Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, January 25, 2026

When I saw this gallon of milk sitting on a trash container outside a grocery store, my first thought was, “No use crying over spilt milk!” (Or “spilled” milk, but the British “spilt” is how I first heard it.)

I’ve been musing over milk ever since I saw this abandoned gallon. As usual, my thoughts wandered over to the Bible, and, as usual, I asked myself questions: Was there any “spilt milk” in the Bible stories I’ve heard and read for lo, these many years? If so, what caused it and how was it handled?

But first I must define “spilt milk.” It was fun reading the history and current usage of the idiom, some from dictionaries and some from dairy council websites! The consensus seems to be that it refers to something unfortunate that has happened and cannot be undone, and the only decent and profitable thing to do is to move on. There is nothing to be gained by dwelling in regret.

I thought of Peter. Hours after he proclaimed he would die with Jesus rather than ever disown Him, he emphatically denied knowing Him or being one of his followers – three times. That’s not a slight misfortune of accidentally spilling some milk, but a firehose of words, spewing out cruel disavowal of friendship and followership of the One who had patiently loved and taught Him for three years.

Going back to our definition, this was something unfortunate that happened, and it could not be undone . . . but was moving on the only decent and profitable thing to do?

No. First, he needed to cry over spilt milk.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75 NKJV)

Reading the rest of Peter’s story, we see that these were tears of sincere repentance. We see Jesus forgiving him, reinstating him in ministry in front of his fellow disciples who knew all about his cowardly denials, and empowering him for leadership in the early Christian church.

I love the detail mentioned when an angel at the empty tomb tells Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (hands full of spices with which to anoint the body of Jesus) that He is not there; He is risen! And then:

“But go, tell His disciples — and Peter — that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” (Mark 16:7)

Peter, singled out for inclusion. Imagine how he felt when he heard that message, from heaven to his heavy heart!

The story of Peter’s denial is told in all four gospels. I think we hear so much about him not only here, but throughout the gospels, because there is so much Peter in all of us.

Only after he was thoroughly repentant, and knew he was fully forgiven, could Peter move on. Otherwise, he would have lived in regret, and wallowed in guilt.

How good it is to be reminded that no matter how much milk we spill, accidentally or deliberately, we, too, can move on, as fully forgiven followers of Jesus, whose blood spilled out for us all.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday and Sabbath, January 23 and 24, 2026 

I snapped the above photo last August, on a visit to a newish Barnes and Noble bookstore. I’m not exactly sure what the “&” symbol on the wall symbolizes, but maybe it means that the book categories beneath it are varied enough to not be able to be covered by a single word. Maybe the “&” is another way of saying “etc.”

And a glance at the white-on-black labels just above the books shows that the categories are indeed varied. “Self-transformation” doesn’t have much to do with at least the Christian version of religion, and if you could see the tiny gray tags subcategorizing “Religion,” you’d see the labels “Western Philosophy” and “Eastern Philosophy,” which take up most of the shelving on that side.

I’d like to think that if God is our creator, we really should consult His personal preferences about these topics, rather than relegating them to the “etc.” department. Here are three Bible links which might help:

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

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

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

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, January 22, 2026

Whenever the sun comes out in the winter, it is a rare thing to enjoy. This photo, along with the turmoil we hear about in the news, reminded me about the following verses.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:44-46

When things seem out of our control and we feel helpless, that is a good time to pray and apply the words of Jesus.

We may not be able to change the actions of others as much as we wish, but we can see how we should behave. As we go through trying times, let’s let the words of our Father guide us.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, January 21, 2026

When we really want something, waiting can feel almost impossible. Think back to when you were younger and counting down the days to a birthday, a long‑awaited trip, or something else you were excited about. That wait, those final moments before it finally arrived, was always painful.

In these photos, you can see our dog, Taima, doing his best to be patient. He was absolutely convinced that his blue bone needed a treat put inside. As you can see in the first image, he carried it over and set it on the footrest of the chair. At first, he stood there staring at my wife with deep longing. He whimpered and moaned to get her attention. Eventually he grew tired and had to sit, but he refused to break eye contact. He needed to keep those sad “puppy eyes” on full display, waiting ever so earnestly for what he hoped was coming.

As believers, we know that God will return and fulfill the promise He made. That promise is eternity with Him, free from sin. That’s not a treat. It’s not a birthday. It’s not an exciting trip. It is the greatest gift imaginable, one we could never deserve, yet one He freely offers to those that are willing to accept.

John 3:16 & 17
For God so loved the world that he gave his once and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

There it is. There is the promise we need to accept. So how do we wait patiently for that? First, we’re not called to simply sit and wait – we’re called to action. Pray that God makes your action clear. He will provide opportunities as long as we are willing to accept them. And for the waiting itself, we need His help too.

May God grant each of us the patience and perseverance we need until His glorious return. Until then, feel free to look longingly, Heavenward.

Tundra Swan
Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, January 20, 2026

There are two species of swan shown here which are native to North America, the Trumpeter Swan and the Tundra Swan.  Even though the second species is the most widespread, it is outnumbered in this picture.

So, of the eight swans pictured, can you pick out the single Tundra?  It is the fourth from the right and can be distinguished from the Trumpeter by its smaller size and the yellow spot at the base of its bill.  The bill shape is also a mark which can be used to separate the two.

