Okame Cherry Tree. 1 April 2026. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, I ask that You revive our tired, worn, and weary souls. Lord God, it is not an exaggeration to say that we are a world at war. Spiritual wars resulting in earthly wars are increasing, it is hard to keep up with everything that is happening. Gives us wisdom and discernment with what to pay attention to and what to let go. Help us Lord to process everything that we see and hear through Your Word.
Lord God, teach us how to persevere in prayer on days when we do not know what to pray or say. Lord God, so much emphasis is placed on reading Your Word, and rightly so. Lord God, we also need to place emphasis on prayer. Reading the Word changes us, but so does prayer. Lord God, prayer is how You unite our hearts toward Yourself and toward other believers. Lord God, may our prayers be more intentional and focused this month.
Lord God, thank You for the opportunities that You will give this reader to serve You. Lord God, thank You for the peace that You will bring to Your people. Thank You Lord for the protection and the clarity that You give to Your people. Lord God, thank You that we are never alone. Thank You Lord that when we are down, You give us people to lift us up. Thank You Lord that when we are on the mountaintop, You give us people to keep us humble and to remind us that this world isn’t our home.
Lord God, may this reader know You more this month. May this reader live joyfully in Jesus this month, regardless of their circumstances. May this reader glorify You with their speech and actions this month. May this reader never cease praying in Jesus’s Name through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father. Thank You Holy Trinity for hearing our prayers. Amen and Amen.
It is hard to believe, comprehend, wrap my mind around that PQ is 7! It doesn’t seem that long at all!
PQ is truly one of the greatest gifts of my entire life!!! PQ has brought me so much comfort since my dad’s death. I have to confess, the thought of PQ’s demise is sadder and more painful than my dad’s.
Besides dealing with the loss of Pops, PQ has had an excellent year! He’s made many new human friends and has brought joy to countless people of all ages!
PQ has experienced jet boats and various canoes and kayaks in the best year. The jet boat ranks right up there with a pontoon houseboat! (Which is NOT very high!!!!)
My goal for PQ this year is to let him runaround more, to let him have more experiences without panicking that he’s going to get dirty or make a mess! I just want to love PQ well and enjoy the time the Lord allows me to have with him. It is still amazing to me how much PQ loves me, even when I’m not at my best.
It is equally humbling how the Lord continues to use PQ to reveal to me my sin nature. Through PQ I am reminded how impatient I am, yet the Lord is patient with me. Lord God, have mercy on me a sinner. I am beyond thankful that each day is an opportunity to do better than the day before.
Lord God, thank You for PQ! Thank You for animals and pets. May we steward and care for your creation well. Thank You Lord that You care for Your people even more than grass, flowers, animals etc. Lord God, bless this reader. Fill this reader with the peace of Your presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Shaggy PQ. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.PQ waiting for a treat! Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.Groomed, sphinx like PQ. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.PQ and his big brown eyes, they get me every time! Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Lord God, this is the month that You have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Lord God, may we sing Your praises even in the midst of wars, rumors of wars, lying and deceit. Lord God, may we praise Your Name for who You are and what You have done. Praise You Lord that Your Kingdom will be ruled justly, fairly, and peaceably. Praise You Jesus that You are our overcoming, conquering, King.
Lord God, may Your people never cease to believe that Jesus is still seated on His Throne firmly in control, watching over all things. Thank You Lord that we need not fret, panic or worry. Lord God, when we try to take control in wanting our will to prevail, I pray that You will make us quick to humble ourselves. Lord God, convict us where our paths are erring so that we may get behind and follow You. May we allow You to lead us on Your path rather than going our own way.
Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, I have no idea what obstacles or barriers this reader is facing or will face this month, however, I praise You Lord that You know. I praise You Lord that You know everything about this reader. May this reader make the most of the time that You have given to them. Help this reader to not just survive this month, but thrive.
Lord God, thank You that Your mercies are new each morning. Thank You Lord for all the new mercies and the new deliverances that Your people will experience this month. Thank You Lord for the new songs that You will put in their heart. Lord God, may we consistently sing songs of praise to You, even when we are hurting and scared.
Lord God, when we read in the psalms about lamenting, woe, and hurt, may we never forget that Jesus’s Himself lamented and hurt. Lord God, may we never skip or passover the fact that Jesus Himself lamented. May we also never forget that lament leads to praise, confidence and trust in You for who You are and for how Your work. Help us Lord to trust You even when its hard and things do not make sense.
