Soul Transformation

The Winning Shot

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:22:42 GMT

by Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

When I was boy I spent countless hours shooting baskets in my backyard. I liked to imagine that my team was behind by one point in the last seconds and I had the ball in my hands. I’d dribble, spin away from a defender, and shoot from twenty feet out. Time expired and the final buzzer sounded as the ball was spinning in the air…

Swish! I made it!! We won!!!

As I dribbled around and shot basket after basket I had a crazy fun fantasy that I’d be discovered by a professional basketball scout and would be drafted to play for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA!

My Big Chance to Win the Game
One day in high school I found myself playing in a real game in front of a crowd with a chance to realize my dream. Let me describe the action…

Our team is down by one point and the game is almost over. We’re on defense. I jump and grab the rebound with four seconds left. I turn and dribble as fast as I can toward our basket. I pull up just beyond the left side of the free throw lane and put up a jump shot. The final buzzer sounds as the ball is spinning in the air…

Swish! I made it!! We won!!!

I’m jumping up and down and pumping my fist in the air! The crowd, including my dad, is erupting in cheers and joins my teammates in rushing onto the court to mob me in excitement.

My dream came true! I was the hero!

The Real Winning Shot
I was the hero that night because I made the winning shot. That kind of success was what I lived for in my sports endeavors, school work, jobs, and everything I did earlier in my life. But did I really make the winning shot?

My basketball success was short-lived. I didn’t even play on a college basketball team, let alone a professional team. Besides, basketball is just a game. Win or lose, at the end of the day it leaves you empty.

Later in high school I was trying to sort all this out and I wrote a paper on True Success. I researched examples of success in our world, including the story of Solomon, the most successful man who ever lived. He learned by experience that achievement, fame, fortune, and entertainments were all like “chasing after the wind.” What mattered in life? Just one thing: “Fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Love your Neighbor to Jesus
The way Jesus described Solomon’s concluding wisdom was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… [and] ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mark 12:30-31)

In other words, love Jesus. Jesus Christ connects us with God and our neighbor (whoever happens to be within reach). Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. Oh, that I would love Jesus more! Oh, that you would love Jesus more!

That is the winning shot!

Rarely in our world do crowds of people applaud the love of God and neighbor, but all of heaven does! The Society of Heaven knows that there is nothing more beautiful and wonderful than Jesus Christ being manifest when one person shares God’s love with another.

“How Have You Been Drawn Closer to Jesus?”

Recently Kristi hosted a 50th Birthday celebration for me with family and friends. It was a unique and most blessed party! Everyone shared stories to answer the question, “How have you been drawn closer to Jesus through knowing Bill?” We celebrated Jesus, not Bill.

It was the most affirming, humbling, and prayerful hour of my life! As I listened I smiled my thanks to the Lord for the blessing of each person and I kept praying, “O Father, by your Spirit grace let these words be more true of me. Let Jesus be manifest in me. Help me to share your love with my neighbors.”

Reprinted with permission from SoulShepherding.org

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. and his wife Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. are founders of Soul Shepherding, a 501c3 nonprofit ministry. As counselors, spiritual mentors, speakers, and retreat leaders since 1987 they facilitate intimacy with Jesus for pastors and all kinds of ministry leaders from around the world. Bill is the author of You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke. You can sign up to receive his soul care messages by e-mail, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Leap Over a Wall — With Jesus!

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:03:45 GMT

by Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

God gave David victory over Saul and all of his enemies and David sang in praise to the Lord, “With my God I can leap over a wall!” (Psalm 18:29, par)

We love to leap over a wall!

But what happens when we can’t climb the wall or get around it? A sickness keeps us in bed. We can’t resolve an emotional problem or relational conflict. Someone who says no and won’t budge. We have to wait for the right timing. We all know the feeling of being stuck.

It’s part of our leadership training for Christ to have our great visions and energies for ministry thwarted. Sometimes God doesn’t help us leap over a wall. Sometimes it seems he wants us to be stuck.

Why God May Want You to be Stuck
Charles Spurgeon was one of the greatest preachers of the 19th Century and yet he struggled with depression. His depression drove him to seek God and he drew closer to the Lord and became more compassionate toward others who were suffering. It’s no wonder that his sermons are still preaching to hundreds of people every day! He said,

A gentleman once asked a friend, concerning a beautiful horse of his, feeding about the pasture with a clog on it’s foot, “Why do you clog such a noble animal?”

