DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

I was driving home from the office and to get a break from the news, I switched to the Classic Country station on the car radio. Playing was a real old song and as I listened to it, the message touched me and I felt led to share it with you. It is called ‘Teddy Bear’ and I trust you will read the lyrics below.

I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down
The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9!
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line

And he said: "Breaker 1-9! Is anyone there?
come on back, truckers and talk to Teddy Bear!"
Well, I keyed the mike and said: "You got it, Teddy Bear!"
And a little boy's voice came back on the air

"'Preciate the break, Who we got on that end?"
I told him my handle, and, then he began:
"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there
Mom says you're busy a..

Dr. Sam Martin

It was a beautiful Sunday evening and my wife, along with our son and his wife went for a walk through a trailer park at a Christian Retreat Center. As we walked, we commented on the trailers, the beauty of the place, and then we saw a handwritten sign with toys either side of it. We stopped and read the words written obviously by a child. It said:

“If you want to play with me please knock the door.”

We stood for a moment looking at the sign and the teddy and doll laying on it, and speculated that a youngster was living in the trailer but had yet to find a playmate. It was a sad moment. It seemed so unfair, so out of place and yet it was real! Was the child watching us and perhaps those who passed by from a window? As we walked on, there was silence for a little while, and a real sense of sadness as we thought of the child who had made the sign.

A day has passed but it is still on my mind. However I am thinking of the chil..

Dr. Sam Martin

It is a wonderful privilege for me to represent the Mission and this includes meeting with families, Individuals, Churches and various groups. Needless to say, it is an honor to meet and share with so many wonderful people from all kinds of backgrounds, and all ages united in their love for God and for the children of the world.

Last Sunday it was thrilling to be the guest preacher at ‘Celebration Church’ in Barrie Ontario, part of the Anglican network in Canada, led by pastor Brian McVitty. Whenever my wife and I walked into the Church, we could sense the presence of God and were blessed by the vitality, warmth and friendship of the congregation. They were so interested, so appreciative and encouraging, it was a blessing to be with them.

After the service we had a wonderful meet and greet time, during which a visiting Anglican Priest spoke with me. He shared his struggles with what is happening in ..

Dr. Sam Martin

The other day as I was thinking of the love of Jesus for children, I came across this article by Norma Lee Liles and I just felt led to share it with you, knowing it will touch your heart!

The very first Christian song most children learn is “Jesus Loves Me.” If there were a best-seller hit list among the preschoolers, this very simple but precious song would have to be at the top of the charts. Yet few people know that “Jesus Loves Me” began life not as a song but as a part of one of 1860’s best-selling novels.

Anna Warner was well aware of the coming of the war between the states. She lived with her father and sister on Constitution Island. Their home was practically next door to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and from her front porch she constantly heard the rumors of war. Yet even in the face of uncertain times, every Sunday Anna taught Bible classes to the cadets. S..

The other day I received some pictures from Haiti that made me think to the stories I had read of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was June 2^nd 1953 and the press reported the event in many ways, including the following:

‘The ceremony at Westminster was one of pomp and pageantry, and the characteristically poised Elizabeth delivered in a solemn and clear voice the coronation oath that bound her to the service of the people of Great Britain and the British Commonwealth. In the procession through the streets of London that followed, Elizabeth and her husband were joined by representatives from the more than 40 member states of the Commonwealth, including heads of state, sultans, and prime ministers. British troops like the Yeomen of the Guard were joined by a great variety of Commonwealth troops, including police from the Solomon Islands, Malaysians in white uniforms and green sarongs, Pakistanis in puggaree headdresses, Canadian Mounties, and New Zealanders..

Dr. Sam Martin

‘CEOs who grow their charities QUIT SERVING KIDS and START SERVING DONORS. Successful leaders re-purpose existing resources to create a healthy-flow of cash that ensure they reach and exceed goal’s’

Honestly when I read these words on an email from a Fund Raising company I was shocked and upset, but before I comment, let me add the rest of the email: ‘In 1927, Henry Ford foresaw the end of the "Model T" and implemented a "change management plan" that led to the successful introduction of the "Model A." He began by shutting down factory lines for 5 months, laid off 60,000 workers and invested the necessary time and money to retool his infrastructure (at cost of $250,000,000 in today's dollars.) Like Ford, nonprofit CEOs need the freedom to implement strategic shutdowns that allow them to restructure in ways that make all their dreams come true.’ One was also invited to view a 5 minute video, which I did for – 2 mins!

As a M..

Dr. Sam Martin

A Tribute to a ‘Man of God, a Faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and Secretary to the Board of AOJ, a real friend, Mr. Ford Quinlan.’

It was pouring of rain, it was late, and it was cold to say the least and I was sitting in my car waiting for help. I was on my way home from Wal-Mart when the car came to a sudden halt. The car is old, and I had heard strange noises but this was a shocker. My son-in-law drove over, we stood in the rain trying to figure it out and we all got soaked to the skin. We decided the best would be to tow it to a repair shop. My son-in-law went back home to find a row rope.

As I sat freezing in the car, my Son called and when I answered, he sounded a wee bit upset and said, “Dad have you heard anything about Ford?” Ford was a friend, a faithful brot..