Pastor Allan's Blog

A long time ago we were boating with some friends.  Driving along the lakeshore “oohing and awing” at the spectacular homes, here’s how part of our conversation went.
“I’ll take that one.”
“You can’t have it.”
“Why not?”
“You can’t afford it!”
With every beautiful home we boated by, that was the conversation.  I know, you’ve had the same conversation.
Up ahead, there was an old man sitting on a lawn chair in the middle of a lot.  In front of him was a sign, “Lot for sale.”
Maybe we can afford this one.  At least it would be fun to inquire.  Stopping the boat, here’s how this conversation went:
Me: “Good morning.  That’s a pretty nice lot you’re sitting on.”
Old Man: “Ya, it is a nice lot.”
Me: “How much are you asking for that lot?”
Old Man: “Not my lot.” (He then proceeded to tell me how much that lot was listed for.)
Me: “That’s a whole lot of money!”
Old Man: “It is a lot of money for a lot this size.”
Me: “Well, thanks a lot.”
 
As we boated away and after our exchange of “lots,” everyone in the boat doubled over with LOTS of laughter!
Love you all---a LOT!!
Pastor Allan

Animals (and others) that have chased after me:

• Mr. Tom Turkey was a fast runner and when he flapped his wings, he was bigger and scarier than he actually was.  But old Mr. Tom couldn’t outrun my Dad on that one cold Thanksgiving Day.
• There’s nothing as intimidating to a six year old than Goosey Gander strutin’ after you making that hissing sound.
• My friend had a horse.  I only had a bicycle.  One day, we were together and that big-o-horse charged right at me.  Now I can outrun a turkey or goose, but a horse, that’s of a different color! J  What was I to do?  I cowered under my bicycle and the horse jumped over me.  I wonder if the horse had been a bull if I might have grown up to be a rodeo clown…..Nah.
• One day, I opened the garage door and there stood Possy Possum, who immediately fell over feigning death.  “Hey, Possy, you gotta move.  Otherwise you’re no longer going to be rotund, but flat.”  No movement.  So I got the shovel to kind of just scoot her out of the way.  Suddenly, that little hair-ball stood up, snarled at me and at first ran toward me before realizing that I was bigger than she!
• Here’s the best, saved for last.  A long time ago, Armona and I were snorkeling in Hawaii.  The water was warm, pristine, and clear.  We spotted a big-ole-turtle, big as a bathtub.  After watching it for a while, it began to move….ever so slowly.  We turned around to swim back to our boat.  Suddenly, Armona hits me in the shoulder with a “look behind you.”  Sure enough that big-ole-turtle was right on our toes.  Just glad he wasn’t a big-ole-snapping turtle!

Those are just a few of the creatures who have chased after me.  But the most relentless person chasing me has been Jesus Christ.  He was so persistent, He even chased me to the cross……
 
He’s right behind you too!
 
Love you all,
 
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Out of the back seat of my car I hear this question from a seven year old with an inquisitive mind.
 
“Grandpa,” came the sound of his soft voice. “Yes, Noah,” I answered.  Now, the question comes forth.  “When you waste gas, where does it go?”
 
Needless to say, I had no answer.  I just can’t do any better than this! J
 
But I can tell you from experience, enjoy every day to the fullest with your children and grandchildren….they are very special blessings sent from our heavenly Father!  Who, by the way, loves our children and grandchildren even more than we do!  What a tremendous God we serve!!
 
Love you all,
Pastor Allan
 
PS….if you know the answer to Noah’s question….let me know! J J
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

So about Easter time every year my Dad took me over to Welp’s Hatchery.  There in the hatchery was a brooder house.  For you city slickers, that is where baby chickens are raised.  Here’s another fact for you non-farmers.  Baby chickens are called pullets.  At any rate, within this brooder house was a sea of constant movement of yellow.  The sound of chirping filled the air….those were very special days!
 
