Category: Inspirational Publisher: Publish America
ISBN-10: 1424119766
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 62
Copyright: May 29, 2006
In Spirit, Power, and Truth takes you on one woman’s triumphant journey to spiritual wholeness. Stephanie R. Bridges introduces the idea that struggles with addictive behavior, which she continues to deal with, should never be reviled, but instead embraced as a call from God. Addiction is an illness that only He can heal, and oftentimes it is the only bridge that we will take to true salvation. Stephanie is refreshingly honest and often unavoidably raw in her poetic commentary on subjects such as fornication, abortion, adultery, and incarceration. Every poem that stems from her personal story is accompanied by scriptures that remind us that no matter where we are in life, God is right there with us In Spirit, Power, and Truth.
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Cell Mate
Drunk driver no car to wheel Murderer no life to steal Inside Trader no stock to exchange Schizophrenic no insanity to claim Liar turned a dime All hell broke loose and you still doin' time
Prostitute without a John to thrill Pedophile without a child to feel Bank Robber without a hold up note Flasher without a gray trench coat Arsonist without a match Devil's busy gotta thief to catch
Wife beater aint gotta mate Serial rapist aint gotta date White Collar Criminal aint gotta button down shirt High Society Escort aint gotta mini-skirt Co-conspirator aint gotta plot You takin' all the heat and Lucifer aint got hot
High Jacker afraid of heights Peepin' Tom afraid of sights Money Launderer afraid to come clean Drug Dealer afraid of crack feigns Burglar afraid to break in Beelzebub revels in all your sin
Terrorist can't be subversive Forger can't write in cursive Polygamist can't find a fiancé Dead Man Walking can't get a stay Caught red handed at the scene of the crime Now you're Satan's concubine
Follow God's Law from hereafter And you'll be Heaven bound in time of rapture Jesus has already died and risen again To wash away and forgive your sin The Holy Spirit within you will dwell And good works will generate from your jail cell
Choose your cell mate and choose Him wisely
Cause hells flame will flicker out The devil's moniker will carry no clout Lucifer's spell will be broken Beelzebub's blather will go unspoken Satan's time will come to a close When you lock down with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
Excerpt
The Bible says that God will use the remnant to bring His promises to fruition. The remnant is the residue, the remains, the ruins, the rest. I am that remnant, and the residue are my words left behind as remains of a woman who celebrates her ruins--In Spirit, Power and Truth, I offer you my rest.
Professional Reviews
I SPAT by Stephanie R. Bridges
In her first chapbook, I SPAT (acronym for In Spirit, Power and Truth), poet Stephanie Bridges raps, rhythms and rhymes her spiritual journey in thirty poems that range from a defense of God as judge (“Follow the Sun”) to apologies to the children she’s aborted (“Anjel” and “Angel”). The poem section is preceded by her story "Bridges to God," told in prose. In it she chronicles her journey through various addictions and self-destructive behaviors. In the end, she explains how these became bridges to the God who pursued her through every circumstance.
I like the transparency that comes through much of Bridges’ work. She doesn’t avoid talking about experiences and behaviors she has struggled with like rape, abortion, and various addictions. And she isn’t shy to tell on herself:
“I am a vegetarian
Engaging in carnivorous relationships
A non-smoker
With nicotine on my lips”
- “Myself”
Especially moving are the poems she addresses to the kids she chose not to have – and the one she birthed, but with an attitude.
“I prayed my baby dead
As I lay alone in the hospital bed
Nurses poked and doctors pervaded
But to no avail she refused to debut
- “Lovingly”
Bridges’ work isn’t all dark and gloomy, though. There is also freedom and a sense of acceptance, joy and celebration:
“...No dress code
Come as you are
Leave your past at the door
Cause there’s redemption at the bar
You can dance
Sing
Party non-stop. . .”
- “G’sus N’em”
Despite a variety in subject matter, a sense of unity is achieved with the use of formatting (title, Bible verse reference, centered poem, another Bible reference and the verse quoted in full). There is also a similarity in the the rhythms and rhyme patterns that flow through much of Bridges’ work. I am reminded of rap. Many of these poems beg for out-loud performance.
The spiritual angle of the book is never subtle. The Scriptures that bracket each selection become another facet of what Bridges conveys. The book as a whole leaves no doubt who Bridges credits for her escape from an addictive lifestyle. And in her story and poems she sends the message that she continues to rely on God through the challenges of life as a single mom to four kids.
This is an accessible, gritty yet hopeful collection of poems. It will appeal to those open to considering the answers given to life’s knotty problems in the Bible and the Christian faith.
Line Upon Line
Violet Nesdoly
http://line-upon-line.blogspot.com/
Awesome Story Graciously Re-Told
It's rampant in our inner cities,out in rural areas and even the most affluent of neighborhoods and families. We all know of someones life who has been touched by it or are maybe in its grip. We often give up on its victims as being hopeless,useless,and nothings. What is this terrible thing I speak of----addictions. In her book,"In Spirit,Power And Truth", Stephanie Bridges exposes addictions for the monsters that they really are. Having gone through numerous forms of addiction,Stephanie shares her story with her readers. One of hope and inspiration. Written in the form of poems, any reader can find themselve relating to the life giving truth in these powerful words. This is not just another book,but,a tale told through imagery of one who has lived through the trials described. If you are looking for a good gift, for any occassion,this is it. If you want to add a touch of inspiration to your personal library,then get hold of a copy. Then,if you are going through a period in life when all seems hopeless,by all means get "In Spirit,Power,And Truth". You'll never regret your decision. David Davis Administrative Editor Eternal Ink E-Zine
Personal Poems Born of Life Experience
"Green lanes wind
Behind trees and
Orange covered dreams;
Icy streams full of fish
Swim up and touch the breath"
~Quietly
Stephanie R. Bridges has created a book as a mirror of her own spiritual experience and journey to wholeness. Like many poets, she draws on her emotional experience and highly relevant observations of her world to recreate herself and rebirth her soul again and again until she awakens into beauty.
"Of this world I don't belong
For I am spirit filled
For this flesh I have no song
My hymn is in His will."
~My Father's House
In Spirit, Power, and Truth begins with Stephanie R. Bridges story of her journey from addiction to realizing God's love. Each poem is also followed by a verse Stephanie loves to show how God is always with us, leadings us back to love even when we stumble or make decisions that do not lead us to our highest purpose.
"There are no labels to bind me
Gracefully rising above what I have become
Ascending to what I will be
There is no master, no man, no mass
That can imprison me"
~Right Now
Stephanie R. Bridges poetry shows a struggle with just about every conflict a soul could experience and still survive. She writes from the perspective as one who has "been there" and survived. This makes for some very empowering poems that will enhance the life of those either struggling with their own addictions or facing new temptations.
Writing poetry can be a way to work through life's many challenges and the poetry in this book shows a struggle with addictive behavior and then the beautiful surrender into truth and love. Stephanie's beautiful heart is apparent in all her poems and the line that struck me as being very poignant is "I was a woman at war with my soul and myself."
"Unconditional love comes from God. He wants to give it to us along with unspeakable joy and perfect peace." ~Stephanie R. Bridges
