Soul Shepherding » meditation

Be Clothed in God’s Sunshine

Bill Gaultiere — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:34:50 +0000

A Soul Shepherding Moment

My heart goes out to people who get overcome by worry. It’s a temptation we all face. It used to be a way of life for me till I was renewed spiritually and deepened by trust in God’s Word.

As a Psychologist I help people with worry in therapy. I also provide spiritual care and mentoring for groups of people in homes, churches, and retreat centers. For instance, last night I was blessed to lead a group of friends in a time of Lectio Divina (an ancient way of praying Scripture) on Jesus’ beautiful words Matthew 6:25-34: “Do not worry… Look at the birds… See how the lilies grow… Seek first the kingdom of God…” Everyone drew closer to Jesus. Each person shared their heart with the Lord and their friends and each heard Jesus’ words of peace applied to their personal life.

God Will Clothe You

I’d like to give you a taste of our “Intimacy with Jesus” group by sharing my experience. For the first reading of the Bible passage the phrase that God drew my attention to was, “He will clothe you.” After the second reading I prayed in silence and then with a cluster of friends concerning my temptation to worry about the sermon I’ll be giving this Sunday, my first at Voyagers’ Bible Church, our new home church.

Our third and final reading of the Bible passage was focused on listening for a personal invitation from the Lord. We listened in silence and then each of us shared in our cluster a prayer of thanks for what we sensed God was saying to us. Here’s how I heard the Lord speak to my heart:

Do not worry. As you preach concern yourself with one thing: me in the midst of the congregation. I am present. I am Fathering the people as you speak. Just as I care for the birds so I care for my people. Trust me as the one who is sowing and reaping, the one who stores away treasure in the heavens. Then for you and the congregation your sowing and reaping will be an easy yoke and you’ll enjoy a treasure store in my kingdom.

I am growing the flowers as you speak, clothing them in my sunshine. I am the one who clothes you. Be clothed in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Be clothed in the words of Jesus — embody them. I will speak through you, not just your words, but your spirit clothed in my Spirit. I will glorify Jesus through you and he will minister peace to the congregation.

Just as I sing over the birds and they sing back to me so it is with my people. Imagine yourself preaching in a field of wildflowers with the sun shining and birds singing. Imagine yourself standing with Jesus in the kingdom of the heavens and all eyes are on him. Make this your prayer then you and the congregation will be at peace as the sunshine and music of my glory spreads in them and through them to the people they touch in their daily lives.

Feed off the Fruit of My Meditation

What challenge are you facing in your life? What stress is troubling you? Re-read my invitation from Jesus, receiving it for you in your situation. The ancient masters of devotion to Jesus call this “Feeding off the fruit of another’s meditation”…

More Soul Shepherding

The best way to hear God speak into your own life is to take the time to do your own meditation on Scripture. I invite you to listen to God speak from Matthew 6:25-34. Here’s the Lectio Divina handout on “Do Not Worry: Matthew 6:25-34” that we used last night.

My article on Lectio Divina introduces the history, Biblical background, rhythms, and steps to practice of this ancient discipline.

If you live in Southern California I invite you to come to one of our upcoming Soul Shepherding events, including this Sunday when I preach on “Be God’s Wildflower — Be Worry Free!” Or perhaps we can do an event for you and your friends at your home or church.

“Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry” ~ Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D.

A Sweet Aroma

Bill Gaultiere — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:58:51 +0000

Soul Shepherding Moments

Don’t just read the Bible to get through it—let the Word of God read you and get through you.

Learning to pray the Scriptures from your heart so that you long for more of God in your life and confess your sin, hurt, stress, and needs to him is a fundamental spiritual discipline for being with Jesus to become like him. But many of us don’t know how to read the Bible this way or we let ourselves get busy and distracted.

Jeanne Guyon wrote: “Take the portion of Scripture that has touched your heart and turn it into prayer… Plunge into the very depths of the words you read until revelation, like a sweet aroma, breaks out upon you… Hold your heart in the Lord’s presence” (Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, p. 8, 10).

