February 10, 1975 (4th post): We begin studying what the Bible says on tongues speaking, which the local church we attend does during every service. Our community women tend to love it but I offer caution, based on my preliminary studies. Their Pastor disobeys Paul’s own words of caution.

February 10, 1975 (3rd post): The women are having the hardest time remaining steadfast to God’s revealed will, easily changing direction in harmony with the dictates of their emotional needs. But Henry wavers even more. He confides in the local pastor, who knows almost nothing about the circumstances or our needs, and the pastor sides with Henry. It’s becoming increasingly obvious to me that my days at the Garden of Jesus commune are coming to an end, because the owners of the land will always trump the needs of the group.

February 10, 1975 (2nd post): An assessment of the main lesson God is teaching each community member (including me). We continue to grapple with group needs vs. individual needs.

February 10, 1975: Henry Perry continues his struggle over God’s will for the community. We begin to see we should be ministering to the needs of the poor and destitute.

February 3, 1975 (cont’d): Disagreements over commune plans continue so God teaches me a lesson, rendering me immobile and mute. The rest of the group comes out of prayer agreeing to disagree with our previous Holy Spirit anointed goals but because they they see me continuing they go back into prayer for an extended time. Everyone comes out of prayer agreeing to the original direction, in total unity and love. Later, Cindy confesses tearfully to being part of the problem, having sowed dissension behind my back. We finally begin to see that we are learning to BE THE CHURCH!

February 3, 1975 (PM): The farm owners (Henry and Kathy Perry) change their mind about what they previously agreed was God’s will for the ministry and direction of the Garden of Jesus because the group decides they should move and allow use of the barn for the needs of the whole community, not just them.

February 3, 1975: Most of our commune members attend the Springwater Habitation Conference, where Cindy’s worrisome 3 year old lump disappears overnight! Cindy and Beth begin to see that a lack of trust at home, during one’s youth, translates into a lack of trust/submission towards one’s significant other. And I see I often lack the ability to love those who don’t agree with me.

January 28-30, 1975: The conflct over Mary continues but unity prevails. We listen to a tape on Divine Order Within the Home. We start daily morning bible studies and realize the vast difference between tradtional church and our community. As the body of Christ we expereince daily intimacy with Jesus and God; our learning/growth is also accelerated.

January 23-28, 1975: I begin teaching on discipleship and realize my lack of patience. My best friends, Joe and Marie Umidi, begin considering the Garden of Jesus for their future home. I make a major mistake, spending my fiancees money on a personal need and both of us wonder if getting married is really God’s will. The controversy about Mary remaining at the Garden of Jesus continues when some question the Spirit’s leading.

January 23, 1975: I return to the Garden of Jesus commune and God begins to define a new direction, away from farming and material normalcy towards Kingdom first service of others. At first we are not all in agreement so we search the scriptures and pray fervently, eventually coming to a unity of agreement that amazes us.