“Sir,” said he, “I would a great deal sooner clog him than lose him: he is given to leap hedges.” [A clog probably reminds you of a backed up pipe, but in this case a clog is a heavily weighted shoe that's put on the foot of a horse to keep it from running off.]

That is why God clogs his people. He would rather clog them than lose them; for if he did not clog them, they would leap the hedges and be gone. They need a tether to prevent their straying; and their God binds them with afflictions, to keep them near to him, to preserve them, and to have them in his presence. (Bright Days, Dark Nights: with Charles Spurgeon in triumph over emotional pain, by Elizabeth Ruth Skoglund, p. 20-21)

Waiting and Leaping — With Jesus!
Have you been clogged? Sometimes being humbled by a problem we can’t solve is a good thing for us. Sometimes being slowed down or prevented from serving God is just what we need. God may use the trials of our life and ministry to teach us his wisdom and grow our character so that we’re more patient and kind toward others. Mostly he just wants to be close to us — he loves us that much.

Later when we’ve learned to be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10) then we’ll be ready to have the clog taken off of our foot and to leap the hedges! But then it won’t be the leaping of impulsiveness or ambition. We won’t be running off on our own trying to make something happen, stepping on people along the way or getting stressed out and exhausted.

Instead we’ll be leaping the hedges with Jesus!

It Takes Practice to Wait Well
Truth be told, we can’t leap over a wall accomplish great things for the Lord unless we’re doing them with the Lord. Intimacy with Jesus ought to be our first priority and ministry our second priority. “Abide in me,” Jesus said, “and you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5, par).

It takes practice to wait on God and to learn to do this with Jesus — lovingly, joyfully, and peacefully. Jesus himself learned this. For instance, during eighteen years of waiting to launch his public ministry. (See “Rejoicing on a Mundane Monday" in SoulShepherding.org)

Reprinted with permission from SoulShepherding.org

Suggestions for Solitude with Jesus

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:03:47 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

One of our Soul Shepherding ministries is to guide pastors, pastors’ wives, and other leaders and caregivers in the practice of solitude and silence with Jesus. Today it’s probably the most important discipline we could practice to grow in our intimacy with Jesus and our capacity to love God and other people.

Prepare
Bring to your solitude whatever will help you to be with Jesus in a personal, interactive way. Probably you’ll want your Bible, journal, and pen. If you’ll be outside you may need walking shoes, a chair, sun protection, jacket or blanket, and water. You may need a lunch or snacks or you might choose to fast. Also you could bring art supplies, a favorite devotional book, a musical instrument, or a worship CD.

Unplug
Plan to set aside a time and space for Jesus in which you won’t be interrupted by other people, cell phones, e-mails, media, loud noises, etc. (You may need to make arrangements with family members or others.) You might go to a secluded nature spot or a quiet room.

Do nothing!
Begin your solitude by doing nothing for at least thirty minutes. Just be with Jesus in the silence with no agenda. This will probably be difficult! It might help to take a prayer walk. You are training your body and soul to listen to the word of the Lord: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). With practice you can live your daily life in Jesus’ easy yoke (Matt 11:25-30), free of hurry, worry, and selfish ambition.

Let go
You may be hoping to have a special time with God, hear a message from him, or to accomplish something important — release your desires to the Lord. You may be anxious about your work, a loved one, or a personal matter — put each concern into the Father’s hands. Ask Jesus to lead you in this this time and then be open to whatever he has for you, trusting that it is good even if it doesn’t feel good. You may feel refreshed by God or distress may surface. You may be encouraged or challenged.

Rest
What would you enjoy doing with Jesus? He is your Best Friend and he likes being with you! Probably you don’t want to do a major Bible study or lots of reading. Set aside any concerns for loved ones or your ministry until the last part of your solitude. Instead of trying to accomplish projects, simply pray from your heart, perhaps meditating on a Psalm or Gospel story. If you’re tired you may need to take a nap. Go ahead — Jesus took naps! This will help you to be refreshed and attentive to God.

