Andy B Matters, by the BerryBunch

Andy B

Andy B is

- A Man
- A Husband
- A Father
- A Son

From creating Digital Content to raising three sons, Andy B is a bit like an onion – he has many layers, and isn’t at his best in the sun!

A few of those layers would include selling cloth nappies, driving trucks, creating video media & podcasts, publishing books and as a Radio Presenter.

He’s quite a multi skilled chap!

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Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Episodes

S05E089, Obedience v Sacrifice, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Jun 13 2023
S05E089, Obedience v Sacrifice, Andy B 2 Minute Video
To Obey is better than Sacrifice. It’s a beautiful gem in the Old Testament which can sometimes be missed! And, when we read something in the bible about sacrificing animals, it’s all too easy to disregard it as out of date because of what Jesus did on the cross.Jesus’ death and resurrection means we don’t need to sacrifice animals in the Temple. But it doesn’t lessen the importance of obedience for us Christians.But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices  or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice… 1 Samuel 15:22 (New Living Translation)Put really simply, animal sacrifice made God pleased in the Old Testament times. But, despite that, obedience was what mattered above and beyond that. Actually that theme reappears elsewhere in the Old Testament – when God gets fed up with people doing what their duty is, rather than simply obeying God.Obedience almost sounds like a dirty word these days, outside of the Armed Forces where soldiers are taught to obey the commands of those senior to them. And that obedience is even more important for us as Christians.Don’t make the mistake of thinking that giving to the poor, fighting for social injustices is what God wants from you. It is good to care for the people we meet. In the book of James, the author – of the same name – tells us that pure religion is exactly that of caring for orphans and widows.More important that any of that, though, is being obedient to God. He desires our hearts over our hands.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665783/S05E089_Obedience_v.aspx Support the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E088, Keep Your Eye On The Prize, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Jun 12 2023
S05E088, Keep Your Eye On The Prize, Andy B 2 Minute Video
David, of the David's Daily Dose blog, and I were chatting around two pieces of scripture we had commented on.One was Romans 5 and the other Hebrews 12 and how they link together and he challenged me to write something on these two, so here it is!Hebrews 12:1-2 (New Living Translation)Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.andRomans 5:3-5 (New Living Translation)We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.So run the race, and keep your eye on the prize!Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665784/S05E088_Keep_your.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E087, Lemonade and Life, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Jun 9 2023
S05E087, Lemonade and Life, Andy B 2 Minute Video
There’s a line in the film Kung Fu Panda. The Master is speaking with his trainee. The trainee feels fierce and tough and hard. He’s talking about how he can make all sorts of things happen, like where a tree can grow.The Master simply replies that while he can have power to  choose where a tree may grow, he can’t control what will grow – if a peach seed is planted, then a peach tree can grow.All the power and skill in the world can not change make those sorts of choices.Life throws things at us all the time. And when things do not go as planned there are a couple of choices we can make. And, make no mistake, they are choices - no matter how we feel about them.We can choose to stamp our feet and get angry about what has unfolded before us. Or we can choose to accept what we can not do, and deal with what we can.Hence the phrase When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade.There is one more thing that we can do, however, that will seek to mitigate these insurmountable and unexpected issues.In our home we call it “front loading”. Simply put it means getting done what you can, when you can, with what you have. Another way would be to say ‘don’t leave everything until the last minute’.We can’t control a whole range of things, but we can work diligently when that is possible.So, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Don’t wait for them to become oranges. And, if you prefer orange aid to lemonade go buy some oranges ‘cos all the squeezing in the world of those lemons will not change their flavour.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665439/S05E087_Lemonade_and.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E086, When It Keeps On Coming, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Jun 8 2023