An Example

For instance, today I’ve been praying from Psalm 95 and appreciating that God, through the Psalmist, says to me, “Come!” What a blessed invitation! It’s like church bells ringing to call me into prayer. Just to pause and linger on this opportunity is a great joy. What a great help it is to be reminded that I can come to God as I am, sharing with him my hopes and challenges and relying on him to care for me and guide me step-by-step.

I invite you to “Come!” to the Lord. Spend some time with a passage of the Bible and let it warm your heart for prayer.

More Soul Shepherding

If you live in Southern California we invite you to join us at a new ministry gathering called “Thirst!” Each month Kristi and I will guide you in refreshing ways of praying the Scripture to help you be with Jesus and become like him. We meet monthly at Voyagers Bible Church in Irvine beginning this Wednesday October 12th at 7 pm.

“Come!” to Jesus and pray Psalm 95 with me. You’ll appreciate anew that Jesus’ arms are open to you.

Soul Shepherding is a nonprofit ministry of counseling and spiritual mentoring for you and your ministry. We care for pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, and other servants of the Lord to help them be strong in God’s grace. Soul Shepherding is supported by tax-deductible donations.

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

Content in a Swarm of Mosquitoes

Bill Gaultiere — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:37:30 +0000

I just returned from four days of backpacking in Yosemite with my son David. What beauty to be surrounded by mountains, walking along streams and wildflowers, listening to birds sing, and enjoying graceful deer prancing nearby.

But perhaps the best gift God gave me came with swarms of mosquitoes!

Mosquitoes? How did God use buzzing, biting mosquitoes to bless me?

Swarmed by Mosquitoes

Let me set the scene. As we hiked 36-miles up and down mountains in the thin air at 9,000 to 11,000 feet, each of us carrying 40 pounds on our backs, we walked through some meadows filled with streams, ponds, and lakes. When we camped at night in temperatures below freezing we were alongside a lake. Wherever there is water in the high Sierras during the summertime there are swarms of mosquitoes!

Of course, the temptation is to be driven crazy by these blood-thirsty pests. It’s easy to become quite agitated and to keep swatting furiously at mosquito after mosquito that dives down to attack you! It’s easy to become grouchy and to complain endlessly—especially when you’re already suffering from altitude sickness as I was!

I must confess I exhibited some of these desperate antics and sour attitudes! I was letting the mosquitoes distract me from enjoying hiking with Jesus and my son.

I lost my contentment. I let the mosquitoes and Satan get the best of me.

What is Contentment?

To be content is to be at peace—so deeply serene and happy inside that you accept whatever your circumstances are like, even if they are unpleasant.

Paul is the picture of contentment. He wrote Philippians while in jail. He was falsely imprisoned, persecuted, and mistreated for years and yet he was at peace and joyful. Rather than feeling sorry for himself or complaining he wrote the happiest book in the Bible to bless the people of Philippi!

Was Paul just a naturally cheerful, easy-going personality? Hah! Anyone that has read his letters or his story in Acts knows otherwise! He was intense, driven, and prone to anger and complaining.

So how could he be so joyful in prison? He had a guard. Yes, a jailor (probably a brute thug) guarded him constantly, but he was looking to his spiritual guard: the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He rejoice in his Lord as his “safeguard” and therefore the peace of Christ “guarded his heart and mind” (Philippians 3:1, 4:4-7).

Swarmed, but Content Anyway

As I hiked into the mosquitoes and got irritated the same Holy Spirit who guarded Paul was praying within me without ceasing and he drew me back into renewing my mind in God’s Word (Romans 8:26). Thankfully, the Scripture meditation I had already been doing long before the mosquitos attacked gave the Holy Spirit something to work with!

I prayed with the Apostle Paul, “Yes, Lord, I have learned the secret of being content—whether swarmed by mosquitoes or standing free in the breeze. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (based on Philippians 4:12-13). Over and over I repeated, “I am content in Christ.”

Spiritual Warfare

I was using “the sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) to overcome not only the mosquitoes but also Satan, who was using the mosquito swarm to tempt me to into self-pity and complaining.