Then, what do you know, lo and behold on Easter morning, there were always colored baby chicken pullets in my Easter basket, not yellow, but orange, blue, and an assortment of many colors.  I marveled how this could be.
 
After a while—a very short while—of playing with my gift, these pullets were unceremoniously ushered out to our brooder house on the farm.  Did you know you can’t train a chicken to do any tricks?
 
Soon, those brightly colored pullets lost their luster as the dye wore away and new feathers grew in.  Before long, there was no difference between the Easter chick and all the rest of the chickens.  Failing those identifying marks, there was no emotional attachment to any pet chickens.
 
Well, today is Easter and as I reminisce about days gone by, I think of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave.  Did He do that for you?  Yes, He did!
 
Though seemingly lost in a sea of humanity, God recognizes you and calls you by name.  Isaiah 43:1 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”
 
God recognizes us even without any distinguishing markings.  The question is, will you recognize Him when He calls out your name?
 
Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!
Love in Him,
Pastor Allan

God, I know what I am.  I lament what I am not.  So Lord, I’m relying on You alone to get me from where I am to where You want me to be.  When I am finally there, no longer will I lament what I am not.
 
Every person I know has something deep within that drives them ever forward, reaching out for something more.  That something always elusive, just beyond grasp.  Fame, fortune, are but two earthly treasures for which we search.  When we think we’re finally there, like catching a handful of smoke, there is nothing when we open our hand.
 
So, is it the quest, the adventure, or is it more exciting to gain the victory?  Sometimes the victory is bitter-sweet.  Fun to get there, but disappointing to know the journey is over, the prize disappointing.
 
Reflections from my heart sometimes are very personal.  Today, I want to be more than I am in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus died on the cross for me.  Though I make sacrifices for Him, when I look at what He did for me, what I do for Him pales in comparison. 
 
But I do take solace in this verse.  Here I find my rest.  From Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
 
Maybe I’m right where God wants me to be……
 
During this Holy Week---and every week thereafter—remember what God did for you in sending His Son as a baby.  Then remember what Jesus did for you in giving His life for your salvation……
 
Love and blessings,
 
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

From Matthew 7:1-3, 5-- “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? …..First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
 
I came across this reading that a marriage counselor shared and it is so very appropriate for this Sunday as we come forward to receive communion.  Think on these words as we receive the gift Jesus gave us and ask Him to “forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”
 
“It is easy for us to identify the failures of our mates, but more difficult to admit our own.  When couples come to me for counseling, I often give each individual a sheet of paper and ask them to list their spouse’s faults.  They will write profusely for ten or fifteen minutes—some even ask for more paper. J
 
Then I ask them to make a list of their own faults.  Most people can think of one, but I have seen them sit there and sit there trying to think of a second.  We see twenty-seven things wrong with our spouse, but we may only have one to four on our own list.
 
We tend to see ourselves through rose-colored glasses.  Our faults do not look very big to us because we are used to them.  We have lived with them for years.  Naturally, then, we attribute the real problem to our mate’s behavior.  But Jesus warned us not to judge each other, because the level of criticism we use against others will be used against us.  He told us to first get the plank out of our own eye.  Once we’ve done that, we can see more clearly to help our mate deal with his or her faults.
 
When it comes to seeking genuine reconciliation with our mate, admitting our own failure is the first step.”
 
As we continue in this Lenten journey, think on the above message.  On the cross, we hear Jesus Himself say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do…..”  Forgiveness is so very important for we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Ask Jesus to forgive your sins, ask for forgiveness from those you have sinned against, and begin a new walk in your faith journey as you receive the blessed assurance of eternal life through Christ our Lord!
Love in Him…..Pastor Allan
 
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

About this time of year, if you’re a parent you’re holding your breath, hoping your child doesn’t go out for track.  Hours and hours of sitting in the bleachers to watch your son or daughter for two minutes of glory---maybe. J
 
Well, when I was in high school, I went out for track.  I don’t remember if my parents made the obligatory sacrifice of time in the bleachers.  If they had, there were no moments of glory.
 
