Andy B Podcasts and Stuff

In this Andy B 2 Minute Video, Andy B explores the pros and cons of notifications. From alarms for medication to check engine lights, some notifications are essential. But constant pings from social media, or devices, can become distractions - pulling us away from what matters. The key is discernment: pay attention to critical alerts, but don’t let unnecessary notifications control your life! Sometimes, the best approach is to turn them off and stay focused on what’s truly important. Just a thought... Andy B For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

In this Andy B 2 Minute Video sleepless nights take on new meaning. Waking up at odd hours might not be random - it could be God seeking your attention. Whether for personal reflection or praying for someone else, these moments can create life-changing impact. Andy shares a powerful testimony of being prayed for during a tough night, showing that prayer truly works. If you’re awake in the middle of the night, don’t just lie there. Do something and pray! You might just be part of God’s plan for someone else’s breakthrough. Just a thought... Andy B For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

In this Andy B 2 Minute Video, a simple encounter with a robin turns into a lesson on perspective and purpose. While watching his son skipping Andy B noticed a robin seemingly captivated by the activity—until it became clear the bird had its eyes on a worm nearby. This humorous moment reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously when others show interest, but instead to appreciate the beauty of connection, whether with nature or people. You are neither boring nor unimportant - you are made with purpose and on purpose! So, take time to notice the world around you and embrace how precious you are to God. Just a thought... Andy B For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

In this Andy B two-minute video, the focus is on balance—putting the right amount of effort into all areas of life, even the less glamorous ones, like septic tanks. While it’s important to work hard and give our best, especially as Christians, overworking can create false expectations and drain us of energy for our families, communities, and personal well-being. True stewardship isn’t just about working hard; it’s about working wisely. Pause, reflect, and make sure your efforts align with God’s purpose for your life. For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

Andy B shares a practical story about differentiating identical socks with a bit of green stitching, demonstrating that sometimes super simple - and messy - solutions work better than neat ones. While neatness may be essential for formal clothing or specific contexts, a scraggly approach solved the sock problem by making it easy to spot his socks from his son's. He encourages viewers to consider that the neatest solution isn't always the most effective. Sometimes, being practical and visible achieves better results than prioritising appearance. Just a thought... Andy B For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

Andy B explains the year-long gap in his two-minute videos, attributing it to the launch of Pure247Radio, a global Christian media initiative that required his full focus. He emphasizes that stepping away from certain activities isn't necessarily negative, but often reflects a shift in priorities based on God’s leading. Letting go of some roles or tasks, like his HGV truck driving credentials - or worship leading - can be necessary to make room for new opportunities. Andy encourages viewers not to fear pauses or changes in their lives. Instead, he advises seeking God’s guidance to discern whether a season has ended or simply been paused. Returning to his videos after a break has been refreshing, demonstrating the value of reassessing and aligning one’s efforts with God’s will. Just a thought... Andy B For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

In this short video, Andy B shares the story of buying a small, basic laptop with a backlit keyboard that initially didn’t work. After multiple failed attempts to fix it through advice, software, and online searches, the issue was resolved only when the laptop's manufacturer was consulted. This experience led Andy to reflect on the importance of going directly to the source for answers. Andy draws a parallel to spiritual life, emphasizing the value of seeking God’s guidance directly rather than always relying on others' advice. While seeking wisdom is valuable, sometimes the most effective solution is to turn to God and ask for clarity and direction. For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

In this video, Andy B uses a messy plumbing issue as a lesson on life and faith. An overflowing septic tank, not a blocked pipe, revealed the real problem—a reminder that in life, we often work hard to "unblock" issues when what we really need is to let go of burdens weighing us down. God invites us to surrender these to Him, allowing us to move forward with clarity and purpose so stop trying to fix what isn’t broken—let God handle the deeper clean-up. For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support Online www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

Andy B reflects on the process of growth and maturity, drawing inspiration from apples falling from trees in his garden. Just as apples need time on the tree to ripen and become useful, we too require patience and time to grow into our full potential. Whether it’s learning to walk or ride a bike, growth is gradual and cannot be rushed. Andy reminds us that we often want to skip the process and reach maturity instantly, but life doesn’t work that way. Growth happens through seasons of waiting, learning, and experiencing both challenges and blessings. Trust in God’s timing, and allow yourself to ripen into who you’re meant to be, just as nature intended. For all our Social Links www.berrybunch.org/allthesocials Support us financially www.berrybunch.org/SupportUs

