Sam Butcher shared a message through art and painting before going “home” to be with the Lord: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. The Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage Missouri tells a story of 1 man named Sam Butcher who clearly became a Disciple of Jesus and responded to God with his “spiritual gift” given to him: a gift of painting and creating figurines to represent “Precious Moments” in time and history.
Sam Butcher shared his Testimony through art by painting and creating figurines called Precious Moments. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Book of Esther 4:14. God’s kingdom will come as Sam Butcher’s message reminds us: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
This website seeks to shine a light on God’s gifts given to mankind (man and woman) with all the glory to God alone. Westminster Confession of Faith question 1. Remember the goal: do all things to the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31.
We can begin to observe “changed lives” as evidence of faith as we move forward in life and seek a life of Discipleship.
Our story becoming God’s story in our lives called a Testimony!
Key Note: You do not have to agree with anything shared here on this website.
The only thing being asked of you here: please “respect” this view and belief that God’s “truth” and God’s “love” is based on the “Word of God” called the Bible coming from God whom we can begin to understand as: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God’s “testimony” to us, recognized today as the Bible: The Word of God: Jesus.
God’s love: Read 1 Corinthians 13.
God’s gifts are given to those who believe God which happens by Faith.
What is Faith? Faith is a gift from God. Faith means trust. RC Sproul writes: we trust God for the future based on Faith in what God has accomplished in the past. We are experts in hindsight. Christianity is more properly called a Faith.
The Bible speaks of unity of the Spirit and Unity of the Faith.
Read Ephesians chapter 4 as you see the birth and foundation of the Church. God gave gifts to mankind: men and women.
Knowing God begins by our desire or “free will” called a “choice or decision”.
Our goal here: to encourage Disciples who desire to Make Disciples who by faith seek to live a life of Discipleship. We seek to be intentional and deliberate in this journey and fellowship together to know and understand how to live by faith and to understand our new identity in Christ.
What is Faith? Spirit – filled vs Sin – flesh? Galatians 2:20.
Here we go! Let’s begin this journey together with the goal of Faith, Fellowship, & Freedom (rest) in Christ. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name. Mathew 18:20.
God is eternal and we (mankind: man and woman) are finite beings yet made to be “eternal” and to be with God forever more! How can this happen?
Answer: by Faith in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
When we respond to God in Baptism this says … I believe God and I want to be intentional and deliberate in knowing God more and more in my life. We see two possible situations happening when someone responds to God’s call.
#1. A first generation disciple who responds to God’s call to be a disciple in baptism: you will hear this term being used: Believer’s Baptism. This person says that I believe God’s truth (Word of God) and God’s love and I am placing my faith / trust in Jesus who died on a cross and paid my sin debt in full (past, present and future) out of an act of love for me. You will be passionate to make Jesus your absolute goal and priority. You will want to know God more and more in your life and understanding you are receiving a gift from God given to you by grace! A disciple is about being “called” to follow a King: Jesus! Jesus who is the Head of His Church. We are responding to the King’s “Way” in us and in our lives. You now seek to serve others rather than oppress them.
#2. Covenant Family Baptism / Infant Baptism: A parent and family of faith believes God and trusts that Jesus paid our sin debt in full (past, present, future) out of an act of love on the cross: now as a disciple we desire to make disciples so we promise before the Lord to teach our children God’s truth and God’s love knowing that salvation and redemption does not happen in our efforts but God alone brings salvation and redemption to the hearts and lives of our children given to us as a gift from God.
Special Note for a marriage based on Faith: Men specifically need to learn how to love their wife as himself and as Christ loved the Church in light of servant leadership within a covenant family of faith. Women specifically need to learn how to respect their husband within a covenant family of faith. Jesus being the Head of His Church and in marriage the head of both of their lives together as “one” in Christ! The fall (from or away from God) in the garden of Eden created this strife or tension among a husband and wife.
When we respond to God’s baptism then Communion / Lord’s Supper says my story becomes God’s story called a “testimony” as to what the Lord has done in my life. I confess my sins based on faith and repentance and knowing by grace through faith that I have fellowship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Knowing God’s truth and God’s love I have assurance of faith and a future called the “Day of the Lord”. Faith, Hope and Love: 1 Corinthians 13.