I ran the anchor in the two mile relay.  That means I ran one-half mile.  Yikes!  Now if the other team lapped you, your team lost points.  In most races, by the time I was handed the baton, the other team was almost ready to lap us.  Everyone cheered me on as I gave it my all to stay ahead of the fellow breathing down my neck.  I’m proud to report that no team ever lapped us….whew!!
 
I attribute my track success, or lack thereof, to superb training.  Charlie was the fastest guy on the team.  During practice, the coach made Charlie run behind me and try to kick me if I slowed down.  Not that I was faster than Charlie, I could just out zig-zag him all over the track.  That’s how I stayed ahead in all my races.  Erratic zig-zagging makes the guy behind you think more about his safety than passing you! J
 
You know, life is kind of like running a two mile relay.  It’s a long haul.  Following Jesus is more of an endurance run that a short sprint.  So, you need to train as Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 9:24.  “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way to get the prize.”
 
If you feel the devil close behind you breathing down your neck, forget about the zig-zag maneuver.  Run straight toward the prize---JESUS!!  You’ll win every time!!
 
Out of breath but still loving each of you!
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

The recent floods in Iowa and Nebraska tear at my heart strings as I see people trying to salvage whatever they can from the unforgiving rising water.  The water favors no one or anything, only high ground and low ground
 
As I watched the waters rise, I was reminded of the Great Flood Noah survived within the Ark.  What I notice as I read the Book of Genesis leading up to the flood is the long life of the people.  Here’s a short list of those long lived people with supporting Bible references.
                  Adam                         930 years                                       Genesis 5:4
                  Seth                           912 years                                        Genesis 5:7
                  Methuselah              969 years                                       Genesis 5:27
                  Noah                          950 years                                       Genesis 9:29
After the cataclysmic flood, the longevity of man shortened dramatically, or so it seems to me.  Look at the length of some of the people’s lives after the flood.
                  Arphaxad                 438 years                                          Genesis 11:13
                  Eber                          464 years                                          Genesis 11:17
                  Sarah                        127 years                                           Genesis 23:2
                  Abraham                  175 years                                           Genesis 25:7
Obviously, something changed after the flood.  As a fetus grows in the protection of amniotic fluid within its mother’s womb, so there must have been some kind of natural protection of man that God removed after the flood.
 
If you’re looking for the Fountain of Youth, maybe the secret lies in the time before the flood.  Let me know if you stumble across it.  Pretty soon, I’m going to need to look for it myself!
 
Blessings this day,
Pastor Allan

© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Lately I’ve been thinking about stuff.  You know, that old gadget or gizmo that you think is so cool, so valuable, and one day it will be sold on auction for pennies on the dollar.  Even if you’re into collectibles, coins, antiques, and other stuff, most of the time, you buy it at retail and sell it wholesale.  So what’s your stuff worth?  I don’t want to disappoint you, but other than sentimental value, your stuff isn’t probably worth too much.
 
There was a day when I accumulated stuff.  For example, when Armona’s parents were preparing to move to a smaller home and had an auction, I bought several fishing poles—complete with hook, line, and sinker.  I took them home, hung them up in the attic and promptly forgot about them—until we moved.  After moving all my other stuff out of the attic, I decided to sweep the floor.  As I swept, something kept rolling ahead of the broom.  It sounded like marbles.  Not knowing what I was sweeping up, I took a closer look….fishing sinkers.  The line on the fishing poles had rotted and the sinkers fell off onto the floor.  So much for collecting fishing poles.  That day was an epiphany and a total revelation about my stuff.  I threw those fishing poles and a lot of other stuff away.
 
So whatever stuff you’re accumulating, here’s my advice….have an exit plan.
 
Now there’s something else in which you need to put an exit plan into place---your life.  I really don’t care how much stuff you have because, to quote an old saying, “Ya can’t take it with ya.”
 
Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  So, don’t polish up your silver or gold….spend your time polishing up your love for Jesus!
 
Love in Him,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the last knight standing?  Brave and bold, he stands at the end of the battle reciting Psalm 91:5-6 to himself.  “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the plagues that destroy at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”
Seemingly with no fear, my brave knight overcomes that terror of night, swats away the arrow that flies by day.  The battle rages and ten thousand fall at his right hand.
The enemy redoubles his effort, outflanks him, surrounds him, and then runs at his side, even as the bulls of Bashan.  Yet my knight does not cower from the onslaught.  My knight makes his gallant stand.
In their hands, they demand to know his name.  Yes, I am He Whom you seek after.  With just His spoken word, they all fall down, slain in the Spirit.
They lead Him away to judgment.  Not guilty, not guilty, yet in spite of the verdict, the enemy whips the crowd into a blood thirsty frenzy, like a pack of wolves on the scent.  A coward steps forward, hands Him over, and washes his hands of the lynching about to take place.
Yet, what does my knight do?  He stands silent, brave, and silent.
The enemy seemingly has overcome, conquered my knight, my hero.  I turn, I cannot watch.
The darkness overcomes the light.  The brave has lost to the coward.  All seems to be lost.
Then, at the burst of sunrise, my knight rises up out of the grave.  Victory over death is won by my knight’s resurrection!  He is my hero!
My knight said He would rise from the dead…and He has!
 
If you don’t know Him….His name is Jesus!
 
All Glory to Him,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Well, the final curtain has fallen.  The lights have been turned off.  Sonshine Singers fades into the sunset to proclaim God’s glory another day!
 
As a Pastor, I talk to you about Jesus.  I write to you about Jesus.  But, there is one thing that the Sonshine Singers did in the lives of those who heard their inspiring music.  They helped people experience Jesus!
 
During their ministries, it’s as if the Schekinah cloud, the glory of the Lord descended upon the crowds.  A new and more brilliant face was upon the crowd as they left.  They indeed had been touched by the hand of God.
 
As for me, I watched the director from the first down beat to the last.  Vocalists and musicians, all 140 of them, literally in the palm of her hand.  All not to her glory, but to God’s glory.
 
Armona, for some of us, you—and Jesus Whom you serve--have brought us, while we yet live on earth, to within the breath of God.  The Spirit of God that dwells in you and the Sonshine Family, radiates to all those around you.  You are all gifts from God!
 
I can’t wait to see how God will use you next!
 
In the meantime, I’ll always love you all!!
 
Pastor Allan 
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Well, I never thought about the emotions that might accompany the last of a heroic, meaningful, Holy Spirit filled ministry.  For twenty years, Sonshine Singers has, for Armona, been a driving force in her life.  I cannot count the ways her ministry has affected my walk with Jesus.
 
People ask, “How does she do it?”  Year after year, she listened to countless hours of Christian music.  All those hours previewing and selecting just the right song that will touch the hearts of people.
 
If you’re a musician and are one of the several hundred people who have sung for her over the years, you know the meticulous, detail manner in which she directs.  You know the joy it has been to sing under her direction.
 
There was a time when I said, “Armona has the magic.”  Over the years I’ve matured.  I now say, “Armona has the blessing.”
 
As the twentieth year of music ministry culminates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week, won’t you come and hear the Word of the Lord?
 
Each year, Sonshine Singers have ministered to 2,000 people more or less.  What this group of singers have done is the closest thing to a “revival meeting” that Fort Dodge has ever experienced.
 
I was there to hear the borning song of Sonshine Singers.  I’ll be there at the end to hear their never ending hymns of glory.  I’ll be there with a tear in my eye…..
 
I’m so proud of you, Armona…..what I say about her is not brag, just fact.
 
