Across the nation thousands gather in groups of all sizes to remember Charlie Kirk and express their grief at his tragic murder. Millions comment, like, and share posts on social media. People want to do something, take some kind of affirmative action in response to the loss of Charlie Kirk.
Since his murder, I have learned things about Charlie that I did not know before. I knew of Charlie Kirk and knew that he was a conservative political leader. I knew that he went on college campuses and had a powerful influence among the young people of today.
I did not follow him or subscribe to his podcast. My knowlege of him was limited to seeing him occasionally on the news. Based on the limited knowledge I had of him, I knew that we agreed politically.
Since his murder I learned that I have even more in common with Charlie Kirk and that is our faith. In fact, I learned that at the foundation of his political philosophy, he had a strong, fundamental, Christian faith.
His faith was not just a label. His faith was a life transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In fact, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, his response was centered in his faith. He wanted to be remembered for his faith and his courage.
Having learned this about Charlie Kirk, it opens the door to a simple act that will honor his life. Go to church this Sunday.
The prayer vigils are all excellent ways to express your desire to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Those prayer vigils are one and done. A month from now, they will be memories in the archives of newsrooms around the nation.
But what happens when you make the decision to go to church this Sunday, the next Sunday and on-going. You continue an on-going tribute to Charlie Kirk and you will greatly benefit from personal and spiritual growth yourself.
I would be interested to see if there is an uptick in church attendance over the next few Sundays. It could be the groundswell of a spiritual awakening across America.
Romans 8:28 promises us that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love the Lord. God can take even a vicious and evil murder and turn it into good for thousands, even millions.
You may be like I was and did not know about the strong faith of Charlie Kirk. Now you do know. I encourage you to do some research and learn more about his bold and courageous proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You might have attended a vigil, written your comments or shared someone else’s. One more thing you can do to honor Charlie Kirk. This Sunday, go to church.
On Monday, August 11, State Senator Blake Tillery from Vidalia, GA will announce his candidacy for Lt. Governor. He has asked me to serve as his Crisp County Chairman and it is my honor to serve him.
I first heard Blake when he was on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee looking into the many questions and allegations of fraud in the 2020 election. He showed that he had an open mind and listening ear as well as a piercing investigative inquiry. He treated all witnesses with great respect.
Later I heard him in an address where he spoke about a bill he had introduced. He referred to a term I had never heard before – “debanking.” It refers to banks refusing to do business with someone because of non-financial reasons such as political or religious views.
That term should be familiar to you from the last few days where President Trump issued an executive order to outlaw debanking. It struck me that Blake used the same terms and reasonings that President Trump’s Executive Order used.
Blake introduced a bill in the last session of the legislature to allow individuals to sue banks for wrongful discrimination. The big banking lobby got Blake’s bill killed in the last session of the legislature.
Only Lt. Governor Burt Jones and 12 Senators supported his bill. I have a feeling that the bill, although killed, will be resurrected in the next session of the legislature.
Lt. Governor Jones appointed Blake to chair the Senate Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax. Blake is a steadfast advocate of eliminating, not just trimming back, but eliminating Georgia’s income tax. His ambitious goal is to eliminate the income tax in five years.
The more I looked at Blake, the more I liked him. He stands strong and does not hold his finger in the air to see which way the political winds are blowing.
Most politicians are like a weed in the wind. Blake Tillery is like a strong, solid, oak. He is the kind of elected official that I want to have. I am proud to recommend him for Lt. Governor and to be asked to serve as his county chairman for Crisp County.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, Blake will be flying around the state with six stops. If you are near enough to get to any of these stops, come in and meet him. I am convinced that you will come away with the same positive support for Blake Tillery as our next Lt. Governor.
August 11, 2025 Savannah 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Sheltair Aviation, 100 Eddie Jungemann Dr., Savannah, GA 31408
August 11, 2025 Augusta 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM Daniel Field, 1775 Highland Ave, Augusta, GA 30904
August 11, 2025 Perry 10:55 AM – 11:40 AM Perry–Houston County Airport, 375 Myrtle Field, Perry, GA 31069
August 11, 2025 Albany 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Albany Jet Center, 3905 Newton Rd, Albany, GA 31701
August 11, 2025 Columbus 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Flightways, 3250 West Britt David Rd, Columbus, GA 31909
August 11, 2025 Atlanta 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Georgia State Capitol, South Steps (Interior), 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
August 11, 2025 Vidalia Time: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM Vidalia Airport, 2921 Airport Rd, Vidalia, GA 30474
I want to talk with you today about the Georgia Republican Party Chairman election coming up in June.
