As you browse the website you will find an update on the Hope Building demolition. As many wonderful memories have been shared about Olive’s heritage, you can’t helped but be encouraged about future ministry opportunities which are in front of us.

As you enter the Worship Center foyer on Sunday you will see a wonderland of white Christmas trees. Our website has all the details!

Have a great weekend!

Pastor Ted Traylor

Heritage is very important in any church. While we dare not live looking back we must always remember where God was at work in days gone by and rejoice at His favor. In the next two days as you drive down Olive Road, you will see the old white block Hope Building being torn down. It will make space available for new ministry advancement at Olive. Before the dozers move in I asked people who had been married, saved or baptized in that building to gather for a picture. Several joined me on Monday at noon for the photo opportunity. I heard stories of when these members were in the youth group. Weddings from 50 plus years ago were talked about. God has been good to Olive. And those that walked before us were people of vision and change. Today we stand on their shoulders and remember the things God has done and desires to do with us in the future.

When Olive met for worship in this structure the attendance was about 150. The members built most of the structure. The ladies told me of bringing meals as the men worked to do the building. While some things are much different today, that same spirit of labor is alive at Olive. Never allow that to die.

Pictured is the wedding of Clyde and Joyce Parazine which took place in the sanctuary of the Hope Building more than 50 years ago. Clyde and Joyce are one of many examples of those who have been faithful Olive members. And yes, that is Bro. Jeff Rousseau performing the cereromy.

Pastor Ted Traylor

I was reminded of the parable of the sower. Jesus said some seed falls on good ground and brings forth fruit. Others are choked out by weeds. Our Lord described the thorns and weeds as the worry of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. If we are not careful these things can choke the fruitfulness of Word of God out of our lives.

We are living in days of worry and deceitfulness over money. Retirement accounts are on everyone’s mind. The stock market goes up and down like a yoyo. Big money bailouts and fraud dominate the news. Be careful not to get caught up in this world’s way of thinking. Sow the seed of faithfulness. It will grow and it will last.

Remember to be in attendance this Sunday evening for The Darkest Day. Bring a lost friend. It will be a night to remember.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Today is a very important day for our country. We remember all the men and women who have served through the many wars and military conflicts that our country has faced.

Below is a poem that serves well to remind us that ordinary people do extraordinary things to preserve our freedom that God has allowed for over 200 years.

He is the man mowing his yard before returning to Iraq or Afghanistan for a second tour to seek out a terrorist enemy who looks no different than his fellow countrymen.

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carrier didn’t run out of fuel.

He is the loudmouth who spent four hours of unparalleled bravery near the 38th Parallel in Korea.

She is the nurse who fought against futility in Da Nang and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years.

He is the POW who left one person and came back another.

He is the drill instructor who has never been in combat, but has saved countless lives by turning no-accounts into Marines.

He is the parade-riding legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the white-haired guy bagging groceries at the supermarket, aggravatingly slow, who helped liberate a Nazi death camp.

A vet is an ordinary and extraordinary human being — someone who offered his life’s vital years in the service of his country.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.  We will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude we owe.

—Author Unknown—

Pastor Ted Traylor

Make no mistake. America has taken a strong step to the left. Liberals poured millions of dollars into the Obama campaign and placed thousands of workers on the ground. Larger government is on the way. And when Supreme Court justices are put forth they will not be conservative. Family issues like marriage and abortion will need strong voices on a grass roots level. The Freedom of Choice Act will be pushed forward. And the new President has stated he will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

This Sunday we will have a prayer time for the President-elect and his family. He will be my President. I pledge to pray for him. These days will demand a strong and wise leader.

Pastor Ted Traylor

God had me up somewhat early this morning. It is election day in America. I have been asking God for a move of HIS Spirit across the land to give us HIS leaders. I ask you join me in prayer.

Have a great day. Pray and VOTE!

Pastor Ted Traylor

Don’t forget the time change comes this weekend. This is the good one as we fall back and get and extra hour on Saturday evening. Be on time for church. Come prayed up and ready for a wonderful day.

We are now in the final push for the November election. Come Wednesday we will have new leaders selected. If you have not voted early make sure you are a part of the process. Every vote is important.

Today is October 31 and for most people Halloween comes to mind. But Christian history records that on this day in 1517 Martin Luther released his 95 Theses. His writing was the spark of the Protestant Reformation. Luther challenged the Pope on his sale of indulgences. The church was seeking to raise money to build St. Peter’s Church in Rome. Luther was resistant to this concept. He stood to say Christ alone could forgive sin and no man could find forgiveness through what he gave to the church. As you go about your October 31, be thankful for a man that stood for truth years ago. Every generation needs a Luther.

Pastor Ted Traylor

The deacons pulled one on me Sunday morning. I was getting ready for the offering and this weird music started. I then looked up and here comes Jerry Wood riding down the center aisle on a John Deere lawn tractor. It was the last week of Pastor Appreciation Month and they had a gift for me. With all the grass I have to cut at the new house I can surely use it. Thank you, church family and deacons, for being a great family of faith. I am rarely surprised but I was on Sunday morning.

One week from today we will go to the polls and elect new leaders for America. We need revival. Be praying. Be involved. Be at the polls. I submitted a letter to the editor to the Pensacola News Journal about the Marriage Amendment Act. I hope it makes it to print in the next few days. Vote YES on TWO!

Pastor Ted Traylor

Saturday is a big day with our 5K Run and Fall Festival. I look forward to meeting many of the visiting families as well as a host of our own children. I encourage you to drop by for a visit.

We are just a 12 days away from our national election. A few days ago Colin Powell endorsed Barak Obama. In his remarks he waded into theological waters speaking about the Muslim/Christian issue. He asked a rhetorical question regarding the dream of a 7-year-old Muslim-American (those were his words) boy or girl wanting to grow up to become President of America. He asked what is wrong with that. While a dream of any child is a good thing, the larger question is one that needs to be explored. Could a member of the Islamic faith be elected President of the US? In Muslim countries the Sharia law is based upon the Koran. There is certainly no separation of church and state. Sharia is the totality of religious, political, domestic and private life. This religious law rules the day.

Would Americans vote for someone who wanted Islamic law to be implemented in America? I think not. General Powell has his rights to criticize and endorse as he deems wise. In an Islamic state he would not have such liberty.

Pastor Ted Traylor

We have 18 from Olive who are attending the conference. Kim Waters is a fantastic leader in our 65+ ministry. Every Southern Baptist should visit one of our conference centers. They are top shelf.

While at the Alabama Ole Miss game on Saturday, I ran into Thom Rainer and his son, Jess. We were on the sidelines before the game getting a closer look at the players warming up. Those guys are enormous. The Ole Miss line is mammoth. Dr. Rainer is the president of LifeWay and a graduate of Alabama. His son is currently a student at Southeastern Seminary. It was a pleasure to be with them.

Have a great day. I am off to have a fun day of ministry with senior adults in the mountains.

Pastor Ted Traylor