Love to all,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

As the wind blew and the temperature plunged, the snow hit my face as if like tiny little ice pellets.  My fingers in gloves, my face wrapped in a shawl, yet there was no keeping out the cold.  Snow so deep that with every step, I lifted my knee to my chin in order to move forward.  Why do my toes feel like frozen stumps?
 
That was my journey one wintry night as I walked from my vehicle stuck in a snowbank to the house, one quarter mile.  An ordinary man would never have survived this adventurous journey.  J
 
But I’m no ordinary man I told myself as the lights in the house dimly pierced the snow and darkness.  I am indestructible, invincible, courageous, and all those other adjectives that describe me as a man.  Maybe dumb would be one of those descriptive adjectives.
 
So, there I am about to overcome all that nature could hurl against me.  I’m almost to the door.  I look like the abominable snowman.  Coat, hat, shawl, boots, all the things that make me look bigger and puffier than I already am in real life.  Out of nowhere my own dog is suddenly coming at me as if I was an avenging intruder.  I trained him to “guard,” but not me!!  “Poncho! Poncho! It’s me.”  I pulled the shawl off my face and in an instant he went from guard dog to my dog.
 
Sometimes in life, we hide who we really are.  For some reason if we let our guard down, expose who we really might be, we feel vulnerable, exposed.  Too many of us want to stay wrapped up within ourselves.  No one recognizes us, not even our own dog.
 
Take a risk sometime and feel the rush of God’s love as you proclaim to someone who you really are.  “I am the son of the Most High God!”  “I am the daughter of the Most High God!”
 
That devil dog that’s been barking at your heels, will cower and run away.  Can’t get any better than that!
 
Love to all,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Keith Jackson long ago was a television football announcer.  With all his quips and bits of wisdom, he was simply the best.
One of his favorite sayings was, “Whoa, Nellie!”  Now apparently he grew up on a farm.  So, quite naturally people would ask if “Nellie” was a donkey.  He replied, “Yes, I had a donkey, but its name was Pearl.” 
“He’s rumblin’, stumblin’ and now he breaks out into the open.  The end zone is in his sight; Whoa Nellie!”
My Dad was the football announcer at Titonka High.  Only my Dad had his own style of announcing the plays.  He actually called the play from the booth.  If the other team had the ball, he’d say, “The quarterback drops back to pass to the tight end on the right, number 38…..”  I was his spotter.  We were a team!
Now the difference between Keith Jackson’s announcing and my Dad’s announcing was that Jackson’s words could not be heard by the players.  When my Dad announced the play in progress, it’s as if our team had the proverbial twelfth man on the field. J
Now to get up into the elevated announcer’s booth at Titonka, you had to climb a ladder.  With that in mind, picture this…..
Dad calls the play in progress, the referee blows the whistle, and runs off the field.  “Looks like he’s coming our way, Dad.”  The referee climbs the ladder and says, “Alfred, you gotta stop telling those Titonka football players where the football is.” J
Keith Jackson had his style of announcing.  My Dad had his style of announcing.
I will say, my Dad must have helped our team.  We had one loss that year….it was an away game. J
I have my style of announcing too.  “Keep your eye on the quarterback.  His name is JESUS!”

Love in Him,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

One of the joys of life is to walk in the woods.  Birds are singing, squirrels are playing, deer run on ahead of you, and the sky is so blue.  God’s creation indeed proclaims His handiwork!
 
Here’s another joy I’ve experienced in the woods---pushing over trees.  Now before you begin to compare me to Paul Bunyon, let me tell you that the trees I push over are only three or four inches in diameter and are dead and rotten.
 
With a crash, they go over.  In their fall, I sense this feeling of dominance over the world, or at least that one tree. J
 
Lately though, I’ve not had that feeling of exuberance.  Some days, I feel more like the tree that I just pushed over.  Once tall and straight reaching for the sky.  Now lying flat on the forest floor.  Once the view was expansive and broad.  Now….not so much.
 
