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September 22, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius I like to think about the “good ol’ days.” Days when playing in the hay mow or on a pile of cobs was the best. Even taking time to pick a daisy, petal by petal, “She loves me, she loves me not.” Didn’t have a girlfriend, didn’t even care about girls, but that’s what you said when you picked a daisy. How about rescuing honeybees from the cow tank? Often, they buzz in for a drink and seem not to be able to get out of the water. If you pick them up gently, they become your lifelong friend. Then there was the score of mice in the silage silo. Take your pitchfork and become an Olympian javelin thrower as you fend them off from running up your pant leg. Do you remember the out-house? I do. I’m part of a dying generation that remembers those kinds of things. I truly believe I grew up as a baby-boomer, in the best of times. Politicians were honorable, at least more honorable than most today. Going to church on Sunday was a routine habit. Here’s a forgotten ritual. After church, all the men gathered outside to smoke a cigarette. O.K., that wasn’t such a good idea but, in those days, who knew? If it was a hot day, you went for an automobile ride to cool off. There was no air conditioning, not in your home and for sure, not in your car. Times have changed. Some say, for the better. I’m not so sure about that. Computers were supposed to give us more time. Instead, they eat up our time and keep us away from eye to eye interaction. Airplanes came to speed up our travel time. Instead, we just spend more time waiting in the airport. Neighbors used to sit on the front porch to visit passers-by. Now passers-by don’t see a soul. Everyone is in the backyard behind their privacy fences. Yes-sir-ee, times have changed. If you’re like me, you look for something constant, something that does not change, that stays the same. There’s only one thing that hasn’t changed since I was a boy. Jesus loved me then. He loves me now. He’s been my Companion, and my Champion all the days of my life! Has anyone smelled the scent of fresh cut hay lately? Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved
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September 15, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Recently, I watched a movie. One of the memorable lines that has stuck with me is what a mother said of her overly ambitious daughter, “I’m waiting for her to save the world.” That then, begs the question, “What have I done to save the world?” I try to be a good person to all I meet. I try to be a good father and husband. I preach and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But even with all that, my scorecard for saving the world comes up a little empty. Maybe if I were a politician, I could make a bigger difference in the world. But then again, maybe not. Most of the world doesn’t think like me. What I have to say, would probably just be rejected. Truth speakers are often booed off the stage. Jesus came to save the world. He is the light of the world, but people prefer the darkness. He came to save the lost, yet it was the lost who killed Him. So why would I think I could save the world? I’ve come to the realization that I can’t save the world, but I can try. We’ve all heard of “bloom where you’re planted.” So that’s what I do. If you’re in my orbit, I’m here to tell you this one fact, a truth you can rely on. “Jesus saves!” I may not be able to save the whole world, but I can do what I can do. The best thing I can do is tell you about the Lord and the peace and salvation that comes through Him. I need to start with someone, and it might as well be you. If each one would reach one, the impossible will be possible through God! Trying…… Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved September 8, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius Today is my son, Todd’s, birthday! Happy birthday, Son! Though fifty years have gone by like a flash, I remember the day you were born. In the waiting room (I was too chicken to go in with your Mom for your delivery) I heard your borning cry. Ever after that moment, my life changed. Suddenly, I was a Dad with no experience in raising a child. I know I failed on a lot of issues, but at this one thing, I never failed. It was love. I thought my love-o-meter was full to the brim, but somehow when you were born, I found more love to give. It’s called being a Dad, a Mom. One moment you are not—and then you are. Change diapers, hold a tiny baby, burp a baby, love a baby, were all new experiences. No training, just figure it out. Your Mom was and is better at all those things than me. So many memories over all this time---yes there were the bumps, as life is like that, but far more happy times. Your giggle as we zipped down the hill on the sled at break-neck speed. At the bottom, all we could hear, besides the crunch of snow under foot, was your Mom hollering. “What are you thinking?” Then there was the time your Mom and I brought your baby sister, Lisa, home from the hospital. After a few hours you said, “She’s nice….when do we take her back?” How about the time you opened your Christmas present to find tickets to the 1991 Rose Bowl? I remember you jumping for joy. Of course, after the game, we had to explain the agony of defeat. So many mile markers along the way. Son, you’ve had success in your life of which I am so proud. But the most memorable, the most