by Andrew Beard | Jun 24, 2024 | Words from Pastor Andrew
Several years ago Sarah, the boys and I went on a quick trip from Dallas, TX to Springfield, Missouri to meet with other churches, campus ministries, and college pastors. It was just a few days over my kids spring break and then back to work.
That quick trip turned into 5 weeks in Missouri.
Most of the world pressed pause in March of 2020 so we ended up going to Sarah’s parents house until we needed to return back to Dallas.
We had no idea or plan to stay in Missouri for so long.
We had 3 pairs of clothes.
And yet during those 5 weeks, it snowed and my kids went sledding, it got into the upper 70’s and Sarah’s parents opened their pool and my kids went swimming.
It turns out all we needed was those 3 pairs of clothes.
by Andrew Beard | Jun 19, 2024 | Words from Pastor Andrew
If you have kids or grandkids or employees or maybe even pets, you likely have thought about saying something you think is really important, you shared that seemingly vital message, and then you wonder, did they even care?
Did that make any difference?
Regularly, I preach a sermon and I wonder…
“Did anyone benefit from that?”
Now, I don’t need people to send me encouraging words…or worse, tell me,
“Actually, no. No one benefitted from that…”
But I do wonder this sometimes.
by Andrew Beard | Apr 30, 2024 | Words from Pastor Andrew
The other day my son Keating came home from school and asked,
“Dad, who is your favorite prisoner held at Alcatraz?”
You know…I don’t know. I have not once in my life given any meaningful thought about the prisoners once held there, let alone which one is my favorite. I know vaguely that a few escaped and may have drowned…maybe…or may have lived the rest of their lives in secrecy and hiding…but I couldn’t tell you their names.
I knew that likely some infamous people in history ended up serving time there…but who they are, and who my favorite is out of all of them? Zero idea.
by Andrew Beard | Apr 23, 2024 | Words from Pastor Andrew
For years I described myself as a coffee lover. I would put it in my bio, I would talk about it when I met people, I would ask people about great local coffee shops, and I would buy lots of different coffee accessories for my at home coffee setup.
And by coffee accessories, I mean syrups and stir sticks, a milk frother and collectible coffee cups.
As time went on, I kept on consuming copious amounts of coffee, but when I would start to visit with others who also said they loved coffee…I realized they knew way more than I did.
They could identify flavors and notes.
They would go to great lengths to buy fancy beans from exotic locations.
They would pick up subtleties in the unique coffee that I just couldn’t identify.
I thought I loved coffee…but I just really liked coffee and caffeine. I was a young dad, working full time, and in seminary. Coffee was more about survival than enjoyment.
by Andrew Beard | Apr 15, 2024 | Words from Pastor Andrew
There is a sushi restaurant I really like that was recommended by a friend of mine. When we went my friend started ordering things that weren’t on the menu and asking about other things that weren’t listed. Now, I am super outgoing and can make conversation with a chair, but I also hate to inconvenience someone by asking unnecessary things. I never want to be…”that guy”…I just let him ask all the questions and sat back.
When the rolls he ordered showed up, the food my friend ordered was unbelievable.
