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January 25, 2026
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Have you ever driven down the road and suddenly and unexpectedly, there is a curve you must navigate? Instinctively you know that you have to make a hard turn in the direction of the curve. Life often does that to us. I'm reminded of the song, Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road. Once you see that stinky black and white ball of fur on the road ahead, you know if you don't make that hard right or hard left, you're going to be stink’n to high heaven. 😊 So, it is with my reflections. I think I need to take a hard right or hard left in my writing style. Over the last seventeen years, most of my reflections have revolved around lifetime memories that are sometimes entertaining, maybe funny, maybe not so funny, but almost always, I somehow twist them into a life lesson about Jesus. Seventeen years…ummm….that means I've written over 800 reflections. Wow! That means I've written over 800 sermons as well. I can guarantee you that every one of those sermons were about Jesus and your salvation. To be honest, with every reflection about my past life experiences, it becomes harder to recall a past episode in my life about which to write. I think there's two reasons for that. Number one, I'm running out of memories about which to write. Number two, it could be that my memory dial just isn't set on “total recall” anymore. Oh yes, there will continue to be Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius. However, the style in which I write may, from time to time, be more serious and intentional. It may be a comment on current events, and as a result of my opinions about which I write, my writing may, on occasion, generate disagreement. However, I promise that every reflection will still be prepared and presented to the glory of the Lord. Here we go on a new adventure! All to the glory of God! Love in Christ, Pastor Allan ©2026 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved
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January 18, 2026
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius The reed grows tall and strong in the mire. But drain the swamp and soon the reed withers and dies. The freshly painted house, when neglected, soon fades and the paint begins to peel. After that, the wood rots and the house eventually falls down. The shiny new car loses its luster if never washed and polished. The athlete quickly loses his physique and athleticism if he doesn't stay in shape and practice. Let me add one more. He who neglects his faith, maybe never had any faith at all. I really don't care about the reed that grows in the mire, the paint on the house, the shiny new car that loses its luster, nor the athlete who loses his athleticism. But what I do care about is your faith. So how is it with your faith? I recently read a disturbing article entitled, The Unchurching of America. It recited a staggering statistic that each church body loses approximately 15% of its attendees each year. It went on to say that many people are turning to online mysticism, tarot card reading, artificial intelligence and other hocus pocus inspirations, all on the internet. Whatever happened to the daily reading of your Bible for inspiration and insight? Whatever faith you have, you need to water it, keep it fresh, polish it, and practice it, just to keep it alive and growing. You can't assume that faith will come to you. You must seek after it as a treasured pearl of great value buried in a field. Don't go looking for it in any place but a church that preaches the unaltered truth of Jesus Christ. There is no fortune teller, no false teacher, no charlatan from whom you can learn and take a shortcut to gain faith. You can't grow or nurture your faith if the church you attend just appeals to your emotion through a laser light show, fog on the stage, and music thumping in your chest. Why do I say that? “When the flash is gone, you got nothing.” I may be a lone voice in the wilderness, but as a nation, we need to push back on this alarming statistic that people are abandoning church. As born-again Christians, we can’t sit by and watch people abandon their faith. We need to tell them that it is only through Jesus by which they gain faith and grow their faith. In the name of Jesus… America come back to church, real church! Pastor Allan ©2026 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved January 11, 2026
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Isn't it funny how you can remember some things? I remember my grandfather telling me that if I became a preacher, he would buy me a gold watch. Well of course, I, now being a preacher, and he, not being around anymore, I had to buy my own gold watch. Now, after 20 years or more, my trusty gold watch finally quit telling time. As with any broken watch, it was right two times a day. After its final tick-tock, I put it in the drawer thinking to myself I can live without a watch. As the story unfolds, I went for my annual health physical several months ago. Historically, I have a low heart rate. So, if you see me get up fast from a chair and start stumbling around like I'm dizzy, it's because I am. It's something I've learned to manage over the years without medication. But while undergoing my