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 | Apr 6, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
Monday…
Today is Easter Monday. Which means tomorrow is Tuesday…and in case you stop reading this at this point, make sure you know, there is NO TUESDAY NOON PRAYER THIS WEEK but Bible Study is back on Wednesday.
But again…today is Monday.
Some of us woke up with chocolate bunnies and Peeps still flowing through our bloodstream…others woke up somewhere between inspiration and a full emotional-and-sugar hangover.
And maybe a few of us woke up wondering:
Okay…Easter was amazing…Now what?
by Andrew Beard | Feb 20, 2026 | Words from Pastor Andrew
This Sunday we begin something new.
New things can be scary. Uncharted. Unknown.
In ancient maps, when cartographers illustrated what they knew, what had been discovered, they drew the land, the water, the topography, the geography.
But when they reached portions not yet explored, places unknown or seemingly dangerous, do you know what they would do?
They would draw lions and write in Latin:
Hic Sunt Leones.
Here be lions.
