and then? and then?

2009-10-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

I was ~~lurking~~ reading NieNie's blog the other ~~day~~ month (is it October already??) and came across a post on these bikes. The owner seems like a pretty awesome guy to give his bikes away in return for spreading the word. So, make a post and get your own bike raffle entry.

Madsen Bikes

The Nie Nie Dialogues

matching scars

2009-07-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

ezra and i now have matching forehead marks due to nathan's inability to throw a cd.

he was sick today

2009-07-22T14:05:00.001-07:00

nothing that a bag of gummy bears and watching his favorite movie can't fix, eh?

my boy the farmer

2009-07-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

he's even cuter in person.

2008-11-04T12:14:00.001-08:00

Congressman Mike Honda and family

2008-10-01T22:14:00.001-07:00

Me and my family
Originally uploaded by congressman_honda

Mike is on the far left. My dad in the front.

Letter from Bill Oden

2008-09-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

September 24, 2008

Dear Friends of Bill Oden,

I'm getting ready to launch out on some new adventures this October, November and December and I'd like to ask you to pray for me, and to pray about helping me. I'm not just speaking of helping financially (though of course that is appreciated), but believe it or not, even "fire breathing preachers" need encouragement. When Peter writes to "the elders that are among you" (1 Peter 5:1) he "exhorts" them. One main meaning of the word "exhort" is to encourage. When we "en – courage" someone, we put "courage – in" them. And believe me it takes "courage" to fly all over the world in lands where you cannot speak the local language, don't know the customs, and can't use the "Oden charm".

Many Christians believe that "ministers," "men of God," "pastors and preachers" are supermen heroes, invulnerable to the pain and heartaches and discouragements that the "normal" Christians go through. What a laugh. Many times ministers have, as it were, a target painted on their backs. Surely one of Satan's favorite verses in the Bible is, "I will smite the Shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered." (Mark 14:27) 2 Corinthians 6 gives a laundry list of trials and testings that ministers go through, that they must overcome. No wonder Paul requested prayer and help so often, and was so grateful for fellowship and financial aid, both for himself and those he was ministering to. You seldom hear this preached, but he had weaknesses, faced fears, was "cast down" (discouragement/depression) and experienced "much trembling" as he went through his many longsufferings. (1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 11; Acts 18:9, 10; 2 Tim. 3:10-12)

What is even worse is that many Christians believe that God could not use "little old me" to encourage a Mighty Man of God. How wrong they are. Notice what Paul says, "But God, who comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus" - (And by the word he brought that the Corinthians still loved him) (2 Cor. 7:6, 7). Let me share a personal example of how God can use you to encourage a minister.

About a year or two ago, I was going through a great trial. Part of it was financial, but it went much deeper than that. I had become very discouraged. I could not see the "fruit" that my ministry was producing and had all but lost hope. I knew exactly what Paul meant when he said, "All they which are in Asia be turned away from me," (2 Tim. 1:15 - I felt I could add America and Europe). I was not only ready to give up the ministry, but ready to give up the ghost. Just at the Darkest Hour, I got an email link from Aumara Na Chiangmai (Aeed), a precious sister we work with in Thailand. I clicked on the link and watched a little stick figure cartoon video.

In the video, Jesus asked this young man/boy to hold up a sign with an arrow pointing in the "right" direction. It was pointing people to Jesus. Jesus told the young man to hold this for Him until He came back for him. The boy was very excited to be used by God and he faithfully held up the sign. As people went by, a number of them heeded the sign and went in the right direction. The young man was happy and fulfilled.

As years went by, fewer people heeded his sign and it seemed hardly anyone was coming that way at all. It started raining. It started snowing. The little man began to shiver, and shake, and to grow weak. He held on as long as he could. Finally he fainted and fell, and his sign fell too. As he lay in the snow, feeling like just laying there and dying, he remembered when Jesus gave him the sign back in the beginning. Somehow that vision gave him the courage and strength to get back on his feet and hold the sign up.

At last Jesus came back for him. Jesus hugged him and told him what a good job he had done in spite of much suffering, and that it was time to come home with Him. Jesus and the man walked off arm in arm. And then there was a last scene in which Jesus was giving the sign to a new young man, telling him to "hold this for Me until I come back for you."

Well folks, I was a basket case. I was crying all over the keyboard and telling Jesus that I would stick in there. That took a lot of spiritual pressure off of me. I was encouraged in Jesus' love. That night I went to church. At my church, we missionaries get our stipend once a month (whether we need it or not). But that night (mid month) the treasurer gave me an envelope. Usually I never open envelopes until I get home, but this night due to the special circumstances, I decided to sneak a peek. $5000!!!! (150,000 Baht) T.Y.J. (Thank You Jesus)! Well, that took a lot of the pressure off of me, but Jesus knew that I needed some more encouragement – a deeper work.

