Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Recently, with our extended family, we were able to visit the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. My grandson who is almost 3, really enjoys the Flamingos (pictured). As you can see, these beautiful wading birds have a bright pink hew to them. There are six recognized species, based on a few different characteristics, including geographical locations. These particular flamingos are Chilean, found in the southern part of South America. What’s fascinating about all these species is that they have at least one thing in common – their diet.

Flamingos are actually born all white and won’t gain their iconic pink color until 2 or 3 years later. How do they change colors? The food they eat, mostly brine shrimp and blue-green algae. Specifically, the carotenoids in their food, is what turns the bird’s feathers into the bright colors we associate with them, when we think of what a flamingo should look like.

What if Christians are the same way? We are born into a sinful world without the “colors and light,” but as we grow, we learn more about Jesus. We learn of His love and the true meaning of life. In that growth, we start to change, reflecting the love of Christ. Our color are His colors. We are brighter than those around us. Only then can we be the bright colors this world of darkness needs.

Luke 11:35 & 36

“Therefore, take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light,
As when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

Our prayer should be – Allow God’s light and true colors to shine through us, giving hope to the rest of the dark world.

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

It shouldn’t have been that hard; but it was. At least that’s the way I felt about trying to identify this young bird found in the grasslands of Mid-America. The factors limiting my identification: I was birding in an area that was relatively unfamiliar to me; its portrait did not appear in the bird book I was using; there were a number of possible candidates which all might qualify as possibilities. It should have been easy; but it wasn’t.

So, how did I determine this was an immature Horned Lark? Easy, I asked an expert, someone who was more familiar with the species than I; someone who had birded that part of the country more thoroughly and knew what to expect. When the answer was given, all the pieces came together: the behavior of the bird was consistent with that of an adult; its morphology (structure of the body) fell right into place; and the bird’s location and timing fit as well. Strange, isn’t it, when we know the answer, how easy it is to see why it’s correct.

Perhaps that’s why Jeremiah had such confidence that he knew how things would work out, because he already knew Someone who had all the experience, all the right answers, and that’s why he could write: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV) That of course doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use our bird book; it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep looking to find the right answers; but it does mean that when we really want to know, we know Someone we can go to with confident assurance.

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, November 27, 2023

I happened to be at this park with a friend, which is a good thing, because I didn’t really know where I was going. I knew the trail led down to the beach but coming back up, as you can see, there was more than one way to go. One way went down in a different direction (and did it go up again?) and one went straight up. Did they both wind up at the trailhead?

It depends on how much attention you are paying to your route as to how likely you are to get lost. It might also be beneficial to have at least looked at a trail map before you set out or have one with you or at least have a cell phone with access to good reception and a working cell phone battery.

We still hear news items about people going missing on what should have been a simple loop trail. Some are just not prepared for the weather, or the trail or perhaps there was an injury, dehydration or hunger. Some people are by themselves and some haven’t told anyone where they are going.

Psalm 119 talks about how we should live our lives:

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
don’t ever walk off and leave me.
Psalm 119:1-8 (The Message)

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, November 26, 2023

Thanksgiving was a good day. The weather was sunny for our morning walk. And then, as we rounded the corner, heading home toward our cul-de-sac, the good day got better.

I stopped in disbelief, eyes wide at what I suddenly saw. Over a dozen pigeons swirled through the sky ahead of us, and I called out to my husband, “They’re back!”

They used to be regulars; most mornings we would see them as we headed out on our walk. I’ve always loved watching birds in flight, and these birds would make like the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. They would perform both a high program and a low program over our street, then settle down on a neighbors’ roof – always the same roof.

But we hadn’t seen them in a couple of years, and I mourned their absence, wondering where they’d gone and why.

Now they were back, cavorting with even more energy than usual, swooping up above us, then swirling down close, over and over again.

I found myself saying, “Thank You, Lord!” over and over again. I will not debate with you whether or not God chose to send back our pigeons as a Thanksgiving surprise, but I will tell you that it seemed fitting to thank Him for their return. Our bird for the day was not a turkey, but a pigeon – make that a flock of pigeons.

After putting on their aerobatic show, the pigeons settled as they did in days of yore, on our neighbors’ roof. I took several photos, but could never get all of them at once in my lens. But the photos exist to prove that they returned, if only for that day. Because we did not see them yesterday, or today. Maybe they’ll show up tomorrow, or maybe on Christmas morning, or maybe they’re off on another two-year trip. I’ll accept their Thanksgiving appearance and performance as a gift, not demanding an encore.

Our small flock reminded me of much larger flocks we have witnessed with delight, flying home to roost at dusk. And they remind me of the wonderful phenomenon of murmuration, when a huge flock of thousands of starlings swirl through the sky, turning and twisting together as if one massive bird. If I need a jolt of joy, I Google “murmuration” and watch videos of this phenomenon, and I highly recommend this viewing to you.

As we step out into this brand-new week, with the holiday season starting to swirl and swoop around us with all its activities and expectations, may we be daily reminded that the One who sees each tiny sparrow fall is the Greatest Gift of all.

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, November 25, 2023

Almost exactly a week ago, at a busy intersection about a mile from our neighborhood, I saw a man standing, festooned with signs. His left hand gripped a pole surmounted by a sign which read, “Jesus is the Lord,” and his right hand supported a smaller sign: “Prepare to meet thy God.” From two over-the-shoulder straps hung signboards, front and back. The one we can see has two Bible verses, the top one reading “Repent and believe in the gospel, Mark 1:15,” and the lower mostly obscured by a car-mirror.

I don’t often see this kind of faith-sharing, but when I do, I wonder how effective it is. We must never limit the Lord’s ability to use any kind of witness for His purposes, and it’s fully possible that someone whose heart has been softened by the Holy Spirit might just respond to this in-your-face nudge. However, among my congregation are several people who share their faith not by bumper stickers or signboards but the way Jesus’ earliest followers did: behaving in ways that convinced others that “they had been with Jesus,” Acts 4:13.

For more of what the Bible says about the “whys,” and the ways, to share your faith in Jesus, click the link just below:

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

Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, November 24, 2023

A little over a week ago on one of Shelley’s and my after-breakfast walks, I noticed this bright Japanese maple leaf. Its color was eye-catching, but as I raised my smartphone, I shifted my position so the leaf was backed by the shadow of the tree beyond it. The contrast caused the leaf’s color to really “pop” in a way it hadn’t before.

Isn’t that often the way in life? I recently went through an unpleasant bout featuring a good-sized kidney stone, and once a CT scan showed that I was free of it, I immediately felt a lot better. If I hadn’t experienced the pain, I might not have treasured the recuperation as much.

The Bible has a lot to say about the difficult subject of suffering, and one of Scripture’s prominent themes is how joy emerges in life’s darkest moments. The link below contains many Bible texts which will answer some tough questions.

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

Photo ©2023 by Chelsea Jurgensen
Commentary ©2023 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, November 23, 2023

This image captures multiple activities at once. There is a hot air balloon, an airplane, and a farmhouse. If we think about the activities in our own lives, there are many mundane things and probably some interesting activities. Each person is unique and has different interests.

I searched for activity and active in the Bible, and this verse is interesting.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

It is fascinating to think about the word of God being alive and active. While food for serious thought, it is cause for gladness that we have a reference that sheds light on bad things in the world.

Today on Thanksgiving, there are sobering things, and many things we can be glad for. I am thankful that we can be active and do things that are interesting. I’m thankful that we have a guide in the Bible that helps us. Let’s use the active word of God to its best advantage as we go forward.