Jeff McLain
@jeffmclain.bsky.social
Lead A Quiet Life | Recovering a rooted Christian way of life through the Lord's Prayer, ancient habits, and simple Jesus communities. Dad · Writer · Pastor · Doctoral Student
Thinline Bibles are among my favorites. They are built to be carried. The ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible is excellent. It includes translator notes, cross-references, and more. A blog post on @patheosHQ and @PatheosEvang. www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible Review
A review of the ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible, exploring its readability, references, translation, and use in everyday life.
patheos.com
“The revival which many are longing and praying for must begin with this: the return of Christian ministers and workers to their true place before—in Christ and like Christ, one of complete dependence and continual waiting on God to work in them.” - Andrew Murray, Working for God
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t merely something we say it is also a way Jesus taught us to live. I reviewed Brad Gray & Brad Nelson’s The Lord’s Prayer. www.jeffmclain.com/the-lords-pr...
The Lord’s Prayer: A Review of Bringing Heaven Here
A reflection on Brad Gray and Brad Nelson’s Bringing Heaven Here, exploring how context and practice make the Lord's Prayer a way of life.
jeffmclain.com
“Abundance can breed amnesia. Poverty can lead to desperation.” - Brad Gray & Brad Nelson, Bringing Heaven Here
The Phillies. I was ready to fire them all with little to no remorse, but they have me believing again. Postseason for the 5th straight season.
I’m increasingly convinced the church needs more than a better strategy for “fixing” the church. Discipleship, missiology, APEST, and new models can still reproduce the business-driven, platformed church they’re trying to repair. These worlds are full of coaches, book deals, and paid programs.
I’m convinced the danger of Evangelicalism today isn’t that we misunderstand Jesus. It’s that we refuse to understand him and then spend our mental energy finding ways to explain why we don’t have to do what he said.
Can a Bible be both free and trustworthy? I started researching that question after digging into the New English Translation—and I found more options than I expected. A blog post on @patheos.com www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Can A Bible Be Both Free And Trustworthy?
Can a Bible Be Both Free and Trustworthy? Exploring eight accessible, open, and less copyright-restricted English Bible translations.
patheos.com
Our prayer begins with confessing and understanding God’s character. This is a prayerful confession to practice even in crisis. A blog post on @patheos.com. www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Learning To Confess And Understand Our Father Even In Crisis
Our Father. In the middle of fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions, learning to trust the character of the God who holds us.
patheos.com
“Praying “Holy be your name” is how we stay centered and recalibrated for this new way of being in the world.” - Brad Gray & Brad Nelson
This series continues to be one that I enjoy. www.jeffmclain.com/reviewing-vo...
Reviewing Volume XII of the ESV Expository Commentary (Hebrews – Revelation) - Jeff McLain
I am grateful to Crossway for sending me a copy of Volume XII of the ESV Expository Commentary to review. I don’t take the gift to review this commentary lightly.…
jeffmclain.com
Some of you may know that my wife suffered a seizure while working. She fractured her skull and temporal bone, damaged her ear canal, and sustained other significant injuries. After days in the hospital, she’s home. We’re grateful for the care of many friends, and we’re asking for continued prayers.
Perhaps the deeper question Jesus is asking isn’t simply, “If this is all that I have for you, are you okay with it?” Perhaps he is asking, “Am I enough for you?” A Lead a Quiet Life Blog post on @patheos.com www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
If This Is All That I Have For You (Proverbs 14:30)
Proverbs 14:30 calls us toward a tranquil heart. What if learning contentment begins by trusting that God is enough?
patheos.com
The Pharisees knew scripture but missed the Messiah standing right in front of them. It's a warning for us: knowing the Bible doesn't guarantee we see Jesus. We can be experts in God's ways, yet still resist the God who speaks to us. #faith #scripture
This week in the Seven series, we look at John 8:12–20 and what it means to follow Jesus when the world feels dark, confusing, and uncertain. Watch the full sermon: youtu.be/SV_2wWC1FCk
Seven: I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12-20) | Jeff McLain
YouTube video by River Corner Church
youtu.be
Prayer is not about finding God in spectacle, performance, or formulaic ways we have been taught to pray. The posture of prayer that Jesus gives us teaches us to recognize the Father in the secret and ordinary places, confidently trusting that even there, when we feel alone, we are seen (Mt 6:6).
The world sells a lot of success, but Jesus challenges us to look for the right prize. It’s about reorienting ourselves toward Him, not chasing worldly gains. Link to full video in bio.
Focusing on our mission through prayer and scripture reminds us what eternal life is. Let's live out this commitment, not pursuing fleeting things.
A prayer that we are told 'Pray, then, in this way' is not a secret formula for manipulating God into giving us what we want, but I also do not believe it is optional nor just a suggestion for those of us who want to learn and stay rooted in the way of life that Jesus calls us to.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
The day didn’t start great. A few issues with my diabetes and a repair that needs to be taken care of. But I’m not going to let any of that get in the way. It’s Daddy-Daughter Date Day. That’s what matters.
A quiet life isn’t failure—it’s resistance.
We are stewards living in our Father’s world. Knowing and confessing this should change the way we live. A new blog post on @patheos.com . www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
The Earth Is The Lord’s: Learning To Live As Stewards
What if everything we have is a gift entrusted to us by God? Psalm 24 invites us to rethink ownership, stewardship, and the way we live.
patheos.com
I love when people say “yes” to Jesus. There is something otherworldly about sitting with someone as they confess with their mouth and believe in their heart. It is a holy moment. Today, I gratefully saw another life called by grace. I’m always here if you want to talk.
“People first have to be made ready to do good works by being born anew. Only then, would they be capable of doing good works… doing good works doesn’t make anyone good.” - Martin Luther, (By Faith Alone)
There are passages of Scripture we return to again and again. Sometimes we read them. Sometimes, if we're paying attention, they begin reading us. A Lead a Quiet Life Blog on Patheos Evangelical. www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
When Psalm 23 Began Reading Me
What if Psalm 23 isn't just meant to be read, but to read you? A reflection on discernment, surrender, and the Shepherd's gentle guidance.
patheos.com