The Woodlands: A Place for Exploring the Spiritual Life

Jake Owensby
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

The Woodlands helps you see grace at work in the everyday, navigate life’s challenges with courage, deepen your relationship with God, and live with love, hope, and purpose in this complex world. jakeowensby.substack.com

  1. 1d ago

    What’s Faith Got To Do With It?

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. This weekend I’ll be leading a retreat for Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates at the Solomon Center in the Diocese of Louisiana. EfM stands for Education for Ministry. If you’re looking for a small group study that dives deeply into scripture, theology, the church’s history, this is a terrific program. EfM is a four-year process. EfM Wide Angle is a one-year course. Either way, you go deep into the faith and form genuine relationships with faithful, spiritually curious people. The theme of the retreat is based on my last book A Full-Hearted Life and includes a sneak peek at my upcoming two-book project The Gospel Path. So it seemed fitting to offer you an excerpt from A Full-Hearted Life in this week’s newsletter. To schedule me for your event, contact my colleague Holly Davis. A Spiritual Practice Find a quiet place. Sit in silence for a minute or two. Let your body, your mind, and your heart settle. Then read this passage aloud: Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71:3) Read it again silently. Then reflect on these questions: What storms have I endured? Where did I seek refuge? How did that work for me? What storms do I anticipate? Where am I seeking refuge now? Don’t judge. Just reflect. Acknowledge that you’re still standing today. Give thanks. Close with this prayer. Holy God, you are my rock and my fortress. Be my refuge from the storms I dread and from the ones I can’t yet see. When I seek shelter in my own strength alone, turn me gently back to you so that I may learn to rest secure in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. In previous weeks I’ve suggested a Lectio Divina to begin the day and an Examen to close the day. I’ve provided an outline for those practices beneath my signature for those would like to continue these practices. That’s it for this week y’all. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake P.S. Here’s an outline for a morning Lectio and an evening Examen: A Lectio has four parts: read, reflect, respond, rest. Use the Psalm above, the Matthew text from the reflection, or a passage you prefer Read (lectio): Read the passage aloud once. Then again silently. What word, phrase or image emerges for you? Reflect (meditatio): Read the passage silently, lingering over the word, phrase, or image. What is it revealing to you or showing you now? Respond (oratio): Read the passage again silently and speak to God about what has been revealed or shown. Talk to God as your friend. Informally. Unguarded. Rest (contemplatio): Read the passage one final time silently. Sit quietly. Let the word go. Be still. In the evening, turn to an Examen. Sit quietly for a moment and then move through the following moments. * Asking for Light: Sit quietly. Allow yourself to sense God’s presence. Ask the Spirit for grace to see the day clearly. * Gratitude: Review your day. Give thanks for gifts big and small that came your way. * Review your reactions: Now walk back through your day again. Notice your emotions: joy, fear, frustration, peace, anxiety, and so on. What were you responding to? Where did you feel close to God? Where did you feel distant? Remember, feeling distant is not a failure. * Facing shortcomings and asking forgiveness: Name any places that you fell short, disappointed yourself or another person, caused harm or remained indifferent to harm. Give them to God without shame. Receive God’s forgiveness. * Looking toward tomorrow: Turn toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you the grace, the wisdom and the perseverance you will need. Close with the Lord’s Prayer. 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

  2. Oct 16

    A Question to Ask Ourselves

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. If you’ve been reading along with me for a while, you know that I focus on following Jesus in the midst of the complexities of our real lives. If there are simple rules to follow, I haven’t found them. But I do believe that, with the Spirit’s help, we can grow in the art of discernment. In this reflection, we’ll look at one of the keys to discernment: asking questions. After the meditation, you’ll find a spiritual practice, so stay tuned. And before we turn to the meditation, just a reminder that my colleague Holly Davis is shaping my 2027 calendar. If you would like for me to lead your retreat or speak at your event, just send her an email. She’ll be glad to help. A Spiritual Practice We’ll begin with a Lectio Divina for the morning. A Lectio has four parts: read, reflect, respond, rest. Here’s a passage (but feel free to use any passage that suggests itself to you): Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5) Read (lectio): Read the passage aloud once. Then again silently. What word, phrase or image emerges for you? Reflect (meditatio): Read the passage silently, lingering over the word, phrase, or image. What is it revealing to you or showing you now? Respond (oratio): Read the passage again silently and speak to God about what has been revealed or shown. Talk to God as your friend. Informally. Unguarded. Rest (contemplatio): Read the passage one final time silently. Sit quietly. Let the word go. Be still. In the evening, turn to an Examen. Sit quietly for a moment and then move through the following moments. * Asking for Light: Sit quietly. Allow yourself to sense God’s presence. Ask the Spirit for grace to see the day clearly. * Gratitude: Review your day. Give thanks for gifts big and small that came your way. * Review your reactions: Now walk back through your day again. Notice your emotions: joy, fear, frustration, peace, anxiety, and so on. What were you responding to? Where did you feel close to God? Where did you feel distant? Remember, feeling distant is not a failure. * Facing shortcomings and asking forgiveness: Name any places that you fell short, disappointed yourself or another person, caused harm or remained indifferent to harm. Give them to God without shame. Receive God’s forgiveness. * Looking toward tomorrow: Turn toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you the grace, the wisdom and the perseverance you will need. Close with the Lord’s Prayer. That’s it for this week y’all. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake 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