Formerly, it was known as the Whistling Swan, a name given by Lewis and Clark, and was awarded the Latin name Olor columbianus with the species name reflecting the Columbia River where it was initially discovered. This was the first known written description of the species, which seems very strange to me, for the bird also winters along both coasts and a subspecies can also be found in both Europe and Asia. A bird this size could hardly be overlooked, even by the most casual observer. I’ve not been able to find any place that explains this irregularity.

Then again, that’s not the first time such a thing has happened. Paul makes a special point about this in 2 Corinthians 4:4. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (NIV) Even for Christians who are very familiar with the Bible, even they can miss the glorious Good News that it is Christ’s righteousness that saves us! According to Paul, it is Satan who has blinded the eyes. That spiritual reality makes sense, but why this white swan was missed, I have no idea.

Photo ©2010 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, January 19, 2026

I captured the image for today’s photo parable a couple of days before my birthday in 2010. Olallie Lake is one of my favorite locations for winter camping. Several times I have witnessed River Otters in the backcountry during the middle of winter. Their tracks are often found on steep slopes where they leave glissade paths down a hill and then paw prints bounding back up the hill so they can sled back down again. The pure joy that they display in this activity is a clear indication that God wants his creatures to enjoy life.

In general, we would likely agree that the themes of the Bible are serious business. However, does the Bible ever leave the serious aside? Does it say anything about having fun?

Key Bible Verses Showing People Having fun:

• Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing (Exodus 15:20 NIV).
• And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet (2 Samuel 6:14-15 NIV).
• And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps (Nehemiah 12:27 KJV).
  When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. (Psalm 126:1-3 KJV).
  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:7-8 KJV).
  “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:22-24 KJV).

One of my favorite examples of Jesus having fun and displaying his sense of humor is found in the meaning of the words that he used in Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (NIV).  On this occasion, Simon had just acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus then told Simon that he would be known as Peter which means “rock,” but Jesus used a play on words, the word that he used for Peter’s name (Petros) means a small stone, perhaps a pebble. When Jesus said on this “Rock” I will build my church the word he used for “rock” was different (Petra) Instead of “pebble, Jesus used the word “petra” meaning “bedrock.”  In essence Jesus was saying to Simon, you are a new creature, Peter, a pebble in comparison to the bedrock truth you proclaimed when you acknowledged that I am the Messiah. It is on the foundation of believing in Me, as Lord and Savior, that my followers (disciples/church) will be able to stand. It is fitting that the One who created the river otter to play and have fun and the One who created humans with the capacity to understand words, used words in a playful way to bring a smile to our face. Take another look at our photo for today, you just might imagine a smile on the otters face. Yes, the important messages regarding sin, repentance, salvation, and eternity are weighty matters, but living a life full of joy in the Lord is just as important.

Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, January 18, 2026

We moved to Auburn, Washington, 44 years ago, mid-April. From three time zones away, we had rented, sight unseen, a little house near the church where my husband would serve as assistant pastor.

The only thing I remember about our small backyard was a tree that stood right in the middle. My memory sees it as about six or seven feet tall, and a bit spindly. Our landlord told us it was an apple tree.

Buds appeared, then blossoms, then small apples emerged. We waited for them to change color as they grew and ripened. I smiled as I thought of my favorite dessert, apple pie. But the apples seemed to be dragging their feet.

Then my mother came down from Alaska to visit. We introduced her to our backyard and its solitary apple tree, and told her we were waiting eagerly for the apples to redden and ripen.

She leaned forward, gave our apples a good look and laughed. “You’re going to be waiting a long time!” She told us the name of these particular apples (which I’ve long since forgotten) and said they weren’t going to change color. They were ripe and ready, now!

I grew up in southeastern Alaska, home to abundant evergreen trees – spruce, hemlock, cedar, and pine. We didn’t major in apple trees. My husband grew up on the plains of northeastern South Dakota, which didn’t major in trees, period!

But my mother grew up in eastern Washington, and had picked apples to earn money to attend nursing school in Seattle. I had seen her black-and-white photos of those long-ago apple orchards with their long ladders and canvas bags, and heard her apple-picking stories. I remembered how she would pick through the apples in our Alaskan grocery store, saying sadly, “These are the kind we would throw away.”

She knew apples. We did not, so we were waiting for the wrong thing to happen.

This started me musing about people in the Bible who were waiting for the wrong thing. I immediately thought of the Jewish leaders and their followers, waiting for a military Messiah who would set them free from their Roman oppressors.

I’m also thinking of people who were waiting for the right thing, but in the wrong way. Abraham and Sarah heard God’s astounding promise that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore. Childless, they waited. Then, weary of waiting, they decided they needed to hasten God’s hand. Bad choices, terrible consequences.

I’m sure I’ll be able to add many more examples to these two “wait” lists – waiting for the wrong thing, and waiting for the right thing in the wrong way. Because it seems like waiting forms such a large part of our lives — back then and there, and also here and now. Waiting is what we do.

Since as a child I first began to understand what pastors were preaching from their pulpits, I’ve realized that I’m part of a worldwide waiting community – not just my denomination, but many others. We’re all waiting for Jesus to come again – and this time to right all wrongs and make all things new.

Isaiah describes what we waiters will say when that Day finally bursts upon us:

And it will be said in that day:
“Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the Lord;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9 NKJV)

I was surprised to discover that in the above passage a few Bible versions replace the phrase “waited for Him” with “trusted in Him.” But the two seem to go together; I wait for those I trust.

Over and over, the Bible describes how to wait for the right thing in the right way, making our third list the most important one!

Here are two of the many passages that encourage us, while we wait:

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:13, 14)

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Courage, pilgrim!