You have come to this Website … because someone shared their story with you.
The Purpose of this Website … is to encourage Disciples of Christ who desire to Make Disciples.
“Life on Life” Discipleship … begins with sharing our story becoming God’s story in our lives called a Testimony. In view of technology: “Life on Life” means Discipleship must take place “in person”. Discipleship will be more “caught than taught”.
The name of this website became the Lighthouse … as a “daily” reminder to turn your eyes upon Jesus. John Chapter 1: this is the testimony of John. To bear witness about the Light.
A Disciple will need to develop a “toolbox” based on the centrality of the Word of God and recommend the English Standard Version (ESV) or the one you use daily!
Jesus calls us to Live a life of Discipleship by Faith. Galatians 2:20 says “The Life” I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.
A Pastor shared: Our story becoming God’s story in our lives is called a Testimony. Another Pastor shared: a Disciple will be intentional to develop a greater view of Christ.
This “greater view of Christ” includes building your own “personal” Discipleship Toolbox which begins with a Testimony, Gospel Outline and a plan of study. Note: encouragement begins in groups of 3 to 5 men or women. Tools will include the Word of God (Bible), biblical resources, personal notes and a prayer journal.
Hebrews 12 says we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
John Chapter 1 … In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Romans 10:17 … So faith comes from hearing (the message) and hearing (the message) through the word of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:7 … For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Testimony example:
Christmas Letter 2024: New Beginnings: Precious Moments in Time!
1993: I wrote my first Christmas letter and testimony after a career move 12 hours from my “home town” in June 1993. I found my 1st Church “home” in 1995.
Age 11: My parents did take me to Church where I first heard the gospel message: A Pastor told me “in person” the story of Jesus from the Bible with a small group of children around my age. I remember understanding my need for a Savior in view of my sins. Looking back: I clearly remember my baptism on Christmas Eve 1973. I remember wanting to know Jesus more and more in my life moving forward.
Romans 10:14: How then will they call on him (the Lord) in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
Age 15/16: A “band of brothers and one sister” came into my life during my High School years. My role was to run the “sound and lights”: looking back I had a purpose in my life with the band.
Looking back: Age 19, I had my life planned out. I found a good job and moved out on my own from my parents house. I wanted to find the right woman for marriage. I began going to Church weekly and at age 24 married and at the age of 27 I had my first child and age 35 my 4th child was born.
Age 46: divorced. Trials and Tribulations will come into our lives, not “if” but when. There will always be 2 sides to every story that happens in life. One side of life will take us down a path called “the flesh” and another side of life that will take us down a path called “the faith”. The flesh side will result in avoidance while the faith side will result in hope and love. Ephesians 4. Galatians 2:20. 1 Corinthians 13.
Looking back: No one “talked” with me “in person” about what is faith in God?
Looking back: Age 37, a Baptist Pastor came alongside me in 1999: my first intentional “life on life” Discipleship experience. A “life on life” Disciple of Christ came alongside me in 2005. A “life on life” Disciple / co-worker came into my life in 1999 who provided “Logistics Tools” that helped me do my job as a Logistician for the Army. A Logistics Tool Box “website” went live in June 2000. Leadership took it down because they could not control something they did not understand.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 4:14: And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
October 2011: An amazing (and beautiful) woman of faith came into my life: standing next to me at a Christian concert. My bride came to “new beginnings” in her life before coming into my life: new beginnings began in “me / us” that we “did not” see coming. We became instant friends after standing next to each other at a Christian concert October 2011 and by Christmas 2011 we decided for marriage and announced our new beginnings: Courtship … first to 4 children from my 1st marriage. We celebrated our marriage in May 2012.
Proverbs 31:10 … An excellent wife who can find?
2012 Age 50: Looking back, I grew up with a “best friend” with parents whom I saw the “light of Jesus” in them. My “best man” in 2012 was the son of a Pastor. I also saw the “light of Jesus” in my grandparents growing up. My grandfather became a Deacon in their Church and Mayor / Fire Chief of their small river town on the Mississippi River.
2014: a gift from God came into our lives: the birth of our daughter. I have now seen the miracle of birth 5 times in my life “in person”!
2022: Looking back: As I kept moving forward in the faith, I began to see both sides to every situation that happened in my life: flesh vs faith. In my study of the Word of God, I could see how my emotions impacted me and in fact kept me from moving forward in the faith. I began to see how my sins played out in me and in my past. Romans 8:28 playing out in my life.
Faith begins with a choice to love God and love others. God’s truth and God’s love happens in view of the Sovereignty and Providence: work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in hearts and lives. 1 Corinthians 13: Faith, Hope and Love abide.
2025: Moving forward: A Pastor shared: we need to develop a “greater view of Christ” in our lives. A big YES! Another Pastor speaks about our story becoming God’s story coming into view as we move forward in “the faith”.
2 Corinthians 5:17: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away: behold the new has come.
Ephesians 4:3: eager to maintain the Unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:13: until we all attain to the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11: Pastor means Shepherd – Teacher
We pray for all who respond to “the call” to be a Disciple of Christ, finds “the faith” as described in Ephesians 4. God’s truth and eternal life comes to us as a gift to those who call upon Jesus as Lord of their life.
Jesus death on a cross and being raised again on the 3rd day provides for our redemption. Jesus becomes our Savior and we then receive “eternal life” as a gift. Jesus’ act of Love on the cross becomes an exchange or payment for our sins: past, present and future sins “paid in full” for all mankind: men and women. (Those who will come to Jesus.)
Romans 10:13 … For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Jesus becomes our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and King forever more! Jesus gives us Faith, Hope and Love: 1 Corinthians 13.
