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Profile:
"From the Cactus to the Cross"
Based from the Scripture, Deuteronomy Chapter 8
Scripture taken from the "New International Study Bible, Zondervan
Bible Publishers"
By Steven C. Lehenbauer, President, Owner, Red Cactus - USA
Outline:
I. Personal Testimony
II. History of the Business
III. Life Lessons Learned (Both
Business and Personal)
IV. How to live a Successful
Life (Be Blessed)
V. Conclusion and Personal
Vision
VI. Meanings of
the Company Name and Logo
I. Personal Testimony:
In the spring of 1991, while driving down Highway 70 in St. Louis,
Mo, I heard God speak to my heart. He said, "Stop how I was
living, or I would soon be dead." I was a good person, but
very prideful, self centered, very assured of myself (I thought),
living a life focused around money, things, and me. Many times
I would put myself in situations where I could have literally been
killed. But I was young and tough spirited. I did not
realize I was trying to fill a void completely wrong. Following
the world's way was not working at all. But God was about
to give me a wonderful opportunity.
As a young child, I had attended a Charismatic church until I
was about 5 or 6 years old, when my family stop going to church. I
had not set foot in a church again until a couple of months before
I had had this visitation in the car. That was one time at
Grace Church in St. Louis, MO. I was invited by a friend and
though I would check it out. I enjoyed church that day and
believe there was a seed planted beyond my knowledge. I didn't
leave that day completely changed, but the process was at work. I
knew in the past months that I had been experiencing some real
voids in my life, but did not know how to fill it. Although, I
had been having thoughts in my mind about God and the church, I
was in need of someone to lead me in. It was at work right
before my eyes. Amazing enough, after that visitation, I did
stop many (not all) of my ways. Several weeks later, God moved
a friend to invite me to River of Life Family Church in Quincy,
Illinois where I lived. God touched my heart in big way that
day. He slowly began to rearrange my whole life, giving it
meaning and purpose! A few weeks later, I accepted Jesus Christ
in my heart at a Christian concert performed by Dallas Holmes.
This was the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my
life. For now, I came not only to know the name of Jesus Christ,
but was beginning a personal relationship with the creator of the
world!! This was the beginning of true life, giving me an
awesome purpose to live for and for helping others live a joyful
life.
Don't miss your opportunity to accept Christ. If you do not
Know Jesus, read the "Conclusion and Vision" section of the story
of "From the Cactus to the Cross."
II. History of the Business:
Red Cactus-USA started in 1995 and I had no idea of how developing
and building the business would affect and change my walk as a
Christian. A bible scripture is on every jar of Red Cactus -USA
product. It is found in the book of, "Deuteronomy - Chapter Eight" and
explains the very course that this business and my personal life
have taken over the past years. This chapter further reveals why
numerous trials and obstacles have had to be endured and overcome
for the true purpose of God and Success of this business to become
a reality. Putting God first, following his commands, and personally
experiencing the fruition of the truths that he has promised to
us through both his written and prophetic word has been the sustaining
force of this business and the best thing that ever could have
happened in my life! Even when difficult circumstances would pressure
me to quit, the promises revealed to me in God's word gave me the
strength to persevere. Building this business has been a true test
to staying obedient to God when circumstance seemed to say at times, "Stop
the business". But to stop would have said God was not big enough
to do what he had purposed to happen.
Deuteronomy 8:1-2 states, "Be careful to follow every command
I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may
enter and possess the land that the Lord promised by an oath to
your forefathers. Remember how the Lord your God led you all
the way in the desert these forty years to humble you and to test
you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you
would keep his commands."
