Looking to Jesus

By Kathryn Kurth Scudder

The largest section in Looking to Christ includes a verse or two from each of the Psalms, as well as a brief discussion and prayer to go with them. Other sections include stories from Kathryns life, as well as the lives of others. The biblical guidelines for life are reflected in this book. She is a strong believer in the power of prayer and the importance of praying for the needs of others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543456479

Kathryn Kurth Scudder

Kathryn Kurth Scudder authored Everyday Prayers and More; Prayer Thoughts for Every Day; and Prayers, People and Places. Her books reflect on information from the Holy Bible, Christianity, and her experiences in life. Kathryn holds degrees from Hope College (Holland MI) and Wayne State University (Detroit MI). She retired from teaching and then took on the responsibilities of an administrative church secretary. She enjoys taking classes, volunteering for her church and at a local hospital. Kathryns husband, Kenneth, passed away in 1993. They raised four children and now have nine grandchildren.

Book preview

LOOKING TO

JESUS

KATHRYN KURTH SCUDDER

Copyright © 2017 by Kathryn Kurth Scudder.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017915269

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5434-5645-5

                Softcover        978-1-5434-5646-2

                eBook             978-1-5434-5647-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scriptures marked ERV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) ©

Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain.

Scriptures marked ESV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION® Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/12/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

744752

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

PROLOGUE

PART 1 THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE

INTRODUCTION, LOOKING TO JESUS

BEAUTIFUL LAVENDER FLOWERS

BIBLE NOTATIONS

BONUS DAYS

DEARBORN, MICHIGAN

DO NOT FEAR

DUST AND ASHES

GOD’S MAJESTY IN ALASKA

GOOD AND BAD FEAR

HAPPINESS, JOY, AND PEACE

HOME, SWEET HOME!

IT WAS A SAD WEEK

PART 2 MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE

MAKING PLANS

MY FRIEND, KAY

MY PASSPORT

MY PERSONAL LETTERS

PEACE OF MIND

PEOPLE OF GOD

SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN

STRENGTH FOR YOUR HEART By Rev. Warren D. Pettis

TAMIE McKNIGHT

THE BUCKET LIST By Marilyn Wynne, O.F.S.

THE DUCK POND

THE NEW NORMAL

THROUGH THE DAY WITH JESUS

TWO CARING WOMEN

WHAT I WANT TO HEAR

PART 3 THOUGHTS BY OTHERS

DANCING WHILE THERE IS MUSIC

FINDING OUT ABOUT GOD

KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY

LETTING GO OF YESTERDAY

PEACE

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE LOVE

SIMPLIFYING OUR LIVES

THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

THE WORTH OF A DAY

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHEN WE TALK

YOUR LAST SUIT

PART 4 THOUGHTS ON FAVORITE HYMNS

BECAUSE HE LIVES

BEYOND THE SUNSET

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

HOW GREAT THOU ART!

IN THE GARDEN

LEAD ME GENTLY HOME, FATHER

LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND

PART 5 THOUGHTS IN VERSE

A LONE PINK TULIP

A PEONY

A RED ROSE

GOD AS OUR STRENGTH

MY SPIDER PLANT

OUR UNWELCOME COMPANION

REJOICE ALWAYS

VILLANELLES INTRODUCTION

BEAUTY BY THE SHORE

JESUS IS THE LIGHT

SUMMER

PART 6 THOUGHTS FROM MY YOUNGER YEARS

PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY YEARS

JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

THE COLLEGE YEARS

PART 7 THOUGHTS ON THE PSALMS

THE PSALMS

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PSALMS

COMMENTS ON THE PSALMS

PSALM 1, WHO IS BLESSED?