We need to always be “ready” in life with its trials and tribulations that can begin to pull us away from knowing God and to be “ready” in that generation who will experience the “Day of the Lord” in their lives. We know this world began falling away from God into sin since the beginning in Genesis and to the warning in Revelation.
Why did sin happen? Only God knows this answer and yet we know from the Word of God and testimony of Jesus the Christ that God established a way back to himself by faith! God established a plan of redemption for all mankind!
Read Romans 10.
Why did Adam and Eve sin? Why do we sin? Answer: our “free will” response in disobedience to God’s command allowed sin and death to happen and begin in us.
God’s plan of redemption (our being made right with God) comes only by faith.
Faith begins with confession of our sins (repentance) and trusting Jesus as Lord, who becomes our Savior, Redeemer and King and who “calls” us to begin a life of Discipleship with the goal of Faith, Fellowship and Freedom (rest) in Christ.
We can begin trusting God for our lives and marriages to be right with the Lord.
Let us be clear here: trials and tribulations will come so we must be “ready”.
Let us be found praying that the Gospel message of Jesus our Lord will keep forming in us and suggest starting with an outline to begin forming your thoughts and knowing God more and more in your life.
A Gospel outline will also help begin your own personal testimony as to what the Lord is doing and has done in your life: our story becoming God’s story in our lives. Together, collectively, we are called the Church: the Bride of Christ.
Why do we fall away from God? Sin. Sin is a “power” yet God’s power is greater!
The Word of God refers to “sin” and the “flesh” as contrasted with the spirit.
We need a Savior: Jesus. God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world and Jesus being from God is Lord! God made himself known by sending Jesus in person called the Son of God … Son of Man so we could “trust – believe” and “know” God by faith.
God the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to see Jesus as our Lord who becomes our Savior, Redeemer and King forever more!
Praying … Father in heaven help us to believe and trust in you alone!
The Gospel is good news that Jesus came to Earth and changed “time and history” and changes our lives forever: past, present and future! God spoke to us in the testimony of Jesus: the “Word of God“. Jesus came in person!
The Book of John Chapter 1 says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Suggest beginning here reading the book of John!
Note: Groups of 3 to 5 tend to be the “best” size in getting together with men and the same with women. These groups should be a commitment of 18 months to 2 years unless providentially hindered along this journey. You will begin experiencing a deeper time of fellowship and accountability in these smaller settings.
Generally speaking men need these groups most as women tend to find these groups of fellowship more consistently than men. Thus a reminder again for men to begin understanding servant leadership within the covenant family of faith and learning how to love their wife by faith vs the flesh.
Suggest beginning to build your own personal gospel outline and a personal testimony using your own notes. A template or framework has been provided as an example and to encourage you to make this your “own” outline & testimony.
No matter when in life you have responded to God in Baptism and Communion the gospel and your testimony will continue to form and keep growing in you by faith!
Gospel Outline & Study Path (example): Here is a template or framework to begin forming your own notes. Suggest building your own set of notes and key books of the Bible that speak to you.
Light. Grace. Worship. Book of John.
Love. Man. Fellowship. I Want to be a Christian by J. I. Packer.
Life. God. Lordship. Knowing God by J. I. Packer.
Lord. Christ. Kingship. Book of Mark. Jesus The King by Tim Keller.
Live. Faith. Discipleship. I live by faith in the Son of God, Galatians 2:20.
Note: Jesus The King by Tim Keller. One of the “best” commentaries on the Book of Mark you will find. Your life of Discipleship journey begins here!
John MacArthur identified: Light, Love, Life, Lord, Live as key points to the Gospel. Evangelism Explosion (EE) uses Grace, Man, God, Christ, Faith as their outline and teaching Evangelism & Discipleship: how to share the gospel.
Again, suggest that you “personalize” the gospel and use this “framework” as your template. Key points: being “your” personal notes. Outlines provide a way to remember the key components of the gospel and helps to form our thoughts and understanding of the Word of God. Forming your testimony will be key as well.
Answering: what is Faith? Galatians 4: Unity of the Spirit & Unity of the Faith.
