Battlefield of the Mind

Have you ever seen cartoons that display the angel and the devil (or demon) on either shoulder of a person? The figments of imagination or voices of opposition are battling for power, for allegiance.

Do you ever experience it in real life? I have. I do.

In past, I've always lightheartedly chalked it up to my Gemini dual personality and nature. However, I know the truth. The truth is that we are in an on-going battle. This battle of flesh and spirit, human life and spirit life, seen and unseen forces.

Lately, the mental attacks have been more intense. There is so much competing for attention. Several years ago I encountered similar attacks and I picked up Joyce Meyers book, "Battlefield of the Mind." It spoke to so much of what I was experiencing. It also made me feel like I wasn't losing my mind, but rather had the ability to focus my mind and silence the opposing thoughts.

Interestingly, the attacks on my mind happen more frequently the closer I am to an achieved goal or  vision. Thankfully, I have come to recognize that.

Our mind is fragile. Much more than we realize. Bi-polar disorder, multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, suicide, etc demonstrate the sensitivity of the mind. The verses below have been life to my mind as I fight back and arm myself daily for battle.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:6 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Proverbs 4:20-22 -  My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes;  Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.(NKJV)

Mark 4:14-17 - The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

The world isnt getting any slower and the craziness of the world won't end. It's critical ...no it's actually lifesaving to protect, guard and allow God to keep our mind so we can live healthy and happy lives.

My meditation and moments of uninterrupted silence have become non-negotiable. We are overcomers, even of the battles we can't see.

God Bless,
Kristen

Morning Thought - Happy Friday

I don't believe I am here to be comfortable. I believe I am here to be convicted...to action.

What do you believe you're here to do?

Make the day great.

Kristen

Mark 4:17 - My revelation

There is no greater text than the Bible. It never grows old. Revelation is always fresh and the lessons are unending. They always apply. As we continue to evolve as people the Bible stays relevant.

I read this verse, a verse I have read many, many times. Today, it fresh with new revelation. This verse is taking me to another level.

"and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away" 

 I also relate this to James Chapter 1.


I read this verse and of course had to do a self check.

This says, 'no firm root in themselves,' not the bible, not people, not even God. To me it's saying, not knowing who we are or what we are called to be. It says not knowing our potential, or our divine power. & because we don't know when problems arise, we fall away or we give up on the path we're on because we don't who we are. We're not firmly rooted in what we believe or know about ourselves. It seems like as long as we don't know, we have to keep starting from square 1.


I don't want to be a sugar rush or a passionate high with no grounding, no roots to sustain my journey and process. God has given us the tools, but we have to have staying power and perseverance to stay the course.

Rooted,
Kristen

Be True to You

Living for the approval and to please others will only lead to a dead end road.

Storm Preparedness (not what you think)

My faith and promises me that storms will come. Natural and spiritual storms.

As the Northeast braces and prepares for the impending storm, Hurricane Irene, residents are frantically trying to prepare. The lines for flashlights, batteries and food supplies exceed even a normal day in New York City shopping.

Richard and I did our due diligence as well. My father in law called with a lengthy list of things to do to prepare, that we pretty much followed to the tee. After we completed the list, we spent the day watching movies, talking, cooking, laughing, doing laundry and checking in with friends and family.


In the midst, we had one particular conversation about our interpretations of what it would look like if people gave the same attention to their preparedness for Jesus's return. In my interpretation, it would look like people doing all they could to serve their neighbor, love overflowing, people walking in their callings, forgiveness given freely and an overwhelming compassion for others struggle.

I don't think it would look like the panic we've seen these past few days, because it would be a daily walk. Not a last minute scramble.

My foundation and the values we are building "our house" on came to mind. In preparation, you can breathe easier knowing that you have a sure and solid foundation, if you are using the right tools and materials. A mentor once told me that when I got married, I wouldn't have the same time to spend in prayer and personal meditation as I did as a single woman. Initially, I thought, really? Why not? Won't my husband understand? I came to realize that it wasn't about him understanding. It was more about my priorities as a wife and having less time to myself. My habits, including prayer and mediation as a single person didn't automatically translate as a married woman.

When I first noticed the shift, I was evermore thankful that as single woman, I was wholly dedicated to God's presence, prayer and praise. Evermore thankful that Richard and I were abstinent before marriage and put God's business first. Now as we grow and become one, we re-prioritize our spiritual development as a unit together and when the storms come we have our strong foundation to stand on.

Even as we wait for Hurricane Irene, we don't have to panic, or run scared. We're prepared as best as we can in the natural and we pray God will protect us beyond all that we can do.

Matthew 7:24-27

The Wise and Foolish Builders

    ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Be Blessed and Be Safe!
Kris

Blessed by connection

Who's in your circle? The people you are connected to matters. My life is blessed to the overflow, because of the people I am connected to, divine and natural. If you want different results in your life, if you want to eliminate drama, you might start by examining your connections.
In love,
KLP

Reporter Reel - Kristen L. Pope

Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!!

Please click on the url link below to view my Reporter Reel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THE2V-Ypgc4

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

There is definitely more to come.

God Bless,
Kristen Pope