Confession of Faith

Dan Zimmerman
Confession of Faith
June 30, 2016

 I would say that the reason people reject the Christian faith is that what they see demonstrated is only a vapid or pernicious social construct, like family values or law and order.  It is presented to them as a mental concept rather than a living experience. It’s no wonder people reject it. 
But sadly, they do so only to turn around and flee to another conventionality. As it turns out there are ism’s for everyone, schools of thought to fit any persuasion. 
The church manifests itself primarily as a organization driven by economic necessity. If it didn’t, the church would be forced to close its doors, ministers would have to get jobs like other people, and Christians would have to find out what this new life is all about. 
Allow me to say that it is different for me. I still know God loves me and knows me like no other being does. I don’t care how pathetic the church gets. I don’t care how unconvincing its witness becomes. Oh, I’d like things to be different, but it won’t change what I personally know to be true. 
I experienced the living Christ in my heart as a boy. And it was in church while I was singing a hymn. Words fail me here. I cannot describe how palpably real and immediate this sense of God’s love was for me.
Fortunately for me, I wasn’t burdened down with the necessities inherent in being a church adult. Like my wife says, all the jobs were done for me. I didn't have to raise the funds needed to pay the pastor. I didn’t have to raise the money needed to pay for the building we were gathering in. I didn’t have to cook the food, or wash the dishes used at the potlucks.

I was young enough not to have the slightest suspicion what these concerns were. I just sidled up to the table, ate the food and drank in the spirit. And my,my did it taste sweet!
Some say I just made up the part about God, or wasn't thinking for myself. Bullshit. Not so. I don’t care what they say. I know in my knower.
The rest of the story of my life would be baseless if I didn’t affirm this. I DID experience God’s love for me. I DID experience the beauty and majesty of the creative spirit. Nothing can separate me from these things.