By Bill Gaultiere © 2012

We say, “I love God.” But do we say this with endearment? Delight? Affection?

Maybe we’re embarrassed to show affection for God, to let our heart hang out for him. Or maybe it’s that as we go about our day we forget him — we get distracted. If we’re not careful the presence of the Lord in our midst becomes like the wallpaper that we don’t notice anymore.

Today I’ve been praying Psalm 2. I’m using a little prayer I wrote to keep offering up expressions of my love for God because he deserves my best. The Lord deserves my whole heart!

My love falls so far short of what is fitting for our glorious God, but at least I can keep stoking the embers and rekindling a flame of love for him. My abiding prayer helps. (Hint: it helps to engage your heart if you pray this with a smile!)

Blessed Refuge

We adore you, O Abba!

We kiss you, O Christ!

We savor you, O Spirit!

We trust you, O Trinity!

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

(Inspired by Psalm 2:2b, 7, 12a)

More Soul Shepherding

“Kiss the Son of God” is one of my favorite prayers of devotion, also from Psalm 2. This is truly a heart-warming prayer. Let it melt your heart. Let affection for Jesus inflame you.

“Abiding in Prayer” introduces this way of prayer with teaching from the Bible.

“Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry” ~ Contact Bill or Kristi Gaultiere

Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

“You brought me out into a spacious place” the Psalmist marveled with thanks to the Lord (Psalm 18:19, 31:8). We want to help you step into the spaciousness that the Good Shepherd has for you and your ministry. We do that by facilitating your intimacy with Jesus.

Soul Shepherding from the Lord Jesus Christ is what enables you to enjoy lasting spiritual renewal and fruitful ministry to others.

But there are obstacles that get in the way. Hurts and worries may burden you. Conflicts can cripple. Ministry stress may overwhelm. More church attendance, Bible study, and hard work are not enough for you to experience the healing and growth you need to be joyful and effective in God’s kingdom. So we are trained to provide psychotherapy and spiritual direction, along with showing you how to use the particular spiritual disciplines you need to be free to be who God has designed you to be.

Contact us if we can help you or someone you’re concerned about.

Bill & Kristi

Jesus wants to embrace you!

A Soul Shepherding Moment

By Bill Gaultiere © 2012

This morning I opened up my Psalms prayerbook and read, “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress… May he send you help from the sanctuary” (Psalm 20:1-2).

3,000 years ago with the help of the Holy Spirit the Psalmist was interceding for our comfort. Believing that inspires me to pray. Instead of trying to make prayer happen with my words and energies I let the Scripture and the Spirit carry me to the throne of grace. “We don’t know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…” (Romans 8:26).

What comfort do you need today? Is someone in your circle hurting?

In our family we are very sad and in need of comfort. We lost Kristi’s dad to a heart attack yesterday. Our loss is heaven’s gain as he’s in glory with Jesus. We’re happy for him, but we will so miss having him part of the family.

There’s been a lot of tears and more to come. Also lots of hugs, listening, memories, and prayers. How do you let go of husband? Father? Grandpa? Friend? Yesterday he had so much life. Today he’s gone, but actually more alive than ever. So many hopes that can’t be fulfilled, yet he has realized the greatest hope of all in the arms of Jesus.

In the Arms of Jesus

In the arms of Jesus. That’s the ultimate source of comfort. That’s the only way to let go of a loved one — embrace the Loved One. The Lord Jesus Christ who conquered sin and death embraces us now here on earth even as he is embracing Kristi’s dad in heaven.

In the arms of Jesus. That’s the ultimate source of hope. Really we’re all just pilgrims passing through this earth. We try not to think about how brief our lives are. We forget that “the life that is truly life” is not only in heaven waiting for us, but it is in increasing measure available for us to “take hold” of right now with Jesus in his kingdom of the heavens (1 Timothy 6:19).