  3. Oct 9

    The Way of Wisdom

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. Like many of us, I’ve noticed the widening gap between the ever growing power that our technology provides and the wisdom we need to use that power for the good of humanity. So today, we’re going to look at that gap and talk about the source of the wisdom we so desperately need. A Spiritual Practice: A Lectio Divina for the Morning (about 5 minutes): Read the passage below or one of your choosing slowly two times. Notice the word, phrase, or images that catches your attention: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Sit with the word or phrase for moment. What does it stir in you? Ask of you today? Talk to God like you would talk to a friend about what the word. Ask God to show you the way of wisdom today. Sit in silence for a moment. An Examen for the End of Day (about 5 minutes): Review your day. Where did you notice God? Where did you turn away from love today? Don’t judge yourself, just name it. Name something that you’re grateful for. Close by asking God to guide you on the way of wisdom tomorrow. To explore the sources and practice of wisdom in greater depth, check out my book A Full-Hearted Life. And if you would like to schedule me to speak at your event or lead a retreat, contact my colleague Holly Davis. Among the themes I talk about are spiritual practices, preaching, and forming disciples. That’s it for this week, y’all. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake 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

  4. Oct 2

    A Life-Shaping Aspiration

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. I’ve come to think of the Christian spiritual life as aspirational: we yearn to grow. We don’t want to be more because we worry that we’re not enough. Instead, we are drawn to greater depths of something good and beautiful that we’ve already started to experiencing. That’s our theme for this week. Before turning to the reflection, here’s a quick update on my comings and goings. In October I’l be preaching at All Saints’ Chapel and St. Augustine’s Chapel, both in Sewanee. Then I’ll be leading a retreat for EfM graduates at the Solomon Center in the Diocese of Louisiana. The theme is A Full-Hearted Life. If you would like for me to speak at your event on themes such as discipleship, preaching, spiritual practices, or the like, just hit the button below and my colleague Holly will help make that happen. A Spiritual Practice At the beginning of the day: Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Breathe. Let your mind settle. After a minute or so, bring to mind people and situations you’ll encounter today. Don’t treat this as a to-do list. Just picture people, places, animals. As each image appears to you, linger and repeat to yourself silently: love. After five minutes, close with this prayer: Jesus, during this day help me discern what you would do if you were me and give me grace, wisdom, and courage to do it. Amen. Repeat the prayer silently throughout the day. During the day: Take a walk in nature, around your neighborhood, or around your place of work. Notice what you see, you hear, and you smell. Be aware of your emotional response to what you encounter. Don’t judge. Just notice. After your walk, take a few minutes to jot down what you noticed and what you felt. Don’t worry about crafting an essay. Bullet points and sentence fragments are fine. Ask yourself: Where was God in this? What need called out to me? At the close of day: Sit quietly and review your day. Be very gentle with yourself. Let these questions guide you: When did I let the world’s need matter to me today? When was I rushing past things? Did I feel God’s love for me today? When? Where? Close with this prayer: God of inexhaustible grace, thank you for loving me today even when I was too hurried to feel it. Help me to be more mindful of your love so that I may share more generously tomorrow; in Jesus’ name. Amen. That’s it for this week friends. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake P.S. My book A Full-Hearted Life is available in paperback, Kindle, and audio book. Grab a copy here. 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

  5. Sep 25

    Yes and No

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. This week we’re looking at the Parable of the Yes and No brothers. How God responds to rejection, indifference, and hypocrisy tells us a lot about the persistence of God’s love. Before moving on, a quick reminder that my colleague Holly Davis is now working on my 2027 schedule. If you would like to invite me to lead a retreat, offer a talk, participate in a webinar, or preach at your event, just give her a shout. A Spiritual Practice For the morning: Sit quietly with your eyes closed for a minute or two. Open your eyes and read this passage aloud slowly: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. (Psalm 139:23) Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and recite “Search me, O God, and know my heart” silently for a few minutes. Sit in silence and listen. Finish by praying: “Test me and know my thoughts.” For the evening: Sit quietly for a few minutes with your eyes closed. Open your eyes and read this passage aloud slowly: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” (Psalm 139:1) Close your eyes again. Walk slowly back through your day. Don’t stop. Don’t judge. Let these three questions gradually emerge for you: * Where did I say yes today? * Where did I say no or say nothing? * Where did something come toward me? A kindness, a moment of beauty, a sorrow? Sit quietly and listen. Finish with this prayer: You have searched me and known me. Thank you. 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

