Bil Aulenbach I recently read Damascus Gate, a novel by Robert Stone that talks about Israel’s four-thousand-years-long quest for a Messiah. At one point, a character says, “I am my own Messiah.” Interesting! For as long as I can remember, the church has told me that I can’t save myself. Is that because I’m not smart enough … Read more
Annie and I recently went to Big Bear Lake, California, for three days of skiing. The conditions were idyllic: sunny blue sky, forty degrees, six feet of snow pack, well-groomed trails, and not many people. In 1975, after living in Hawai’i for twenty years, Annie and I moved to southern California. During our first winter, … Read more
I am an authority on vaccinations, not by education but by on-the-job training. My wife and I are the parents of a rubella (German measles) baby, born fifty-four years ago. We still feel the effects, and life hasn’t been easy. I also come at this issue from a Christian ethical point of view. I live … Read more
There are six church seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Christmas is probably most people’s favorite. I like it as a secular holiday but not as a religious one—I see no reason to celebrate fairy tales. We have no idea where, when, or how Jesus was born, but we sure spend a lot … Read more
I was in a Sunday morning adult education class about the book of Revelation (I call it the book of Revolting) when someone suggested that this book was a study of good versus evil. I asked the class who gets to decide who or what is good or evil. Dictionary.com defines evil as “morally wrong … Read more
I recently read a magazine article about an acclaimed Jamaican author, Marlon James, and his award-winning book, A Brief History of Seven Killings. My interest was piqued when he shared his “deep secret.” Before his writing career took off, Marlon became a fundamentalist Christian to deal with the fact that he was gay in a … Read more
I have a friend who reads the obituaries every morning, and if his name isn’t in there, he gets dressed. I also read the obits every day out of curiosity. With tongue in cheek, I present my future obituary. William Hamilton Aulenbach, Jr.: October 28, 1932–February 29, 2042 Bil died surrounded by no one while … Read more
The contrast between the church I grew up in and the church of today is like black and white. The church of my youth was alive and vital. Today’s church has rigor mortis. What happened? I think I know. Change happened. The church was strong and growing when I was ordained in 1960. Then came … Read more
The apostle born as Simeon or Simon was later in life called Cephas or Peter, both of which mean “rock.” To me, Peter is an enigma. Most of the time, I see him as weak, dense, unfaithful, and confused, more of a pebble than a rock. Most believe Peter was one of Jesus’s closest confidants … Read more
About a dozen years ago, a young woman with outlandish attire appeared on the entertainment scene. At first, I thought Lady Gaga was a Madonna copycat, but as I watched her over the years, I found her to be a bright, articulate woman who has a social conscience as well as outstanding singing, acting, and … Read more