Re-focus
In prayer everyone struggles with distracting thoughts — don’t feel bad about it. When your mind wanders offer the distraction to God or replace it with a prayer. Give thanks and praise to God or meditate on Scripture. It may help you to gently repeat phrase from the Bible, possibly breathing the words in and out as a Breath Prayer.

Open up
What’s been going on in your life lately? How are you feeling? Talk to God about your experiences and needs. You may want to journal your prayers and what God seems to be saying to you.

Reprinted with permission from SoulShepherding.org

No Sweat!

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:34:37 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

“It’s no sweat!” we say when something is easy for us. What if we lived life without sweating? Without straining, hurrying, or worrying?

That’s how Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden—till they separated themselves from God. Ever since people have been working by the sweat of their brow. But we misunderstand this and think that work is the curse. No! We were created by God to rule and reign with him (Genesis 1:28). Work is not the curse—sweat work is the curse.

How do you do your Work?

I talk with a lot of pastors and many other kinds of ministry leaders from presidents to parents and so many of them tend to live by the sweat of their brow. They’re straining to serve God, help people, and accomplish their work for God. Often they’re rushing from thing to thing, running late.

I understand. Most of my life that’s how I lived—till I discovered Jesus’ way.

How about you? Are “sweating it out” as you do your work and face the challenges of your life?

Jesus’ “No Sweat” Way

Jesus redeemed us form the curse, setting us free from sin and sweat too. Often sin and sweat go together. Sweat work—continually straining to do more, faster, and better—is likely to be a manifestation of our pride, relying on ourselves rather than the Spirit of Christ with us. It’s said, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Well, it’s just as likely to be true that “Busy hands are the devil’s workshop.”

The issue is how we do our work—how we serve customers, teach students, parent our kids, clean our house, run errands, and minister to the people in our church. Jesus invites us to do our work in his “easy yoke” (Matthew 11:30). He did his work with a relaxed attitude and a smile on his face—that’s Jesus’ way.

How about stepping into Jesus’ easy yoke today as you do your work? Remember, ”The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

More Soul Shepherding

Recently a Soul Shepherding reader wrote: “I was highly encouraged as I read this blog on hurry. The connection between my own hurried agenda and the sin of pride is an excellent reminder to live in the present moment and celebrate the moments we have been given as a gift from God. This was a great reminder to live in the present grace of God.” If you go to our page on “Overcoming Problems” you’ll find this and other similar articles under the category “Hurry Sickness.”

In my book, “You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke” you’ll find uncommon insights on dealing with stress, creative and refreshing ways of praying Scripture, and an opening to walk the path of life with the Prince of Peace.

Reprinted with permission from SoulShepherding.org

Climbing Out of the Pit of Depression

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 23:43:34 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

Last night I fell into a dark hole, a pit of depression. I didn’t see it coming. This bad mood came out of nowhere and pulled me down into a dark discouragement. Have you ever felt this way?

Yesterday was actually a good day. For instance, I began the day with an hour in solitude on my morning run, enjoying the bright morning sun, the beauty of the lake, praying for my family, and memorizing a chapter of Scripture. In counseling appointments and a prayer meeting with ministry leaders I was honored to join in Christ’s work and sensed him using me to minister his care, wisdom, and encouragement. I was blessed to share in a wonderful dinner with Kristi and her mom in which we celebrated Mom’s birthday and mine too.

How Did I Fall into a Pit of Depression?
Where did this pit of depression come from? Maybe it started at the end of my run when I had pain in my knee and I became afraid that three months of training for my upcoming marathon would be wasted. Maybe I was weighed down more than I realized by absorbing the pain of others or engaging in spiritual warfare on behalf of a ministry that’s under attack for sharing Christ in China. I know that I felt disrespected when a friend cut short our conversation, but I thought I had worked that through. I know I’ve been reflecting a lot on turning 50 years, but mostly this has been positive.

It wasn’t until later in the evening that I fell into the foul mood. I was trying to catch up on paperwork, scheduling a number of ministry events, and dealing with some administrative issues for our ministry and family that involved getting organized and making decisions…

As I was working at my desk I started muttering complaints. I can’t catch up. I’ll never catch up! I just can’t handle this stuff and I’m not good at this stuff. Kristi expressed her concern for me, rubbing my shoulders and offering to listen to me, but I distanced myself. Why would I say no to love? Why would I chose to wallow in my dark pit alone?

