Daily Photo Parable

Photo ©2008 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, February 2, 2026 

Waterfalls demonstrate the power of water. Today’s photo also captures the beauty that often accompanies the sudden change in a river’s water level. Dougan Falls is one of many waterfalls on the Washougal River in southern Washington.

Biblical writers have used the power and beauty of waterfalls to symbolize God’s Power, his overwhelming love, and His spiritual depth.

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24 ESV).

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me (Psalm 42:7 ESV).

To capture the smooth silky view of the Dougan Falls, this photo required longer than normal exposure. In a similar fashion, if we want to experience the fullness of God’s love, His power, depth, and righteousness, it will require deep and constant exposure to His will. We can find that in His Word and in His Holy Spirit. I hope that you allow his character to wash over you today.

Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, February 1, 2026

I was told by people who were there that as a young child I never sucked my thumb or used a pacifier. This was not due to any strong will power on my part, but to the fact that I could not breathe well through my nose. I remember being described by what I thought was an unlovely term as a “mouth breather.” All this was remedied with nasal surgery at age 18, and it seemed much too late at that point to take up the habit.

So I have no first-hand knowledge of pacifiers, such as the one in the photo above, which we found on the sidewalk which borders our neighborhood park. But I have seen them calm many a fussy child, and have heard parents and pediatricians discuss the pros and cons of their use.

And yes, this pacifier makes me think of Jesus.

The variety of dictionaries I consulted offered a handful of definitions for the word “pacify” – soothe, appease, subdue, calm, bring peace to a place. It’s traced back to the Latin word meaning “to make peace.”

Isn’t that just like Jesus?

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

And yet . . . there’s also this jolting verse, words clearly spoken by Jesus Himself:

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

What??? Jesus, Prince of Peace, Peace-giver, Lord of Peace . . . what’s going on here?!!

I think that’s the key – let’s see what is going on here; let’s check the context.

When I read the whole chapter, I find that it begins with Jesus calling His twelve disciples to Him and preparing them for their first mission trip. First He gives them power, then He describes their assignment, then gives them encouragement and warnings. And that’s where His disturbing “no peace” statement comes in.

At least this used to disturb me. But hearing His words now in context, I don’t see Jesus contradicting Who He is, or what He came to do. I believe He’s preparing His disciples for the reality that His gospel message is not always going to be received as good news. Not everyone is attracted to His kingdom, preferring their kingdom of self. In that sense, He comes not to pacify, but to polarize.

He’s describing what will happen, not by His choice, but by His listeners’ choices. He is still the Giver of Peace to all who will accept it, to all who will choose His kingdom.

When we do accept His gift and choose His kingdom, He invites us to suit up in His armor. The apostle Paul describes our opponents, and then our armor and weapons, including the gospel of peace:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Time to suit up for a new day and a new month – God’s peace be with you and yours!

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, January 31, 2026 

A week ago was what you could call Cold Week in the Pacific Northwest. While saying this, I realize that people in other parts of the United States would probably have paid good money if we could have piped our temperatures into their regions. But for us, it was colder than we are used to.

It was either a week ago Thursday or Friday that Shelley and I bundled up and trudged our way along our neighborhood’s frosty sidewalks. I happened to glance down, and spotted this beautiful little leaf lying neatly between the two sidewalk slabs.

What’s so beautiful, to me, is that from one end to the other, this leaf portrays the spectrum of its entire lifecycle. The lower half is a healthy green, but the upper part, from the stem down, shows that winter is choking off the nutrients that would keep the leaf alive. I don’t know where this leaf is now, or what color it is, but it will eventually turn brown and dissolve.

Providentially, the human race need not face this same fate. Humanly speaking, unless Jesus returns first, we all will return to dust – but the Bible trumpets the glorious news that beyond our earthly fate we can all have eternal life. To find the full spectrum of God’s renewing power, scroll through the verses at the link below!

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/new-life

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Carolyn Howson
Friday, January 30, 2026 

[Note from Maylan: Today we have a guest blogger, Carolyn Howson, who’s married to Tuesday’s blogger Robert. As you’ll see, Carolyn is not only a faithful walker but also a close and good-humored observer of life, able to see spiritual value in common things. Thanks, Carolyn!]

On our morning walk my walking buddy and I came upon this tidy house, tidy yard, and tidy trash containers lined up for pick up.  This was one of those “I guess I haven’t seen it all” moments that we encounter every so often.  My curiosity was piqued enough to go home and come back for this picture to ponder.