Our attitude is really important. When Satan succeeds in making us sour and negative then it’s easy for him to create more havoc in us and the people around us. Thankfully, the truth of Scripture pushed back the kingdom of darkness and opened up for me the kingdom of light.

God was helping me to appreciate that I didn’t have to be overwhelmed by or defined by the reality of the mosquitoes. There was another, larger reality in my landscape that I could be immersed in and strengthened by: the kingdom of the heavens.

Take Hold of Jesus’ Hand Now

What trial is swarming around you? What problem keeps biting you? Take out the sword of the Spirit. Use Scripture to pray that God would help you to set your heart on the kingdom of Christ that is right at hand (Matthew 4:17).

You can reach out for it now. You can keep holding Jesus’ hand. Praying Scripture will help.

When you hold the hand of Jesus you are safe from sin and Satan.

More Soul Shepherding

“Bible Prayers to Live Worry Free” provides a number of peace-filled verses from the Bible with guidance on how to use that Scripture for your soul training.

Do you know that pastors experience great stress? Who cares for the pastor who cares for you? Soul Shepherding helps pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, and other ministry leaders to grow in the peace of Christ. The counseling and spiritual care we offer to pastors and others is subsidized by tax-deductible donations.

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

Surprising, Sweet Intimacy with Jesus

Bill Gaultiere — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:29:14 +0000

One of the most touching parts of Jesus’ passion is the scene in which Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross. Do you and I love Jesus enough to help him carry his cross?

I’m continuing the series of Scripture reflections and prayers that go back to the ancient Stations of the Cross. This meditation will help you understand how in your life today you can help Jesus to carry his cross and be drawn into a surprising and sweet intimacy with your Lord and Savior.

What grace there is in the cross of Christ! Reflecting deeply on this gospel scene has encouraged me so much in my walk with Christ — may it do the same for you.

Jesus Receives Simon’s Help to Carry the Cross

Read Scripture

“And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led Jesus out to crucify him” (Mark 15:20).

“I am bowed down and brought very low… My back is filled with searing pain… My strength fails me… My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds” (Psalm 38:6-7, 10-11).

“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross” (Mark 15:21-22).

“I want to know Christ and… the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11).

Pray Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, you were bruised and bleeding after the scourging that nearly killed you and still you pressed on and carried the weight of the cross for us. Simon had to be forced to take on the pain and shame of carrying your cross with you. But when he and his sons discovered that you were the Savior of the world and you extended God’s mercy even to those who crucified you they apparently realized that they had been given the greatest honor and put their trust in you (Romans 16:13).

O Jesus, forgive us for the ways that we have not helped you to carry your cross. Your mercy sets us free and gives us strength for life and so we want to join with you in loving our enemies and blessing those that curse us (Luke 6:27-28).

Reflect

What mistreatment or suffering are you experiencing? How did Jesus experience something like this in his life or the way he died? What would it mean for you to trust him in this situation?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Thank God for the ways that you have experienced (or will experience) the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings which bring a surprisingly sweet intimacy with him and the opportunity to be his witness.

Breathe a Prayer

“To live is Christ… to suffer _____ for him is gain” (~Philippians 1:21).

The Gospel in Miniature

“Be Still and Know Christ” features the power of the gospel in a one sentence “Echo Prayer” I wrote based on Psalm 46:10. This show you a refreshing way to meditate on Scripture and it will help you participate in God’s love, joy, and peace through Christ.

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

No Condemnation

Bill Gaultiere — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:10:45 +0000

Today is Ash Wednesday which begins the period of Lent — 40 days to prepare our hearts for Easter resurrection. This holy season is helpful for all Christians to appreciate the cross of Christ and their opportunity to take up their cross and follow Christ for the joy set before them.

To help you open your heart to Christ and the abundant life that comes through his cross and resurrection I have prepared for you a series of meditations based on the ancient Stations of the Cross. Here is the first one:

No Condemnation: Jesus is Condemned by Pilate

Scripture

“Many [religious leaders on the Sanhedrin] testified falsely against Jesus… But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer” (Mark 14:56, 61).