treasured of all is this. You love Jesus! That love brings with it your witness and testimony to so many others about the blessing of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ! Teaching you about the Lord….your Mom and I got right! Stay the course, I love you! Dad ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved September 1, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius The hustle and bustle of “back to school” days, reminds me of a time long ago when I, actually my Mom, prepared me for going back to school. My only thought, of going back to school after summer vacation, was one of dread. The only thing I liked was going to the store to get new trousers and shirts. Maybe even then, what I liked most was the store in which she shopped. At the check-out, the checker put the money (there were no credit cards) in this little bank, hooked it on a wire, and clickety-clack, it zoomed off to a secret place upstairs. In a few minutes, clickety-clack, the change due Mom reappeared. Then, the first day of school was always an adventure. Sharp Crayola’s, new erasers (I needed a LOT of them 😊), a writing tablet with a picture of Gene Autrey or Roy Rogers on the cover, all were arranged in my new kingdom—my desk. Everything was good and then the not so good part of school started—learning. Come on teachers, life is supposed to be fun! I tried to have fun at school, but there was always a teacher to remind me that school was for learning. Maybe that’s why I got so many frowny faces in kindergarten. ☹ But give me a break---I was only four years old when I started school! One day, in third grade, I was “having fun” in the hall. I heard my teacher holler my name. Two syllable names are for teachers to put an emphasis on the second syllable when they are upset with you for misbehavior, “Al-lan!” Instead of facing her wrath, I bee-lined it to the safety of the “boys restroom.” “Whew…I’m safe here. She can’t come in.” Those were my thoughts. She must have had difficulty reading the “BOYS RESTROOM” sign because she came right in after me. Then there was the time, in high school, the chemistry teacher left the room. I locked the door behind her, all to the quiet cheers of my classmates. After a few minutes of pounding on the door, someone let the teacher back in. Immediately, in a huff, she walked up to my desk and gave me a tongue lashing. How did she know? Well, after a lifetime of education, this is what I’ve learned. There’s a lot more to learn, but at the same time, you can have fun learning. 😊 Just thinkin’ back….. Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved August 25, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Often my brain lives in legendary Camelot. A place of peace and calm where I imagine unicorns roam freely and Winnie the Pooh often offers up logical wisdom such as, “Well,’ said Pooh, ‘what I like best,’ …..and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it, which was better than literally eating it, but he didn’t know what it was called.” Winnie, I know exactly what you’re thinking about. The time before, the looking forward to, is often better than whatever it is you are expecting. Once you experience it, you realize that, the “looking forward to,” was the better time. Winnie, I don’t really know what you call that time either. Maybe anticipation? Here’s something that the experience will far outweigh the looking forward to moments. That is heaven! Have you ever imagined what heaven will be like? I think the song, I Can Only Imagine puts into words what we cannot even imagine. Yes, there is a place called Camelot. It’s really called heaven…. Just thinking about what is to come. Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved August 18, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Not one of us can walk in another’s shoes. When someone says, “I feel your pain,” they really don’t. Only you experience the hurt. No matter the emotion you might be experiencing, no one else truly understands. No one actually feels what you feel. They may be sympathetic, but that’s as far as it goes. If you’re away from the seashore and don’t experience the sound of the waves crashing upon the shore, they still do. Things still happen even when we don’t experience them. Kind of like the age-old question, “If a tree falls in the woods and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The fact is that even if there is no sound, the tree has fallen. In other words, life goes on without us. Think upon this. Things done a hundred years ago affect you today. Things you do today change the course of history for someone else a hundred years from now. For instance, a legend told long ago somehow grows legs and becomes truth today. Likewise, truth yesterday has a way of being manipulated to make people question what is truth today. But there is someone who really feels and knows your pain. Someone who can walk with you no matter how steep the road. Someone who is in charge of the waves of the ocean when you’re not there. Someone who is unchanging truth, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His name is Jesus! Here’s another thing each of us must face alone, eternity. No one can experience the joy of heaven for you. Only you can realize that joy. So too, no one but you can experience the anxiety and agony of eternal separation from God in hell. What’s the purpose of all this reflection? Only you can live your life. Live it with no eternal regrets! Thank you, Jesus for