O.K.—one paragraph of my own pity party is enough.  Unlike that tree lying flat on the ground, I can pick myself up and walk out of the woods to face a new day.  Oh no, there’s stickery thingys on my pants.  It’s going to take forever to pull them out.  Oh wait, my shoes are all muddy, at least I hope it’s mud. J
 
Yes, one day up and one day down.  We all have them.  It’s called life.  So I guess I’ll just get over it. 
 
Life is too short to get pushed over and stay there.  Life is too short not to walk into the woods and risk getting stickery thingys on my pants or mud—or something—on my shoes.  I need to enjoy each and every day God blesses me with---after all, it’s one more day to witness and worship my Lord and Savior!
 
Here’s something Solomon might have said….no matter the years, life is too short.  Make it count, my friends!
 
Love in Christ,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

Mama, I’m hungry and thirsty.  Mama, I’m cold.  Mama, where are you?  I need you…..
This may well be the heart-wrenching cry of a little baby boy named Danu in the Congo in Africa.  In this desolate place, where malnutrition, oh let’s call it like it is, starvation stunts the growth of 66% of the children, there is hope.  Here where nine out of ten women have lived through the death of a child younger than age six, there is hope.  Here where only 24% of the girls are privileged to go to school, there is hope.
Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I lift my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Yes, Danu is a real little boy.  Only for him, his mother could not answer.  She had died in childbirth.  Living in a pagan village the people thought he was cursed.  So his father laid Danu on the ground in the cemetery, there to die.
By the grace of God, a Covenant missionary woman came along and rescued him from certain death.  As she carried this dying little baby boy away, she changed his name from Danu, which in Congolese means “abandoned,” to his new name, Precious.
I share this abbreviated story because I know first-hand that it is true.  Danu’s story and so many like him have opened my eyes and heart to the plight of so many children in this area of the Congo.
“I lift my eyes to the hills from which my help comes….”   Sometimes, no most of the time, I feel like God has placed me in those hills to deliver help---and I do, as much as I can.
You may think I’m forward, but what do I have to lose?  For $1.32 a day, less than a cup of coffee, you too can help.
Please call me for details (515-570-4846) or send a check, for as much as you can, made payable to First Covenant Church.  (The address is 201 Avenue H, Fort Dodge, Iowa. 50501)  Every penny of this donation will be sent directly to the Congo and then you too will make a huge difference in the life of a child.  
 
Won’t you stand in the hills with me to bring hope to the poorest place in the world?
 
Love my Covenant Kids-Congo,
Pastor Allan
© 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

In 1959, my Grandpa and Grandma gave to me a Christmas present which, to this day, is one of my most prized possessions.  If my arithmetic is correct, 60 years have passed since that time.
 
You may wonder what makes that Holy Bible so special.  Not only was it a gift from those I loved the most, they wrote a memorable note on the front page.  Here it is.  Maybe you can use it for one of your grandchildren.
 
My Dear Grandson:
I give you this Bible as a present through your life; but remember, this book will bring you to heaven or to hell, if you don’t read it.  Read it every day if you can.
If you are in trouble or need guidance, turn to God and read the following passages.  Matthew 11:28-30.
From Your
Grandpa and Grandma Stecker
 
Now you know a little about what makes me tick.  But right now as I hold this Bible and reminisce, a tear rolls down my cheek.
 
Grandpa and Grandma—if I didn’t say it then, I’m saying it now.  Thank you!  I miss you and still love you.  Oh, by the way, I’m a Pastor, just like you wanted……
 
Love in Christ, 
Pastor Allan
©2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

As a boy growing up on the farm, I remember many nights lying on the grass in the dark of night looking up in amazement at the stars God had flung into place.  Each one twinkling at me as if to say, “Hello!”  The Milky Way stood out like a white ribbon among the many.
 
Then one night, my star-gazing turned from peace and tranquility to terror.  There was an intruder moving across the night sky.  Not the flash of a falling star, but more of a deliberate, calculated light making its way among the stars.  The dreaded Russians had launched Sputnik, the first satellite.
 
