Driving out the Kings

© 2011 Dr. Kevin E. Stafford. All rights reserved.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical or mental diseases, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your journey for a better and more fulfilling life. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Scriptures noted as NKJV are taken from the New King James Version Bible.

Scriptures noted as AMP are taken from scripture quotations from The Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1987, by Lockman Foundation.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/20/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4634-1056-8 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-1057-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-1058-2 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011908346

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CONTENTS

Introduction

About those kINGS

kING #1 Jericho (Self-Will)

kING #2 Ai (Self-Indulgence)

kING #3 Jerusalem (Self-Seeking)

kING #4 Hebron (Self-Complacency)

kING #5 Jarmuth (Self-Glorying/Vainglorious Boasting)

kING #6 Lachish (Self-Confidence)

kING #7 Eglon (Self-Consciousness)

kING#8 Gezer (Self-Importance)

kING #9 Debir (Self-Depreciation)

kING #10 Geder (Self-Vindication)

kING #11 Horimah (Self-Sensitiveness)

kING #12 Arad (Self-Seeing)

kING #13 Libnah (Self-Introspection)

kING #14 Adullam (Self-Love)

kING #15 Makkedah (Self-Affection)

kING #16 Bethel (Selfish-Motives)

kING #17 Tappuah (Selfish-Desires)

kING #18 He’pher (Selfish-Choices)

kING #19 Ápheq (Selfish-Pleasure)

kING #20 La-shar’on (Selfish-Possessions)

kING #21 Ma’don (Selfish Fears and Cares)

kING #22 Hazor (Selfish-Sorrows)

kING #23 Shim’ ron-me ron (Selfish-Sacrifices and Self-Denials)

kING #24 Ach’shaph (Selfish-Virtue and Morality)

kING #25 Ta’a-nach (Selfish-Righteousness)

kING #26 Me gid’do (Selfish-Sanctity and Sanctification)

kING #27 Ke’desh (Selfish-Charity and Gifts)

kING #28 Jok’neham (Selfish-Christian Work)

kING #29 Dor (Selfish-Prayers)

kING #30 Gil’gal (Selfish-Hopes)

kING #31 Tir’zah (Selfish-Being)

Eviction Notices for the kINGS’ Workbook

Acknowledgements

Scripture References/Book References

Book References

About the Author

7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel conquered on this side of the Jordan, on the west, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon as far as Mount Halak and the ascent to Seir, which Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their divisions, 8 in the mountain country, in the lowlands, in the Jordan plain, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the South—the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: 9 the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; 10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; 11 the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; 12 the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; 13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; 14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; 15 the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; 16 the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; 17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; 18 the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; 19 the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; 20 the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; 21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; 22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; 23 the king of Dor in the heights of Dor, one; the king of the people of Gilgal, one; 24 the king of Tirzah, one—all the kings, thirty-one…

Joshua 12:7-24 (NKJV)

The story begins…

Introduction 

In life, there is a condition that is rarely talked about outside of your neighborhood, psychiatric ward, or hospital. It’s called Dissociative Identity Disorder. This psychiatric diagnosis describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities or personalities known as alter egos or alters, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. In the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, the name for this diagnosis is Multiple Personality Disorder. In both systems of terminology, diagnosis requires that at least two personalities routinely take control of the individual’s behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness. The symptoms are numerous. They include multiple mannerisms, attitudes and beliefs that are not similar to each other. This can also be accompanied by unexplainable headaches and other body pains, distortion or loss of subjective time, comorbidity, depersonalization, derealization, severe memory loss, depression, flashbacks of abuse, trauma, unexplainable phobias, or sudden anger without a justified cause. As if that’s not enough, there can also be a lack of intimacy and personal connections, frequent panic/anxiety attacks, and finally, auditory hallucinations of the personalities inside their mind. WOW! Now don’t be ashamed, it’s just you and me in this room or wherever you are reading this book. I am merely imparting a humorous approach to an often very difficult question that you will be forced to answer honestly about yourself. I want to ask you to raise your hand if you have had any of the aforementioned symptoms. Now I know you are saying Kevin, I am not crazy nor have I been diagnosed with this disorder prior to reading this book! Relax! I am not trying to offend you. What I am trying to do is open you up to the notion that we all suffer from some sort of inner conflict. Some may suffer more severely than others, but I can guarantee that life and its obstacles can cause many of us to need some type of psychiatric evaluation at some point in time. For example, rent is due and you do not have any money in the bank. If I may use an old phrase familiar around your local church, more bills than money, is one that fits the description of the picture I am trying to paint. This mental picture, even as you read it or are dealing with this situation as we speak, can bring on an attitude of desperation accompanied by a feeling of having nothing to lose. This mentality or mental breeding ground can be found in people that commit crimes based on their immediate necessity to feed their families. People like this may not fit the common profile or description of your average everyday criminal; however, a conflict regarding how to properly handle a crisis or obstacle can push their hand and urge them to act out in a way that is inconsistent with the character they exhibit on a normal day-to-day basis. Please take note that I have introduced some terminology to you that will constitute ground zero from here on out in your life. That is the mental breeding ground. I like this phrase because I believe that whenever faced with an obstacle or crisis, one’s brain should be equipped to put things into proper perspective in order to allow one to cognitively respond to the situation with the proper spiritual fortitude affording them the ability to make the right decision.

Let’s say hypothetically speaking, you have just found out the one you love has cheated on you! Ouch, that hurts! As soon as you get that information, most people would say forget about a mental breeding ground and the heck with a spiritual response! Anger and hurt is the immediate emotion at the forefront of the mind! Well, how can you properly respond to this hurtful situation? First, let’s understand that the limbic system of the brain is flooded with norepinephrine, or as I like to call it anger juice. This will determine your subsequent action or response. One might ask the question, how can you turn off this anger juice? Aside from medical treatment, there is only one way. You have to be spiritually and emotionally equipped enough to examine all of the particulars involved and decide if cooling off is necessary before responding, which may be the key to finding a more diplomatic and socially acceptable way to handle the situation. At any given moment, you can turn from being the nice, sweet person you normally are to a stark, raving lunatic. Whichever person you choose to be, will likely be determined by the more dominate internal voice you listen to when processing what has just happened to you. That brings me to the exact point of inspiration to write this book!

Of course, I am a follower of Christ so everything I think and write is processed through the funnel of my faith which has at its core, the Bible and a Godly foundation. That, I can’t avoid because it’s just in me. In fact, let me share with you how it got in me. I am the son of a Baptist Pastor, who was the son of a Baptist Pastor. Both mother and father were reared in the church and brought their children up to know and love God. However, my own personal relationship with God was birthed as the by-product of my own self-exploration as I entered into my early years of college and manhood. While I was familiar with what the Bible and scriptures said, they only came alive when life offered difficult and trying times.

Being the son