Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Do you agree with my title? I presume you do. Just think of what God has made for this world, and for us? The word  “incredible,” as a descriptor, is an understatement.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I love the outdoors and specifically any opportunity to get out into nature and capture images. There are times when I intentionally get my camera gear ready, pack the car, and go to a predetermined location to see what I can find. There are even more times, when I am outside and an image presents itself, where I must quickly react with my phone camera. The image you see of the young buck definitely falls into the latter category.

While out walking in our neighborhood last week, I spotted something moving behind a small tree and then it ‘escaped’ behind me, revealing itself. As you can see in the first image, the light and the lens did their magic to capture our dear friend (pardon the pun) hovering above the pavement. All four legs in the air, not touching the planet. The second image provides a better view of this guy, trying to find a more peaceful location to munch on something green and not have to deal with cars, dogs, or pesky photographers.

John 1:3 (NIV):

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

God created that deer. He created the deer to have the ability to “air walk” and provided him with the instincts to move from danger. All that God created was intentional, with a purpose. In some cases, the purpose was to make US smile. To allow us a chance to take a break from the cares of the world and marvel at the very creation, He created. What’s amazing is, the creations we view on Earth will pale in comparison to the creations we see and interact with in Heaven. That day can’t come fast enough! Thank you God!

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, October 8, 2024

There’s a certain satisfaction that come from climbing the highest mountain or crossing the widest desert to find that rare bird that lives nowhere except in that inaccessible area. But there’s also a certain gratification derived from floating on your back in a tropical pool and having a previously unobserved bird fly up and land at the edge of the same pool.

Such was the case of this Yellow-vented Bulbul. My pleasure was not diminished in the least finding out later it was probably the most common urban bulbul in all of Southeast Asia. Mine was seen in Bali, but can also be found in Borneo, Brunei, and a host of other nations from China to India.

Besides being common, it’s also a sociable bird, forming flocks with other bulbul species in communal roosting spots for the night. It even seems comfortable in the company of humans, undoubtedly the reason why I was graced with its presence while splashing in the pool. And to top it off, it has a lovely song that is pleasant to human ears.

While I may take great pleasure in finding that impossible to see species, isn’t it nice to know that we are generously blessed by that which is plopped in our laps with really no effort on our part. Paul reminds us of the spiritual equivalent of this in Ephesians 4:7 where he writes: “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Let’s make sure we treat this gift for what it is, a gift. Let’s live gratefully and bask in His blessing.

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, October 7, 2024

It was a beautiful day today (Sunday) as I traveled over Highway 2 across Stevens Pass. I drove through patches of fog but then the sun came out and lit up the mountains with the fall colors. Of course, the best views were when I was driving and had no place to stop!

I like Psalm 98, and I’ve included the whole chapter as it’s quite short. I think that despite what we hear on the news about natural disasters in this country and around the world, wars in multiple places and people who suffer hardships all over the globe, there are still things to see that remind us that we have a Creator who made this world in the first place and who is coming back to “straighten out the world.”

This is not to say that we should ignore what is going on, as we still need to help out where and however we can, but we also know that this will not go on indefinitely.

Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God’s work of salvation!
Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
Round up an orchestra to play for God,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.
Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King God.
Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.
Let ocean breakers call out, “Encore!”
And mountains harmonize the finale—
A tribute to God when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.
He’ll straighten out the whole world,
He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.
Psalm 98:1-9 (The Message)

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, October 6, 2024

I have a great fondness for Flair pens. I keep a colorful clutch of them in a goblet, close to the chair where I tend to such daily activities as writing greeting cards, to-do lists, plans, journals, plus catching random ideas so they won’t fly away.

This week I read something that struck close to my heart, so I grabbed an index card, carefully printed it out, and nestled it in the goblet of Flairs so I’d remember to share it with some people who might also appreciate it.

This morning as I glanced at the goblet in passing, I smiled, thinking how I’d tucked a remark in a bunch of markers.

I like quotable quotes (remarkable remarks?) even more than Flair pens. Many years ago I started a digital file I christened, “Quotes for Respite,” and sometimes when I need a break, I’ll open that file and read a few quotes. Here’s a sampling:

“Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.” – Hal Borland

“When people tell you how young you look, they are also telling you how old you are.” – Cary Grant

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

“Those who wish to sing always find a song.” – Swedish proverb

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” – E.B. White

There are many more where those came from!

