Butterfly Believers

By Paul E. Linzey and Eddie Espinosa

There is never a day when a butterfly in any stage is the same as it was the day before. This is also true of people. The author uses metamorphosis as an analogy, breaking down the steps to personal growth, making it easier to understand, and the process interesting and fun.
Inspired by a study of Rom 12:1-2, Butterfly Believers consists of forty devotional readings, each one based on one aspect of the butterfly life cycle. In the same way a butterfly changes every single day, Butterfly Believers are also transforming continuously, moving towards spiritual depth and maturity.
In each short chapter, the author presents a specific fact about the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or imago, adding one or two appropriate Scripture verses. The result is an inspiring devotional about moving step by step towards maturity and blossoming into the beautiful Imago Dei.
Suitable for personal devotions, group discussion, or as a resource for preaching.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Jan 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9781666774788

Paul E. Linzey

Paul E. Linzey is professor of spiritual formation and practical ministry at Called College in Carlinville, Illinois. He was a pastor before going into the military as a chaplain and is the author of Military Ministry (2022), Safest Place in Iraq (2020), and WisdomBuilt: Biblical Principles of Marriage (2019).

Book preview

Butterfly Believers

Paul E. Linzey

Foreword by Eddie Espinosa

Butterfly Believers

Copyright ©

2024

Paul E. Linzey. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers,

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8

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Resource Publications

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199

W.

8

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3

Eugene, OR

97401

www.wipfandstock.com

paperback isbn: 978-1-6667-7476-4

hardcover isbn: 978-1-6667-7477-1

ebook isbn: 978-1-6667-7478-8

version number 11/27/23

The sketch of the Monarch egg is from W. J. Holland’s The Butterfly Book, which is in public domain. Other interior images are from pixabay.com and are used with permission.

Lyrics of the song Change My Heart, O God are used by permission from the composer, Eddie Espinosa.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©

1973

,

1978

,

1984

,

2011

by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Introduction: Continuous Transformation

STAGE ONE: The Egg

Chapter 1: The Spiritual Journey Begins

Chapter 2: Everything You Need

Chapter 3: Room for Individuality

Chapter 4: The Narrow Gate

Chapter 5: Feeding the Mind

Chapter 6: Single, Cluster, or Mass

Chapter 7: Baby Steps

Chapter 8: Make It to the Next Level

Chapter 9: Time to Develop

Chapter 10: Turn Up the Heat

Chapter 11: Whatever It Takes

STAGE TWO: The Caterpillar

Chapter 12: Inspiration

Chapter 13: Creative Genius

Chapter 14: One Head or Two

Chapter 15: Built to Eat

Chapter 16: Sensing the World

Chapter 17: No Offense

Chapter 18: We’re Not Clones

Chapter 19: Ornaments

Chapter 20: It’s a War Out There

Chapter 21: Friendship and Fellowship

Chapter 22: Personal Assessment

Chapter 23: Time Out

Chapter 24: Are We There Yet

STAGE THREE: The Chrysalis

Chapter 25: Foundational Attachments

Chapter 26: Appreciating Our Differences

Chapter 27: What’s on the Inside

Chapter 28: Transformation

Chapter 29: Magic or Miracle

STAGE FOUR: The Imago

Chapter 30: Going Through the Fire

Chapter 31: Restoring the Beauty

Chapter 32: Design and Destiny

Chapter 33: Disciple and Discipler

Chapter 34: Pollinators

Chapter 35: More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter 36: X-Ray Vision

Chapter 37: Malformations

Chapter 38: Natural Interests

Chapter 39: Living Up to Our Potential

Chapter 40: Butterfly Believers

How to Lead a Discussion Group or Class

One Anothers of the New Testament

About the Author

Books by Paul E. Linzey

The Music and Ministry of Eddie Espinosa

Bibliography

"What can creatures made in the image of God learn from an insect created by God? In Butterfly Believers, Paul Linzey takes the reader step-by-step through the stages of Christian discipleship, drawing on parallels in the stages of a butterfly’s development. You will learn how the science of transformation in nature applies to your spiritual transformation in Christ, resulting in a metamorphosis of your faith."

—Jan White, author of Everyday Faith for Daily Life

Paul Linzey has turned up the heat with inspirational and creative genius, providing foundational truth for a transforming disciple-journey. This book is an almanac for discipleship. The forty short and easy-to-read devotionals are rich with spiritual depth and life-changing transfiguration. Theological threads are seamlessly woven throughout. This will cause you to pause, ponder, and pray. It’s a five-star read.

—Joseph S. Girdler, superintendent, Kentucky Ministry Network, Assemblies of God

"Butterfly Believers is an encouraging and insightful book for Christians of all ages. The blending of science, theology, and practical application make for a helpful manual for the transformation journey."

