.com/

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Much of my freedom has come in realizing I always have a choice in any given situation. Hear me: I understand I may not get to choose the circumstances of my life…and I don’t even get to choose what I’m tempted by…but I ALWAYS have a choice as to how I will respond to the circumstances and temptations of my life.

I used to think God couldn’t love me…until I was confronted that either He is love or He is not…and that He either loves me or He doesn’t. Freedom flooded in the very moment I decided - changed the way I thought - and chose and accepted His love for me rather than reject that love.

I used to think God had abandoned me when thinking about how my grandmother died when I was 13. She had been a refuge for me, so when she was gone, I felt abandoned. I chose to believe I would be alone…until I realized I had a choice in the way I responded to her death. I chose to believe I would see her again because of her faith in Jesus. I chose to allow the good memories of our 13 years together to be my focal point rather than the fact that she was forever gone from her physical body. Freedom came as a result of my choice.

Regarding the temptation of same sex attraction, I always had a choice as to whether or not I would respond to that temptation by giving in to said temptation…but chose to believe God’s Word is true and chose to change my way of thinking along with my point of view. Rather than allowing the temptation to define me and draw me into sin, I chose to use the very temptation to draw me to intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In the process, He began to renew my mind…and I began to allow Him to define me. My choice.

Throughout my life, I have example after example of circumstances and temptations that have presented themselves, and example after example of how making a simple choice proved to be the difference between freedom or bondage.

I choose to forgive those who mock me and try to wound me emotionally.

I choose to believe the best about people.

I choose to bless those who curse me.

I choose to see the storms of life as opportunities to experience God’s grace.

I choose to allow God to take even the things Satan means for evil and use them for my good and His glory.

I choose to be victor rather than victim.

I choose to see every situation from God’s point of view.

I choose.

It’s my choice. Always…

Dennis Jernigan

June 17, 2016

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Just a Thought on Feelings

Posted by: DJ on Jun 20, 2016

Just a Thought on Feelings

Why in the world would anyone allow the way they feel to define their entire being? I sometimes feel like lashing out in anger. Yet, I don’t - and I do not call myself an angry person just because I felt that way.

I sometimes feel like taking something that does not belong to me. Yet, I do not call myself a thief just because I felt like stealing something.

I sometimes feel like a loser. Yet, I do not allow that feeling to define who I am as a person.

Every feeling I have comes as a result of something I have thought. Each feeling I have is attached to a thought I have had. What I have learned is that if I change the way I think, I can change the way I feel. Some have told me I am simply brainwashing myself…and I have to agree. I have allowed Truth to wash away the lies I have thought about myself and have replaced those lies with right thinking about who and Whose I am. And guess what? My feelings have followed suit!

Don’t get me wrong. This has not always been easy. It is a battle…but a battle worth fighting! Though I have fallen at times, I just keep getting back up. The only failure is the person who falls and chooses to not get back up.

I do not define myself. My Maker gets to do that. I seek Jesus. He reveals the lies I believe and shows me the Truth. It is up to me to put off those lies and to replace them with the Truth. A depth of freedom has come as a result of this mind renewal that I never thought possible. This realization keeps me seeking Jesus for more! It has afforded me something the world seems to think is impossible. Self-control.

Just because something feels right doesn’t mean it is…and it - that feeling - certainly does not define who I am.

DJ

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.