–Psalm 1:1-2 ESV

PSALM 2, THE RAGE OF NATIONS

–Psalm 2:1 ESV

PSALM 3, SALVATION

–Psalm 3:8 ESV

PSALM 4, HEAR OUR PRAYERS

–Psalm 4:1 ESV

PSALM 5, WHAT GOD VALUES

–Psalm 5:4 ESV

PSALM 6, AN APPEAL

–Psalm 6:2 ESV

PSALM 7, GOD AS OUR REFUGE

–Psalm 7:1 ESV

PSALM 8, LOOKING AT THE HEAVENS

–Psalm 8:3-4 ESV

PSALM 9, PRAISING GOD

–Psalm 9:1-2 ESV

PSALM 10, PRAYING FOR THE AFFLICTED

–Psalm 10:12 ESV

PSALM 11, HATING THE WICKED

–Psalm 11:5 ESV

PSALM 12, WORDS OF THE LORD

–Psalm 12: 6 ESV

PSALM 13, TRUSTING THE LORD

–Psalm 13:5-6 ESV

PSALM 14, NON-BELIEVERS

–Psalm 14:1 ESV

PSALM 15, DWELLING WITH THE LORD

–Psalm 15:1 ESV

PSALM 16, TOTAL COMMITMENT

–Psalm 16:1-2 ESV

PSALM 17, ASKING GOD TO LISTEN

–Psalm 17:5-6 ESV

PSALM 18, LOVING GOD

–Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

PSALM 19, MY WORDS

–Psalm 19:14 ESV

PSALM 20, TRUSTING THE LORD

–Psalm 20, 7-8 ESV

PSALM 21, PRAISING GOD

–Psalm 21:13 ESV

PSALM 22, TELLING OTHERS ABOUT GOD

–Psalm 22:22 ESV

PSALM 23, MY SHEPHERD

–Psalm 23:1 ESV

PSALM 24, RECEIVING BLESSINGS

–Psalm 24:4-5 ESV

PSALM 25, SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

–Psalm 25:4-5 ESV

PSALM 26, WORSHIPING GOD

–Psalm 26:8 ESV

PSALM 27, GOD’S WAYS

–Psalm 27:11a ESV

PSALM 28, STRENGTH FROM OUR LORD

–Psalm 28:7 ESV

PSALM 29, PRAYING FOR PEACE

–Psalm 29:11 ESV

PSALM 30, ASKING GOD FOR MERCY

–Psalm 30:10 ESV

PSALM 31, COMMITTING TO GOD

–Psalm 31:5 ESV

PSALM 32, FORGIVENESS

–Psalm 32:1 ESV

PSALM 33, NATIONS AND GOD

–Psalm 33:12 ESV

PSALM 34, TURNING FROM EVIL

–Psalm 34:14 ESV

PSALM 35, GOD CARES

–Psalm 35:27-28 ESV

PSALM 36, PROTECTION

–Psalm 36:11 ESV

PSALM 37, TRUSTING THE LORD

–Psalm 37:3, 5 ESV

PSALM 38, BE NEAR TO GOD

–Psalm 38:21-22 ESV

PSALM 39, APPRECIATING LIFE

–Psalm 39:4 ESV

PSALM 40, DOING GOD’S WILL

–Psalm 40:8 ESV

PSALM 41, THOSE IN NEED

–Psalm 41:1a ESV

PSALM 42, WANTING GOD

–Psalm 42:2 ESV

PSALM 43, PRAISING GOD

–Psalm 43:5b ESV

PSALM 44, WHAT GOD KNOWS

–Psalm 44:21b ESV

PSALM 45, LOVING RIGHTEOUSNESS

–Psalm 45:6-7a ESV

PSALM 46, GOD IS OUR STRENGTH

–Psalm 46:1 ESV

PSALM 47, PRASE GOD!

–Psalm 47:6-7 ESV

PSALM 48, GUIDANCE FOREVER

–Psalm 48:14b ESV

PSALM 49, WE ARE THE SAME

–Psalm 49:1-2 ESV

PSALM 50, GOD AND SALVATION

–Psalm 50:23 ESV

PSALM 51, CLEANSING

–Psalm 51:1-2 ESV

PSALM 52, GOD’S LOVE ENDURES

–Psalm 52:1b ESV

PSALM 53, IS THERE A GOD?