I am voting for and supporting Josh McKoon to serve as our state party chair.
I have known Josh since he was first running for State Senate. He has proven himself to be a solid, honest, conservative leader who stands firm in his convictions.
As a State Senator he stood up against corruption in his successful push for strong ethics legislation. In the face of a liberal tidal wave, He boldly stoop up for religious freedom legislation.
As State Party Chairman, he displayed proven leadership to lead Georgia to resounding victories for Republicans across the board.
I dialed in to a recent zoom call where Josh addressed questions and issues that we face as a Republican party in Georgia. He was clear, concise, honest, and straight forward with his answers.
In this upcoming election cycle we will be electing a governor, constitutional officers, and a United States Senator. We need Josh’s leadership in this critical election cycle.
If you are a delegate to the state convention in Dalton, then I ask you to vote for Josh McKoon as our state party chair.
Thank you for your positive consideration. I’m Don Cole with Common Sense from DC, not Washington. God bless you and have a great day!
Somone once told me that he had President Ronald Reagan on speed-dial. I believe it.
Buddy Leger was a figure larger than life. He was Mr. Republican, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Watermelon man.
Buddy left this world on February 28, 2025. It will take dozens of people and years to fill the shoes of this one man.
Buddy once told me that in his early years, everyone knew how he voted in a primary because his was the only Republican ballot cast. Republicans running for statewide office had Buddy at the top of their list for support. If you did not have his support, then it was most likely that you would not get very far.
I recall one conversation about a Republican elected official. There was a bill coming up that had a provision harmful to agriculture. Buddy advised the official that he would lose the farm vote if he voted for it. He chose not to listen to Buddy’s advice and the next election, he lost.
Buddy was an unassuming man. His slow drawl and calm demeanor showed on the outside, but on the inside, Buddy was wheeling and dealing at the speed of light.
With so many connections, one might think that it would be hard to get in to see him. When I called on him, he would say, “Come on by to see me.” When I got there, he wanted to sit and talk for a while. Buddy never seemed to be in a hurry, but he got things done.
Buddy’s obituary is filled with awards and leadership roles. He was tapped to be the agriculture representative on the transition team between the Reagan and Bush presidencies. He was such an influence in the agriculture community that his photo hangs in hallowed halls of the University of Georgia College of Agriculture.
Buddy was a man of strong faith in Jesus Christ. He knew that achievements in this life, as important as they might be, paled in the light of eternity. His generosity touched numerous lives without drawing attention to himself.
Buddy was one of my strongest supporters, but more than that, he was a friend. We will all miss him.
On Valentine’s Day, I started work early as I normally do. I was greeted with an e-mail sent late the previous evening with the glaring subject line, “Notice of Termination.”
The subject line was bad enough. The message included this line, “The Agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Agency would be in the public interest.” The message went on to say that I was removed from my position as of close of business February 13.
I had a lot of different emotions hitting me from all sides. I had not been just laid off. I was not cut because of a reduction in force. I was fired for not “demonstrating” that my work was in the public interest. At least that’s what the message said.
Several thousand federal employees who had been on the job less than a year got the same message. The action of making the cuts was not personal, but it sure felt like it was.
At that moment, I had an important decision to make. How would I respond to this action? I had no control over the circumstances, but I did have control over what I did next.
Feelings of anger, resentment, and bitterness, shouted for me to grab hold and dance with them. I cannot honestly say that I did not entertain those feelings for a few moments. There was another voice that was not as loud but it was convincing.
That voice came from a message that I have drilled into my mind for nearly four decades. I have given away hundreds of jars of beans with a pecan. It is a four minute sermon as to how to face circumstances exactly like I was facing right then.
If you are facing similar circumstances now, take a moment to watch the video. After you have seen it, you probably know someone who could use a lift. It won’t change your circumstances, but it will change how you view them.
I am voting for Donald Trump, but I want to see Nikki Haley stay in the primary race for a little while longer. Her candidacy provides valuable data for Republicans in general and Donald Trump in particular.
