Boy Scout Water

May 17, 2026
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Did you know that I was a Boy Scout?  Yes, I was a proud member of Troop 63, Titonka, Iowa. 
 
I earned several merit badges, which I was very proud of at the time, camping, bicycling, archery, and maybe even basket weaving.  Oh yeah, basket weaving is a lifetime skill that has served me well.  Not!  As for bicycling, if I remember right, you had to ride some short distances and then one fifty-mile trek.  I set my course to ride from home to Woden, Iowa, back to home, to Burt, Iowa and back to clock in my fifty-mile journey.  Let me tell you I did all of that on a one speed bicycle.  Here's the most exciting part of that journey.  Of course, there were snacks and pop along the way to maintain my stamina.  But, on my bicycle I had a speedometer.  In those days that was quite a luxury.  East of Burt, there is a very steep hill.  What I remember about riding that hill is not the journey up the hill into Burt, but seeing my speedometer register 50 mph coming down the hill.  To think, I did that without a helmet.  Oh wait, I don't think helmets had been invented yet, and if there were helmets, they were not “cool.”
 
 As for camping out under the stars at night, I was the troop hero of one fine camping night.  You see I had secret knowledge as to how to get a campfire going.  While the rest of the troop were rubbing sticks together to get their campfires lit, I had brought along a secret ingredient by which to start my fire.  I affectionately called it, Boy Scout Water. Pour a little of my secret sauce onto the wood, light a match, and poof, instant fire!  All the troop jumped with joy when they saw my campfire with flames three feet high.  You see, my Boy Scout Water was called gasoline. 😊 Now as I think about those days, it's a wonder I lived through them. 
 
Today, I don't carry around any Boy Scout Water to start a fire.  I carry around the word of Jesus knowing that just His spark in someone's life, will set their life on fire to serve Him for a lifetime!
 
How's the Holy Spirit fire in your life?
Pastor Allan
 
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