As we worshipped the Lord that evening, a song from V. B. S., (Vacation Bible School) was sung. It went like this: "Before God made the mountains, Before God made the Sea, Before God made the moon and stars, God loved you and me." Just to be reminded that Jesus foreknew me and "foreloved me" was such a comfort to my soul. And then Jesus gave me the cherry on top. A visiting preacher shared a wonderful Bible teaching on "Hope." Not man's flimsy whimsy hope, but God's "anchor to the soul" hope, that enters in within the veil" (Hebrews 6:18-20). I "went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights."

Now just think for a minute of all the "ingredients" that went into the "recipe" of my encouragement? Someone(s) made the video. Aeed sent it to me. Someone gave me $5000. The treasurer listened to God and gave me the offering early. There were all the people who worked with V. B. S. so that song came forth. Don't forget the kids who sang it or the person who wrote it. What about the worship leader who included it. And don't forget the visiting preacher who had prepared and been led to give such a word in season. We surely serve a God who knows how to comfort those who are cast down – BUT HE USES HIS BODY TO DO IT MOST OF THE TIME!

And so I ask you to "pray about helping me." Here are ten ways you could encourage me:

1. Remind me of God's blessings in our relationship (past or present).

2. Let me know that you are praying for me.

3. Talk to your pastor and see if he would invite me to speak at your church.

4. Have a home meeting (maybe just one/maybe more) and let me share with some folks about my trips, teach Bible, pray for them.

5. Send me some email addresses of people you think would enjoy getting my news letter.

6. Email to me when I am on my trips as it can get very lonely.

7. Send an offering to help me and those I work with.

8. Check out my website, and let me know what you think. www.asurefoundation.org

9. Ask me about the beautiful rings and things I brought back from Burma/Thailand and see if you would like to give some as gifts.

10. Write to me and ask me about any Bible questions you have. I don't get to teach as much now when home and I need to stay sharp.
I could go on and on.

11. Communicate with me about any blessing you get from these newsletters.

Perhaps some will say, "That Bill Oden is sure a weak minister, needing so much encouragement." Perhaps I am. Or maybe they will say, "Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him that was falling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon you, and you faint; it touches you and you are troubled." Maybe that is true. But I seek to follow the Bible's instruction to ". . . exhort (encourage) one another daily," and I need it too (Heb. 3:12, 13; 10:25).

Thank you all for all you have done and meant to me in these 40 years of ministry. I covet your prayers, your friendship, and your love.
Yours in Christ,
Bill Oden

CONTRIBUTIONS:
For U. S. Tax Deduction:
Make check out to "Grace Fellowship Church"
And put "Traveling Ministry" in lower left hand corner
Mail to: Grace Fellowship Church
P. O. Box 9234
Hampton, VA 23670

Special Designations:
"Asian Relief" – Cyclone survivors

Or Direct to me:
Bill Oden
39 Wheatland Dr.
Hampton, VA 23666

Contributions are appreciated and needed. Prayers are essential.
Not only do I use your gifts to fund my trips, but also to help these faithful foreign works and workers I meet, which have no "organization or support behind them."

COMMUNICATIONS:
Phone: 757.838.7609
Mobile: 757.240.8121
In Thailand: 6.685.168.3202
In Mexico: 52.442.324.0921
Email: theeoden@gmail.com
Skype: freedom_of_speech
MSN: theeoden@gmail.com
Website: asurefoundation.org

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Sept. 25 – October 7 : Texas/Oklahoma
November 3 - 10: Mexico
November 17 – December 17: Thailand/Burma/Philippines

SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING

2008-09-22T21:45:00.001-07:00

is happening somewhere.

how i feel about my haircut

2008-09-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

shameful

2008-09-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

Created by OnePlusYou

It was awesome

2008-08-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

We're Going to The Call

2008-06-12T09:40:00.001-07:00

that's no moon

2008-03-11T18:07:00.001-07:00

i'm making death star rice krispie treats for Will's birthday on Saturday.

Red 5 Standing By

2008-03-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

The good people at Halloween on Amazon.com offer free shipping to people that spread the word through their blog about their stuff. So here we are. We got this for Ezra for Will's Star Wars birthday party on the 15th. Will it get here in time? We'll update later with pics.

**update** Julie R. just from Halloween just emailed me to say that my shipping has indeed been refunded and they look forward to serving me again in the future. Well, how do. Them's quick service. **end**

**update** It just arrived today, will post pictures tomorrow after the party **fin**

2007-12-16T12:27:00.001-08:00

100% Free at JustSayHi

I want:

2007-12-04T21:35:00.001-08:00

1. a gingerbread cookie cutter like my mom has

2. the most awesomest beanbag chair ever

Tagged...

2007-11-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Maria tagged me. The rules for this game is:

A) Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog...

B) Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself...

C) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs...

D) Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

A) Done.
B)
1. I really like to watch sitcom marathons on television. I just wish they would vary the commercials. I hate when I can recite the phone number for Lowell "The Hammer" Stanley.
2. I setup my son's "jolly jumper" secretly wishing they made these for adults.
3. I like bottled water. Chilled.
4. I love playing with helium balloons. Or just helium. Or just balloons.
5. I think that show "Cheaters" is unbelievable. People are so dumb. They should make more shows like "Firefly." Hollywood has no taste and should let me pick the shows.
6. I think my dog Chester is really an expert chef and is the one responsible for the mess in my kitchen.
7. I do not like the smell of wool.

