encouragement – Blue Collar Theologian

May 2023 Prayer

Father God, remind us Lord that this is the month, day and second that You have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in this time that You have given us, no matter how difficult it may be.

Lord God, help us to face this new month in boldness and confidence. Help us to face this month exalting You and not ourselves. As chaos abounds and surrounds, may we cling to Your peace. Praise You Jesus that You are Peace. That Peace is indeed a Person and not some abstract thought, feeling or emotion.

Lord God, lead us and guide us this month. May we seek to grow in Christ this month. Lord God, it is the cry of my heart to apply Your Word. Lord God, You care WAY more about our character than what we know. And what we do know, You require us to display in our lives and to act upon it. James tells us very clearly that it is sin to know what to do and not do it.

Help us Lord to not just talk about You this month but to talk with You. To hear You in and through Your Word. Lord God, may we be a people who are like David, seeking Your face. May we long to dwell in Your house more than we want to dwell here on earth. Lord God, please God, protect the young people who do not know anything different than what is happening in this world now. Help believers Lord to navigate and fight the tension of living like Christ in an increasingly hostile world.

Lord Jesus, what a joy it is to serve You. Jesus I ask that You will be our Master more and more. I ask Jesus that You will increase in our lives and that we will decrease. Remove our pride and arrogance. Open our eyes and ears to where we are falling prey to deception and lies.

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord, may this reader be blessed by Your salvation this month. May this reader seek Your Kingdom first. Praise You Jesus that Your Kingdom is already, but not yet. Praise You Jesus that You will return. May we be motivated to live by Your Spirit knowing that whether we are alive when You return or meet You in death, may we live confidently that You are who You say You are and that You will bring us home to You, where we will dwell in Your shalom forever and ever and ever.

Lord God, reveal to us what we are holding to tightly this month. Reveal to us Lord where we have set up idols. Reveal to us where we are placing things and people above You. Lord Jesus, I praise You that You are seated on the Throne and that You know the end from the beginning. Lord, again teach us to number our days. Not for greater gain or future reward but because we love You and long to please and glorify You. Thank You again for this reader Lord. May they be encouraged and be an encourager more this month. May all Your people glorify You more this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Good Friday

This is the second year I have had this cherry tree, and it is WAY more white this year (not sure the pictures do it justice!). I cannot help but to praise God that He has taken our sin and made us white as snow. Praise God there will be a day, that all our sin, suffering and toil will be no more. Praise God that the blood of Christ makes us clean and whole. While Good Friday was costly to the Triune God, so thankful for the gift of salvation that Jesus has provided for us.

Lord God, thank You for the gift of salvation that is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Lord God, thank You that no sin is beyond Your capability to forgive. Lord God, thank You for Jesus. Thank You Jesus for Your work on the Cross. Lord God, draw this reader closer to You. Thank You Lord for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

April 2023 Prayer

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, please do not let Your people be fooled that this world is getting better. At the same time Lord, help Your people to not be dismayed but to trust You and all that You are doing.

Lord God, as I read current events from around the world and speak with believers from every part of the globe, two thing are certain, no place is safe and evil is rampant everywhere.

Lord God, help Your people shine brighter this month. Lord God, help Your people to stand firm this month. Lord God, may our faith be transformational rather than transactional. May we come to know You more this month.

Lord God, thank You for Your gift of salvation. Lord God, thank You that salvation is not based on my works and efforts. Lord God, thank You that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross. Thank You for reconciling Your people to Your Father. Teach us to be more like You, Jesus.

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Fill this reader with courage, boldness and peace in this new month. Lord God, prepare us for this new month and this month for us. Teach us Lord to depend more on You. Help us be more concerned with Your kingdom than the things of this world.

Lord God, may Your people die to sin more this month. May we seek to serve others more this month. May we make less excuses this month and may we take an active interest in others more this month. Lord God, help us to humble ourselves and to be agents of peace and reconciliation. Lord God, thank You that even though community is messy, You do not call us to do life alone.

Thank You Jesus for likeminded people who love, fear and revere Your truth. May we love and stand firm in Your truth more this month. Lord God, no social program will deal with man’s sin issue, only faith in Christ sets captive hearts free. Thank You Jesus for those who will be saved this month, help us to be busy evangelizing and discipling Your people this month. May we be more present with our loved ones this month. May we grow in joy more this month.