physical, my doctor said to me about my low heart rate, “You should really buy an Apple Watch. It will monitor your heart rate. It will even set off an alarm if your heart rate is too low.” Being a good patient, I went off to the store and bought an Apple Watch. Now I've been thinking about this Apple Watch alarm that might go off if my heart rate slows. What if I'm already unconscious when the alarm goes off? What if my heart rate is zero and the alarm goes off? What good is that? Is my watch going to sound the alarm and say, “Looks like you might be dead. You better think about waking up.” Actually, I like this Apple Watch. It tells me the number of steps I have walked during the day, how many calories I've burned, and then realizing that I am woefully lacking in exercise, it will even measure my mood. My mood, after seeing my lack of activity, is usually that of depression. 😊 What it doesn't do is tell me when I am happy. That makes me depressed. In the end this Apple Watch is just a gadget. It doesn't tell me the important thing of life, and that is my relationship with Jesus. I pray that if I had a watch that measured such a relationship that it would always be showing a glass filled to the top. How is your relationship with the Lord these days? Is your glass only half full? Work at trying to draw closer to God and He will fill your cup, even pressed down and heaping over. Time to go! Pastor Allan ©2026 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved January 4, 2026
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius As a boy on the farm, my dad had milk cows. It was always my job to round up the cows and herd them into the barn. In the summertime, it was easy to round up the girls and bring them in. All I had to do was open the gate, tell my trusty dog, Sport, “Go get them,” and off into the pasture he would run to bring them home to the barn. One night I remember sitting at the kitchen table and looking out toward the barnyard and there lay a cow with its legs sticking up in the air. I said something to the effect that that was certainly unusual. I had never seen this before. My dad jumped up from the table with a kitchen knife and ran to the bloated cow. If you're wondering what he did with the knife, he punctured the cow to relieve the trapped gas within. The rendering truck came the next day to haul away the dead cow. Ever after that episode, my cow job expanded. Once Sport brought them into the barnyard, it was now up to me to keep the cows moving so that they would belch up the gas within and not bloat. Maybe I should do that after I eat a big meal. 😊 After the girls had been walking around for a while, then I opened the barn door and what happened next was always amazing. Every cow walked up to its stanchion, the same one every time. Then as dad milked the cows by hand, I walked in front and just watched the cows. I learned that it is better to stand in front of the cow when it's in its stanchion than to stand behind it. I shouldn't have to explain the reason why. 😊 As my dad milked those cows, without fail, all the kitties would line up for a squirt of milk. I remember his laugh. Then one day there was no laughter as he stood between two cows, and they decided to put the squeeze on him. That was a frightening moment as I remember him pounding his fists on them to separate. In the crush of the moment, he could not breathe. You can learn a lot about life in the barnyard and barn. I wonder how long Jesus stayed in the barn in which he was born. Such humble beginnings for He Who became the Savior of the world. Thank you, Jesus for being the “way” to spend all eternity with You! Love in Him, Pastor Allan ©2026 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved December 28, 2025
Reflections from the heart of Allan Redenius Not too long ago, Armona and I had an occasion to stay at a motel. So, as is our routine, we got up early and went down to have breakfast. As I was pouring a cup of coffee, she was someplace within the complex getting her breakfast food. I turned around and saw a table with a plate of food on it. Believing it was Armona’s food, I pulled out a chair and sat down. About that time a lady stood by the table and said to me, “Can I help you?” Suddenly, realizing that this was not Armona’s food on the table at which I sat, I was embarrassed. After the lady and I had a good laugh, I picked up my coffee and moved to another table. 😊 Our conversation continued with this lady. I asked my usual ice breaker questions. “What's your name? Where are you from?” Since I knew she was traveling, I asked, “Where are you going?” She told us her name and that she and her husband were from Colorado and were traveling to Wisconsin where her husband was scheduled to have triple heart bypass surgery. Whoa! Thank you, Jesus, for opening an opportunity to be Your witness! I asked if I could pray for her husband. Of course, she was more than happy to bow her head, as I offered up a prayer for healing for her husband, Scott. She was so appreciative and thankful. I tell you this story so that you too might take advantage of unexpected opportunities to witness to the Lord. As an evangelist or witness, sometimes you just must be bold and straightforward. After all, what was the worst thing she could have told me when I asked if I could pray for her husband? She could have