At eight years old, I knew that this was an ominous sign of things to come.  Indeed the “space race” had suddenly become a part of the Cold War.  Fear of “what’s next” gripped my thinking.  If they can put a space craft into orbit, what’s to stop them from launching a nuclear missile?  If you were growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, this was a real concern for everyone.
 
Now today, I look at the night sky and the stars have diminished and their brightness has dimmed.  If I do happen to see something moving across the sky, my reaction is “ho-hum….another satellite.”  Though the threat of nuclear disaster seems so less likely, I know that the end of time is bearing down upon us.  So maybe the likelihood of such a disaster is actually more and not less.
 
I still keep my eye on the sky, not only for its beauty, for it does declare the handiwork of God’s creation, but Jesus might be walking in the clouds to take me home any day.
 
Praying you have your eyes on the sky too…..
 
 
Blessings, peace and love now and in the New Year!
 
Pastor Allan
© 2018 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

A letter from Santa:
Well, here I am makin’, packin’, and wrapin’ toy after toy.  Though the weather outside might be frightful, as the saying goes, “the show must go on!”
 
Let me tell you what just happened.  In the sleigh are so many electronic gadgets that sometimes I don’t know if it’s Rudolph’s nose a-blinkin’ or one of those electronic thingy’s whistlin’ and blinkin’.  Not only that, Blitzen was playing one of those electronic thingy’s, forgot to unplug it, and when the sleigh took off, the 20 foot extension cord let it go just so far.  Talk about whiplash!
 
Everything was topsy-turvy, even the reindeer were upset.  When everything was back in order, Donna—er, I mean Donner, sprained her ankle.  So Donner went to the injured reserve list for the night and I called up Alf.  Don’t worry about if Alf can do the job.  He’s fleet footed and swift, but there is one problem.  He doesn’t know the route very well.  That wouldn’t be so bad, but he’s the navigator.  So if I’m a little late to your house, you’ll understand why.  By the way---DON’T EAT THE COOKIES BEFORE I GET THERE!
 
Oh, over the years, I have many memorable nights of delivery.  Snowstorms, sleigh problems, reindeer on strike, even Rudolph’s nose went on the blink a few times.  Where are those batteries?  But there was one Christmas night that was the most memorable of all of them.  The night I stopped at the manger stall in Bethlehem.
 
As I knelt there and gave that new born King the most precious thing I could, the wise men strolled in and got credit for leaving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Nobody ever wrote about the gift I left.
 
Well, I better get going.  Alf is dancing and prancing and pointing at his watch.
 
Dash away, dash away all!!
 
Oh, what did I leave for baby Jesus?  Only my heart!
Merry Christmas everyone and thank you, Pastor Allan for sending this letter out…..
© 2018 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

The three Wise Men from the East brought gifts to the manger in Bethlehem.  Their gifts were gold for a King, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for anointing oil at death.  How did they know?
 
These wise men followed the star of Bethlehem.  It came to a stop over the stable where Jesus lay.  Now in my life, I’ve watched a lot of stars.  How could a star stop right over the manger?
 
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born to a virgin.  Tell me, how he knew that.  Micah foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.  If Bethlehem had a zip code, he probably would have given that to us too.  How did he know?
 
Mystery upon mystery as prophecy after prophecy came to be.  Not only that, Paul writes for us that Jesus was “born in the fullness of time.”  At just the right time, Jesus was born.
 
Wow!  You couldn’t write a better story, even if your imagination is beyond description.  Written by different authors living in different ages, all pointing to one moment in time, the birth of Jesus.
 
I often wonder….how can people refute these facts and reject Jesus.  Do they know more than God Who orchestrated this act of saving grace by Jesus?
 
As for me, my faith in God’s Word is sufficient!
 
Love in Him,
Pastor Allan
© 2018 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved