Two Bits of News

By: Steve Huston

As the title indicates, we have two bits of news that we’d like to share with you, as we walk gratefully through Thanksgiving and approach expectantly with a holy hush the Christmas season. What an exciting time of reflection, anticipation, and wonder, all the while giving thanks and praise to God for the wondrous works He has done. It’s a time, as King David expressed in his psalm found in I Chronicles 16, to “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people…talk ye of all his wondrous works…seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” (vs. 8-9, 11)

Like many of you, we at American Decency find it a privilege, by God’s grace, to thank the Lord for the many blessings He lavishes upon us daily (Ps. 68:19). We also look for opportunities to record and share the amazing work God has done on behalf of His people and through His people, therefore, we are encouraged to further call upon God for grace and mercy. This describes the heart of Bill Johnson, founder and president of American Decency Association, as he shares “Bit of News” #1:

What a year this has been! I thank God for the generous support that has allowed us to have victories over these many years.  As we close out another year, despite all the demands upon you – including the many requests that politicians sent out that make our heads spin, as well as the many requests that come from non-profit organizations seeking support – yet so many of you continue to stand with us anyway! Where would we be without people like you?

As we come to the end of another year, we’re seeking much needed year-end support to prepare us for 2025! This year we have a few rare and urgent surprises that are pulls on our finances. First, we had a pipe burst in the basement of our building; that was an unexpected expense of $2,000. Secondly, we found that our donation maintenance software company of many years is going out of business – not giving us much notice. So, we will also need to have an expenditure for a program that will cost nearly $8,000. We are not in despair, as we have seen God go before us many times, and we believe that God will provide, raising up those who graciously will stand in the gap, enabling us to cover such needs.

In the days ahead, we will be sending out our annual Year in Review in which we hope you will continue to see “We want to do God’s will.”  We remain thankful for the fresh calling God has given us and that He chose us for such a work as this (for such a time as this) and, though we do not understand the whys and wherefores, we thank God that He leads. (If you’d like to receive a copy of our Year in Review contact us at kimberly@americandecency.org or call us at 231-924-4050.)

Again, we thank and praise God for you – the remnant that He has provided us. Please continue to pray for us and support us as you so graciously and generously have done over these years, including this past year.

Bit of News #2 comes by way of reflection and a means of encouragement, that our readers will more deeply reflect on what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Steve Huston shares a special memory from his childhood and urges us to share the truths of this Advent season with our families:

As we step into the Christmas season, we cannot help but recognize the immense grace and mercy that God has shown to all of mankind. The earth and all its inhabitants – cursed, in darkness, broken by sin, and helpless to do anything about it; yet by God’s abundant, tender mercies, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” That’s Christmas; that’s real hope! It’s amazing grace that forgives, heals, and perpetuates itself in the lives of others, as the seed of the gospel is planted in their hearts.

My dad made sure we appreciated the gift of salvation through Jesus, the real meaning of Christmas. No present was opened until the most important “present was opened.” I fondly remember my dad sitting in his chair and calling us children to gather around him every Christmas morning; he would humbly read “the Christmas story” from Luke chapter two. As we grew older, he would stop to let us fill in the blanks. I’ve continued this tradition with my own children; I hope they will pass it on to my grandchildren as well.

What a blessing it would be to extend that tender Christmas morning moment to include the preceding weeks of Christmas – we can with The Advent of Glory! Well-loved Bible teacher R.C. Sproul, with his enduring insight and wisdom, has 24 brief Advent readings that explore the details of the nativity story and how they can be applied to our lives today. This devotional book helps the reader to slow down and reflect on the words of the Christmas story. Help your family and others grasp the awe of the incarnation of God’s gift to a wayward world.

Order your copy of The Advent of Glory to help you arrive at Christmas Day full of awe and wonder at the birth of Jesus.

You can order by contacting us at kimberly@americandecency.org or call our office at 231-924-4050. The price for this Advent devotional is $12 (that includes shipping and handling).

 

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