Decluttering Tips and Support

**NOTE** Before we jump in: this week's newsletter centers around the connection between minimalism and Christianity. Occasionally I have guests on that mention their faith journeys, but neither my podcast nor my newsletter are solely Christianity-focused. If this subject does not pertain to you, feel free to wait until next Friday or check out some past newsletters here. Thanks for being here! ​
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Dear Reader,

Have you ever heard a pastor preach about the spiritual pitfalls of owning too much? 🤔
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I haven't. Sure, I've heard sermons warning against the love of money and greed, but never one that explicitly speaks to the connection between spiritual growth and owning less.
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The question is, why?
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Perhaps it's because consumerism is, as this week's guest Joshua Becker writes in his new book Uncluttered Faith, the "most characteristic, unrecognized, and deeply ingrained sin” within the American church.
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Or perhaps it's because we don't like focusing on Scripture passages like Matthew 13:44-45, where Jesus tells two parables that involve giving up possessions in order to inherit the Kingdom of God.
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We want to inherit the kingdom AND keep the comforts of this world - including the stuff that crowds our homes and take up our precious time and energy.
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But what if minimalism was the tool that allowed us to enjoy the fullness and richness of God's promises?

On the Podcast

I was thrilled to speak to Joshua Becker from Becoming Minimalist about his new book Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact on Your World.
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The book is centered around a bold claim. Minimalism - specifically what Jesus has to say about possessions and money - isn't just a "nice to have". It's God’s design for our life.

Joshua dives into Scripture passages that point to numerous spiritual benefits that you can experience through minimalism, to allow you to reach your full potential and impact in the Kingdom of God.
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And (spoiler alert) - my story is in Chapter 3! I'm thrilled to be a part of this important project.
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In this podcast episode, Joshua and I talk about:
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- Why the American Church hasn’t focused more on the message of minimalism, specifically when it comes to Jesus’ clear teachings on our relationship with money and material possessions
- How our fruitfulness has been choked out by consumerism and distraction
- How minimalism helps us enjoy the benefits of God’s spiritual kingdom

​Listen to Episode 226 on your favorite podcast player or watch on YouTube!

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In Case You Missed It
​🚨 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🚨

Joshua Becker, author of Uncluttered Faith, and Katy Joy Wells, author of Making Home Your Happy Place, are graciously offering SIGNED copies of their new books!
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Here's all you need to do to enter:
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Please leave a 5-star written review in Apple Podcasts for my podcast Moms Overcoming Overwhelm (only if you haven’t left one before) or a rating/comment in Spotify. Here’s a tutorial on how to leave a written review in Apple Podcasts.
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OR
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share it with a friend via text or social media!
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Screen shot the review BEFORE you submit a review (as it can take a few days to show up in Apple Podcasts) OR after you share with your friend and e-mail me at info@simplebyemmy.com before 8 PM EST on Monday, February 9th, 2026. Please let me know in the e-mail if you’re interested in Making Home Your Happy Place, Uncluttered Faith, or either book.

The winners will be announced on the next episode on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Good luck!

Things I'm Loving Right Now

✨ My decluttering/organizing tool of the week is dupeGuru deduplication software - specifically for photo organizing projects. I learned about it in Declutter Your Photo Life by Adam Pratt - a book filled with helpful tools and resources for anyone decluttering and organizing their photos.

✨ My decluttering/organizing resource of the week is Joshua's book Uncluttered Faith. I describe the book as bold, convicting, and attainable. I highly recommend it. Check out the details above about how to win a signed copy!

✨ My favorite recipe of the week is Skyline (Cincinnati) Chili. We are still surrounded in snow here so I'm making all the soups, stews, and chilis my family will eat!
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What are some things you're loving right now? Hit reply and let me know.

On the journey with you,

Emily

P.S. Skipped to the end? No problem! This week I spoke to Joshua Becker about his new book Uncluttered Faith.

​*Note- affiliate links may be included, which means I get a small commission if you use my link - thanks!​