In this space, I am sharing devotions written by our dear Barbara Meade.
Barbara grew up a Quaker and is a regular attendee at Spiceland Friends Church. Her faith and Quaker roots go deep as her uncle was a Quaker pastor, evangelist, and artist. Barb's writings about her many life experiences reveal her faith in Christ and highlight the memories of a great family, her years in the banking industry, and her time as a local small business owner. Barb's desire is to serve those around her through her encouraging devotionals and writings from her life. Barb has recognized that our relationship with Christ grows throughout our lives, both in good times and through life's challenges.
December 18, 2025
What is the Point of Christmas?
It isn’t the new clothes for the party or the spirits in the glass. It isn’t the decorations or the presents under the tree. It is the love I have and the love you have for me.
God gave us the spirit of Christmas when he gave us his son. The spirit of love, the spirit of peace, the spirit of hope, the spirit of joy. Now the wise men brought gifts for that baby boy. We show our love for each other giving gifts of joy.
Remember if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under the tree. It’s what matters in your heart, the things we cannot see.
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of Christ.
I hope that each of us this Christmas season will find the spirit of Christmas in our hearts and homes as we try to be more like the Savior, forgiving others as he forgave us, serving with a glad heart, and keeping the commandments.
Luke 2: 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Amen and Merry Christmas
January 6, 2025
New Year Resolutions
A new year is here. Many make themselves promises or resolutions. Most never see it through. The definition of resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. In this case a promise to ourselves.
We do it with the best of intentions, but we soon forget. Wouldn’t it be better if we promised to pray, think of others, and be kinder to ourselves?
Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails
Jeremiah 29: 11-13 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare & hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray unto me, and I will harken unto you.
As we start the New Year, we are always wondering what lies ahead. The best promise we can give ourselves is to pray more, develop our relationship with the Lord, and give everything to him in prayer. Develop our relationship with the Lord, have faith; there lies the answer.
Amen
January 15, 2025
Be Positive
How do we measure our value? When we feel we don’t measure up “just not enough.” We are all the same. Wow, I sound as deep as the snow this morning. Too much alone time, snowed in too long, maybe. Seriously, it can lead to depression. Now how do I fix that? Now, to find sunshine on a cold, gray, snowy winter day.
Music, that's a good idea. I’ll dig out the vinyl records, some Burl Ives, Pat Boon, Patti Page, and others. I just told my age, ha. Now, start a painting. I can paint a bright sunny day.
Turning a negative into a positive sounds like a plan. Open up your heart and let the sunshine in. Now that is something we can all do. You see how God works. HE IS POSITIVE!
January 22, 2025
An Old-Fashioned Winter
I suppose we can call this an old-fashioned winter. Brutal temperatures and more snow than we have seen in several years. Making me wonder what the Bible says about winter. The Bible tells us God made every snowflake unique, just as God made each human being unique. Jesus refers to the cold as purifying and powerful.
Three times ice is referred to as power. Job 38: 29 - Job 37:10 – Psalms 147:17
Psalms 147:17 He cast forth his ice like morsels. Who can stand before his will?
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
I thank the Lord for all my blessings. As a child my memories of winter were harsh. There was no warmth until the fires were built. My grandmother’s house was beautiful but cold. The farmhouse Don and I started housekeeping in was beyond cold, an igloo would have been warmer. You had to keep those fires going. When Don was a teenager, he would get up at bout 4 or 5 a.m. on Sunday mornings and build the fires at the church so there was warmth at service time. You had to keep those fires burning or freeze.
The Lord taught us how to provide, he answered prayers. Those times brought us closer to each other, our faith stronger, and our love for each other and the Lord greater.
When we reach -20 below wind chill this week stay safe. Use that common sense the Lord gave you.
Proverbs 3: 21 – 30 encourages people to hold on to common sense. That keeps people safe.
Amen
January 29, 2025
Being Yourself
One of the best ways to grow in Christ is to be yourself, spiritually. How we think of ourselves determines how we interact with others.
Philippians 2;3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, value others above yourself.
1Proverbs 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful Stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
This scripture is a direction to finding our purpose.
Proverbs 4:25 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
God wants us to be who he made us to be, he gave each of us a calling and a purpose.
Romans 12:6 Tells us we have different gifts and different talents.
If you want to find your God-given gifts, and talents ask him, and pray about them. Ask yourself what is your passion, and what gives you joy. Giving of yourself to help others in all forms.
Jeremiah 29:11 God says “For I know the plans I have for you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
I know from personal experience our purpose and direction change with time, as time changes all things. Stay close to the Lord, and talk to him daily.
Amen.
February 5, 2025
Memories
There are those through written history that are remembered for centuries. Those through genealogy and research brought back and remembered as a lineage of our lives.
Most of us as generations come and go, know that in time there will be no one left to remember. A great example of earthly things passing away.
The Bible tells us we will be remembered by our deeds. Our good works will live on through the memories of others. It’s not the amount of time we have, but how we live it. Our good deeds will leave good memories, but it won’t get us into heaven. Our earthly life goes quickly, but eternity is forever.
As Christians we are prepared. God has promised us many things explaining what awaits us and how to get there.
St. John 3:36 Anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life.
St. John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in me shall have eternal life.
St. John 5:24 Truly truly, I say to you whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.
St. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to my Father except through me.
St. John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
This leaves me thinking, we need to think more about where we are going than where we’ve been. I bought my ticket to heaven the day I gave my heart, soul, and mind to Christ, you can do the same.
Amen
February 12, 2025
February
This month gives us Valentine’s Day. When Cupid points his little arrow. If you are lucky enough to have the love of your life it’s time to celebrate. Give candy, flowers, a night out, and that special dinner. Doing whatever we can to show the other how much we love them.
According to the Bible, your love for each other should be directly influenced by your love for the Lord. Loving God with all your mind, heart, and soul and others as well.
How is man’s love different from God’s love? We change every day God’s love does not, God’s love is eternal, and man’s love is emotional. Whatever it is, love is the greatest gift God has given us.
Romans 5:8 God’s love is so vast that it is incomprehensible to humans.
John 15:12 Love each other as I have loved you.
1 Corinthians Love is patience, love is kind, love does not envy, it is not boastful, it is not arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:13 Now there remains faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love.
Enjoy and love each other.
Amen
February 18, 2025
The Comfort of God's Promises
God’s promises give me much peace. Knowing what he has planned for us gets me through all worldly things.
These are a few:
Revelations 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”
James 1: 5 “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of the Lord and it will be given to him.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans of welfare and not evil, to give you a future and hope”.
Philippians 4:19 “My God will supply your every need according to his riches in Christ Jesus”.
John 14: 3 Jesus’s words, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
John 14:27 I am leaving you a gift – peace of mind and heart. This gift I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Amen
February 25, 2025
Life's Boundries
Pastor Eric gave a message recently on this subject. It gave me a lot to think about.
Boundaries begin when we are small children. We set them to keep them safe and secure. Give them rules, such as playing in your yard or riding that bike just so far. Very young they are learning, break those boundaries and there will be consequences. Losing privileges and in my day a good spanking.
We never outgrow boundaries and there will be consequences. The Lord set boundaries for his children too. They are the 10 commandments, rules to live by. As his children, he wants us safe and secure.
The reward for living those rules is everlasting life. If we break those rules, God identifies this as “sin.”
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.
Genesis 1:3-4 He set boundaries for the day and night, and for land and water. He also set boundaries for us.
Boundaries affect all aspects of life, and the Bible breaks down all aspects.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
While studying this subject I discovered Jesus while on earth set boundaries for himself. No greater example could there be.
Amen
Eric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.