Heavy Fellowship

“Take up your cross and follow me,” Jesus says. Three of the four gospel writers record this statement, Matthew twice. (Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38 and 16:24) What does he mean? Growing up on the farm fifty years ago, a neighbor referred to her husband as her “cross to bear.” He didn’t go to …

Real Role in Cosmic Play

I’m not a real writer. Yes, I’ve won an award for my memoir, written a prize-winning poem, published articles in national magazines, and devote several hours a week to writing. And yet, it doesn’t drive my life, like some writers. “I have to write.” “I need to make sentences.” “Not a day goes by that …

A Peculiar Wedding

I’ve often thought the group we gather for a wedding to be odd, unusual, and never repeated, except maybe at a funeral. Some family, lots of friends, a few people we don’t know all that well–co-workers, a church elder, our childhood Sunday school teacher. Many times, guests don’t know each other. Singles come alone, hoping …