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Blogs by Eddie Thompson Cleaning Out Our Closet 6/26/2008 8:05:52 AMI'm moved today to emphasize your walk with God. One way to do that is to take the same process one uses to clean out his closet. First, you must take inventory of the massive amount of clutter that fills your closet. Nothing is less functional than a cluttered closet. You can't find anything. Also, you soon forget exactly what all is even in that closet: both good and bad. You keep searching for things that are lost, but some of them may be safely tucked in that closet if you had access to them. The clutter has hidden them from you. When you want righteousness, peace, and joy in your life, sometimes you forget those things are right there in your heart because it's so cluttered with the cares of this world. Secondly, you must clean up that closet. You must prioritize. Exactly what is necessary and what isn't? This process is more efficient if your spouse, or someone else, helps you. I want to cling to things my wife tells me are "out of here!" "You haven't even looked at that ole shirt in fifteen years, why in the world do you want to keep it in there!" She's right, but I want to hold on to my lucky shirt. If my mind is quick, I'll say something like, "But baby, that's the shirt I met you in." Even with the begging eyes, Laura won't buy it, and the shirt is trashed. People who care about you will help you prioritize. We must learn to make the things of the Kingdom the most important things in our lives. There lies the answer to life's problems. Put the Kingdom first, and all other things will be added unto you. Otherwise, your heart gets cluttered just like an overstuffed closet that has become a catchall for the world's leftovers. After first cleaning out that spiritual closet, you must prioritize the things in your life; some of what you now do may have to be thrown away because it’s just not proper in a Christian's life. You must then move forward to the work of organizing your spiritual closet accordingly. Your heart must desire the things of the Kingdom first. As long as entertainment, sports, hunting, shopping, television, ball-gaming, Internet, gardening, or anything else is more important to you than the things of God, you are open to the devil's conspiracies in your life. He finds a place in you, a handle to grab and cling to, and rides you to misery. Put Jesus first. Then His teachings: love, forgiveness, etc. Tend to the things that make you stronger spiritually: prayer, church, Bible study, etc. If you have no time to pray but can spend hours on the phone gossiping, stop lying to yourself. If you can't make it to church but can make every ball game, movie, hunting or shopping trip that comes around, wake up! If you can never find the privacy to read your Bible yet can read every magazine, newspaper, and T.V. Guide, front and back, it's time to re-organize your life. Once you put first things first, then all other things in moderation will not defeat the plans of God in your life. Clean out that closet! Prioritize the desires of your heart! And organize your life accordingly! Comments More Blogs by Eddie Thompson • Mercy For All - Friday, July 26, 2013 • Playing Favorites - Thursday, July 25, 2013 • God's Plan For Today - Tuesday, July 23, 2013 • Our Opinions - Tuesday, July 16, 2013 • Patience - Friday, July 12, 2013 • Cleaning Out The Closets - Tuesday, July 9, 2013 • Roman's Road To Salvation - Wednesday, July 3, 2013 • The Heart - Thursday, June 27, 2013 • The Thing About Hope - Wednesday, June 26, 2013 • Better Way - Thursday, June 20, 2013 • Christianity 101 - Thursday, June 6, 2013 • Our Church - Tuesday, June 4, 2013 • Giving To Get - Thursday, May 30, 2013 • Child-like Trust - Tuesday, May 28, 2013 • Spiritual Gifts - Friday, May 24, 2013 • An Oracle of God - Thursday, May 23, 2013 • Old Verse New Nature - Wednesday, May 22, 2013 • Let's Not Hold Back - Thursday, May 16, 2013 • The Disillusioned - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 • Church Built On Love - Friday, May 10, 2013 • Kingdom Communications - Tuesday, May 7, 2013 • National Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 2, 2013 • Abundant Entrance - Tuesday, April 30, 2013 • Dealing With A Judas - Thursday, April 25, 2013 • Inheriting The Promised Land - Thursday, April 18, 2013 • What Do You Believe? - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 • God's Azaleas - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 • His Sacrifice - Friday, April 5, 2013 • Bride of Chrst - Wednesday, March 20, 