He is With Me

It was early on Sunday morning and a group of women went to the tomb to add to the preparation of the body of Jesus. They were concerned that the hasty wrapping by Nicodemus and Joseph was insufficient for the man they so dearly loved.

Instead of finding the body of Jesus, they found the stone rolled away, no body, and two men dressed in dazzling bright clothes. The two men reminded them that Jesus had told them what was going to happen and how He would rise from the dead on the 3rd day.

In Luke 24:8, the Bible tells us something about the attentiveness of the women when it says, “they remembered His words.” Not only were they attentive, but they also obviously believed because they returned to the men to tell them what had happened.

While the men initially refused to believe the women, two of them, Peter and John went to the tomb to see for themselves. They observed what the women told them and left the tomb marvelling at what happened.

Jesus would later appear to the disciples and many others. The Apostle Paul recorded these eye-witnesses in his letter to the Corinthians, in chapter 15.

The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. The resurrection proved that Jesus was who He claimed to be, the Son of God. The resurrection validated the promise of Jesus made to a man just two days earlier.

Look back with me to Luke, chapter 23, verse 32. There were two criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Verse 39 records a powerful conversation between Jesus and one of those men.

Jesus made a promise to that unnamed man that was validated to the world in the power of His resurrection. He made a claim and a promise that “today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Imagine the scene in heaven when that thief on the cross, with broken legs, unable to lift himself to take one more painful breath, slumped without another breath. In a few more moments his heart beat its last beat.

In that instant, his surroundings immediately changed as he stepped into eternity. No more the horror and stench of death, but a glory that he had never before experienced as he entered the gates of heaven.

What is it that got him into heaven? If he were asked why he should be allowed in such glory, how would he answer?

Imagine that scene as the man steps into eternity. The hosts of heaven see this man enter. He is amazed that he is there at all. He had no right to be there.

After all, his life was one rampant with sin. He was an unrepentant thief. He knew that one day his life would end like it did. He knew that he deserved the cross.

Yet, here he stood in such glory, beauty, and peace that he had never before imagined. Surely this could not last. Surely his eternity would be in the pain and agony of his final moments.

The hosts of heaven saw this man, and they too, were amazed. They knew what was supposed to happen.

The man wondered, “how did I get here?” He was not the only one.  The heavenly servants knew the plan, but surely the first would be someone who knew the prophecies.

Surely the first would be someone of higher moral character. Surely the first would have been one of the Master’s followers.

As everyone was wondering and asking themselves these questions, a voice came from behind the man. It was a voice that was calm enough to draw children to Him, yet powerful enough to raise a dead man from the grave, calm a wild storm on the sea, make the lame to walk and the blind to see.

It was a voice that everyone immediately recognized. It was a voice that commanded attention.

The moment was tense with anticipation. How would the multitude of questions be answered, They all boiled down to one simple question – “how did he make it to heaven?”

The answer came in four simple words that echoed through the halls of heaven. “He is with Me.”

The thief on the cross was no longer seen for his multitude of sin. He was now standing in heaven on a foundation that would never be shaken. He was standing in heaven on the basis of being identified with Jesus Christ.

The thief on the cross would not be able to explain the deep theological issues that took place. He would not be able to explain how Jesus took the sin of the thief on to Himself and gave the thief His own perfect righteousness.

The thief did not have to explain it. He simply received it. “He is with me.”

It is appropriate that God chose a criminal to make the first one stepping into heaven under the new covenant. He was a criminal who had no basis for being right with God – except that Jesus said, “today, you will be with me.”

Let me ask you. If you were to stand in heaven and think about the “why” you should be allowed in, how do you think you would answer?

If the first person pronoun, “I” is a part of that answer, then you may be standing on a false hope. It is not that “I” did anything to stand there.

Everything, points back to what He did on the cross. He paid the price for sin. He took the wrath of God in your place.

He and he alone is the one who will escort you into heaven and announce, “He is with me.”

If there is something tugging at your heart right now at that simple truth, do not quench it. Do not silence it. It is the voice of God calling and drawing you into a personal relationship with Himself.

Will you yield to that tugging and accept Christ as your savior? Experience the hope and assurance of eternal life.

One day, you will take your last breath and your heart will beat it’s last beat. Accept Christ and be assured that you will hear those four simple words, “He is with me.”

(Note: The illustration used was inspired by a message by Alistair Begg entitled, “The Man on the Middle Cross Said I Could Come.” The clip is less than four minutes and I encourage you to watch it.)

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Impacts of Overturning Roe V Wade

When the Supreme Court handed down its 6-3 decision overturning Roe v Wade yesterday, I was interested to see the response of Congressman Sanford Bishop and Senator Rafael Warnock. The responses were predictable based on party line.

Democrats focused on a woman’s right to kill her unborn child implying that killing the child would make the pregnancy as if it never happened. Republicans focused on the protecting the rights of the unborn child.

The truth is that when pregnancy occurs, a significant event takes place in the life of the mother, and father for that matter. Killing the unborn child does not “reset” the clock, it only adds another event in the lives of the mother and father, especially the mother.

That event is an irreversible act leaving physical and emotional consequences for the mother. Then there is the child and there is no such thing as a safe abortion for the unborn child.

We as a people, must be willing to recognize the biological, emotional, and spiritual values of conception and abortion. These values reveal the political, cultural, and spiritual impacts on our society from the reversal of Roe v Wade.

Political Impact

The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade will have wide-ranging political impacts. State legislators, especially Democrats, will no longer have the safe haven of the Supreme Court to hide behind.

Now it is up to the legislators in each state to establish the policies and regulations of abortion. Republican legislators who quickly claimed pro-life, but said they could do nothing about the Supreme Court no longer have Roe v Wade to allow them to avoid making a decision. Now we will see just how strong their position on right to life really is.

Democrats, especially in strong church communities, will have a more daunting challenge – if the church community will honestly connect the dots between their belief and policy and stand for the truth. The question is not about a woman’s right. The question is whether or not the public official is for or against killing a child in the womb.

Pro-life advocates must adopt a strategy of focus on the life of the unborn child and challenge those who they influence to keep the reality of the baby at the forefront. In plain language, abortion is killing an innocent, unborn baby, snuffing out the possibility of hopes, dreams, accomplishment, and value to our world.

Cultural Impact

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v Wade will have a cultural impact as well. No longer will the right to an abortion be one of those subjects that cannot be changed. Some states, such as Georgia, will restrict abortions which will create a necessity for more crisis pregnancy centers.

In the long run, the best possible cultural change would be a strengthening emphasis on fatherhood. Family is the basic institution of society and strong, stable, fathers, are the pillars of family units.

Spiritual Impact

CNN and even Fox news will not likely speak of the spiritual impact of the Supreme Court decision. The spiritual impact is as real as the words you are reading.

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, God spoke through the prophet to the people of Israel. In chapter 5, verses 1-7, God describes how He planted the nation of Israel with an expectation that was unmet.

Verse 7 says, “he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed, for righteousness, but behold an outcry!” (Isaiah 5:7b ESV) It is a dangerous tightrope for public officials to walk when they ignore eternal truths and establish policy as if there is no accountability to God.

George Washington, in his first inaugural address outlined the providential care of God in the founding and establishment of our independent nation. He said, “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.”

For half a century, Roe v Wade blatantly disregarded the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained. Now our nation began a correction, one state at a time, regarding the life of the innocent.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court revisited Roe v Wade and concluded that it is unconstitutional. We have seen the impact on our nation over the past 50 years. Now what kind of impact will we have because of this decision? I pray that as a nation, we will make good on this gift we have been given by the Supreme Court.

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Mother Lucille Shazier

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (I Corinthians 13:12)

Photo of Vesta Beal Shepard with Lucille Shazier
Vesta Beal-Shephard with Mother Lucille Shazier

On Friday, May 13, 2022, Mother Lucille Shazier, after living 109 years in this world, stepped into eternity. She now sees Jesus face to face.

I met Mother Lucille Shazier in November 2019 after she had celebrated her 106th Thanksgiving with her family. My meeting her is one of the blessings in my life.

