The Brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared; instead a brick smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jaguar back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against the parked car shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what do you think you are doing? That’s a new car and the damage will cost a lot of money to repair. Why did you do it?”

The young boy was apologetic. “Please, mister...Please. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what else to do; I threw the brick because no one else would stop.” With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. “It’s my brother,” he said, “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him by myself.”

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.” Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the chair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything would be okay.

“Thank you and may God bless you,” the grateful child told the stranger. Too shaken up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!

God’s Word whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes, when we don’t take time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us... It’s our choice.

— copied from The Reminder, River Road church of Christ
New Port Richey, FL

It is with deepest sympathy that we report the passing of our beloved brother Pasley Sims, yesterday (Sat., April 16) at Winter Haven Hospital after a short illness. Pasley was a faithful and active member here at Orange Street for many decades, having served, among other things, as an elder, a deacon, and church treasurer. Brother Sims was loved by all and will be truly missed. Keep Johnye, Jean, Glenda, and the rest of the Sims family in your daily prayers during this time of deep loss and sorrow. Funeral arrangements were not known at the time of this printing.

Ghana Campaign 2005
Bob Bauer, Jim Hall, Daniel Stearsman, Chad Tagtow and Brian Kenyon are scheduled to leave on a missionary journey to Ghana, West Africa, May 19th through June 6th, 2005. Those who are able and would like to help with this good work can make single contributions and the moneys will be split up as needed among the group of missionaries. Contribution checks should be clearly marked for the “Ghana Fund”.

Personal Work Meeting
The Visitation Group is scheduled to meet today after the AM services in Assembly Room “B”. All are encouraged to attend.

Very few spend a long life in the service of Christ without ever getting discouraged, and for a moment, giving up in despair. But those who overcome the world are they who (if need by) try again and again -- who refuse to surrender to the evil one. If they fail, they go down fighting, soon to rise again.