...we who believe in freedom

i am going to be singing this for psalters:) comin up. im really excited. definatly drawn in the encouragment.

we must act now.

its interesting. around here in philadelphia..politics are affecting the neighborhoods extremely lately. because the council does not want to pass the crazy budget that the mayor made up, he has planned to close all public free libraries, recreation centers, 1000 street lights, and picking up trash once everyother week. the budget that is wanting to pass will stress communities out even more as well as make it hard for small businesses even to survive.

here's a bit from the library:

All Free Library of Philadelphia Branch, Regional and Central Libraries Closed Effective Close of Business October 2, 2009

All Free Library of Philadelphia Customers,

We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.

Specifically, the following will take effect after the close of business, October 2, 2009:

• All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled
• All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.
• All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.
• All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.
• All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made.

In addition, all library materials will be due on October 1, 2009. This will result in a diminishing borrowing period for books and other library materials, beginning September 11, 2009. No library materials will be able to be borrowed after September 30, 2009.

Even as we remain hopeful that the State Legislature will act and pass the enabling funding legislation, we wanted to notify all of our customers of this very possible outcome. If you have any questions about impacts to Free Library services, call 215-686-5322, or visit the Free Library of Philadelphia website at www.freelibrary.org. If you have questions about changes to City services, or if you want to be kept informed about this situation, we encourage you to contact Philly 311 by calling 3-1-1 between the hours of 8am and 8 pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-5pm Saturdays, e-mail philly311@phila.gov, or visit the City of Philadelphia website at http://www.phila.gov.

We thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support of the Free Library of Philadelphia during these difficult times.

Siobhan Reardon, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia

Psalm 146

¹Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
²I will praise the LORD while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
³Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
⁴His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
⁵How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
⁶Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
⁷Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry
The LORD sets the prisoners free.
⁸The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
⁹The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
¹⁰The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

we read this today for 11:45 prayer. i walked away still thinkn about it. here i am. trying to follow this constant Lord of the land. so encouraging. i hope this encourages you.

just cruisn through some videos

Bring Your Words Aug 09'

Last night was super sweet at the second annual Bring Your Words at Circle of Hope Frankford Norris.  there was at most 60 people there, willing to open their hearts, interests, stories, and laughs. its interesting if you just provide an intentional space. people will come:) I am going to be hosting this event, starting September, ever first Saturday of the month at Circle of Hope FN. (2009 Frankford Ave). hoping to get gravity in the neighborhood, connections and an honest safe place with snacks and delicious lattes. :). My ultimate goal for this event is to be spread out randomly in other neighborhoods, sharing each Philadelphia neighborhood's voice. ill get there one day. 

Maoribayassa

what we are workin on in class...i love it

echos

of slapping fake guitars and drums. tones of song are making my furrow wrinkle.

something like this brings people together..so i guess i cant complain too much

guitar hero

Bare open

You tell me not to worry

matthew.

but my senses are straining & collapsing.

you tell me not to worry

i wake up not knowing if i can pay my bills, loans, rent, food, all these things.

i feel trapped unable to move

Paralyzed. right, paralyzed.

i think the homeless have it right,

Rejection of a system of oppression.

You tell me not to worry.

Where do i come from?

i come from a broken family

father absent

mother sleeping in restful bed of dirt

virginia with the love of my brothers

..miles away

school drop out.

you told me

I am broken and you tell me not to worry

as the birds of the air

and the flowers of the field..

if thats your promise

i hope you see my anger.

hear my cry

expect my wail to cause a chill up your spine.

because i am in pain.

my brothers and sisters are in pain.

you are my only hope to look past this

entanglement, this sadness, this darkness.

help me not to worry