Camp Meeting Recap June 9, 2008

Well what can I say?  Tommy Bates is ‘da man.  Bill Lee is awesome as well.  Orville Hagan is a powerful word preacher, but the momentum was a little less Wed. nite.  I really got touched this week.  I released some things to God, and God really healed some wounds.  I even got a chance to be a musician at CM.  It is very hard to sit and listen to music when you love it as much as I do, and at CM, the music is great, and I always wonder if I will ever get the chance to sing or play ever again.  Well I did this week.  Thanks Denice.  You made a dream come true again for this music loving pastor.  I don’t play or sing for exposure, I just love to lead worship, and absolutely love to play.  As the song says, “I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause.  “I’d rather be faithful to his dear call…”  That’s my heart.

I also had a luncheon at Pit Stop.  It was a round the table discussion with about 11 other pastors.  It was beneficial and I was really encouraged by it.  Thanks RC for your idea.  It was great.   Thanks GM for the meal!  “Nuff said for now!  God bless.

Sunday PM at the “Green”, and the “Slime Episode.” May 27, 2008

Redeemed Trio ministered to us in song.  They were GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT! as Tony the Tiger would say.  We had CHURCH!  By the way, we also had 110 in attendance.  Too bad Sunday evenings do not count on the COG Statistical Reports.  If I could just get them to come out and hear me preach.  I did get some Praise and Worship Time in though.  You know how much I love Music, and you know I used to be Music Pastor.  For about 15 minutes, I sang and the people worshipped.  Holy Ground still has the same PUNCH as it always has.  God was surely inhabiting some praises of His people.  It was like old times when I used to be Music Pastor.  What a rush it was to be in my “Music” element again.

Also, a bit of good news.  I took in 1 new member Sunday.  While we were giving this new member the right hand of fellowship, another faithful newcomer asked to write for her transfer.  Hallelujah, God is good!  It may be two at a time, but two at a time added to the church is better than none at all.

Lastly, the “Slime Episode.”  Last Friday, our church came together for a Pancake Supper for YWEA. Last year our small little rural church raised over $250 in coin cards with pocket change.  This year, we more than doubled that amount to $513.  SO, as the tradition was started last year, I got slimed along with my youth pastor.  The whole crowd stayed and watched the festivities. 

I must say that the “SLIME” looked more like “vomit” than slime.  They used every color food coloring one could imagine, along with some ketchup, and used oatmeal as the base.  Yup, you guessed it, brown oatmeal slime, that looked like it was fresh vomit.  It was poured down my shirt, down my pants, and all over my body.  I must tell you that oatmeal feels so very NASTY in body crevices where it normally doesn’t go!  However, my skin is much smoother this week!  Oatmeal is good for the skin.

As Forrest Gump would say… “That’s all I have to say about thy-at.”

All in all, the kids were excited that their pastor would “Humble Himself” before the crowd, and Hey, Cambodia will be $500 richer because of our church.  I’m proud of ‘em.!  God bless until next time!

The slimy one from the “Green.” – Olin

Sunday at the “West Green” May 27, 2008

God gave me a message entitled “The Severed Head.”  It was a message about schisms in the body, Jesus being the Head of the body, etc.  The gist of the message was about how Satan uses schisms, and difficulties, and yes even others to cause division in our churches.  No names were called and no fingers were pointed.  It was preached in love.  Anyway, Satan uses any means necessary to kill the life of any church.  I compared the physical head on our bodies, with its veins and spinal cord attached to it, nerves, and even the carotid artery.  If in our physical body, the head was severed, or even our throats slit, we literally would DIE!

The same goes with the church.  Jesus is the head of the body of Christ.  Kill the head, and the church will suffer and eventually DIE!  You get it!  Yes, it was as hard to preach as it was to hear.

I did, however, flip the coin in the message, and talked about victory that comes from the “severed head.”  I went over to the OT, (1 Sam. 17:50), and talked about David and Goliath.  The Bible says that David had already prevailed over Goliath, but he “had no sword in his hand.”  (v. 51) says that he took the sword of Goliath, and “severed Goliath’s head with Goliath’s very own sword.”  When the other Philistines saw that their champion was dead, and saw the head of their champion in the hands of David, they fled.

