Fragrant!

Photo taken by Nathan Quinn.

I absolutely love the smell of my cherry tree!!! Every time I encounter a fragrant tree, shrub, bush or flower I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 2:14–16:

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life (ESV).

Lord God, may everyone we encounter smell Jesus on us. Lord God, may we be a fragrant aroma to those in the faith and not shy away and shrink back from being an odious and offensive stench to the unbelieving world. Lord God, thank You for the life that we have in Christ. Lord God, fill this reader with Your presence. Thank You Lord for Your creation. Lord God, may our worship be a pleasing aroma to You. Thank You and praise You Father for Your love for us. Jesus thank You that we are Your Ambassadors and Holy Spirit thank You for indwelling and sealing us. May we be a pleasing aroma to You. 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.

63 thoughts on “Fragrant!”

  2. Hallelujah Mandy! May we be a beautiful fragrance for Jesus in our homes, community and, in the church that we draw people to Him in us. This is the most effective evangelism; being attractive for Christ. Thank you for sharing this great post Mandy, God bless you, Nathan and wee PQ too. 🙏

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    1. Thank you, Alan! I love your encouragement it is such a gift to me!!!! So often Christians display a miserable and anxious countenance and gloomy speech. How far and smile and hello really go. My former Hebrew professor loves to quote Teddy Roosevelt “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Christians should be a caring and loving community while being steadfast in the biblical convictions. How are you and Susan doing?

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      1. We are generally doing quite well at present, despite our ongoing health issues. A dear old brother fainted in church today, which was a fright. But the church prayed and kept the worship going…he awoke quickly and instantly began singing along from the floor, he was determined he was staying! What a beautiful example he was to us all.
        There is a card on its way to you by the way.

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  3. Good morning from the 🇵🇭 Mandy! 🌅 It is good seeing you and PQ! 🙂 True, we have to share the Truth of GOD the FATHER’s grace alone received by faith alone in JESUS CHRIST alone, be an example to the unbelieving world, and constantly asking for strength to our Master/Lord and Savior.☝ Blessings to you, Nathan, and your family!

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    2. Also, “we have to share the Truth of GOD the FATHER’s grace alone received by faith alone in JESUS CHRIST alone, be an example to the unbelieving world, and constantly asking for strength to our Master/Lord and Savior.” This is really well said! I hope this comment points readers to Christ, thank you Kent for always pointing us to the Trinity!!!!!!

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      1. Good evening there Mandylorian! 😊 GOD will call them as He called all of us in faith in Him. Praying still for you knowing that GOD is always with you and praying for your brother to be called by GOD in saving faith!

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  4. I have come to accept the fact that we will be a stench to many – maybe the majority. In other words, we will be hated, and we have to be OK with that. I just pray that I’m not despised for being a despicable person, doing despicable things with a despicable attitude. But being despised and rejected by those who despise and rejected Jesus – that identifies us with Him, and that’s a good thing. 😊👍

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  8. Amen 🙏🏽. May we indeed be beautiful fragrances for Jesus through our attitude, actions and words. I pray to remember that we are His ambassadors and as such we will hopefully think before we say or act as it can truly make a difference.
    How are you doing Mandy?

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      1. You are too Mandy. May the Lord be with you in all that you do. May you feel His presence, be still enough to hear His voice and may you follow His leading, giving him all the glory in all that you do.

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  9. Your written prayers are so powerful, Mandy! It’s like you’re speaking to God for all your readers, but in a conversational manner. I often pray to live my life in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. God’s best to you, Nathan, and PQ.

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      1. We’re doing ok, thankyou. Just typing up our weekly TestimonyTuesday post around replying to you.

        Jo’s birthday is this Thursday, so we’ve done the usual amount of filming last Saturday, – which generally takes 3 or 4 days for me to edit and upload…this week I have maybe 2 1/2 days, then we get a 5 day weekend with the extra days Jo has taken from working 🙂 It’ll be worth it for a longer break.

        But, we’re doing good! How about you?

        Andy B

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      2. Thanks! It’s been crazy I had to contact Dr for results and then they said I need to have more blood work done. Had I not contacted them, only God knows when I would have heard from them! I won’t wait as long before I contact them again, I can tell you that!!!

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      1. Hi Sister Mandy!! Like many others I’m praying for you and yours. God bless your heart for your prayers!! I recently had a battery of tests (which I will blog about) and the results are remarkable. A spoiler, my cardiologist says I’m a freak of nature 🙂 6 years post heart attack, there has been zero plaque buildup where all 3 stents were inserted.

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  17. Love this, haven’t given much attention to that verse before I guess.
    Our cherry trees haven’t begun to bloom yet, we do have blossoms on the peach and plum trees though! …Now praying those blossoms and aroma produce wonderful fruit!!!!🙌

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      1. I will!
        Last year both the peach and plum trees did horrible…the year before that they did amazing and we shared with neighbors.
        Our cherry trees produce like crazy each year. I just went and looked up close at them tonight and the plum tree had a bunch of black bugs on the blossoms.😡 So who knows what we’ll end up with!🤪

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  19. Just realized I never commented back to your questions! Wasn’t intentional! I did phone time yesterday instead of long range pastoral visitation (haven’t done that in a while). I will see Jin on Saturday!

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