It’s the day after Christmas and this homeowner has dutifully placed his three containers neatly at the curb for pick up with the accompanying note on each, starting with please.  PLEASE KNOCK ON OUR DOOR!  All caps and an exclamation point at the end.

My first observation:  What’s so urgent that each of the three drivers needs to get out of his truck, come up to the door, knock and respond to the homeowner’s bidding?  My second observation—will the drivers even comply—out of curiosity if for no other reason?   And I’ll probably never know the answer to either of these questions.  So, a couple of takeaways will hopefully suffice.

Obviously, the homeowner has gone to a bit of effort to attract the attention of waste management by making three legible signs and placing them strategically on each of the containers.  He has an urgent need and will be at the door when the drivers knock.  In other words, he will be ready to open the door because of that need.  A need that the driver can fulfill.

About the trash.  It is in place.  It is removable and will be removed.  It can’t remove itself.  Someone determined that it was trash and another someone will remove it.  It will be dealt with just like sin will be dealt with.

A final takeaway.  If Jesus was the garbage truck driver, He would happily comply to this directive.  He would even look at it as an invitation.  So, we can be sure that He would take the time to respond to the urgent need of the petitioner and satisfy it.  Revelation 3:20 depicts the scene this way: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”  There is good communication from beginning to end in this scenario and satisfaction is guaranteed.  It’s a win-win.

As we go into a brand new year, it would behoove us to take inventory and then steps to properly deal with present needs we have that only our Savior has solutions for.  Let Him, with our permission, deal with them as only He can.

Photo ©2026 by Amber Jurgensen
Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen

In this mural in Seattle it seems uncertain of what it represents. Is it just a fun painting of bird houses? Or could it represent the close proximity of people living in nearby buildings? Or maybe it is a deterrent to keep pigeons from loitering because it confuses them!

After searching the web, I found a few more possibilities. Birdhouses can depict a connection with nature. Birds in general can represent peace and love, representing our common human bonds. Birdhouses sometimes represent sanctuary and nurturing for the soul.

I like this Bible verse.

Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Psalm 15:1

May we make our homes sanctuaries of peace as we think of God’s word that is unchanging even with the variable environment around us.

Photo ©2008 and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 27 and 28, 2026

How confident are you that you can tell, with reasonable certainty, when an animal is truly aggressive and when they are just excited?  Are you sure the basso profundo of that German Shepherd across the way indicates it is angry, while the soprano tweetings of the Yorkie on the other side suggest it is only trying to figure out what is going on?  We have a dog in our neighborhood that always sounds like a trombone with a plunger mute stuck in the bell.  I can never tell from its bark what kind of day it’s having.  It’s always the same.  In ages past I had a dog that felt it was his solemn responsibility to protect the home front.  When walking home I would try to change my gait so as to fool him, then, rush at him when I got closer.  I suspect he knew what was going on long before the final sprint, but think he enjoyed the game too.

What about these two juvenile Bald Eagles in the first photo? Are they fighting or playing?  And is this adult (just above) angry about something, or does that supraorbital ridge over its eye foreordain it will always have a stern appearance?  To bring it closer to home, are you any better evaluating those of your own kind by their demeanor than you are at assessing that of birds and dogs?  I know, John 7:24 is talking about a different kind of judgment when it says: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (ESV)  Still, the same kind of caution is appropriate since the way we treat people seems to often be determined by our estimate of their attitude.

Photo ©2008 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, January 26, 2026

In my September 22^nd post of 2025, I shared a photo of the Columbia River entitled Looking Home. The view was from Cape Horn on Washington Highway 14 looking east towards Stevenson, my childhood home. Today’s image is a view of the Columbia making its way through the Cascade Mountains. The photo was captured from the flanks of Dog Mountain and looks down the river to the west and is again looking towards Stevenson.

Our home was situated on the hills above Stevenson at about the same elevation as this view from Dog Mountain. So, through the front windows of our home we had a remarkably similar view of the river. My father worked on the river as a sawyer at the Stevenson Co-Ply plywood mill.

As we became old enough, we all, my siblings and I, also worked at the plywood mill. The river, in a sense, became our life. We worked around it. Our days were filled with its views, and it was also our playground, where we swam and water skied and had picnics. The Columbia River generates over 40% of the United States’ hydroelectricity. It has the largest discharge by runoff volume (~275,000 cubic feet per second) to the Pacific Ocean.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2 NIV).

Considering this passage of scripture, I am glad that the value and importance of a river will be with me through eternity. I am hoping that you will join me and my family on the banks of His River of Life. I look forward to swimming from one side to the other. Perhaps we will share a picnic under the limbs of the Tree of Life.