The Woodlands: A Place for Exploring the Spiritual Life

What's the Hurry?

Why do we live at such a relentless pace? Drawing on Christian Smith, Ecclesiastes, Jesus' first followers, and Dallas Willard, I explore the spiritual root of hurry and the restless desire that drives us from one thing to the next. The problem may not be our schedules. It may be what we're seeking. Spiritual Practice: What Am I Really Seeking? Each day this week, pause once or twice when you find yourself reaching for something: your phone, a snack, a purchase, a distraction, a task, a piece of news, or even a conversation. Before acting, ask yourself: * What am I hoping this will give me? * What deeper desire lies beneath this desire? * What am I really seeking right now? Don’t judge your answer. Simply notice it. You may discover that beneath the desire for productivity is a desire for significance. Beneath the desire for entertainment is a desire for joy. Beneath the desire for reassurance is a desire for peace. Beneath the desire for attention is a desire to be loved. End the day with a brief prayer: “Lord, help me recognize the deeper desires of my heart. Teach me to seek in you what I so often seek elsewhere. Lead me into the life for which I was made. Amen.” The goal is not to eliminate desire. Desire is part of how God created us. The goal is to notice where our desires are leading us—and whether they are carrying us toward the Infinite or merely from one finite thing to the next. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe [https://jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

What the Commandments Are Really For

Jesus did not give commandments as a test to pass, but as practices that shape us into people who can live the way of the Kingdom here and now. In this first installment of Practicing the Kingdom, I explore Sabbath, distraction, desire, and what it means to become fully human together. A Practice for the Week Set aside ten quiet minutes at the end of one day this week. No phone. No television. No music. Just silence. Then ask yourself: * What shaped my heart today? * What most captured my attention? * What hurried me? * What gave me peace? * What helped me love God and other people more deeply? What pulled me away from the main thing? Do not judge yourself harshly. Simply notice. Then end with this prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me the way of your Kingdom. Reorder my desires. Quiet what distracts me from you. Shape my life by your love so that I may become more fully human in you. Amen. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe [https://jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Learning the Habit of Attention

What if the spiritual life begins with attention? This Pentecost reflection explores distraction, presence, prayer, and learning to be present to God in a restless age. A Practice for Pentecost: Learning the Habit of Attention Attention rarely happens by accident. Our days always take shape around habits and rhythms. In that sense, all of us already have a rule of life. The question is whether our current patterns are helping us stay connected to God. This week, pay attention to the rhythms that shape your days. How do you begin the morning? What claims your attention first? How do you end the day? What patterns shape your week? What helps you remember God’s presence? What consistently pulls your attention away? Don’t try to overhaul your life all at once. Instead, choose one simple practice that helps you reconnect your attention to God. You might begin the day with a short prayer before looking at your phone. Pause for silence at midday. Read a Psalm before bed. Set aside regular time for worship, rest, or reflection. The Book of Common Prayer offers a simple way to begin. It includes brief Daily Devotions for Morning, Noon, Early Evening, and Close of Day. These short prayers can help punctuate the day with moments of attention to God’s presence. You can find them on pages 137-139. The goal is not spiritual perfection. It is learning to make room for God at the center of your life. Scheduling Me for Your Event If you would like for me to lead a retreat, offer a workshop, or speak at your event, contact my colleague Holly Davis. [holly@epiwla.org] I love connecting with you in-person or online. Holly is already scheduling 2027, but there are a few spaces left for 2026. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe [https://jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Speaking Up

A reflection on Jeremiah’s call, ordained ministry, and the way of Jesus. Real leadership is not about power or performance, but courage, humility, and the willingness to speak up. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe [https://jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Living is More than Existing

Living is more than existing. In this reflection for Ascension Sunday, Jake explores the restless patterns that leave our souls behind—and the way of life Jesus offers instead. The way of the cross is not escape from the world, but a deeper way of being present to God, to others, and to creation itself. Spiritual Practice: How We Carry What We Carry Set aside ten minutes. Begin by becoming still. Sit comfortably. Take a few slow breaths. Let your body settle. Then bring to mind something you are carrying right now—a burden, a pressure, a responsibility. Don’t choose something abstract. Choose something real. Now ask yourself: How am I carrying this? Without judging, notice the pattern. Are you tightening? Managing? Controlling? Are you bracing yourself, trying to hold it all together on your own? Sit with that honestly for a moment. Then hear these words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30) Read the words slowly. Let a word or phrase stand out. Now ask: What would it be like to carry this with Jesus instead of by myself? Don’t overthink it. Let an image, a feeling, or a simple shift come to you. It may be releasing control. It may be asking for help. It may be taking one faithful step instead of trying to solve everything. Sit quietly for a minute or two, holding that new pattern in your imagination. Close with a simple prayer: Jesus, I am carrying more than I can hold. Teach me your way. Teach me to carry this with you, not alone. Amen. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe [https://jakeowensby.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]