Mother Lucille shared the significant events of her life with me. (See 106 Thanksgivings) The most significant event with her was when she accepted Christ as a young child.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that in this life we see dimly, but one day we will see Jesus face to face. When Mother Lucille talked about when she met Jesus, it was as if it was face to face then. She said that she just hugged him because he was so real with her right then. If He was so real to her then, just imagine how it was when she literally saw Him face to face.

The last time we talked was in February 2020. Leslie and I were about to go to Panama for an Army reunion and we stopped by to tell her Happy Birthday before we left for the airport. Covid 19 showed up and I never had the chance to visit with her in person again.

We think of 109 years as a very long life, but in reality, it is the twinkling of an eye in light of eternity. The fact is that at some point you will take your final breath and your heart will beat its final beat.

Are you assured that you will see Him face to face and know Him fully? You can be certain.

When you, with a simple childlike faith, accept the full payment of Jesus Christ for your sin, then you can have that hope. I encourage you to read the story of Lucille Shazier and, if you have never received Christ, then accept Him today.

Mother Lucille’s funeral service will be on Saturday, May 21. Obituary and funeral arrangements are at the J.W. Williams Funeral Home web site.

Sign up to receive Common Sense from DC (Not Washington). I won’t waste your time or flood your inbox with junk or pleas for money. You’ll get my thoughts and commentary on various issues and stories about people, politics, and proclamation. You can unsubscribe easily at any time. I appreciate you as a reader and will strive to make it worth your while.

Sign up to receive Common Sense from DC (Not Washington). I won’t waste your time or flood your inbox with junk or pleas for money. You’ll get my thoughts and commentary on various issues and stories about people, politics, and proclamation. You can unsubscribe easily at any time. I appreciate you as a reader and will strive to make it worth your while.

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Shared Values that Supersede Outward Differences

I am expanding my blog to also be a VLOG (Video Log). I encourage you to watch the 2 minute video.

Crisp Ministry Network serving together. There is a lot of noise out there with the single goal of dividing us. Reject that noise.

With video I can talk to you like we are enjoying a cup of coffee, and the video is easy to share. Please like the video and subscribe to my channel to be sure that you get notification of new releases. Continue reading

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You Must Choose – For Black Traditional Democrat Voters

As I am out and around the 2nd District, one common question I hear is, “How are you going to win Albany and Columbus?” The real question being asked is, “How are you going to sway the black traditional Democrat voter?”

My answer is that I focus on the deep common values in our faith, our hopes and our dreams. I draw the contrast between the Democrats and Sanford Bishop and the values we hold.

I draw the striking contrast between the abysmal failure of the Obama agenda and the skyrocketing success of the Trump agenda for the black population. I focus on issues such as life, economic opportunity, jobs, taxes, growing wealth, illegal immigration, and the criminal justice reforms that President Trump and Republicans put into law.

I point out these striking contrasts and issue a simple challenge, “You must choose.” Now I am asking you to help me share these messages.

Message for the Black Traditional Democrat on Right to Life

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It hangs on the wall of a home you know, perhaps your own. It is a simple sign with the words from Joshua, “Choose you this day whom you will serve…. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Picture that sign hanging on the wall in that familiar place. Remember the smell of dinner on the table. Remember seeing your grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, mother, or father, sitting by the light reading from the Bible and preparing a Sunday School lesson.

Now, today, I ask you to let those words of Joshua ring in your ears as if you were standing there as he delivered God’s message. “Choose you this day.”

Over the past half century at least, most black voters have voted for candidates in the Democrat party. That path has become ingrained and traditional. There is something, though, that is beginning to make you uneasy about that path.

Your values are established on the foundation of the truth you learned from your family, your church, and your own prayer and study of the Bible. It is not merely tradition, it is truth.

Now you are noticing the striking contrast between the path of Democrats and the values that you learned in Sunday School and Church. Sanford Bishop and the Democrat party promote an agenda that directly contradicts your deeply held values.

Sanford Bishop has a 100% approval rating by Planned Parenthood and a 0% rating by the National Right to Life. In New York City, 60% of black babies die by abortion.

Republicans pushed the Fetal Pain Abortion bill to put an end to the torturous, barbarous, killing of babies in the womb. Babies can feel the stabbing, slashing, ripping of limbs from their bodies until the only end to their suffering and indescribable pain is death. Sanford Bishop fought against that bill – yes, he fought it!