“The chief priests accused Jesus of many things. So again Pilate asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.’ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed” (Mark 15:3-5)

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, when you were wrongly condemned by the religious leaders and by Pilate, yet you didn’t defend yourself — you remained quiet, resting secure in your Abba’s approval. In the light of your holiness it is clear that you are the true Judge. O Lord, forgive me for times I have been judgmental of others. Help me to share your grace with others and when I am judged helped me not to be defensive or react in anger, but to keep silence with you, knowing that you will make things right in your time and that now and always you embrace me in Abba’s love.

Reflection

Have you felt judged recently? Have you been judging others? What would it mean for you to rely on Jesus with you in these situations?

Self-Denial

Give up judgementalism — accepting it from others or doing it to others — and rest quietly in the Father’s approval for you and also those you’re struggling with.

Breath Prayer

“Jesus… I keep silence with you when ________.”

Additional Meditation

Many people fast for Lent as a way to draw closer to Christ. There are a variety of ways to do this. My article, “Fasting is Feasting Prayer“, will help you understand and practice fasting in a way that is inspiring and transformational.

This has been so helpful to me personally and to ministry leaders and other Christ-followers that I have worked with in therapy or spiritual direction.

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

If Jesus is your Portion

Bill Gaultiere — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:02:26 +0000

We say, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). But do we really mean it? Are we really prepared to say, “If all I have is Jesus then I have all I need to be happy”?

Praying Psalm 23 from my heart helps me to become the kind of person who lives with the satisfaction that Jesus is enough for me. I’d like to help you do that with me. I want to share with you some inspiring Psalm 23 pictures and prayers that will help you trust Jesus as your Good Shepherd in any situation.

But first let’s return to our question: Is Jesus your portion? Does your Shepherd make you happy even if other things aren’t going well for you?

Let’s Be Honest and Practical

If Jesus is truly my portion then…

When I’m tired at the end of a long day connecting with Jesus in some way is more appealing than veging out in front of the television or computer or overeating.
When I’m standing in line or waiting for someone I don’t worry about it, but take the opportunity to pray.
When I read my Bible, pray, or gather with other Christ-followers I do so not because I should, but because Jesus is good and I love him.
When someone judges me unfairly I don’t react with defensiveness or anger but by offering a blessing (perhaps a prayer, empathy, or a word of kindness) because I have been relying on Christ with me and appreciating his love.
When I have a job to do I don’t strain in my own strength to accomplish it, but instead I work at it with Jesus’ help.

We Need Help!

Probably, like me, sometimes you slip out of living in the reality kingdom of the heavens where Jesus is your portion. We get distracted. We can be selfish and immature.

Don’t feel bad about that — feel sad. (Guilt won’t help, but a sense of loss that you’re missing out will.) Realize that there is more of Jesus Christ for you to know and trust and see that in mercy he is offering himself to you right now! Go ahead and run into his arms of love!

And pray Psalm 23 from your heart over and over as a way of learning how to become the kind of person that in any situation of life — no matter how unfair or painful —- can genuinely say: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

My meditation of “Psalm 23 Pictures and Prayers” will help you to make Jesus your portion and your delight. So will my paraphrase of Psalm 23, “The Lord Jesus is my Soul Shepherd.”

Did you know that every day over 400 pages are viewed on SoulShepherding.org? Our resources are used by pastors, missionaries, and other Christ-followers not only for their own spiritual growth, but also in sermons, Bible studies, and ministry to other people in need. This is one of the Soul Shepherding ministries that your tax-deductible donations support.

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

Be Overshadowed by God

Bill Gaultiere — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 07:07:47 +0000

As part of our Soul Shepherding ministry I regularly lead spiritual formation and soul care groups for pastors and Kristi leads groups for pastors’ wives. Let me tell you about my experience with leading a group last year…

Today I was blessed to lead Lectio Divina for two groups of pastors. We shared in the Bible story of Mary receiving the angel’s message from God that she would give birth to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (Luke 1:26-38).

