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.
February 15, 2023
The Hymnal
That little verse of scripture above the lyrics. I love going through & reading them. It amazes me how it connects with the song. Some songs are hundreds of years old. The author of the song was revealing the scripture. It makes me think how scripture never changes, or should I say how mankind has never changed.
All the emotions, the sins that mankind deals with are still the same since Adam & Eve. The answers to these problems are also the same. The Bible never changes. Next time you open your hymnal, check it out.
Psalm 90:10 speaks of a time given to us, a beautiful verse. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason eighty, yet their span is but toil & trouble: they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Remind you of a song?
Amen
February 22, 2023
Prayer
Sometimes we are overwhelmed and don't know where to begin in prayer. Other times our mind wonders. This will help.
All God’s people are praying people. There would be fewer broken homes, fewer broken hearts, and wiser decisions if only more were taken to the Lord in prayer. Prayer changes things.
So many don’t think to pray unless they are in trouble. Now that is a good thing unless your attitude is, Lord, if you do this for me, I’ll do that for you. God isn’t there to make deals; he doesn’t want you to bargain with him.
Pray with faith to accept God’s will. We do not know God’s will or what is best for us. God will take care of us and our loved ones, even if we don’t understand His will.
When you talk to the Lord, he listens. All blessings come from him. We give back in return through the talents he has given us.
Get to know the Lord. Ask him to come into your heart and pray.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; pray for everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he’s done.
Amen
March 1, 2023
Spiritual Hunger
We are experiencing a time in this world when people are losing hope. Teenage suicides are growing; people don’t see a future as they once did.
This world, our country, needs a revival. It is what is within us that counts. Satan wants sin to become routine; this is how he wins souls.
We could put an end to this now! Stand together as Christians. Spread God’s words; be there for those that need hope.
Spiritual hunger means to thirst after righteousness, to live a Godly life.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Psalm 42:2 My soul thirst for God, for the living God
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life: he, who comes to me, will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.
We feed ourselves spiritually by studying the scripture, attending church, learning from one another, and praying daily.
A little saying I have seemed appropriate here, “Feed your 'Faith' and doubts will starve to death." Now I don’t know who said that, but I liked it.
Amen
March 8, 2023
Spiritual Hunger
We all need to do this. A time and place to reflect, rest and find inner peace. It can be a favorite place, a vacation spot away from life’s turmoil, or that favorite spot in your backyard.The best place is in church. As a Quaker, this quiet time to reflect is part of our church service. We need time to listen to God’s voice. I think God had that in mind when he made Sundays.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me all who are heavily laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you & learn from me for I am gentle & lowly in heart & you will find rest for your souls.
Amen
March 15, 2023
The Atheist
I will tell you a story of a brilliant man, a doctor of psychiatry, a professor. He actually wrote the books the colleges study from, accolades that would fill a book.
With all this wisdom and intelligence, he professed to be an atheist. He based everything on facts and science. To him, the science wasn’t there.
He grew up in a home where the Bible was read; he attended Sunday school. As he grew up to become educated and worldly, he called faith a myth.
Remember Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; as an old man, he will not depart from it.
A friend told me about his last years. He was attending different churches, learning their doctrine. When death was at hand, he began to question who was right and wrong. The perfect example of Proverbs 22:6.
You see how important it is to instill Christian values in our children. Regardless of how famous we become, smart, and successful we are, we each face mortality.
Luke 9:23 For what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses or forfeits himself?
Mark 8:36 Repeats this but says gains the whole world and loses his soul.
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.