Lectio Divina is a delightful way to pray through a Bible passage. In our Soul Shepherding ministry, we use an especially refreshing and encouraging approach to this ancient discipline. The best way to understand Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”) is to experience it personally, especially with someone who is experienced with this quiet, reflective,…
Listen to this episode of Soul Talks: In this episode, Bill opens up about his personal challenges during a recent Sabbath. Rest is difficult for many of us and can often times stir things up in our hearts that we have pushed away. Bill honestly shares his journey with rest and how the practice of…
When we try to rest, it is so easy to be overwhelmed with the things in our life that feel undone! We begin to judge ourselves and feel guilty for even trying to rest, and are tempted to get busy to make ourselves feel better. Join Bill and Kristi in a honesty conversation on the challenges we all face when learning to enter into real rest.
If your church isn’t growing numerically or in spiritual depth or if it has been torn apart by conflict a major reason may be the neglect of Sabbath. It’s through continual Sabbath rest that we learn to trust God, waiting on his leadership and joining his work — rather than trying to control people and…
“I’m busy all the time,” a pastor told me. “And I love it!” But a few years later he blew out and lost his church. Then he let me inside the world of his soul. “Growing my church was like a drug,” he confessed. “I miss being the one in charge and on stage. I…
Hebrews 4:11 says, “Let us make every effort to enter God’s rest.” Men and women in ministry can be so caught up in serving the Lord that it’s difficult to give ourselves permission to rest. When we rest we can enjoy sweet communion with Jesus, deep healing and restoration. Join Bill & Kristi in an honest conversation about rest and our natural resistance to stop our work and busyness.
“The reason I share my junk with you,” a pastor disclosed. “Is because you’re not a monkish spiritual formation guy. I can’t relate to the contemplative spiritual direction types.” We hear this a lot from pastors. This is one reason why in last week’s Soul Shepherding blog/email I blurted out, “Spiritual Disciplines are Dung!” I…
Sabbath is not a legalistic ritual, nor is it simply a day off… Sabbath is a journey towards intimacy with Jesus! It’s an invitation to make space for our souls to rest and appreciate God’s presence. It’s in that place of rest and safety, we get space to process, to feel, to be heard, to hear and to receive. What a Gift! Join Bill and Kristi for an inspiring conversation about rest.
Soul Shepherding’s Sabbatical Guide has met a huge need. It has been downloaded over 21,000 times so far. We’re thankful that pastors and leaders like you have found this resource and then passed it along to your staff or colleagues, whether in church, Christian education, or nonprofit ministries. It is our hope that our Soul…
“Play! Play!! Play!!!” that’s what our friend Papa Joe Johnson said to Kristi and I in our time of need. How do you play? When do you have fun? Do you know how to have fun with Jesus? This is an important question for your living and loving. Play rejuvenates us in the happy joy…