encouragement – Blue Collar Theologian

September 2022 Prayer

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, thank You that Your mercies are new every single morning! Thank You Lord that You are in control and that You know what is happening even when we do not! Lord God, help us to live more like Christ in this new month!

Lord God, help us to NOT be like the scribes and the Pharisees who preach but do not practice (Matt 23:3). Help us Lord to be hearers, preachers and doers. Help us Lord to have words and deeds that glorify You, encourage believers and that point the lost to Jesus. Lord God, help us to not get bogged down with the sin that we see around us. Help us to cling more to You than to this world and our possessions. Help us Lord to prepare for the coming difficulties that we will face; may we prepare in faith and not fear. May we prepare in a manner that pleases You and not pleases ourselves. Lord God, as times become darker and more difficult, help us to care for people, may we not seek our own interests, but take an interest in others as well.

Lord God, thank You and praise You for the opportunity to see Your end time events unfold. Lord God, I know every generation since Christ’s ascension to heaven has thought this, may we not take the time that You have given us for granted.

Lord God, as You and Your Word are attacked more and more in the Western world, help Your people to be confident that Your Holy Spirit will give us words and guide us when we need to speak and stand for You. May we not shrink back in fear, may we not lose heart, may we keep pressing on, knowing that our eternity is safe and secure in You.

Lord God, I thank You and praise You that when You are ready You will hold all those who persecute and oppress Your people accountable. Lord God, I thank You and praise You there will be a day when You will put to an end food, weather, monetary, government corruption and manipulation. I thank You and praise You Lord that You are Just and that You will vindicate Your people. Lord Jesus, help us to not lose sight that You are our Victorious, Overcoming and Soon Returning King. Lord God, You amaze me! Lord, help us this month to be more like John the Baptist stating, “I must decrease and He must increase.” Lord, help us to increase our faith, trust, obedience and dependence on You this month.

Help us Lord to speak with unbelievers who are questioning what they see happening around them that does not make sense. May we affirm to them that without Jesus Christ like makes absolutely no sense and that everything is truly meaningless. Lord God, fill Your people with renewed passion and vigor for You this month!

Lord God, for those who are returning to school may You in Your common grace give them teachers and professors who care about ethics, morality and common sense, even if they are unbelievers. Lord God, for parents who have children going to school, Lord may they not forsake helping their children process what they are learning, even if they go to Christian school. Lord God, for those who are preparing for summer break, help them to finish their school year well. Prepare their parents to have their children home again this summer!

Lord God, thank You for the opportunity to pray with my brothers and sisters online! I know the internet is full of all kinds of evil, filth and trash; however, thank You for this platform and may Christians use the internet responsibly! May we never forget that You know every spoken and unspoken thought that enters our minds! Help us to be mindful in what we are taking in and pouring out. Lord God, help us to be more like Christ in our internet interactions.

Lord God, thank You for this reader! It is a joy and an honor to pray for men and women created in Your image. How much more amazing it is Lord to pray with and for likeminded believers. Lord God, for the person reading this blog who does not know Jesus, may today be the day of salvation. May today be the day where they acknowledge they are a sinner and that they need Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Master. Lord God, for my fellow believers, may we share Christ and be like Christ even more. Thank You Holy Trinity for this reader and for this new month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

I See the Moon

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them (Psalm 89:11 ESV).

It’s not everyday that I wake up at 6am to a full moon! What an awesome and amazing way to start the day! What an excellent reminder that the Lord knows and holds it all!

Lord God, thank You and praise You that the sun and moon rise and set on Your time schedule. Thank You Lord that as You know the number of the sand on the seashore, so too do You know those who belong to You. Thank You and praise You Lord for how You use creation to point people to Yourself. Lord, as this world spirals more and more out of control, help Your people to be witnesses, testifying to who You are and what You have done in our lives.

Thank You Lord for the beauty of creation. Thank You Lord that You are mindful of humans and that You loved us so much to send Jesus into this world. Thank You Jesus for dying on our behalf to forgive us from sin so that those who may believe in Your Name will spend eternity with You. Thank You Holy Spirit for convicting us of our need for Jesus and for sealing us with Your Spirit.

It is beyond my comprehension that someday Lord Jesus we will see You face to face. Lord, help us to look for ways to marvel at the works of Your Hands even in the midst of everything that is going on. Thank You Jesus for this reader. Draw this reader closer to You and to Your heart so that others may see You in them. Thank You Lord for today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

August 2022 Prayer

Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

Lord God, help us to pray more and worry less in this new month. Lord God, help us to read Your Word and cling to You more this month. So many things are competing for our attention, help us to know the best from the good. Lord God, prepare us to stand firm for You. Thank You and praise You Jesus that when we do not know what or how to pray, You intercede on our behalf.

