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Getting the Third Degree ~

After 18 months of intensive study, having read close to 100 books, having written nearly 750 pages of  graduate level theological reflection, I can finally say...it is finished!

On Saturday, May 10th, 2008 I received my Master's Degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College Graduate School (my third- and possibly not final - earned degree).

On top of that...as I sat in the bleachers in my cap and gown reading through the commencement brochure I turned to the academic awards page and my eyes locked on to this...

The Robert E. Coleman Award in Evangelism and Leadership is given in honor of Robert E. Coleman for his internationally acclaimed career in evangelism, especially in the areas of mentoring, teaching, and preaching.  The award is giving to the student who, in the judgment of the faculty has demonstrated unusual giftedness in the areas of ministry, writing, and academic excellence ~ ~ ~ James D Botts

Tears filled my eyes as I read those words.  My good friend and mentor Dr. Rick Richardson presented me with this award...which was awesome since only 16 people received awards out of a graduating class of 125.

Though I graduated with honors and a 3.95 GPA, it wasn't easy!  I could not have done it without the love, support and frequent forgiveness of my lovely wife Rose and three awesome boys ~ Stephen, Josiah and Daniel.

Now that my career as a full-time theological grad student has come to a close, I'll be posting on my blog more regularly.  My next post will announce what God has invited the Botts family into next...hint, hint, hint...it's awesome and were are excited - click here to preview our next ministry!

Lead Me To The Cross...

This song has been my constant prayer these days. 
Take a moment and pray through this video!

At the cross God's love and our brokenness intersect.  Jesus overcame sin and death to love us into the wholeness of God.

• At the cross Jesus says ~ "I love you unconditionally, even in the midst of all your brokenness."   
  
• At the cross Jesus says ~ "I want to free you from the oppressive captivity of your shame."
• At the cross Jesus says ~ "I feel your pain, let me heal your heart and bind up your wounds."
• At the cross Jesus says ~ "I welcome you home, no matter where you've been, with open arms."

"He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way.  His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls"
( 1 Peter 2:24, MSG).

Two Sides of Eternity...

One day, we're all going to crossover into eternity...though we don't think about it much.  Everyday we live we move one day closer to eternity.

Scripture speaks of our time in this earth with word pictures that convey the idea of the brevity of life.

Like a puff of smoke ~ our time vanishes into thin air.
Like a shadow ~ we pass along like a day in the sun.
Like a flower ~ our lives bloom and then fade.

Few of us would sell their soul for any amount of money...most of us just give it away one day at a time.  Here's are some soul words from Jesus to ponder...

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it" (John 3:16-18, MSG).    

We All Need Community ~

Your belly button is proof...that you need others.  Each of us came into the world connected to another human being.  And all of us will spend the rest of our lives craving a connection with people.

Jesus modeled a life lived in close committed community with others.  The best way to experience the reality care, and leadership of Jesus is in a small group of others who are committed to Him.

Jesus promised, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20, ESV).

Your relationship with God must be personal, but can never be private!

Prayer Tactics...

Someone once said, "prayer changes things!"  Does it really?  We all know what it's like to pray about something that's important to us...only to have our prayers go unanswered.

So why bother praying?

Because prayer is like railroad tracks!  Just as a train will not go where tracks have not been laid first, in the same way, prayer lays the tracks for the activity of God.  God moves when people pray.

These three messages will help you pray God's way.

#1.  A Bad Prayer Day ~ Too many people have given up on prayer due to unanswered prayers.  This message will teach you how to give up on unanswered prayers.

#2.  Pray It Forward ~ Sometimes when we pray...nothing happens.  This message will help you unlearn what prayer means to you, in order to learn what prayer means to God.

#3.  Prayer Conditioning ~ What does God require from me in order to answer my prayers?  This message will teach God's conditions for answered prayer.

We don't have to be perfect for God to answers our prayers. 
But we do have to be perfectly honest!

What Season Are You In?

With winter going strong, I've been thinking a lot about seasons lately.   God created seasons, uses seasons and works according to seasons.

Jesus lived by God's seasons.  At the beginning of Jesus' ministry He understood that it was not the season yet  for the fullness of God's work through Him.  But then at the end of His earthy ministry He stated that the time had come for God's work to be completed through Him.

