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We've all seen it — the new house, the promotion, the vacation photo with "blessed" in the caption. And honestly? We've all posted it too. But what happens when you open Matthew 5 and the first thing Jesus says is blessed are those who mourn? Blessed are the ones at the end of their rope? Blessed are the persecuted?

That is not the social media version of blessed. And yet that is exactly what Jesus said.

In this episode we're kicking off the Sermon on the Mount series — Living the Kingdom Way — and we're starting right at the beginning. Matthew 5:1–12. The Beatitudes. And we're getting really honest about how much of the world's definition of blessed has snuck into our faith without us even realizing it.

We're talking about:

• Why Jesus' definition of blessed looks nothing like what our culture celebrates

• What makarios (mah-KAH-ree-oss) actually means — and why it changes everything

• The world's version of the Beatitudes vs. Jesus' version, side by side

• Why the things you've been embarrassed about might actually be your greatest qualification

• What it looks like to stop performing and actually come to God as you are

This one is going to mess with you in the best possible way.

Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12 (MSG + NLT)

Find me at SimplyBlessedDesignz.com

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Is there something God has been showing you that you haven't done anything with yet? You felt the nudge. You wrote it down. You said yes Lord, I hear You — and then just kept living the same way you were before.

In this episode, Ashley digs into the gap between knowing and doing — and why James 1:22 hits a lot harder when you know the full story behind who wrote it. We also talk about why your current season is not a waiting room, what Ruth and Joseph can teach us about faithfulness in the hard and ordinary places, and why one imperfect step forward is worth more than a hundred things you're planning to do someday.

Next week we kick off our deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount — starting with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. You don't want to miss it!

Scriptures referenced: James 1:22, John 7:5, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Proverbs 3:5-6

Find show notes and the blog post at SimplyBlessedDesignz.com

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Have you ever gone to Pinterest for one quick idea and come out the other side with a full raised bed garden plan, seven saved recipes, and absolutely no answer to the question you started with? Friend, same.

In this episode of Unscripted Conversations, we're talking about what it really looks like to walk steady in faith — not perfectly, not with every detail figured out, and definitely not waiting until the timing feels just right. Just steady.

We're digging into the slow-motion trap that keeps so many of us stuck in perpetual planning mode, why the cost of waiting is way higher than we think, and what Scripture actually shows us about moving before you feel ready. (Spoiler: Noah, Joshua, and Peter were all nervous too.)

Plus I'm sharing the story of my tiny little workshop that almost never happened — and why I'm so glad I showed up anyway with my half-done handouts and a prayer.

If you've been waiting for a sign that it's time to take the next step — this is it.

What we talk about in this episode:

• The Pinterest rabbit hole and what it's really costing you
• Why perpetual planning is just fear in a productive outfit
• What Noah, Joshua, and Peter teach us about moving before we're ready
• The workshop that almost didn't happen — and why it mattered
• How to start embarrassingly small and why that's actually enough

Find the full blog post + show notes at SimplyBlessedDesignz.com

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Slow and steady is still moving.

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