Thank you for giving this book your time and attention. I wrote it for three reasons, the third of which both frightens and emboldens me:

First, sometimes people ask me why I left ministry with such heat and storm. I tell them. They become still and thoughtful. They express some kind of incredulity. They say, "You should write about that." So I did.

Second, people ask me about their own faith, and about church, because they feel lost and uprooted. When I share with them how and when I experience God, their body language expresses relief. Apparently, people feel some spiritual peace as I share my story and faith concepts. I hope you feel some of that, too. Despite all the hard things I will say about religion, I am not trying to wreck anybody's faith. This book is really for people whose faith is already wrecked, and don't know what to do about it. Maybe my faith story will help yours.

The third reason I wrote this: There is a religion stomping and bludgeoning its way across North America which claims to represent Jesus but is anti-Jesus. It is dangerous, and even deadly. It is not a time to whistle while passing by, to sit comfy in a church pew enjoying smooth sermons and soothing praise teams. It is a time to receive the message of Jesus (peace, compassion, non-violence) and then lay your life down to represent it in soul and spirit, and with your voice.

This is the story of how my house of sand fell with a great crash. I lost my old faith and am cobbling together a new one. I have stitched together a personal theology and life-practice. It's just a flimsy tent, the loose ends of it flapping in the wind, but within it, sometimes, I find Jesus. Huddling here by this feeble candle against the wailing wind outside, I encounter God and find moments of holiness, without Christianity.

I wish this for you as well. If these words help you find spiritual peace and freedom, I will be thankful.

Gratefully,

Keith A. Mannes