Lord God, I pray that we will all put down our digital devices and social media more this month. May we be present with You and those who we see in person. Lord, I pray for our brothers and sisters who are shut-ins, housebound, and bedridden. Lord God may You comfort them with Your Holy Spirit. Impress on all of us to visit those who are in need. Lord God, I pray for our brothers and sisters who are under house arrest. I pray Lord God for those who are oppressed, falsely accused and wrongly imprisoned. Thank You Jesus that You are near to the brokenhearted. Thank You Lord that Your light is still shining in dark places.
Father God, I thank You that You will hold accountable all people who hate Your Son and who harm Your people. Lord God, I pray for the reader who does not believe in Jesus to come to know You. Lord God, today is the day of salvation, may it be so for this reader, while there is still time.
Lord God, fill this reader with the peace of Your presence. May Your joy and peace prevail in and through this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
I love birthdays! I get so much joy out of celebrating birthdays, even my own! Not because I want gifts or recognition, but so that I can thank and recognize others. While my dad died on 9 July 2025, I cannot help but to share a few thoughts and memories to celebrate my dad, even though he is no longer here.
To be completely honest, and in all humility, authenticity, and transparency this is by FAR the worst I have felt about my dad’s demise. I thought of my dad at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this, this is the worst! Again, I love celebrating birthdays! As most of you know, my dad loved baseball and with pitchers and catchers reporting, with Spring (Lord willing) being around the corner, the loss of my dad is very, very real.
I will also confess, yesterday 15 Feb 2026 was the first day I shed tears since my dad’s funeral 24 July 2025. I just sat in the bathroom with the door shut and let the tears fall. I did text my brother’s best friend, whom I call my “baby bro” (they’ve been best friends for over 25 years), he lost his dad a year before Chad and I, he was so incredibly kind and supportive not just yesterday, but everyday.
As I was looking through the pictures that I wanted to attach for this post, I found last year’s birthday text to my dad. I am so very glad that I sent the texts that I did, and made him dinner last year, since it was the last one. Dear Reader, we never know when we or our loved ones will come to an end. Please tell your people you love them, give them big hugs, and celebrate them while there is still time!!!!!
Last night when I was making dinner, I couldn’t help but to have a small laugh to myself. My dad was not a fan of emotions, especially sadness, grief, tears etc. I could picture my dad saying, “come on Mandy, that’s enough, there’s no need for this!” So, while I have had a few tears typing this post, I also have a very big smile and a thankful heart. Dealing with my dad’s estate (another post for another time!) has put a real damper on the grieving process, however, today, I will reflect, celebrate and remember the life of Jeffrey Glenn Sweigart, aka Dad and Pop.
So, the pictures I have attached to this post are from the weekend of April 26-28 2013. For their 60th birthdays, I took each of my parents on a trip. For my mom, I took her on a weeklong snorkeling trip, and for my dad, I took him on a weekend baseball trip to New York City to see the Mets and Phillies (also took him to a Yankees game).
Setting the stage: when I was a kid, I got drilled by a line drive foul ball at my brother’s baseball game. Had I not wore a back brace, that ball would have seriously cracked my ribs. From that time on, I have been afraid of foul balls (I still went to games, just lots of anxiety). I got my dad really great seats for the Friday night Phillies Mets game, thinking I would not need to fear foul balls, however, what I did not take into account was that where I got our seats, it was at a perfect angle for a foul ball to ricochet off the upper level and bounce down toward our seats. When I ducked the one time, my dad said to me, “what are you doing?!” I said, “are you kidding me that ball could have ricocheted off that concrete and bounced down and hit us.” My dad looked at me like I had 4 heads and said, “you are nuts!” Well, wouldn’t you know, 3 batters later, boom ball ricocheted off the concrete and landed a row in front of us! My dad said, “bleep bleep ricochet!”
So, the next day the Phillies and Mets had a 1pm start, well we stayed at that game for a few innings and then got a cab to take us to Yankees stadium. We had to have found the ONLY cabbie in NYC who did not know how to get from Queens to the Bronx. By the time we figured out that this guy had NO clue, it was too late. We were stuck, we missed the first 2 innings. When we finally arrived, I started to fight my dad on paying the guy full price since the man didn’t know where he was going, but my dad said, “shut up Mandy, get out, let’s go!” And with that I shut up and moved!
My dad was NEVER one to stay to the end of a game (unless it was like the playoffs and even then if it was a blow out either way, he would leave), and we would literally run and I mean RUN to the car. My dad hated traffic, there were times where he was in such a hurry to leave you couldn’t even quick use the bathroom. I remember as an adult, I had to go so bad and if it weren’t for the fact that I was going to have to sit there, I would have went in his car just to prove a point!!!! Folks, I am honest and not too proud to admit this!!!!!!
