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Well, it has been right at ten years that I have been writing these weekly reflections. Without fail, I have written these reflections and they have evolved into sometimes devotionals and at other times a chronicle of my life events. From the pain of the death of family members to the joy of the birth of grandsons, you have peered into my heart.
It all began quite by accident. God had called me to begin preaching at First Covenant Church. At the back of the church were mailboxes for the membership. Every week, I walked by those mailboxes and they were always empty. When I left home and went to college, every day I rushed with anticipation to my mailbox. “Maybe I’ll get a letter from Mom today.” On the days when there was nothing there, I remember thinking, “There’s nothing that echoes louder than an empty mailbox.” So every Sunday when I walked by those empty mailboxes at church, there was this hallow echo in my ear. The original idea of a “reflection” came as a result of the Sonshine Singer’s 10th Anniversary celebration. It was then I wrote a “devotional” once a week prior to that ministry regarding each anthem they sang and emailed for all to share. Following that ministry, I began writing “reflections” for the church and placing them in those “empty” mailboxes. What began as just a local church ministry has mushroomed into something much bigger. These reflections have been requested by prison inmates in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and California. Not only that, these writings are mailed to local shut-ins and to others around the country. They are posted on our church website (www.firstcovfortdodge.org) and read regularly by hundreds of people on Facebook. I’ll keep writing these reflections as long as God gives me inspiration. By that I mean, as long as I can dig memories out of my fading memory. In the meantime, if I know you personally, let me remind you that God loves you and so do I. If I don’t know you personally, well---God loves you and so do I! May the hand of God’s favor rest upon you today! Pastor Allan PS…If you are reading this on Facebook, please “like and share.” © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved
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Somewhere in my box of memorabilia is an old black and white picture of me when I was four years old. I was holding a paint brush by a two step ladder I had pounded together. Funny, how I notice now that the rungs are not particularly level. At any rate, I reminisce about that picture and tell people, “This proves it. I’ve been working since I was four years old!”
You’ve read about some of my exploits growing up on the farm. From climbing fifty feet up the silo chute to pitch down silage as a nine year old, to stacking hay on the hayrack. I have a whole lot of experience. Of course, the older I get, the more experience I have. Then one day, we moved to town. My friend Mike had a little popcorn machine and on Saturday night, when it seemed like the whole county was in town, I helped him sell popcorn at ten cents a bag. I don’t remember making any money at this endeavor, but I did eat a LOT of popcorn! On another day, Elinor opened a Dairy Queen—it was kind of an ice cream shop. Now it didn’t take long to figure out that if I wanted any ice cream, I needed money. So I got a job. Up at 3:00 AM to deliver milk seemed like a good way to make some serious ice cream money. I can still hear the chink-chink of the milk jugs as I carried them to everyone’s milk box. (Bet some of you have no idea what I’m even talking about---ask your grandparents!) J Delivering milk was over at 6:00 AM so I started delivering the early morning newspaper. By the time that was done, the grass was dry so I mowed 32 lawns at about fifty cents each. However, there was one lawn that was a square block and that lady paid me $3.00. Then she complained that I was the cause of all her dandelions. I never turned my back on her. J Rumor had it that she had chased her husband with a pitch fork. By the time I knew her, the husband was dead. As a young boy, I wasn’t certain but what that rumor might have actually been true! So I always kept my eye on her. My whole life has been doing a lot of different jobs. Now I realize that the only thing that really matters in life is what matters a hundred years from now. For me, it is and always will be Jesus, family, and the flock I serve. So today, that’s my challenge to you…..what will matter in your life a hundred years from now? Love ya all, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved When I was younger, I read two books written by Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, and Huck Finn. I’m certain that based upon words acceptable then, but not now, these books are probably shunned. Nevertheless, reading these books gave me a sense of imagination and adventure.