YOU are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved August 11, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius So, I’ve been thinking about the playground equipment I played upon in grade school. Compared to all the play equipment safety gizmos of today, I’m lucky to be alive! First of all, the merry-go-round was encircled by a perfect dirt path circle. If you fell off, you landed first on the packed dirt and then rolled into the grass. How about the jungle gym? Climb to the top of the world and if you fell, your head would bounce off the bars like a ball dropping down a plinko board. How about the tall slide with only a three inch side rail to keep you on track? What waited for you at the bottom was not wood chips or a spongy landing. Yes-sir-ee, more hard packed dirt. At one time or another, didn’t we all limp around with road rash on our hind ends from an ill-timed landing off the fast slide? Then there were the swing sets. What I’ve figured about swings is that the longer the chain, the higher you go. Where I grew up, the chairs must have been twenty feet long. With a push from a friend and a few good pumps, there were times you were in the clouds—without a parachute. There were no climbing walls back then. Only the old tree, with no safety harness to catch you if you fell. Part of the fun of the twenty minute recess was just to make it back to the classroom in one piece. Off the school playground, there were things to play with that were just as dangerous. For instance, I never wore a bicycle helmet. Helmets were for sissies. (Today, I wear a helmet when cycling. Not wearing one would mean I’m just plain dumb. No comments, please 😊) There was a time, whenever Dad rolled by on the tractor pulling a hayrack, I’d think to myself, “I bet if I stuck my foot under that tire, it wouldn’t hurt. Afterall, the tire is made out of rubber and rubber is soft. So it shouldn’t hurt.” I just thought of that one, and fortunately, never followed through. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus says this about guardian angels. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones (children). For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.” Thinking my guardian angel might be out of breath! Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved August 4, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius As a pastor, one of my responsibilities is to be a witness to the resurrection, at times of death. Even as a boy, I think God was preparing me, “….for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14) My recollection is that many family members died, and we always went to the funerals. It was a family tradition. Most of the time, knowing that today I need to be an anchor in stormy seas, my emotions are pretty steady. On the outside, you might not see it, but on the inside, sometimes it’s a different story. Recently, a 16-year-old beautiful girl, a member of First Covenant Church died. She was involved in a tragic car accident that resulted in a severe brain injury. Earlier this year, she applied for her car license. One of the questions on the application asks, “Do you want to be an organ donor?” She didn’t quite understand, but her family that was with her explained what it meant. Her reply was, “Yes, I would want to do that.” So, she checked the box. On Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, her family and Armona and I, followed her on her last “Walk for Life.” Family, friends, hospital employees, and even strangers followed her to the place where she saved no less than six lives that night. No doubt about it, she is one of my heroes. The anchor slipped a little on that walk. I cried that night. I’m crying as I write this. While we waited for “last goodbyes” a man, his wife and daughter came up to me. The gentleman asked. “Are you her Grandpa?” To that I responded with, “No, I’m her pastor.” The man broke down and started to cry. “Our granddaughter will be here tomorrow night at 6:30. She too is an organ donor.” I put my arm around him and prayed with his family. I cried for him too. Why would God send that family and have them speak to me at just that moment? Because they were hurting too. Yes, Amyrra, you are a hero. Never goodbye. Only, “See you later.” Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved July 28, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Where we live is surrounded by a twelve-acre grove of trees. I love it. My neighbors are Dory Deer, Rory Racoon, Snooty Nose Mrs. Possum, Owly Owl, Sammy Squirrel, and Bobby the Bunny. All of them are my close friends. Even recently, while grilling pork chops, I turned and there stood Dory looking over my shoulder, as if to ask, “What you grillin’?” If I had said deer sausage, she would have been on the run. Instead, I patted her nose, and told her it wasn’t anyone she knew. 