Anyway, when people asked my dad about our weekend, he would include different details of our time together. First, we took the train from Lancaster, PA to New York; I sure as heck wasn’t driving and neither was he! Second, I got us subway tickets to take the number 7 from 42nd St Times Square to Citi Field. Third, the only thing I said to my dad when we got to said station was, “keep up.” For all the years that my dad made me run, yelling “keep up,” it was wonderful to return the favor! I am not totally heartless, I know my dad doesn’t like being in unfamiliar places so I did keep an eye out to make sure that his ticket let him through the turnstile. Once I saw he was through, it was bobbing and weaving time (which I must say I excel at, drives Nathan nuts too!). When we finally got to our platform, he gave me a look and I said, “now you know what I have dealt with for 30 years!!!!!”
I cannot express how thankful I am for that trip and for those memories. The pictures that I attached here, I also have them on coffee/tea mugs. I confess, I have never once used those mugs. But this morning, for my devotional time, I decided to use the mug with our picture from the Yankees game. I don’t know how my dad’s shirt looks, but it has different team bobbleheads, it is also one of my favorite shirts of my dad’s. I am vacillating if I want to keep it or donate it (I am sure both Nathan and my mom are saying to themselves, “Lord motivate her to donate it” hahaha!!!!!).
I know this is super long, and if you have made it this far, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share this day with you. I am so very, very thankful that my dad and I were real with each other. I am very thankful that I never had to pretend to be anyone other than myself. I am deeply and profoundly thankful for the start that my dad gave me in life. My dad and I traversed some dark and hard roads together, but the Lord was gracious and merciful to me, helping me to forgive my dad as He has forgiven me. Even though my dad is dead and gone, I refuse to hero worship him or to put him on a pedestal. My dad was a flawed man, but he was my dad nevertheless. While I will never make new (birthday) memories with my dad, I am profoundly thankful for the memories that I do have, for the time that I spent with him, and for always being unapologetically Mandy (aka Amazing Amanda), even when it drove him nuts! I am also thankful for my dad’s birth, for if there was no Jeff, there would be no Mandy! While I can’t say this to my dad, I will say it here, “I love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!” Dear reader, enjoy making memories with your loved ones, it won’t just mean something to that person, it will mean something to you too!
Lord God, thank You for the birth of my dad. Thank You Lord for all the ways You have used my dad in bringing me to Yourself. Lord God, thank You for this reader. Bless this reader for their love and kindness that they have shown to me and my family not just these past seven months since my dad died, but always. Lord God, thank You for the family and friends that I have met since my dad’s demise. Thank You for all the ways that You are growing and stretching my character through this experience. Lord God, may this reader enjoy time with their loved ones while they still can. Lord God, may we never take this life for granted. May You teach us how to number our days, growing us in wisdom. Thank You Lord for this reader. May You fill this reader with the peace and joy of Your presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise, 15 Feb 2026. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
(Psalm 113:3 ESV)
Lord God, may Your Church, Your called out people, gather today to praise Your Name. Lord God, may we, Your saved and redeemed people be known for our love and unity, even in the midst of our diversity and differences.
Lord God, for my brothers and sisters in Christ who have already gathered together, may this have been a time of refreshment and renewal. May they ponder the preaching, applying it to their lives.
Teach us Lord to praise and worship You. Lord God, I pray against any pastor or church that preaches or teaches another gospel. There is so much false teaching today. Lord for those under such teaching, impress on them that they need to leave. Thank You Lord that You will hold all false teachers accountable for how they have handled Your Word.
Lord, may our ears be sensitive, discerning Your truth and rejecting and exposing error. Lord may we be lovers, hearers, and doers of Your Word.
Lord God, for the unbeliever or wayward who attends Church today, may they know the Church is the people and not the building. For the unbelievers in our midst may we share how the Good News is still Good even for believers.
Thank You and praise You Lord that we do not suffer in vain. Thank You and praise You Lord that our lives have purpose and meaning. Thank You and praise You Lord that for those who are in Christ Jesus nothing can separate them from You.
Replace our cold and apathetic hearts with hearts on alive and on fire for You. May we never cease to encourage our brothers and sisters and may we never cease sharing Jesus in this lost and chaotic world. Praise You Father that You are still transforming Your people into the image of Your Son by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Praise You Lord for this reader. May this reader look to You for their salvation while there is still time. Fill this reader with the peace of Your presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise, 15 Feb 2026. Photo by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Double rainbow. Roatan, Honduras. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Lord God, thank You and praise You for bringing us to another new month. Lord God, help us continue to focus on You and not the challenges of this world. Thank You Lord that when we look to You our perspective changes. Help us Lord to continually see things with Your eyes and to hear things with Your ears. May we be sanctified in Your truth, for Your Word is truth. Thank You Lord for Your Word.