Now, every morning when I wake up, I imagine that God has a new adventure for me to experience. I tell people sometimes it’s good to step outside your comfort zone. It is there, outside your “normal,” that often you create memories. Here’s an adventure outside my normal limits. On October 4, 1997, Promise Keepers planned a million man “Stand in the Gap” assembly to worship God in Washington, D.C. I told one of my enterprising friends, “You find the transportation and we’ll go together.” I never thought another thing about it until weeks later when my friend called and said, “I got a way to go to the “Stand in the Gap” event.” Of course, I’m thinking there’s football that day. My friend convinced me that a year from now I wouldn’t even remember who won the game, but this would create a life time memory. We hooked up with a “Stand in the Gap” charter flight leaving Des Moines in the early morning and returning immediately after the event. Here are some of the memories I created that day:
God Bless You! Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Recently I was reminded of an incident in my life that I had completely forgotten. The fact that I had forgotten about it is not so unusual, because I’ve forgotten more than I remember. J
In the spring of 1971, I had completed two years of college education at Iowa Central Community College. In celebration of that occasion, my family gathered for a picnic at Kennedy Lake. While enjoying all the good food and company, suddenly out from the water we hear this chilling cry, “Help me! Help me! I can’t swim.” With reckless abandon and leaving my apple pie unattended, I raced down the hill to the water’s edge. “Help me! Help me!” Into the water I plunged, thinking to myself, “I’m not that good of a swimmer.” When I got to the drowning person, I more or less ungracefully pushed her back to where she could finally stand. Praise God we both made it back to safety! The rest of the day of family celebration went off well, except I had not brought another pair of pants, or shoes. I hate wet pants and the only one thing worse than that is wet, squishy shoes. L So as I think about this event in my life I wonder, “Should I have risked my life for someone I didn’t even know?” But then I think of Jesus Who rescued me from a sea of sin. For you see, He gave His life that I might live! If you are drowning in life and are calling out, “Help me! Help me!” I’m throwing out a life jacket for you. His name is Jesus!! Blessings this day, Pastor Allan ©2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved This past Sunday after church—as a pastor—I relived and critiqued the service. Here’s how it kind of went. Church went into overtime! Why? Could it be that the sermon went too long, or communion was too slow, or the music was too much---on and on went my criticisms as they flooded my mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if all pastors go through the same exercise at some point and time. I wouldn’t be shocked if a few parishioners who attended church this past Sunday went through the same ritual, the same mental exercise. Some even thinking, doesn’t pastor see me looking at my watch? (Truthfully as I visited with people this week, their response was, “Did we really go over?” When the Holy Spirit is zapping hearts, time stands still. Then I hollered out…STOP! Let’s ask the most important question. Was the Lord worshipped and glorified? YES! YES! YES! So, I’m forgetting about all the minutia and details because I hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” With that, my mind is at peace, my heart is full of joy. You see, every Sunday worship experience should be full of love, joy, and the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! Praying that you experience the presence of Jesus during your time of worship! Blessings, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved When I was a boy, it was my responsibility to shut the barn door at night. Now, you might at first thought believe that to be an easy job—swing the door shut and secure the latch. But what you don’t know is the journey from the house, which took you past the pump house with the water pump sounding spooky with ker-splash, ker-splash, and under the darkness of the gigantic cottonwood tree, then finally to the barn.
Did I say there was a gigantic cottonwood tree? So big and tall was it that the sun did not shine through it. The leaves rustled in the wind---oh yes, it was an ominous tree. On one of its branches lived the dreaded tiger, hungry tiger. I never saw him, but I knew he was there. So shutting the barn door was easy. The journey, the path to that task wasn’t so easy. There was danger on the trip. There was uncertainty if I would safely return to the house. How much is life like that journey to the barn? Full of danger, steaming with uncertainty, and sometimes trembling with fear---so it is with life. Yes, that simple task of latching the barn door taught me many lessons of life. So you think that I had an overactive imagination. Let’s make a deal. I’ll take you there after dark and you can walk from the house, under the cottonwood tree, to the barn. I’ll wait for you to return to the house. I know that tiger still lives in that tree. We’ll see if you make it back. Every night I experienced what Daniel did in the lion’s den. The Lord protected him and me. He protects you as well. Blessed be the name of the Lord---all the way to the barn and back!! Just like you, I am blessed and highly favored, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Have you ever thought about this question? What a strange world we live in? Let me give you a few examples.