In 2020 thousands of suburban voters left Donald Trump blank but voted Republican down the line. One may complain about the race being stolen, but had these voters cast a vote for Donald Trump, any effort to sabotage Trump would not have overcome a vast turnout with these Republican non-Trump voters in Trump’s column.
So now it is 2024. Nikki Haley reaches those who skipped over Donald Trump in 2020. With her in the race, Republicans and the Trump campaign can identify them now, in the primary, months before the general campaign. More importantly something can be done to reach some of those this time around.
Nikki Haley voters in the Presidential Primary form an interesting profile. Some are solid Republicans who will vote for the eventual nominee.
Some are Democrats who are crossing over to cast a vote against Trump. They will vote for the Democrat nominee in November and will never vote for Trump or any other Republican (not even Nikki) in November.
Some see themselves as Republican leaning voters but consider themselves independent. These are the ones who voted Republican down ballot but left the Presidential race blank. At this point, they will be inclined to do the same or vote for a 3rd party candidate.
It is the last group that Republicans and Donald Trump need in November. Now the Republican party is faced with an opportunity to identify these voters this spring.
While the vast majority of campaign investments will be toward the general voter, The Republican party and the Trump campaign will do well to form a Special Operations Strategy aimed specifically at the Nikki Haley voter.
President Trump himself should be involved in this strategy. While Trump will be Trump, he could identify those counties, precincts, and voters who support Nikki Haley and listen to determine what message will peel off those independent voters.
Campaign materials targeting those voters can be used to persuade them that Trump is the candidate whose policies match their politics. After four years of Biden that will be an easier sell than it was in 2020.
So, Nikki, stay in the race a little longer. Then, after New Hampshire and South Carolina, suspend your campaign and ask your supporters to get behind Donald Trump.
Be a part of a Republican Special Operations Team to identify those voters who voted for you but will need to be reached to vote for Trump. Don’t do it just for Donald Trump, do it for America.
It has been a while since I have written to my friends. We have had a lot going on in our family for the past several months. As enjoyable and fulfilling as it is to write to my friends, something had to come off my plate. My weekly commentary was one of those things.
With the ebb and flow of life events, Thanksgiving brings a renewed energy and, with a little rearranging, I made room on my plate for my annual message on the empty chair.
This year, the empty chair is more real to me than it has been in the past. This year, I experience the empty chair directly and not merely through empathy.
Fewer than 48 hours before he would celebrate his 97th birthday, my father, Robert Cole, stepped into eternity. Until the last few weeks of his life, he was active with a sharp mind.
This photo is one of him sitting in his chair holding one of his Model T toys that he built from scratch. It is not a model out of a box.
He saw a picture and sketched out the dimensions on paper, went to his band saw with a block of wood, and cut out the body of the car. Then, using toothpicks for spokes, a piece of pvc pipe for the wheels and dowell for the axle, he brought a picture in a magazine to a toy you could hold in your hand.
We knew that he would not live forever, in his current physical body. None of us will. As much as we knew it would eventually come to a close in this lifetime, we still expected to see him sitting in that chair sketching out something else to build, reading a book, or talking back to the tv when Fox news was on.
Thanksgiving traditionally begins the Christmas season. Each year I share this article because I know that even those who have read it before may see it in a new light this year.
You may discover that this year, the message is more real than ever because for the first time, you experience that empty chair.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy and happiness. This year is different for many. You probably know some for whom it is different. You may not realize it, or maybe it just slips past you in all the hustle and bustle of the year. It is quite possible that you are one of those for whom Christmas is different.
There is a special chair in someone’s home that is empty this year. It may be the straight back chair at the dinner table, the office chair at the desk in the study, the lazy boy in the den, or some other special spot. It was a favorite for him or her.
You may have seen it on a daily basis. It may be in a place on the other side of the country. It may be a memory from years ago.
Last Christmas or some past Christmas, there was someone sitting in that special chair. This year it sits empty.
It is that empty chair that consumes your mind. Everyone else is buying presents and talking about celebrating the season with family and friends.
All of that joy and celebration only intensifies the absence of the one who should be in that empty chair. You may feel guilty and hypocritical because you do not feel very merry at all.
