Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

Do you enjoy reading the Bible? You can! We talk about the blessing of “Digging Deeper in God’s Word” and Kristi leads a short “Lectio Divina” meditation on Psalm 138. We’re thankful for Jon Firey of FFH band for the music.

This is the cry of “J. P.’s” heart. We share his story of not feeling God’s presence, struggling with depression and alcohol, being judged. His earnest faith, spiritual disciplines, and service in church aren’t helping. He asks, “Bill and Kristi, what would you say to me?” If you or someone you know relates to J. P., tune in for empathy, affirmation, and spiritual formation coaching.

Jesus says, “Give and it will be given back to you.” (Luke 6:38) But often when we serve, care, or lead in ministry we’re weighed down with burdens, overstressed, or discouraged. We’re missing the joy of Jesus! Bill and Kristi share their struggles and renewals to encourage you.

Kristi asks Bill, “How are you feeling?” He shares he feel’s sad for Jesus. Because a group of Christians regularly go from a church meeting to social meeting in which they drink too much and have unwholesome conversation. It’s like two different lives. Their is great joy and blessing in being with Jesus in all that we do. This is our best witness to the world.

A Soul Talks listener asks, “How do I give empathy when what’s shared makes me feel anxious? I lose patience and just want to fix it.” We talk about repressed emotions, enmeshment, abandoning outcomes to God, and the need for mutuality with loved ones.

What’s God doing when hurricane’s hit? How do we deal with hardships? We go to Jesus together. We validate the emotions and offer empathy. We may need to re-think our perspective and faith and do some training to learn how to live and react to trials from within the spiritual reality of the Kingdom of God.

Like some ministry leaders today Nicodemus was stuck in his head and emotionally reluctant. Jesus offers masterful empathy to help him re-think — and re-feel! — his life to be “born from above” in the Kingdom of God. Here’s an insightful Bible study on John 3:1-17 put into the format of a refreshing empathy-based conversation.

A woman asks, “How can I help my husband share his feelings?” We all have family members or friends who are reluctant to share emotions. Maybe you are too! Here’s how to invite people to be emotionally vulnerable and draw them into the grace of Christ. In a replay of a conversation from the past, Kristi uses empathy to draw out Bill when he was an emotionally reluctant husband.

A pastor is caught in a church “worship war”. Speakers are criticized. Kristi is judged for teaching men in church. Bill is caught in the crossfires of mediating a church leader conflict. Probably you feel pressure to please people too. Empathy, the Word of God, and affirmation of Christ’s call give us courage to please the Lord in all things.

A listener asks, “Kristi, how do you carry your tender heart into relationships that are not so safe?” Kristi and Bill share on the characteristics of an emotionally safe person, how to be vulnerable and yet “contained”, and how to receive empathy from God and his ambassadors.