Bumping into the Divine during the ‘Irish Troubles’ Dylan Morrison, was blissfully unaware of the amazingly painful journey that lay ahead.
Searching for a more radical approach to the God thing, he passed through various manifestations of the Charismatic world before becoming a ‘Prophet’ in an abusive international Shepherding group.
The sudden death of his infant son Ben became the catalyst for the Dylan’s painful disillusionment with religion, replacing it with a deep interest in psychology and self-help philosophies.
Sixteen years later with the dust-covered Bible in the attic and the ‘tongues’ long gone the Prodigal Prophet was reinvaded by Divine Love in two totally unexpected, mystical encounters.
Six months later, suffering from nervous exhaustion, Dylan was emotionally stripped bare. Healing began following a revelation of the pain of psychological attachments and a surreal sense of Presence at the bottom of the dark abyss.
Dylan Morrison believes that the spirituality and mysticism of Yeshua, the Nazarene holds the answers for those tired of religious dogma and presentational overkill.
An amazing story of hope for those wounded by dysfunctional religion and life’s tragedies.
READERS’ COMMENTS
‘It’s a fascinating and inspirational book.’
‘At times painful, at times strange, deeply human, with a wry wit that often had me laughing, “The Prodigal Prophet” is a book I am glad I read. It is definitely one that I recommend to others who struggle with the contradictory messages of Christian orthodoxy and fundamentalism. Dylan Morrison is a man with a large heart and an eye that sees deeply.’
‘Clarity of style and honesty of representation make this work stand head and shoulders above your contemporaries. Excellent.’
‘With all the gab of the Irish you are a gifted story teller. No matter that this is an autobiography or that it tells your spiritual journey, if it were the diary of your mathematical tasks I think you’d make it a fascinating read. I’m an atheist with no interest in religious stories but I read yours with thorough enjoyment. It’s the narrative voice which wins over the reader, not the message.’
‘As a person who had a father who would reach for the ‘off’ button if anything religious came on the radio, yet sent his unbaptized sons to religious boarding schools I’m qualified to comment. This is an honest account of spiritual development which I should like to explore further, So far I’m impressed by the matter of fact good humoured style.’
‘Your prologue is beautiful! I felt I received a whole new education once you launched into your personal journey. I grew up in south-west USA, and found your accounts/ experiences like nothing I’d heard of in my life.’
Now available in two editions:
Paperback at: http://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Prophet-Dylan-Morrison/dp/1460943503
Ebook format at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Prodigal-Prophet-ebook/dp/B004OYTTLE
Bless you, Dylan! I too have lost a child (not by death but by brain injury) and I too love Jesus. Thanks for “friending” me on Facebook.
Lovely to hear from you Leanne. The trauma of ‘losing’ a child strips us bare like no other event. All that’s left in the darkness is a stark honesty that eventually feels the tender comfort of the Divine. Blessings on you and your ‘wee’ one.
I too am looking for the truth from Jesus in God’s word, the Bible. I find there is not one perfect church to belong to. I pray more people search the Bible for themselves and quit depending ONLY on their church of choice for the truth. The truth is in the word and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you in life.
I also lost a child just shortly after conceiving, I never got to know if my child was a girl or boy, and because of that, I didn’t have a name for my child. I grieve for your loss.
Hi Lily
Thanks for dropping by and commenting on my story. It’s great to know that when we leave this realm we’ll somehow make up for the missing years of the children we’ve lost. I would not be the same kind of guy today if Ben had lived. Devastatingly painful for my wife Zan and I yes but somehow a precious thread in the tapestry of our Journey.
Yes, the words of Yeshua do give life when Spirit energizes them – I now believe that He is the Word (Logos) that we can come into resonance with. For me Scriptures, both Jewish and Christian, have much more to reveal than most of us have been told. Yeshua’s words in Aramaic, the language He’d have spoken, take on a more mystical flavor than the Greek texts from which our English versions are translated. Hence my interest in and experiential leaning towards Yeshua’s mysticism.
Hope you enjoy my other posts.
Blessings
Dylan
Hi Lily, I just visited a Quaker Meeting. There is no preaching. everyone sits silently and meditates and prays. if someone feels led to share something, they stand up, say it, then sit down.
