by jakeowensby | Sep 22, 2023 | Calling, Matthew 21:23-32
The first semester of Freshman Year in College was a few days away. My friend J- and I were driving somewhere. I can’t remember the destination. He asked me what I would major in. Too embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t the faintest clue, I said, “Psychology.”...
by jakeowensby | Aug 18, 2023 | Following Jesus, Matthew 16:13-20, Proper 16 A
After Sunday worship at one of the congregations in my diocese, I met with the church’s leadership for the standard review of finances, attendance figures, evangelism strategies, and the like. One of the leaders was visibly angry. He said nothing until we came to the...
by jakeowensby | Jan 27, 2023 | Beatitude, Humble, Lent, Matthew 5:1-12, Poor in Spirit
We all want to be happy. And yet, if you dedicate your life to pursuing happiness, you’ll never be happy. This may seem like a contradiction to you. But prophets and theologians, philosophers and priests have been saying it for ages. Recently I heard a story that...
by jakeowensby | Dec 23, 2022 | Luke 2:1-20
This year I’ve been asking people what they’re favorite Christmas movie or TV special is. The answers have varied by people’s generation. The titles I’ve heard include: “It’s a Wonderful Life” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” “Elf” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and...
by jakeowensby | Dec 16, 2022 | Faith and Science, Matthew 1:18-25, Secularism, Virgin Birth
My atheist phase lasted for about fifteen minutes one sunny, late-spring afternoon. Freshman year in college was coming to a close for me. There was a party at a nearby river. A couple of my friends and I were standing midstream on a large rock. Soaking up the sun,...
