The Nicest Compliment

I received an e-mail the other evening that contained the nicest compliment I think I've ever received.  The gentleman referred to the Goshen Gazette as an honest publication.  I truly do not have the words to fully express how deeply that comment touched me.  In a time of having to question everything we hear and even see, it is a wonderful acknowledgment to be the editor of what has been termed, an honest publication.

One of the very first things laid on my heart, when I began walking with YHWH, following Messiah, was a newsletter.  That was nearly 20 years ago that the first publication rolled off the "Word Processor."  It didn't garner a huge following, but it brought a real sense of responsibility to be sure the words contained validation and the publication itself had integrity.  It was my training ground for a world wide publication.

It's interesting how YHWH gives us certain gifts and talents even before we are walking with Him.  All through my school years, I was on the "paper staff."  Journalism was an interest, as was writing, but it was never something I'd considered myself to "always want to do." Before following Messiah, I really did not have any long term goals or hopes.  I'd never considered being a journalist, much less an internet journalist, and although I wrote daily, I never dreamed of writing a book.  I'm thankful for having that placed in me after following Messiah.  It's made it much easier to differentiate between my ideas and YHWH's plan, and also to avoid any compromise in an effort to obtain what I wanted before I knew Him.

It seems most folks on the internet are writing a book, and I've certainly been no exception.  Many of us maintain blogs, as well, and I am blessed to be associated with some amazingly gifted and talented writers who are genuine.  The Goshen Gazette would not be an honest publication without honest contributors.

It is truly a blessed privilege to be associated with people who are not making big self-focused deals about themselves, but taking care of life, even the mundane things like auto repair to the not so mundane adventures of storm chasing.  I pray those two realities are never simultaneous.  I truly enjoy reading the words that express the grace and provision of our Creator in all aspects of their lives.   The news stories are well researched and the personal accounts bear witness of posts and comments in their socializing and fellowship.

The true integrity and honesty of any publication lies not in the support of it's advertisers, or even it's popularity in distribution, but in the fact that what is written is more than just words.