A "Desert Land" refers to - (Those places the Lord leads us sometimes
to change our ways and bad habits (things not pleasing to him),
to teach and guide us, and build Godly character. We all know
how change is always hard. Well changing a sinful life is
no different.) This business has truly taught me to come through
some desert land and to live spiritually minded, to walk in faith
and obedience to the Lord every step of the way. The challenges
and lessons along the way have very humbling; testing what was
truly in my heart. There is no question that this business
would not continue to survive if not for the Lord having His hand
and purpose upon it. But out of every test or season there was
a wonderful deposit left in my life! This is His business. Its
purpose is to facilitate the spreading of the gospel and I am but
a vessel to see it through. If I had not stayed close and
obedient to the Lord, I could have missed the very path he had
set for me. As you read the following paragraphs you will
see "Deuteronomy - Chapter Eight" unfold, and how it has served
as a guide to my Christian walk and the success of Red Cactus.
III. Life Lessons Learned (Both
Business and Personal):
Moses told the Israelites that God would destroy Israel's enemies,
but not all at once. God had the power to defeat those nations
instantly, but he chose to do it little by little. In the same
way and with the same power, God could miraculously and instantaneously
change our life. Usually, however, he chooses to help us gradually,
teaching us one lesson at a time. Rather than expect instant spiritual
maturity and solutions to all your problems, slow down and work
one step at a time, trusting God to make up the difference between
where you perceive you should be and where you are in reality,
whether in regards to your relationship with God or your life. You'll
soon look back and see that a miraculous transformation has occurred.
As a Born Again Believer in Jesus Christ since September 27, 1991,
both my Christian and business life have taken many a twist and
turn. So many times I tried to reason out in my mind what
was going on, why am I going through the trials and tests that
were contrary to the course I know God set for my life and business.
I often pondered the questions: where am I heading, how will I
get through this. God often uses or allows circumstances beyond
our understanding to help train and guide our course to success
and put our dependence on him. From financial lows, career
confusion, insecurity, depression, family losses, low self esteem,
feeling unworthy, I continued to meet the challenges facing the
business and personal life. God could have spared me of all of
it but chose to allow me to work through them, not taking them
away all at once, just as Moses told the Israelites. I learned
to trust and obey God on the basis of His word as opposed to what
human nature and present circumstances presented. He has never
left me and I know he never will. God has used the challenges of
building a business and the frailty of life to help me grow spiritually
and in faith. Many people, including myself have often thought
life and happiness was based on worldly success and acquiring natural
wealth. If I could earn enough money to dress, eat, and play
in high style, this would be the good life. But such things
do not satisfy our deepest longings. In the end they leave
us empty and dissatisfied.
Real life, according to Moses, comes from total commitment to
God, the same one who created life itself. Jesus Himself stated
that ones life does not consist in the abundance of the things
he possesses. To not only prosper as the world defines prosperity,
but also realize the true peace and joy that comes only from a
relationship with our creator requires discipline, sacrifice, and
hard work, and that's why most people never find the true riches
of life. At first it may not seem to be as much fun as the
world's way of living, but gradually, as our friendship and commitment
with God deepens, it leads to strength of character, peace of mind,
and deep personal satisfaction. The long term rewards of obeying
God are far greater than anything the world has to offer.
Deuteronomy 8:3-5 states, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger
and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your forefathers
had known, to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but
by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord your God. Your
clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these
forty years. Know then in your heart that as man disciplines
his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you."
God has always provided and taken care of me and the business
through the years, though very challenging at times. I believe
I would have in no way been as close and dependent on the Lord
today, if I had not gone through this type of discipline and training. God's
ways and the world's ways do not mix. But to know him and
his ways are the only way to have true and lasting peace of mind
with joy unspeakable through all circumstances!
IV. How to Live a Successful Life
(Be Blessed):
God's Discipline can be challenging and leave you feeling angry,
insecure and deserted. Being disciplined is never easy. But when
you allow a loving God to work in your life, it is a wonderful
experience. When you learn that he has your best interest
at hand and loves you very much, you are glad to know him and his
ways, and see the blessings he bestows upon us. I have learned
that when one submits in love and obedience to his creator, it
truly yields the fruit of peace, safety and his blessings both
spiritually and physically. Both my personal and business
life have played an important part in teaching me to learn the
ways of walking in unity with the Lord, living spiritually minded,
and being obedient to Him no matter what the circumstance.