Sometimes I’ll read or hear someone sharing a quote in order to make a point, but they lose me along the way because something about the quote sounds “off.” Maybe I’ve heard the same quote attributed to someone else, or to several other people. Often it’s because I’ve read the author they’re supposedly quoting, and what they’re sharing just doesn’t sound like something that author would say – either the style or the substance just doesn’t ring true.

And yes, this makes me think of Jesus. How often in the New Testament we hear Jesus quoting the Old Testament. And how well He knew those Scriptures.

Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days. At the end of this time, a being who is described as “the devil,” “the tempter,” and “Satan” appears and tempts a famished Jesus with three promises – IF. “If you are the Son of God . . . . If you are the Son of God . . . . If you bow down and worship me.”

Jesus responds each time with a quote – not a clever saying He remembers from a rabbi, but verses from Deuteronomy, from the Word of God:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7 NIV)

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10 NIV)

In the midst of pressing these three temptations on Jesus, Satan also decides to quote Scripture. In Matthew 4:6 he quotes Psalm 91:11-12 – almost. He leaves out a line, and misapplies the Scripture passage.

After Jesus resists all three temptations by quoting Scripture, Satan leaves Him. But He doesn’t leave Him alone. As we read the gospel stories, we see him dogging our Saviour’s footsteps day after day, until those footsteps lead to the cross.

But it was not a defeated victim who died on that cross, but our victorious, triumphant Saviour.

The devil doesn’t leave us alone, either. He dogs our footsteps, trying to trip us up. In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us the good news on how to stand strong:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV)

This armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit, and the word of God.

So as we step out into this brand-new week, we know we can be fully equipped for whatever it may bring our way. Fully equipped, and fully covered by Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

And you can quote me on that.

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, October 5, 2024

Friday of this week I spent a bit of time at our local library fine-tuning my Sabbath sermon. I happened to be sitting a couple of tables ahead of the woman in the photo. I’ve seen her here before, sitting at this print-magnifier device. Anything you place on the table below the lens is projected clearly and brightly onto the screen. This time she’d set her smartphone on the table, and on the screen you see what seems to be an e-book involving two characters from ancient Egypt, who are watching a fire burn. This woman, who must be vision-impaired, is able to read every projected word.

This made me think of the Bible. Did you know that it contains something like 730,000 words, about the length of 8 to 10 thick modern novels? Its style is different enough from 21st century literature that it can be intimidating.

However, I’ve found that if I slow down, and focus paragraph by paragraph, Scripture becomes more comfortable and exciting to read. Some Bibles are printed in a large font, and of course the font can be enlarged if you’re using a computer or iPad or smartphone.

And here’s another “plus” which the projected Egyptian novel doesn’t have—the Holy Spirit. The Spirit inspired all the Bible words, and He can help us understand them if we’re patient. He’s truly a “Bible magnifier.”

Want to learn or review the facts about the Holy Bible? Click the link just below:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/bible

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, October 4, 2024

This past February in a parking lot I noticed this heartwarming scene. The owner of this dog was inside a nearby store or some other building accomplishing some task or other.

But notice what the dog is doing, and what it isn’t. It’s not barking, which is what some less-focused dogs do when I come close to their cars. It’s not leaping in a frenzy from back seat to front seat. And it’s not lying on one of the seats drifting into a light doze. It’s not gnawing at what looks like a paperback book on the passenger seat, or trying to open what looks like a bottle of Perrier. Instead, it’s perched atop the car interior’s highest point, facing forward, no doubt in the direction it had seen its owner go.

Nice little parable about how Christians should be anticipating the return of Jesus, right? Jesus has insisted that we should “watch and be ready,” as the song says, not (of course) sitting motionlessly but carrying on the work we’re supposed to do, un-distracted by shiny objects. Here’s how He put it:

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. (Matthew 24:44 – 46 NKJV)

In other words, no hermit cave, no head in the sand, no paranoia. Just carrying out your responsibilities knowing that your Savior’s return is near.

Here are some more Scriptures about this amazing, history-concluding event:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/second-coming-jesus-christ

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, October 3, 2024

In this image from Newport Oregon, sea lions can be seen on the docks below. The Yaquina Bay Bridge rises in the background.

It is interesting how sea lions have found a spot so near people on this dock. The space is limited, and not all the sea lines can find spots. While we were watching, a sea lion hopped on top of several other sea lions and scooted over them until it stopped on a large sea lion. The other creature complained loudly but then settled down and let the interloper stay.

Fortunately for us, when we want to find a place close to God, there is plenty of space.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

Let’s take advantage of the rest that Jesus offers where we don’t have to climb over others to get it.