The Streetz of Philadelphia

About a year ago today I began to share myself with you all concerning the state of things in Washington as I saw it. My biggest issue was with the homelessness epidemic that I witnessed in the nation’s capitol when I was living there. I am sure that the issue facing displaced American citizens hasn’t gotten any better overtime; and that the disposition of American politicians is still as apathetic as it was when I left.Well on this pseudo anniversary of the blog that was borne of my frustration with my own unemployment while living in Washington,coupled with my frustration with the epidemic facing displaced Washingtonians I am delighted to tell you that I am one step closer to being in a position to do something about that state of things on the streets of my hometown Philadelphia. Since my return to the city I have called home since I was a child I have allied with a beautiful organization called Broad Street Ministries. It is a departure from the Salvation Army in that they are significantly smaller (a good thing), and their commitment to the homelessness epidemic in Philadelphia is like nothing that I have ever seen in my life. You may notice that I am using the word epidemic and not ‘problem.’ and this is only because it doesn’t seem to be a problem for the dozens of Philadelphians (Americans) that walk by them on a daily basis. I would give more often or direct them to 315 S. Broad, as for the personal donations I am an inch from being with them and as Hovito says “how can I help if I am one of them.”

But the truth is I loving being associated with them as an organization not because it makes me feel good about myself knowing that I did something, but as a human in this existence it’s my obligation to ‘do my part.’ I use the term conviction loosely, but I wish most people felt as compelled as I do to do more to help people in dire straights. Then perhaps we wouldn’t have to be so afraid of buzz words like socialism. There is an instance in the book of Genises where God is leading Jacob to the Isreal, and he falls asleep on a rock, during his slumber he looks up to see minions of angels ascending and descending a ladder. So next time you are walking past a man or woman in the streets who has made a mattress with all their earthly possessions. You can be a personal angel to them, I am not mandating that you make a personal donation. But at least don’t look on them with disgust. Just because you look around and see no trees, look up and don’t see any stars does not mean He/She [The Creator] isn’t present. Having witnessed the miracle of the stars in the sky as night on full display for all of humanity to see; it’s truly a testament of creation. It’s as if creation is winking at us.

* I in no way mean to shun the Salvation Army as an organization; its just a simple comparison. I love and appreciate the work they do in teh communities the place themselves in.

The WHYTE White

I am a big fan of a writer named Donald Miller, he is a contemnporary writer of "christain lit." Why do I like his books, well because teh first book of his I ever read was clled Blue Like Jazz, the prose was very hypnotizing, it pulls you in from the very begining, I once was so entranced by the pages of Miller , that while on the DC metro heading downtown, I missed my stop by two stops.

In any case I love Miller, and almost anything he touches. So after I digested Blue Like Jazz, I went to Amazon.com and bought another called Through Painted Deserts. In it Miller and a high school friend travel from Texas to Oregon in a VW Van ( you know the ones from the 60s and hippe drove em all the time). In one chapter he kinda of creates a duality, calling some in the world "why people" and others "how" people. How people he defined by the goals in thier life, and how they led thier life. These people could be mistaken or pegged as materialistic, but they wanted to know how to get from point A to B (wiether it be buying a house getting married, or getting a promotion) . On the other hand why people can be precieved as the more philosphical aesetic. Miller identigied himself as a why person. Why people, ate more apt to ask questions, and wonder well WHY ! guess. ANd I guess by default I am a why indivual simply becauas eI was reading this book (and most all Miller books except Searching For God Knows What). And I guess not only is thet that the mission of this page, but for me in this life and the next. and if you are a HOW person and reading this page I hope you can slow down, and ask why. Pull over into the shoulder from the rat race that life can be and just ask WHY. Questions and Comments are welcome. And if I offend anyone's religous sensibilities, it is not intentional. This forum isn't ment to provoke anger, but questions and dialogue.

Hello, Hello!

Okay this is my second attempt at a blog that I actually enjoy doing. The first time it was to be critical of things I saw going wrong in the church community, then I thought "well who am I to judge." So that was a SNAFU, and then the elections stared getting heated, and I started one called (PROMNITE)*, woth a really chivanistic undertone, and the fact that I bashed Hilary at every opprotunity didnt help. Then that is it. So this one will stic , whyCuase it's not a facade, it's me at the core. Not complete morticfication but as best i can communicate, my throughts, and spiritual insights.


As for teh title I chose White elephant for a few reasons. I'll list em:

1. One elephants are a very strong icon in most Eastern Religions; they play a crucial role in ceremonies , and festivals. And Gieniesh ( a hindu god) has teh head of an elephant.

2. Pink elephant is a popular ufenism for hallucinations- and most revelations of the phophets of biblical times would be mistaken for just that. And I think that as a global culture we have lost connection with God and with the realm of the mystical all together.

3. Elephants are just majestic animals to me, and I would like to meet and shake the hand (exucuse me trunk) of a real life elephant.

In your Facebook

But seriously folks , life is a blink. If you sleep too long you'll miss it. Inhale the beauty, stop to smell the roses, and I guarantee you'll have something positive to say when you finally meet God. And Mistakes are speed bumps to the finish line. Learn from them don't dwell on them. Otherwise you have to keep it moving.

And a friend in college once asked me "Bikim why doesn't God talk to us anymore" I had no real answer at the time but in hindsight I would have told him that he does. Cause he does we just have to shut up and listen to him. It's what makes us so different from the rest of creation. WE have a CHOICE. And as for money, it's just a fabrication. Fun yes but the greatest invention by man since the wheel. But don't be poor. But be rich in spirit the rest will fall in place. I think Merton said money and free will were related cause if we don't know what to do with money we are none the wiser. So if you waste life (free will) being selfish (self serving motivation)---> self destructive behavior.



So tell people that you love the truth, that you love them, and the people that you hate, well tell em that you love them too, but they should stop maybe pissing you off so much (or it could be you pissing them off Jesus talked about that the whole plank in the eye thing). Forgiveness is priceless, cause once you're dead and gone from this life there are no phone calls. So use your facities to communicate what's inside. MLK once quipped "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."--> Kinda scary huh. This actually bring to mind a clip i saw on GOD TUBE (Christian Response to YOU TUBE---> check it out ) a friends letter from hell to his Christian friend. It's basically a guilt trip from hell but anyway . I kinda get it now, in light of the MLK quote, but that is some deep philosophical debate a entirely diff blog on it's own, how people need to take responsibility for their own salvation and communication with the almighty.


I mean to me religion is kinda like a cell phone carrier, we all are speaking to the same source just different carriers. Sorry if I that offends anyone. But if God is LOVE, then WHERE is the LOVE.

I guess what I am trying to say is listen, and it'll be alot easier, practice free will. Don't practice free selfish will.


God Bless



Sincerely and Divinely Yours,



Bayette Bikim Brown