Who Cares?
Jack Exum

"Eighty percent of Americans live on less than one percent of American soil. We live beside each other, around each other, beneath each other, and over each other." Politicians plead, "Let's get together," yet story after story tells with increasing familiarity of victims who lay in the streets pleading for help as their fellow human beings pass indifferently by. WHO CARES?

A few years ago Catherine (Kitty) Genovese died from an assailants knife on a neighbor's doorstep. Since then, thirty-eight respectable citizens, who looked on but did nothing, have had trouble answering the simple question, "WHY?" Why did it happen? Why didn't I help? Why didn't I care enough to do something? Anything?

Years later we still look for the answers to those soul-searching questions; we search for those who have the unique ability to care. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love (care) one for the other" (John 13:35). Doctrines may be misunderstood but those who genuinely care seldom are. "People don't really care how much you know until they know how much you care."

"I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed; no man cared for my soul" (Psalm 142:4). If you really want to care, to express your love for others, try these simple suggestions that were recently published in an open letter.

"Smile more, even to people you don't know. Look them in the eye. Let them know you are aware that they exist. Be concerned about those you work with. Listen when they speak to you. Spend an extra minute. If someone has a problem, let him tell you about it. Sometimes just listening means more than you'll ever hygiene."

To those who are in a depression, say this: "Everybody has highs and lows. Nobody is on top of the world a the time. Tomorrow will be better." You may save a life without realizing it by letting a depressed person know he has value. He counts -someone really cares.

Simple remedy - yes, but wouldn't this old world be a better place to live, to rear children, to find a bit of happiness, if each of us would form a committee of one to return to simplicity -- to share our lives more readily - to genuinely care for each other.

The Pantry
Our pantry is bare! We need to restock as soon as possible. We need - Canned: meats, vegetables, fruit, baby foods, and entrees. Basically all non-perishable food items and hygiene products. Please leave product donations on a rear table in the annex. We also need boxes to pack the items in for distribution.

Men's Breakfast
The monthly area Men’s Breakfast will be hosted HERE at Orange Street this coming Saturday morning (19th) at 8 a.m.. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer for those who will be attending and for the items needed to prepare the meal. All the men are invited.

Baptized Into Christ
We rejoice with the angels in heaven at the response and baptism of Currie Anne Littleton this past Sunday evening (August 6th). Keep our new sister in your daily prayers that she might have the needed strength to run the race set before us.
          Carl Chambers also came forward requesting the prayers of the church for his family.

FSOP Extension Class
The Florida School of Preaching extension class “The Life of Christ” begins this coming Thursday evening (17th) in the annex at 7 pm. There is a $5 registration fee and the course may be taken for credit or may be just audited. See Bob Bauer for more info.

An old Chinese proverb reads: "If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."