Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

“A great light dawns for those in the darkness,” Isaiah says in the Bible. In the darkness of winter (including Seasonal Affective Disorder) and in holiday stress our body and soul long for the light and warmth of Christ. He comes to us!

Like Jesus’ mother Mary you need to know that the Lord is pleased with you — that he delights in you! So do the people you care for. Bill and Kristi talk about what it’s like to receive and trust God’s loving affirmation and to fight off Satan’s accusations.

The great hope of our lives is meeting Jesus face to face in heaven. The Bible teaches that we’re sowing our bodily lives like seeds that will blossom as resurrection bodies in heaven. This hope can sustains us through discouragement, stress, and grief. It’s our source of faith, love, joy and peace.

Celebrating the birth of Christ brings us great joy! But only if we can cultivate a fresh appreciation for the Lord. This is true even in the midst of holiday stress, disappointment, loneliness, and family conflict. Bill and Kristi share an advent devotional practice that facilitates heart-warming spiritual conversation with friends and family (even school-aged children).

Children need care to learn to bond in relationship and to develop boundaries. Parents need to have limits with their children for their own relationship with God. This looks different for infants, pre-schoolers, school-aged, and young adults. Bill and Kristi share some practical strategies.

A married couple asks us, “How do you care for your marriage when you have young children? The responsibilities of parenting are so demanding!” Bill and Kristi talk about effective parenting and putting priority on your marriage as a way to love your children drawing from Psalm 127 which calls us to be a family that rests in the Lord.

Bill has an emotional day and for someone who has historically been a strong thinker and an active do-er this is news! Kristi talks with him about when he used to repress his emotions versus feeling and expressing them now. The benefits are greater friendship and peace. Also they talk about a very emotional baseball game that night when Bill’s beloved “Cubbies” won the World Series!

C.S. Lewis said, “We’re busy because we’re lazy!” How could it be lazy to be busy with our work, ministry, and family?! Because when we do too much or go too fast we’re relying on ourselves rather than God with us. If you struggle with busyness you’re not alone! Let’s talk about how to prioritize the life of our soul in Christ.

"Many a spiritual cook scarcely licks their fingers, yet prepares for others the most costly dishes." These are words of the great puritan Richard Baxter in the 17th Century. If we don't care for our own souls under God as pastors, people-helpers and Christian workers we will get depleted. Bill and Kristi share about some practical ways to enjoy eating the food that we cook for others.

Caring for others spiritually is so compelling that it can swallow up your marriage. Other jobs can also take over your life. You may find that you and your spouse are always doing church stuff, solving problems, helping people, or talking about those things! It’s great to partner with our spouse in God’s work but not at the expense of intimacy and fun in our marriage.