Deuteronomy 8:6-9 states "Observe the commands of the Lord your
God, walking in his ways and revering him. For the Lord your
God is bringing you into a good land - a land with streams and
pools of water, with springs flowing into the valley and hills;
a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates,
olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and
you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you
can dig copper out of the hills."
Red Cactus-USA is learning to truly seek after the Lord for every
step and direction to take, listening to what the Lord has to speak
to our hearts, ignoring any mind games or untruths that the enemy
of our souls would try to speak. The Scriptures state that the
enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. He often tries to misdirect
and confuse our life. I have truly learned that allowing God to
set the course of my life and business has allowed me to experience
success everyday and slowly come into a good land being careful
to always remember how I got there!
Deuteronomy 8:10-20 states "When you have eaten and are satisfied,
praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be
careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe
his commands, his laws, and his decrees that I am giving you this
day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build
fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow
large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,
then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord
your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He
led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and
waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He
gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had
never known, to humble you and to test you so that in the end it
might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power
and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But
remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability
to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore
to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the
Lord your God and follow other God's and worship and bow down to
them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like
the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed
for not obeying the Lord your God."
Red Cactus-USA is in its ninth year and has experienced many successes
and blessings.
Crucial to experiencing this success has been the quality decision
to commit and hold steadfast and true to the Lord's way of living
life and conducting business. It is because of Him that we
live, and have purpose in life. All we have is His and is
for the purpose of glorifying his name.
V. Conclusion and Personal Vision:
Red Cactus-USA has a vision to help share the gospel through the
means of selling food products and other items. My life experience
of, "From the Cactus to the Cross" has helped pave the way. I
hope and pray that you have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ to enjoy God's best. A life of peace and purpose! If
not, please read the following scriptures and accept them in your
heart. Please tell someone when you have made this life changing
experience!
John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish,
but have eternal life. Romans 10:9 states, "That if you confess
with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is
with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Abundant life is only experienced when a person has accepted Christ
in their heart and purposed to live totally for him. Each
day I learn to live more and more in union with Jesus Christ. He
does not condemn me for the errors I make, but lovingly guides
to me to become more like him. Who the Lord loves, He disciplines
for our profit. At one time I lived for myself in a dry desert
land, until the truth of how Jesus died on the cross for my sins
and to give life to those would believe. I welcome business
people or anyone wanting to live a more blessed life to contact
me using the Feedback option on the home page of this site or email
me at redcactus@adams.net. I will be glad to respond!
VI. Meanings of the Company Name and Logo:
Sitting at my kitchen table one evening nine years ago, I conceived
the name and logo that appears on each jar of Red Cactus products
today. I never realized that the symbols would have meaning
to my very Christian walk. I often wondered why I had drawn
the things I did. Once you read the following definitions
you will see clearly how God had his hand at work all along and
the way the symbols relate to "Deuteronomy - Chapter Eight."
The Cactus and Desert Scene represents the desert land in our
lives when living without the Lord in our life or seasons when
being humbled and disciplined by the Lord. The color Red of
the cactus stands out to represent the blood that Jesus shed on
the cross on our behalf to give us eternal life. The rising
sun represents Jesus Christ, God's son, and our risen savior, who
is the light of our life and world. The Cowboy Hat represents
the old western statement, "I finally found something to hang my
hat onto (believe in and hope in)." The rope represents a
three-cord strand, which is hard to break, the 3 strands being
myself, Jesus and Red Cactus-USA. Sweet salsa seeks to remind
us of the sweetness of the Lord, "Oh taste and see that the Lord
is good" the psalmist said. He loves us, laid his life down
for us on the cross that we may have life. How sweet it is! The
Spines of the Cactus represent how our lives are often pricked
with trials and seasons that sometimes can be painful when inflicted
or allowed in our lives. But bring about wonderful change!
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