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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

Join the email list for the good stuff — link on the website!

Slow and steady is still moving.

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In this episode we dig into everyday discernment: the small, nagging “do I or don’t I?” decisions that somehow control our weeks. I share my simple, practical routine for everyday discernment — pick your top 3 non‑negotiables, use a 24–72 hour rule, and run one small test before you commit. We talk about Nehemiah’s down‑to‑earth plan (pray, inspect, plan, recruit, protect, finish) and I give clear signs to spot a God‑yes versus a red‑flag no. If you’re juggling side‑hustle ideas, garden plans, or the million tiny asks that chip away at family time, this episode gives faith‑forward, actionable steps to help you decide with peace.

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Have you ever gone out of your way to avoid people—not because you’re rude, but because you’re hiding? In this episode Ashley (Unscripted Conversations) unpacks John 4 — the Woman at the Well — and leans into the messy, everyday places God meets us. Hear a grocery‑aisle story, a close read of the well encounter, and two practical ways to move from hiding to hope. Includes reflection questions, a short prayer, and resources at simplyblesseddesignz.com. If this nudged you, please share, rate, or review to help this little porch circle grow.

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You ever feel like you’re doing everything right… and it still feels like nothing is changing?

Like you’re showing up, trying to do better, making the right choices… and nobody sees it, nothing shifts, and you start wondering if it even counts?

Yeah… we’re talking about that today.

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal season that hit me hard, when Cameron left for bootcamp and everything just felt quiet in a way I wasn’t prepared for. The kind of quiet that makes you start questioning everything.

We’re also walking through the story of Joseph, not when everything worked out, but when he was in the middle of it… unseen, unrecognized, and still choosing to do what was right.

Because that’s where real faith shows up.

Not on a stage. Not when everyone’s watching.
But in the everyday moments nobody notices.

If you’ve been in a season where it feels like nothing is happening, I hope this reminds you…

It still counts. Every bit of it.

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Have you ever prayed for something… and then it just felt like everything went quiet?

Like you KNOW God hears you… but nothing is moving the way you thought it would?

Yeah… we’re talking about that today.

Because it’s real easy to have faith when things are flowing, doors are opening, and everything makes sense. It’s a whole different story when you’re sitting in the waiting, wondering what in the world God is doing and why the answer hasn’t come yet.

In this episode, I’m talking about what might actually be happening in those moments. Not the polished, pretty version… the real-life version. The kind where things feel slow, uncomfortable, and you’re tempted to start overthinking everything.

We’re talking about the difference between being refined and being revealed, why God doesn’t just say yes to everything we ask for, and how some of the hardest seasons in your life might actually be preparing you for what you’ve been praying for all along.

So if you’ve been in a place where things feel quiet, slow, or just not lining up the way you thought they would… go ahead and press play. This one’s for you.

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If you’ve been staying busy, handling what needs to be handled, and still feeling more worn down than you expected, this one is probably going to hit a little closer than you planned.

It’s easy to keep moving, to keep adding one more thing to the list, and to tell yourself you’ll slow down later once everything is done… but later doesn’t really come, and before long you realize you’ve been carrying a whole lot more than you ever meant to.

In this episode, I’m walking through the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19, not just the moment where God showed up in a powerful way, but what happened right after, when everything caught up with him and he found himself exhausted and ready to quit.

And what stands out in that isn’t just where he ended up, it’s how God met him there, not with more to do, not with pressure to keep going, but by taking care of him first and giving him space to rest before anything else.

So if you’ve been pushing through and wondering why you still feel so drained, or why things feel a little harder than they should, I think this is going to speak to you.

Listen in and be encouraged.

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