said, “No!” In which case I would have respected her request but still would have prayed silently for her husband's well-being. I live by Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Oh yes, the Lord is my confidence! Go ahead! Put on your big boy, big girl pants and witness to the glory of Jesus! When you do, He will cinch up your belt, and give you words of grace. Love and blessings, Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved December 21, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Dear Santa: How many letters did I write to you at the North Pole when I was a child? Despite my not so good penmanship, you were always able to read my wish list. You were usually pretty good at delivering the present that I wanted the most, an electric train, a Magic 8 Ball, which was always good at answering whatever question you might ask. It was artificial intelligence before its time. I am sure there were other gifts including model cars that I can't remember right now. By the way, I never did get my slotted race car set. Thank you very much. But you know what, Santa? How is it that you could be in so many different places at the same time? You were on the hayrack the day after Thanksgiving in my hometown with your, ho, ho, ho’s, and then I would read that you were in a different town at the exact same moment. Kind of like Christmas. You and your reindeer travel the whole wide world in a twenty-four hour period. It's Christmas magic. Dem’ dare reindeer are truly amazing. Everything about Christmas is like living in a snow globe, everything seems so perfect. Ice skaters gracefully twirling round and round, snow falling gently on the scene, and to think nobody looks cold. But then after a while, the ice skaters coast to a stop, the snow stops falling, and I am reminded that all too soon, you Santa, retreat to the North Pole not to appear again until next year. I wonder what you will bring me then? I still have my electric train, but it’s all rusty. The Magic 8 Ball is long gone and just a memory. But I do have one memorable Christmas gift from 1959. If my house caught on fire, it is one of my treasures I would rescue from the flame. You see, Santa, this is the only gift that never breaks or gets rusty. It keeps on giving, not just Christmas after Christmas, but day after day. It is a Holy Bible you left for me under grandpa and grandma’s aluminum Christmas tree long ago. It's the best gift ever! I thought I would just let you know the memories you brought into my life. Merry Christmas! Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved December 14, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius As I was walking along the edge of my woods the other day, I met a unicorn. Now I know right away you are skeptical, but you weren't there. Besides, it's my story. 😊 Like Winnie the Pooh, who has his 100-acre woods in which to live, I live near what I call my 12-acre woods. In Pooh’s 100-acre woods, lives a menagerie of his friends, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Owl, and of course the unseen, always to be feared heffalumps and woozles, who steal your honey when you aren’t looking. So, it is in my 12-acre woods. I too have a menagerie of friends who sometimes come to visit me, Dory the Deer, Bobby the Bunny, Sammy the Squirrel, Owly Owl, among a host of others. Two years ago, a heffalump disguised as a cougar ran by chasing Dory the Deer on a dead run. For Dory, it was run, or be dead. After years of peace and tranquility in my 12-acre woods, woozles have appeared. Four woozles, disguised as hunters, have bought my 12-acre woods and now use it for their urban deer hunt. All those who live around cheer as Dory and her friends are picked off from above. Why? “Because the deer are eating my petunias.” There is sadness among my friends in my 12-acre woods. That sadness prompted Unicorn to come and meet me at the edge of my 12-acre woods. She had the appearance like a horse, graceful and strong, bringing purity, magic, and an untamed wildness about her. With her that day, she brought foreboding wisdom. “Who will care about those who live in the 12-acre woods when you are no more?” Indeed, the neighborhood cares more about petunias and woozles than those who live in my 12-acre woods. I turned around and as magically as Unicorn appeared, she disappeared. What's the lesson from this unicorn story? Guard your heart, lest woozles and heffalumps move in and steal who you are. You ask, “What do I have to lose?” If you love Jesus, holiness and joy are on display in your life. Don't let a woozle or a heffalump move into your neighborhood, called your heart. They will steal your joy. Looking out for my friends in the forest. Looking out for you. Love and blessings, Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved December 7, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius 68 years ago, December 7, 1957, is a day that I remember. It was the day my dad quit farming and had his “farm machinery auction.” At first, I thought this would be an exciting day. I didn’t have to go to school! Dad had all the machinery lined up in the yard. People were beginning to come and mill around and sort of, “kick the tires” on all his machinery. There was a lunch wagon there and my mom even gave me money to buy a maid-rite. I still hear the auctioneer’s cry, as the