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Book Review: Pray by Neil Cole - Jeff McLain

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 21d

Pray by Neil Cole, is a call to live dangerously by living prayerfully.

jeffmclain.com/book-review-...

Prayer is dangerous, transformative, and essential. In Pray, Neil Cole calls us to leave the harbor and live a life drenched in prayer.

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 22d

“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

― Blaise Pascal, Pensées

#BePresent #SayNo #SitQuietly #LeadAQuietLife

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 23d

Thanks, friends! Blessings to you.

5 Books That Shaped My Rule Of Life And Quiet Life Pursuit

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 24d

I’ve been reworking my Rule of Life and reflecting on what it means to pursue a quieter, more intentional way with Jesus. Here are 5 books that have deeply shaped me along the way.

A Blog Post on @patheos.com.

#RuleofLife #NowReading #JesusisLord

Discover 5 books that shaped my Rule of Life and quiet life pursuit, offering rhythms, habits, and spiritual practices for faithful living.

Just Say No: Resisting Busyness And Undisciplined Living

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 27d

In my latest blog, I reflect on why “Just Say No” is more than a slogan—it’s a spiritual discipline we desperately need in our noisy world.

A Blog Post on @patheos.com.

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

From 80s slogans to biblical wisdom, “just say no” reminds us to resist busyness, distractions, and embrace God’s gifts with discipline.

Beaten By The False Gospel Of Busyness

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · 29d

The increasing violence in our country over the past few weeks has been alarming.

Is there a more suitable way to pray than to echo Jesus' words, "Deliver us from evil"?

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Sep 8

Our busyness shows that we follow a false gospel.

We are swept up into a sea of busyness for progress.

A blog post on @patheos.com.

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

Busyness promises progress but delivers emptiness. Discover why Scripture calls us to resist the false gospel of busyness.

The Biggest Story: A New Journey for Our Kids

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Sep 8

Starting in January 2026, children at River Corner Church will begin a 2-year journey through The Biggest Story—seeing how all Scripture points to Jesus.

You are invited!

Join River Corner Church kids on a 2-year adventure through The Biggest Story, discovering how all of Scripture points to Jesus.

Book Review: The Inner Man by Saint Dimitri of Rostov

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Sep 7

St. Dimitri of Rostov’s The Inner Man reminds us: unceasing prayer isn’t about length, but frequency. A short book with deep wisdom.

A review of St. Dimitri of Rostov’s The Inner Man, exploring Orthodox wisdom on unceasing prayer and the inward life with God.

Shared Learning: Rethinking What Church Can Look Like

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Sep 1

What if the church looked less like a place to attend and more like a conversation to join? Let’s push back on ‘normal.’

A blog post on @patheos.com.

At River Corner Church, we’re cultivating fifth Sunday conversations—reading Scripture together and experiencing shared learning.

Book Review: Dirty Glory by Pete Greig

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 27

I just posted 3 book reviews from my recent reading for my doctoral studies. Each book offered encouragement and a fresh perspective, and I think you may find them meaningful too.

1. jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
2. jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
3. jeffmclain.com/book-review-...

Pete Greig’s Dirty Glory blends story and teaching, showing how prayer transforms us and propels us into God’s mission and justice.

Four Stages Of Faith And Conversion

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 24

I am SUPER grateful for some quality family time today—bayside for hours in Havre de Grace MD, a picnic in Perryville MD, then home for movie night before sermon prep. Even with the pressures of what needs done, these moments remind me what matters most.

Tomorrow, back to doctoral studies.

Reposted by Jeff McLain

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 19

Faith is a journey, not just a moment. Explore the Four Stages of Faith and Conversion that I see: calling, challenge, catalysts, and convergence. #FaithJourney

A blog post on @patheos.com.

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

Discover the Four Stages of Faith and Conversion—calling, challenge, catalytic moments, and convergence—as a journey of spiritual growth and discipleship.

Four Stages Of Faith And Conversion

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 23

“When Christianity is reduced to an all-encompassing ideology. those of us who live in the modern age are all too prone to be skeptical about its relevance to our life experience.”

- Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 20

“Idols in today's world are no longer made of gold, at least not in North America. No, in our contemporary context the preferred materials manufacturing idols are images and ideas, ideologies.“

- Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Everyday Theology)

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 19

Faith is a journey, not just a moment. Explore the Four Stages of Faith and Conversion that I see: calling, challenge, catalysts, and convergence. #FaithJourney

A blog post on @patheos.com.

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

Discover the Four Stages of Faith and Conversion—calling, challenge, catalytic moments, and convergence—as a journey of spiritual growth and discipleship.

ICNU: The Power Of Calling Out The Good In Others

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 13

Four simple words—I·C·N·U—can change a life. Call out the good you see in others and watch God grow it. #Leadership #Discipleship

A blog on @patheos.com

Discover the power of ICNU conversations—simple, intentional words that can unlock gifts, inspire growth, and change a life.

God Is Still SPEAKing: 5 Ways To Hear God’s Guiding Voice

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 12

God is still speaking. 📖👂

Through Scripture, people, experiences, awareness/common sense, and kairos moments—are you listening? #Faith #QuietLife #GodSpeaks

A blog post on @patheos.com

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

Discover 5 biblical ways to hear God's voice today—because God is still speaking through Scripture, people, and life’s moments.

Book Review: Living Prayer (The Lord's Prayer Alive in You) by Dennis Fuqua

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Aug 5

I just reviewed "Living Prayer" by Dennis Fuqua—an accessible, heartfelt guide to living the Lord’s Prayer daily. #Prayer #BookReview

A practical, heartfelt guide to praying the Lord’s Prayer in daily life—Fuqua helps readers to experience living prayer, not just recite.

Book Review: How to Pray by Pete Greig

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Jul 30

In reading for my doctoral research, I found a practical and refreshing companion in "How to Pray" by Pete Greig. #LordsPrayer

jeffmclain.com/book-review-...

A review of How to Pray by Pete Greig—an accessible, Spirit-led guide to prayer that blends Scripture, history, and practical insight.

7 Ways From Rodney Reeves To Stop Celebrity Christianity

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Jul 28

We must ensure that the church and followers of Jesus avoid the allure of celebrity culture and political platforms, instead focusing on humble devotion and prayer.

A blog post on @patheos.com

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

Rodney Reeves challenges us to resist Christian celebrity culture with 7 practices rooted in Jesus’ call to quiet, faithful living.

A Quiet Way: Embracing Simple Church At River Corner Church

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Jul 25

Church doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s why I’m embracing the quiet way at River Corner Church. #SimpleChurch

A blog post on @patheos.com.

Discover why I’m embracing simple church at River Corner Church—a quiet, Spirit-led community of Jesus followers in Lancaster, PA.

When God Rewrote My Never: A Story Of Returning To School

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Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Jul 23

I said I’d never go to school… then God rewrote my “never.” 📖🔥
Check out how the Lord’s Prayer led me to a Doctor of Ministry.

A blog post on @patheos.com

www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...

From music stages to ministry classrooms—how God led me to pursue a Doctor of Ministry after saying I'd never go back to school.

This Is The Lord’s Table: A Gathering For The Scattered

Jeff McLain @jeffmclain.bsky.social · Jul 23

The Lord’s Table gathers the scattered, centers our hearts on Jesus, and reminds us we’re part of something bigger. #LordsTable

A blog post on @patheos.com.

The Lord’s Table recenters our scattered lives—discover communion as a sacred act of reflection, unity, and transformation.