[awareness]

What concerns me most about the LC movement, is not the flaws of the local church, but the flaws that were in me, that caused me to join the group, and stay in it for so long.

I can leave the local church flaws behind. But my flaws stay with me wherever I go ... and into my new life, outside the LC. These are the lasting flaws, that will just get us into more trouble, causing us to possibly repeat the pattern, taking us to another dead end.

I think it will come natural, or should, that after leaving we'll become very careful about hooking our wagon to: some one, some thing, or some movement, group, or leader.

Yes we may learn from others smarter than we. But that doesn't mean we hook up to them, like we hooked up to the local church.

I'd say the most important concern after leaving the LC is to develop your critical thinking (thinking for yourself). Cuz you allowed others in the LC do your thinking for you -- all nicely packaged and delivered to you (for a fee) -- a lot of your brain muscles atrophied. It may take time to redevelop them, back into shape, or to, in my case, develop them fresh. In a nutshell, basically, as Jesus advised, become "wise as serpents." And work out your relationship with God from there, wherever that may lead.

Yes, there's life after the local church ... and there's still God ... and Jesus ... and the Bible ... and love ... and laughs. More than enough.

Enjoy it!!! And be sure to give thanks ....

And there will be peace in the valley. Amen!