Identity

Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com

Today, September 17, 2020 is my 39th birthday. I LOVE my birthday! The reason why I love my birthday is NOT to receive gifts or attention, but rather to take time to reflect and celebrate with others what God has done in our lives. I have always loved having people gather on my birthday NOT to celebrate me but as to thank and celebrate all those who love, encourage and care for me. Folks, I have made SO many mistakes in my life. Each year that God gives me is an opportunity to practice worshiping, loving and serving Him on earth before I am called home to worship, love and serve Him for eternity.

This year I am reminded now, more than ever that my identity is in Christ. As believers our identity is rooted in Galatians 2:20-21 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (ESV).

I want to encourage you my dear brothers and sisters that no matter where you are living, no matter your familial role or material status, no matter your political affiliation, your race, sex, gender, ethnicity, occupation you are a Christian before anything else. What I mean by this is that I am a Christian woman, Christian daughter, Christian wife, Christian blogger, Christian American, Christian Caucasian. Christian is the word that defines me, it is unchangeable.

If you live in a country where you are allowed to vote, as a Christian it is your civic duty to do so. It is not Christlike to put your political views before your identity in Christ nor is it Christlike to ruin Christian relationships because someone has differing views.

I have no idea what your identity looks like but I pray that you will take time to reflect that whether you are Christian Filipino, Christian Black, Christian male, Christian single that Christian is what comes first. May we be known for our love and not our divisions and infighting. As a people who have been “crucified with Christ” it is paramount that both our identity and unity be wrapped up in the One who gave His life for us.

For those who are longing for a new identity, or longing to be a part of something bigger than what this world has to offer, I pray that the Holy Spirit will turn your heart and mind toward Him.

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for drawing us to Yourself and pointing us to Jesus. Jesus thank You that we may pray in Your Name knowing that our prayers and petitions are heard by our Heavenly Father. Teach us Lord to put You before any earthly title. Teach us how to manage the tension that our differences cause. Teach us to be Kingdom focused while also being god honoring citizens on earth. Thank You Father for this reader! Thank You for their love, care and encouragement. Lord God, may this reader know that Jesus loves them and so do I! 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.

74 thoughts on “Identity”

      2. Oh cool!!! Next time we skype or zoom you’ll have to say that so I can pronounce it correctly!! I have been wondering how to say, “Hi!” or “Hello!” in Filipino! I have fear and anxiety issues which leads to lack of confidence. I know I just have to do it! That I have my family and you and some others who will love me and support me no matter how it turns out!! Hope you sleep well tonight!!!

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      3. Our hello is “kumusta” that is derived from the Spanish words “Como estas.” “Kayang kaya yan” means you can do it and it is pronounce by syllable like kayak (without the “k”). I believe you are confident, Mandy! You toured the world alone many times over. Thank you, hopefully I can sleep earlier.

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  6. Thanks Mandy, when younger, I seemed to cycle through an identity crisis often. Now much of the world seems to think we can “self identify” any way we want. Jesus has stamped me with an identity “Child of God” So much better to have God’s eternal stamp of identity on us

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  7. Happy Birthday, Mandy. This is a beautiful post. ❤❤❤

    I have a son your age. He lives in Lancaster, PA, too. I am praying for his salvation.

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  8. Woohoo! Happy Birthday Mandy my precious sister!🍾🍰
    What you say is absolutely spot on Mandy, “it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” I remember the night I was saved I sang that chorus in the street walking home!

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  10. Happy 39th Birthday, Mandy! I hope you have a joyous day with all of your loved ones! Thank you for this prayer. Yes, with the Lord’s help, we should not let differences over temporal politics or tertiary doctrines cause us to be unkind to the brethren and sistren. I appreciate your friendship since we connected here at WP and your enthusiasm for the Lord!

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      1. Thank you, Mandy! Corinne worked on some paperwork while I cut half of the backyard and primed a few spots on the window lattice that I had to reglaze. Now I’m doing couch duty with a book that was a real challenge to read. Only 18 pages left. Yippee!
        Enjoy your birthday party! 🎂🎈🎉

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  16. Happy birthday week, Mandy! Some may disagree, but I think you are at a unique benchmark in age. Many, including myself, land on 39 putting stakes in the ground with life-changing decisions. I know you have already done much in that area of life. You are so right concerning the identity of believers. The identity stamp is the hub of life’s wheel. May this year be blessed and loved. God’s grip – Alan

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    1. Alan, you are such a sweet man! I thank God for you daily and I pray you know that. I am so thankful for your support and wisdom. I have NO idea how people are facing life right now without Jesus. I do NOT mean that with arrogance, pride or snarky. I am so thankful that no matter what lies the enemy and the world throw at us, our identity and security is safe in Christ. Our Triune God cannot lose anything that is in His Hand. Love, hugs and blessings!!!

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  17. You’ve expressed your thoughts as my thoughts very well. It really is possible to ‘agree to disagree’ and to do so without being disagreeable! That said, I do like ‘spirited’ debate and discusions, but these should be done by the Spirit.

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  18. Well I don’t know what to say! YESTERDAY was YOUR BIRTHDAY and somehow I missed this post. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MANDY (I am flogging myself as we speak)! Excellent post, especially with regard to us focusing on belonging to God’s Kingdom while we remain God honouring citizens on this earth. Sometimes that is far too easy to lose sight of. Trusting you had a great day and you’re biting at the bit to attack this new year. May God continue to bless you and yours. – Papa Bruce

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  23. Took some time to get to respond to your comment on my post because our youth group got moved to Saturday. Here’s my response: The smoke cleared a lot as the fire moved away and deeper into the wilderness. Wow you can see the fire from Cali affecting your sky or is this another fire near you guys?

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      1. We meet online; our church rent out to a Spanish church that had 8 members with the virus so our church is super cautious. We have a small group of youth, 5 kids exactly and a deacon and I facilitating it with my wife dropping in from time to time too. We are doing this weekly rotating between going over a book by HB Charles that exposit the book of Mark one week and the next week we are having testimonies of those in the English congregation so the kids can know our English ministry better while also knowing of God’s Work within the lives of the members of our church. I’m thankful for the youth group we have and we worked so hard to round up the kids and encourage them and hear them out and pray for them and try to be there for them

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  24. Going back to your comment about Bible learning: I think the questions you asked is good and should be asked especially given that there’s a place for biblical theology and the unfolding of redemptive history!

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  26. Happy birthday a few days late!

    Love this: Christian is the word that defines me, it is unchangeable.

    And you mentioned that we need to be known for our love… this grabbed my attention because I’ve been walking around the past couple days singing that song by for King and country (I believe that’s who sings it) and it says “if we’re going to be known for something let it be love..”❤️
    Great post!!

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