King Solomon said that for everything there is a time; “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV)
If you have an empty chair this Christmas, it is okay to take some time in the midst of the celebration to also weep and mourn. If you do not have an empty chair this Christmas, pause for a moment and think of someone who does. Your most meaningful gift this year could be to let someone know that you also notice the empty chair.
I’m Don Cole. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
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.)
Thanksgiving traditionally begins the Christmas season. Each year I share this article because I know that even those who have read it before may see it in a new light this year.
You may discover that this year, the message is more real than ever because for the first time, you experience that empty chair.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy and happiness. This year is different for many. You probably know some for whom it is different. You may not realize it, or maybe it just slips past you in all the hustle and bustle of the year. It is quite possible that you are one of those for whom Christmas is different.
There is a special chair in someone’s home that is empty this year. It may be the straight back chair at the dinner table, the office chair at the desk in the study, the lazy boy in the den, or some other special spot. It was a favorite for him or her.
You may have seen it on a daily basis. It may be in a place on the other side of the country. It may be a memory from years ago.
Last Thanksgiving or some past Christmas, there was someone sitting in that special chair. This year it sits empty.
It is that empty chair that consumes your mind. Everyone else is buying presents and talking about celebrating the season with family and friends.
All of that joy and celebration only intensifies the absence of the one who should be in that empty chair. You may feel guilty and hypocritical because you do not feel very merry at all.
King Solomon said that for everything there is a time; “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV)
If you have an empty chair this Christmas, it is okay to take some time in the midst of the celebration to also weep and mourn. If you do not have an empty chair this Christmas, pause for a moment and think of someone who does. Your most meaningful gift this year could be to let someone know that you also notice the empty chair.
Imagine the national champion Georgia Bulldogs taking the field and kicking off to start the SEC Championship against LSU. After the kickoff LSU lines up to start their first offensive drive.
Inexplicably, the starting lineup for Georgia and the coaching staff leave the field and go back to the locker room. Meanwhile LSU has play after play after play running over the 3rd and 4th string lineup and running up the score.
Reporters scramble back to the locker room to see what is going on. Coach Smart explains that he believes the most exciting part of the game is the 4th quarter. He has a 4th quarter playbook that is absolutely unbeatable with a proven record.
He insists that no one ever outscores Georgia in the 4th quarter. He says that he believes that fans ought to learn to stay for the whole game and watch what happens in the 4th quarter.
A football game is played in four quarters, not just the fourth quarter. No matter how flawlessly a 4th quarter strategy is executed, if it has three quarters of the opposing team having free reign and rolling up the score, it is a tough hill to climb.
The scenario above is ludicrous. Yet, the Republican party plays a 4th quarter strategy while leaving the Democrats on the field practically unopposed for 3 quarters.
Early voting will begin either on Saturday, November 26th or Monday, November 28 for the runoff election on December 6. The kickoff for this game is not on December 6 – that’s the 4th quarter.
The kickoff is either Saturday, November 26 or Monday, November 28. The date is in litigation as I write this commentary.
Whether it is the 26th or the 28th, is not my point. The fact is that it is clearly not December 6.
I know that many Republicans do not like early voting. I do not like it either.
There ought to be a national holiday on election day with absentee voting allowed by excuse only. That would eliminate nearly all opportunity for fraud.
There is a vast difference between what I think ought to be and what is. The rules of the game say there are four quarters, not just the fourth quarter.
I can choose to play by the rules that I think ought to be and have a tremendously heavy lift created by my own actions. On the other hand, I can choose to play by the rules that are, and aggressively compete in all four quarters.
I encourage, exhort, beg, plead, you to make the opportunity to vote early for this runoff and vote for Herschel Walker as our next Senator. Republicans will win if we play the whole game and not wait till the 4th quarter.
There are good and practical reasons to vote early. The first reason is that we are not promised tomorrow.
You do not know what may happen. It could be a flat tire on the way to vote. I know that you do not plan to have a flat tire or some other emergency – no one does.
In this race, the choice is clear and you know what you will do at the ballot box. So, go ahead and take care of what you know you will do. Vote early.
A second reason to vote early is that it helps our side. The more people who vote early, the fewer people we have to call and remind to go vote on election day.
It is kind of like the safety instructions on the airlines about the mask. Put yours on first, then help someone else. When you vote early, your vote is in the bank and you can help someone else.
So, when the polls open next Monday, show up to vote early and vote Herschel.
by 