Yes, it is a strange world we live in. The King of Kings came to save us and they killed Him. He’s come for you too. Don’t reject Him and kill Him again…… Love and blessings, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Today I was talking about gambling with a friend. I said, “Way too many people have ‘gambler’s syndrome.’” My friend asked, “What’s that?” “Well, if I’m hot, I can’t stop now. If I’m cold, the next roll of the dice will change my luck.” As I thought about that statement, suddenly I had a flashback to probably 10th grade. I suffered from “gambler’s syndrome.” But I prefer to just say, “The carney guy just snookered me.” Here’s the story.
The big annual event in Titonka, was Indian Days. What do you expect from a town whose name comes from the Sioux Indian language meaning “buffalo”? Certainly, we were not celebrating “cowboy days.” During those exciting days, the carnival would come to town and set up on main-street. At the time, I thought it was as big as the Iowa State Fair. Along with all the rides were those games of chance. I had saved eight dollars to go to Algona to the races on Friday night. On Thursday night, walking down main-street and taking in all the sights with one of my friends, a carney guy called to us. “Three baseballs for a dollar. Knock over a cat and win this big Teddy Bear.” So, we drift over there and the carney guy shows us how easy it is to knock down a cat. He threw the ball three times and three cats laid on their backs. “See, you guys could be walking away with this green bear.” So my friend lays out a dollar. Three balls later all the cats were still standing. He laid out another dollar and another and still no Teddy Bear. “I quit,” said my friend. So it was my turn—so said the carney guy. To make a long story short, soon my eight dollars was gone. I was sick because now there was no money to go to the races. I learned a valuable lesson that night about gambling. Now that I think about it, “Why did I need a Teddy Bear? I was in 10th grade, for heaven’s sake!” So now, when some “hustler” calls me over, I keep my hands in my pockets and tell myself this. A fool and his money are soon parted! L Love you all, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius. All Rights Reserved Once upon a time, there lived a little boy who had visions of grandeur and dreams beyond imagination. As he grew, he believed he could walk on sticks and not one would make a sound. He could walk in the sand without leaving a footprint.
His friends did heroic things, so the boy thought, he could too. When the trees swayed to and fro, he believed God was walking in the tree tops. So why not he? With his bare hands, Samson killed a lion. So why, couldn’t the boy grab a lion by the beard and wrestle him to the ground? The greatest earthly King of all, King David, ruled justly and serving his heavenly King. From a lowly shepherd boy did David arise. The imaginative boy thought, “Why not me?” Solomon was the richest of all and the boy said, “I pray God favors me.” Micah foretold the place of Jesus birth, Bethlehem. The boy so wanted to see into the future. Peter preached and one day baptized 3,000. “If only I could do that!” thought the boy. Jesus came to save them all, but those He came to save knew Him not, so they killed Him. The boy thought and thought and then admitted, “I can’t do that.” Visualizing Jesus on the cross, barely recognizable as a man, a sudden dose of growing up hit the boy. In a moment, he knew he couldn’t be anything or anyone but himself. After looking around at all his heroes, the boy, now a man, put away his visions of youth and now simply asks, “What can I do to bring about God’s Kingdom here on earth?” Not wanting to leave his boyhood behind, the man says, “I can do all those things my heroes did. They were mighty men of God and every one of them pointed to Jesus.” So, here I am pointing you toward Jesus….can you see Him? Trying not to grow up….. Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights reserved More and more, day by day I’ve been trying to live up to the standard to which Jesus calls each one of us. From Matthew 25:40, we read the high calling to which Jesus expects. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”
