Soul Care Articles We have hundreds of articles to help you connect with Jesus Christ, the Soul Shepherd.
|
 Soul Shepherding Moments
By Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. © 2011
“Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: ‘Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.’
“Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.” (Matthew 11:25-27, MSG)
Most of us try to have a prayer life and feel guilty that we don’t spend enough time praying, especially for the needs of others. This is not the right way to think about prayer. Don’t seek a prayer life—seek a praying life, a life permeated with prayer.
Jesus shows [...]
Continue reading Abruptly Break into Prayer
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Every pastor, leader, and caregiver tries to do too much. Lord, help us not to make this mistake!
For us and the people around us
it’s the source of much anxiety and conflict — also pride, envy, and feeling inadequate.
Our main job is to remember that Jesus is the Leader.
So make space for yourself and those with you to listen.
Jesus is speaking in
Scripture, quiet moments, heart-to-heart conversations, flowers and butterflies, hugs, and laughter.
Keep praying:
“More of Jesus… Less of me.”
The Risen Christ is in our Midst
So often I’ve tried to do more for [...]
Continue reading Less is More
 By Bill Gaultiere © 2010
I know what it’s like to feel lonely.
The worst thing is to be in a group of people and feel alone… Other people are enjoying conversation, smiling, laughing, but it appears that no one wants to talk to you and you start to feel more and more self-conscious. It seems like people are looking at you standing there all alone. You feel awkward, anxious, embarrassed, bad about yourself.
Maybe you have felt this way too.
The Psalmist Felt Lonely
The Psalmist did. He described himself as a lonely bird sitting atop the roof of house and waiting for the Lord (Psalm 102:7).
Time [...]
Continue reading When You’re Lonely
Angles help us find refuge in God
By Bill Gaultiere © 2010, 2011
On Palm Sunday Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people didn’t recognize him (Luke 19:41). Later in Holy Week Jesus cried out for us all: “O how I have longed to gather you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings!” (Matthew 23:37, paraphrase).
Do you desire to be that close to Christ? Can you imagine yourself being as vulnerable as a little chick and cuddling close to the Lord Jesus as your Refuge and the delight of your heart?
David, the Psalmist with a heart for God, does this and he [...]
Continue reading Jesus is My Refuge
Jesus delights in you!
By Bill Gaultiere © 2010
The most important thing in your life is that you see Jesus smiling at you! Then a smile will come to your face and to the people around you!
Do you see Jesus smiling at you? Do you ever pause to think about this and smile your appreciation in reply?
A smile is a powerful prayer! It can help you to overcome discouragement, worry, frustration, loneliness, or boredom – really!
Jesus welcomes you to come closer. He’s interested in how you’re feeling and what you’re doing – he enjoys knowing you and being your Friend. And to have the Lord [...]
Continue reading Jesus Smiles at You!
A small door leads to the birth place of Christ
What makes for a “good day”? For me it starts with prayer.
This morning I awoke early. My thoughts started down the path of planning all I had to do and I started to feel anxious… How easy it is for me at that point to get out of bed and go to work!
Instead, as CS Lewis described so aptly, I shoved back all those “wild animals” and began to pray! I laid in bed. I grabbed an ancient little prayer and held on for dear life!
[...]
Continue reading Small Beginnings
I enjoyed meditating on Scripture at The Ghost Ranch in New Mexico
The other day I was tempted to become worried and fearful. My income is way down this year and, with a son in college, our family expenses are way up. We’ve had to dip into savings to keep our heads above water. (Thank God for savings!)
Most of my life in this situation I’ve gone into obsessive worrying or strategizing on how to solve my problem. But in recent years I’ve been learning to fill my mind with God’s Word and to practice God’s presence. So oftentimes when [...]
Continue reading Worried about Money? Meditate!
Usually its better to slow down!
I was talking with a friend who likes to drive in the fast lane. He thrives on trying to get more done in less time in order to be successful. He’s very productive… and stressed.
He doesn’t realize that he’s continually recruiting adrenaline to give him the boost of energy and confidence that he feels he needs to handle all of his responsibilities. His body’s production of adrenaline is like his own drug manufacturing plant! He has adrenaline dependence.
Other people get their adrenaline hits through extreme sports, risky behavior, or loud music.
Adrenaline is God’s gift to us. It’s [...]
Continue reading Trying to Get More Done in Less Time?
Jesus may have helped build this stone theater
By Bill Gaultiere © 2009
Much of our lives includes ordinary work and chores. We all have to do things that don’t excite us at work or around the house or in running errands. It’s easy to lapse into feeling bored, empty, or like we are trivial. Or to complain (in our thoughts if not out loud) about what we have to do.
This was my temptation beginning my Monday.
To keep from grumping along today I picked up a special prayer rock. It’s piece of the outdoor stone theater in Sephorris, Israel. Jesus may have [...]
Continue reading Rejoicing on a Mundane Monday!
 Let your hunger pangs be as church bells
By Bill Gaultiere © 2009
I tell people that Fasting is Feasting on God’s Word.
A ministry leader responded: “It’s hard enough for me to quiet my mind when I’m not hungry! How can I learn to enjoy meditating on Scripture when I’m hungry? And why would I want to do this?”
I use fasting (from food, but drinking plenty of water) as part of my own rhythm of life with Christ. I learned this years ago from reading Thomas a Kempis’ classic [...]
Continue reading How Fasting Could Help You
|
You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke  Look inside this book to discover God's rhythms of grace for you! Soul Care for Pastors  Watch this short video to understand a pastor's heart. Page Views You're not alone. Jesus offers Soul Shepherding to hundreds of people every day -- 750 pages per day, over 310,000 since January 1st, 2010.
|
Soul Shepherding Moments