gavel slammed down, and he hollered out, “Sold!” Despite it being cold, to a little boy, who really didn't understand, this was indeed exciting. By the end of the day, all was quiet and the yard was empty. For me, this was the day I transitioned from being a “farm boy” to a “city kid.” It meant leaving something old, what I knew and loved, and moving to something new and scary. It was the day I left behind playing in the hay mow, being a gladiator of exceptional skill as I speared mice with a pitchfork in the silo, flying my fighter jet through canyons and clouds using an apple tree as the cockpit, raising tad poles in the cow tank, riding an imaginary horse fast as the wind through the grove as a cowboy chasing after imaginary bad guys. Yes, this was the day of unexpected change. But the most heart-wrenching event of the day, was this. Being told by mom and dad that my beloved companion and friend, he who was always at my side as protector and guide, my dog, Sport, would not be able to make the transition and live in the city. “Sport is a farm dog.” They were giving Sport to another farm family down the road. I think we all sat around the table and cried. I'm kind of tearing up even now as I write this memory. Our country remembers December 7 as a day that will live in infamy, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Though that is a sacred date for our country to remember, for me, December 7 brings back a flood of other memories from my childhood. “Who will give me 500, 600 or more?’ A hand goes up; the gavel slams down. The auctioneer cries out, ‘Sold!” One day can change your life. When the gavel comes down and your time is up in this world, are you ready for the next world? Come to Jesus today! Love, Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved November 30, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius If ever I got up in the morning with nothing to do, I would be surprised. I think of retirement that way. There's nothing to do. I am reminded of the best retirement quote I've ever heard. I asked a friend, who had just retired, “How do you like retirement?” Hear his memorable reply. “I get up in the morning with nothing to do, and I go to bed at night with only half of it done.” One of my other friends, who had just retired, told me he was going south for the winter. I asked of him, “Where are you going?” To that he replied, “I'm tying a snow shovel to the front of my bumper. At the first place where someone asks of me, ‘What the heck is that?' that's where I'm stopping.” I wish I could remember all the memorable quotes I've heard over the years. Here are just a few that come to mind.
Always pray for wisdom. Solomon did, and God gave him not only wisdom, He gave him riches beyond measure. Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved November 23, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Here are a couple of things I've learned in life, usually the hard way at the School of Hard Knocks. Maybe some of the wisdom I share, just might save you some agony.
These are just a few of the things I've learned over my lifetime along with a thousand other things. Here's another one. Don't take the Lord's name in vain when you hit your thumb with your hammer. Just jump around and grit your teeth. Pain goes away. You know, when you think about it, God didn't intend for life to be so difficult. After all, He's the One Who started out with only ten commandments. It is man who has expanded the law to fill libraries. When it comes to living life, follow this bit of wisdom. “Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there someday.” Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved November 16, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Have you ever dealt with dishonest people before? Like most of you, I have too. I pray that you didn't get snookered out of too much money before you caught on to the fact that you were being cheated. In the middle of the scam, it is as if you get into what looks like a seaworthy vessel, and once launched from shore, suddenly the boat begins to sink. The Righteous Brothers sang a song in 1964 entitled, You've Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. Kind of the feeling you feel about now as the water in the boat rises above your ankles and you realize, he, who sold you this pipe dream you invested in, is not in the boat with you. Indeed, toward him, you've lost that lovin’ feeling. So how do you beat a crook? Here's the short answer. You can't. The best thing you can do with any crook is to just get away from him. Where you have scruples, he does not. Where you believe in truth, lies are his language of choice. In your honesty, there may be some naivety. In his dishonesty, he is more than willing to take advantage of your naivety and trust. You have this picture of a golden goose who lays a golden egg. He, who is dishonest, somehow paints a detailed picture with all your expectations. The only thing about the golden goose is that it is a dead duck. As far as the golden egg is concerned, it ends up on your face. Jesus told us about living among the dishonest and people of ill repute in Matthew 10:16. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” What does that mean? Because you are a Christian, you need to be wise in your dealings with people. I’ll tell you my shortened version of what that verse means to me, and that is, just because you are a Christian doesn't mean you have to be stupid. Always remember, if you have any money, somebody is always more than willing to take it from you. There is no golden goose. Also, there is no Santa Claus. In life, here's Who you can trust. Jesus! Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved November 9, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius I need to admit to you that I am getting older. I don't feel like it, but the calendar of time makes it hard to deny. Now some people can retire and fade into the sunset with grace and the mindset that they have paid their dues in the workforce. They are content to pursue their hobbies, watch television, and watch the world go by. There are days that I think that would be nice. Like I've told all of my friends over the years, I now must heed my own advice. “You can't just retire and do nothing. When you retire, you must retire to something.” But I don't have any hobbies. Watching television isn't very satisfying. However, I can, on occasion, put my mind in neutral and just watch the world go by. Armona says that my mind is in neutral most of the time. 😊There are days when “neutral” is good and satisfying. Recently, I had an occasion to meet with some younger pastors. During the course of the conversation, they asked if I had considered retirement and what was my succession plan for the church if I got hit by a bus. As they were asking this, I thought to myself, “I've got more wisdom, grit, tenacity, and determination in my old bones, than they have in their collective thumbs.” So, I tried to politely deflect the question toward them. “What's your succession plan if you get hit by a bus?” Who plans on getting hit by a bus anyway? Come to think about it, the tone of their questioning indeed raised my blood pressure. Maybe their questioning was a coup to give me a heart attack and force me into retirement. When am I going to retire from my life passion, sharing the gospel good news of Jesus Christ? The answer is…..drum roll please. I pray that even my tombstone is a witness to my testimony. Thinking ahead…Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved November 2, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius There once was an old man who lived alone in the woods far removed from anyone, cynical, crotchety, and to top it off, an unbeliever. Every Christmas Eve, the neighbor children would invite him to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Always the same answer, “Bah humbug… if there is a God, why would he become a man?” One Christmas Eve, after the neighboring children had once again been rejected, a snowstorm arose. As the old man heard the wind howling, there was a sudden thumping on the window of his house. As he peered through the frosted glass, he could see these cold sparrows flying into the glass of the window seeking shelter. Feeling sorry for them, he put on his coat and went outside, walked across the yard, and opened the barn door. He began to call them to come to the shelter of the barn. Of course, though safety was close by, the sparrows did not heed his call. Feeling sorry for these freezing sparrows, the old man then sprinkled some grain between the house and the barn hoping the sparrows would follow the trail of food to warmth and safety. They did not. In his frustration and trying to save the sparrows from the cold and certain death, the old man hollered out to the sparrows, “I wish I could become one of you! Maybe then you would listen to me and follow me to warmth and safety.” After spewing out these words in unfashionable love, suddenly, the old man realized that what he wanted to do, become one of them to save them because they would not listen, was exactly what Jesus did on Christmas. Jesus became a man so that man would listen and be saved. Deciding that he could not save the sparrows, the old man decided to save himself. How the neighboring children were surprised and delighted when the old man, who had consistently rejected their annual invitations, suddenly sat down beside them at the Christmas Eve service. How is it with your heart? Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved October 26, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Do you ever feel like you are not aging while the rest of the world is getting older? I look around and I see that many of my friends have gray hair. Those that do not, I am sure use some kind of “hide my gray” formula. Yep, no aging for me! Looking good Billy Ray, strong as a prize fighter, fast as lightning, fit and trim, no bulge around the middle, tack as a sharp, 😊 that would be me. Then suddenly, I awake from my dream. One of my older friends once told me when I was younger, “In the morning, it takes me a long time to put my toupee on, put my teeth in, and install my hearing aids.” At the time he told me this, all I could do was laugh at him. Now I understand that getting older does slow you down. Except for putting in my contacts, I have none of the additional hardware my friend had to deal with each and every morning. My friend continued by sharing, “Then after all that, I have to sit down and have a cigarette. Then it's time for my afternoon nap.” I don't smoke, but I sure understand having to sit down before I begin my morning, and have a cup of coffee to get me going. No more jumping out of bed at the crack of dawn, riding my bicycle eight miles, or running four. However, as I age, it does seem that I am often up to pray and worship with the Lord way before dawn. When I do rise early for that purpose, to be alone with the Lord, it is more gratifying and fulfilling than striving to be physically fit and in shape. So, now I am in a conundrum. Do I spend my hours trying to maintain my health and lengthen my life, when already Jesus has counted my days, or do I spend those hours in Bible study, prayer, and meditating upon the Lord? God only gave you so many heartbeats, why waste them on exercise? 