We shared in the sweetness of God’s Word. What peace and wisdom came to us from God as we used our prayerful reading of Scripture to help us listen to God and open our hearts to him and to one another.

I led us through the time of reading and re-reading Scripture, each reading supported by a focus question, silent reflection, and verbalizing a prayer in our group. God’s Word moved deeper and deeper into our hearts, culminating in each of us listening for a personal message from God spoken into a particular life struggle or challenge.

I Shared my Fears

I talked to God and my community about my fears of launching full time in our ministry of Soul Shepherding for pastors and leaders and not having enough money to support my family. I prayed about the uncertainties that lay ahead not only in ministry, but also as I prepare to support my daughter going away to college. I told God that I was tired from a busy week of ministry and counseling.

And in all these things I received the word of God as Mary did: “The power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).

God Spoke to My Heart

As I listened to God I sensed him speak to my heart:

Bill, I did the biggest miracle through a little girl’s simple trust in me and my words. Trust me. Let my Word live in you and the Holy Spirit – the presence and power of God – will overshadow you, renewing you and anointing you. This is how I comfort you, guide you, and empower you in all things. This is how I do miracles through you!

I am the Most High. Be quiet and still before me. Let my power overshadow you. This is the secret of your renewal and my anointing upon you.

Come to me as the little chick of Psalm 91 who comes under the shadow of her mother’s wings. This is what Mary did and so I birthed the greatest of all dreams through her. This is what I am doing through you in your life and ministry as you yield to me.

More Soul Shepherding

Listening to God through Lectio Divina has been a great blessing to Kristi and I, along with the pastors, pastor’s wives, and other Christ-followers that we minister to. We recommend the practice to you!

I’d like to share with you a favorite devotional, based on Mary’s story: “The Advent of your God-Dream.”

Perhaps you’d like to learn more about Lectio Divina? Or try it yourself by using my handout for this Advent Lectio Divina?

Do you know that a pastor needs a pastor too? They need someone to turn to for care and counsel. They are blessed to have someone who can minister to their souls and cultivate their intimacy with Christ. Who cares for the pastor who cares for you? Soul Shepherding is meeting this need. Perhaps you’d like to partner with us in prayer or by donating?

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ SoulShepherding.org

O Lord, Pour Down your Rain

Bill Gaultiere — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:46:16 +0000

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance” (Psalm 68:9).

I love the rain. During rainstorms when I was a boy my dad and I would sit in chairs with the garage door open to watch and listen to the rain fall. Storms show us God’s power. Rain reminds us of his love – we can’t live without it’s nourishment.

Rain washes away all the dirt so that when the sun comes out again everything is bright and clean. Probably you stand under a shower of rain everyday to get clean – doesn’t that feel good! Maybe sometimes you take a shower not so much to clean your body as to clean your soul, or at least to feel washed. If you feel violated or distressed a shower can help to soothe your soul.

It is the shower of God’s loving presence that provides the personal nourishment we need. Of course, the Holy Spirit lives inside each one of us who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – our bodies are his temple and he provides all that we need. In another sense we need to be continually re-filled and renewed by the Spirit of Christ. It’s not so much that we need more of God, but that we can turn over more of ourselves to him – more of our attention and affection, more of our dependence and devotion.

This is why, like the Psalmist, I pray for God’s Spirit to rain down on me! Again and again I need to be cleansed of sin and also of feelings of guilt or shame even when I didn’t sin. Continually I thirst for the Living Waters. My Breath Prayer inspired by Psalm 68:9 helps me to appreciate God’s rain:

O Lord, open the heavens… Pour down your rain.

Yes Lord, refresh us… Pour down your Spirit.

Why not take a breather now? Pause to listen to God’s rain… Breathe in slowly: “O Lord, open the heavens…” Breathe out: “Pour down your rain.” Receive a God’s filling: “Yes Lord, refresh us…” Release: “Pour down your Spirit.”

Breath Prayers like this are such a blessing to me. I’d love to teach you how to do Breath Prayers and to show you my favorite Breath Prayers from the Bible.