2013 • Intelligent Biscuits - Tuesday, March 19, 2013 • This Is The Day - Friday, March 15, 2013 • Trusting God - Friday, March 8, 2013 • Plagues of Egypt - Thursday, March 7, 2013 • Marriage Preparations - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 • Instant In Season - Thursday, February 28, 2013 • Concealed Weapons - Wednesday, February 20, 2013 • Trust In God - Tuesday, February 19, 2013 • Marriage - Thursday, February 14, 2013 • My Redeemer Lives - Tuesday, February 5, 2013 • My Redeemer Lives - Tuesday, February 5, 2013 • We Answer To God - Thursday, January 24, 2013 • Prayers of the Faithful - Thursday, January 17, 2013 • Promises - Thursday, January 10, 2013 • His Vessels - Tuesday, January 8, 2013 • His Vessels - Tuesday, January 8, 2013 • And Sheep In Wolves' Clothing - Wednesday, December 5, 2012 • Wolves in Sheep's Clothing - Wednesday, December 5, 2012 • Spiritual Ninjas - Friday, November 30, 2012 • God's Fast - Tuesday, November 27, 2012 • Bored Today? - Tuesday, November 13, 2012 • "Sick-Em" - Thursday, November 8, 2012 • Favor - Thursday, November 1, 2012 • Miracle Kick - Tuesday, October 30, 2012 • Driving Crazy - Thursday, October 25, 2012 • Trick Knee - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 • The Election - Wednesday, October 17, 2012 • The Walking Track - Monday, October 8, 2012 • Tic Tic Tic... - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 • Ezekiel 38 - Wednesday, September 12, 2012 • Be Not Discouraged - Tuesday, September 11, 2012 • Blindsided - Wednesday, September 5, 2012 • Living For Christ - Thursday, August 30, 2012 • A Hurricane Is A'Coming - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 • Expectations - Friday, August 17, 2012 • Bored? - Wednesday, August 15, 2012 • Heart of a Child - Friday, August 10, 2012 • One More River To Cross - Tuesday, August 7, 2012 • A Church Built On Love - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 • Life's Twists And Turns - Friday, February 24, 2012 • Hang On For The Ride - Friday, November 12, 2010 • Hang On For The Ride - Friday, November 12, 2010 • Peace - Tuesday, October 12, 2010 • Laugh It Up - Tuesday, September 14, 2010 • Leaving The Presence of the Lord - Thursday, August 5, 2010 • As A Child - Wednesday, July 21, 2010 • No Law Against You - Tuesday, July 13, 2010 • Response to a Comment on the article The Argument Against Gay Marriages - Thursday, July 8, 2010 • Breakfast - Thursday, May 27, 2010 • Four Kinds of Ground - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 • Instant In Season - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 • Royal Priesthood - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 • Character - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 • Love Covers - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 • Death And Taxes - Friday, March 26, 2010 • How To Respond To A Spiritual Attack - Thursday, March 18, 2010 • "Drink My Blood" - Wednesday, March 10, 2010 • What Sort of God! - Friday, March 5, 2010 • The Happy Farmer - Friday, February 19, 2010 • Friendship Is A Gift - Saturday, January 30, 2010 • Praise - Thursday, January 28, 2010 • Addicted!!! - Thursday, January 21, 2010 • Creation or Evolution - Saturday, January 16, 2010 • Remembering To Love - Thursday, December 17, 2009 • Complaint File - Friday, December 11, 2009 • Facing The Enemy - Thursday, December 10, 2009 • Integrity - Wednesday, December 9, 2009 • Rejoice - Tuesday, December 8, 2009 • Temple of the Holy Ghost - Monday, November 16, 2009 • Kingdom First - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 • Liberating King - Thursday, November 5, 2009 • Whom Have I But You - Wednesday, August 26, 2009 • Coming Out Of The Cleft - Tuesday, August 11, 2009 • New Songs - Thursday, August 6, 2009 • Hazards - Friday, July 24, 2009 • Jackson Action - Monday, July 13, 2009 • No Man An Island - Tuesday, July 7, 2009 • Landowners in the Kingdom of God - Monday, June 29, 2009 • Jabez - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 • Prodigal Daughter - Friday, June 12, 2009 • Spirit Memory - Wednesday, April 22, 2009 • Sea of Forgetfulness - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 • Praise - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 • Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - Thursday, March 12, 2009 • The Enemy's Devices - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 • Trick Knee - Friday, February 13, 2009 • Children of the Grapevine - Thursday, February 12, 2009 • Overcome Evil With Good - Friday, February 6, 2009 • Join The Fight - Thursday, January 29, 2009 • Custard Delight - Friday, January 23, 2009 • Lust Vs. Virtue - Tuesday, January 6, 2009 • Change - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 • Sleet and Snow? - Tuesday, December 2, 2008 • Harvest Time - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 • Testing of Our Faith - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 • Demonstrating Love - Monday, November 3, 2008 • Meandering - Thursday, October 30, 2008 • Our Relationships - Tuesday, October 28, 2008 • Stand - Thursday, October 16, 2008 • If We Neglect So Great Salvation - Friday, October 10, 2008 • Birthday - Tuesday, October 7, 2008 • Fall Coming - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 • Seeking Wisdom - Tuesday, September 16, 2008 • Gustav Cleanup - Thursday, September 11, 2008 • Hurricane Gustav Story - Friday, September 5, 2008 • Breaking Ground - Thursday, August 28, 2008 • Crossing Bridges - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 • Witnessing - Thursday, August 21, 2008 • Testimonies - Friday, August 15, 2008 • Decision - Saturday, August 9, 2008 • A Testimony - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 • The Roman Centurion - Friday, August 1, 2008 • Fruit - Thursday, July 17, 2008 • Lost Little Friend - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 • Cleaning Out Our Closet - Thursday, June 26, 2008 • Climb A High Mountain - Tuesday, June 24, 2008 • The Desires of our Heart - Thursday, June 19, 2008 • Summertime Blues - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 • The Authority In His Name - Thursday, June 12, 2008 • Mrs. Louise - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 • Memorial Day - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 • Wise and Foolish Virgins - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 • Occupy - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 • Children of Light - Thursday, May 15, 2008 • Faith - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 • Read Your Bible - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 • Cain & Abel - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 • Justified - Thursday, May 1, 2008 • Young Ministers - Friday, April 25, 2008 • Righteous Faith - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 • Coralie Fraley: Servant of God - Thursday, April 10, 2008 • The Chosen Ones - Tuesday, April 8, 2008 • LaSalle Baptists - Friday, April 4, 2008 • Gabbatha To Golgotha - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 • I AM - Wednesday, March 19, 2008 • Ambassador Thompson - Tuesday, March 11, 2008 • A Simple Handshake - Saturday, March 8, 2008 • Falling Into His Hands - Tuesday, March 4, 2008 • God Sees A Man's Heart - Friday, February 29, 2008 • My Chamber Door - Tuesday, February 26, 2008 • Question of the Day - Wednesday, February 20, 2008 • Friendship - Wednesday, February 13, 2008 • Lighten Your Burden - Friday, February 8, 2008 • Beggars - Wednesday, January 30, 2008 • Unity - Monday, January 28, 2008 • God Is Love - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 • The Nationalists' March - Monday, January 21, 2008 • I'm Sorry - Friday, January 18, 2008 • Politics & Religion - Friday, January 18, 2008 • A New Covenant - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 • Trust In God - Thursday, January 10, 2008 • A Prayer - Tuesday, January 8, 2008 • Waiting On Perfection - Monday, December 10, 2007 • Ten Years - Saturday, December 8, 2007 • Kingdom Eyes - Thursday, November 29, 2007 • Unity Service In Jena - Monday, November 19, 2007 • An Old Poem - Monday, November 12, 2007 • Salvation Grace - Monday, October 29, 2007 • Homecoming 2007 - Sunday, October 7, 2007 • See You At The Pole - Wednesday, September 26, 2007 • Jesus Rocks! - Tuesday, September 25, 2007 • Praise Report - Friday, September 21, 2007 • On The Eve Of The Apocalypse - Wednesday, September 19, 2007 • All In The Name Of Jesus - Thursday, September 13, 2007 • Space Grace - Monday, September 10, 2007 • CNN Interview - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 • Rumors - Thursday, August 23, 2007 • Prayer: We Need More Of It - Monday, August 20, 2007 • LaSalle Parish Teacher's Prayer Breakfast - Thursday, August 16, 2007 • Confidence - Tuesday, August 14, 2007 • Another Look At Faith - Wednesday, August 8, 2007 • Lights On! - Monday, August 6, 2007 • Tony and Melissa Miller - Saturday, August 4, 2007 • Being Interviewed. - Monday, July 30, 2007 • Poor Communication - Saturday, July 28, 2007 • Hope - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 • A Poem About Marriage I Wrote Long Ago - Saturday, July 21, 2007 • Surviving - Friday, July 13, 2007 • New Life - Monday, July 9, 2007 • Home Again - Friday, July 6, 2007 • The Trial Begins - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 • Maturity - Friday, June 22, 2007 • The Jena Six Coverage - Friday, June 15, 2007 • The Knocking At The Door - Thursday, June 14, 2007 • From A Letter To A Friend Worried About Faith - Tuesday, June 12, 2007 • The Wreck - Thursday, June 7, 2007 • Vacation! - Wednesday, May 30, 2007 • Beware Everydayness Today - Friday, May 25, 2007 • Another Article On Jena Six - Thursday, May 24, 2007 • As The Story Turns - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 • Full Circle - Friday, May 4, 2007 • To Answer A Question Of Love - Thursday, May 3, 2007 • District Council - Saturday, April 21, 2007 • Ramblings From My Friend In Virginia - Friday, April 20, 2007 • Overcoming The World - Thursday, April 19, 2007 • Virginia Tech - Tuesday, April 17, 2007 • Hip Hopcrisy - Thursday, April 12, 2007 • Imus In The Cookie Jar - Tuesday, April 10, 2007 • Alone Time - Thursday, April 5, 2007 • Laura Christy (I need your new phone number) - Tuesday, April 3, 2007 • A Prayer Of Christ - Thursday, March 29, 2007 • Wounding - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 • Roaring Again - Friday, March 23, 2007 • News-worthy - Monday, March 19, 2007 • BBC Interview - Friday, March 16, 2007 • Author Unknown - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 • Blast From The Past - Saturday, March 10, 2007 • The Songs of Fools - Thursday, March 8, 2007 • Jason Hatcher Day - Tuesday, March 6, 2007 • Riding A Bike - Saturday, February 24, 2007 • The Battle Against Racism In Jena, Louisiana - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 • Dissension - Thursday, February 15, 2007 • Scrambling for Blessings - Saturday, February 10, 2007 • Wild Game Cook-off - Tuesday, February 6, 2007 • Spiggots For Jesus - Friday, February 2, 2007 • Crusty Heart - Monday, January 29, 2007 • Alysa's Birthday - Saturday, January 20, 2007 • Patience - Thursday, January 18, 2007 • Answered Prayer - Wednesday, January 17, 2007 • Payment Due Date - Saturday, January 6, 2007 • Back To Basics - Saturday, December 30, 2006 • Pride Before A Fall - Wednesday, December 27, 2006 • Merry Christmas - Friday, December 22, 2006 • Battling Racism - Monday, December 18, 2006 • The Door To Grace And Mercy - Thursday, December 14, 2006 • Christmas? - Tuesday, December 12, 2006 • Resignation - Monday, December 11, 2006 • Here We Go Again - Thursday, November 30, 2006 • Restarting The Daily Bread - Tuesday, November 28, 2006 • VACATION - Sunday, November 19, 2006 • Sympathy - Thursday, November 16, 2006 • Flawed Human Logic - Monday, November 13, 2006 • Thank God For Mondays - Monday, November 6, 2006 • Miracle - Wednesday, November 1, 2006 • Elections - Wednesday, October 25, 2006 • Response To A Homosexual's Letter - Friday, October 20, 2006 • Turtle Thompson - Wednesday, September 27, 2006 • Survive - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 • Planning To Fail - Thursday, September 14, 2006 • Born Again - Monday, August 28, 2006 • More Stuff To Do - Friday, August 25, 2006 • Hot - Tuesday, August 22, 2006 • Two-A-Days - Saturday, August 12, 2006 • Purple And Gold - Tuesday, August 8, 2006 • Dying With Dignity - Monday, August 7, 2006 • Thermometers or Thermostats - Friday, July 14, 2006 • Fear & Faith - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 • Calloused Logic Concerning Abortion - Saturday, July 8, 2006 • Word Not Just Fast Food - Wednesday, June 28, 2006 • Need More Time - Saturday, June 24, 2006 • Father's Day - Monday, June 19, 2006 • Letter To Editor - Wednesday, June 14, 2006 • My Solar System - Thursday, June 8, 2006 • God's Timing - Monday, June 5, 2006 • Help! - Tuesday, May 30, 2006 • Morning Glory - Tuesday, May 23, 2006 • Fruit - Friday, May 19, 2006 • Almost Normal - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 • Mother's Day Loss - Friday, May 12, 2006 • Soul Searching - Thursday, May 11, 2006 • Here We Go Again - Monday, May 8, 2006 • Answer To The Woodpecker Question - Thursday, May 4, 2006 • Battling Darkness Today - Tuesday, May 2, 2006 • Three Inescapable Facts - Thursday, April 27, 2006 • Crossing Over - Monday, April 24, 2006 • Back To Father's House - Saturday, April 22, 2006 • Knock, Knock, Knocking - Thursday, April 20, 2006 • Later, Gator! - Monday, April 17, 2006 • My English Dogwoods - Saturday, April 15, 2006 • Valley of Decision - Monday, April 10, 2006 • Moments of Fear and Faith - Saturday, April 8, 2006
