Daily Photo Parable

Photo ©2011 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, March 30, 2026

The Snowshoe Hare is one of three animals in the Cascade Mountains of Washington that change color in the winter. The ermine, (a type of weasel) and the ptarmigan (a type of grouse) also change from a brown summer coat to primarily white in winter. The change in color stems from the shortening of the length of day. The reduced daylight causes a hormonal change and the animal stops producing melanin in new hair follicles. The new hairs also contain air chambers resulting in better insulation.

We can use God’s plan for clothing these animals as an allegory for the garments with which He clothes us.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 KJV).

As God has clothed this hare in warm camouflage, even more, He longs to clothe you in His protective embrace.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, March 29, 2026

First there was a wild windstorm. That was Wednesday. Then, two days later, on Friday the 13th, winter arrived. We were startled, but thankful that it was a one-day, mid-March winter. At our place it had been snowing before we woke up to witness it, and kept snowing until late that night.

The double punch of a windstorm and snowstorm was too much for many trees in the area, especially the beautiful cherry blossom trees. Most of them were in glorious full bloom, and it was sad to see so many of their branches bowed down and broken with the weight of snow and ice.

I’m fond of trees. I consider them friends. Much has been researched and written in recent years about how beneficial trees are, beyond their beauty. They are so alive and giving, that it seems a terrible irony that the stiff and lifeless wooden cross upon which Jesus died has been called, in Scripture and song, a tree.

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. (Acts 5:30 NKJV, Peter speaking to the high priest)

Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. (Acts 13:29-30, Paul speaking in the synagogue at Antioch)

. . . [Christ] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (I Peter 2:24, Peter writing to early Christians)

Jesus, our healer and sin-bearer, bowed and broken on the tree.

Broken? No.

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” (John 19:31-36)

Broken? Yes.

I hold with those who believe He died with a broken heart.

Jesus, bowed and broken.

Weighted down with the sins of the world.

Counterweighted with His all-embracing, everlasting, unchanging, personal love for each and all of us.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, March 28, 2026

Yesterday, as you can see in the above photo, was a Chamber of Commerce kind of day – blazing sun, blue sky, the temperature just that tiny hint of coolness which makes a walk especially zestful. So I headed out on my usual post-breakfast stroll, and came upon the scene above.

As you notice, a man is doing some major pruning work on an immense cherry tree in his yard. This wasn’t the first time I’d see him out there, because the heavy snowfall of a couple of weeks ago had snapped so many branches on a smaller cherry tree of his that he simply had the entire thing removed.

And now, here he was, toiling away on the taller one. (Later in the day I saw him quite a way up a very tall aluminum ladder.)

Did you know that the Bible often speaks of God as a Gardener? After all, Genesis 2:8 insists that it was God who planted the literal Garden of Eden. (Interesting and totally coincidental note: On my walk yesterday I’d been noticing bright yellow advertisement taped to neighborhood garage doors, and when I got home there was one on mine too. It advertised “Adonay’s Lawn Services.” Guess what one of God’s major Hebrew names in the Old Testament is: Adonai.)

And God’s “lawn service” is indeed spiritual. “I am the true vine,” Jesus told His friends, “and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

And a good gardener knows when and where and what to prune. This is why you and I need to submit to God’s cleansing care. For three verses about spiritual discipline and its importance, click the link just below:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/spiritual-discipline

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, March 27, 2026

A few days ago, in an era when the sun began to happily appear (yet whose temperature made it needful to wear head-warming hats), Shelley and I paused beside this patch of grass. I snapped this photo, not primarily of our shadows but to try to catch the glint of sun off some grass-spears.

As you can see, the grass-spears were too tiny to make this a success, and I ignored this photo until I happened to see it again today in my phone’s “gallery.”

There we are, my sweetheart and I, having known each other for 49 years and having been married for almost as many. We’ve moved through life together as a pastoral couple, and have treasured the people who’ve cast their shadows over us.

This matter of influencing other people isn’t an exact science. It happens whether you know it’s even happening at all. When I was 16 years old I worked fulltime in a creamery, helping get out milk products. One day the other workers and  I took a break together in the “coffee room” upstairs in the plant.

