Posted on 05/15/2007 11:22:56 AM PDT by rhema
In the May issue of my National Liberty Journal newspaper, we featured the story of Megan Chapman, who last year was forced to make a choice between standing up for her faith in Jesus Christ or allowing school officials to silence her.
She chose not to be silent, even though Russell Springs, Kentucky school officials told her she could not mention Jesus or her faith in her valedictorian speech. At the commencement, more than 3,000 people packed her school gymnasium, with members of the press in attendance. And before the principal of the school could finish making his opening remarks, the senior class stood together and recited "The Lord's Prayer."
What an inspiring scene!
Then Megan walked to the platform, prepared only to read the poem, "The Road Less Traveled" because she had been warned not to mention her faith. But as she looked out over the audience, she prayed that God would give her a message.
And He did.
Megan put away the poem and began speaking from her heart, sharing how God is real in her life. She spoke of the peace she has encountered since giving her heart to Jesus Christ and wished that same peace for her classmates.
The speech was frequently interrupted with cheers.
One local media outlet noted a "revival-like atmosphere" at the graduation.
The next night, Megan appeared on the Fox News Channel where she was able to again share her faith in Jesus Christ.
Today, Megan, along with twin sister Mandy, is a student at Liberty University, where she is planning to study law and attend Liberty University School of Law.
Her story has inspired many young people across this nation.
I hope it encourages more to take a stand for their faith.
I'm proud to stand with Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law, and his wife Anita, president of Liberty Counsel, in the national "Friend or Foe" Graduation Prayer Campaign.
This program is designed to educate and, if necessary, litigate to ensure that prayer and religious views are not suppressed during graduation ceremonies across the nation.
As part of this year's campaign, Liberty Counsel has created red prayer wristbands that students can wear as a reminder to pray at graduation and all throughout the school year.
The wristbands are embossed with "I WILL PRAY" and "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (THESS. 5:17)." The wristbands serve as reminders to students that they have the constitutional right to wear religious jewelry and to pray during non-instructional times while at school. Liberty Counsel also has a free legal memo on graduation prayer which is available online at Liberty Counsel.
Mr. Staver stated, "The purpose of Liberty Counsel's 'Friend or Foe' Graduation Prayer Campaign is to protect religious viewpoints at graduation. Liberty Counsel will be the friend of schools that recognize the free speech rights of students and the foe of those that violate their constitutional rights. The key to graduation prayer is that the school should remain neutral – neither commanding nor prohibiting voluntary prayer or religious viewpoints."
High school students, don't be afraid to voice your faith in Jesus Christ! Liberty Counsel is here to help you if you should face persecution or punishment for doing so. I urge Christian students across this land to exhibit the strength of character of Megan Chapman by refusing to be silenced.
Boldly live out your faith!
Just becase someone disagrees with you, does not make them a hater. Falwell was exactly what Christ did not want us to be. A publicity whore who prayed so others could hear, gave so others could see, craved the limelight and attention, and became a fat gluton while making millions of dollars doing it. How arrogant and bloated he was. My friend, I can tell you that there are people right now in this world doing way more precious and charity works that Falwell ever did and you will not hear about them or know about them.
Aw, God bless you, Megan! Stay strong in your faith.
A Prayer to say for your Salvation ~
Jesus, I know I am a sinner and you are my only hope for restoration. I ask you to come into my life and to direct it. I surrender myself to you completely.
I thank you for the great sacrifice you made for all the things I have done wrong. I accept the gift you are offering to me. I desire to have a relationship with You. Come and live within my heart today. Amen.
You sure are implying that you are a Christian, but you sure like agitating and arguing with your fellow man.
So what? Thankfully, I am not the Lord's policeman keeping track of everybody's works. That's not my job--I'm just a lowly field-hand in His harvest field spreading the good news of the Gospel, and encouraging believers the best way I know how.
Why you have such anger and dislike for Jerry Falwell is a sin that you will have to deal with though, and answer for. Why such ire? What did he ever do to you? If you knew the man, if he wronged you, FORGIVE HIM, for heaven's sake. What purpose does it serve to dredge up the past? Will it change anything?
Have some Christ-like pity for his wife and family who have lost a husband, father and grandfather. So, you point out the man was a sinner--surprise, he was just like you and me!
What matters is for us to confess our sins, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, love one another as Christ loves us and to forgive those who trespass against us, seventy times seven.
It is GOD who keeps good records in His Books of Life. I'm not too worried about someone elses' record. My own is enough to keep me occupied. The Lord is the one running the universe, not you or me, and HE alone will judge us all one day.
Perhaps it would be far more profitable to contemplate the state of your own soul and look to your own salvation, instead of digging up the sins of a man who isn't even here anymore.
I like making people think.
Sounds like I hit a BIG nerve. You just don't like being challenged by anyone, do you? You have to be right, at all costs. What's the matter with you...can't handle the truth? You're the one doing the name-calling of a dead man, not me.
Since God judges every idle word, you might want to think about that, too. It's not Jerry Falwell who is causing you to sin, but no doubt you'll be blaming him for that, too.
Jilley is quite judgmental and opinionated, for one so perfect. Seems like name-calling of Christians is his (or her) specialty. It's not enough to revile Jerry Falwell, now we're getting it too!
KJV: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.--Matthew 5:11
God bless you Wildcat!
I never said I was a Christian, so why don’t you and carol GFY.
Also if you can't play by the rules, please don't post on this forum. Personal attacks aren't allowed.
Carol and I consider ourselves blessed by your cursing, so if you think you've said anything to hurt us, you couldn't be more wrong.
GOD BLESS YOU.
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