So a man calls for a little food. So I give him some food. Then again he calls. Once again my heart says, “Yes.” My head says, “No.” My heart wins, but this time I carry the groceries into his rental house. I’m appalled! The landlord should be ashamed to ask for any money at all, let alone $750.00 per month from people that can’t afford to pay $7.50 per month. No work, addicted to cigarettes, a disabled child, makes wrong decisions; truly one of the “least of these”---and I help him. I witness to his wife and him. After all, I paid the grocery bill to get in front of them. They politely listen and say, “We’ll come to church.” They never come and I’m disappointed they aren’t hearing the word of God from me or from anyone. A few weeks go by and it’s the same guy asking for more food. This time my head wins and I say, “No, not today.” (I was actually out of town….but it hurt me to say, “No.”) I wonder if this is how Jesus felt when he healed ten and only one came back to thank him. In a very small way, I understand how hopeless Jesus must have felt as He ministered to His people. He tried to save the world and yet the world killed Him. So what am I to do? What are you called to do? Oh, before you answer, think on this. “But by the grace of God, there go I.” Between a rock and a hard place…..but continuing to try my best for the Master. Pastor Allan During the summer, we all see churches advertise Vacation Bible School. Years ago, VBS was not a summertime option, it was a requirement; a rite of passage your parents took you to. So it was with me as well.
Two miles away from our farm where we lived stood a little, quaint, old country church. I remember Mom packing a lunch with some juice or water, and then she drove me to that piece of heaven in the country. The first day, I went with trepidation and some fear. As Mom drove up to the church yard, all my anxiety disappeared. Coming into view was a baseball field—complete with a backstop. As a boy, I knew in that moment that God is good! I learned about Jesus, played ball, and at the end of the day it was time to walk home, the whole two miles. The ditches were full of water and full of tadpoles. With a little bowl from my lunch, I waded into the water to scoop up my catch to take home to put in the cow tank. It’s a wonder I didn’t drown in those ditches. If you’re from Iowa, you know that you don’t drive into the ditch, you fall into it. In other words, they are steep and deep. At the end of VBS, there was a program. Some things never change. I was assigned to be the preacher for the day and I had to memorize Psalm 23. Ummmm….preacher for the day. A foreshadow of things to come. So here’s what I learned in VBS:
Blessed and highly favored---just as you are! Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Usually, I try to relate in these reflections a life story, some funny, some more serious, but always true and from my heart. Maybe that’s why this paper is entitled, “…..from the heart…”
Tonight as I write this, my heart aches as Armona stands vigil at the bedside of her long-time friend, Martha Hoard. Martha came into our family life with a simple phone call after her brother had died. All that was said was, “We are here for you.” Since then, Martha has been at family holidays, birthdays, and just about any day…Martha was part of our family. Always an encourager, always a friend, never a cross word or even a raised eyebrow. Then in one day, that all stopped with a stroke. Bedridden, non-communicative and seemingly wasting away, often we’ve asked God, “You know the purpose for this suffering for You are Sovereign….help us to cope.” But we are not in control, for God alone reigns over life and death. So, we wait tonight for that last breath we’ve prayed for. But even knowing the day would come, our hearts are not ready. Maybe mine hurts so because I know that Armona’s heart is broken. Ours is not to ask why, but to simply trust and obey. In the end, we praise God for the eternal life waiting each of us who believe in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Martha will soon meet Him face to face. With a heavy heart, I remain, Martha’s Pastor and friend © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved When I was a Boy Scout, our troop went camping one night. I remember well that evening as we all sat around a pile of logs, wondering how we were going to start the fire.
