by Andrew Beard | Aug 6, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
Our son is running cross country this fall at school, and they’ve already started training.
So, our son…who does not naturally enjoy getting up early…has been getting up early. And now that he has a little more independence, he’s biking to practice, to friends’ houses, and to the beach.
He’s doing something beyond what feels comfortable.
Something he probably wouldn’t have chosen on his own.
This morning he woke up, looked outside, and it was sunny…and pouring rain.
The radar said the rain was over.
The rain apparently hadn’t gotten the memo…you know…Florida…
What we saw didn’t match what we had been told.
It reminded me that following Jesus often feels like that.
by Andrew Beard | Jul 13, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
Yesterday when Sarah and I drove into church, it was one of those beautiful, clear, though hot and muggy, summer mornings. I have a habit each week of keeping an eye on the Sunday morning weather because, well, we have a unique worship location. Everything looked great. Another clear Sunday.
During the first service, Sarah’s phone started ringing. It was our boys, who were biking to church and had gotten caught in a rainstorm.
A rainstorm? There was literally nothing on the radar. That can’t be right.
Then, when I walked out of the 8:30 service, I could feel the temperature dropping. Suddenly there were clouds gathering in the distance.
But still, nothing on the radar. Must just be some weird little popup storm.
by Andrew Beard | Jul 3, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
I’ve never been described as having “thin, dainty fingers.”
Recently my little brother got married, and his reception was at a bowling alley. I know…awesome, right? I have another friend who his brother got married on the same day in another city and his reception, was also at a bowling alley. Bowling Alley receptions, so hot right now.
Well, it turns out this small bowling alley had a limited ball selection, which is always a challenge for me at any bowling alley to find a ball that fits my massive thumb. But for thick, full-fingered people like me, there was one solid option at this bowling alley.
So my brothers, my dad, and I who all have husky thumbs all shared this one ball…which is challenging when you’re bowling on two different lanes. A lesson in patience. After waiting long enough for the ball to return over and over, I decided this was my opportunity to work on my curveball…is that what it’s called in bowling? My summer bowling league in elementary school would be deeply disappointed in me.
So I tried.
I tried the weird curveball thing on a smaller ball that couldn’t fit my thumb.
by Andrew Beard | Jun 15, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
Years ago, we bought one of those cheap inflatable pools for our backyard. It fit perfectly in this big circular space we had. Honestly, it was a great way to survive the Florida summer heat.
Then last year, when we were selling our house, we put it away. Turns out, most people looking to buy a nice house aren’t hoping it comes with a cheap inflatable pool in the backyard. Apparently, that’s considered an “eyesore.” This is why I’m not a realtor.
So it sat in the garage for almost two years.
by Andrew Beard | Jun 9, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
In front of our house, we have a section of grass that is having a hard time growing. It has little shoots of nice green grass, but it is struggling. It has little patches of green, but mostly it looks tired. Thin. Beat up. Like it’s trying really hard to survive.
I asked the guy who laid it, “Why does the grass throughout the rest of my yard look awesome? It has a huge variety of sun and shade, watering and tree coverage, and it all looks healthy and lush. But this section looks like it is having an incredibly hard time.”
And he said, “Well, that sod didn’t have time to create deep roots before it took the wear and tear of people.”
This grass was laid at the same time as everything else, but it was in a location where it got trampled by workers, by us moving in, by our kids running out to play, by bikes and scooters, and by kids playing catch. This area wasn’t able to build a healthy foundation before it was exposed to the reality of everyday life.
by Andrew Beard | May 18, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
This summer, our boys are doing the South Walton Junior Lifeguard program. I assume they hired David Hasselhoff to lead it, and that most of the training involves running in slow motion…but I don’t know. We’ll see.
To be part of the program, you first have to pass a swim test. On Saturday, tons of kids gathered at the beach and suddenly ran as one massive herd into the water. It was quite the spectacle, a cacophony of hopeful junior lifeguards sprinting toward the red buoy and back again.
I imagine they all signed up for different reasons.
Some want the fun.
Some want the exercise.
Some just need something to do this summer.
Some parents definitely want them to have something to do this summer.