😊 Which one should I choose, physical fitness, or alone time with Jesus. This is my decision. I choose that which has eternal value. However, I will also exercise because my body is God’s holy temple. Since I can do two things at once, I will at the same time I exercise, worship my God. The guardian knight in the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, told those who sought after the Holy Grail, to “choose wisely.” So, what is your choice when it comes to spending time with God? I pray you choose wisely, that which has eternal value. Blessings… Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved October 19, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Recently, someone asked me this question. “What is your earliest life memory?” I believe the first life memory that I can recall is that of building a two-step ladder to climb up into a tree during the summer I started elementary school. Then there are memories of kindergarten that come to mind as well. Among them are:
Everyone has what is called “first memories.” But maybe more important than “first memories” would be something that I call “last memories.” In other words, as I go to die, what will be my “last memory,” my last thought? I pray it is not fear, pain, or a mind of confusion that clouds my exit memory. It would be my hope that I would depart from this world with grace knowing that all glory lies just ahead. As I bid my final adieu to my family and friends, may my final words be of witness to Jesus. That would be a good “last memory” to tell Jesus when I see Him face to face. “I witnessed to Your love, right up to the end.” What do you want your “last memory” to be? I pray for you, that it might be of Jesus. Thinking ahead…Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved October 12, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Hauntingly beautiful, always on time, there they are again to remind us that another season of life has passed, and a new one is about to begin. As the robin brings the first sign of spring, so too, “birds on a wire” remind us that summer is soon to be closed and winter all too soon to follow. What do I mean by, “birds on a wire?” Every fall some migratory birds gather and sit upon wires suspended high in the sky, electric lines. There they assemble to begin their flight southward to warmer climate. Not unlike recreational vehicles parked in the parking lot waiting for their owners to begin the annual trek to Texas, Florida, or Arizona, a place of warmer temperatures than Iowa. I must tell you, there is something beautiful about “birds on a wire,” and no beauty at all with the sight of “RVs in a parking lot.” So, how do these “birds on a wire” know when to begin their journey? Is there a leader, head bird, with a whistle that signals, “It is time?” Seemingly, they all launch from the wire simultaneously and as they soar high above, the sky is darkened with their synchronized dance. On the other hand, RVs trickle out of the parking lot one by one. With their departure, there is no beauty about them, other than the excitement of the owner’s anticipation of the journey ahead. That lead bird with a whistle reminds me of this unusual picture. In Iowa there are a lot of deer and occasionally one is hit and killed by an oncoming car. How does this happen? I think that deer line up along the highway in the ditch. In the lineup, there is one with a whistle. When he sees no cars coming, he blows the whistle, signaling it is safe to cross the road. On occasion, just to be funny, he blows the whistle, and a deer jumps out only to be smashed by a car. The deer with the whistle, snickers and says, “just kidding.” 😊 On a more serious note, as “birds on a wire” gather for their annual migration, so too, we as Christians soon will be gathered in the rapture for our migration to heaven. When God blows the whistle for that to happen, He is not kidding around. Don't you be left behind! Leave your RV behind and come to Jesus while you can. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved October 5, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius I will often purposefully sit back and reflect upon those who have gone before me to meet the Lord that were my relatives or friends. I use that time of reflection as a time to not only reminisce, but to thank them for the positive impact that they have each given to my life in some special way. Of course, there are those who may not have affected me so positively, but I try to just ignore them. 😊 Excluding my closest loved ones, except one, here is a partial list of those who have impacted my life. Some of them if only to remember their distinctive voice.