There were sliced potatoes to fry and sweet corn to roast, but no fire. While we boys obviously came unprepared, our trooper leader rose up to the rescue. “Never fear, young men of Troop 63 for your leader” (in Mighty Mouse flashback said) “is here to save the day!” With that, he produced a small bottle of “Boy Scout water” and a match. In a moment there was fire as all of us youngsters thought, “That “Boy Scout water” sure smells like gasoline.” J So as I reminisce about that event in my life, I can’t help but now think that a whole lot of people are sitting around a bunch of logs, living life and nothing is happening except living life. With no fire in their life, they aren’t going to fry any potatoes or roast any corn. If the logs aren’t burning at the end of life, the logs are still there unused…..for nothing has happened. I’m glad to report that today my leader is Captain of the Lord’s Army and His name is Jesus. He doesn’t carry any “Boy Scout water” with which to anoint me. Instead, the fire that now burns within me is the Holy Spirit fire. At the end of my life, though only dust and ashes might remain, I pray I’ve made a difference as a humble disciple of Jesus. Praying that I’ve made a difference in your life. As you journey with Jesus, I’m praying you will also make a difference in the life of another. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going….” Love you, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Things that cause me to wonder:
Here’s the real wonderment. No maybe more like a real sadness.
In Joshua 15:24, Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” So, let me ask, who do you and your family serve? Love, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Once upon a time, I followed New Hampshire Bob up into the mountains. You guessed it, it was in New Hampshire!
I put my trust in the fact that New Hampshire Bob knew his way up this mountain we were hiking, surely he would know the way back down the mountain. If ever you’ve watched Gilligan’s Island (that dates me) the theme song says in part, “….a three hour tour…” Well that three hour tour turned into years on what is referred to as “Gilligan’s Island.” So it seemed with our adventure with New Hampshire Bob. My family of four, New Hampshire Bob, his daughter, and their poodle, embarked for a day of adventure. We reached the turn-around point and New Hampshire Bob suddenly pulls out an old wrinkled map and says, “I think if we go this way, we’ll get back from our hike in the same amount of time.” Then he added, “And we’ll see new scenery.” What I’ve learned in my mountain excursions is that if you hike up, the scenery is one way and when you turn around and hike down, the scenery changes. So, off on a new course down the mountain we went. After a while, New Hampshire Bob is turning his map as if to decide which way is the top. This is a bad sign. My confidence is wavering with New Hampshire Bob. But when he poured out the last of our water for the poodle, what confidence I did have vanished as fast as the dog lapped up the water. Did I say it was the LAST of our water? Night is beginning to creep through the forest. Mosquitoes as big as birds are sitting on the tree branches. The temperature is beginning to cool. My mind is racing on how to protect my family for the night. My parched tongue reminded me that the poodle drank the last of our water. If a bear comes along, all I’ve got to do is out run the poodle. Wait! The bear will still be hungry. Keep running! “Quiet everyone! Listen.” I hear cars on the hi-way over there. Forget the map, follow me!” Off the trail we go and up onto the hi-way, fifty feet from out car! Praise God! What’s the lesson here? It’s not about trusting New Hampshire Bob. It’s about standing still when you’re in a panic and letting the Lord show you the way! Peace, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved June 23, 2019
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius The other morning, I looked out the window and into my back yard. There were four little fawns running, jumping, and seemingly playing tag with each other. It’s one of those events I call a “snow globe moment.” You know, inside a snow globe, life is so seemingly perfect and frozen in time. Here are a few of my “snow globe moments:”
I have so many more “snow globe moments.” But the only moments that will live on forever are those times I have been able to witness for Jesus. One life will soon be past. Only what’s been done for Christ will last. Now, there’s advice to live by….. Have a great day! Love, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Last week was Pentecost. So, quite naturally I have been having this overpowering feeling of the Holy Spirit presence. This strange sense of inward peace and yet at the same time, the energy to do my part as a soldier in the army of God.