Father God, make us sensitive to the opportunities that You put before us to share Jesus with others. Lord God, may we be ready to share the Gospel anytime, anywhere, any place. Give us confidence that You will give us the words we need at the moment we need them. Lord God, whether this reader has been a believer for decades or days, I ask Lord that You place on their heart a sense of urgency and a strong desire to live authentically before You. You do not call Your people to be perfect, You call us to be holy and to be a light and a witness to Your saving grace. Lord God, thank You for Your grace and mercy.
Lord God, thank You for the spiritual gifts that You have given to Your people. Help each of us Lord to use our gifts well. Help us to steward well all that You have given to us. Lord God, remind us Lord that even if we do not have the gift of evangelism, mercy, faith etc., you still call us to evangelize, show mercy and to exercise faith. Lord God, help us to not procrastinate when it comes to serving You.
Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters all over the world who are dealing with weather related issues. Try as man might, only You Lord know and control the weather. Lord God, there is no area of creation that man has not or is not trying to control. Thank You Lord that You are our sovereign and prevailing God. Thank You Lord that nothing can or will stop You. Lord God, thank You that You are a good of law, order, and grace. Thank You Lord that You are consistent, constant, and stable.
Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted, harassed, and oppressed for their faith. I ask Lord that You will give them confidence and boldness. I ask Lord that You will protect their minds and hearts from doubt and fear. Lord God, for all Your people I ask that You will help us with our unbelief. Help us to love and want You more than the comforts of this life. Teach us how to die to self so that we may fully live. Help us Lord to get alone with you each day regardless if it is morning, noon or night. Lord God, You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8).
Lord God may this reader trust that You have equipped them with everything they need to do Your perfect and pleasing will this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Double rainbow. Roatan, Honduras. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
West Bay Roatan, Honduras. 17 Jan 2026. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
After six months of nonstop dealing with our dad’s estate, I decided to get out of town. I need time to be alone with the Lord and to sit with Him to revive, renew, and refresh my weary mind, heart, soul, mind and strength.
My plan was for Nathan, PQ, mom and I to get out of town (I would have gotten my mom her own room!!) and enjoy some sun, fun, renewal. I chose a resort that I thought Nathan would also like (has lots of water sport options). Well, Nathan decided to stay home! Now my mom, when I called her, she was more than willing to come with me! So here my mom and I are, we arrived in the afternoon of 16 Jan 2026.
I confess, I had a big smile when Nathan sent me a picture this morning of the snow and sleet that is bombarding Lancaster today. Poor PQ is also at home in the cold and snow! The Lord has been gracious to me in allowing me to miss this snow and upcoming cold that will plague the eastern part of the USA. I am forever grateful and humble for the Lord’s grace, favor, kindness and mercy on me.
Dear Reader, I want you to know that you have been an amazing source of strength and encouragement to me these past six months. Your prayers have meant the world to me. Thank you SO much for your support!
Dear Reader, never hesitate to contact me for prayer. It is a joy, honor and privilege to take your requests before the throne of grace.
Lord God, I ask that You refresh, renew and revive Your people wherever they are located. Thank You Lord for the opportunities that You give us to get away with You. Thank You Lord for community. Thank You Lord that no matter where we go, You are always there. Fill this reader with the peace of Your presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
My view as I type this! Photo taken my Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Sunrise, 14 Jan 2026. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps 73:26).
Lord God, anxiety, anger, and frustration are palpable. Confusion and division surround us. Lord God, Your people are being destroyed not because they lack knowledge but because they refuse to use common sense. Lord God, stir in Your people’s minds and hearts to think for themselves!
Lord God, each day You give us a choice whether to think for ourselves or to let the world, the flesh and the devil tell us how to think. Lord God, I do not believe that all AI is evil, I do not believe all technological and medical advances are evil, I most certainly think Lord that it is evil when Your people turn to AI forums to ascertain Your mind. May this not be so Lord God!
While Your Word clearly tells us there is nothing new under the sun, each generation experiences repackaged heresises and distractions in different ways. Lord God, may Your people know Your Word; so that they will know how to live in the world, while not being of the world. May Your people know Your Word so that they may know and discern truth from error. Honestly Lord, it does not take long in today’s world for our flesh and heart to fail. We thank You Lord that You are our Rock, our strength and portion forever.