Lord God, give Your people minds to discern what is true and false. Give us wisdom in all areas of life. Help us Lord to ask questions about what we are seeing, hearing and reading rather than just accepting everything that is being told to us. Lord God, help us to not fear what is coming, but to take courage in You. Help us to not give up but to endure staying in the race until You call us home.

Lord God, may we praise You more this month. Lord, may we decrease thinking about how to please ourselves this month. Help us to look for ways to do good.

Lord, political opinions are everywhere, and everyone has one, myself included. Lord, may we be more on fire for You than for political causes.

Lord God, when I started this blog four years ago, I never imagined I would struggle with knowing how to pray for my readers. Lord God, I ask that You help this reader process current events in the light of Your Word. I ask Lord that You will use this reader to be a light to the people around them. Lord God, I ask that You will give this reader a heart that desires to glorify You. And for the reader who does not know You, may today be their day of salvation.

Thank You Jesus that this world is not our home! Remind us that we do not need to fear the darkness that is coming. Lord God, thank You and praise You that for those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior we can have peace instead of anxiety. Lord God, I ask that You will fill this reader with grace and mercy. Lord God, draw this reader closer to You. Help and prepare this reader Lord to endure hard times. Thank You again Lord for this reader. Encourage them today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

July 2022 Prayer

Lord God, may we hunger and thirst for You more this month. Lord God, there is no denying this world is changing: from weather patterns, to governments, to war and rumors of war, to famines, food shortages and inflation. Lord, revive us with the promises of Your Word.

Lord God, much of what we see and hear is negative, help us to counter this world’s evil with Your Good News. Lord God, there is so much wickedness in this world and I ask that You help Your people to live victorious and not defeated.

Remind us Lord that You are aware of the trials that we face. Remind us Lord that You will never waste our hurts when we surrender them to You. Lord, help us to learn to forgive more this month. Help us to encourage others more this month. Help us to put You first more this month.

Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters with health issues, I ask Lord for Your calming peace to fill each of them. Lord God, for our brothers and sisters who are having marital issues, I ask Lord for patience and listening hearts. Lord, I ask that Your grace and mercy will be what Your people cling to in this month.

Thank You and praise You Jesus that each day is one day closer to Your return. Lord God, thank You for this reader. May this month be one of personal growth and reflection. Lord, help this reader prepare in whatever manner You lead them. Lord, prepare our hearts for what You want to do in and through us. Lord God, may this believer reflect Christ in all they do. We thank You and we love You Lord. Thank You again for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Sunset June 28, 2022

Sunset. Bluebird on top of pine tree. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Lord God, in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, help us to pause and meditate on You. Lord God, may we not let the sun go down on our anger. Lord God, may Your peace prevail in Your peoples lives, even when the storms and trials rage.

Lord God, may Your people love You and desire You more each day. May Your people be reminded that You will vindicate Yourself; You do not ask Your people to take vengeance into our own hands.

Lord God, as I pray sitting around the fire, I ask that You will remind us that the judgment that is coming will reveal our our hearts and actions. Lord You are an all consuming fire, may we never take Your grace and mercy for granted. Praise You Jesus that one day all the nations will bow before You.

Thank You Lord for this reader. May the glow of the sun and fire point this reader to the True Son, the One who paid it all. Lord, what a gift it is to have people to pray for! Even when we may be annoyed or agitated, thank You Lord for the opportunity to commune with You in prayer and interceding for others. Bless this reader as only You can. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Praying for y’all! Photo taken by Nathan Quinn.

June 2022 Prayer

Lord God, as You care for the flowers, birds and trees, so too will You care for Your people in this new month. Lord God, thank You that nothing is beyond Your control!

Lord God, help us to become more like Christ in this new month. Lord God, Your Word in both the Old and New Testament tell us not to be surprised or taken off guard by war, rumors of war, pestilence, disease, food shortages, famine and persecution.

Lord God, help Your people to endure trials and to be patient with people more this month. Father God, as the weather in the North heats up, help Your people to be agents of peace and reconciliation not sowers of discord and malice. Lord, help Your people to exercise reason and common sense so that cooler, tempered minds, hearts and hands may prevail.

Lord God, reveal to this reader and myself where we are starting to compromise and look more like the world. Reveal to us in this new month Lord what we are holding on too tightly. Lord God, root out anything in us that is keeping us from growing closer to You!

Lord God, give Your people increased wisdom and discernment in this new month. Lord, it is blatantly obvious that we are living in a post-Christian time period. Help us to be good stewards and witnesses for You as the time of Jesus’s return is nearer with each passing moment.

