Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

Many people are uncomfortable looking someone in eye and saying something they appreciate and admire about that person. Maybe it’s unfamiliar and awkward. Maybe it feels too vulnerable or emotional. Bill and Kristi share their experiences and ideas on giving and receiving affirmations so that it’s truly a blessing!

For many years Dallas Willard was a key mentor to Bill and Kristi and he offered himself as a friend. They share some of his best counter-cultural leadership lessons that have shaped their lives and their “Soul Shepherding” ministry to pastors and leaders.

We all experience disappointments and losses but how do we react? We may deny our sadness, get busy, or judge ourselves, but that diminishes our joy and our capacity to offer compassion to others. Asking for emotional comfort is different than complaining or wallowing in self-pity — it’s the path of regaining energy for life and ministry.

First thing in the morning Charlie meows for Kristi to cuddle him! He follows her around all day and purrs in her lap. But he’s scared of cleanings and needs a “severe mercy”! Bill and Kristi draw out lessons from their cat and the Bible on trusting God.

Do your emotions help or hinder your life and your relationships? Being vulnerable is different than dumping on people. Caring for people is different than rescuing them. Galatians 6:1-5 teaches these things.

Kristi talks with Bill about being a mother of three children, a daughter, and a therapist for people struggling in the mother relationship. She says, “Being a mother is the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve done.” On these matters we all have gratitudes and griefs to express to God, our perfectly loving mother (Isaiah 66:10-13).

The Apostle John writes to us as “My little children.” In this spirit Bill and Kristi help you connect with the vulnerable child in you and in others. They share examples from their lives and their ministry to help you more fully trust in Jesus and grow up in the Father’s love. Kristi uses Psalm 131 to show you how to pray for yourself and others: “Jesus is Enough.”

Most of us don't like to wait. But in a time of praying Psalm 27 Kristi discovers that waiting is "wrapping herself around her loving Lord!" This is not a burden -- it's a delight! In this 20-minute soul talk she and Bill help you experience greater intimacy with God in your prayers for yourself and others. "I will see the goodness of the Lord... Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:13-14)

Officiating a wedding together for a ministry couple has Bill and Kristi reminiscing on life lessons they’ve learned from their spiritual mentors. In a 20-minute conversation they share wisdom for marriage and all relationships. They inspire you to shine your light and pass on the blessing of spiritual mentoring.

A. W. Tozer said there’s a solitary road that you walk as a Christian leader or giver of mercy. We yearn for a deeper intimacy with Jesus and to share this with others -- so much so that we'll do whatever it takes. Our secular culture opposes us and even many in the Church don’t understand us. But if we band together as soul friends it helps us to abide in Christ and bear great fruit!