😊 Once upon a time, Armona saw a cougar in the woods chasing after a whole herd of deer. In the forest, all who live there are my friends. But if Mr. Cougar shows up, I’m not sticking around to invite him to lunch. I’m afraid I just might be the lunch. Every spring, even knowing all our outdoor neighbors are vegetarians, Armona plants flowers. She gets frustrated to see all her hard work, occasionally eaten up in the evenings. The other morning, Bobby (he’s the bunny, you know) was nibbling on her Black-eyed Susans, that were about to bloom. She hollered at Bobby, but he didn’t understand. So she went to get the BB gun. Lucky for Bobby, there were no BB’s to be found. So, in my resourcefulness, I opened the freezer and picked up a dozen ice cubes. Taking the shot gun approach, I hoisted all of them into the air at the same time. Nary a one hit Bobby, but you should have seen him jump two feet straight up into the air, run two feet, and then stop as if to wonder, “What was that?” I wonder if Armona will quit planting those flowers. On the other hand, my friends have an assortment of pretty flowers to eat because of her generosity. I so love what the Lord has created. The blue sky, the green grass, trees with leaves that praise the Lord and clap their hands in the wind, and, of course, my outdoor friends. God created all these things for us to enjoy. If He did such a great job here on earth, imagine what heaven will be like. I can only imagine… God is so good! Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved July 21, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius When I was a youngster in the early 1960’s, I delivered the morning Des Moines Register newspaper. I wasn’t much for news at twelve years old, but I remember being captivated by the reports of the Adolf Eichmann trial. Adolf Eichmann was a Nazi high official responsible for the killing of millions of Jews. Then, while watching television, on rare occasions, there would be documentaries of places like Auschwitz concentration camp. The images I saw and that were embedded into my memory, are too graphic to write for this reflection. My parents were always quick to hustle me out of the room, but still, you cannot unsee something once seen. Not believing a human could subject another human to such atrocities, I chose not to believe what I saw. Then one of my friends, who served under General Patton told me about liberating a certain Jewish concentration camp. He described the horrors he witnessed. He even had photos of bodies stacked up like cords of wood ready to be pushed into a mass grave. He said, “The Americans made those Nazi guards dig individual graves in which to bury the dead.” Ever since WW II, the Jews have adopted this motto, “Never again.” It reminds them to never again allow themselves to be victimized as they were by the Nazis. In the Book of Esther, General Haman tried to exterminate all the Jews. Why? If the Jews were no more, then there would be no lineage from which Jesus could be born. Obviously, this was a tactic of Satan. In the 1940’s, Adolf Hitler tried to once again exterminate the Jews. Why? The great tribulation to come at the end of the age is God’s way of bringing millions of unsaved gentiles to Himself. But the primary purpose of the tribulation is to call the Jews to Jesus. If there are no Jews remaining on earth, then there is no urgent reason for God to initiate the tribulation and put an end to the world. If that would happen, Satan’s authority over earth is extended. So now maybe we can understand a little better why the sudden explosion of worldwide anti-semitism. It is once again, a Satanic movement to postpone Jesus’ return to earth. I’ve got news for you, Satan. You lose! Looking at the world through the lens of the Bible, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved July 14, 2024 Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Recently, I went to California. Of course, I had to fly. What a hassle! Get up early to make it through screening on time, to catch your plane. “Show me your I.D., take off your shoes, empty your pockets, walk through the metal detector and wait right here.” All these intrusions and calisthenics, just to board your plane. I’m so happy that getting into heaven is as easy as simply believing in Jesus, and when the Father asks, “Why should I let you into heaven?” my answer will only be, “I’m with Him---Jesus the Son.” Why did I go? To see a man who is seriously ill. Besides, I love him like a brother. As a matter of fact, as we sat around the kitchen table celebrating communion together, I told him, “If I could choose a brother, I would pick you.” Ya know, men are not like women. We are not normally expressive. A man can go without seeing or talking to his friend for quite some time, and yet, in spite of the absence, still be friends. I think there is a song that describes that kind of relationship, “Friends are Friends Forever.” So, to my dear friend, my brother: “We’ve walked together in the good times with laughter, and with God. Together we have shared and come alongside one another through family trials. But, through it all, our friendship has held together by our mutual love for Jesus our Lord. Now, you’re on a new journey, maybe the final one, we don’t know. But I’m right there with you to support, encourage, and love you. I came to visit from far away to do those things. But now, I leave with more blessings from you than I came to give. Your faith in Jesus to see you through is a testimony to all you are, to all you will one day be. Jesus has prepared a mansion, one for you and one for me. I hope you are my neighbor, but this I know for sure, you’ll be there! But, if you’re not home when I get there, I’ll know where to find you. I will look for you at the feet of Jesus.” In the meantime, we remain in His grip. Love ya like a pastor and friend, but best of all, like a brother. Allan…. ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved July 7, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius Here are some random thoughts about fishing to brighten your day. 