That’s the pit of depression.

Praying with the Psalmist
I was tired. We said some short prayers and soon I was asleep. The Psalmist prays, “On my bed I think of you Lord through the watches of the night… Answer me quickly before my spirit fails — rescue me from this pit!… Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want anything else.” (Psalm 63:6, 143:7, 23:1, paraphrased and blended).

Thank God for Psalm Prayers! Sometimes the only way I can pray effectively is to grab a hold of some words like these from the Psalms and hold on for dear life! This is what I did, particularly in the early morning hours as I lingered in bed, drifting in and out of sleep.

Then I woke up, not just physically, but spiritually. I sat up on the edge of my bed with clear vision. I hadn’t just fallen into the pit I’d been pushed in there! I will not be discouraged about my challenges or about getting older. I will not be deterred from my prayer as I turn 50, “O God, show me how I can best reveal Christ to the people in my circle of influence in whatever time I have left on earth.”

Christ is our Shield in Spiritual Battle
With courage and determination I engaged in spiritual warfare and prayed:

I stand beneath the cross of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. His blood flows over me and washes me of all my sin. He has risen from the dead, conquered all evil powers, and set me free to live in the kingdom of the heavens now and forever. He has embraced me in the love of the Father and breathed the Holy Spirit into me. I take refuge in Christ and resist all dark deceptions and condemnations of Satan.

Christ before me. Christ behind me. Christ beside me. Christ above me. Christ is my foundation. Christ is all around me. Christ is my shield. The name of Christ is in my heart and on my lips. I go forward in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is my all and all! He is my reason for living, my love, my joy, my peace, my power. He is my victory. He is the victory for each person I meet. Amen.

As I prayed I felt the Holy Spirit warm my body and lift my spirits. I experienced the joy of the Lord return to me. The Good Shepherd rescued me from the pit of depression.

My friend, I pray that you would find refuge in Christ today and that his joy would permeate your body and soul. I pray that you would go forward to face your challenges today in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May you be blessed by God to be a blessing to others today.

Reprinted with permission from SoulShepherding.org

To Please the Lord: Live by Grace, Not Anxiety

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:39:55 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2013

There are two integrated movements that define my life: meditating on Jesus and obeying his words. Meditating on God’s Word is joyful intimacy with Jesus. Obeying the Lord is loving others. These are the inner and outer journeys of spiritual formation in Christ. Both movements please the Lord!

But many things can divert me from this path of “Being with Jesus to become like him.” One is the subtle detour of pride.

Pride and Grace
What is pride? It is not speaking with confidence in your God-given dignity and your God-enabled capabilities, which actually is humility and manifests in emptying yourself to love God and others. The kind of pride that is sinful and deadly is to promote or rely on yourself rather than God. This is a sneaky sin that to some extent is universal in all people, including ministers, leaders, and caregivers who intend to be serving the Lord.

For instance, we may say that we depend upon God’s grace, but a careful look at the way that we’re actually living our lives might show that we depend more on our own intelligence or abilities. One problem is our definition of grace. What is grace? If you’ve studied Christian theology then probably you’ve learned that it’s “unmerited favor.” Yes, but grace is far more than a credit on my heavenly account. Grace is God acting generously in my life to do what I can’t do on my own. Grace is power — power to do good today.

Live by Grace
Ultimately, to be “saved by grace” should mean the way I live my daily life looks like how Jesus would live it if he were me. Say you’re participating in a business meeting, helping someone with a problem, or working on a project, how would you know if you were relying on yourself or God? Anxiety. Usually, if you’re relying on yourself then you’ll end up straining and stressing, but if you’re relying on God with you and within you then as you do what you’re doing you’ll have a sense of ease and probably a sense of humor too!

Often I catch myself trying too hard and beginning to get anxious — but actually that’s good news because then I can re-orient myself to rely on God’s grace in the moment and get back in tune with the Spirit of Christ. If we confess our pride and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord who cares for us then he raises us up to do his work without anxiety (1 Peter 5:6-7). But if we continue straining then God will let us carry on without him and we’re sure to get anxious, angry, slide into compulsive behavior, or get depressed.

