Celebrations

Today the Board of Linwood House Ministries met for one of their regular bi-annual meetings.

There is so much to celebrate! The wonderful people who have come and volunteered their time to paint the outside of this home. Those who come on Monday evenings to share and pray together in what we call "Happy Hour". All who have come from the Downtown Eastside Vancouver, into an unknown, unfamiliar place, and share their lives with us. Some of them have never felt safe before, others are reaching out to touch what could be the beginnings to change in their lives. We celebrate with each person who comes to retreat here, to groups who come to plan and move forward with their organizations.

Celebration in this moment, at this point in the journey, for all those we are in relationship with, at whatever point on their journey, or our own we are on. Sharing what we have in our hand is a reason to celebrate this sacred space in our lives.

And so as Gwen spoke to the Board today she celebrated all that has happened in the last month!

These words from Nehemiah were shared:
7Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, all Levites, explained The Revelation while people stood, listening respectfully. 8They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading.
9Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to GOD, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.
10He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of GOD is your strength!"
11The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset."
12So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.The entire congregation that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them. The People of Israel hadn't done this from the time of Joshua son of Nun until that very day--a terrific day! Great joy!
18Ezra read from the Book of The Revelation of God each day, from the first to the last day--they celebrated the feast for seven days.

Celebrate today. Celebrate the things of change, the moments of clarity, or what freedom feels like. Celebrate if you feel weak, because the Almighty has strength to give you.

We celebrate each of you who are on this journey which has intersected with us.