Ephesians 2:8-9 … For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 3:16 … For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John chapter 1:9-13 … The true Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
2024: As a covenant family of faith, we set our family goal upon: the Faith, Fellowship, Freedom and Rest in Jesus our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and King.
Christmas 2024 Prayer: Please forgive us “when” we sin: Lord help us to see our sins sooner: in view of faith and repentance leading us to obedience in Christ.
Sam Butcher’s testimony: Beginnings … The story of Precious Moments is the story of our lives, of the experiences, both ordinary and meaningful, that mark each of our days. Much more than a history of porcelain figurines, this is also the tale of three highly creative people:
Sam Butcher, an artist inspired by his faith; Gene Freedman, a businessman working in the giftware industry who recognized the potential popularity of Sam’s artwork; and Yasuhei Fujioka, a Japanese sculptor who transformed Sam’s wonderful drawings into magical, three-dimensional messengers of love and hope. (Precious Moments)
Sam Butcher shared his Testimony through art and painting by creating figurines called Precious Moments. Sam Butcher’s final message before going “home” to be with the Lord in May 2024 was: 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 Christ, 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.
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Book of Esther 4:14.
This website seeks to shine a light on God’s gifts given to mankind (man and woman) with all the glory to God alone.
Remember the goal: do all things to the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Recommend watching the movie found on YouTube: Remember the Goal: A woman fresh out of college begins coaching a cross-country running team at an all-girl, Christian private school.
By Faith: we will begin to observe “changed lives” as evidence of “the faith” as we move forward in view of “life on life” Discipleship.
Galatians 2:20: And the Life I now live in the flesh I live by Faith in the Son of God.
Our story becoming God’s story in our lives called a Testimony!
Key Note … to those who come here on their own: You do not have to agree with everything or anything shared here on this website.
The only thing being asked of 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 the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We find agreement here.
God’s “testimony” to us, recognized today as the Bible: The Word of God: Jesus.
Read 1 Corinthians 13: God’s Love.
Foundations of the Church
Read Ephesians chapter 4 and you will see the birth and foundation of the Church. This chapter speaks of the unity of the Spirit and unity of the Faith.
God gave gifts to mankind: men and women. 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 / believe: To trust God is not an act of unreasonable belief:
Essentials Truths of the Christian Faith by RC Sproul: Chapter 64.
Christianity is more properly called a Faith.
What does Faith mean? 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.
Gospel outline: A template or outline of the “good news” to share with those in our life! Our tool and reminder to develop a “greater view” of Christ in our lives first.
Building and learning an outline of the Gospel will grow our view of Christ:
in view of our dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
Reference: John MacArthur & Evangelism Explosion EE as an encouragement to build a Gospel Outline:
Light. Worship. Grace.
Love. Fellowship. Man.
Life. Lordship. God.
Lord. Headship : Kingship. Christ.
Live. Discipleship. Faith.
Study plan: Groups of 3 to 5 meeting together “life on “life.
Jesus is the Light! Worship. Grace.
Book of John: Son of God, Son of Man.
Jesus act of Love on a cross! Fellowship. Man.
“I Want to be a Christian” by JI Packer
Jesus is eternal Life. Lordship. God.
“Knowing God” by JI Packer
Jesus is Lord and King! Headship and Kingship. Christ.
Jesus “calls us” to himself (Follow Me): our adoption into God’s family. Jesus becomes our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and King!
“Jesus The King” by Tim Keller: Book of Mark
Jesus calls us to Live a life of Discipleship by Faith! Galatians 2:20.
Jesus “the Christ” calls us to a new life of Faith as we intentionally develop a greater view of Christ: who told us to “go” and “make” disciples in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Baptizing and Teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.
Personal Notes:
Let’s begin the Race of Faith together: with the goal of Faith, Fellowship, & Freedom (rest) in Christ.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Mathew 18:20. Mathew 18 being another key chapter for the Church.
Jesus The King: Tim Keller writes:
Knowing me, Loving me, resembling me, serving me must become the supreme passion of your life. Everything else becomes second. Page 20, Jesus The King.
The Gospel isn’t advice: It’s the good news that you don’t earn your way to God; Jesus has already done it for you. And it is a gift that you receive by sheer grace: through God’s unmerited favor. Page 22, Jesus The King.
Jesus “call” will not draw you into fanaticism or moderation. You will be passionate to make Jesus your absolute goal and priority … if you meet someone with a different faith, you will not assume that they are inferior to you.
Page 22, Jesus the King.
Every Easter I think about Joni Eareckson Tadda. She was in an accident when she was seventeen, and ever since she was been a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. Page 243 and 244 Jesus The King.
So live in the light of the resurrection and renewal of this world, and of yourself, in a glorious, never-ending, joyful dance of grace. Page 246 Jesus The King.
2025 Personal notes to develop a “greater view of Christ” in my life.
The King’s Way begins in hearts which results in changed lives and marriages!
New Creation in Christ!
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
God’s will be done not mine.
God’s side of Faith vs Man’s side of Faith
Performance based acceptance.
Jesus based acceptance.
More ideas forming in view: We need to develop a greater view of Christ!
Hebrews 12 says we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
Discipleship Toolbox: ideas keep forming below: Thoughts and observations … more to come here as a placeholder for future updates below:
2019 to 2024 Personal notes from 2019 to 2024.
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.
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.
Summary of Key updates / milestones / history of this website:
(This date identifies the last update to the Lighthouse.)
January 2025: Possible beginning point? Discussions welcome. Maybe just my notes?
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 …” Meeting Him on His Way Back
“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.
History Notes:
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
Add more History observations here …
Old Testament Names and Timeline: Abraham, Moses, David. Placeholder
Church Constitution with Servant Leadership Notes:
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!