In the arms of Jesus. That’s where we are as we embrace one another. We are the body of Christ. We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

In the arms of Jesus. That’s where the Psalmist led me this morning. I hope it’s where you are now. Who do you know who needs to find comfort and hope in the arms of Jesus? It’s by being in the arms of Jesus yourself that you can offer the help to others that is needed. (He has BIG arms to hold lots of people!)

O Jesus, there is no better place to be than in your arms — we rest in your embrace. We release our loved ones into your arms — they rest in your embrace. Yes, Lord, in your arms heaven and earth aren’t so far apart. Amen.

More Soul Shepherding

“Trusting God in Sadness” tells the story of how God helped me at a time when I was depressed.

Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry. If we can help you find God’s comfort contact us. We want to help you live in such a way that God’s peace and grace live in you and overflow from you to others in need.

Dr’s Bill & Kristi Gaultiere ~ SoulShepherding.org

Jesus knocks on the door of your heart

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

What if Jesus asked you to lunch? I think you’d be excited!

Actually, Jesus has already asked you. Remember he said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Lunch with Jesus. It’s a simple concept, but it’s powerful. Let me illustrate.

Recently Kristi and I helped the staff members of Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) have a private lunch with Jesus on the beach as part of a three-day spiritual formation retreat. These pastors and missionaries serve the Lord in Mexico. They care for the poor and prisoners. They share the gospel and make disciples to Jesus. They work so hard and give so much to others—they need to be cared for and encouraged too!

Look what Happens when you Make Time for Jesus!

What effect does it have when Christ’s servants set aside a few days for intimacy with Jesus in community? To be guided and encouraged in Scripture, prayer, and soul talk? I wish you could’ve seen the glowing face of Bob Sanders, the President of BCM. He was radiating with the love, joy, and peace of Christ.

There were many testimonies from the retreat that told the same story as Bob’s face. A pastor who was ready to quit her ministry was rejuvenated. Two pastor’s wives who had a falling out were reconciled. Missionaries shared stories of deep wounds and received comfort. Pastors who were serving alone in the frontier open up to a safe community and received the embrace of Christ.

We’ve seen it time and again: When we are helped to de-stress and open our hearts to Jesus his life flows into us—then it can readily flow through us to other people. “Abide in me and you will bear much fruit,” Jesus promised (John 15:5).

For Bob and his team it all began with having lunch with Jesus in quiet solitude. It can be that simple for you too. Just you and Jesus in a quiet place, perhaps a beautiful nature setting, sharing a meal and sharing hearts, enjoying being together, perhaps for a few hours or more.

More Soul Shepherding

Your face can glow like Bob’s. You can grow in your intimacy with Jesus. Bob’s testimony in the form of a prayer poem will get you started: “Lunch with Jesus.”

We were able to provide this retreat for the missionaries at no cost to them. That’s because of the generosity of our ministry partners who have caught the Soul Shepherding vision: invest in the care of pastors and you help to advance God’s kingdom in the hundreds of lives that they touch. It’s easy to make a tax-deductible donation to Soul Shepherding.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Jesus finds the lost sheep!

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

Have you ever been lost? It’s frightening!

But how sweet it is to be found and to see the smile of the one you love.

Being Lost

One time I got lost leading my 11-year old son on a hike up a mountain. We were coming down the peak and got lost. The sun was going down and it was very cold. We were hiking through snow, far from help, shivering and trembling with fear. Just in the nick of time God brought us some other hikers who knew the way back down the mountain.

Another time my precious little four-year old girl got lost at Disneyland. We searched and searched for her and couldn’t find her. We went told the park officials and they were looking for her. We were so scared that she’d been kidnapped. We prayed and prayed and kept searching frantically. Then all of a sudden she appeared!

I’ve talked with many people who have been lost spiritually. Some are lost in sin and haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ to forgive them. Others are Christians, but struggling with an addiction and far from God. Still others “know” all the right Christian answers but yet they feel distant from God.

The Good Shepherd in Psalm 28

One day five years ago I was praying Psalm 28 in solitude and I came across these lines:

“Praise be to the Lord for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song… Be [our] shepherd and carry [us] forever” (verses 6-7, 9).