Lord God, may we choose today to serve You. May we choose today to think Your thoughts after You. Lord God, may we choose today to take the honorable path and not cheat and take shortcuts. Lord God, help us to live, work, and play smarter and not harder. When we feel stress, pressure, and anxiety arise within us, when we become distressed by seeing evil and injustice prevail, may we once again come back to You, the Lover and Anchor of our soul.
Lord God, may the sanctuary of Your presence be what quiets our tired and weary soul. May the sanctuary of Your presence be what fills our heart and motivates our hands to love and serve You. Lord God, may we draw near to Your throne of grace in confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).
Lord God, fill this reader with wisdom, discernment and common sense. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise Rainbow, 14 Jan 2026. Photo taken by Nathan K. Quinn.Sunrise Rainbow, 14 Jan 2026. Photo taken by Nathan K. Quinn.
67 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Lord God, thank You and praise You for this new year! Thank You and praise You for this new start! Lord God, help us to “look carefully how we walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16). Lord God, cause us to grow in wisdom and discernment. Motivate us to exercise common sense.
Lord God, thank You for all the ways that You are gracious to us and bless us. May we take notice of all the ways that You shine Your face upon us. Lord, let our faces shine the light of Christ so that Your way may be known on earth. May Christ’s saving power be seen in each one of us. Lord God, may we never shrink back in telling the world who You are and what You have done for us.
Lord God, may we be glad and sing for joy more this year. Lord God, may we grow in our knowledge and understanding that You judge the peoples with equity. May we never forget that You are the One who guides the nations of the earth with Your victorious right hand. May we grow in our knowledge, love and respect for Your sovereignty this year.
Lord God, may Your people praise You more in 2026. May Your people grow in thanksgiving and gratefulness. May Your people commit themselves to exercising love, grace, mercy and patience this year.
Lord God, may we grow in contentment this year. Lord God, help us to choose contentment even when we are surrounded by those who are discontented and ungrateful. Lord God, Your people are plagued by discontentment and ingratitude. Lord God, may we confess our pride, laying down our selfish desires and ingratitude.
Help us Lord to lay down our need to compare and to acquire more. Help us Lord to choose godliness with contentment rather than flitting from one earthly feel good to another. Help us Lord to cultivate Christlike character, speech, and conduct.
Lord God, I ask that 2026 be a year of spiritual increase. May our obedience and submission to You increase. May the Holy Spirit increase His fruit in our lives. May we say daily that You must increase and we must decrease. May we increase in dying to self and picking up Your cross and following You in 2026.
Thank You Lord that every spiritual blessing belongs to us in Christ. Thank You Lord that You will bring more souls to Yourself in 2026. May You motivate us to be agents of peace and reconciliation each day.
Thank You Lord for this new year. Thank You Lord for new opportunities. Thank You Lord for fresh starts and restarts. Thank You Lord for this reader. Refresh and revive this reader Lord. Holy Trinity, bless this reader with strength and renewal. Bless this reader Lord in order for them to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise, 1 Dec 2025. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Lord God, thank You for bringing us to the last month of 2025. Lord, it is amazing how time both flies and drags on. Lord God, thank You that this month is in Your hands. Thank You Lord that we need not fret and worry (I confess that is easier said than done). I pray that You will prepare our hearts for Christ. May we sing carols and hymns with more enthusiasm and excitement this year, in anticipation of Christ’s second coming. Lord God, may we point people to the Jesus, the Light of the World (John 8:12).
Father God, regardless of one’s view on Christmas, may Your people never forget there is no salvation without Jesus’s birth. May Your people never forget the baby in the manger is the One who was betrayed into the hands of evil people, crucified for our sins, buried in the tomb, and on the third day rose from the dead. Thank You Lord that Jesus’s birth didn’t end in death, but ends in life to all who will believe in Him by grace alone through faith alone.
Lord God, I pray for Your comfort to surround my brothers and sisters who find this month to be one of loneliness and isolation. Lord God, I pray for Your mercy and peace to be upon my brothers and sisters who have lost a loved one this past year. I pray for Your joy to exude from those who have experienced Your hand of blessing.
Lord God, may Your people reject the spirit of consumerism and commercialization that reaches its peak in December. Lord God, may we seek to end this year well. Father God, prepare us for Your divine guidance. Thank You Lord for this reader. May 2026 be this reader’s best year in Christ yet. Lord God, fill this reader with the peace of Your presence today, tomorrow, and always. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise, 1 Dec 2025. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Blue Collar Theologian 