S05E086, When It Keeps On Coming, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Have you ever heard a strange noise coming from a piece of machinery? We have had exactly that experience fro the past few weeks. Our lawnmower has been working harder and harder, and achieving less and less. Grass has been hacked rather than mown, and more is left behind that collected in the grass box.And that noise kept getting worse. It was kind of a screaming, whining, terrified sound.And then it went quiet. And that lawnmower had reached the end of it’s life.We’d got is super cheap – just £5 at a charity shop. That was a bargain as it has lasted AGES. But, all good things must come to an end and, despite a fresh blade to help it cut more efficiently, it ceased to function anymore.Mind you, the terrified noise stopped too, so that was good!At some point we’ll buy a new one to replace it. But, until then, we have a permanent reminder of that fateful day because half our garden is short. The other half, well, let’s just say it is awaiting attention!It’s been a super busy season for the BerryBunch, so the idea of sourcing and selecting and a replacement had been left untouched for nearly a month. That has just allowed the grass to grow even longer.Our garden now looks quite a mess – it’d be easy for someone to look at it and make a judgement on how lazy we were, or whatever might go through their minds.Have you ever done that? Seen something and immediately made judgement? Let’s be quicker to ask a question and offer help, than to make a half-cocked assessment on something we know little about.The up-side of our situation? We haven’t had to mow the grass for a while.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665433/S05E086_When_It.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E085, It Works, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Jun 7 2023
S05E085, It Works, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Much like the Trinity, a decent mug of tea requires 3 elements – tea, boiling water and milk. You can disagree about the milk and whether it comes first or not (it always comes first by the way) but those three parts make a decent ‘brew’.We had a fancy kettle that had stopped working, only it hadn’t totally stopped working. It still took water and made it hot, only not hot enough - despite the little icon on the screen telling you your water was at 100 degrees Celsius/212 degrees Fahrenheit.Warm water makes weak twa. Tea left brewing too long becomes unsightly and unpleasant.There is an optimum temperature – boiling water, and an optimum time (there really are instructions for how long to leave a tea bag in for the best flavour).Sometimes when something breaks it is easy to spot. If your kettle didn’t switch on at all, we’d know it was broken. But, since it was only not working quite right, it took us ages to spot there was an issue.Life is the same way isn’t it. When we have a broken leg we can spot that and get medical help. If you’re suffering mental or emotional damage it may not be so apparent, to anyone – including ourselves. Even a broken bone can be hard to spot as being broken if it is a hairline break, and your leg isn’t bending in too many places!Where do you need to take another look at something in your life, where that ‘something’ just isn’t working quite right.It can be hard to discern. Thankfully, we have the designer of the entire universe on permanent speed dial should we desire to seek His wisdom. And His wisdom is always good!Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665430/S05E085_It_works.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E084, In The Father’s Arms, Andy B Minute Video
Jun 6 2023
S05E084, In The Father’s Arms, Andy B Minute Video
While sitting in church one day I couldn’t stop looking at the perfect illustration of how we should be with our Father God, when I saw the small baby in front of me perfectly secure and resting in the arms of their dad fast asleep!It so powerfully spoke of how important dads are!In our society we live in a time when we know how important fathers are, and yet society seeks to degrade that role by saying that we are all the same. And yet there is a security that only our fathers can bring. As a father I totally know this to be true – I can’t comfort my children like my wife can do and she can’t make them feel secure like I can. We have different roles to fulfil; different functions.God designed us to be made and raised with one father and one mother. If one part of that is removed, for whatever reason, it creates an instability that is not easy to remedy without a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Father – God. That doesn't make single parents somehow lesser - don't allow that thought to grow. But, God designed things for a reason and once we operate outside of that design, whether by choice or not, it will become more complicated and difficult to navigate. However, by God's grace, there is always hope because God will always equip us as we seek to build His kingdom, whether that is as a single parent family, or with both a mother and father.As a product of a broken, blended, dysfunctional family I know only too well what happens when one parent disappears, for whatever reason. My father didn’t simply disappear, but got married and chose to focus on the children of his new wife. I know the pain that comes from that, and the security I only ever, eventually, found by trusting my Heavenly Father.God is our loving heavenly Father, and what an example He truly is!Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665256/S05E084_In_The.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E082, Keep On Going, Andy B Minute Video
Jun 2 2023
S05E082, Keep On Going, Andy B Minute Video