Lord God, may we commit our paths and plans to You this month. Help us Lord to be the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Help us to reassure and comfort those with tired and weary souls. May we stand in Your love and grace more this month.

Thank You Holy Trinity for this reader. May Your peace rule and reign in their heart so that they will know and do Your will. Bless this reader Lord as only You can. Thank You Lord for hearing our prayers. Thank You that we are never alone. Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

PQ’s 4!!!!!!!

I cannot believe this is my fourth post celebrating PQ’s birthday! I have to say in this past year, my love, affection and attachment to PQ has really grown. I think about PQ’s demise almost daily, asking God to prepare my heart for that horrible day. I know that sounds morbid; however, we never know when it will be our last day or our loved one’s last day. It is my hope and prayer to make the most of the time that I have in this life. Thank you for celebrating PQ’s birthday, I am so thankful for you dear reader!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Lord God, thank You for love, fellowship and friendship. Lord God, thank You for PQ and for the love and joy that he brings to peoples lives, especially mine. Lord God, help us to be loyal and make the most of the time that You have given to us. Teach us Lord to number our days. Help us to trust You Lord in our aging process. Thank You Lord for this reader. Thank You Lord for the loving kindness this reader shows toward me and my family. Lord God, bless this reader today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Below are some pictures of PQ over the past year for anyone who is interested!!!

PQ loves running around in the woods and climbing on rocks and logs. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Ember and PQ are such good friends! We watched Ember while her parents were at the beach. PQ is excited when he gets to visit with Ember! Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

I just love PQ’s big brown eyes!! Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

PQ likes to hang out with me on the couch when I am reading and watching tv. Selfie taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Sunset March 22, 2023

Lord God, thank You for shapes, colors, clouds, trees. Lord God, the way You create NEVER ceases to amaze me. Thank You Lord God for all the ways that You manifest Yourself to Your people.

Lord God, continue to point people to Yourself through nature and through Your Word.

Lord God, help us to deal with people who are difficult whether they are loud and obnoxious neighbors, difficult family members and co-workers, help us to endure and to not let our emotions over take us when we are annoyed.

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, thank You that for believers in Christ our afflictions are momentary in light of eternity. Teach us Lord to number our days. Help us to remain humble, not thinking too highly of ourselves.

Lord God, draw this reader closer to You. No matter where this reader is located in Your world, thank You and praise You that Your Son is always shining. Thank You Holy Trinity for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

March 2023 Prayer

Mangroves, Boca Ciega Bay. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, teach us to live more for You this month. Father God, guard Your people this month from attacks from wolves who seek to destroy our testimony.

Father God, as natural disasters are affecting millions, we are trusting You Lord to sustain and provide for Your people. Lord God, may we desire to share Jesus with our lost neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members more this month.

Lord God, help us to trust You and Your Sovereignty. May we trust Your Kingship more than our own earthly political systems. Nations are coming against nations and we know Lord these things will happen when Jesus’s return is coming near. Come Lord Jesus!

Lord God, thank You for this reader. May this reader trust You more and seek Your face more this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Sunrise and Sunset 22 February 2023

Sunrise, 22 Feb 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn

Lord God, thank You for Your grace and mercy this day. Thank You Jesus that You will never abandon Your people. Lord, regardless whether it is night or day for this reader, may they meditate on Your Word. Lord, may Your Word never depart from our head, heart and hands.

Thank You Lord for this reader. Bless this reader to bless others. Help this reader to help others. Comfort this reader so they may comfort others.

Lord God, may we love others because You first loved us. Your love for us is as constant as the rising and the setting of the sun. May we not fear what man will do to us. May we instead fear, revere and worship You.

Thank You Jesus for Your salvation. Lord God, for the reader who does not know You, may this be their day for salvation. Thank You Jesus that Your Good News is still good, no matter what society says.

May Your people NEVER forget or take advantage of what You have done for us. Lord God, thank You for this reader. Fill this reader with the peace of Your Presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Sunset, 22 February 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Praying Psalm 98

Psalm 98

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

Lord God, thank You for the new song that Your people in Christ can sing to You. Lord God as You led Israel through the sea and wilderness so too will You lead Your people by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Lord God, thank You and praise You for Your gift of salvation, how sweet Your grace truly is. Lord God, You have made Your salvation known to the world, thank You and praise You that You know who belongs to You. Lord God, may today be the day of salvation for the reader who doesn’t know Christ.