We ave a weapon called the word.  It is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.  It will sever the head of our enemy Satan every time.  And when we rise up and defeat the enemy, all the demons, and imps of Hell are put to flight when they see that we have the head of their champion, Satan, in our hand.  WHOA, Nellie, I’m about to preach again!  SHEW!  IT was a great message on victory for God’s people, and maintaining Life in the church. 

Copies of theis sermon are available at www.olinsellssermons.com  (He He He – Just Joking)  Really if you would like a copy, I would be honred that you asked.  If not, OK, I just hope you were blessed by the blog.  Preach on! 

The Fluffy Bishop!

update schmupdate May 27, 2008

well much to the chagrin of some fellow readers, I am updating today.  typical day today.  just took my wife shopping for her birthday.  now that i am broke I can blog.  Anywho, we’ll see all ya’ll at CM in Tiftonga next week.  Later,

I’m not fat just well insulated,

Olin

A ballgame, A meeting in a Hotel Ballroom, A Field Day, 2 birthday parties, and Mother’s Day May 12, 2008

Well, Thursday, May 8th started about 6:00 AM.  Drove to TIfton to catch a church bus to Turner Field in ATL.  A group of about 60 men went together for an awesome time.  I enjoyed seeing fellow ministers again and chatting with them.  One in particular was Kevin Vanderhorn.  He needed to bend my ear, and I needed the same.  So, the two of us really got a chance to develop a minister/mentor relationship.  Ryan Carnes, Herrington, and Oggy were all on my bus at first.  Then Herrington had to find a seat on the other bus ’cause we had a bus full.

By the way, Ryan Carnes if you read this blog.  Sorry I never returned your call the other day, but I really enjoyed seeing you.  I just wish we could have talked more like we did in Clevegas.  Herrington, I am sorry that I am so fat that I take up 1 3/4 seats on the bus.  BTW, the bus was just an airplane on wheels.  Really small seats.  Oggy, it was good to see you as well.

 Twice I got an “almost opportunity” to retrieve a couple of foul balls.  My bro called and said that I was on national TV when 1 foul ball was hit in our direction.  However, frozen Lemonades cost $4.50, and I was not about to sacrifice my Lemonade for a foul ball.  I had too much invested in that Lemonade.  I am always available for autographs, though for those who saw me on TV!  he he.  Then, after a win in the bottom of the 9th by the Braves, fat boy here has to walk what seemed to be 100 miles to the Holiday Inn on Capitol Ave. in Atl, to a ballroom for a meeting.  2 1/2 hours later, we load our bus and go to the Varsity to eat and cleanse our colons.  After a great meal, we traversed back to Tifton.  After a gruesome hour or so of creeping along on I-475 in Macon, the tummies were rolling, and the bladders were swelling, at least on my bus.  Finally, after a tough trip home, we make it home to Tifton, and then an hour drive home for me the next morning. 

OK, so I drive home for Tiftonga, and make it home just in time to shower, and attend Bryce’s field day at school.  Friday nite, I take Bryce and Abby to Pizza Hut, and then to the BK playground to let them expel all the energy their young bodies can expel.  Back home for baths and beddy by time.

Saturday, 5/10, we have a b/day party for Abby and Bryce.  Pool Party for Abby, Bounce House for Bryce and friends.  3 hotdogs later, 2 pieces of b/day cake, it is time to clean up.  The kids made out like little bandits with the gifts they received.  But, in 91 degree weather taking down a bounce house is NO FUN!  I managed to do it, return it back to its owner, put church chairs and tables back, and then jumped in the shower ’cause I smelled like a pot of cabbage cooking on the stove mixed with a locker room after a football game.  (Use your imagination) I STUNK!  At the end of the day, the kids were happy, and I was broke.

Mother’s Day service at the church was great.  However, a tornado touched down about 12 miles from us.  We had a special event called MUFFINS FOR MOM planned.  We had to begin later thatn normal because of the torrential rainfall, but it turned out great, and the people enjoyed the fellowship just before Sunday School.

