All of us long to know with confidence the love and forgiveness that Jesus poured out at the cross. Yet we remain distant from this deeper experience of grace when we lose touch with our bottomless need for Christ or become paralyzed by shame. Thankfully Jesus doesn’t beat us over the head with the cross — he gently woos us back with his unfailing mercy.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi ​reflect on a poetic portrayal of the cross from Johann Gerhard, an author of classic Christian devotion. This discussion will help you personalize the cross as you experience Jesus bending down to kiss you, opening his arms to embrace you, and offering you his heart of passion and delight.

(This special episode highlights the Take Heart devotionals we read and discuss each morning over breakfast during Soul Shepherding retreats. You can receive a new devotional sent to your inbox each month by setting up a recurring donation with Soul Shepherding!)

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Dallas Willard taught us that Jesus offers us a life without lack in the Kingdom of God. But what do we do when experiencing the real pain of unmet needs, unhealed wounds, and unanswered prayers? You can learn to pause and pray — bringing your distresses and desires to Jesus to cultivate a peace and rest that’s rooted in his gentle love, wise leadership, and fierce faithfulness.

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about following Jesus through the many terrains of the spiritual journey. Praying and meditating on this Dallas-inspired paraphrase of Psalm 23 from will help you trust the Good Shepherd as he leads you into deeper union with God.

(If you want to go deeper into Psalm 23 and the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)

Resources for this Episode:

• Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered
• Join Our Free Devotional Email List
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

It’s true that our best efforts are good and effective — we are beautifully and wonderfully created by God, after all. Yet it’s easy to slip into self-reliance and try to “make things happen” in our own strength. Instead, we can learn to keep watch with Jesus as we work, joining God’s presence and activity all around us.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how learning to trust God, instead of relying solely on their own best efforts, transformed their apprenticeship to Jesus and helped them grow in emotional and relational health. This subtle shift in thinking will change how you approach life and ministry — especially during stress, trials, and conflict. You’ll be equipped with a lifelong practice to help you release control to God and find joy in creative partnership with the Good Shepherd.

(If you want to go deeper into the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)

Resources for this Episode:

• Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks