Sermon Central
-
From Shackles To Statue
Contributed by Lee Strawhun on Sep 17, 2014 (message contributor)
It was 1985 when Tim Cole was picked out of a lineup for a rape he never committed but would be convicted of and sentenced to serve 25 years. He was near the Texas Tech campus when the rape occurred and as a result was sent to prison because the victim picked the wrong man and the courts sentenced the wrong man. While in prison Tim Cole remained confident that the justice system would prevail and though he did not live to see it, dying in 1999, a 2009 DNA test proved his innocence. Something he never did compromise on.
While in prison Cole gave away thousands to charity from his GI Bill, nurtured his family and encouraged his sister Karen Kennard to pursue her law degree. She did and became the city attorney for Austin, Tx.
It was on 9/17/14 that Gov. Rick Perry, state Attorney General Henry Abbot and state Sen. Wendy David, and Michele Malin, the woman who picked Cole out in the lineup, as well as family and friends dedicated the 13 foot bronze statue placed near where the crime happened and facing the law school of Texas Tech. Why there? To remind law students who will someday become future prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges to realize humans are fallible and make mistakes.
Michele Malin after realizing her mistake sought to get Cole’s name cleared and in 2009 another man wrote to Cole and confessed to the rape. By that time Tim Cole had been dead for 10 years. “A victim, just like my son was.” Tim Cole’s mother once told Malin, and we all are with injustice.
Tim Cole’s mother said, “He left here with his head bowed and his arms and legs in shackles. Today he returns standing tall, uncompromised. But not unsung.”
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
John Wesley Provides The Most Convicting Analysis ... PRO
Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 20, 2004
John Wesley provides the most convicting analysis on what it means to be a true servant: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” Rick ...read more
-
The First Day Of School Our Professor Introduced ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 21, 2004
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a winkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire ...read more
-
And Starting Today, You Are Beginning To Turn ... PRO
Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Nov 13, 2003
And starting today, you are beginning to turn into adults. While your parents still are going to make a lot of choices for you, you are just beginning that Phase where you begin to make some life-changing decisions. You will learn that mom and dad won’t always be there to tell you what to do. I’m ...read more
-
Over The Long Run, Love's Power To Forgive Is ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2004
"Over the long run, love’s power to forgive is stronger than hate’s power to ...read more
-
I Was Fascinated When I Read The Following ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
I was fascinated when I read the following research a number of years in Dennis Waitley’s, Empires of the Mind. Waitley reported that although there are approximately 450,000 words in the English language, about 80% of our conversations use only about 400 ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Forgive Or Not To Forgive
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 28, 2012
Forgiveness is the way the Lord releases us from guilt and sets us free to continue loving God and others.
-
Getting Over Your Hang-Ups Series
Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 31, 2006
Learn with Esther how to understand and follow the invisible God through the incredible trials and challenges of life.
-
Family Forgiveness Series
Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009
Because everyone has sinned, everyone needs forgiveness. That is especially true within families. How does forgiveness play out in our families?
-
The Power Of Reconciliation Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 25, 2011
Unforgiveness and biterness will destroy your relationship with God and others.We must reconcile with God so that we can live the life that God intends for us.
-
Reconciliation?
Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 18, 2010
Jacob Meets Esau. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