Light. Grace. Worship. Book of John.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Jesus is the Light, not John the Baptist. John Chapter 1.
In Him (Jesus) was life and the life was the light of men.
The Word became flesh … the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We will worship “something” or “someone”. We are to walk in the Light.
Love. Man. Fellowship. I Want to be a Christian, J. I. Packer book.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Fellowship: Where two or three are gathered in my name, Mathew 18:20.
Act of love on the cross. Jesus, son of God – son of Man.
Love based on “flesh” vs Love based on “faith”.
Life. God. Lordship. Knowing God by J. I. Packer.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Confess Jesus is Lord and believe God raised Jesus from the dead! Romans 10:9.
Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13.
Knowing God more and more in our lives happens by faith.
God’s sovereignty works above our “free will” choices in life.
Lord. Christ. Kingship. Book of Mark. Jesus The King by Tim Keller.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Jesus is Lord, Savior, Redeemer and King.
The “Centrality of the Gospel” summary by Tim Keller.
Live. Faith. Discipleship. I live by faith in the Son of God, Galatians 2:20.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Faith vs Flesh?
Headship: Jesus is the head of His Church called the bride of Christ.
Learning how to live by faith in Christ: walk in the light.
The Call: Jesus The King by Tim Keller, chapter 2.
A “Life of Discipleship” begins upon our spiritual birth: baptism with the Holy Spirit.
A “Life of Discipleship” being a journey and not a destination.
Understanding our “identity and freedom” in Christ.
We live by Faith, Hope and Love to be “ready” for death or the “Day of the Lord”.
Essentials of the Faith: personalize as your own.
Suggest: Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by RC Sproul
Baptism: Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, John Chapter 1:33.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
I Want to be a Christian by J. I. Packer provides a good summary of baptism that includes believers baptism and infant baptism.
Communion: reminds us of Jesus coming back. The Day of the Lord.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Meeting Him on His Way Back by Bob Eson. Understanding the “Day of the Lord”.
Bob Eson: God uses tribulation in our lives for His own purposes in getting us ready.
Bob Eson: Reason for writing the book: preaching the gospel to the whole creation!
Bob Eson: Learning how to live by faith by making disciples of those who believe.
Apostasy: Warning of “falling away” from the Faith.
Key Points: write your personal notes here …
Prayer Journal:
Praying that Bob Eson will be able to continue the “KingsWay” book series!
Book 1: Meeting Him on His Way Back: Case for Post Tribulation, by Bob Eson.
Book 2: Writing: Church government: how this impacts the whole Church (the body).
Book 3: Writing: Marriage: Friendship and Courtship.
Book 4: Forming: Communication based on the Flesh – Self vs Faith – Spirit.
Personal Testimony: Our story becoming God’s story in our lives.
My parents took me to a Church in Illinois where I heard and learned about the gospel of Jesus and I made a decision to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior and then baptized on December 24, 1973 at age 11.
No one came alongside me in life and taught me “how to live by faith “until” a former Baptist Pastor asked me to become an Evangelism Explosion (EE) prayer partner in the fall of 1998. I began the EE evangelism & discipleship training process in 1999 as a trainee and in early 2000 became certified at my local Church in North Alabama as an EE trainer at Briarwood PCA Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Looking back, I remember growing up with my “best friend” from age 6 who moved from Ohio to a house across the street whom later became the “best man” in my wedding. I observed his parents and I saw something different in their family: Jesus. Looking back, their example of faith and family changed my perspective for my life.
Looking back, my freshman year of High School the Lord placed a “band” of brothers and a sister in my life whom we would learn about life together. We came together and played music at weddings mainly and stayed together all 4 years of High School and one couple who later married kept this band going about 8 more years. My role being to operate the sound and lights system.
Looking back: I began to hear the “stories” of girls who came to me I believe as the “safe guy” who would listen. The Lord placed me as the Assistant Manager of a restaurant right after my 1st semester of college at age 19. I am thinking I might own my own “steak” restaurant some day. Hearing these “difficult stories” from women kept moving me forward in “the faith” and teaching me the importance to treat all women with respect and love. Full admission of my slow learning process.
