Who am I? So many labels can be applied to any of our lives. I'm a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, a pastor's wife, an author, mother, grandmother, musician, and blogger, and podcaster. "Beyond Common Sense" is a place where I share "Lessons Learned While Walking with Jesus." I have found that not only is God everywhere, but He teaches us through our experiences and common, ordinary examples from His world. From the inchworm to the tragedy of my husband's fall, all of these hold timeless truths handed to us by our heavenly Father to draw us closer to Him. How wonderful! What a privilege to share some of those lessons... with you!
There is a delicate web that crisscrosses its way across this land. It’s like a huge connect-the-dots pattern, and it happens every Wednesday evening. People gather together in their churches to pray and the wind of God’s grace gently touches the web, which is often laced with the tears of God’s most precious saints – … More Connect the Dots
Are you ever amazed when you learn a new truth about our Heavenly Father that you never thought of before? I was just listening to abidingradio.org (which, if you haven’t found it yet, is a wonderful place to find GOOD God-honoring, holy, beautiful Christian music) and a song came on from the Steve Petit Evangelistic … More Deep Deep Love
Well, we’ve gone from Rosie the Riveter to Susie the Spackler to Sandy the Sander and now: Patty the Painter, all in one week! During that time, the ministry marches on: the cares and concerns do not cease. At times, I wonder if we’re making a difference. As I talked with a coworker who goes … More Stay in the Battle!
Move over Rosie the Riveter!! You may ask, “Wanda, what are you doing?” Well, since I’m a failure at gardening, I thought I’d go into carpentry! Not really. I am placing screws every eight inches, as suggested, into the hardie board that will then be covered with tile. Notice the beautiful sequential pattern! Notice the … More Rosie the Riveter
This morning I realized that I had done something stupid yesterday. (Well, one thing that I could remember!) I had made play-dough for the kids for the Junior Church lesson and put it into Ziploc baggies. As I was lying in bed this morning going through the day, I remembered the play-dough, thinking that I shouldn’t have … More One Stupid Thing
He stands by the edge of the water, watching for a moment, loving the pounding of the surf and constant ebb and flow – it reminds him of God’s immutability (never changing). But before long, he’s in with a smile of delight. My husband LOVES the ocean! I like the ocean, I can even say … More Fish-man and the Boogie Board
Last Saturday, we had a work day at our church. We scrubbed windows, painted walls, cleaned closets, decorated for fall… The men brought in wood for the pastor and his wife to keep them warm this winter, 🙂 and others worked on some electrical issues. We always have a meal, and go away feeling satisfied … More In My Father’s House
Today is one of the most tragic days in the history of America. On this day, more Americans died than on any other day in US history. Even on December 7th, 1941, 2,402 of our soldiers were killed at Pearl Harbor. September 16th – 18th, 1862, was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War at … More National Day of Mourning
Let me tell you about my grandson, Connor! When he sees me, his whole face lights up. That smile is enough to make the worst day a whole lot better. How does it make me feel? Loved. I don’t know if Connor, at thirteen months even knows what love is, but he shows it in … More Oh, that smile!!
“For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.“ 1Ch 29:15 A fond memory I have as a child, is of making shadow images on the wall. I was never very good at it, but it always amazed … More The Shadow!