I don’t know much more yet, but it felt good to sit there with fellow believers, seeking intimacy with God . . . all equal.
anyone have more to share about Quakers?
Lynelle
Thanks for dropping by and letting us know of your Quaker visit. I love George Fox’s Journal; its difficult to read but some real gems buried deep within. I reckon Fox had the most developed prophetic/revelatory gift seen outside the New Testament period. I think I’d have joined the Quakers when he was around. The idea of the dependency on the ‘Inner Light’ or Spirit to guide and instruct as well as their non clerical concept of ‘Body sharing’ sounds more like the real thing to me.
Like all Spirit birthed movements have the modern Society of Friends institutionalized in their own uninstitutional syle. That’s a big question that I’ll leave to those who can speak with first hand knowledge of this interesting faith group.
Thanks for your story and this blog site. I have been searching for years for a spiritual path to God but pretty much don’t like church (I used to be there every time the door was open). I really appreciate what I know of your story and look forward to reading your book and your blog
Hi RJ
Thanks for your kind comment. Many of us have put in years of ‘church hours’ trying to feel at home and at one with the Divine Presence. I believe that we’ve been looking in the wrong place – who would have thought that the Divine spark is buried deep within our fractured psyche, ready to emerge shedding its Light and setting us free. Truly the Kingdom is within, the last place most of us devout seekers look, usually only when we lie exhausted and in tears. May Spirit carry you into this next stage of your Journey and draw alongside you in the stillness of the Night.
Blessings
Dylan
Religion have turned our life upside down, I am not impressed. I wish it never existed.
Yes Shah, religion tends to divide humanity into those accepted by Divine Love and those ultimately rejected by it. A traversty of the true nature of the divinity.
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings
Dylan
yes me too lol I am not impressed Lets just love each other no matter what .<3
YES LIKE MANY I HAVE SEARCHED MANY PATHS ,,ALL WITH DIFFRENT WAYS ,BUT ALL SAYING THE SAME ABOUT THAT WHICH IS FOUND WITHIN THE SPARK OF GOD ,TRUTH INLIGHTENMENT,,EVEN THOSE WE LOSE LOVED ONE ALONG THE WAY ,THEY ARE NOT LOST TO US,AS EACH ONE MUST FIND HIS OR HER PATHWAY TO SELF,SPIRT,, NO I HAVE’NT LOST FAMILY BY MY UNSHARING,AS I WAS TOO SELFISH .. DID I REALY LOSE ANY ONE,,JUST LIFE A CHILD IN A DARK ROOM THEY TO WERE CALLING OUT TO ME ,,LIKE CHILDREN THAT WERE NOT READY ,OUR PATHWAY OF UNDERSTAND ,WAS JUST AT THE CROSSING OVER POINT,,HOW FRIGHTED AND ALONE MY FAMILY MUST HAVE FELT,BUT WE SOME TIME.’S HAVE TO SUFFER LOST OF ONE SELF ,AND SADLY SOME OF THE FAMILY BE IT HUSBAND OR CHILDREN,
Thanks, Dylan. I do know that there are four separate Quaker/Friends sects in the US. The one I went to stays true to not having any leaders . . . each person looking to the light within. (I’ll learn more at a workshop on Quakers and Christianity in a couple weeks)
I understand that some of the other groups do have pastors, choirs, etc.
(no thank you)
I will know if it’s a place for me to be. I have no intention of “joining” any group. I’m already in the only group that matters!
Very interesting Lynelle. No leaders sounds good – poor old George would turn in his grave if he knew that there groups of Friends with choirs etc! Like you, I wll never join anything again as its unneccessary – we’re already at one with the Divine and indeed all those with open hearts. Organic is definitely the way I plan to to be, on the Journey Home.
Thank you for sharing your story with so many. I honor and respect your journey from losing a child. You are an inspiration to everyone in your sharing what the experience of such a great loss has help guide you to your inner Divine Self. Part of this awakening is at times so painful, bless you for not allowing the pain to keep you in the illusion of the world of beliefs that are not of our Divine Self. My church (religion, spirituality, etc) is this: where I stand is Holy Ground…period. Blessings to you and your wife. ~Sherry~
Thank you Sherry for your kind and encouraging words. Yes, the path we all travel on has many twists and turns, some extremely painful, as we learn to look within. What a surprise and relief it is to find the One there whom we’ve sought in the world of religious piety and ritual.