A Prayer “To Please the Lord”

Here’s a prayer that helps to remind me to rely on the Lord Jesus and not myself. It’s inspired by Psalm 104:34-35:

To Please the Lord

Lord Jesus Christ,
I meditate on your words to rejoice in you;
I rest in the Father’s love with you.
Selah.

Lord Jesus Christ,
I obey your words to please you;
I rely on your Spirit to love others as you do.
Selah.

Live by Grace, Not Anxiety

Try my little Breath Prayer, “In Jesus’ name… Not my Strain.” Wow! It really helps. I’ve shared it with pastors, leaders, and caregivers who have used this prayer to tap into the grace-giving power of the Name.

Can God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.

What Do You Want Jesus to Do for You?

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:07:36 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2012

What do you want Jesus to do for you? It’s the most important question of your life.

John and Andrew were introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist who said to them: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

They approached Jesus eagerly and he asked them the question: “What do you want me to do for you?”

Think of the ways that people like you and I answer Jesus’ question…

Lord, I want… Financial help… Success in my project… Wisdom to solve my problem… Healing… Help for a loved one… A new opportunity for my ministry…

These are all good things to ask for from God. And I have asked God for help in all those areas at times. But John and Andrew wanted the best thing, the most important thing. They asked for the One Thing that meets all of our needs: Jesus.They wanted Jesus. All they wanted was to follow Jesus, to be with Him wherever He went, and to become like Him.

So Jesus replied, “Come and you will see.” Or, in other words, “Come with me and you’ll discover a new life.” John 1:29-39

“Come and see.” It’s the only way to follow Jesus. Open wide your eyes and your heart… Listen… Be ready for whatever He has to offer… Venture all you have on Him… Become His apprentice and let everything else in your life fall into place as part of that… Begin to live your life in a new way, His way… Discover His life in you, “the life that is truly life” 1 Timothy 6:19

Let my “Come and See” prayer help you to meet with Jesus now... Open your heart to respond to Christ’s invitation to you…

Come and See (inspired by Psalm 66)

Come and see – see what God is doing;
Come and listen – listen to His word;
Come and rejoice – rejoice in the Lord!

~

Come and see – see what Jesus gives;
Come and listen – listen, be at rest;
Come and rejoice – rejoice in His yoke!

~

Come and see – see where Jesus goes;
Come and listen – listen as His friend;
Come and rejoice – rejoice in your King!

~

Come and see – see what Jesus does;
Come and listen – listen to Him care;
Come and rejoice – rejoice to love all!

~

Don’t let these just be pretty words. The power of prayer is when we connect with Jesus Christ personally.

The Lord Jesus Christ is saying to you and to me: “Come!” Let’s respond with a prayer of consecration: “O Jesus, I want nothing more than to be with you and be like you. Thank you for inviting me to come and see you!”

Or think of a struggle or challenge in your life: Imagine yourself in that situation and Jesus says to you: “Come and see – see what God is doing.”

Sometimes what holds us back from fully trusting God and giving him our all is unforgiveness. To help read “Forgive and Be Set Free.”

A Better Year Ahead?

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:22:52 GMT

By Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2012

We all want this year to be better than last — even if last year was a great year. How does that happen?

Not by having better circumstances. (They always go up and down.)

Not by keeping one of the typical New Year’s resolutions. (They don’t deal with personal character and besides, they fizzle out by February.)

Not by making no New Year’s resolutions. (It’s a good and necessary thing for all of us to resolve to be and do better, as long we’re inspired by God’s wisdom and relying on his strength.)

Not by following the typical Christian advice (which end up being a lot like most New Year’s resolutions that start with enthusiasm and quickly fade): “Three Steps to a Blessed Life” or “Five Biblical Principles to Help You Succeed.” Not only does this approach falter it’s of the wrong spirit. True life in Christ is so much larger than using God to make our life turn out more like we want it to.

The Way to a Better Year
“I am devoted to you,” David proclaimed to the Lord (Psalm 86:2). That is the one and only way to enjoy a better year this year than last. I’m talking about becoming a better person, about being transformed to be more like Jesus.

