“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11

Today, Ash and guest Kate Westwood explore one of the most comforting and confronting pictures Jesus gives of Himself: the Good Shepherd — the One who protects, pursues, provides for, and patiently leads us… even when we wander.

Together they unpack:

• Why Jesus calls Himself “the Good Shepherd” — and what that meant in ancient culture
• The surprising truth about sheep: easily distracted, easily lost, and deeply dependent
• Why recognising our own “sheep tendencies” helps us understand God’s grace
• How Jesus doesn’t just guide us — He lays His life across the gate to protect us
• The beauty of a Shepherd who knows us by name and knows what we need
• How God pursues us even when we take the harder path or ignore His voice
• Why shepherding also reflects how we care, pray for, and stand in the gap for others
• How this whole week points to the heart of Christmas — Jesus coming near, giving Himself, and reconciling us to the Father

This conversation ties together a rich week of episodes — from guarding our hearts, to the prophecies of Jesus’ coming, to the forgiveness He brings — ending with the reminder that He is good, He is faithful, and He is the One who leads us home.

If you’ve been feeling lost, overwhelmed, distracted, or unsure of God’s nearness, may this episode anchor you again in the truth:
Your Shepherd is close. He sees you, protects you, and knows exactly how to lead you.

May it draw you deeper into wonder, gratitude, and joy as you walk with Him.

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“You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.” — Psalm 85:2

Today, Ash and guest Kate Westwood unpack a deeply personal, beautifully freeing truth: every single sin — past, present, and future — has been fully covered by Jesus. And because of that, we’re invited to live differently.

As Christmas approaches, Ash shares how God has been gently convicting her about generosity, kindness and loving the people Scripture urges us not to overlook. Kate reminds us that while the world tells us to prioritise ourselves, God’s heart has always been for those in need — and for His people to reflect that heart.

Together they explore:

• How God uses conviction not to shame us, but to shape us
• Why generosity is more than giving — it’s obedience and compassion in action
• The subtle ways we drift into self-protection or “someone else will do it”
• Why focusing on the attitude of your heart changes the actions of your hands
• How God throws our sins into a “forgetful sea”… with a sign that says no fishing
• Why the Christian life isn’t about trying not to sin — it’s about walking closely with Jesus
• The freedom of admitting, “I wasn’t enough… and that’s exactly why Jesus came”

If you’ve been wrestling with guilt, feeling far from God, or unsure how to walk out your faith in a practical way, Psalm 85:2 is your reminder: it is finished.
You are forgiven, loved, and invited into a life of generous, wholehearted faith — the kind Jesus showed us first.

SOAP

Scripture - Verse, read it, read it again... underline and think about it!

Observation - What do you observe? Get curious about context, who wrote it, why? What do you think when you read it!

Application - How does this apply to your life? Or what can I learn from what happened in these verses.

Prayer - Pray about it, lift it to God, and ask for him to help you with whatever you are facing!

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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Emmanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14

Today, Ash and guest Kate Willcox unpack one of the most profound prophecies in Scripture — a promise that would be fulfilled hundreds of years later through Jesus. Together they explore why this verse isn’t just a Christmas line… but a reminder of God’s intentionality, nearness, and miraculous power.

Together they dive into:

• How Isaiah’s prophecy cements the truth of who Jesus is — not just a good man, but God Himself
• Why fulfilled prophecy strengthens our faith and reveals God’s character
• The meaning of Emmanuel and what it really means that God chooses to be with us
• How God makes Himself easy to find — through creation, moments of kindness, answered prayers, and everyday miracles
• Why Jesus coming to earth shows the depth of the Father’s love and His desire to be close to us
• How Christmas calls us to slow down, look for God, and ask, “Lord, would You show me who You are?”
• The invitation to rediscover the wonder of the Christmas story — not sentimentality, but revelation
• Why Jesus’ birth is the beginning of the rescue story that leads all the way to the cross

This conversation is rich, hope-filled, and grounding. If you’re craving clarity, connection with God, or a renewed sense of awe this Christmas season, this episode will help you look again — and see that God has always been drawing near.

May this prompt you to recognise His signs, celebrate His faithfulness, and rest in the truth that He is Emmanuel — God with us.

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“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfill the promise…” — Jeremiah 33:14

Today, Ash and Kate Willcox dive into one of the most relatable parts of the Christian walk:
What do you do when God has spoken, but life still looks nothing like the promise?