We had gathered at tables in the little room, and were making small talk. Suddenly, I noticed that the room had gone fully silent. I glanced around, and saw that everybody was staring directly at me.

I blinked, and asked “Is something wrong?”

Doug, a worker who operated the machine next to mine in the bottling room said in a hushed voice, “Maylan, what did you just say?”

“When?” I asked. “Right now?”

“Yeah. What did you just say?”

I thought back to the conversation I’d been having with the person across the table from me, and repeated what I thought I’d said.

As soon as I said this, the whole room burst into laughter. When it finally died down, Doug said to me, “We thought you’d said a cuss-word!”

I was indeed a meek young Christian, and grew up under parents who never swore and who admonished me not to. But I had never once even mentioned being a Christian to anybody in the plant, let alone expressing my embarrassment when somebody let fly an oath.

But all these people – every one of them – had felt my shadow, my influence. They knew who I was, and how consistent I evidently had been in portraying my beliefs. So it must have been like an electric shock to hear Maylan’s language turn grotesquely blue.

So yes, you do have a shadow – an influence — whether or not anyone will ever mention it to you. Your shadow falls everywhere you go, far from the door of your house of worship.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, March 26, 2026

Last week another camellia bush burst into blossom. At least that is the way it seemed. It was a nice surprise to walk outside, after all the rain we have had recently, to see new flowers in bloom.

It reminds me of finding Bible verses that maybe we have seen before, but they take on new meaning each time we read them.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

A simple verse can surprise us with several different thoughts. This one tells me that it is easy to be saved simply by confessing and believing. Jesus does the hard work of forgiving and purifying. It also points to a simple energy adjustment or attitude adjustment. By changing from the mindset that we are in control and we can do it ourselves, to an attitude of letting God do it, we free ourselves from impossible burdens.

When things are difficult and gray, look to God in the Bible for surprises and encouragement.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

This past weekend, we visited one of our favorite local spots just minutes from home — Flower World Plant Nursery. If you’ve ever spent time in the Snohomish or Maltby area and enjoy plants and all things gardening, chances are you’ve been to Flower World.

For those that have not had the opportunity, this particular nursery is quite large. In fact, the website claims it’s over 200 acres of plants, trees, shrubs, and several water features.

While inside one of the main retail buildings near the bird feed supply, I spotted an unexpected guest. The first image captures the setting of this little guy’s hideout; the second reveals who he really is.

When I spotted him, he kept looking at me as if expecting to be told to leave — which I didn’t do. Others walked by, either not noticing him or, like me, choosing not to shoo him out the door. For as long as I was in the vicinity, he was welcome to stay.

The family of God is made up of people from all walks of life. No matter our background or how unworthy we may feel, God reminds us that there is a place for everyone—all are welcome.

What a thought! Regardless of where we came from, any mistakes we’ve made, or doubts we may hold about ourselves; we are welcomed into the family of God. Grace opens the door, love invites us in, and God asks us to stay. Amen!

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Have you ever noticed how susceptible we humans are to being overly influenced by our first impressions?  We can use the character Absalom to illustrate our point.  This third son of King David was probably first introduced to us with stories of his long hair which ultimately led to his untimely death.  Lost in the telling were more important character qualities which led to his unfortunate demise: his egocentric posture, his feigned use of flattery, his total lack of clemency, and his utter disrespect of his father.  Instead, we tend to revert to the story centered on his long hair and the boughs of an oak tree.

A similar scenario takes place in a large cuckoo found in the Neotropics. The Squirrel Cuckoo derives its common English name from its superficial resemblance to the Red Squirrel in both body color and its movements through the trees in search of food.  This image is further enhanced by its extremely long tail, not unlike that of the squirrel’s.  Of course, there is really no connection between the bird and the squirrel, only surface similarity.  Their diets are not the same with the cuckoo consuming almost entirely animal material.  Feathers and fur are relegated to the proper species; in other words, one is a bird, the other a rodent.

Eugene Peterson offers us a down-to-earth, common-sense translation of Proverbs 25:8.  “Don’t jump to conclusions – there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.” (The Message)  While those first impressions may be helpful, taking a second look is more likely to deliver sound judgement.