A career move to Alabama in June 1993 brought me to find “my first Church home” and I became a member in July of 1995. Looking back, Easter Sunday 2005 began my “divorce” process until being “final” in December 2008 (married in 1986).
Looking back, I see this “season” of learning how to “live by faith” as the Lord placed 2 men in my life, the 1st in 1999 and the 2nd in 2005. Both of these men came alongside, teaching me how to live by faith based on Galatians 2:20.
The Lord placed a 3rd guy from work into my life in December of 1999 where I learned about “websites” and we began experiencing life together (Life on Life) beyond work in a Bible study at a local restaurant from around 2007 to 2020.
The Lord then placed an amazing “woman of faith” standing next to me at a Christian concert at the High School auditorium on October 2, 2011 where we both attended the same Church. We became instant “best friends” talking for hours together about all our life situations and experiences from both our lives. We realized how our “common faith” bonded us together as one together in Christ. We decided for marriage in December 2011 and then I told my 4 children ages 14, 17, 20 and 22 about our decision for “courtship” and “marriage”.
The common thread here “as we look back”, we can begin to see the Lord doing a work in both our lives to bring us together in life and marriage on May 12, 2012.
Our story becoming God’s story kept forming in our marriage when we learned of a child coming into our lives on December 31, 2013. We found out at the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC): “this child is a girl” at the first sonogram!
I immediately recognized the miracle of birth with my 1st son in 1989 which brought me to understand Jesus as Lord of my life! Observing this miracle of birth 4 more times continued to grow my faith. Children remind us of the importance of a life of discipleship and being ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
These life events were collectively happening to show me how God’s Sovereignty works far above my “free will” choices. The Lord is teaching me what is Faith vs Flesh in my life from 1973 to 2019 as a very clear “season of life” for me!
Looking back, our stories of “trials and tribulations” are teaching us and moving us forward to live by faith. New and different “trials and tribulations” continued into our marriage as we both had made a decision “before we met” to be “intentional” in our lives to be disciples who desire to make disciples.
Watching a 10 year old girl growing up in front of us, we formed our common family “goal” to live a “life of discipleship” in our marriage based on Faith, Fellowship and Freedom (rest) in Christ.
Per Tim Keller in his book: Jesus The King … “The gospel isn’t advice: It’s good news that you don’t need to earn your way to God, Jesus has already done it for you!” “And it’s a gift that you receive by shear grace through God’s thoroughly unmerited favor.” “You will be passionate to make Jesus your absolute goal and priority.” Knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, resembling Jesus, serving Jesus must become the supreme passion of your life. Everything else becomes second.
Suggest: Begin forming your own testimony.
Summary of Key updates / milestones / history of this website:
July 15, 2024: (This date identifies the last update to the Lighthouse.)
July 2024: Sam Butcher’s testimony in learning how to live a life of Discipleship by faith: Galatians 2:20. A possible starting point to the website identified. A personal testimony added as an example. Suggest groups of 3 to 5 who make a commitment over an 18 to 24 month period of time to meet together in person.
October 2023: The “importance of understanding” the Word of God “including” the book of Revelation! Highly recommend a book written by Bob Eson, Jr. called Meeting Him on His Way Back: The Case for the Post – Trib Rapture. “Mr. Eson states in his book …”
“God uses tribulation in our lives for His own purposes in getting us ready”.
“I simply would like to see more churches with open Bibles and open minds.
We need the Bible to be our authority, and not our pastor, our denomination, or our creeds and (God forbid) this book.” The Holy Spirit must be allowed to speak in our churches through the Word of God. It is to that end that this book is intended.” Agree with Bob Eson! Thoughts from the Lighthouse on this day.
May 2023: We learn together “collectively” how to live by Faith in our daily “life on life” situations. Mathew 18:20 … where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Life on Life together in the Faith! The Centrality of the Gospel of Jesus becomes our life foundation. The Lighthouse seeks to be a “living document” to encourage all Disciples to grasp the “centrality of the gospel” for their lives: not as a “one time event” but a “way of life”.
