One of the issues that we dealt with often in community was that of self-sufficiency. It wasn't that we didn't want people to be mature people, it was that we believed that the Christian life as lived in community should be different than the "normal" American life; "I can do it all myself." Ken uses the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 describing the body of Christ to illustrate his thesis that we all need one another. We really believed that none of us is completely sufficient in ourselves alone. I still believe that. To a large degree, I am who I am because of the love and support of my brothers and sisters in the Lord.
I really like Mike Secor's article. We need to be free to be enthusiastic about our Great God. Worship can be quiet and contemplative, but it can also be exuberant and enthusiastic. Mike and his wife are still walking with the Lord and live in a neighboring town. Mike's mother is still in FBCCV.
On this page, Tim Pagaard explains his cartoon character, Waldo McFoone. Tim continued the series for a number of months. I am the proud possessor of a framed three strip series describing my departure from the Navy. Each Christmas in community we would draw names and then make a present. Tim drew my name in 1975 and presented me with his McFoone strips. They hang proudly in my office at Bay View Baptist.
Bob Mumford gives a good antidote for "end time psychosis." This was really rampant in the late 70s and early 80s. There were books on the 100 reasons Jesus will come in 1980 -- then the same author would write the 100 reasons why Jesus will come in 1981! I look forward to the return of Jesus, but let's wait until he comes. In the meantime, let's continue to live lives empowered by His Spirit. 
This article by Patty Farmer is a great testimony. I used to love to hear the young people tell stories like this. I have lost touch with Patty and don't know where she is currently. She went on to be a missionary in Africa for a number of years.
I just read this passage from the book of Nehemiah in my devotions this morning. I remember well Ken discussing our troubles with the city and using this passage as a rationale for not getting sucked into petty squabbles.Larry discusses the church library and it wasn't bad for a small church library. I did a significant part of my seminary research at our church library.
I couldn't help but notice Larry's itinerary to Monroe MI and Kingston NY. Joe Atkinson was the pastor at Monroe for a number of years and he also was Vice Chair of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries and was in charge of the Holy Spirit conference. As a retired person, he makes a couple of trips to India each year to train pastors. The daughter of the pastor at Kingston, now Norelle Lutke of Wichita KS is the current Vice Chair and runs the Holy Spirit conference. Great fruit!
I won't comment on this open letter except to say that it gives great background to our troubles with the city of Chula Vista. It was this trouble that really made us so controversial and such a big item in the news for a long period of time. 
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