Lord God, prepare Your people for what they will face, not only this month but in the months to follow. Lord God, Your Word is life; it is our comfort and joy. Help us to apply Your Word this month so that we will be prepared to stand firm in the trials that we face.

Lord God, I pray for the reader who has wandered from the faith, Lord, stir their heart to return to You. Lord God, for the reader who is hostile to the faith, if You lead them to this prayer may You convict them of their sin and their need for a Savior. Regardless of where one positions themselves in regards to the elect/called/chosen/whomsoever, thank You and praise You Lord that You are the One who save us from start to finish. It is not our work or achievements but Christ crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended who is the Redeeming Savior for all those who trust and believe in Him.

Lord God, I am reminded in John 10 that You are the Good Shepherd. But before that, You say You are the Door/Gate for the sheep. So often Lord we want Your provision, protection and blessing as the Good Shepherd but we do not want Your exclusivity, we do not want to enter through the narrow door, walking the narrow path of obedience. Lord God, convict us of our arrogance, our hypocrisy and our lack of love and reverence for You. May we NEVER forget Jesus that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through You (John 14:6).

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Thank You that You know everything about this reader and what they will face this month. Strengthen and guide this reader Lord to lead the lost to You, to encourage believers and to glorify You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

5 days of fun!

Houseboat on Raystown Lake, 23 May 2022. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

After making the 2.5 hour drive with my mom, Nathan, PQ and I all sitting in the front of Nathan’s Ram 2500 [Nathan wanted me to clarify], we have made it to Raystown Lake! I am eager and excited to commune with the Lord through reading His Word and fishing. God has been merciful to me in helping me finish both of my classes well.

I am beyond thankful for you, dear reader. I appreciate your prayers, your encouragement and your support. I am humbled by the love and care you show me! I look forward to sharing this time away with you!!!

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Thank You Lord for the opportunity to come out again to Raystown Lake and to bring my mom! Lord God, I look forward to this adventure! Lord, I look forward to what You will teach me and convict me of on this trip. Lord God, thank You again for this reader. Bless this reader’s week and draw them closer to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Happy photo of the 4 of us. We will see what we look like come Friday!!! My mom already said, “there will be no other photos of me!”

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I am SO thankful for the opportunity to celebrate my mom’s birthday with her in person this year! When I was younger, I always combined Mother’s Day and my mom’s birthday together. It is a well known fact that a few times in my younger years, I waited until May 15th to buy my mom her present. I look back on that and laugh! I am so thankful for my mom’s patience with me!

Other than going to church today, I have no clue what she will want to do today. I am excited to celebrate her! I am praying that the gifts Nathan and I found for my mom this year are better than last year’s! (This is what I got her last year, if you’re a curious soul like myself: My mom loves flowers and she always says how she doesn’t know anything about Florida’s flora and fauna; so, I got her some books—bad move, Mandy! She also said she missed some of her old music she had on cds so I got her a small CD player and some cds—I am still learning just because a person says something, doesn’t mean they actually want it!)

What humbles me about my mom is how much she matters to so many people. My mom is a wise woman and it is a joy to hear how much people love my mom and how she has helped them. I don’t know why God picked my mom for me, but I am glad He did! Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!

Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are a life affirming God. In a day in age where people are seeking to destroy and end life, help us to celebrate life! Lord, may we never cease celebrating You, the Author and Giver of Life! Thank You Lord for my mom! Thank You for this life You have given her. Lord, may this new year be one of blessing and growth in You. Lord, thank You for this reader! Thank You for the opportunity to share You and mom to the whomsoever that reads this. Fill this reader with Your joy and peace today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

May 2022 Prayer

Lord God, prepare us for this new month. Lord, whether we live in a place where it’s spring, fall, rainy season or dry, help us to love and serve You right where we are.

Lord God, when we aren’t surrounded by Big “I” we are inundated with digital “i” (and android). Help us Lord to not live for Big “I.” Lord God, convict us if we have made ourselves slaves to our digital devices. Lord God, help us to unplug more this month. Help us to take inventory of how we are using the web and social media this month.

Lord God, there is so much restlessness, anxiety and agitation in our world today. Help Your people Lord to trust and depend on You. Lord God, help us to be more concerned about sharing Your Word and defending Your Truth. There is so much negativity and falsity Lord. Help Your people to be discerning!

Lord God, thank You that nothing in this world surprises You. Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith. Strengthen them, encourage them, fill them with the peace of Your Presence.

Lord God, help us to prepare now for living in even more difficult times. I don’t know what it will be like in the last days, but I do know that evil and wickedness are increasing. How us to be a light in this dark world as we separate ourselves from this dying world system.

Thank You Lord for this reader. Lord, may this reader find comfort and strength in You this month. Guide this reader Lord on the path they should go. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Fragrant!

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.