😊 No, it’s not about the big one that got away. Once upon a time, as Armona and I walked on a pier, there was an elderly lady fishing. Of course we asked, “How’s the fishin’?” To which she replied, “Oh, the number of fish you catch don’t matter. What matters is that God doesn’t mark time while you’re fishin’.” Now don’t you fishermen be using that line as an excuse to skip church! On another occasion, while fishing below a dam with a pedestrian walk-way, I cast out with a very heavy sinker. I wanted to set my hook in deeper water. I waited and watched for the splash. There was none. I looked at my line only to discover that it had gone straight up and was tangled in some ladies’ hat on the bridge. After finally getting it out of her hat, she said, “Hey….is this your line?” I said, “Yes! Could you walk another ten feet straight ahead and drop it in the lake?” She did! What a nice lady! By the way, the only fish that was caught that day was the one that my friend netted when it swam too close to shore. 😊 Just like always. The fish were biting yesterday and surely they will bite tomorrow. I always add to that bit of wisdom, “And they will never bite on Sunday during church.” That goes with, if you mow your lawn on Sunday, it will grow back twice as fast. It seems that whenever I go fishing, the fish don’t bite. It’s kind of discouraging. In John 21, after the resurrection, some of the disciples went fishing all night. They caught nothing. Early the next morning, Jesus asked of them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” They must have been discouraged too. Their answer was a simple, “No.” Then Jesus said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” They did and caught more fish that they could haul into the boat. How did Jesus know? He always knows! Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 30, 2024
Reflection from the Heart of Allan Redenius Not too long ago, one of my friends was giving me a hard time. Everyone laughed—at my expense. This is what I told my friend. “I’m going to take you buffalo hunting.” To that he asked, “Where are you going to find a buffalo?” Right then, I had him right where I wanted him. I said, “You’re the buffalo!” Why did I think of buffalo? Earlier that week, another friend said she had gone camping north of Algona, Iowa. I have been there at that campsite and nearby is a conservation building with a stuffed buffalo. I asked of my friend, “Did you see the buffalo?” Well, of course she did! I proceeded to tell this tale. I grew up in a town named Titonka, which in the Sioux language means, “buffalo.” I said, “That same stuffed buffalo once roamed around the outskirts of my hometown every Thursday evening, around dark. No one dared to leave the safety of town. Once upon a time, legend has it that some boys went out of town on a Thursday evening, around dusk. They never returned.” Scratching her head, my friend asked, “Did the buffalo eat them or gore them?” To that I replied, “I don’t know. I never went out of town on Thursday nights.” Now some of you might think that’s a lot of bull. You’re wrong. That’s a lot of buffalo! I know, I know. I’m not quite right! 😊 Living life and loving Jesus, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 23, 2024
Reflection From the Heart of Allan Redenius Once upon a time, Growly Bear lived down the road. Never happy, always muttering some sort of unpleasantry. He reminded me of the troll in the fairy tale, Billy Goats Gruff. “I’m mean and I’m hungry and I’m going to eat you up,” said the troll each time someone crossed his bridge. Each time someone crossed his bridge, Growly Bear would utter sounds not unlike the mean, mean troll. After a time, the people living around Growly Bear began to ignore and avoid him. Eventually, Growly Bear faced a troll bigger and meaner than he, there always is one. Today the children of the community, Growly Bear’s neighbors, cross his bridge with immunity, protected by the bigger Growly Bear. One day, Growly Bear will die a lonely, lonely man, and I ask, “Why?” Certainly, he never heard what Jesus said, “Love God and live for your neighbor’s good.” That’s my paraphrase of the Lord’s greatest commandment! (Matthew 22:36-40) Have you ever asked yourself if you are the troll in the fairy tale, Billy Goats Gruff? Always angry, never compromising, never saying you’re sorry, not a gentle bone in your body. Is that you? Sometimes it’s good to look in the mirror and see yourself as others see you. If you see a troll staring back at you, like combing your hair, fix whatever ails you. Certainly, you don’t want to end up like Growly Bear, an old man, an old woman facing life all alone because of the seeds you planted in your younger years. Don’t think you can change your Growly Bear personality? The meanest Growly Bear of all, was a man named Legion. Jesus wasn’t afraid of him. He went to him. Legion changed and went from a man cursing Jesus, to a man wanting to follow and witness for Him. (Luke 8:26-39) Look in the mirror. Do you see a troll, or do you see Jesus? Oh, by the way, you can’t see both. Either you’re a 100% Jesus or 100% Growly Bear. My advice. Be like Jesus! Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 16, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius The peel of many thunders in the distance signals the approaching of the storm soon to come. The flash of lightning which illuminates the sky in the dark of night is frightening to behold! Yes, for some, the approaching storm, with its’ sound of thunder and the sight of lightning, strikes fear into the hearts of many. As for thunder, I imagine its’ rumbling to be the voice of God. There are some loud crashes of thunder that do make my heart race and my pulse to increase. When lightning strikes close with an instant sound of thunder, I realize the power of God is on full display. In those moments of God’s mighty power marching before me, I know my need for Him. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) lifts us up in times of weakness. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves.” Yes, the Lord is my confidence! There was a day when an approaching storm did strike fear into my bones. Maybe it was because of the in-ground, away from the house, fruit cellar in which mom and dad would take us kids for refuge and safety. Never figured out why the family was huddled together in the dark of that place while Dad stood above ground watching the approaching storm. Now, I’m the one standing on the outside watching the approaching storm, just like Dad. It must be a man thing. But more than the storm, more than the fruit cellar, my memory takes me back to the spiders in that old cellar. This was not in the era of BC, but certainly in the era of BP, before pesticides. You needed a stick to knock down the webs before you could even enter. Those creepy, crawly things were everywhere. Even in the outdoor outhouse you needed a stick to remove the webs before entry and use. You get the picture. Is it little wonder I don’t like spiders? I’m thankful today for a clean basement in which to take shelter from an approaching storm. But to be honest, I’d rather be on the outside watching the awesome display of God’s mighty hand—as long as it’s not too close. One thing is for sure. When the storm hits, I don’t want to be on the outside, wishing I was on the inside. Keep listening for the thunder. It just might be the sound of God’s chariot comin’ to whisk you home. Watchin’ for the Lord’s return, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 9, 2024
Reflection From the Heart of Allan Redenius A grandpa’s perspective of watching his grandson play in a state tournament. All of us know the pride and joy of parents when their child does well in almost anything, from academia to athletics. But what about grandparents who quietly sit in the grandstand? Again this year, our grandson qualified for the Iowa State High School Tennis Tournament. If this sounds like bragging, it is not, just facts. O.K., maybe just a little pride might show through. But, as I think about the journey to ultimately a fourth-place finish, doing that, well, it came with a lot of sacrifice. It all started in the 1970’s when grandma picked up a tennis racquet. Then, our son was only one or two. Off to the tennis court she went with son in tow, along with the play pen. As she played tennis, our son played with his toys on the court. She did very well and won many tournaments including the triple crown in the Fort Dodge City Tournament—singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Eventually, our son began to play tennis, quite well. I don’t know how many light bulbs he busted as he hit the ball against our garage door for hours on end. He too, was a state high school tennis qualifier and placed 6th in the state. Along the way, our daughter fell in love with tennis. She continued the sport through college and into her early career, meeting her tennis husband along the way. Of course, their sons too have taken up the sport. So, there’s a lot of history behind this year’s trip to the Iowa High School Tennis Tournament. As play progressed, with each hit of the ball, grandpa held his breath hoping and praying this one would be a winner. Actually, there were more winners than losers, and in the end, a fourth place finish. Over the years, I’ve observed this about sports in general. It’s easy to be gracious when you win but if you lose, it takes a lot more grace. Whether you are a winner or a loser, all of us must rely on God’s grace. When we stand before Jesus, He won’t ask about the tennis tournament, only about your winning faith will He inquire. From grandpa---I’m so very proud of you, grandson for your accomplishment. But even more proud of you that you rely on the grace of Jesus in your life! That will always guarantee a win! Love, Grandpa ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 2, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Since I are one, I thought I would offer up some wisdom to old people. 😊
There are many more rules of thumb to live life well into old age. Here’s one last thought. Embrace it. You can’t change it. Thinkin’ young, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved May 26, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius There was an era when the kind of car you drove showed off your personality. For instance, I remember a man who bought a Ford Edsel. Edsel was one of the biggest failures in car making history. It was manufactured for only three years between 1957 and 1960. But the man who bought this boondoggle of a car, was just as slow and lethargic as the car. Like the Edsel, this man was big too. On the other hand, if you owned a 1957 Chevrolet, now you’re talkin’ classy. I knew plenty of people with that make and model of a car. They were always energetic and enthusiastic, or so it seemed to me. My first car didn’t quite fit my personality. The only thing my 1956 Oldsmobile fit into was my pocketbook. I paid only $75 for this monster of a car. Pull into the gas station and tell the attendant, “Fill up the oil and check the gas.” Man, that behemoth used a lot of oil. But it lasted a good long time. Any car that might have run into it, would have bounced right off. It was built like a tank. One time, it hailed with huge hail stones. The parking lot was full of dented cars. Not my 1956 Oldsmobile! So, I’m thinking of my wife, Armona. What kind of car would fit her personality? Over the years, she did drive several convertibles. One of those convertibles was a 1996 Trans Am with a corvette engine and six speeds on the floor. Yes, the color fit her full throttle personality. The car was red! 