I was reminded of Jesus saying that he is a shepherd who looks high and low for lost sheep and rejoices to find them and bring them all the way home into God’s grace (Luke 15:1-7).

At the time I was longing to draw closer to Jesus. I felt compelled to go and pray at the “Lost is Found” statue that depicts what Jesus described. This is at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA.

Be Captivated by Jesus!

As I meditated on Psalm 28 and the statue depicting Jesus’ story I found myself captivated by the Shepherd’s smiling face cuddled up to the lamb he had on his shoulders.

The it hit me: I am that lamb! Jesus has found me and is singing his love over me! I was lost and now I am found.

My spirit sang and danced with my Lord, the children, and all the sheep as I appreciated his love for me—and not just for me, but also for the people in my life who I might help to be found by the Good Shepherd.

It was a close moment for me, a joyful embrace in Jesus’ love. To express my feelings and remember the experience I wrote this prayer poem:

His Smile is All we Need

Good Shepherd found me!

My heart leaps for joy

In songs of thanksgiving.

My Shepherd carries me forever.

~

His smile is all I need.

He put me atop his shoulders

And still holds me securely there

As we snuggle cheek to cheek.

~

I heard my Shepherd calling for me

And he heard my cry for help.

He rejoiced and sang over me

And I joined the angels in his song.

~

People gathered all around,

Lambs and rams skipped with delight,

Boys and girls danced in joyful song—

His smile is all we need.

More Soul Shepherding

Psalm 23 means so much to me and I love to share it with others. “My Soul Shepherding Psalm” helps our hearts to be found by Jesus.

One of the ministries of Soul Shepherding is to show ministry leaders and other Christ-followers how to meditate on Scripture in ways that facilitate intimacy with our Lord and soul transformation.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

When you’re reading the Bible do you ever just stop mid sentence to pray because your heart is warmed with appreciation for Jesus?

This morning I was reading Psalm 95 and I stopped at the first word: “Come!” The Lord is inviting me to come to him! He’s smiling, his arms are open, his heart is open — all for me and for you!

Do you believe this? Or maybe it is an unfamiliar experience for you to be chosen and delighted in? Maybe you feel insecure or unworthy?

Embrace Jesus

Come. Come to Jesus. Oh to embrace our Lord — right now. Oh to live more and more in his embrace. Nothing is sweeter. You yearn for this love and so does everyone around you.

Nothing is more important for our lives than to respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Come! Come! Come!” Three times in Psalm 95 the Lord invites us to come closer. Again and again and again in the Gospels the Lord Jesus Christ invites us to come to him:

• “Come and see how I live” (John 1:39, par)
• “Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)
• “Come and follow me to fish for souls” (Matthew 4:19, par)

Meditate on Scripture

We come to Jesus when we let the Scripture warm our hearts for prayer. Praying the Scripture — that’s what it means to meditate.

We need to keep reminding ourselves that more important than getting through our Bible reading is getting our Bible reading through us. When the Word of God descends from your mind into your heart to begin forming you more into the image of Christ it has done its work — just rest in the loving hands of the Potter and smile your love to him.

Then take the Word that’s in your heart into whatever you’ll be doing that day. That’s the real test of your Bible reading: daily life. As you do your work do it with Jesus and for his honor. As you’re with people rely on the Word to help you love. As listen to people shoot up a little prayer.

Keep praying. As you’re waiting on someone or walking, as you’re brushing your teeth or taking out the trash, or as you lay in bed and can’t sleep recall the Scripture to your mind and let it lead you in prayer.

A Jesus Prayer for You, for Others

Here’s a little Jesus Prayer I wrote from Psalm 95. It’s easy to memorize and pray as you go about your day. Come to Jesus with me now:

Lord Jesus Christ

Today I listen for your voice

Today I soften my heart to you

Today I walk in your way

It helps to pray these words with your body. Put your hands on your ears and pray to listen. Put your hands on your heart to soften it to God. Extend your hands out to dedicate your steps to follow him.

