There are various times of year that naturally lead our minds to the inspirational and uplifting. Often that goes for our Decency Minutes as well; it doesn’t mean that the bad news and need for warning stops, just that the better and higher thoughts which frequently fill our minds seem more appropriate to share.
As I stated earlier, the bad news and troubles of this world do not stop just because the celebration of Advent comes to our calendars. As I sat down to write this, there were many troublesome news items that I became aware of; there was wickedness on so many levels and treason that needed the heavy hand of justice to fall, at least in my limited knowledge and what I believed to be my humble opinion. Such thoughts led my mind to Psalm 94:3-7.
“Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.”
From there I read the whole of the Psalm, I would urge you to do likewise; my mind was directed to God’s perfect timing and the mercy and grace that He shows to the world, including myself. I was humbled and reminded of a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, not of the simpler days and good example of manhood as The Village Blacksmith reminds us, nor of our nation’s founding recounted in Paul Revere’s Ride. Rather, it comes from a time of both his personal suffering, trial, and loss, as well as a time of national suffering, trial, and devastating loss, when wrongs were perpetuated against brothers and national brotherhood: The Civil War (1861~1865).
It had been two years since this great stain on our nation’s history began and two more years before it would end; Longfellow wrote the poem Christmas Bells on Christmas Day 1863. I share the last two stanzas with you; it was the reminder I needed and perhaps it (and the whole of Psalm 94) will help you to deal with the wrongs that surround us. You can read the whole of Longfellow’s Christmas Bells here.
Christmas Bells
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
(Emphasis added)
As you read the Decency Minute scripts below or click on their titles to hear Bill Johnson passionately narrate them, allow your mind to focus on the fact that the Judge of all the earth shall do right; he neither slumbers nor sleeps. Remind yourself that “The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” And all of these things because He is Holy, Just, Sovereign, and full of Mercy. To God be the glory!
Speaking Truth to Transgender Youth
Youth “transgenderism,” so called, is a topic we must not remain silent on; yet it must be spoken into with compassion, recognizing that they’re experiencing real turmoil and pain.
At the very least, let us speak truth into these hurting “gender dysphoric” souls, addressing them according to their God-ordained pronouns and birth-given names – not apologetically or angrily, but compassionately.
Many of our listeners are likely familiar with Jesus’ parable of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:29-37. These youth have been hijacked by “robbers” with an agenda; left beaten by politicized counsellors, doctors, and social media; they’re stripped of the dignity of who God made them to be. They’re “left for dead” by such “robbers” who care nothing for them or who are themselves perhaps deceived. Let us bring the balm of truth to heal their wounds and be willing to “pay” for whatever such truth may bring.
If you support the mission and ministry of American Family Radio, we’d love to hear from you! While the American Decency Association is not associated with AFR or the American Family Association, we have worked closely with them in ministry for nearly 4 decades!
For West Michigan’s AFR listeners, we are right in your back yard in Fremont, MI. Besides producing A Decency Minute, we send out monthly newsletters, daily email alerts, and host frequent events to inform, educate, and encourage Biblical Christians who care about their country. Head on over to AmericanDecency.org to read our articles, listen to Decency Minute archives, watch videos of our events, sign up for our emails and newsletter, or to be notified about upcoming events.
We hope you’ll check us out at AmericanDecency.org and we hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
It’s the time of year when neighborhoods are ablaze with Christmas lights. Each strand a reminder that the Light of the World has come!
Yet in a world darkened by sin, the turmoil around us can seem overwhelming. Political animosity, division among families, sorrow, and hardships.
Perhaps you can relate to the words of Longfellow:
And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
But the poem doesn’t end there:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
On Christmas Day – and everyday – don’t let the strife around us cause you to despair. Look to Jesus – Immanuel – who came to dispel darkness, conquer sin and death, and is reigning on the throne. He is our Savior, Helper, and Friend.
As we meet with friends and family during this Advent season, might we always keep in mind “the reason for the season,” especially so as we meet with those who are not active participants in God’s grace. Might we enjoy those times, but might we also take them as opportunities to warn of an eternity without Jesus who came to die temporally that we might live eternally. Also, let us remind them of that which most have already heard: the truth and love of God’s grace to draw men to Himself – a transforming gift!
I leave you with two quotes from Thomas Watson that express so well the above.
The blessing and warning: “Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”
The necessity of mercy which tempers those attributes of God which many see as harsh: “Mercy sweetens all God’s other attributes, God’s holiness without mercy, and his justice without mercy were terrible. When the water was bitter, and Israel could not drink, Moses cast a tree into the waters*, and then they were made sweet. How bitter and dreadful were the other attributes of God, did not mercy sweeten them! Mercy sets God’s power on work to help us; it makes his justice become our friend; it shall avenge our quarrels. God’s mercy is one of the most orient pearls of his crown; it makes his Godhead appear amiable and lovely. When Moses said to God, ‘I beseech thee shew me thy glory;’ the Lord answered him, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will shew thee mercy.’ Exodus 33:19. God’s mercy is his glory. His holiness makes him illustrious; his mercy makes him propitious.” ~ Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity
* May this Christmas find us grateful for a God of grace and mercy who “threw” the “root of David,” “the rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch [that grew] out of his roots” into the bitter waters of this world. What a blessing that He sweetens the bitterness of our lives through the applying of His blood through His atoning work upon the cross. There is no greater gift! God be praised!
To view this article in your browser, Click Here
For more information, articles and newsletters, please check out our website at https://americandecency.org/
You can support ADA financially by visiting: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency
Call us:
231-924-4050Email us:
info@americandecency.orgWrite us:
American Decency AssociationCopyright 2025 American Decency