😊 Kind of wish we still had that muscle car. By the way, she can’t wait until there are flying cars. Get to where you’re going—faster! What about me? Well, I drive what I would describe as a mid-size SUV, something practical. It’s comfortable, reasonably priced, if there is such a thing, and though not a pickup, I can haul a lot of stuff in it. All of us should feel sorry for the American mom. All of them have one car personality. They all drive vans. (Just so ya know, when our kids were living at home—their Mom did too.) Yes, cars tell you something about people. Just because you buy a different car that doesn’t fit your personality, that purchase doesn’t change who you are. Only Jesus can do that. And, when you give your life to Him, you’ll be on your best trip yet heading to Heaven! Love and blessings, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved May 19, 2024
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius In the last two weeks, I’ve attended two musicals, Tuck Everlasting and Beauty and the Beast. Each of these imaginative story lines cause me to ask of myself, “Why can’t I write a story like that?” Of course, I remind myself that there have been a host of those kinds of unfulfilled aspirations in my life, from driving a race car to flying a jet. Although, in my imagination, I am the fastest race car driver, Top Gun in the Air Force. Then I wake up and remember my race car was a green 1954 Chevrolet sitting in the garage. My jet airplane was a particularly high branch on an old apple tree. My racing career goes something like this. Speeding, thundering down the back stretch, entering into the third corner, Allan’s car enters low on the track. Only one car to pass before the infamous checkered flag. Picking up speed, dirt flying (this is a dirt track, ya know 😊), coming out of turn number four, he races into the lead. Can he hold on? Of course I can. I win! I win because it’s my story. Who likes their imagination to let them down in defeat? As for my flying career, that old apple tree served me well as we sped through narrow canyons, mounted to the sky above with after burners on full throttle. Oh no! Trouble with the engine. Losing altitude. The ground is speeding upward. Time to bail out. At the last moment, I eject from the swing as it hits it’s pinnacle. A split second of weightlessness and I’m on the ground. Sure, I can write a short imaginative story, but a novel of any length, with multiple characters and story lines, (not to mention the music), just might be out of my ability. Talk about multiple story lines and characters, the best examples can be found in the best book ever written, the Bible. Here’s the amazing part about the Bible. Every story line, every character points to one person, Jesus. No imagination, no speculation, only truth does the Bible speak. What is truth? Jesus said it in John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Believe it! Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved May 12, 2024
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius There are two non-reoccurring experiences in life. Neither of which any of us are able to recall or share. The first, one-time experience is being born. None of us can remember the moment of our birth. Out from the quiet, warm comfort of mother’s womb into the loud cold reality of the world. Everybody is so excited with oohs and aahs. “Isn’t that the most beautiful baby?” In the meantime, the baby is traumatized by what is happening. That’s why they cry. That borning cry is probably one of abject fear at seeing light, hearing sounds, all for the very first time. But love conquers all, even fear. Soon the baby is quiet in mother’s arms. Maybe I was slightly in error when I opened with “two non-reoccurring experiences.” Jesus invites you to be born again as you come to Him in faith. On that wonderful day, there is no crying, no tears, maybe tears of joy. The day of your own “born again” experience is one you will remember—forever. The second non-reoccurring experience is death. We’ll all go through it. None of us can record what it actually feels like. Some might record the walk to death’s door, but there is no record of the moment of death. So here’s the deal. A baby is welcomed in the world experiencing fear. Too many people exit the world in fear of the finality of life. There are no more tomorrows. Unless, unless you, during your life were “born again.” You see, if you give your life to Jesus as your Lord, you will experience the joy of heaven and be greeted with the loving arms of Jesus for eternity! Reject Him and experience the burning lake of sulfur for eternity. My recommendation? Be born again! Love in Christ, Pastor Allan ©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved |
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