You might try applying God’s Word to your life by praying about specific situations or events: “Dear Lord, today as I ______ I seek to hear your voice, soften my heart, and follow your way.”

You can “abide” in this prayer for others by name: “Lord Jesus, may ______ listen to your voice, soften her heart, and walk in your ways.”

More Soul Shepherding

Do you know the original “Jesus Prayer” and the heart-warming story behind it? “The Jesus Prayer and the Anonymous Pilgrim’s Story” has done so much to help me and others that I give spiritual direction to. It’ll inspire you too!

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

If you live in So Cal I hope you can join me for our Soul Shepherding retreat this Saturday morning June 4th, 9 am to 12:30 pm: “Walk with Jesus.”

We’ll be meeting at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA in the Art Gallery which is just south of the 13-story Tower of Hope.

Set aside a few hours to grow in your intimacy with Jesus as you walk to inspiring Bible statues, meditate on Scripture, and share your heart. Scripture meditation, solitude, and soul talk are three inspiring spiritual disciplines that I’ll be facilitating.

Precious moments with your Lord and Savior await you! He will minister to your soul. You can learn to hear his voice. I will help you and you will connect with spiritual friends.

This morning retreat is free. A “Love Offering” for the ministry of Soul Shepherding will be received.

Solitude with Jesus

Extended hours of solitude with Jesus is an essential practice for our souls that is taught and modeled in the Bible. It’s especially meaningful to pray in solitude as part of a gathering of apprentices to Jesus. Here are some key Biblical passages that help us to practice Solitude with Jesus.

Soul Therapy Day

Can’t come? Talk with Kristi and/or I about us customizing a “Soul Therapy Day” for you, your marriage, or your group that fits your schedule and your budget. Over the years we’ve led many retreats for hundreds of people – pastors and Christ-followers of all kinds.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

In the darkness and torture of Good Friday’s crucifixion if we look carefully we see the light of Jesus dying so gracefully.

Jesus’ invisible source of love and life that overflowed to all, even his enemies, came from his being with the Father in the kingdom of God even as he hung on the cross. This life burst through sin, death, and hell when Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday!

I’d like to share with you another meditation from the Stations of the Cross. My message is that because of what Jesus did for us we can base our identity with the Apostle John on the wonderful news: “I am the disciple Jesus loves!”

Jesus Dies on the Cross with John as Witness

Read Scripture

“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:45-46).

“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’” (Luke 23:45-46).

“Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30).

“One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe” (John 19:34-35).

Pray Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, as you hung on the cross out of love for all people you were abandoned by the very people you fed, healed, forgave, and taught — even all twelve of your disciples left you except for John. He saw you spill your blood and give up your spirit into your Father’s hands.

O Jesus, forgive me for the ways that despite your generosity to me I’ve been unfaithful to you. Like John, I want to join you in submitting everything into the Father’s hands until all that’s left for me is to live by his words, “I am the disciple Jesus loves!” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20).

Reflect

What situation or person in your life are you trying to control? How about letting go and submitting this into the Father’s hands? How might this help you be faithful to Jesus and base your identity on being the disciple he loves?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Give up trying to control things — submit them into the Father’s hands by abandoning all outcomes to him and discover that being the disciple Jesus loves is enough for you to be happy.

Breathe a Prayer

“Father… into your hands I commit ______” (Psalm 31:5, Luke 23:46).

More Soul Shepherding

Little Breath Prayers can be powerful! Learn how you can use Jesus’ cross prayer of submission: “Father… into your hands I commit ______”

A few words on the ancient Stations of the Cross…

Soul Shepherding is a 501c3 nonprofit ministry. Tax-deductible donations provide for psychotherapy and spiritual mentoring for pastors, pastor’s wives, missionaries, and other ministry leaders as well as supporting the resources on this website being used by hundreds of people every day.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Everyone longs for a soul friend, but most don’t know how to develop one. Come to the cross of Christ with me. Open your heart and together we’ll experience resurrection life to share with others!

