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Minimalism isn’t about removing the things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.

That insight from Joshua Becker gets to the heart of a much deeper issue than messy closets or crowded garages. Clutter competes for more than our space. It competes for our attention, affection, time, energy, and generosity.

Joshua Becker, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and founder of Becoming Minimalist, joined the show today to talk about his book, Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World. 

His message is not that every Christian needs bare walls, a tiny home, or a life stripped of beauty and enjoyment. Rather, it’s an invitation to ask a better question: Are the things we own helping us live faithfully, or are they quietly distracting us from what matters most?

For many people, the word “minimalism” brings to mind stark white rooms, empty shelves, or getting rid of nearly everything they own. But Becker is quick to point out that minimalism will look different from one person to another.

Some may enjoy a simpler aesthetic. Others may not. Some may feel called to live with very little. Others may simply need to become more intentional about what they own and why.

Becker defines minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from it.”

That definition moves the conversation from rules to purpose. The goal is not to own less for its own sake. The goal is to make room for what God has called us to value most.

Becker’s journey began on an ordinary Saturday morning. He set out to clean his garage while his young son wanted him to play. Hours later, still surrounded by stuff, he realized he had spent his day maintaining possessions instead of investing in his son.

That moment became a turning point. He and his wife began removing unnecessary possessions from their home, eventually giving away or discarding 60 to 70 percent of what they owned.

With each step, Becker noticed practical benefits. Their home became easier to maintain. Their lifestyle costs less. They had more time and energy. They also found new opportunities for generosity.

As a pastor, Becker began to see the connection between simplicity and faith. Jesus had been inviting His followers into this kind of life all along—not as deprivation, but as freedom. He calls us away from storing up treasures on earth and toward a life oriented around the Kingdom of God.

We live in a culture that constantly tells us more is better. Advertisements, social media, algorithms, and comparison all work together to convince us that the next purchase will make us happier, more secure, more admired, or more complete.

The message is subtle but powerful: your life will be better if you buy what we’re selling.

Over time, that message shapes our desires. We begin to define success by accumulation. Bigger homes, newer cars, fuller closets, upgraded technology, and constant consumption start to feel normal.

But normal is not always wise. And common is not always faithful.

Scripture re

What happens when a boy once called “garbage” becomes a father to more than 40 kids? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Peter Mutabazi about trauma, foster care, forgiveness, and the gritty reality behind every foster parenting story. From poop-covered walls to late-night ice cream talks, Peter shares hard-earned wisdom for anyone wondering if love, patience, and faith can really change a child’s future.

Show Notes and Resources

• Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning support when you buy 10+ workbooks go to shop.familylife.com
• Get Peter's book Now I am Known: How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth on our shop. 

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
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God’s plan for Creation and His plan for mankind, included His plan for man’s redemption. Even before the heavens and the earth were created, He knew man’s freewill would lead him astray. . . and He had a solution before we even tasted of the forbidden fruit. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie digs in to God’s plan as revealed in Genesis. To understand something best, we need to take it from the top – chapter 1, verse 1 of book #1 in God’s Word.

Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.

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Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

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Many Christian parents feel unprepared when their kids return home from school steeped in ideas they don't understand.

The post How Christians Can Assert a Biblical Vision of Gender, Race, and Sexuality, Part 1 appeared first on Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

Dr. Gary Chapman explains that just like people have different “love languages,” they also have different “apology languages.” If you don’t apologize in the way the offended person needs, they may doubt that you’re truly regretful, which can lead to resentment. Listen in to refine your apology skills.

Receive a copy of The 5 Apology Languages plus a free audio download of “Transform Your Marriage with the Power of a Sincere Apology.” Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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In this message, Chip shares how the worst situations in your life can become the greatest opportunities for growth - and for God’s glory.

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It was one of those unforgettable, milestone moments for our family. Our firstborn child was holding her firstborn child. Wow! What a moment! And we got to join them in the delivery room just moments after the little guy's arrival. And I knew this presented a shocking development. My wife was a grandmother! Could you believe it? Me, living with a grandmother! Yes, I was living in denial. And then after becoming a grandmother more than once, well finally, I had to accept that disturbing reality and glorious reality. I am a grandfather!

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Why God Will Never Be a Grandfather.”

All through the Bible, God introduces Himself to us as our Father in heaven, but never as our grandfather. God never has been and never will be anyone’s grandfather. See, He only has children. He doesn't have any grandchildren.

That might be some very important information for you to consider - eternally important - because you might be one of the many people who could be counting on the faith of their family to qualify them for heaven. If you've got a Christian mom or dad, that might help you know about Jesus. It won't do a thing for you when it comes to knowing Jesus personally though. You can't "osmote" a relationship with Jesus from your Christian parents or your Christian husband or your wife, or from the Christians you've been with your whole life. Unless there's been a personal transaction between you and Jesus to have your sins forgiven, you've never been born into God's family, and you'll never see heaven. God has no grandchildren.

Jesus described the essential qualification for going to heaven when He said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). A couple of chapters earlier, the Bible describes just how that birthing into God’s family takes place. It’s in John 1:12, our word for today from the Word of God. Speaking of Jesus, it says, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

What does it mean to “receive” Christ? Well, it’s consciously opening the door of your heart and welcoming Jesus in. So, has there ever been a time when you did that for yourself? This verse talks about “believing in His name.” What’s that about? When you check out “believe” in the original language of the New Testament, it’s clear that it’s a lot more than just agreeing with all the facts about Jesus dying for your sin. It’s about total trust in Jesus like He's your only hope. “His name” literally means, “Jehovah rescues.” That’s what He died for—to pay for your sin so you don’t have to. To rescue you.

Just picture that you're desperately drowning and Jesus has come like the rescuer. You’ve got to grab onto Him like He's your only hope. Has there ever been a time when you did that with Jesus? You say, "I'm not sure." Well, if you don’t know you have, I'd say you probably haven’t. When you’ve grown up in a Christian home, spent a lot of time in a Christian environment, it’s easy to feel like, "Man, I must have picked up Jesus somewhere." Well, no, not unless there’s been a time when you consciously put all your trust in Him for yourself and you told Him that. That’s when your sins get erased from God’s records. That’s when you get born into God’s family.

It may be God has you listening today so He could whisper to your heart, “Take care of this now. Look, you’ve known a lot about Me all these years, but you’ve never known Me. Don’t wait another day to begin your personal relationship with Me.” You know, you could do that by telling Jesus, “Beginning this day, I'm Yours.”

This what could be your Jesus day, this would be a great day for you to go visit our website. It's ANewStory.com.

From now on, this date can be yo