Through honest conversation about identity, singleness, hope, heartbreak, and timing, they unpack what it really means to wrestle with God, wait well, and keep your eyes fixed on Him instead of the outcome.

Together they explore:

• Why God’s promises are certain, but His timing is rarely what we expect

• How the people in Jeremiah’s day held onto a promise they never lived to see

• What it looks like to “fight for” a promise without trying to force it

• The difference between reminding God and doubting Him

• How hopelessness can sneak in when we shift our focus away from Jesus

• The temptation to make the promise the goal instead of knowing God

• What Kate has learned in her own story of singleness, waiting, and trust

• Why living as if the promise is true is actually an act of obedience

• How to keep your heart soft when the waiting feels long

• The freeing truth: God is after relationship, not just outcomes

If you’re waiting for something — love, reconciliation, healing, direction, breakthrough — this episode will gently remind you that God is faithful, He is near, and He’s working in ways you can’t yet see.

And more than anything…
the promise isn’t the prize — His presence is.

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“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Today, Ash and guest Kate Westwood unpack one of the most formative and practical verses in Scripture — and why guarding your heart matters more than ever in a world of constant noise, content, and cultural pressure.

Together they explore:

• How what we watch, read, listen to, and scroll shapes our hearts, often without us realising

• Why guarding your heart isn’t just about personal conviction — sometimes it’s about simple obedience

• The difference between “I don’t feel convicted” and “Is this honouring to God?”

• How God lovingly exposes the subtle things that influence us — even the things we justify

• Why the attitudes we tolerate (bitterness, frustration, cynicism) form us just as much as the media we consume

• The sobering truth: your life will always overflow from whatever fills your heart

• The call to be countercultural — people who offer something different than the world around us

• The invitation to think on what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)

This conversation is honest, challenging, and full of grace. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, desensitised, or unsure why certain attitudes keep creeping into your life, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and realign your heart with God’s.

May this prompt you to guard what’s precious, protect what God is forming in you, and live from a heart that’s healthy, whole, and rooted in Him.

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1 John 4:19 — “We love because He first loved us.”

In today’s episode, Ash slows down a verse we’ve heard so many times we barely register it anymore. We’re called to love — not because people are easy, not because relationships are clean or convenient, but because God loved us first.

Ash unpacks:

• What God’s love actually looked like: sacrificial, selfless, servant-hearted

• Why Jesus didn’t just heal people — He called them higher (“Go and sin no more”)

• The difference between emotional love and obedient, Christlike love

• Why unconditional love must include accountability, forgiveness, and grace

• How God’s love is proactive — He came to us first, long before we deserved it

• What it means to reflect that same kind of love in messy, real-life relationships

• Why bringing your flaws to Jesus is where transformation starts

If you’ve been wrestling with how to love someone in your world — or feeling unworthy of love yourself — this episode will help you return to the foundation: God loved you first, and He loves you fully.

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Psalm 145:18 — “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

In today’s episode, Ash digs into a verse we often skim but rarely unpack. God promises nearness — but He also gives a condition: call on Him in truth. So what does truth actually mean when life feels confusing, subjective, or overwhelming?

Ash explores why closeness with God doesn’t start with perfection — it starts with honesty. Real, humble, bring-your-whole-self honesty.

In this episode, Ash shares:

• Why truth can feel subjective if we’re not anchored in Scripture

• The danger of relying on feelings instead of God’s Word

• How calling on God “in truth” requires honesty, humility, and repentance

• How to come to God when you feel lost, tired, or spiritually flat

• Why spending time in the Word helps you recognise God’s voice

• The lie that God is distant — and what Psalm 145:18 reveals instead

• Why God often feels closest when we finally stop pretending

If you’ve ever wondered why God feels far or how to hear Him clearly, this conversation will help you recenter your heart, rediscover truth, and draw near to the God who is already near to you.

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Relationships can be one of the hardest parts of life — whether at home, work, or church. In this episode, Ash dives into Romans 15:5 and explores how God gives us endurance and encouragement to carry the right attitude of mind toward others.

Discover how to:

• Press into God for strength and daily encouragement

• Approach relationships with the love, compassion, and patience of Jesus

• Prioritize others without losing yourself

• Navigate differences in community, church, and workplace life

• Build harmony by leaning on God, not just your own effort

If you’re looking to end the year with renewed perspective and a heart ready to love well, this conversation will help you press into God and embrace the joy of living in harmony with others.

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