My mother-in -law ministered to the church yesterday for our Mother’s Day service.  We had no evening service, so it was back to Tiftonga to take my mom out to eat.  All in all the weekend was tiresome, but great.  Now, it is back to where the rubber meets the road for pastoring.  Anyhow, be blessed all y’all.  Layda awn!  Big O

Pastor Appreciation Week April 17, 2008

My church is doing the Oprah WInfrey thing this week, you know, Random Acts of Kindness?  It is P. App. week, and I gotta tell you,

Monday – nothing done. 

Tues. – flower arangement sent to family from church

Wed. – Meal at member’s house, clerk spoke and gave me the night off.

Thurs.  Lunch out with a friend, Supper out with friends, wife gets roses

Fri,  Supper with church members

Sat.  Haven’t got a clue

Sun.  No PM Service, Special speaker, and a Homecoming type feast

Then it’s back to where the rubber meets the road.  HMMMM!  Good things come to and end!

West and Wewaxation at wast… huh huh huh huh April 12, 2008

As my old cartoon friend Elmer Fudd would say…well just read the title.  Yes the funeral is over.  Wow, what a spread these ladies put on for the family.  The food was great.  The service was just so peaceful.  The presence of God was there in a solemn, sovereign way.  Our church really “Shined for Jesus.”  Hey, after all, isn’t that what we are supposed to do…minister?  Now that it is over, I am at the hacienda blogging for today, and feet kicked back in the old La-Z-Boy, and feeling my eyelids getting heavy.  The stress of the day is finally over, Bryce is at the movies, the girls are away, and I am home alone!  Feels kinda nice! 

Well, I must answer the call that tiredness has inflicted upon my body.  To all you pastors, and my readers, have a blessed evening.   May your church services be awesome, and your altars be packed tomorrow!  God bless!  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Bachelor week is over! April 12, 2008

This week I spent the entire week alone with just my 4 year old son Bryce.  My wife and her mother, and my two darling daughters, went to South Florida to visit family.  Let me just say that as much as I enjoy the peace and quiet, it is time for them to return home.  I hate washing dishes.  I hate washing clothes.  However, I must say the house for the most part is spotless, even if a couple of boys lived in it for a week without the girls!  All the clothes are washed, folded, and put away.  Dishes are clean!  I am the MAN!  Not only that, I miss ‘em.  So does Bryce.  Thank God for Pizza and tacos.  Whoever invented those two food items, I give KUDOS to you.  Well I must hasten off to bed, but Let me say to the readers of this blog, whoever you are,  God Bless You!  Good night!

Overwhelmed April 11, 2008

Wednesday evening, I had three phone calls, and a knock on the parsonage door.  4 deaths, all related to the church somehow.  I am only one person, tell me how i can be everywhere at one time.  I am not omnipresent, GOD IS!  So, I cut my Wed. evening message short, hopped in the Yukon, and went to BOTH funeral homes in Douglas before 9:00 PM so I could see all the families involved with the church.  Luckily, I made it in time for them to see me.  PHEWWWW!

Tomorow, at 2:00 PM, I have a memorial service for a newly joined member’s sister.  It is very informal, and just a graveside, but the service will be held in the sanctuary.  Full blown funeral service or not, it is stressful. 

To top everything off, I must say this is the greatest bunch of ladies EVER, in a church, PERIOD!  I called them all about 5:00 PM this afternoon, and asked each of them to prepare some type of dish for the family who just lost their loved one.  We will feed the family at 1:00 PM tomorrow.  Even at last minute ministry details, ladies, you came thru with excellence!  Thank you!

However, the good news is that God has given me two soul-searching, heart-burning messages for Sunday!  Look out devil, Here I Come!  Now I feel better for venting. God bless.  Have a great day!

Easter recap April 10, 2008

Well I am excited.  Easter Sunrise Service was held at WGCOG.  We fed everyone breakfast.  You have to know this community to appreciate this next statement.  We had 125 in attendance! Can you believe it?  Half of the crowd belonged to WGCOG!  Yup, that is what I had for our regular scheduled service for Easter. 62.   A small, rural community such as West Green, and we served 125 people the Word and a meal!  THAT IS AWESOME!  To God be the glory great things He hath done!