Spiritual Growth from Within: Aiming to Reach The Inner Self

By Artis J. Singleton

Spiritual Growth from Within is a book of poems that grasp at the reader's reasoning for making decisions and looking back on why or how he/she got to his/her current status. The poems are designed to engulf the reader's mind and heart as he/she search for the inner spirit to pull him/her back to reality and to the will of God. Understanding why we fight and how we win in spiritual warfare when struggling with making the choices that protect the things most people value. Gaining spiritual control of the battles between the outer and inner self by feeding the mind daily with the word of God. Using the inner spirit to guide and help us conquer the battles we face and making godly decisions daily to protect the things we value (God, health, family, friends, freedom, financial security, community, and so on). We must allow the Spirit of Jesus Christ to lead our lives as we aim to reach the inner self (ARTIS). As we learn to listen and move according to the Holy Spirit, we start experiencing spiritual growth. So join me on this journey to understanding and moving through life as we continue to spiritually grow from within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685263126

Book preview

What Happened?

I am inside of a prison not understanding where life went wrong. As a child, I was always doing the right things, running around the house, singing Christian songs. Hanging with my mom, having so much fun. Mom worked Monday through Friday, and to church on Sunday is how she raised her son.

I started getting older, and I don’t know what happened. Mom stilled loved on me, worked, went to church on Sunday, and kept me laughing. I hung with friends more, and Mom gave me my space to grow. I enjoyed the newfound freedom and did not want to remember Mom’s words, "God controls this show."

Started drinking and noticing girls more, it was on for sure, so I thought. Playing and joking around with friends, I went along with robbing someone, and yes, we all got caught. Heard Mom’s words from deep inside, "Always lead the fight, and keep God as your guide." I knew taking from others wasn’t right, but I started guiding myself that night.

My friends gave me the lead even though I followed them. Yes, it was still my choice, and I had to learn to swim. You see, they were all kin and made me the mastermind behind the robbery in the end. Now I’m being held totally responsible for a crime that started as a joke. No one got hurt during the incident! I screamed in court as I spoke.

I didn’t want the people in the courtroom to hear me call the joke a crime, but it didn’t matter what I wanted people to hear; the judge still gave me this time. I received six months in prison and two years of probation. I walked out of the courtroom, telling Mom, I ain’t no snitch, and she responded, Yet you’re the only one on paper.

Confined to My Prison

Sitting in this cell, thinking about what I could have been in this life, listening to my inner self, speaking in silence. I never dreamed as a child, I would be spending my life in a prison because I chose to solve my problems with violence. My inner spirit whispering, You failed to hear my voice or adhere to my guidance. I set up in amazement, remembering all the people and noise around me as I sit alone and silent.

I never thought that inner nudge meant so much as I pleased my flesh. I realized as I sit in silence that it was my inner spirit attempting to guide me through life’s test. Sitting in this prison cell in what feels like a thousand pounds balancing on my chest. In jail in a prison, locked down to avoid conflict with the rest. The rest of the prison population seems to cause me so much stress. In jail, in prison, still fighting to pass life’s test.

I’ve equipped myself with the word of God from the Old to the New Testament. The Bible clinched in my hands as I perform a daily spiritual regimen. I’m learning to let my life be guided by the Holy Spirit and thanking Christ for a second chance at life, as I fight to stay committed.

Committed to the life promised to me at birth, I chose to give away. Committed to listening and understanding my inner spirit as it leads me through the day. Committed to making godly decisions and be willing to obey. Committed to being obedient to the Word of God as I fast and pray. Committed to regaining that promise given at birth so in this prison, I will not stay.

The Lonely Mother

She loves her son beyond measure, but he is too busy with his friends to see her pleasure in the delight of his life. She has been sick from his birth but fought through the struggles because she believes in Christ. Her son never truly knowing her struggles or how healthy she used to be. All his life, he has known his mother’s health to be sickly.

Assuming his mother’s sickness was normal, the son lived his life sparingly. Sparingly in that he spent less and less time with his mother as he grew, he came, and he went. His mother never understanding why because he was her only child, and to her, it made no sense. Her days became lonelier as he spent more time with friends than her. He came and he went until to her, he became a blur.

Seeing her son when he left in the mornings and rarely seeing him when he returned at night. Her heart and soul used to be full of life because of him, but now, barely beaming in his sight. Her family and her son lost in life’s fun, leaving her to feel less loved by them and everyone.

The mother, still trusting in the love of the Father above, and the death and resurrection of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. She continues to build her faith as she continues to battle the struggles of life. Praying that her son will recognize her love for him and Christ’s love for us all. The mother