Grow Up: Spiritually

By Eddie C. Poe Jr.

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.

Light it up!

When you open a window, something has to either exit from or enter into that room. Whether it be the air we breathe coming in or the tantalizing scent from a freshly baked dessert that wafts out into the neighbourhood, a transition takes place. Books are the windows of the world. They allow information to enter our minds, or they allow our imagination to exit and travel to a different place; a transition takes place. Open one and you enter a place of discovery that you hadnt before thought about or you did think about but didnt take the leap. Consider the following conversation: I dont know why they said that, why they did that, why they think in that manner, what possessed them. I just dont understand; I just cant figure people out. Whats the motivation? Whats motivating me? If youre that person carrying on that conversation in your mind or sharing it with someone, then open the book and turn the pages. The answer to those questions always begin in the spiritual realm, but in order to perceive that, you must realize and understand that you are part spirit. That spirit is housed in a remarkably created body. And you can realize some of the answers (were not omniscient) as you grow in awareness and knowledge of that spirit within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973614517

Eddie C. Poe Jr.

The author is an empty vessel being filled daily to manifest.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 Eddie C. Poe Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1450-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1451-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018900496

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/21/2018

This book is dedicated to my blessed daughters,

Tikiea and Laminta.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the men of God whom he orchestrated to intersect with my journey of spiritual growth.

And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

Reverend William Whitehead Sr.

Reverend Alvin Love

Apostle Mark T. Jones Sr.

Thanks to my friend, who will remain unnamed, whom God used mightily to inspire my early writings.

Thanks to my sister and her husband, whose marriage of forty years is an inspiration to all who desire to become one.

All thanks to my father and mother, who trained me up in the way that I should go at an early age, and all praise to God Almighty, whose purpose for me included such wonderful parents.

Contents

Preface: Growing in the Spirit

◊   Wait a Minute

◊   In the Pursuit of Happy

◊   I have an Attitude … About You!

◊   The Manger Mind-Set

◊   Drop Everything: I’m Going to the Beach

◊   What’s in It for Me?

◊   The Fifty-Fifty Mind-Set

◊   Whose Peephole Are You Lookin’ Through?

◊   Throw Me a Lifeline

◊   Arm’s-Length Christians

◊   Put Some Oil On It

◊   Trickle or Pour: Basic Economics

◊   Splashing

◊   Avoid It

◊   Turn On the Lights: That Was Frightening

◊   Perpetual Construction: The Invisible Room

Epilogue

Preface

Growing in the Spirit

I’ve yet to grow up. In our everyday conversations, we often hear the phrase grow up, suggesting that a person can somehow, at that very moment, instantly and miraculously grow up. However, growth is a process, a transition from one state of awareness to a state not yet realized. Though the title of this writing suggests that it can happen right now, growth is a process.

The following discourses are not meant to be theologically deep or religiously correct, but rather a facile reading of something that is at the core of us all—the spirit. Simple everyday events and interactions presents us all with the opportunity to walk in the spirit, but lack of knowledge can impede that walk of faith. Knowing what you’re made of is crucial as you traverse the landscape that leads to spiritual maturity. We must acknowledge—and this comes from believing—that there is more to us than what meets the eye. That foundational fact is the springboard to action. Once we come to the realization that there is more, the journey to discovery and growth can begin.

Many factors—more than can be covered in one writing—can facilitate spiritual growth or deter the process. Take away what’s pertinent to your life and purpose, and share with others the part they may need to help in their spiritual development. My hope and prayer is that believers will gain insight into the maturation process as it relates to their spiritual growth, gain insight into the influences that can affect the process, and come to a realization of where they are and where they should strive to be in the spiritual realm as life progresses.

Draw nearer to