Words and Music: Dennis Jernigan

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
I’m seeking You like a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Holy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Holy is Your name

On Thursday night I was awake in the night and this old worship song came into my head and I was repeating some of the words I could remember. I woke up determined to re-visit the song and read through all the words. I shared one stanza and chorus above. I never had read the history behind the song and found the following when searching for the words.

In 1981, God delivered musician Dennis Jernigan from a lifelong struggle with homosexuality. “He began teaching me,” Dennis explains, “that being a new creation means the ‘old Dennis’ really is dead.” Dennis married, became the father of nine children, and committed to living his life in praise to God.

He wrote “You Are My All in All” at an Oklahoma City church where he led a daily prayer meeting at 6:00 A.M. It’s Jernigan’s habit always to carry a music manuscript book with him. “I believe God sings over me,” he explains, so I need to be listening. When I hear God, I write it down right away.”

—Phil Christensen and Shari MacDonald in Our God Reigns

You can read Dennis’ testimony here.