C)
1. Nathan
2. Philip and Jen
3. Jason and M. Hunter
4. I seriously need more friends that blog.
5.
6.
7.

D)Done.

really good pasta salad

2007-11-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

jess.t has the best recipe I've found so far. It's very versatile also. I've used:
artichoke hearts
black beans
sun dried tomatoes
roasted red pepper
peas
salami
and whatever else I have on hand

yum!

2007-11-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ezra celebrated his four month birthday with his first real laugh and pulling his lion music toy all by himself. Separate incidents. The first was witnessed by myself and his grandmother DeWitt as Nathan was making faces at him. It later turned to irritation, but sometimes laughing can wear ya out.

2007-06-06T06:17:00.001-07:00

thanks for farting and then walking away, Chester. good boy.

2007-05-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

my little dog

2007-04-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

It's A Boy!!!

2007-03-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

(he's pointing to 9 o'clock)

2006-10-31T11:13:00.000-08:00

pumpkins from the leftover donutholes

2006-10-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

Hey, I made sushi!

2006-10-30T19:22:00.000-08:00

feet and ears in abundance

2006-10-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

rug swimming

2006-09-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

Small and furry attack on the camera

2006-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

mastiffs: 1 cicaida: 0

2006-08-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

he runs like the wind... if the wind were bouncy, happy, and furry.

2006-08-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Chester and the red balloon

2006-06-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

Philip and Jen's "party"

2006-05-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

It LIVES! My lemon tree survived three seperate traumatic events (dog, waterfall, squirrel) and it's about to bloom! w00t

2006-04-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

white blossoms in our front yard

2006-01-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

2006-01-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

the gingerbread house in all its glory

2006-01-01T17:41:00.001-08:00

the stage is set

2006-01-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

not sure it really is all for him

2006-01-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

asking for permission to destroy

2006-01-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

still not sure

2006-01-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

the carnage begins

2006-01-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

the roof! what will they do without a roof?

2006-01-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

the smell of gingerbread in the room became prominent... the smell of mastiff in the gingerbread house became intolerable.

2006-01-01T17:30:00.001-08:00

snarf munch crunch munch

2006-01-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

sugar starts to hit

2006-01-01T17:29:00.001-08:00

slowing down

2006-01-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

there goes the wall

2006-01-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

heeeheh hurr hur heaaaaahhhh

2006-01-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

the second wind

2006-01-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

all that remains

2006-01-01T17:09:00.001-08:00

heeeheh hurr hur heaaaaahhhh

2005-11-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

so cold.

2005-11-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

2005-10-31T19:10:00.000-08:00

those darn gophers... and Titus has a little red hat...

2005-10-31T19:09:00.000-08:00

Kenny attempts to start the auger...

2005-10-31T19:06:00.001-08:00

2005-10-31T19:06:00.000-08:00

men at work

2005-10-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Bumpass, Virginia. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, that really is a tanning salon in the middle of a field.

2005-10-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

big foot

2005-10-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

we're painting

2005-10-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

blur

2005-10-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor paints a sign for his son every time he gets back from active duty - the other side says "Welcome Home Denny"

2005-10-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

Closer

2005-10-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Why yes, that is a working gate with a latch - thank you.

2005-10-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

Our new fence

2005-10-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

AAAAHHHHH

2005-10-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

my dog has cool colored eyes

2005-09-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

countertop

2005-07-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

no more wisdom teeth

2005-06-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

stripes and florals

2005-05-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

dog and dandilion

2005-05-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

green grass

2005-03-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

mouse hunting

2005-03-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

obviously we have no financial discipline...

2005-02-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

titus loves ducks

2005-02-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

tired pup in the morning light

2005-01-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a great deal for a CD Case. I'm amazed.

2005-01-10T17:59:00.000-08:00

tired pup

2005-01-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

just a dog and his monkey

2005-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

No pictures... please...

2004-12-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

small dog in blue

2004-12-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

oooo... artsy...

2004-12-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

so... cold...

2004-12-27T11:34:00.001-08:00

shadowy...

2004-12-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

Yippie!!

2004-12-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

2004-12-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

virginia

2004-12-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

snow snow snow

2004-12-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

run! It's snowing!

2004-12-26T15:14:00.000-08:00

puppy's first snow

2004-12-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

No, really. He's a nice dog.

2004-12-17T11:14:00.001-08:00

He's a nice dog. Really.

2004-12-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Pele

2004-12-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

2004-12-16T16:13:00.000-08:00

nate + dog

2004-12-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

weird burp or somethin'

2004-12-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

soccer dog

2004-12-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

you wouldn't want to meet this in a dark alley...

2004-12-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

shameless...

2004-12-13T20:38:00.000-08:00