Here are some thoughts about God's seasons...
~ Seasons are temporary, they always come to pass.
~ Seasons  are necessary, you need them to grow.
~ Seasons require patience, they just take time.
~ Seasons can be harsh, think of winter and summer.
~ Season are productive, only a full season develops fruit.
~ Seasons are normal, they happen to everybody.
~ Seasons are from God, He sends and controls them.

So, what season does God have you in? 

If you're feeling the cold winds of winter, just remember to be patient because it's only for a while. 

Maybe you're enjoying the new growth of spring, just remember to enjoy it for all it's worth. 

Or maybe you're feeling the heat and drought of summer, just remember that roots grow their deepest during the summer drought. 

Or maybe you're living through the radical change of fall, just remember that God causes change to grow us.

Whatever season God has you in ~ don't resent it, let this season produce all the good that God wants it to produce. 

That's how I'm living through this season > how about you?

 

Turning Over A New Leaf ~

Have you ever wondered where that phrase came from? 

In the 16th century, people referred to pages in a book as leaves. "Turning over a new leaf" meant turning to a blank page in a book to begin a new chapter.

Around this time of year, many of us make fresh attempts to change for the better.  Here are a few thoughts about "turning over a new leaf" this year...

• Your life is a story that has a beginning, middle, and an end.
• The story of your life only makes sense in light of God's story (see the Bible).
• Your past is only part the story, there is a future to pursue.
• Expect drama, comedy, tragedy and suspense in your story.
• The cast of characters may change, but the plot stays the same.
• There will be villains, twists, and tears…like every great story.
• No matter what, the page can be turned, and a new chapter begun.
• Every new chapter deepens the plot of your life with God.
• God is the both Author and the Hero of your story.

In the story of your life, 2008 offers a blank page to allow God to start a new chapter.  What is your response to these “leaf turning” questions…?

1. How can I grant God a greater role in my life story right now? 

2. Am I trying to be the star and relegating God to a bit part?

3. Who are the characters that God provided to help me pursue His plot? 

4.  In what areas do I need to “turn the page” and trust God for new challenges?

 

A Show Of Hands...

You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their hands.

Real followers of Jesus have dirty hands.  Hands dirtied by the hard work of reaching out and touching people who are sought by Jesus.

Then there are those who call themselves Christ followers but have clean, soft, manicured hands. Hands that are unsullied by the dirty work of hands-on involvement in the mission of Jesus.

Put your hands out in front of you and take a good look. 

Are your hands dirtied by personal involvement in the mission of Jesus? 

Or do you have clean, soft hands uncalloused by hard work of reaching out in Jesus' name?   

Bill Hybels' words put it all into perspective ~

"I would never want to reach out someday with a soft, uncalloused hand ~ a hand never dirtied by serving ~ and shake the nail-pierced hand of Jesus!

God has been challenging me lately by asking me, "How are you getting your hands dirty in the mission of Jesus?" 

So, I'm looking for new ideas for getting my hands dirtier in Jesus mission of helping people find their way back to Him.

How are you dirtying up your hands in Jesus mission?

 

Going On The Offensive...

When my kids were very little, they played basketball in the YMCA league.  I remember yelling out, "you're on offense," and "you're on defense" just so the kids would know what they were supposed to be doing on either end of the floor.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Jesus is saying to His church, "You're on offense, you're on offense" so we'll know what we're supposed to be doing.

I've been thinking about the mission of Jesus church lately. 

We should be expending more offensive energy in helping people discover and develop a relationship with Jesus than we have been.  Why?  Because Jesus called us to go on the offensive and take back some turf for His sake.

 

Top 10 Predictions For 2008...

I am not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet, but I thought I'd offer some New Year's predictions as we leave '07 and usher in '08.

Because these predictions are based on the unchanging character of God, you can display them, rely on them, and live your everyday life by them.

10. The Scriptures Will Still Have The Answers

9. Prayer Will Still Work Miracles

8. God's Spirit Will Still Move Throughout The World   

7. God Will Still Be In The Business Of Transforming People

6. God Will Still Reveal Himself To Everyone Who Seeks Him

5. God Will Still Bless Those Who Honor Him First

4. God's Church Will Grow Stronger Than Ever

3. There Will Still Be Room At The Cross

2. Jesus Will Still Seek And Save The Lost

1. Jesus Will Still Love You No Matter What 

God says to us in Scripture, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.”  In 2008, let’s count on God to BE God.

Make 2008 the year you allow God be God TO you, OVER you, IN you and FOR you.