It's hard to believe that nearly six months have passed since we completed our Uncluttered Heart journey together. There are so many things we could catch up on. I hope your year is going well and that you are weaving spiritual nurture into your busy life.

I've had both wonderful and challenging days in 2010, including the flood affecting my Nashville neighbors, a trip to Italy, celebrating 75 years of The Upper Room, and a change in my job.

It's this last piece of news that I particularly wanted to share with you. Some of you asked last January, "What will you write next?" I'm excited to let you know that I have a new job -- I'm the editor of Alive Now magazine, published 6 times a year by The Upper Room. The January/February 2011 issue will be my first one. I hope to help unclutter hearts all year 'round through my work in this magazine. Please consider joining me as I enter into this new adventure.

If you'd like to learn more about the magazine, please visit the website: http://alivenow.upperroom.org. Subscription information is here: https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/eSv?iMagId=28305&i4Ky=ISNO

As always, I pray for you and hope you are well. I'd love to hear from you any time. As you think ahead to Advent, I hope you will choose to set aside time for God. If you want to participate again with The Uncluttered Heart, I'd love to have you join me -- or spread the word to friends and family.

Blessings,
Beth
http://www.betharichardson.com
http://www.facebook.com/beth.a.richardson

P.S. About the photo -- I took this last week in Denver, Colorado. I was there for a meeting and was watching the skies in the evening. The clouds this evening reminded me of the paintings and frescos I saw in Italy -- often accompanied by a cherub.

Today is Fat Tuesday. Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. As we cross over into Lent, I am remembering our time together during the days of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. I hope that you all are well, living lives full of grace.

I hope you'll find a way to mark the days of Lent in a meaningful way. I'm intending to join my friend, Pamela Hawkins, in exploring "The Awkward Season." She'll be leading us through these days at her blog: http://www.TheAwkwardSeason.org.

Whatever your path, may your steps be guided in the light of God's love.

Blessings,

Beth

Hello, Friends,

I'm so glad you've made your way to the home of The Uncluttered Heart. I hope you'll join me later this year in my journey through the days of Advent and Christmas.

Advent is often the busiest time of the year. And yet, we are called to make time and space to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. What a challenge for us as Christians. But there is power in sharing together in a difficult journey. I invite you to use this book in helping you clear away obstructions to God—your worries, distractions, negative habits—so that your heart and spirit is open to God’s movement during this holy time. God is waiting to break through our endless tasks and distractions to remind us that we are not alone.

In this book, my love of Advent joins with my work in web ministry. I’ve gone back through the years of selections we have used in our Advent web resources and have picked out some of my favorite quotes to use each day during Advent and the Christmas season that follows. Many of these quotes feel like old friends, and I’m glad to introduce you to them and to the books from which they are published.

Each day during Advent and Christmas (beginning November 28, 2010 and ending January 6, 2011), I'll be sending out an email message and a text message to help you "Remember God." The contents of these messages will be posted here at this website each day and you'll be welcome to join with me in reflecting on our thoughts, experiences, challenges, and victories during the season. Read the book daily,  sign up to receive one or both of these "digital spiritual helps" (texts and emails), and join the discussion on this page. Together we will journey through Advent and Christmas. Sign up here.

I'm really looking forward to spending Advent with you.

Blessings,