In the film, Inside Out, we see an image of how emotions develop in the brain of a new born, through to old age. We see the importance of emotions, and why Joy – a main character in the film – is not the most important emotion. We love the film as a family because it reminds us of the importance of caring for our emotions; of listening to them and valuing them.The problem with emotions, however, is that – at best – they should only be seen as a temperature gauge. And, just like any temperature gauge, they need to be kept in check because they can give us a distorted view of reality, especially if we allow them to control our actions.In a race the driver of a car knows how many laps they need to complete the race. Finishing first is great. However, sometimes, just finishing the race can be an accomplishment. And it is the same in life. Some days just seem to stretch away from you as you move through them as 5pm never seems to get any closer.As Christians our journey of faith consists, largely, of putting one foot in front of the other as we move towards Jesus. And, if we make becoming more like Jesus Christ our goal, rather than ‘finishing’ we’ll enjoy life a whole lot more.So, don’t let your emotions get the better of you, and keep moving towards Jesus trusting that He has all you need for you to do all that He has for you to do.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/665107/S05E082_Keep_On.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E081, Wait. Wait. Wait Some More! Andy B 2 Minute Video
May 31 2023
S05E081, Wait. Wait. Wait Some More! Andy B 2 Minute Video
When we had arrived at a festival we knew we had 4 car trips to make each day. We’d decided to drive in because there were four of us. It was a good decision, made prayerfully. But when we arrived for that first day, I knew we didn’t have enough money in our bank account to make it back home on the 4th day.I started to second guess myself, and the prayerfully gained peace we’d had about how we’d set everything up for our first exhibition.As ever, however, God had had already put everything we need in place because, on Friday – after we had already committed to being at the festival, we had two personal gifts that covered the cost of that fourth return home.It’s so easy, isn’t it, to pray and find peace, then find waiting for God’s answer so very painful. We can question our very existence because, while God has allowed Himself to be restricted by time in order to spend time with us, also doesn’t work to our schedule.Why would He?!?The fact remains that if we choose to follow God and trust Him with our daily bread, then that means trusting God long enough to answer us.He will never let us down as we seek to serve Him. So, if God called you to something don’t rush to create the solution to your prayer. But allow God the honour of meeting that prayer need, to continue building His glory and His kingdom.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/664932/S05E081_Wait_Wait.aspx Support the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E079, Go Ahead, But Boldly, Andy GB 2 Minute Video
May 29 2023
S05E079, Go Ahead, But Boldly, Andy GB 2 Minute Video
Have you ever watched an episode of the original Star Trek? There’s a line from Captain James T. Kirk that you’d hear frequently. Imagine the scene of that ultra futuristic space ship moving through space, jumping from galaxy to galaxy, and the words can be heard as you watch: “to boldly go...”Now I don’t know about you, but I figure some of those fictional characters may have been into that going boldly thing. But there were definitely others who would not. They didn’t need to have any modicum of boldness - being on the United Federation of Planets Star Ship Enterprise, NCC-1701, was probably as close as they got to any degree of boldness.Unless they wore a red shirt, in which case they wouldn’t make the end credits.As Christians we can have absolute boldness in our Creator. He literally holds the universe in His hands, because He spoke it into being and knows it in all its glory!And, yet, He didn’t speak you and me into being. The Bible tells us He knits us together in our mother’s womb. There is randomness, or happenstance that precedes us being alive and kicking.And is that same Creator who knows the very number of hairs on our head. If you’re bald, that may not sound so exciting, but He knew how many hairs you had on your head when you had hair, even if you can’t remember those times.Walking with God can be nerve wracking. But we need never feat the path before us if we truly seek to walk it with God guiding us, because He is the best guide we could dream of.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/664340/S05E079_Go_Ahead.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E078, Slow Internet. No Internet, Andy B 2 Minute Video
May 26 2023
S05E078, Slow Internet. No Internet, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Do you remember the days of Dial Up internet? Perhaps you still access the internet the same way. I do remember, vividly, that scratching squealing sound as your computer made contact with the World Wide Web.Today we can access ultra high speed internet with our smart phones and internet connections are HUGE business!In the UK the Government have realised that their big push to get everything ‘done online’ is leaving some people unable to access critical services - like doctors, benefits and applying for jobs.If you don’t have internet you will struggle to function in a modern world. And a slow internet can, sometimes, feel worse than no internet connection at all because you are so close to being able to do something. At least if it’s completely failed, you can resign yourself to simply getting on with something else.As Christians those moments of no internet can be the perfect opportunities to spend extra time with God – in nature, at home, at the beach.If your internet is slow, make the most of it. And let us all be grateful that God doesn’t internet in order to build His Kingdom, or communicate well with us.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/664339/S05E078_Slow_Internet.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E076, Change Can Be Scary, Andy B 2 Minute Video
