What a Difference a Week Makes!

road amidst bare trees
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Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin (James 4:13–17 ESV).

These verses have a WHOLE new meaning to me in light of the coronavirus pandemic. I am still wrapping my mind around what is occurring. As I said in my previous post, if someone would have told me last year or even at the end of 2019, that life would change so drastically and suddenly, I would have thought they were crazy.

On Sunday March 15, 2020 when Nathan and I were out walking in the woods, Nathan asked me if I wanted to try making fire with his ferro rod and file. I said, “Ok” and after a few tries, my little pile of grass seeds lit on fire. AMAZING!

When we got home that evening, I ordered my own ferro rod and file. Nathan gave me a small knife and now when I am out walking around by myself, I actually look for things that I think could be used to start a fire. So far my findings have not produced any results, but hey, at least I am trying!

Fishing
Mandy Sweigart-Quinn fishing on the Susquehanna River, March 20, 2020, Pequea, PA.

What is even more amazing, stunning, unbelievable is that on March 19, 2020, I got my fishing license. I spent the last three days fishing with Nathan (March 20, 21, 22). This truly is an act of God. For those of you who do not know me or are new to this blog, while I am a sports girl, I am NOT a wilderness girl. While I am practical and like to be outdoors, I do not need to be at one with nature. Nathan has nicknamed me “Shiny” for a reason! I am not afraid, ashamed or embarrassed to admit this! (In regards to Nathan and I please read “Junk”.)

Dr. Teague in his Commencement Speech (May 10, 2019) encouraged us to “Make Your Mist Matter” (James 4:14). I have so much more of an appreciation for wanting my mist to matter to God and His people. Precious reader, you and your mist matter to God, to current believers and to future generations, be encouraged by this!

As everyone knows who reads this blog, I have lamented not having a house. I repent before God and you, dear reader! Praise God and I mean PRAISE God for His Sovereignty in allowing us to rent in this time. Only God knows what is going to happen and I am going to follow James’s advice and “boast only in the Lord.” I am not going to boast about nor lament tangible things. If God is stirring in me, preparing me to  learn how to make fire and fish, I know that God is doing something in you! All those times that I said, “I will never fish” are coming back to bite me (pun intended!).

I know for a fact that these are things that I would NEVER do if it were not for the coronavirus. What ways can you make your mist matter in this time? How is God wanting to show Himself to you through this pandemic that He may otherwise not have been able?

Father God, thank You that You are near in this time of uncertainty. Lord, help us to make our mist matter. Lord, we ask that You give us guidance and wisdom. Lord, may we grow in our trust and dependence on You. Lord God, for many of us, we have been removed from our comfort zones. You are exposing our deepest fears and longings. Lord God, prepare us for what You will have us face with boldness and courage. Lord God, thank You for Your unfailing love. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

 

 

 

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

38 thoughts on “What a Difference a Week Makes!”

      1. Hi ! Thanks for your prayers, and your encouragement.
        A little chapel here remains open during the day, although church services are cancelled. I go in there to pray. Also, my husband and I have a little home church..present number of congregants is 2. Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered….
        🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I have been praying for God to lead y’all to an online service. The effective prayer of the righteous person has great power (James 5:16). I’m encouraged by the prayer time that you and your husband have together!

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  2. Amen! Praise GOD! If GOD watches the sparrows, Mandy, He will surely see to it that you and Nathan are safe. Right now, I don’t have a definite answer to your two questions, in time GOD will show me. Happy fishing and don’t let the 🐟🐋🐠🐬 bite you.

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    1. Hi, Gersom!! Thank you for your time and response! I am thankful that when Jesus says to be fishers of men, He tells us to cast a BIG, WIDE net, not just fish for one person with a rod and reel! How are you doing in the Philippines? I am a BIG fan of self reflection and from time to time I include questions that I ask myself in these posts. I am thankful the Lord has led us to each other’s blogs! I really appreciate the verses you share with us!! Love and blessings!!!

