SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO NOW Free agency at the EN Corral

[speakword2004]

Fot those in the valley of decision what would be your advice?

From The Clash

darling, you gotta let me know
should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be there till the end of time
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

I'll always tease,tease,tease
you're happy when I'm on my knees
one day is fine and the next is black
so if you want me off your back
well, come on and let me know
should I stay or should I go?

chorus:
Should I stay or should i go now?
Should I stay or should i go now?
if I go there will be trouble
and if I stay it will be double
so come on and let me know

The indecisions bugging me
(esta un decision me molesta)
if you don't want me set me free
(Si no quieres librame)
Exactly who I'm supposed to be
(Diga me que tengo ser)
Don't you know which clothes even fits me?
(saves que robas me querida)
Come on and let me know
(Me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow?
(Me debo ir o quedarme)

[upcase20]

Go !

[miltietoast]

step back and get perspective--you will not die--
you have the freedom to withdraw and meditate/contemplate for say 90 days and look in from the outside--- any person or group that does not give you that freedom should send you loud warning signals. My personal experience of doing this brought greater joy and freedom than being born again.One of my brothers called me and said he was concerned about me and all the breaking covenant crap. I told him I felt like I was born again and my covenant was with Jesus and his followers. I asked him to step back for 30-90 days. He thought I was demonized but his work actually isolated him from Maranatha for about 45 days. They left within 6 months and to this day he reminds me of telling him to step back. We are still in covenant relationship. Try it you will like it

[lc_20]

Miltie,
This is how I first started to get out myself. I took a season off from all my service obligations and cut back to just going to Sunday service. After about a month of this, leadership came to me and offered me a ministry that I had always been interested in but had never been considered worthy of. That pulled me back in. I thought it was God's will that I continue with them because I had always wanted to be involved with this particular ministry. So, I put in another year struggling with the should I stay or should I go thoughts. Finally, I just had to dissapear cold turkey - walked away from the church, the ministry, the discipler all at the same time. The discipler burried me in accusations of sin and although I had spent years caring about his opinion of me, I had to walk away leaving him to believe I was backslidden. It was obvious he was trying to manipulate me with his accusations so I just didn't respond to his accusations and let the relationship die. Stepping back helps with seeing what you need to see. But, the actual exit is less painful if you make it quick and cut off all ties. Once I was out, I found that I had more ex-msi/en friends on the outside than I had on the inside and I realized there was nothing in that dead environment for me.

[miltietoast]

lc_20-- yes! that concerned brother read me the riot act but it was too late, I had tasted a kind of freedom that was truly a born again experience. I mean a very real and tangible release but this time it was not from sin it was from the the invisble strings of manipulation,coercion etc being cut away. I can almost hootah right now . I think I will HOOTAH,shouldofboughtahonda,shediggadigga,whostola myhonda......

[another_brick_in_the_wall]

lc20,
i am so, so proud of your journey. you were so brave. you had such a hard road, but know - you should be proud of the strength that it took to make your final decision.

blessings to you, dear.

brick

[lc_20]

Thanks for the support Brick. I count you as one of the friends I have on the outside. Just to add to the story. I got a new job recently. It is going really well. I am really enjoying my new co-workers and the new tasks in front of me. I am thankful for the members of this board who's testimonies, logic and reasoning helped me see the truth. I am thankful to God for his patience with me and for all the red flags he threw up while I was traveling in the wrong direction. Last weekend, I was praying about the path I am on now. After following the wrong people for so long, I have doubts about choices I make now. He was so faithful to make my choice very clear and to let me know he is always near. The journey continues but now the yoke is easy and the burden is light.

[miltietoast]

lc_20 I did not realize your experiences are so fresh. You may find that some of the best support and friendship you receive may come from unlikely sources. Warmhearted sinners to be specific. You may find them more loyal,sympathetic,and trustworthy than the so called covenant brothers you have been with. Again only speaking from personal experience.Rae Ann and I left in Dec of 83

[upcase20]

IC_20 : I left the exact same way. I walked away from the church, the ministry, that dreadful pastor, and discipler all at the same time. I can still remember the phone calls, "I hope nothing bad happens to you".

[jesusisawesome]

Miltie: I can almost hootah right now . I think I will HOOTAH,shouldofboughtahonda,shediggadigga,whostola myhonda......

JIA: You are my first real chuckle of the morning . . . too funny Miltietoast! http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/biggrin.gif

[matt_hatter]

JIA said:too funny Miltietoast!

Please don't encourage him. It will only make him worse. lol

[sameo]

lc--I can understand your feeling "lured" back in. Don't be too hard on yourself for "taking the bait" that time. They are very good at manipulating. They watch and bait. Glad you found your way outta there.

Upcase,you cracked me up with your simple "Go" response to Speakwords post. That was great! hehe Good post also-Speak! (as usual)

Miltie-you are one wise man. "...step back and get persepctive--you will not die." (etc) Good stuff.

Brick-you are such an encourager as always.

JIA----it's good to see you laugh..heehee :-)Nothing like a good hootah!!

and "Matt daddy"--you are a crayZ guy...don't change!

I've gotten alot out of reading this post.(W/ respect to Ic's experience) You all are "good people!!!"(geez, I sound like a real "butt-kisser") hehe But I'm sincere. Thanks guys!

SameO

[jesusisawesome]

Now Matt, that's like the kettle asking me to not encourage the pot . . . heheh.

[matt_hatter]

JIA said: "Now Matt, that's like the kettle asking me to not encourage the pot . . . heheh"

Well, someone has to come in here and carry the torch of serious discourse. And I am just proud that the Lord chose me for this daunting task. I will uphold my duties with all diligence and make sure the pesky G-natsso's and the manna flavored Rice-a-roni's stay far away from the factnect flock.

Miltie said: "step back and get perspective--you will not die--'

Darn boy, this was really good...really! No joke. Not kidding. Honest Injun. For real, though. (I have to put that many qualifiers when I am being serious.) You da man with the factnet flock!! (Wait till the end of Tik's story--no one will be talking to Matt Hatter.--a little summer movie trailer lol)

Matt

[hewrote]

ON YOUR MARK

Deuteronomy 1:30
The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,

[jesusisawesome]

84, Matt is doing a great advertising job . . . when do we get the next installment?

[left_in_99]

When I left, I just sort of faded away & slowly stopped attending church, then moved out of the home i was in, then stopped talking with people in the church. What I vividly recall is feeling PARANOID for YEARS about anyone from the church seeing me on the streets. I didn't realize then how unhealthy that was, but now I see. What was I afraid of? I'm not sure but i think it was their disapproval & disappointment. that's no life.

[jesusisawesome]

99, thanks for sharing. Yes, that's no life at all. You do feel that way, because you are definitely judged as less, or something being wrong with you if you leave the church.

What kind of Christianity is that, to shun people that don't attend the church? That's the behavior of a social cult, NOT Christianity. That's not the heart and love of Christ.

[miltietoast]

thanks for encouraging words, even you mattie, I needed that this morning.one of my worldly bussiness ventures just got derailed and I am trying to resist the urge to beat the crap out of a State of Tennessee economic planner who double crossed me in County Commission meeting last night. I have not been ambushed like that since Maranatha days. 84 I may need negotiation advice from you.