Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

She was just like the other 196 students from Russell County High School, Russellville, Kentucky. She loved her school. She was a model student and had been elected chaplain of her class. But her upcoming speech at graduation was perceived to be not politically correct and based on a ruling by Judge McKinley (John Doe v. Darren Gossage); the principal was restrained from allowing prayer at the graduation ceremony. Graduation was to be held on May 19, 2006 but her speech could not be given. But in her heart she knew what she must do. So did her classmates. The night before graduation, the senior class got together and chose Megan to give her speech. (Adler v. Duval County School Board-students may vote to have a classmate deliver a message, the content of which is up to the elected individual. As long as the message is the choice of the student, and not of the school, the student speaker can present a message of his/her choice, either secular or religious. In this case, the message presented by Megan was her own choice; therefore, she had the right to deliver a message with religious themes.) Liberty Counsel-http://www.lc.org/libertyalert/2006/la060206.htm

The night came and the word was spread that when the principal began with the opening comments, all seniors would stand and recite the Lord’s Prayer. It was greeted to a tremendous roar of the audience in approval of their action. Then it was Ms. Megan’s turn. She had sought guidance from her Lord and Master. She had always been ‘guided by God since she was a child’ and this evening would be no different. She had selected a secular poem but upon the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer by the entire class, and with a standing ovation by the three thousand plus crowd, she knew that she had to ‘Let God speak through her’. He did. She shared her testimony and her love. “Trust in God as you go through life.” On several occasions, with tears and cheers, the crowd interrupted her with their approval. The atmosphere was that of a revival, electrifying the audience and sending a clear message that God’s word will not be silenced.

How ironic it is that refusals to allow a young lady of faith offer up a prayer during graduation resulted in such a revival of spirit for the citizens of Russellville. Megan stated it best: “More glory went to God because of something like that than if I had just simply said a prayer like I was supposed to.” The old song, “Stand up stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross” was not only ‘heard’ but was seen, as Christians from a small community in Kentucky said "enough" and exercised their rights under the 1st Amendment to worship their God as they see Him. Did not Daniel do the same (Daniel 6: 1-23) when he continued to pray three times a day openly in front of his window? Did not Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, stand up for their faith as told in Daniel 3:19-23? Did not St. Andrew get nailed to an inverted cross before denying his Lord and Savior? God is the focal point of our lives, not man, and we must stand for something or we will ‘fall for anything’. Let us embrace our faith and wear the shield, as these brave students have done in a small rural setting in Kentucky. God is our witness and judge, as I remain your obedient servant, The Old General