Lesson #109: Troubled Hearts

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

I work with troubled youth, troubled families, troubled homes in troubled times. The troubles they seem to have in common besides drug addiction, dysfunction, splintered families, abuse and legal problems deal with a troubled heart. They all are seekers of peace yet do not understand that peace cometh in the morning through a one on one relationship with their Creator. But in today’s society, with today’s values and today’s norms, we are not politically correct in offering the truths of the Bible. What happened?

When I was going to school, we had two wonderful Sunday school teachers that came every Friday and offered us an opportunity to attend camp simply by learning Bible verses. We learned stories from the Bible, sang, prayed and learned of Jesus. Every Friday we looked forward to those wondrous ladies and practice our verses to earn our way to camp. I remember when I started teaching, Reverend Clark would come and we would do the same thing with kids under our watch. What happened?

I remember discipline (discipline is something you do for a child while punishment is something you do to a child) and how we had respect. And not just classroom respect but Bible respect in that we had to practice our manners in and out of school. Mom held me accountable. She insisted that I learn. She insisted that I work for a living. She insisted that I read the Bible and practice my verses. She accepted no excuses with compassion. She practiced Granny’s law which simply put states that you eat your peas before you can have a pieced of cherry pie. No exceptions. When in doubt, refer to the no excuse rule. What happened?

Why can’t we offer words of wisdom from the Book of Books without fear of some upset parent, some organization that has intent of destroying our grand nation or threat of lawsuit knocking upon our doors. When can we offer a hurting heart healing words? When can we tell of pure love and of that peace that passeth all understanding? When can we offer the words of salvation for the suffering?

In John 14: 27, the Book of Books says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” As an educator, I can not remain silent when talking to a troubled youth. If asked why am I so happy and at peace, I must be truthful. It is my creed as a teacher. It is my duty as a Christian American. It is my right and responsibility to do so. Let us recall what this great country embraced not too long ago by sampling a few quotes of men who created it.

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." Charles Carroll-signer of the Declaration of Independence

“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” Benjamin Franklin–Constitutional Convention of 1787

“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” Patrick Henry

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson

“It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author.” Thomas Paine

Now it sounds to me as if these men of stature found that peace in troubled waters and were not at all afraid to share it. So it is my thinking that the troubled population today simply needs to embrace the love of God, embrace the faith of our fathers and to not let your opportunity be example to go unnoticed, that you may be given a chance to share the joy of peace and remove all fear, doubt brought on by a troubled heart. I remain your obedient servant in Christ, the Old General