May 24 2023
S05E076, Change Can Be Scary, Andy B 2 Minute Video
When we replace a car for something different, whether a newer or an older model, we have plenty of things to learn. But, perhaps even more importantly, we need to unlearn a whole bunch of stuff too!Ok, so the steering wheel is probably in the same place you’re expecting it to be, but there are many ways a handbrake (parking brake) can be made to function. There are reversing sensors to get used to. There are performance changes with the engine, and more.Having driven professionally for a number of years I get pretty adept at handling different vehicles, sometimes multiple times a day – and doing so safely. But there will always be some things that take a lot more adjustment than others.When you choose to follow Jesus Christ there are a number of things that happen. Perhaps the most fundamental beginning a life of change – to become more like Jesus Christ. And that means learning new ways of doing things. Also, more importantly, ‘unlearning’ things that are diametrically opposed to the Christian Faith.Becoming a Christian is an amazing experience; it is utterly liberating; it is beautifully life transforming. But while it is worth every sacrifice we feel we are making, we are still sacrificing things we may have spent years cultivating - from hatred and bitterness, to an inappropriate career or way of paying for common items.To become is a Christian is to embrace change. And it doesn’t need to be something to fear because any exchanges with God always work out with us gaining more than we give away.After all, Jesus already gave His life for us, and that’s a cost we’ll never be able to match. Hallelujah!Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/663696/S05E076_Change_Can.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E075, Open Doors, Andy B 2 Minute Video
May 23 2023
S05E075, Open Doors, Andy B 2 Minute Video
We all instinctively know that the best way to move through a wall is via a door way. We know that we’re not going to push the brick wall into conceding us to move through it. So why is it so often we find ourselves straining against the walls of life, getting worn out and angry that God has somehow failed to help us move through this solid object? When, in reality, there is a wide, gaping, open doorway just a few feet away.We sometimes talk about following God as walking along a path – that he guides us along the paths of life. We read something similar with the shepherds when Jesus was born as God even used a star to guide the shepherds to their destination.In my walls and doors metaphor, that would be similar to God providing the shepherds with a bright light to light their path, the shepherds knowing about that bright light and the reason for it, then covering their eyes and blindly walking forwards hoping to strike the right path.In our lives we so often do this don’t we. God calls us; we move towards His voice; we encounter an object and assume God needs to remove that obstacle. And, yet, if we opened our eyes – instead of moving forwards in fear, or terror – we’d notice the open door inviting us on.Is life getting difficult as you try and move along? Perhaps God wants you to open your eyes and enjoy the journey. With God, it will always be epic, even if, sometimes, a little scary!Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/663695/S05E075_Open_Doors.aspx Support the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm
S05E074, Don't Force Things, Andy B 2 Minute Video
May 22 2023
S05E074, Don't Force Things, Andy B 2 Minute Video
Have you ever thought to yourself that since God seems to have so much to do in the world, that you’d help Him out? You know, give God a hand to help Him answer your prayers since He is so very busy with all those prayers that need answering?There’s very clearly nothing wrong with praying! And God desires us to be a part of building His kingdom here on earth and that includes, among other things, being those answers to prayer lifted by others.But there is a large caveat here, however, because while it is good to be obedient and serve God by helping someone else, it isn’t the same thing to expect God to be obedient to us, and answer our prayers.Let us never forget that God is still God. Yes, we should feel free to address the King of Kings personally - as our Father. But He is still God, and we should act with reverence towards Him. I’ve done a teaching video on this exact subject - What is Reverence?https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/651911/What_is_Reverence.aspxMuch like forcing a flower to reveal its petals before its time, so is our forcing our prayers to be answered by God. Sometimes that is ahead of time, and sometimes that is because the “Yes” answer we urgently need God to respond to has nothing to do with God’s love for us being somehow lacking or distracted, or hearing us. Rather, perhaps, it is because that “Yes” would be detrimental to us.Just a thought…Andy BThis video will always be best enjoyed on our website: https://www.berrybunch.org/Articles/663694/S05E074_Dont_Force.aspxSupport the showKeep in Touch with the BerryBunchwww.berrybunch.orgSupport Us Onlinewww.berrybunch.org/supportusCatch us on Konnect Radio for our weekly show - Family Focus: Sundays, 3 til 6pm