We were shocked when we watched the video tapes of a Planned Parenthood executive dining in luxury. As she calmly ate dinner she callously talked about harvesting the body parts from the babies they killed. In between sips of wine, she described how, if they used just the right method with just the right timing, they could harvest the most organs.

My God, she is talking about a baby!

Republicans reacted with legislation to completely cut off all federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Sanford Bishop fought it.

There is a reason that Planned Parenthood gives Sanford Bishop a 100% rating. There is also a reason that the founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, was so popular with the KKK.

The words of Joshua, “Choose you this day” keep ringing in your ears. You may desperately want to change the subject. The gnawing, clawing, burning bright light of truth floods every corner of your thinking. You realize that you can no longer avoid the issue.

Democrats presume that you will vote for them because that is what they expect you to do. Sometimes, they do not even bother to ask for your vote.

In November, you will enter the voting booth. This is your vote and yours alone. Your vote does not belong to Sanford Bishop, Stacy Abrams, or the Democrat Party.

Your vote belongs to you. As you stand in the voting booth, you stand at that point of decision. You must “choose you this day.”

In the race for US House of Representatives, you will see Don Cole on the ballot. I am the only one who will stand for the deeply held values that we share.

I am the only one who will stand for life. I am the only one who will stand for the people of the 2nd District and stand against the racist agenda of Planned Parenthood.

There is a clear and stark choice between the faith and family values that you deeply hold and the destructive agenda of the Democrats.

On one side is the crystal clear truth of faith, freedom, family values, and your future. On the other side are the Democrats who presume upon your vote and pursue policies that lead to collapse and ruin.

This is one of those critical points in your life. Today and on election day in the voting booth, you stand at the crossroads.

The words of Joshua roll through your mind like thunder. “Choose you this day.” You must choose.

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That’s my message on the Right to Life for the black traditional Democrat voter. It has an impact and will make a difference. 

I must get this message to the black community. As important as sharing on social media is, and I want you to do that, I am not talking about merely sharing this on social media.

Now, I am calling on you, as one of my readers, to choose to financially support my campaign. We are under assault as a nation.

I will lead the charge in the 2nd District, and I will charge the hill with every fiber of my being. I am not playing games and I will not mince words. I need you.

What you invest in Don Cole for Congress goes to carry the message from Don Cole to the people of the 2nd District and for our nation.

This is me. I am sitting in my den at 5:00 am, drinking my coffee, praying for our President, our Governor, and our nation and banging furiously on this key board.

I am not begging you to help me meet some fundraising goal. I don’t give just to help politicians meet some fundraising goal and you don’t either.  

I care about our nation. I care about proclaiming the truth that we might continue to live as a free people as one nation under God.

You cannot hope for someone else to give. You cannot hope for someone else do something. 

Invest as you are led to invest, but for the sake of our nation, and for the love of God, invest something to get this message out!

Choose you this day! You’ve thought about it. You meant to do it. You were going to do it. Now, do it.

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The Cat Wrote a Commentary

I never considered myself to be a cat person. Most cats I knew were somewhat aloof. 

Dogs have owners, cats have staff. But then I met Noel. 

After my father-in-law died, we thought that my mother-in-law, Edwina, might like a pet to keep her company. In 2009, my sister-in-law, her daughter, and my son heard about someone who had a kitten. 

They decided that it would be a great Christmas present for Edwina. Since it was close to Christmas, they named her Noel.  Continue reading

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Do the Next Thing

Remember “In God We Trust”

Over the past few days I have talked, mostly by phone, with many people. There is no question that what we are experiencing today is unprecedented. 

When I make calls now, I introduce myself, and say that I’m calling to say that I’m praying for them and their community. I don’t ask for anything. I don’t even ask for their vote. At this time, I believe that the best thing we can do is to be as positive and encouraging as we can be. Continue reading

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Day of Prayer – March 15, 2020

Yesterday, President Trump declared today, March 15, 2020, as a National Day of Prayer for all Americans Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic and for our National Response Efforts. I am including a link to the President’s Proclamation at the end of this note.

Our National Motto is, “In God We Trust.” It is in times of emergency or uncertainty that we return to those four simple words. Continue reading

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