Imagine waking up each day and stepping into the kingdom of the heavens. (It’s not just a far off and way later — it’s wherever Christ is King.) That is the life of beauty, goodness, and adventure that God has for you and I!

I have found that beginning my day with a prayer of dedication to the Lord is the right start to remind me that I am not living from the visible world, but God’s kingdom, invisible and yet more real and glorious than anything I’ve ever seen with my eyes. Then continually, as often as I can remember, I offer up prayers inspired by a fragment from a Psalm or other Scripture.

A Prayer of Consecration for a Better You
Offering a prayer of consecration is powerful. Look into the lives of the great saints and you’ll find that they used special prayers of consecration. Certainly the Bible is full of them from Paul, David, and others. Try this prayer of dedication to start your morning with God:

Good morning Father! Thank you for this day of life you’ve given me. Jesus, be my Lord and Teacher today in all things. You mean everything to me — what a blessing that I am the disciple you love!

O God, whatever happens today, however people treat me, whether or not I succeed in the things I do I will rejoice because I am with you being formed by the Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus, more at peace and more loving to the people near me.

Father, Son, and Spirit I am in you and you are in me! Think with my thoughts. Stir in my heart. Look with my eyes. Speak with my mouth. Love with my hands.

All I want today is to glorify and serve you, my Lord. So I abandon to you the outcomes of this day, trusting that you are good and you are working good in my life — even when it doesn’t feel like it. In Jesus’ name I pray and live. Amen.

This is a prayer to offer from our hearts. It’s an attitude to live by. Why? To exalt the Lord Jesus Christ! To be devoted to God! When we abandon ourselves to God we find that we couldn’t be happier, we couldn’t have a better life – not matter what our circumstances are at the moment.

Is your life devoted to Christ? I think it is or you wouldn’t be reading this! How can we help you to better follow the Good Shepherd in the New Year? Let us know. Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry.

The Precious Stone: A Story of Spiritual Direction

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 22:23:03 GMT

by Bill Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding Experiences, © 2012

A holy and happy hermit came to the outskirts of a village and settled down under a tree for the night. He got out his Bible and was about to say his prayers, which he always prayed in Jesus’ name, when a villager suddenly came running up to him and exclaimed, "The stone! The stone! Give me the precious stone!"

"What stone?" asked the hermit.

"Last night an angel appeared to me in a dream," explained the villager, "and he told me that if I went to the outskirts of the village at dusk I’d find a hermit who would give me a precious stone that would make me rich forever."

The hermit rummaged in his bag and pulled out a stone. "Is this the stone that you’re looking for?" he asked. "I found it on a forest path some days ago. You can have it."

The man gazed at the stone in wonder. It was a diamond as large as a person’s fist! It was probably the largest diamond in the whole world! He grabbed it and hurried home, holding the treasure close to his heart.

That night the villager clutched his precious stone as he went to bed, but all night he tossed about, unable to sleep. He kept thinking about the diamond and the hermit.

Before dawn he jumped out of bed and ran back to the hermit. He found him sleeping peacefully under the tree. He shook him awake, crying out, “I don’t want the diamond! I don’t want the diamond! Here, take it back. Instead, teach me how to pray so I can have the kind of riches that makes it possible for you to give this diamond away so freely."

Which Stone Do You Want?
The Precious Stone is an old story from an anonymous source. Perhaps it goes all the way back to the Desert Fathers who in the 3rd and 4th Centuries lived as hermits and gave spiritual direction to pilgrims. I’ve re-told this story, modifying it slightly from the versions I found. Consider with me what I sense God might be saying to us through this incredible parable.

The question of spiritual direction in this parable is, "Which stone do you want?" It's another way of asking the question Jesus often asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Matthew 20:32, Mark 10:36 and 51)

In the case of the villager he went back to the hermit because he realized he had asked for the wrong stone! He got the world’s largest diamond to make him rich like he thought he wanted, but it made him squinty-eyed in greed and overwhelmed with anxiety -- it was ruining his life. He had misinterpreted the angel’s message in his dream. He asked the hermit for a precious stone, but he hadn’t asked for the Precious Stone, which is Jesus Christ!

