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Soul Care Articles

We have hundreds of articles to help you connect with Jesus Christ, the Soul Shepherd.

Trust Jesus’ Abba as your Abba

Jesus wants you also to know God as Abba

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

Probably you know Jesus’ famous Parable of the Prodigal Son, but have you found yourself in the story? Has your heart been melted by experiencing Almighty God as your Abba, your dear Papa?

One way to do this is to spend some time with Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” It’ll improve your view of God and your relationship with him.

We talk with Christian leaders and Christ-followers of all kinds who struggle to trust God as their Abba. On the surface they believe that God loves them this much — they may teach this [...]

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May 15th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Soul Care, Spiritual Formation

The Lamb Became the Shepherd

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

Jesus hung on the cross, naked and disfigured from beatings, bleeding and suffocating to death. He cried out Psalm 22:1 for all to hear, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It was the darkest night ever (Matthew 27:45). Jesus felt abandoned by his Father. Many theologians say that because he took our sin on himself he was abandoned by God. In either case, he was enduring a Dark Night of the Soul. He felt God’s absence. He felt forsaken.

I’ve felt abandoned by God. Probably you have too. I talk with pastors, ministry leaders, and all kinds of Christ-followers who feel [...]

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April 14th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Spiritual Formation

Abba’s Child

Especially around Father’s Day each year I am thankful for my dad and my three kids. I also remember “the Father from whom all fatherhood derives it’s name” (Ephesians 3:15). To appreciate God as your Father everyday is something we you can learn to do — even if your relationship with your father was painful for you.

Abba

A favorite topic I like to share in retreats and seminars is “Embracing Abba.” “Abba” is Hebrew for Papa and it’s the first word that a little Hebrew boy or girl says. It’s a wonderful, affectionate name for God and I love to use it in my [...]

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May 18th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Soul Care

Jesus and Abba at the Cross

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

Where was God the Father when Jesus was being crucified? Where is God when you and I are being mistreated?

We know that Jesus cried out on the cross the prayer of David in Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

On the cross Jesus felt abandoned by the Father. He was carrying our sin, our evil, our choices to reject God. Darkness covered the land and Jesus experienced separation from his Father.

But did the Father reject Jesus? Does he reject you and I in our suffering? In our sin?

Jesus’ Cries out for his Abba from the Cross

When Jesus [...]

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March 31st, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Spiritual Formation