July 2022: The gospel (Faith, Hope, Love) message continues to grow in us: Faith, Fellowship and Freedom. Gospel Outline: Light. Love. Life. Lord. Live. Outlines help us learn and know the Gospel of Jesus more and more.
June 2019: Our story becomes God’s story as we move forward in “time” and begin to live life by Faith: Galatians 2:20. We begin to recognize “seasons” & “events” in our lives that teach us how to live by Faith. Trials and Tribulations will come into our lives: “when” not “if”. God uses tribulation in our lives for His own purposes in getting us “ready”.
Key observations over Church history: Draft thoughts forming … as we move forward in “time and history” … again thoughts forming here for future discussion.
Israel of God: Thoughts and observations … the covenant community became people of the Faith. “If” you are Christ’s (the seed), then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise: Galatians 3:29
Covenant Community: Thoughts and observations … Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit: How do we become part of the covenant community of Faith? Answer: God’s choice (will) is based on His Grace. One remains in the true covenant community only by Faith. Meeting Him on His Way Back: The Case for the Post – Trib Rapture, written by Bob Eson, Jr. speaks on the Israel of God and the Covenant Community.
Baptism: Thoughts and observations … John the Baptist sent from God became a witness to the Light teaching Repentance and Faith with the symbol of Baptism.
Communion / Lord’s Supper: Thoughts and observations… more to come here as a placeholder for future updates.
Catholic (means Universal) Church formed 2023 years ago: Thoughts and observations … more to come here as a placeholder for future updates.
Apostles Creed around the 5th century: Thoughts and observations … more to come here as a placeholder for future updates.
Protestant Reformation October 31, 1517: Thoughts and observations … began in Wittenberg, Germany on
October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther published a document or 95 Theses / 95 ideas about Christianity.
Birth of America (formation / reformation) 1776: Thoughts and observations … we observed the reformation of the Church in 1517 and the “formation” and “birth” of America in 1776 and recognized a constant “need” for reforming our lives daily: Faith in Christ. Fellowship in God’s Family. Freedom in Christ.
King James Bible (English): 1611. Thoughts and observations … the Printing Press being invented around 1436 with the Latin Vulgate Bible translation being put into “print” as early as the 1450s.
Westminster Confession of Faith 1646: Thoughts and observations … birth of the English speaking Presbyterian Church and movement forward of the Church to America.
Church government formed: 1646: Thoughts and observations … begin to see the formation of 3 prominent Church governments: Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.
English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible: 2001
Thoughts and observations … more to come here as a placeholder for future updates.
Template: Church Constitution / Statement of Faith / outline only here.
Question: What is the purpose of Church government?
- Church defined. Guiding principles of the Church.
2. Statement of Faith. Defines what we believe.
3. Church government. Purpose: order and accountability. Presbyterian Elder-led Authority (top down accountability) or Congregational Authority (bottom up accountability)?
4. Church membership responsibilities. Expectations.
5. Church history. The importance of writing down Church history: provides a “living document” to remind us what the Lord taught us and affirm what the Lord is doing to build His Church: individually (locally) and collectively.
6. Servant Leadership observations for the office of Elders & Deacons: Relates with the understanding of Headship and Sonship – Adoption.
A. Engage in consensus decision making rather than authoritarian or compromise. Marriage, Family and Church.
B. Actively seek to understand His wife’s (and/or members of the Church) and families’ thoughts, feelings and needs.
C. Encourage his wife (and/or members of the Church)
and family to develop their full spiritual potential and use all their spiritual gifts.
D. Be more interested in personal spiritual growth and development than tasks and roles. Marriage, Family and Church.
E. Place high priority on time with his wife and family (and/or members of the Church in fellowship).
Comment 1: Ephesians 5 … This mystery is profound, Saying that how we relate to our wife refers to Christ and the Church example. Adding in the perspective of the Church in place of our wife provides focus as to the spiritual leadership role for both the family and Church. We see this in the qualifications for Elders and Deacons.
Comment 2: Galatians 3 and 4 … Headship in Ephesians 5 connects to Sonship and Adoption. In Christ: all are sons & daughters of God, through faith. God sent forth his son to redeem us / adopting us into the family of God, the Church, as sons & daughters … siblings!