Because Jesus had a hold of the hermit’s heart he was truly rich -- even when he had nothing in this world except the clothes on his back, food for the day, and a small bag. So when he found the diamond he simply dropped it in his bag and left it there, never putting it in his heart. He didn’t need the diamond because he was already happy in Jesus.

Freely Receive, Freely Give
The hermit freely gave away the diamond to the villager because he always shared what he had with others. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). That was the hermit’s motto. For him, giving away the diamond was no different than sharing a loaf of bread with a hungry man or a word of blessing to someone who was discouraged.

God used the diamond to test of the villager. What did he want from the hermit? Worldly wealth or the peace of Christ? There is only room for one master in the heart. (Matthew 6:24)

The villager passed the test. With the help of the hermit's spiritual direction he learned to open his heart to Jesus and to become a man of prayer, filled with the riches of heaven and ready to bless others.

Spiritual Direction
The Precious Stone teaches us that we need at least one Christ’s ambassador who offers us the ancient art of spiritual direction by helping us to stay attuned with God and his loving purposes in the midst of daily life and stress. (2 Corinthians 5:20. We also need to be Christ’s ambassador to others.) Your Christ’s ambassador could be a spiritual director like the hermit was for the villager. Or it could be a pastor, counselor, coach, sponsor, small group leader, or soul friend. If you’re in ministry yourself you especially need to be receiving spiritual direction and care from someone!

How can we effectively minister God’s grace and truth to others if we’re not regularly humbling ourselves to someone else as unto the Lord? How do we know if we really trust the God we can’t see if we don’t make ourselves vulnerable to a servant of God we can see?

Many ministers try to shepherd others without being shepherded, but it’s deadly for their souls. They end up living more and more out a false self. Depression is likely. Maybe burnout or a moral blow out.

If you’re hiding your real self from others don’t wait until your life and ministry have eroded. Find a Christ’s ambassador and get the spiritual direction you need today.

Feeling Left Out of the Holidays

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:53:13 GMT

by Bill Gaultiere
Soul ShepherdingExperiences, © 2012

During the holiday season you may feel like the apple in a bowl of oranges. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are special occasions for families to gather and it seems that everyone else is with loved ones enjoying being together.

If you are feeling left out or lonely you are not the only one around you who is hurting in this way. Single adults, people who live alone and far from family, people in hospitals, prisoners, those who have to work long hours, and the homeless often find themselves feeling left out of the holiday spirit.

Also there are many people who are with family over the holidays and yet they too struggle with feeling left out. Maybe they're uncomfortable because they feel different from others in the family and don't know what to talk about. Or because someone in the family is likely to say or do something that is hurtful they distance themselves to cope, which leaves them feeling left out.

People who are alone over the holidays may also be feeling left out at church. It seems that everyone is with their spouse or family, but they are all alone.

God Sets the Lonely in Families
Maybe you are feeling left out? It is especially for you that "God sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6). But what does this mean? If you're lonely and not part of a family then this Bible verse may seem to be a false hope, and untrue promise.

What a beautiful thing it is when someone without family belonging is informally adopted by another family and they spend holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions together. He or she may still miss having their own family to be with and yet there can be a great appreciation of the blessing of being included in this family. Psalm 68:6 is fulfilled!

This is true family and it's the way it ought to be in the Body of Christ. But for many reasons in most local churches there are many people there who are feeling left out during the holidays. Those of us in families can do more to be hospitable to those who are lonely.

Your True Source
The deeper reality that Psalm 68:6 is pointing to is a spiritual reality that may or may not be reflected in the visible situation that you are in.

Think about this. All of us -- especially if you're feeling left out -- are invited into the Family of Heaven. Anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ is adopted by God the Father and sealed with the Holy Spirit of love. Father, Son, and Spirit (the Perfect Family!), along with all the angels and saints of the heavens and hopefully some Christ-followers today, welcome us into the Trinitarian community.

If we train with Jesus to find our true identity and well-being by being with him in the Kingdom of the Heavens then when we feel left out, which we all experience at times, we have another option. We can "Rejoice in the Lord!" (Philippians 4:4) anyway because we belong to him and are loved by him. We can take courage from the Lord with us and find someone else who is feeling left out and seek to be a blessing to that person.