As I write, I am humming Paul Simon’s song, “50 Ways to Leave your Lover.” The refrain begins, “Just slip out the back, Jack; make a new plan, Stan.” Separation from those we love is not easy. I would rather just “Hop on a bus, Gus.” But that would demean and not be truthful in a relationship that has been important, loving, sustaining, and, challenging to me.

I have accepted a “Call” to be the Minister at Bethany Reformed Church in Albany, New York.  My final day of service at Marble will be August 24th.

I wandered into Marble in 1991 searching. I felt in my heart that somewhere there had to be a place where I could worship and leave refreshed; a place where I would be welcomed. I finally found my heart’s home at Marble. I knew I was on a spiritual journey but I had no idea where the path was going to lead. I still don’t. What I do know is that back in 1991 I started saying, “Yes” to God. By saying that tiny word, God has lead me to unbelievable joy, peace and, yes, hardship. Because I said yes, God called me from my corporate, business life to seminary. I had to separate myself from the work that had given me my identity. My company was my family of choice for 23 years.

Last week the foundation was laid to continue our conversation on the ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit.’ As I have spent time this past week thinking about Paul’s listing of the fruits as found in Galatians, I have been convinced that the single most difficult fruit to be cultivated is: love.

It is easy to love someone we already care for; people we have things in common with. I’m not talking about the warm and fluffy side of love – although this is important. I’m talking about love when it becomes difficult to love. Love encompasses an enormous range of feelings and is often difficult to pin it down.

Love, deep and abiding, requires that we remain in conversation when all we want to do is take a moral high ground and separate ourselves from those we have a conflict with. Love requires that we view ‘others’ as part of ‘us’ not just an extension but really a part of us.

This past Sunday we were blessed here at Marble to welcome a distinguished preacher, Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, to our chancel. One of the ideas he spoke of concerned the movement of the Holy Spirit. I have been thinking about the Spirit of God since receiving his message.

The Spirit of God was an important focal point for the Apostle Paul, particularly in his letters to the Galatians and Corinthians. In these next several weeks I wish to share with you some ideas about this Spirit in whom we move and find our true purpose in life.

This week we are remembering America’s Independence Day. It is a time of reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of our foremothers and forefathers. At this time of the year I like to re-read our Declaration of Independence.

It is truly breath-taking in love and care for this new land and, at the same time, truly humble before God. I often wonder as I read the beginning of the second paragraph if these guys had any idea of the foundations they were laying for you and me:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Well, here I sit with my good buddy the blank computer screen! So much potential! When I stop staring at the blank computer screen, I find that my eyes usually come to rest on a wooden chalice and bread plate that I have on my shelf.

There is a definite feeling of intimacy with these two items—the wooden plate and the chalice. The wood is a kaleidoscope of soft brown, earth tones. There is softness, a gentle invitation, to come and taste and see that God is good. The wood lacks the bright, reflecting luster which epitomizes the silver or golden communion sets that are familiar to many of us.

It is impossible to see my image in this wooden set. Instead, my attention does not rest on me; my attention is always and only on the gift—the bread and the wine—the body and blood of Christ; God’s gift of salvation to you and me.

This morning while I was riding the “W” train, I was listing in my mind all the things that I need to do today. Who is in the hospital, needing to feel God’s ever-present comfort made manifest with a visit? Who do I need to call today because there has been a death in their family? Who is lonely or depressed needing to know that God not only knows what they are enduring and loves them dearly. Who is celebrating with deep abiding joy the birth of a child? How can I be a faithful witness today?

Then all of a sudden it hit me… today is my birthday!

I actually gave myself my birthday present back on June 5th.  Perhaps I should back up a bit. I have had this major fear of needles ever since I can remember. I have written to you about it on several occasions. I figure if I keep naming my fear, hopefully, one day it will subside. Anyway, it came to me as I had conversations with many congregants that part of their treatment for cancer was to receive a stranger’s blood.

This morning as I was rattling off my today’s to-do list and praying for God’s presence, I paused and in that pause, my prayer partner said, “and isn’t today blog-day?” I thanked her for the reminder and swore internally.

Why is it that this blog (or anything else I have made a long term commitment to) invariably brings up stuff that I don’t want to admit or even look at. I would much rather be donning my Wonder Woman cape and doing wonderful acts of kindness and compassion. There is power verging on pride in receiving the accolades or the ‘thank yous’ for job well-done. Doing stuff is so much easier for me than soul searching or discerning God’s will.

Self reflection is not for the faint of heart. Note I said self reflection not self debasement.

This coming Sunday the lectionary Hebrew Scripture is Genesis 12:1-9. Many of you already know how deeply I respond to these Abraham saga stories. I feel we have a lot to learn from old Abe!

Everything Abraham had known about life and about God was there in his homeland and family. At the beginning of this Genesis text, God tells Abraham to literally pick up his stakes and begin a journey westward to the land Abraham had never seen. Abraham’s culture, much like our western cultures, expected a person his age (around 75) to be settled for life (perhaps one more move to an assisted living facility before the final move into the grave).

God starts with Abraham when our society and our Reformed Church would require mandatory retirement! Abraham has a long life with God – 12 chapters! - a life that is marked with Abraham’s obedience to God.  God said to him, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation and I will bless you, and make your name great, [why would God do this?] so that you will be a blessing. For me, this marks the beginning of the covenantal relationship between Abram, Sarai and God.

I love the Common Lectionary. The lectionary is an orderly listing of Scriptures that aid the focus and direction of the reading of the Bible throughout the year.

Last week, the two accounts of Creation, this week we read the two accounts of the Flood. [Genesis 6:7-22; Genesis 7:1-9:17]  Probably one of the first questions we ask is, “Why are there two accounts?” The correct answer is that we don’t know why; but a plausible answer is that probably one account was told in the oral tradition while sitting around the ancient campfires and the other was written after the exile when religious thinking was more evolved.

I love the lectionary. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a lectionary is—the lectionary is an orderly listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for worship on a given day or occasion. On Sundays there is usually a selection from the Hebrew Scriptures, a Psalm, an Epistle and a Gospel text. Usually, the texts are linked in some way. This past Sunday was a bit different, the church celebrated the Ascension of Christ as told in Acts 1:6-14.

I love this passage. It is ironic that the writer uses so much humor at such a sobering event. The duh-ciples strike one more time! One last time they prove that they still don’t get it! Christ has been crucified, has died and has risen and appeared too many over the past many days—and—now Christ is about to ascend into heaven.

They ask, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” What I hear them really asking is, “Ok—now that you are not dead, now are you going to kick some butt and take over?” They just don’t get it! I can imagine that Jesus slaps his forehead muttering, “Oy Vey!”