A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-20-04 ~ RDB - Once.. Twice... Three Times

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, deadhead ~

rdb3's grandfather on the left, in 1951, and his father at right, 1973

I believe that I was an "ooops" baby; when I was born, my parents already had six children, with the oldest being a freshman at Ohio State and the youngest in the second grade. However, I do think my Pop was happy that I came along AND that I was a boy because his name hadn't passed to my three brothers. I don't think there's any way in the world that I was "meant" to be. But, nevertheless, here I am!   ;-)

rdb3 at two years, 1974

The youngest of seven, rd has always been extremely close to his parents. He was born and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio, but spent nearly every summer in Arkansas. His father owned a delicatessen, along with numerous coin-op businesses, such as laundromats and car washes. His mother worked in the Cleveland Public School System for over 30 years.

My father pitched briefly in the Negro Leagues for the Cleveland Buckeyes. By the time he got in, the color line had already been broken in the Majors, and since he was in Cleveland, he got to meet legendary Indians players like Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and my favorite: Satchel Paige. There's an 11" X 18" black and white picture of my father and Satchel Paige in their respective uniforms over the mantle at home. And he won't even let me scan the picture! One day it will be mine, but I can wait; Pop has to pass away first.

I was able to escape the Cleveland Public School System. I was in the 8th grade at the time. Father Juhas and another recruiter liked how I planted quaterbacks deep in the soil, never to be seen again until the next spring! Next thing I know, I'm at St. Joseph High. I received a tremendous education there. Also got to play football with Desmond Howard and Elvis Grbac, and Eric Riley in basketball. Clark Kellogg is also an alum. He is a commentator on CBS' NCAA broadcast for college basketball. Matter of fact, they retired his number at my school, but his number isn't in the rafters. They put his number on both sides of the half-court line on the court. Different, isn't it?

rd graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. (As a matter of record: six of the seven siblings hold degrees. Not too shabby, huh!) He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Information Technology/Systems. As he will tell you, "I'm a geek's geek. I'm elated to be back in the Information Technology field. My expertise is well-rounded (Linux, AIX, C/C++/C#, Java, Oracle, RHCE, among many, many others)."

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You can also find rd every week in our Military Monday threads - Vet Group 4. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne @ Ft. Bragg, NC, from 1990-1993. Thank you for serving, rd!

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For more on what makes rdb3 tick, about his politics and his Christian beliefs, he has this to say:

While I'm firmly planted on the political Right, I no longer consider myself a conservative because the definition of that term is murky. I'll admit that my political stance is hard to pin down, other than the fact that I'm a vociferous anti-Leftist. I also have no problem admitting that I detest Democrats and what they stand for on a level that would seem inhumane. However, I would be a political vagabond because I don't have a political home. Go figure. No matter how one looks at it, just know that I relish the autonomy gained by sprinting away from that God-forsaken plantation mentality. I take my faith in Christ seriously and without doubt (non-denominational/Calvinist).

Married for seven years, together for ten (with one stepson), rd says his pretty wife, pictured below, "still gives him butterflies!"

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There's way more to this guy! You could check his profile page and see much more than revealed here. He's been a FReeper since December 2, 2000; he flies three flags on his page - Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas:

           

He plays the bass guitar and the violin. His musical taste is very eclectic (just don't play country around him, he says!). He writes short stories and poetry and has an artistic side, as evidenced by the Dark Knight drawing below, which he did six and a half years ago in CIS229 class at SMU.

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And last, I love to cook. BBQ is almost religious to me (if you can pick up a brisket with a fork and remove it from the grill, then it is no good, or, if you need sauce with your BBQ, then it is no good).

That's about it. Nothing special. I'm a regular man.~ rdb3

A "Regular Man"...
...And Today's Finest!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-19-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[Billie]

[Dog Gone]

We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at

You succeed with that every day!

[Billie]

Good Morning, Finest FRiends.
Hope you will join us today.
Stay Warm! Want coffee? :)

[Billie]

Hey, Dog Gone! What a sweet thing to say! Appreciate that!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[The Mayor]

He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9

Our weakness is a blessing when we lean on God's strength.

[Billie]

Hi, Gracey - hope you're around today!

[facedown]

Cleveland bump.

E. 105th & St. Clair, oh my!

[Billie]

Morning, Aeronaut! Oohhh, love that Aeroplane! (What IS it?!)

[The Mayor]

January 20, 2004

Limitation Or Advantage?

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9

Bible In One Year: Genesis 49-50; Matthew 13:31-58

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We've been taught that when we ask God for something through prayer, His answer may be yes, no, or wait. We're told that even no is an answer, though obviously not the one we may want. It certainly wasn't the answer Paul wanted when he begged God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-8).

Whatever Paul's thorn was, it weakened him. Because he wanted to be strong in his ministry, Paul asked God for deliverance. Although God didn't grant his request, He answered his prayer! He said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (v.9). The all-sufficient strength of Christ became Paul's new boast.

Author J. Oswald Sanders summarized Paul's attitude about his thorn like this: "At first he viewed it as a limiting handicap, but later he came to regard it as a heavenly advantage." Paul could therefore testify, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses . . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong" (v.10).

Have you prayed for deliverance from something that weakens you, but deliverance hasn't come? Remember, God's grace is sufficient for you. He can transform your limitation into your "heavenly advantage." —Joanie Yoder

There's advantage in our weakness,
There is blessing in our pain;
It is when we're feeling helpless
That God's grace and strength sustain. —Fitzhugh

Our weakness is a blessing when we lean on God's strength.

[Aeronaut]

Oohhh, love that Aeroplane! (What IS it?!)

It's a Taylor Aerocar. It was certificated by the FAA in 1954, but only 4 were built. It is both a car and an airplane (although it does neither particularly well).

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dansangel; Dutchess; Aquamarine; deadhead and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son cookcounty.........................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother kimmie7.....................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons TexKat................son, step-son Spruce.....................daughter Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty thumperusn.............active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel..................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son cookcounty..............son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece Donaeus...............nephew dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece Sunflowergal.......grandson visualops..cousin,adopted Marine

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

Enjoy your day in the Spotlight, RDB3 !

[rdb3]

I am floored! Just wait until my wife sees this.

Thank you, Billie. I'm honored beyond words.

[Billie]

Good - coffee's here - I said we'd have coffee and you never let us down. :)

[Billie]

Welcome, Cleveland! :)

[Billie]

It's such a neat-looking thing - have never seen it before. Looks like the wings would awfully cumbersome as a CAR! :)

[Billie]

Would "BE" awfully cumbersome....I mean :)

[Billie]

Hey, good morning, Meekie! GREAT flags! :)

[Aeronaut]

The wings become a trailer when in the car mode.