Blessings
Dylan
I have lost 2 grandchildren – the first one ‘Joel’ would be 11 years old this months on the 23rd March. The second ‘Zak’, was last year (2011) at the beginning of June. It is heart breaking to loose a baby of your baby.
Having said all of the above, the death of Joel was the catalyst for who I am now. And for what I have. I’m grateful for his teachings.
I can understand deeply where you’re coming from Viola. In the sting of our pain, lies the spark of our Awakening, that opening of our eyes to what lies beyond.
Thank you for sharing this very personal and sensitive part of your life.
Blesings
Dylan
I remember the day that my husband and I left the non-denominatal church that we had attended for 30+yrs. The events that led up to that were quite painful and earth shaking. To make a long story short, the church became very abusive and cult like. What a wonderful journey we have been on since we left 5yrs ago. We have no need or desire to attend any church. We are so thankful for our freedom and the many things the Spirit has shown us..The fact is there are so many, many stories just like ours…If this makes sense..your blogs are helping me to connect some dots. I appreciate and sense your loving spirit that comes across in your responses…blessings, Clara
Clara thanks for your encouraging and most honest story. Many of us were like lobsters in an increasingly hot potful of water – hanging out where we’d always been, unaware of what spirit was trying to tell us. It took drastic action in my case but Divine Love managed to air-lift us out. Zan and I felt like prairie horses that had been stabled and broken – now we thankfully run free in Spiriit. Home at last. Glad that my writing resonates with you. If my blog or little book can encourage any of your friends who may be thinking of taking the plunge, please feel free to send them in my direction.
Blessings to you both on the Journey Home
Dylan
Sounds like an amazing journey, excellently written
It was one ‘hell’ of a roller coaster ride Donna! Hope I’ve been able to capture the highs and lows for all to resonate with! Thanks for dropping by.
Blessings
Dylan
Good luck in all your endeavors, Dylan!
Thanks Rebecca! Nice of you to drop in. May your own literary work reach a wide readership!
Dylan I’m very glad to have met you. So sorry about the loss of your child, I can’t even imagine the pain and trauma that would be.
I can relate to some of your journey in that I spent 40 years in a cult-like group feeling driven to find some kind of worth. I don’t think I came to a really good place until I finally left the 4th church and read Darin Hufford’s books and thoughts and became a free believer I guess.
Now I am becoming more of a mystic and loving my relationship with God. Look forward to reading more of your thoughts.
Warren
Sorry for not getting back to you earlier Warren. Glad to have another freed psyche-soul on the same Journey Home, a road trip of freedom and life!
Dylan
Dylan,
My wife read your book aloud for us as we traveled cross country this week. We really enjoyed it. It was her second reading. She told me that your story sounded so much like my story we had to read it together. Indeed it is, I would love to connect somehow. Here is a couple links if you have the time. All the best, Marc
http://www.waschurchgodsidea.com marc@waschurchgodsidea.com
Hi Mark.
Lovely to hear from you. Hope you didn’t close your eyes as your dear lady read The Prodigal Prophet to you.
Yes, many of us have trod the same road on our journey into continuing freedom. I too am convinced that Yeshua didn’t come to set up another religious organisation but something much more radical than that.
A realignment of all mankind with the Source from which they were birthed.
Will have a wee look at your links and send you an email in the next few days.
Blessings to you both!
Dylan
Dylan, you know that Yeshua IS Divine Love, the Source and it is His Spirit that lives in us, right?
Hi Melita.
Thanks for dropping by. Many have and do see Yeshua as the clearest human manifestation of Divine Love. I am one of them. Spirit also filled him in a way previously unseen in even the most spiritual of previous world sages and teachers. Hence the early Church father’s talked of the Spirit of Christ or of ‘The Annointed One’. Yeshua himself claimed that Spirit would also flow in us to accomplish even greater Love works than he achieved. The amazing thing is that the complete Sonship, Yeshua and his brothers/sisters, the extended family of Divine Love all share Spirit’s Presence mingled with their own.
Blessings
Dylan
I love your repy to Melitta. It is a nicer way than saying “I just don’t believe all those doctrines any more.” If we ‘serve a living savior,’ he’s got to be more than all that.
