Through the Spiritual Mansion
A collection of Dennis' short stories which encourage spiritual formation by following God through one's Spiritual Mansion.
Old Number 25 Light Pole
Jogging with his nine yr. old daughter, Adara, near-fifty year old Dennis gets inspired by the recurring welcome sight of an old light pole by the canal. As he meditates on what that light pole means to him, Dennis learns some lessons to remember about life and shining one's light.
A Morning Speaking Forth of My Divine Destiny
Though a poetic prayer or personal faith affirmation to begin the Way day rather than a Spiritual Mansion story, nevertheless this piece is very appropriate as the lead document in this category. As we awaken to the new day in our spiritual mansions, we open the windows and let the Light and fresh air in by boldly speaking forth this announcement to the dawn of who we are as the Glorious children of God. A great way to start the day with spiritual confidence, centered in what faith in God and His Word says we are!
The Stick Beside My Door
In this brief essay, Dennis bounces off of his favorite character in all of great literature, Bilbo Baggins, to joyfully suggest that all of life is a spiritual adventure. There is a gypsy quality to faith and spiritual development. One must always be ready with his walking stick by the door to take his roots into new areas of establishment. Traditions are taken into fresh challenges and applications. Home is taken into new horizons. Be ready at anytime for anything because "the road goes ever on and on, down by the door where it began."
Hi Tone Son of God
In this story taken from Dennis' childhood playing Dixie Youth baseball in Bennettsville, South Carolina, the topic of finding your gift and purpose---your contribution---in God's present plan of victory is discussed. You may think you are not worth much, but God, as the sometimes seemingly "Crazy Coach" will not only work on your weaknesses, but show you how those very weaknesses can give you triumphs in the NOW, if you will follow the Coach's signals.
The Eighteenth at Reynolds Park
Long believing that golf is a highly spiritual game and a living metaphor of the transformational spiritual journey, Dennis tells the tale of his boyhood battles with the Venerable Queen, the unconquerable, cruel, haunted, and harrowing Eighteenth Hole at Reynolds Park, the public links course in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he grew up. The hole was a seeming cosmic Monster in the vast pantheon of the golf gods. Ascending its pinnacle was like walking as a sacrifice up an Aztec pyramid to have your heart torn out. But with humor and spiritual insight, Dennis uses this metaphor to encourage the reader that hell is often found to be the habitation of God and that true breakthrough in life can be achieved through a radical free fall into faith. Stop striving and play the game of life.
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