This devotional continues my series of posts on the ancient Stations of the Cross.

I have just completed “Follow Jesus on the Stations of the Cross: Enter a Gospel Scene to Participate in Resurrection Life.” This is a devotional booklet uses Scriptures, prayers, and inspirations from each of the 15 stations to facilitate healing and growth in grace. I’d like you to have this to help you prepare your heart for Easter joy and so you can participate in the resurrection of Christ everyday! Just give a donation to Soul Shepherding for any amount and we’ll send this to you ASAP via e-mail.

Jesus Connects his Mother and John

Read Scripture

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27).

Pray the Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, as you hung on the cross Mary stood faithfully at your side, along with John and three other women. Soon Mary wouldn’t see you anymore and you didn’t want her to be lonely so to help her trust in your spiritual presence with her you gave her your beloved disciple to be her soul friend. Like Mary, I need to make a soul friend at your cross.

O Jesus, I want to hold you in my heart always and I need soul friends to bring me back to your cross and help me see that your arms are open to me. Help me to develop friendships centered in you and to share my heart with these friends. Help me to be a soul friend that draws people closer to you and your cross.

Reflect

Do you have a soul friend who helps you connect deeply with Christ and his cross? Who can you be a soul friend to? What can you do to bless this friend in the coming days?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Open up some time in your schedule to show concern for your friends and their relationship with Christ. By offering yourself as a soul friend to another you will both draw closer to Jesus Christ as your eternal Soul Friend.

Breathe a Prayer

“Jesus… I behold you with my friend”

More Soul Shepherding

“Deep-Spirited Friendships.” You long for one. Here’s what they look like and what the Bible teaches us about growing in this way of the soul.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Many ministry leaders and servants of Christ that we help have been abused in the past. Some were hit, yelled at, or called bad names. Others were sexually violated. Many suffered with harsh judgments from a parent.

Tragically, survivors of abuse tend to perpetuate the pain of how they were mistreated with self-condemnation or destructive behavior. They often suffer in isolation. Due to guilt and shame they hide their memories and pain from others — even their loved ones.

If you’ve been badly mistreated you need to know that Jesus understands. He was used and abused in a variety of ways during his lifetime. On the cross he was abused verbally, physically, and sexually — and he overcome it all to minister to others who have been abused and to offer forgiveness to everyone, even abusers.

The 10th Station in the Stations of the Cross focuses on healing from abuse.

Jesus is Stripped by the Soldiers 

Read Scripture

“He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

“The soldiers spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him” (Matthew 26:67).

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One’” (Luke 23:34-36).

“The centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus… said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39).

Pray Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, you were abused — verbally, physically, and sexually — to set us free. You were beaten and bruised to heal us. You were stripped naked to clothe us in the forgiveness and favor of the Father. You were publicly humiliated to honor us with your Holy Spirit. You let go of all that this world has to offer to enable us to embrace true life with you.

O Jesus, in all the shameful treatment you received your glory as the Son of God shines through! Help me to trust that because of your cross there is healing mercy for how I have been abused — and also if I have held onto resentment or have abused others. Help me to receive your forgiveness and to follow your example of forgiving others, even those who mistreat me, so your glory will shine through me.

Reflect

Have you been abused or mistreated? Have you abused or mistreated anyone else? Have you received and shared the forgiveness of Christ for these things?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Let go of anger toward those who have abused you or towards yourself for not stopping it or perpetuating it on others. Then through Christ you can clothe yourself in the glorious forgiveness and favor of the Father and share this with others.

Breathe a Prayer

“I am clothed in Christ… I have no shame.”

More Soul Shepherding

“You Can Live In Jesus’ Easy Yoke” is my new book. Real life stories, Bible teaching, and creative approaches to prayer will help to follow Jesus’ rhythms of grace and overcome low self-esteem and other common sources of distress.

Did you know that “Angry Prayers Can Bring Peace“?

Soul Shepherding is a 501c3 nonprofit ministry dedicated to care for pastors and ministry leaders through counseling and spiritual mentoring.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org