Thank you Rhonda. I try and explain my thoughts without using them as weapons of theological or indeed psychic war. I’ve lived through too much of that in my time.
Hi Dylan, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. There are too many of us going through this process of reconnecting to our soul-source.
Many blessings!
Thanks Julia. Glad my wee tale has resonated with you. If it can help many to come out of the ‘fear closet of shame’ and into the authentic freedom of Divine Love, I will be a very happy guy.
Blessings
Dylan
Hi Dylan, thank you so much for writing this book. My relationship with Christianity is quite simply based on FEAR! I find the whole notion of God sending Christ to a bloody death for our sins frankly repugnant and also the exclusive claims made for Christianity. I have never shaken off a deep seated fear of hell from childhood. Even writing this is painful. Thank you again for writing your story, Phil
You are not alone Phyll. Fear stalks many who been brought up or ‘born again’ into a fundamentalist approach to the whole Christian thing. Many of us claim to be constrained by the generous Love of god but are actually scared senseless that He will suddenly reject us and banish us forever. This kind of teaching resonates with the primal wounding that we often have received in our infancy, due to a withdrawl of unconditional parental love. Thank God, Divine Love is free, unconditional and never changing no matter how screwed up I might perceive myself to be. Thankfully many of us are finally seeing through this whole fear take that stalks much of Christian thought, at least on the subconscious level. A new day is dawning Phil and you are part of it. Blessings ~ Dylan
Dylan. Read your “Prodigal Prophet” site with much interest. I too have written a biography about my spiritual journey into a deeper realization of Christ. For over thirty years I was a member of a Sabbath keeping denomination that identified who they were by what they did. And oh how proud I was of my accomplishments, as I was rewarded with ever-increasing responsibilities, that interestingly, allowed the paid ministry more time to golf and take vacations. But, be it may, at the time, their doctrine and deportment fit my narcissitic mentality. But I thank God that through the events and circumstances of a failing career and marriage, I began to seek Him on my own. Oh yeh, I had tantrums with God, blaming Him for all that had gone wrong, but finally He emptied me of myself and I saw Him. It was indeed as the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:17, a revelation of Jesus Christ. And thus, He placed me on a journey of self-discovery, to see myself as He sees me, a totally helpless creature who has no ability, strength, or love in himself to accomplish anything. I find only these things in Him.
Hi Dan
Thanks for sharing your own journey of freedom. Isn’t it weird how many of us will plug into a belief system that causes us damage rather than trust in a totally loving and begnign Deity. It’s only when the religious rug is removed from under our feet that the Light finally dawns. I can sense some of your struggles Dan, as I’ve been down that road myself. Blessings and Grace in your new Awareness of Self and Divine Love.
Dylan
Thank you Dylan for sharing your journey! I too, am on this journey after the death of my two year old son. Having grown up “in the church,” I realized that the god I had been raised on simply couldn’t bare the weight of my pain and was of little help and comfort. I have realized that I was raised with a head knowledge of God, but had never been introduced to Him personally. I don’t know what it is to have a relationship with him and to be led by his indwelling Holy Spirit. I believe what the Bible says about God is true and everything He promised me, he will provide. For the first time in my life, I am seeking to truly KNOW God and experience his love, minus all of the religious mumbo jumbo, rules, expectations, “shoulds,” etc.. I read your post, “The Walking Wounded” and my heart resonated with every word. I felt a great relief when you said “Authentic community takes root in the soil of human frailty and brokenness” Those who haven’t experienced suffering don’t understand that when one is struck with this kind of grief, there is no going back to who you once were. There is a part of me that is glad for that, as I would not want to return who who I was before. At the same time, it is a deeply lonely place to be. It is only in the interactions with others who know the pain of child loss where I can let down and be the real me.
Kevin. Thanks for sharing your own journey of pain with me. Nothing is comparable to the death of our child in awakening us to a whole new world. You are so right; we can’t go back, only forwards. In our brokenness and loneliness we are shocked and surprised to find a new compassion within, both towards ourselves and others damaged along the Way. I truly believe that the Abba God of Yeshua dwells in our darkness, not in the throne room on High, that we have been led to believe. Glad that my wee article resonated with you and brought some relief. Please do drop by again and may Divine Love wrap you in its tenderness and tear stained compassion.
Blessings
Dylan