Andy B reflects on the concept of the Four Seasons, transitioning from a nod to Vivaldi’s classical music to the natural seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. He highlights how these God-designed cycles shape the Earth, influencing everything from farming rhythms to natural growth. In the UK, where the seasons are distinct, each plays a vital role, from autumn rains preparing the soil to spring lambs symbolizing renewal. The changing landscape serves as a reminder of nature’s cycles, where growth, rest, and rebirth are necessary parts of life. Andy B extends this idea to human experiences, where life's challenges are likened to harsh seasons that foster strength and growth. Just as trees become sturdy by weathering wind, people grow through difficulties. Without change, life would stagnate. He encourages embracing each season of life, trusting in its purpose and the inevitability of transitions. By accepting the ebb and flow, individuals can find hope in the certainty of renewal and the beauty of life's ever-changing nature. Just a thought... Andy B

Instagram, devotional, pauseforthought, SpeakTruth, GoDo, honesty, thought, Godstuff, onelifeliveit, onelifeliveit, time, heart, drain, radiator, distance, armslength, privacy, selfpreservation, S06E019, Connections We Don’t Want! Andy B 2 Minute Video Have you ever heard the words ‘drains’ and ‘radiators’ in relation to people? Simply put there are people who can drain the life away from us and there are people who can radiate heat towards us. In our lives we need to always be cautious about who has access to our time because there will always be people who can happily waste it for us. We are simply exercising wisdom by being selective of how much access to us people have. It doesn’t mean we need to be rude, but there are people who know where I live and are welcome at any time, without any notice. They are people radiate warmth and we feel better by simply being with them. There are many others who simply don’t need to know our street address. And, in my case, this includes family members. These are not healthy people to have around, so they don’t have access to my home. Why? Because it is absolutely righteous to control who has access to our heart. I only have a finite amount of time to give to this world and I simply look to Jesus – there were people He made time for, and people He didn’t and that is something we all need to consider for our own lives. Just a thought… Andy B

I used to think that light only ever travelled in a straight direction. When I was in school I discovered that light can actually bend around things too. It’s tricky stuff! More than that, it changes throughout the day. From the perspective of, well, humanity, that change is great. Generally speaking you would wake up as the light gets brighter, and fall asleep as the darkness grows. Unless you’re recording in a studio, then Light Can Be Tricky! We’ve made many videos over the past few years and the one thing I quickly came to value, was the ability to control the light. So, as a result, we always heavy black out curtains or blinds to ensure that any light we use is created – and controlled - by us. And this works well, right up the point that you forget to close the curtains until after you’re in the middle of filming an interview when getting up to close those curtains is either not possible, or you left it too late and have to just carry on. Light Can Be Tricky. Just saying! Just a thought… Andy B

S06E017, Change Is Good. No Really! Andy B 2 Minute Video I like change. Actually, I love change! Change is the variety of life. However, while I really like it, I do sometimes forget to duck. Ever bought a replacement car? You put some things in the boot (trunk), go to stand up and you crack your head on the boot – all because the new car doesn’t open as high as the last one. It doesn’t matter how happy you are with your new vehicle! Forget to adapt to the change, and you’ll likely have a headache metaphorically or physically! There are some people who are simply, stubbornly, resistant to change. They need to be challenged and, sometimes, forced to accept a change. There are others who may simply be wary of change because they’ve banged their head too may times. Let’s show a little compassion and be gentle with those who are right to struggle. And exercise that same level of compassion with the resistant ones too. Just a thought… Andy B

Instagram, devotional, pauseforthought, SpeakTruth, GoDo, honesty, thought, Godstuff, onelifeliveit, onelifeliveit, S06E016, A Different Perspective Helps! Andy B 2 Minute Video Life can throw us a curve ball. You know, for ages, I had absolutely no clue what that meant. A ball can’t curve! Unless, of course, it does. And if you can spin that ball fast enough, and throw it far enough, you’ll see how it can curve through the air – just like a car drifting a round a corner: wheels one way the car going another with the drive wheels spinning. And that is what life can do – it can leave us reeling. The whole point of a curve ball, of course – whether that is a baseball, a football or a snooker ball, is to make that object do things the other team wasn’t expecting: got get a goal, score a goal past the defenders, get out of a snooker. When we’re on the defending side of that ball, it can be oh so very cruel! A crippling illness; a concentration camp – these are terrible things. But, even with something as tragic as a terminal diagnosis or the evil of a concentration camp, there is still much possibility for joy. I don’t speak for myself here – I’m paraphrasing from The Hiding Place, written by Corrie Ten Boom about her WWII experience in a concentration camp and for a lovely lady I met with an illness which left her utterly devoid of any sense of independence. Yet both of those women found a way to pursue joy. And that is something I am not good at. But I’m not good at it yet - how about you? Just a thought… Andy B