  6. Sep 18

    How to Live with Your Past

    Over the past two weeks we’ve been discussing forgiveness. Forgiveness is one way we live with our past. This week we turn to how living authentically with our past opens us to the future we long for. Before moving on, a quick reminder that my colleague Holly Davis is now working on my 2027 schedule. If you would like to invite me to lead a retreat, offer a talk, participate in a webinar, or preach at your event, just give her a shout. And now here’s a spiritual practice for today or for the rest of this week: A Spiritual Practice In the morning: Sit quietly for a couple of minutes. Let your heart and mind settle. When you’re ready, read this passage once and then do so again silently: The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. (Exodus 16:4) Sit with that for a moment and recite the Lord’s Prayer aloud, and then silently repeat “give us this day our daily bread” for five or ten minutes. During the day, you may find it helpful to silently repeat the phrase. In the evening before bed: Sit quietly for five minutes and review your day. Are you carrying any regret, any remorse? Don’t judge yourself. Just sit with it, then hand it to Jesus. Where did you receive bread from heaven today? Something that helped you to take the next step, make a decision, face a challenge? Give thanks. End with this prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book: Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen. That’s it for this week y’all. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake P.S. The Woodlands is always free. I offer paid subscriptions for those who would like to help fund ministries in under-resourced communities, especially among young people. Whether you opt for a free or a paid subscription, I’m really grateful that you’re here. 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

  7. Sep 11

    Forgiveness Can Take a Lifetime

    Hi everybody! Thanks for being here. This week we’re continuing our reflection on forgiveness. Last week we talked about where forgiveness begins. Now we’re going to discuss how forgiveness is a process, not a single, discreet act. Do be advised that this reflection contains a story about domestic violence that may be upsetting to some people. And before we get started, a quick reminder that everything from The Woodlands is always free. I offer paid subscriptions for those who would like to help fund ministries in under-resourced communities, especially among young people. Whether you opt for a free or a paid subscription, I’m really grateful that you’re here. Now, on to this week’s conversation: Forgiveness Can Take a Lifetime A Spiritual Practice Sit quietly for a few minutes in a comfortable spot. Let your mind, your heart, and your body settle. When you’re ready, say the Lord’s Prayer silently. Then, repeat the following line silently for two or three minutes: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. (Or, if you prefer the modern version: forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.) Now bring to mind a time that someone forgave you. Reflect on how that felt at the time. How you feel now. Sit with the awareness of being a forgiven person. And now let’s turn to being a forgiving person. Search your heart for unresolved feelings of resentment you have toward someone or hurt that someone has caused. Imagine bringing that person to Jesus. Ask Jesus to forgive them. Don’t worry if you’re still struggling to forgive. That’s not a failure. It’s part of the process. Stay with this for a few minutes. Close by repeating the the Jesus Prayer silently for a few minutes: Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. That’s it for this week, y’all. Thanks again for being here. Until next time, be well and God bless. Jake P. S. Just a quick reminder about scheduling me for your event. My colleague Holly Davis is now working on my 2027 schedule. If you would like to invite me to lead a retreat, offer a talk, participate in a webinar, or preach at your event, just give her a shout. P.P.S. Thanks to everybody whose generosity helps provide educational resources to the children of Alma Redwine Elementary. They send their love: 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

  8. Sep 4

    Where Forgiveness Begins

    Hey everybody! Thanks for being here. This week we’re exploring the paradoxical dynamics of forgiveness and how it shapes a Jesus-following community. A Spiritual Practice: The Jesus Prayer Sit in a quiet comfortable place. Close your eyes. Take a couple of minutes to let your body, heart, and mind settle. Repeat the Jesus prayer in rhythm with your breath: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Inhale: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God Exhale: have mercy on me a sinner. Breathe normally. Repeat this ten or twenty times or set a timer for five or ten minutes. Expect your mind to wander. That’s natural. When it does, gently come back to the practice. You can carry this into your day. While you’re doing ordinary things like washing dishes, taking a walk, or waiting in line, let the prayer run in the background of your mind. 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

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The Woodlands helps you see grace at work in the everyday, navigate life’s challenges with courage, deepen your relationship with God, and live with love, hope, and purpose in this complex world. jakeowensby.substack.com

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