–Psalm 53:1a ESV

PSALM 54, ASKING GOD

–Psalm 54:2 ESV

PSALM 55, WATCH OUT!

–Psalm 55:21 ESV

PSALM 56, TRUSTING GOD

–Psalm 56:3-4a ESV

PSALM 57, GOD’S MERCY

–Psalm 57:1 ESV

PSALM 58, REWARDING RIGHTEOUSNESS

–Psalm 58:11 ESV

PSALM 59, SINGING PRAISES

–Psalm 59:16 ESV

PSALM 60, NEEDING HELP

–Psalm 60:11-12 ESV

PSALM 61, CALLING ON GOD

–Psalm 61:1-3 ESV

PSALM 62, WHAT WE DO

–Psalm 62:12b ESV

PSALM 63, SEEKING GOD

–Psalm 63:1a ESV

PSALM 64, REJOICE!

–Psalm 64:10 ESV

PSALM 65, PRAISING GOD

–Psalm 65:1 ESV

PSALM 66, SHOWING OUR FAITH

–Psalm 66:16 ESV

PSALM 67, GUIDANCE FOR NATIONS

–Psalm 67:4 ESV

PSALM 68, PRAISE GOD!

–Psalm 68:32 ESV

PSALM 69, HEARING THE NEEDY

–Psalm 69:33 ESV

PSALM 70, GOD’S GREATNESS

–Psalm 70:4 ESV

PSALM 71, OUR LATER YEARS

–Psalm 71:9 ESV

PSALM 72, CONCERN FOR OTHERS

–Psalm 72:4 ESV

PSALMS 73, NEAR TO GOD

–Psalm 73:28a ESV

PSALM 74, GOD AS OUR KING

–Psalm 74:12 ESV

PSALM 75, THANKING GOD

–Psalm 75:1 ESV

PSALM 76, PROMISES TO GOD

–Psalm 76:11 ESV

PSALM 77, GOD WORKS WONDERS

–Psalm 77:14 ESV

PSALM 78, PASSING OUR FAITH

–Psalm 78:2-4 ESV

PSALM 79, GIVING THANKS TO GOD

–Psalm 79:13 ESV

PSALM 80, ASKING FOR SALVATION

–Psalm 80:19 ESV

PSALM 81, ONE GOD

–Psalm 81:10a ESV

PSALM 82, JUSTICE

–Psalm 82:3 ESV

PSALM 83, THE MOST HIGH

–Psalm 83:17-18 ESV

PSALM 84, PLACES OF WORSHIP

–Psalm 84:1-2 ESV

PSALM 85, A CALL TO REJOICE

–Psalm 85:6 ESV

PSALM 86, LEARNING MORE

–Psalm 86:11 ESV

PSALM 87, GLORIOUS THINGS

–Psalm 87:1-3 ESV

PSALM 88, PRAYING TO GOD

–Psalm 88:1-2 ESV

PSALM 89, TELLING OTHERS

–Psalm 89:1 ESV

PSALM 90, LIMITED TIME

–Psalm 90:10 ESV

PSALM 91, TRUST GOD

–Psalm 91:2 ESV

PSALM 92, COMMUNICATION

–Psalm 92:1-2 ESV

PSALM 93, ALMIGHTY GOD

–Psalm 93:4 ESV

PSALM 94, CHALLENGES

–Psalm 94:19 ESV

PSALM 95, MUSIC

–Psalm 95:1 ESV

PSALM 96, GOD WILL JUDGE

–Psalm 96:13b ESV

PSALM 97, HATING EVIL

–Psalm 97:10a ESV

PSALM 98, CELEBRATING

–Psalm 98:4 ESV

PSALM 99, EXALTING GOD

–Psalm 99:5 ESV

PSALM 100, GLADLY SERVING

–Psalm 100:2a ESV

PSALM 101, WORTHLESS THINGS

–Psalm 101:3a ESV

PSALM 102, USING TIME WISELY

—Psalm 102:11 ESV

PSALM 103, PASSING ON FAITH

–Psalm 103:17-18 ESV

PSALM 104, GOD’S WORKS

–Psalm 104:24-25 ESV

PSALM 105, SEEKING THE LORD

–Psalm 105:4 ESV

PSALM 106, OBSERVING JUSTICE

–Psalm 106:3 ESV

PSALM 107, GOD’S LOVE

–Psalm 107:1 ESV

PSALM 108, SINGING PRAISES

–Psalm 108:3-4 ESV

PSALM 109, FALSE ACCUSATIONS

–Psalm 109:1-4 ESV

PSALM 110, EXECUTING JUDGMENT

–Psalm 110:6a ESV

PSALM 111, RESPECTING GOD

–Psalm 111:10 ESV

PSALM 112, UPRIGHT PRACTICES

–Psalm 112:4-5 ESV

PSALM 113, GOD AND NATIONS

–Psalm 113:4-6 ESV

PSALM 114, GOD’S POWER

–Psalm 114:7 ESV

PSALM 115, THE LORD’S BLESSINGS

–Psalm 115:15 ESV

PSALM 116, LOVING THE LORD

–Psalm 116:1-2 ESV

PSALM 117, NATIONS AND THE LORD

–Psalm 117:1-2 ESV

PSALM 118, APPRECIATING EACH DAY

–Psalm 118:24 ESV

PSALM 119, COMFORT FROM GOD

–Psalm 119:76 ESV

PSALM 120, TRUTHFULNESS

–Psalm 120:2 ESV

PSALM 121, OUR KEEPER

–Psalm 121:8 ESV

PSALM 122, THE LORD’S HOUSE

–Psalm 122:1 ESV

PSALM 123, GOD’S MERCY

–Psalm 123:3 ESV

PSALM 124, OUR HELP

–Psalm 124:8 ESV

PSALM 125, REWARDS

–Psalm 125:4-5a ESV

PSALM 126, GREAT THINGS

–Psalm 126:3 NIV

PSALM 127, CHILDREN

–Psalm 127:3 ESV

PSALM 128, OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN

–Psalm 28:6a ESV

PSALM 129, BLESSINGS

–Psalm 129:8b ESV

PSALM 130, GOD’S LOVE

–Psalm 130:7b ESV

PSALM 131, HOPE IN THE LORD

–Psalm 131:3 ESV

PSALM 132, KING DAVID

–Psalm 132:1-2 ESV

PSALM 133, UNITY

–Psalm 133:1 ESV

PSALM 134, BLESS THE LORD!

–Psalm 134:1a, 2 ESV

PSALM 135, THE LORD’S GREATNESS

–Psalm 135:5 ESV

PSALM 136, GIVING THANKS

–Psalm 136:1 ESV

PSALM 137, THE LORD’S SONG

–Psalm 137:4 ESV

PSALM 138, GOD’S PURPOSE

–Psalm 138:8a ESV

PSALM 139, GOD’S THOUGHTS

–Psalm 139:17 ESV

PSALM 140, PROTECTION FROM EVIL

–Psalm 140:4a ESV

PSALM 141, PRAYING ABOUT SIN

–Psalm 141:4a ESV

PSALM 142, TALKING TO GOD

–Psalm 142:1-2 ESV

PSALM 143, GOD’S WILL

–Psalm 143:10 ESV

PSALM 144, TIME

–Psalm 144:4 ESV

PSALM 145, EVERLASTING THINGS

–Psalm 145:13 ESV

PSALM 146, PRAISING THE LORD

–Psalm 146:2 ESV

PSALM 147, GOD CARES

–Psalm 147:6a ESV

PSALM 148, PRAISE THE LORD!

–Psalm 148:1 ESV

PSALM 149, MORE ABOUT PRAISE

–Psalm 149:1 ESV

PSALM 150, GOD’S GREATNESS

–Psalm 150:6 ESV

EPILOGUE

DEDICATION

Looking to Jesus is dedicated to the memory of Kathryn Kurth Scudder’s late husband, Kenneth Earl Scudder, and in honor of their four children and their families: Jon (Sharon) Scudder, Randall (Adelaida) Scudder, Gordon (Jennifer) Scudder, and Jan (Michael) Sampson. The grandchildren are Anna, Ashley, Candace, Katelyn, Kenneth, Noah, Scott, Tara, and Trevor. May God bless them throughout their lives!

PROLOGUE

The author’s original intentions were to share some of her beliefs with family members but then felt that others might also be interested in articles about how an ordinary person tried to live a Christian life. She relates stories about how various events affected her views on life.

In the last section of the book, Kathryn has chosen to examine a verse or two of each of the 150 Psalms. The interpretation given was how they affected her and were not necessarily reviewed in the Biblical context.

The author’s previously published books include Everyday Prayers and More, Prayer Thoughts for Every Day, and Prayers, People and Places.

May each reader receive God’s blessings of comfort, strength, and faith!

PART 1

THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE

INTRODUCTION, LOOKING TO JESUS

From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

–Psalm 121:1b-2 ESV

We can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper.’

–Hebrews 13:6a ESV

Upon searching for a title for this book, some of the possible ones included, Blessed by God, Guided by God, and My Pathway Through Life. I did not want to select a title that implied I was living a holy life. I strive to live a holy life, but my path in life has been far from holy. Like all human beings, I have sinned, and my life would not be considered saintly. However, we are told many times in the Bible that if we sincerely ask for forgiveness, we can be forgiven thanks to God’s grace and mercy.

My faith in God and Jesus has significantly influenced the many choices I have made and has prodded me to have higher values not only for my own life goals but also how I relate to others. I do look to Jesus and God for guidance. Although I am completing my fourth book on prayer, my personal prayers are often very simple. I try to remember to thank and praise God besides making requests. To me, it is important to pray for the needs of others, especially family members, but also to pray for the need for peace in our country and the world. I feel it is important to pray for those who serve others, whether missionaries, law enforcement officers or those who serve in some other capacity.

Although we do not often think of it, each day we live, we know we are one day closer to the end of our earthly lives, and if a Christian, entering into the presence of our Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father. Having been classified as a senior citizen for many years now, I realize that it may not be too long before I am called into God’s heavenly kingdom. It does not release me from continuing to strive to follow Christ’s teaching from now until I am called to my heavenly home, and I will be looking forward to seeing Jesus.

Dearest Jesus, may each of us believe in you as their Lord and Savior and that when the time comes, we will be with you forever. We will no longer have to worry about the problems of this world, and we will be united with those we have loved and lost. Until that time, may we look to you for strength and faith. Amen.

BEAUTIFUL LAVENDER FLOWERS

He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.

–Ecclesiastes 3:11a ESV

One evening I was walking back to my apartment from dinner, as I do try to walk outside when the weather is pleasant. It was still very summery, even if the calendar said we were only a few days from fall. This walk of about a quarter of a mile takes me past a large chapel, which in itself has many memories as it was where memorial services were held for both my mother and my stepfather.

Outside the chapel, were several rows of small cheery white and pink flowers. But above them, was a rhododendron bush. Most of the flowers were past their prime, but two stalks of lavender flowers were as fresh and as beautiful as ever. They were the most gorgeous flowers in the whole garden. If I had a camera with me, I certainly would have taken some photos.

While we all know there is sadness in our world, there is also beauty, and that is what impressed me on my walk that evening. Sometimes beauty is obvious and other times we have to seek after it. The well-known statement, Stop and smell the roses, advises us that there are times we need to withdraw from the busyness of our lives and take the time to enjoy something. Do we follow this or do we tell ourselves that we have to do just a few more things before we can stop and observe something? If we do not watch out, this will be the story of our lives—always being too busy to enjoy our lives—and then before we know it, we cannot do the things we enjoy because we no longer have the strength and the health to do them.

Just about everyone needs to set aside some time to think about what they want to accomplish in their lives. None of us can do everything, so prioritizing our wants and our needs, as well as the possibility of doing these things, are necessary.

Almighty God, we know there are times when we push on instead of finding the time to enjoy ourselves. You have given us beauty on the earth, but most likely we will not appreciate it if we are cooped up someplace. Help each of us to decide on the things that should be important to us and what things do not need our full attention. Guide us today and always. Amen.

BIBLE NOTATIONS

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

–2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

I wish Bibles would come with either more blank pages or wider margins for notes. This was particularly true before I owned a Bible with a concordance. I had a difficult time finding verses on a particular subject and would write the reference down so I would know where to find that passage another time. A concordance would have been an excellent help for me back then.

Once I had a Bible with a concordance, I still wanted to make notes of where to find specific passages. In most of the Bibles I have owned, they contained my notes, underlining, check marks, and printed stars. Sometimes I tried to color-code certain passages. I know some people feel it is sacrilegious to mark in one’s Bible, but to me, I wanted to make it as useful as possible. A well-used, marked-up Bible does a lot more good than one in perfect condition sitting on a shelf or table someplace.

At the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord, Michigan, the youth pastor told the congregation it was a good idea to get a new Bible from time to time, even if it was the same version or edition as the one we had. Sometimes when we have marked verses, we tend to look for them and actually not pay much attention to the verses that we have not marked.

Although using the English Standard Version Study Bible for references for this book, my newly-arrived New Living Translation Study Bible has an excellent section called the Master Index in addition to the Dictionary/Concordance. When looking to purchase a Bible, be certain to select one with the size print that is comfortable for you to read, plus any special helps you want to be included. Unless the Bible is indexed, I always purchase a package of index tabs to assist me when trying to find a particular Book of the Bible.

Lord God, we are grateful that we have copies of your Holy Scriptures and can read them on our own besides hearing messages from them in our worship services. We know for many years the Bible was not available to most people. Help us to study your directions for our lives and to better understand our faith. Thank you for granting us a means of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ.

BONUS DAYS

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

–Ecclesiastes 3:11a ESV

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

–Psalm 19:1 ESV

The heavens are the work of your hands.

–Psalm 102:25b ESV

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

–Psalm 108:4-5 ESV

The summer had been hot and dry for those of us living in southeast Michigan. Other parts of the country were getting flooded, but for some weeks, the storms we had only lasted a few minutes. The lawns turned brown, and the experts said the trees were also affected by the drought. Eventually, it did rain, and we were still getting beautiful summer weather and yet had only a week to go before the end of September.

The weather for the past few days was warm. One did not need a jacket, especially in the afternoons. The skies were a beautiful bright blue, with hardly a cloud to be seen. Due to not having a frost, the summer flowers were still in full bloom. What gorgeous days these were with enough rain for green grass, the beautiful summer flowers still in bloom and the nearly cloudless skies.

As a Christian, I felt compelled to thank God for the beauty of his world and the beauty of these fantastic days. It would not be too much longer before our beautiful days would end and we could expect the more blustery and rainy winds of fall. Our long summer evenings were dwindling fast. In a few months, it would be dark outside at dinner time.

It is important to enjoy each day we are given, whether it is a beautiful day or a cloudy and wet or snowy day. Too many of our friends and relatives are no longer able to enjoy a beautiful day on earth, as they are now with our Heavenly Father.

Some people also believe that their days are numbered and that God will be the one who decides their fate. Regardless, may we arise each day and give thanks for it, planning to use the day for work, pleasure or other things. May we also try to make the world a better place and help those we care for to have a better day.

Everlasting God, we are thankful when we are in beautiful surroundings and also have nice weather. It makes us want to rejoice and thank you. We are appreciative of pleasant weather and ask for safety and comfort when the weather threatens us. Help us to trust in you today and throughout our lives. Amen.

DEARBORN, MICHIGAN

Although I am not originally from Dearborn, I have spent the last eighteen years of my life living in Dearborn. I was raised a few miles from Dearborn, but the only times I ever came to the city were to visit Greenfield Village and what is now called the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. I was taken there as a child and later took my children and my students to visit it.

Years ago, children under six got in free, as did teachers if they had proper ID with them. Both my husband and I were teachers, so Greenfield Village was often our destination, especially when