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      1. Thank you Mandy! By GOD’s grace, let us continue sharing on GOD’s word and encouraging those who are in need of a savior.
        We are fine here in Metro Manila, although stuck in the apartment. Currently, there is a lockdow, curfew, and community passes are required to move beyond the county/barangay. These things that we can only imagine in movies.
        Yes, when we have that loads of fish, we will capsize (hehe) but it is an opportunity to run to GOD; knowing that He is very near (John 21:5-8). GOD bless Mandy and Nathan!

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      2. Wow, Gersom, you truly are experiencing stuff that I thought could only happen in movies! We are to stay at home where I live, but we don’t have community passes, only God knows if we will. Love, blessing and prayers to you and your family!

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  3. Hi Mandy, well that is great! You fishing! Nathan’s cheeks must be sore from smiling. I think Nathan has his work cut out for him but it would appear to me that he is progressing along nicely. Bravo Nathan! Bravo Mandy! Come to think of it, my cheeks are getting sore too! Blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Bruce! I tried to include a quick video of my fire making; however, I must have the VW plan rather than the BMW because it won’t let me post! My mom has been begging me to put a picture of me smiling without a hat on this blog and each time she says that, I think of you!! Bruce, I am so thankful for you and Peggy! I was smiling as I was praying for both of you by name last night! I am SO thankful for your encouragement! Nathan K Quinn was stunned to see that I purchased a fishing license and it meant a lot to him. I am glad to learn “survival” skills from Nathan! Thank you again Bruce for your encouragement and prayers, they are being heard! Love and blessings Papa Bruce!!!

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  5. “Make Your Mist Matter”. I really like that. In another message it could read, “Make Your Missed Matter”. (The things that should’ve been done in retrospect.). Happy fishing for critters…and humans. God’s Hook – Alan

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      1. We’re doing okay. We are under a Shelter-In-Place order here. I never thought I would ever see a crisis here at this level. Now, my wife is a post-trib gal, so it fits her slant. Lol. Stay well & eat fish. It’s good for the noggin.

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  7. I love that phrase! I pray I can continue to find ways to make my mist matter in these tough times. Sending out love and prayers, friend! And P.S. As a fellow “shiny”, I admire your progress in the great outdoors! That’s so cool! 😊

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  8. Hi! We are managing pretty well. Gearing up to finish out the school year at home/online. My husband’s current remodeling jobs are almost completely solitary in nature, praise God, so he’s been able to continue thus far. I miss our youth group kiddos a lot right now, but working on keeping in touch in other ways. Aww, I appreciate that so much! I thank God for you as well! 😊

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    1. I am glad your husband can keep working! Are you able to call/text your youth kiddos to check in on them?! I appreciate missing community. I can imagine how much you are loving being with your kiddos! You’re a good mom Marisa and I am mean that!

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      1. Yes, very grateful this has yet to affect his work! Yes, being a small town, we all have each other’s numbers, thankfully. Yes, I am really enjoying time with my kids! It’s kind of like a little pause button’s been pushed in our busy world. Aww, thanks so much, Mandy! 😊 That means a lot to me!

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  10. Answering your question: My family is doing good! We just finished our home Bible study on the book of Nahum; I don’t make it so rigorous as Sunday sermons or things like that but that’s the first book verse by verse we finished with my young ones! So its up your alley since its from the OT!

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    1. How old are your girls? I am such an OT girl!!! How did you pick Nahum? I grieve along with you the amount of people who do not read the Minor Prophets. Nahum is fascinating, he would have LOVED to have the repentance that Jonah resented. What book is next?!

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      1. They are 8, 7 and 5! I’ve been doing personal study through the Minor Prophets so I thought instead of doing something different after I was done I taught them based upon notes from weeks and months ago. The next book would be Genesis! Its neat you are an OT person!

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      2. Sweet ages!!! I am doing my own study on Genesis right now!!! I am really interested in learning more about OT backgrounds. I know you are a busy man but Jeffrey Niehaus’s book “Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Studies” is a MUST! I am fascinated by herem, holy war, things devoted to destruction, show them no mercy etc. Don’t get me wrong Jim, I LOVE the NT; however, I really believe without having a robust understanding of the OT it is hard to understand what Jesus means when He says He has come to fulfill the Law. It is also hard to understand Hebrews without understanding the OT. Thank you for your time! Greetings to your wife and kiddos!!

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