Saturday, October 28, 2017

Censored?

It's been awhile since I posted.  I've been busy writing my weekly column for a local community newspaper, and working on a book that I hope will be finished by Thanksgiving.  Yesterday, a reader asked was I still submitting articles to the newspaper because my articles were missing.  After checking the online publication of the newspaper I discovered that several issues did not include my articles.

I was disappointed, but not angry. The publisher has the right to accept or reject what I write.  That is his choice, its his paper. And since I'm not a paid columnist, it doesn't affect my livelihood. 

Writing, speaking, and acting on Truth is not always acceptable when money is a factor. We will always be forced to decide which is more important, our salaries, or our principles.

Three times in my life I choose Christian ethics over salary.  And each of those times I became unemployed and blackballed.  Yet God provided for me in each circumstance.  However, there was a time (before the above mentioned situations) when I chose acceptance and salary over Christian beliefs.  I incurred mockery, workplace abuse, and a cut in salary.  I promised if God delivered me I would never again compromise my faith for the sake of money and acceptance.

I've been told that I will never be rich or enjoy an upper middle class income if I continue to make decisions based on my faith.  And they've been right, but God has graced me with everything I need.  The most precious thing I've received from the Lord is peace, and joy.  Peace, the result of trusting Him for all my needs, and Joy in knowing that I am safe in the Savior's arms and no man can do anything to take that away from me.