In the ministry of Soul Shepherding we help Christian leaders and others to take God’s Word from their heads into their hearts. This is the source of life and power!

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

Be Still and Know Christ

Bill Gaultiere — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:14:36 +0000

I have a spiritual vitamin for you — a little, power-packed prayer that’s a Gospel of Jesus in miniature. It’s based on a favorite Bible verse of mine that most Christians I talk to have difficulty practicing: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

First, let’s meditate on these paraphrases of Psalm 46:10:

“Quiet your heart, rely on me – the Spirit of Christ, the I AM – living and breathing in you.” (my paraphrase)

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God.” (MSG)

“Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” (CEV)

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” (Dallas Willard’s paraphrase)

An Echo Prayer

Now let’s take spiritual vitamin. It’s a way of praying Psalm 46:10 as an “Echo Prayer” that helps us to simplify and center ourselves on Christ. It will teach you how to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).

“Be Still and Know Christ” is easy to memorize and call up for meditation anytime. Pray it slowly and deeply from your heart. To go deeper in the prayer try pausing quietly to hold the last word in your heart as an echo before continuing the prayer. As you’re still in Christ’s presence perhaps a scene from the Gospels will come to mind — step inside it to draw closer to Christ!

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM, my Savior, my Lord, my Teacher, my Friend — Immanuel… Immanuel.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM, my Savior, my Lord, my Teacher, my Friend… my Friend.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM, my Savior, my Lord, my Teacher… my Teacher.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM, my Savior, my Lord… my Lord.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM, my Savior… my Savior.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives as the I AM… the I AM.”

“Be still and know Christ Jesus lives… Jesus lives.”

“Be still and know Christ… know Christ.”

“Be still… be still.”

Continue to Abide in Christ

Check out one of my favorite prayer poems inspired by Psalm 46:10: “Be Still as the Lake at Dawn.” What gift that God gave this to me on one of my Sabbath days as I prayed and meditated on Scripture by the lake!

You may want to learn more about Abiding in Prayer and why it’s such a valuable spiritual discipline.

An important part of our Soul Shepherding ministry to pastors, leaders, and Christ-followers of all kinds is to help them to be still and know Christ. We do this through counseling, spiritual mentoring, classes, groups, and retreats.

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

Like a Flower in the Father’s Field

Bill Gaultiere — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:58:37 +0000

Life is precious and brief. How can we “redeem the time” before our days on earth slip away? (Ephesians 5:16).

The ancient devotional masters were helped to live each day for Christ by meditating on their dead body being put into a tomb. Probably you haven’t done that before! Most of us today try not to think about our death!

But actually this is a Biblical practice. Long before the monks and spiritual writers of the past the Psalmist was praying about the brevity of life in order to live each day for God. This has been very helpful for me to let go and submit my whole life to God and thereby to relax, enjoy the moment, and live my life in and for Christ.

In Psalm 103:15-17 David contemplates his death in a most inspiring way. After quietly meditating on this Psalm and these verses especially God gave me a Trinitarian prayer poem that paraphrases these verses. I pray that it helps you, as it has helped me, to appreciate right now the gift of God’s abundant life in Christ. If so then pass it on!

Like a Flower in the Father’s Field

As for me, my days are like grass,

I flourish like a flower in the Father’s field,

Given life and color by the Son;

The Spirit blows over me and I am gone to heaven,

And my place remembers me no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

The Lord’s love is with me, as I revere him,

And his righteousness is with my children’s children.

God’s Wildflower is another prayer poem I wrote. I was feeling insignificant at the time and God led me to meditate on a field of wildflowers and these verses in Psalm 103. Be a Wildflower for God tells more of the story of how God helped me to hold my head high. These are favorite Soul Shepherding articles for many people!

We launched our Soul Shepherding website less than one year ago and already God is bringing many, many people to visit us – over 250 pages are viewed each day. If you appreciate these resources please consider supporting Soul Shepherding with a tax-deductible donation. Even small donations add up to make a big difference for Christ!

Thank you!

Bill & Kristi

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