First of all, the presence and peace we all yearn after, search for. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” As I reflect on what the Master said, I am kind of thinking most of us think of peace as, “Not being at war with someone or something.” I am finding peace in just accepting things as they are (as long as they are in alignment with God’s Holy Word). My Dad always said, “It is what it is.” So to expand on that, my motto is, “if it doesn’t matter a hundred years from now, it doesn’t matter.” Then there are moments of high intensity, times when the status quo is not acceptable. For instance, knowing the unsaved is not acceptable. Why? Because a hundred years from now, for that person, it does matter! Why don’t you take time to watch the Lord walk in the tree tops as they bend and sway to and fro? Watch a cloud move overhead and just wonder. Sit and be amazed as God paints a new picture every evening at sunset. Watch as the night stars twinkle and seemingly, even blink at you as if to say, “Hello.” Wade into the Word of God and just sit in the warmth of what you read. Let the Holy Spirit enfold you, fill you! Can’t seem to get it? Read Luke 11:13. There you will learn, it’s as simple as asking Jesus to send the Holy Spirit to you. In the presence of Jesus, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved Well, this past week we celebrated D-Day. A whole lot of boys became men that day. I salute them all!
Below are a couple of memorable “war stories” I’ve been told over the years.
Isaiah 2:4 tells us of a day yet to come. “…..they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks:…neither shall they learn war anymore.” May the Lord hasten that day of peace! Blessings, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved So, last week our family took a few days and went to Florida for some fun in the sun. However, once we got there, the sand was hot on your feet and we needed to rent an umbrella to keep the sun off our head. J (What a great way to take a nap….sitting in the shade and listening to the beautiful ocean waves!) Needless to say----we all had a BLAST!!
In the heat of one afternoon, with the ocean waves well above my head, (I didn’t discover this until I waded out into the water), Micah and I decided to venture out and, as the waves rolled in, we were going to jump and let the waves carry us. Do you know the power a six foot wall of water can deliver? After the first wave hits you and about the time you’re almost upright in a vertical position, SMACK, another wave tumbles you along the sandy ocean floor. O.K., this is getting serious, me against the ocean. By this time, Micah has started to head to shore and he’s digging sand out of his swimming suit while I’m just trying to keep mine on!! J Remember the “me versus the ocean?” The ocean never relented and only roared as I exited back to my chair….thankfully with my swimming trunks securely fastened! On the last day, little Noah, with a worried look on his face, recounted this story. “You know, in Atlanta there is only forty minutes to switch airplanes. That’s a really big airport and we’ll have to run from one airplane to the next. What if Grandpa can’t keep up?” Well, the end of the story is that God blessed us with landing at gate 18 and leaving at gate 16---Grandpa kept up!! J So, here’s my advice to you. Go out and create a few happy memories with your own family! It’s a wonderful gift from God!! Love to all, Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved The end of the school year is fast approaching. How I remember my grade school days as the traditional May 26 dismissal date haunted me so.
You ask, “Why did the end of the school year haunt you?” Well, here’s the deal. Every year I feared I would not pass to the next grade. I feared flunking and wearing that brand. Besides, if I was held back, I would have to make all new friends. I started Kindergarten when I was four years old. It took me until ninth grade to figure out that school was more about learning than having fun. So what, if Mrs. Brown, my Kindergarten teacher, gave me all “frowny faces.” I even got “frowny faces” for nap time. L Funny, now I excel at that! J Even in high school, though my parents would have been happier if I “got better grades,” grades weren’t that important to me. It was more important to have fun with my friends. Then at some point it hit me, 1st Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” There are “turn arounds” in life and I’m happy to report that I never did fail a grade in school and while in college, I actually made the Dean’s List. Wasn’t easy….but I did it! But, you know what? Mrs. Brown’s “frowny faces” still haunt me. Maybe I should look at those “not such good report cards” at one point in my life, as the very thing that drove me forward. Always trusting Jesus! Pastor Allan © 2019 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved |
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