All of these and more, including you who are yet alive, have made me into what I have become. Who have those in my past and those I know today made me to be? Though once orphaned, I am now the son of the most high God! Life doesn't get any better than that! Praying that you too are the son or daughter of the most high God. Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved September 28, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius A treasure hunt seems to captivate those who search for the treasure. The thrill of the hunt is sometimes all-consuming. Those who seek are sometimes willing to spend a fortune in the hope of gaining a bigger prize. Some are even willing to risk their lives for the treasure. But all too often, seeking out the treasure is like catching a handful of smoke. Open your hand, and there is none. Like chasing the end of a rainbow at which a treasure is said to lie, a pot of gold, once you're almost there, the end of the rainbow moves from here to over there. My whole life has been a treasure hunt. Unlike the prospectors of old looking for gold on a wing and a prayer, I have a treasure map. But though the map leads straight to the prize, many before who have searched for the treasure are deceived, and like a mountaineer on a treacherous climb, have turned left when they should have turned right, forever to be lost with no way back. Many before have lost their way because they have taken their eye off the prize. Like a mirage of an oasis in the middle of a thirsty desert, those have been led astray. Not unlike walking down the midway at a carnival, too many hawkers vying for attention. A butterfly, once lured into the web, finds no escape. The moral of this? Keep your eye on the prize. What is the treasure for which I seek? Truth be told, I no longer seek, because I have found. The treasure map, which has no false trails and leads directly to the treasure, is the Holy Bible. The treasure to which it points the way is more valuable than silver or gold, more precious than diamonds and rubies, more certain than knowing that the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. The treasure is Jesus Christ the Lord. If you're willing to not be deceived, not turn to the right or left but to stay on course, not be distracted by the promise of a greater reward, and, as so many before, be willing to risk and maybe even lose your life, willing to believe the truth of the gospel and Jesus Christ, then I encourage you to walk with me on what promises to be the greatest adventure of your life. The greatest treasure of all? Jesus Christ! Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved September 21, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius Some days I feel like John the Baptist about which the prophet said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness…” Though I may, as did the Baptist cry out, “Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!” few hear, and fewer care. So then, why do I keep on with this seemingly feudal task of preaching the word of the Lord? I march on, preach on with the prayer that one soul might be saved. I continue with the hope that salvation will come to just one more, maybe even you. Being a pastor, preaching is a lot like fishing. In fishing, with every cast there is the hope of the catch. With preaching the word of the Lord, with every sentence preached, there is the hope that one more soul might be touched. Yes, there are people who walk away from the salvation message of the Lord. I think I lay it out pretty clearly that there is only one of two places that you can spend eternity, heaven or hell. But even knowing the agony of hell, some choose to walk away from the glory of heaven. When I see this happen, my heart hurts for their poor decision. Then I think of Jesus and notice that as the rich young ruler walked away from the Lord's invitation, Jesus did not chase after him. But maybe Jesus knew that later on, the rich young ruler would come to his senses. We don’t know. Have you come to your senses? But I'm not Jesus, I don’t know the future. So, if you say “no” to the Lord, or, if you haven't said “yes” to Him, I will not give up and fail to tell you that despite your rejection of Him, Jesus will always take you in. The Lord pursues after you like the Hound of Heaven. I'm just a pesky bee trying to get your attention so that you might be saved. So, that's the bottom line of why I do what I do. Sure, there are days of frustration with evangelism, but oh the joy on earth when someone comes to salvation! Is that one, you? Blessed be the name of the Lord! Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved September 14, 2025
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius So…where did summer go? Wasn’t just last week July 4th? I remember, when I was a kid, it seemed “time” moved ever so slowly. But now, in the blink of an eye, a whole season has flown by! Yes, the beauty of fall, with all of its gorgeous colors, is upon us. I think that’s one of the reasons I love Iowa. The seasonal changes, from the onset of spring, with its “new beginnings” of life, to the summer days of watching the beauty of growth as Iowa farmland turns into God’s garden. Fall comes and, almost overnight, leaves begin to turn into magnificent colors of red, yellow, orange, and purple. Truly, God has artistic abilities way beyond what we can imagine. When I was young, winter brought with it so many opportunities for sledding, snowball fights, ice skating, or in my case, ice falling. 😊 Now that I’m older, I can even find beauty in a gentle snowfall, followed by a walk in the woods. There, I am surrounded by the wonderful silence of nature. I am very aware, however, that in the depths of winter when the temperature drops to single digits, a warm fireplace with a hot cup of coffee makes that beautiful snowfall something to behold from the comfort of my living room! All of this to say, God has blessed us with so much---including every aspect of nature that He has created. Do you take time to “treasure the moment” and thank Him, not only for the things He has done for you, but for the very surroundings in which you live? Take a moment---go for a walk, a bike ride, or simply go outside and enjoy the beauty of His creation! It’s so easy to take for granted the treasures that God has provided for us. So, as you breathe in this wonderful fall crisp air, tell Jesus how much you love Him and remember, He loves you more! Thank you, Jesus…. Love in Him, Pastor Allan ©2025 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved |
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