unmasked - rdf

OK, have received several emails from inquiring minds ranging from simply, "who are you?", to the following ...

Maybe I'm just being a ditz, but have you introduced yourself? What's your name? Where are you from? Do you have a dog? How old are you? Do you have a college education? See where I'm going...tell us a little about yourself.

So who is this masked man, this "Russ Faubert"?
It's quite simply really ...


I'd actually considered introducing myself initially, but that would've been just too ... typical ... expected ... conventional, take your pick. Better, I thought, to let the posts themselves introduce me, rather than some boring bio including bogus pre-natal memories and how my grandmother ran over my dog.

Baseball Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler is, among other things, famous for his quote, "Hit 'em where they ain't." And that's often what I try and do.

But the overwhelming public outcry (OK, just 3 emails) compels me to at least offer a few tantalizing tidbits of information. Taking my cues from the above email ...

Ditz? Do you have a brother or sister you could ask? (check)

Introduce myself? Ongoing (check)

Name? Russ Faubert (check)

From where? Google Earth
Grew up: Wakefield, Quebec
Lived and worked: Ottawa, Ontario
Attended church: Stittsville, Ontario
Relocated to: Holly, Michigan
Currently attend: Faith Apostolic Church of Troy, Troy, Michigan (check)

Dog? No (poor Buster, see above). Two kids, though: daughter Taylor, 5 1/2, and son Ryland, 4. (check)

Age? "Maturity is knowing how much you can goof off." - James Beardsley (check)

College? "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain (check)

Well, I guess that about covers it. Now if you'll excuse me ...



Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

"i am spartacus" - rdf

Though they would all suffer at the hands of the Romans, as each of the captured slaves stood to claim, "I am Spartacus," it was in the anonymity of the multitude that they shielded their leader from a fate worse than death.



And though it did not exactly save Spartacus in the movies, anonymity can be rather secure and comforting. In fact, my current anonymity on this blog allows me to post just about anything with virtual impunity, since few actually know who I am. I mean, what reputation would I tarnish? Who would hold me accountable?

Isn't it a temptation sometimes to go through life anonymously? Not worrying about setting an example for others or being held accountable for our actions? Even despite the fact that Christ commands us to be "salt" and "light"? ... Tempting, at times, yes, but ultimately it is those in life who remain anonymous who will hear of the Lord, "I never knew you: depart from me."

Not Spartacus, Russ Faubert.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

on discernment - rdf

From the recent 90 & 9 article by Kent d Curry, Youth Congress 2005 - The Superbowl of Pentecost, comes this memorable line from Bro. Todd Gaddy's challenging Friday night message:

On reaching out to the unsaved, he said, I trust you can “discern the difference between common ground and compromise.”

Now I don't want to get bogged down in semantics, nor appear to be in disagreement with what was stated ('cause I'm not really), but while I hope Apostolic young people will "discern the difference between common ground and compromise," I don't necessarily trust that they can without conscious preparation to do so.

For those of us who work with young people, that means 1) understanding for ourselves the difference between "common ground and compromise," and 2) the committment to teach and train young people who can discern the difference.

Being able to discern such a difference is not something that comes naturally to any of us.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

"new" energy sources - rdf

Okay, when this news broke, I was dubious ...

Urine-Powered Batteries Developed for Cell Phones

(Excuse me, I have to go "recharge" my cell phone.)

But in light of the former article, yesterday's announcement caught my eye ...

A Cow Dung Fuel Cell

(Merry Christmas, Johnny. No, your new RC Racer doesn't come with batteries ... you "make" your own.)

I tell you, the day is coming when you'll be telling your kids "pull my finger" to start your car.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

confessions - rdf

Thank you, Denelle, though for the record I must confess (1) that this "Canuck" is also a "Yank" (duel citizenship, oh the sublime joys of hassle-free, cross-border travel).

"... and now for something completely different."



I must confess (2) I'm still harbouring (note the "u:" Canadian spelling) a fair amount of uncertainty about this whole blogging subculture. I mean, who actually wants to read my semi-coherent, stream of consciousness thoughts on whatever rambles across my mindscape? (And, no, mom, you don't count.)

Though, in this my inaugural post, I must confess (3) that the sense of freedom to share unabridged, to post unfettered, to blather on muzzle-free has even now left me with an intoxicated sense of my thimblefull of power, BWHA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! I feeeel the force ... "Kent, I am your father!"



*Ahem* So with those confessions out of the way (what a burden has been lifted!) I'll try and do my best to provide you, the reading public, with something interesting or insightful or "completely different" such that you feel it was worth your time to have read it.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

So long, farewell......

I could spend several paragraphs saying what a joy and pleasure it has been writing this blog, but look I just summed it up in one sentence.

Thank you for taking the time to explore New York and a few little known Bible characters with me. Don't forget to check out ways you can help with the Katrina Disaster relief ( see previous posts). And every once in a while, just for good measure read a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon and think of me. Make sure to visit LeeAnn's new blog as she shares her stories of life in the south and her adventures with Duct Tape.

Now join in welcoming our blogger for the month of September. I know he will do a wonderful job. Even if he is a Canuck, eh.

God bless and much love from New York,

Denelle

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!