Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Henry David Thoreau was one of those who had a way with words.  He once described the Eastern Bluebird as one who “carries the sky on its back”; which in turn makes me wonder how he might portray you or me should he have elected to write about us.  Now remember, he wasn’t one who saw the world through Pollyanna-colored eyes.  His political commentary on civil disobedience laid the foundation for confronting social injustice in the most effective way possible. No, Thoreau was no romanticist with his head in the clouds.

In the same way, we are challenged to find a correct understanding of how God deals with our sin.  The reading of Hebrews 10:14 in different versions offers slightly diverse shades of meaning.  From the NIV: “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”  Here the tension is directly pointed out.  How can one be counted “perfect forever” and at the same time experience the process of “being made holy”?  J.B. Phillips ends the verse with these words: “For by virtue of that one offering he has perfected for all time every one whom he makes holy.” His rendering of the verse implies a done deal.  The ESV uses more theological terminology in its rendering: “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”  And lastly, The Message, a paraphrase, reads: “By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.”

From this it appears that while God’s finished work has been completed, there is a part I must play as well, and that is simply to make sure that I am abiding in Him; that I totally, completely depend upon what He has already done for me.  Put simply, it means living gratefully.

Photo ©2011 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, June 8, 2026

Today’s photo is once again from Mt. Adams, taken on August 14, 2011. On May 18, 1980, I was in Everett, Washington and heard the eruption that removed the top of Mt. St. Helens.

We know from the Bible that God has plans to reshape the earth. This photo provides a preview of his power to create and to recreate.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth (Psalm 97:5 ESV).

“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, declares the Lord, which destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burnt mountain” (Jeremiah 51:25 ESV).

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful (Revelation 21:5 KJV).

The earth and all its component parts bow to the will of God. Let us join them by embracing King David’s prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV).

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, June 7, 2026

I turned my back on our big bathroom mirror and held up my hand mirror to see what the back of my head looked like, to see if my hair needed more curling and coaxing into place before I headed out of the house.

At least that was my intent. But as I raised my hand I realized I was not holding my mirror. Much to my embarrassment, I felt instead the familiar heft of my cellphone. Quickly exchanging it for my mirror, I remembered sheepishly that this was not the first time I’d done this.

As is my wont, I’ve been mulling over the mirror mix-up. I wonder if my cellphone actually is a mirror for me? It certainly reflects what I pay attention to, and how I spend my time. Many of my apps are eager to give me an accounting of my engagement with them, whether or not I’ve asked for such personal, and at times slightly incriminating, information!

Turning from this revealing aspect of my phone, I thought about the mirrors mentioned in the Bible. Two passages immediately stood up and called for my attention.

The first calls for action:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25 NIV)

That’s a challenge for the week ahead, with the promise of a blessing.

The second Biblical mirror mention that came to mind is in the conclusion of one of the most quoted chapters in the New Testament. It’s a well-loved chapter, because it’s all about love. The apostle Paul clearly and poetically describes how love does and does not behave. Read those verses in I Corinthians 13, and you will have another challenge for the week ahead! And you will also have this wonderful promise to look forward to:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (I Corinthians 13:12)

As we walk into this brand-new week, whatever our circumstances, we walk as God’s own children, fully known and fully loved.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, June 6, 2026

 A few months ago, Shelley’s Android phone developed an issue which fortunately was still under warranty. So we took it back to the phone store where we got it, and after verifying its feebleness, the kind staff ordered her a new one. When it arrived at the store, the staff made sure to transfer all her data to the new unit. The photo above shows the moment when the transfer was complete. The old phone had become obsolete, and the new one works great.

The Bible gives us tantalizing hints about what will happen to our minds and bodies at the Second Coming of Jesus. Paul says:

 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. ( 1 Corinthians 13:11 -12)

John quotes Jesus as telling His disciples about the renewal caused by the presence of the Holy Spirit:

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12 – 14)

For several more thought-provoking verses which describe what the Holy Spirit can do for us right now, click the link just below:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/holy-spirit

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, June 5, 2026

 Over the last couple of months in Shelley’s and my neighborhood, we’ve been seeing several kinds of heavy equipment. Since our own cul de sac isn’t affected, I haven’t needed to get a comfortable grip on what’s been happening, but it has to do with the water system, and involves replacing segments of pipe which travel from the main line under each street to the water meters for each dwelling. Lots of machines have been methodically lurching about, digging and then placing huge iron panels over not-yet-filled holes.

I was interested in the device you see above. It’s immensely powerful – you can see a bit of its “track” at the photo’s lower right – and the hydraulically-powered hinged assembly is perfectly capable of clawing up and removing whatever materials the streets are made up.

But notice that the above photo shows three options for earthmoving. The machine itself seems to be attached to the farthest-away scoop, the one with four claws. But stacked this side of it are two other scoops, a narrower one with just three claws, and a third (on the bottom) with no claws but just the blade.

This is going to seem a bit strange at first, but this assembly might be something like the way God works. He has to do some mighty “earth-moving,” mainly by pulverizing hard human hearts. But He doesn’t use just one method. With humble hearts He is gentle, and with tougher personalities He sometimes needs to act more emphatically.

Bottom line? Make it a frequent habit to pray as David did, in the last two verses of Psalm 139:

 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. (Verses 23 – 24 NKJV)

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, June 4, 2026

This is the first time I have been to an Ethiopian restaurant to enjoy the food and community it fosters. After everyone made trips to the washroom to wash hands, we unrolled pieces of bread to use for scooping up the food.  One tray served about 3 – 4 people.

It reminded me about how spending time with people, whether it is in person, by video call, telephone, or writing serves to develop a community. Churches develop community and it is a great place to share our presence and add positive contributions of our ability to do things and encourage others.

In this Ethiopian restaurant, I could see how the staff not only contributed their talents, but they took patient time with the patrons to show they cared.  It seemed like a great example.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, June 3, 2026

I hope you have a moment to take this view in. I was in my garden, with my camera in hand, and was lucky enough to catch this bee (before it jumped to the next flower) enjoying the nectar of this vibrant flower.

I know I mention creation on a regular basis in my photo parables, but I can’t help it. Not only is it an amazing thought that OUR God is the God of the Universe and took the time to create all things, but also, each creation is incredibly creative.  The bumble bee is just one example of creativity and uniqueness.

Psalms 104:24:

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

God is good. God has and continues to ensure we are protected, loved and taken care of. We are His creations.

The next time you are walking in your garden, or out in nature, remember the creator of all things. Thank God for all that He provides for our viewing pleasure.