Instagram, devotional, pauseforthought, SpeakTruth, GoDo, honesty, thought, Godstuff, onelifeliveit, onelifeliveit, phoneafriend, getadvice, nomanisanisland, askforhelp, S06E015, Phone A Friend, Andy B 2 Minute Video Friends are great to have around us, but friends who know they can speak into our lives with things that we’re not necessarily going to want to hear are even better. I’ve always ensured that I have a few people I trust with all sorts of details of my life, so when I got and ask them advice they already know lots about me, and they know they have permission to speak into my life things that I might not want to hear. Simply put, there are always people – who I don’t name – because those relationships matter so much to me; they are people who I turn to when I have something where I simply don’t know what to do. Or, sometimes, because I just need a sounding board or someone to encourage me to do what I already knew I should do, but needed some confidence to do! Don’t just surround yourself with people who you know will agree with you – find a few people who can speak into your life things you don’t want to hear too. It’s a game changer! Just a thought… Andy B

Instagram, devotional, pauseforthought, SpeakTruth, GoDo, honesty, thought, Godstuff, onelifeliveit, onelifeliveit, feelings, thoughts, reality, change, fickle, steadfast, phoneafriend, perspectives, S06E014, Feelings Can Be Fickle… Andy B 2 Minute Video Sometimes we need to get a better perspective on what we can see. Because, what we see, may not be what we actually see! A child can look down the road, and see the same cars as an adult. However, an adult has height and that makes the ability to judge the speed of those cars so much more accurate. A different perspective can literally become a life saver! Don’t ever just trust your feelings without checking out what those feelings are telling you. An example I’ve used many times is that of feeling full, spotting the dessert trolley in a restaurant, gorging yourself on chocolate cake – only to think you feel hungry because you see something nice to eat. Feelings lie. And, just like the example of working out how fast a car is moving along a road towards us, a fresh perspective can be a life changing help. So, if you’re feeling something, check it out by asking a trusted friend - who can see a bit better; clearer; dispassionately to you. We can be wrong even if we’re right, and this goes for feelings too! Just a thought… Andy B

Eating an apple is good for your teeth and gums, or so I was told. Unless, that is, you’re on blood thinners when eating an apple may be a little more challenging. There is a solution though – cut it up! Actually I’ve got one better recently as I eat an apple during the start of my weekday radio show because I now use a fork! Don’t worry, I haven’t lost the plot. It’s just that if I eat it with my fingers, while I no longer have the issue of blood thinners ruining the simple pleasure of eating an apple, I do have to think of others. And, if I eat it with my fingers, I’ll leave sticky evidence all over our Broadcast Studio Computer keyboard and mouse. Not much fun for the next presenter who comes along! Is there anyone in your life who could benefit from a similar, simple, soul enriching change to something you do? Ok, ‘soul enriching’ might be stretching the point (but it was a third word starting with the letter “S”. But, who knows what simple changes you could make to improve the life of someone else? Just a thought… Andy B

Ever had a splinter that came straight out didn’t cause any issues? No, me neither! When we get a splinter we have a few choices. One is to try and ignore it and hope it comes out on its own. Or you could use a needle to try and help it out. Leave it too long and you could end up needing medical help due to infection. But there is another option! Years ago I had a splinter which was deep enough that trying to get it out myself would have bee, well, considerably ill advised. A quick chat at my local pharmacy and I was sent away with some Magnesium Sulphate Paste BP to apply under a plaster until the splinter came out. I duly followed the instructions and a few days later out popped the splinter - when I had a quick check with a sterilised needle. No real pain. Cool. Don’t leave splinters where they are – whether in your skin, or perhaps emotional splinters. Don’t allow those hurts to sit and fester. Deal with them!! Just a thought… Andy B

S06E011, Memories Are Great, But…, Andy B 2 Minute Video It’s great when you can have a wonderful, comforting, memory to look back on. From the birth of your first child to a special holiday when everything just worked to relax and refresh you. It’s a good thing to have those things to look back to and, sometimes, to hold on to through more difficult times. It can be easy to look back to ‘easier times’ and miss how far we’ve come as a person; as a family; as a business; as a community group. As a nation we can hark back to ‘the olden days’ when times were great and cars were better. But, however we fell about yesteryear, today’s cars are safer even if, perhaps, the styling seems to have been done by same person when they were having a bad day. The bible tells us not to make plans for the future and expect them to happen. But I think that applies, just as aptly, to not looking back too much either; don’t make plans to miss today by looking backwards too often – or you might just walk into a piece of street furniture or into a pit because are not looking where you’re going in the moment. Just a thought… Andy B

When we think of God’s provision, we’re not talking about simply getting ‘stuff’! I can promise you that if God has asked you to do something that He will absolutely ensure you have al l you need to accomplish all He is asking you to do. The trouble is that we tend, as humans, to interpret what God is saying through our own minds and experience. It makes sense! But that is why we need to check in with others to make sure that what we think God asked us to do is actually what God asked us to do. He will never cause to stumble and fail – that is simply outside of His nature. But God is not all that likely to do what we expect Him to do. So, next time you’re considering stamping your feet “because God failed to equip you” you might want to take a moment to go look up Isaiah 55:8-9: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Just a thought… Andy B