Lord God, even in these trying times of societal, moral and ethical collapse both in the world and in the church, Lord may Your called out people break forth in joyous songs and praises for all that You have done in our lives. Help us stay connected to You.

Lord God, even if Your people don’t praise You, Your creation will. Lord God, may we care for Your creation. The earth is Your footstool and the place where You have revealed Your salvation to us. Where Jesus came from heaven to take on flesh to dwell among us.

Lord God, thank You that You will Judge justly and righteously. Help us to live each day praising You. May we never forget the prayer that changes everything is praise. Father God, we have so many reasons to sing Your praises. Thank You Lord for Your Word. Thank You for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

February 2023 Prayer

Photo by Boris Pavlikovsky on Pexels.com

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, may we allow You to lead us and guide us this month. Lord God, help us to listen to Your voice. Lord God, may we allow You to prepare us for all that You have planned for us this month.

Remind us that this world is not our home. As geopolitical issues increase, help us to process what we are hearing and seeing alongside Scripture. Lord God, thank You that Your Holy Spirit will help us and strengthen us when we are tested and persecuted for our faith.

Lord God, may we allow You to put the persecuted church on our hearts more this month. Lord God, help Your people to grow in discernment more this month.

Lord God, I pray against evil agendas that are attempting to infiltrate sound churches. Lord God, I ask that You would give people wisdom and discernment when it comes to the pastors they follow and the worship music they listen to.

Lord God, I pray for the people who are followers of Andy Stanley. What a sad and tragic figure he has become in the church. Lord God, open Your peoples eyes to see what is happening in the world. Lord God, may we never place any person or thing above You and Your Word. May we be more enthralled with Your Good News than with anything this world has to offer.

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Thank You Lord that even when we do not know what to pray we can have confidence that Jesus is interceding on our behalf. Lord God, help us to grow in praying for others. Open our eyes to see the needs around us. May we be intentional about finding ways to share Jesus with others.

Lord God, for my brothers and sisters who have physical, mental, emotional afflictions, I ask Lord God for You to heal them spiritually and to help them endure the trial and season they are in. Thank You and praise You Father that our trials will not last forever!

Lord God, thank You again for this reader! Lord God, may this reader love You more deeply and fully this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Sunrise and Rainbow

Sunrise, 17 January 2023, photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

I can honestly say that I have never seen a sunrise in the East and rainbow (there’s a hint of a second one) in the West, at the same time in all my 41 years of living.

I am fascinated and awed by sunrises, sunsets, and rainbows. Since God spoke the world into being, God has watched over the rising and setting of the sun. The rainbow in the sky is God’s promise not to destroy the earth by flood again.

While this may sound provincial to this unbelieving world, in today’s rapidly changing culture, I take great comfort in this fact.

Today’s beautiful morning also reminds me of Jesus’s rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt 16:2-3 ESV).

There is a judgment that is coming for both believers and unbelievers. For believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, ask the Lord to reveal to You where You are falling short of what and where the Lord wants You. Work for the Lord willingly rather than man, even in the most difficult circumstances. I know first hand how much easier it is said than done. However, God gives us the grace we need to be His hands and feet with the proper attitude.

For the unbeliever it is my humble prayer that today will be your day of salvation, repenting of your sins and that you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, so you will be saved (Rom 10:9).

Lord God, You know our hearts. You know the loads we carry. Lord God, may we come to You and find rest for our souls. Lord God, thank You for this beautiful sunrise and rainbow. Lord God, prepare us Lord to face You. Lord God, help us to think Your thoughts! Lord God, Your judgement that is coming will be quick and final. May we NEVER presume on Your grace. Lord God, I ask that believers will hold other believers accountable in a loving manner when they are in sin and error. Lord God, may Your people love each other enough to fight for their personal time with You, may believers seek to be spiritually healthy with the same passion that we seek to be emotionally and physically healthy. Lord God, raise up strong leaders in Your Church! Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, encourage this reader today. Help this reader to trust You Lord. Help all believers to increase in their obedience and submission to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.