—Randy Zachary, afternoon host, Family Radio National Network

"In an ever-changing world, the most fascinating transformation is the renewal of the human heart and soul through salvation in Jesus Christ. Butterfly Believers weaves a breathtaking parallel between science and Scripture."

—Andrew Skerritt, author of Ashamed to Die

"Butterfly Believers is the best book illustrating the miraculous changes that take place in the lives of Jesus Christ’s followers. Paul Linzey has done a masterful job describing the stages of the life of the butterflies (God’s creature) and the believer (God’s creation)."

—Don Biadog Jr., retired Navy chaplain

In this powerful study, Paul Linzey walks believers through total metamorphosis by using the butterfly as an example. His unique comparison of the stages of the butterfly and the growth of a Christian are simply astonishing. You have never looked at your spiritual growth in a deeper way until you devour every page of this book.

—Brenda L. Kerr, founder, Living Water Messianic Faith Ministry

"Butterfly Believers takes the reader through the lifespan of a butterfly (from egg to adulthood) in expressing the shifts and changes that take place as followers of Jesus grow in their relationship with him. The wisdom and insight Paul Linzey offers is simple, yet profound."

—Alaine Thomson Buchanan, dean, Colleges of Graduate and Professional Studies, North Central University

"This devotional book by Paul Linzey is well-written and easy to understand. As I read Butterfly Believers, I was impressed with the idea that believers should not remain too long in any one of the four spiritual stages described by the author. Just as with butterflies, our goal as Christians is to ‘be all you can be’ in Christ."

—Terry Knisley, founder, TRK Ministries

"Through the pages of Butterfly Believers, I’m once again amazed at the Creator’s design of the butterfly’s delicate, simple, and yet complex journey to maturity. I’m glad Paul Linzey has taken the time to parallel the butterfly’s transformation with the spiritual journey of Christ followers."

—David W. Morrison, national director, Assemblies of God Marriage Encounter

Pastor Paul Linzey’s fascinating study of butterflies and the life of faith intrigued me. My wife and I have also been drawn to butterfly conservatories—in Ontario, in Grand Rapids, and on Mackinac Island. These lovely creatures are so beautiful, so peaceful, so short-lived. Pastor Linzey finds many lessons for faith in the transient lives of these miraculous creatures, stressing that we do not lose our individuality in the life of faith. We can all find our faith deepened by this book.

—Robert Morrison, writer

"We all desire transformation. The possibility of transformation offers hope. Witnessing it offers inspiration. Paul Linzey has done us all a great favor by writing this book. Each chapter is a stand-alone micro-message. And yet together, this collection of short conversations will be used by individuals, families, and study groups for generations to come. While I believe Butterfly Believers will become a timeless treasure that should be added to your library, it’s also a phrase that needs to be added to our vocabulary."

—Scott Anthony Cramer, pastor, The Grove Church

"Butterfly Believers is a delightful read that provides plenty to ponder. While the book uses the fascinating metaphor of the butterfly for its overall structure, each short reading contains inspirational insights for believers young or old, solid biblical truths, and engaging stories and anecdotes. Whether you read one per day or one per week, you will find encouragement on the journey of spiritual transformation to which every follower of Jesus Christ is called."

—Melissa Archer, professor of biblical studies, Barnett College of Ministry and Theology

"As a young pastor, I was always amazed at Rev. Billy Graham’s ability to take the deep truth of Scripture and declare it in a way that was so easily understood. That’s what I love about Paul Linzey’s book, Butterfly Believers. Paul takes those deep truths and teaches them in a way that is so easy to understand. You may be feeling the struggle of life, but God is continuously transforming you and He will use this book to restore and renew your hope!"

—Phil Schneider, superintendent, Illinois District Council, Assemblies of God

"A friend of mine let me borrow his copy of Butterfly Believers because he had enjoyed it so tremendously. I loved it so much that I didn’t want to give it back! This wonderful book is such an interesting account of the metamorphosis of butterflies and the parallel of our transformation and growth as believers in Christ. Thank you, Paul Linzey, for this delightfully inspiring book."

—Deborah Wallace, licensed clinical professional counselor

To Charlene Carr

Former Religious Education Director

at the United States Naval Academy

•

Your investment in the lives of children, teens, Midshipmen, and adults

Is the epitome of what it means to help others become Butterfly Believers

I am grateful to have worked with you

And to be your friend

Foreword

I was a little more than two weeks away from my sixteenth birthday when I prayed what so many have called the sinner’s prayer. I didn’t know exactly what had happened to me, but one thing for sure . . . I was a different person. I felt different, I acted differently, and I thought differently. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew something great had happened. I knew that my sins had been forgiven because