Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, April 9, 2026

The thing that caught my attention with this magnolia Stellata tree was the blue sky. The flowers themselves are a little worn from a series of rain storms that came through the week before. But when the sun came out, they had a chance to shine against the blue background.

In reading about artificial intelligence this week, a topic came up about the need to program an AI with directives to ensure it does not become a danger to people.  For example, Asimov’s famous three laws of robotics can be summarized as: 1. Do not harm humans, 2. Obey orders given by a human, and 3. Protect own existence.

The trained AI models we commonly use online have many directives programmed into the training process, but they don’t have robotic bodies and have only a limited ability to learn based on recent chat history. But it is heading to become more advanced.

The question arises whether it is possible to provide the perfect set of directives to an AI to cover all situations. With the previously mentioned laws, an AI might easily find loopholes to damage property but not people. A robot might find that orders given by humans are nonsensical. Any number of scenarios can come up where those three laws don’t help.

So, what are the most important directives?  It turns out we find the same problem for people. We have trouble coming up with a perfect set of laws that covers every situation for human interaction.

This might be where we can look inside and find ourselves. We are our own intelligences with freedom to set our own directives.  The Bible provides some great assistance with a law we can choose if we want. That law is as simple as loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Even if we feel imperfect like the flowers in the image, we can set our direction towards God’s magnificent principles.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Do you stand out—or fade into the background? In your actions, beliefs, traditions, and the way you carry yourself, do you blend in with the world around you, or do you live in contrast to it? These questions may seem simple, but they’re anything but. How you answer them offers a clear glimpse into how your life reflects the love of Jesus.

1 John 2:15 & 16 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

The reality is, we live in a very sinful world. That certainly doesn’t mean we have to join along or accept the world around us. What’s the first step in ensuring we continue to be the better version? Let’s read from Romans:

Romans 12:2  – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Be transformed instead of conformed – good advice for sure. So, what does that look like? Matthew 5 reveals that image:

Verses 14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Like this single tulip standing among the rest, it draws the eye—it’s different. So should we be. In a sinful world, we are called to live distinctly. We can be in the world, but not of the world. We can choose transformation over conformity. And as we do, we shine the light of Jesus, freely sharing His love with everyone around us.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Of the twenty plus lilies that are native to North America, the Wood Lily, sometimes called the Chalice-cup Lily, has the widest range, and yet I’d never encountered one.  That is, until I accidently came across one in British Columbia.  Several years later I found another one in Washington even though it does not naturally occur there.  A lily of moderate height, it appears to be more robust than the Columbia or Tiger Lily whose flowers hang downward.  The Wood Lily is our only native lily that has flowers that point upwards.

Deer and rabbits feed on this colorful flower, but for some reason it is toxic to cats and can seriously damage the liver.  Even if a cat should rub against its blossoms and get pollen on its fur, this can be harmful.  Dogs, on the other hand, seem to not be affected.

The species portion of its Latin name, Lilium philadelphicum, can be translated ‘beloved brother’, and rather than making a reference to the Apostle John, is a botanical allusion to the physical closeness of the stamens to one another.

Unfortunately, this lily has become rather rare, in part due to those who admire its flower and pick it close to the ground. This removes virtually all of its leaves which supply the bulb with nutrients, causing the plant to die.  We’re reminded of how the Lord faithfully supplied the Children of Israel with manna while they spent forty years in the wilderness, and yet the day after they entered the Promised Land and ate produce from that land, the manna stopped.  (Joshua 5:12)   Living responsibly means wisely using the provisions God has provided, and being grateful whether it be for the manna or lilies.

Photo ©2011 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, April 6, 2026

The image for today’s photo parable displays a sunset at Lincoln City, Oregon. I was drawn to the beach that late May day by the waves, the clouds, and the warm tones in the sky. But the most interesting feature that I captured is the near mirror-like reflection in the sand. Reflections were used by several of the Bible writers to teach important lessons:

For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (James 1:23-24 ASV).

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV).

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another… (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

The beauty of today’s photo is multiplied by reflection. God desires that we should reflect His glory. The creation culminates with His image being imprinted upon us. “So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). I hope that this photo inspires you to be a mirror, to reflect God’s glory to those around you.

Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, April 5, 2026

I think about it every year about this time. It was a routine trip to our neighborhood drugstore, until I saw a large banner hanging from the ceiling. In colorful letters it exclaimed, “HE’S ALMOST HERE!”

My heart leaped up in response! For a couple of weeks I’d been immersed in the gospel writers’ accounts of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, following Him from the Garden of Gethsemane where He anguished in prayer, to the long night of illegal trials and torture, to the heartbreak of the cross.

Two wealthy men stepped forward to provide Him an honorable burial, and He rested on the Sabbath day in the sleep of death. Not remembering what He had repeatedly told them would happen (especially the part of “and on the third day I will rise again”) the hopes of His disciples and other followers died with Him.

Women were last at the cross, and first at the tomb. At first light, on the first day of the week, they were the first to encounter the empty tomb. The waiting angel greeted them with these wonderful words (and can you imagine being the one to share this news?!):

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’” (Matthew 28:5-7 NIV)

For forty days Jesus lingered on this earth. He had won the victory, but He had follow-up work to do. He needed to reassure the disciples, and especially Peter, that He still loved them and that they were fully forgiven for deserting Him when He needed them most. He told them He was turning the mission over to them; He was trusting them to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15 NKJV)

He told them He would come again . . .

And since I’d been immersed in this Story, preparing to share in Easter celebration, my heart leaped up in that drugstore, where I’d stopped in wonderment on my way to the pharmacy at the back of the store.

“HE’S ALMOST HERE!”

I resumed walking toward the banner, only to discover when I got close enough, a big picture of the Easter bunny, and a display of Easter candy.

That was an almost Alleluia. Turned out not to be a “praise ye the Lord.” More of a celebration of chocolate and jelly beans.

And yet that big banner made me smile, and does so now, because it reminds me of the truth, Jesus is coming again! You could say the drugstore display had “hoppy news” (pun intended) but the gospel has happy news, the happiest news of all:

Jesus died, rose again, and is coming again! Meanwhile, we have inherited the mission. We have the privilege of carrying the good news of the gospel everywhere we go, fueled by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

So on this celebration day, and every day of our lives, we are invited to sing praises to our Risen Saviour, our Redeemer, our Coming King. Not an almost Alleluia, but a full-throated “praise ye the Lord”!

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, April 4, 2026

Last Sunday on a walk I discovered, to my delight, a sidewalk chalk challenge, in which the juvenile artist tried to goad friends and passersby into a series of hopping challenges. Though the chalkmarks were emphatic, the drawing and the spelling were a bit sketchy, and I sometimes found it hard to figure out. But I’ll give it a try.

As near as I can figure, the above photo shows us where the course begins. The three shaded-in circles seem to be color-coded ways for three participants to keep straight who they are as they hop along. The “asome!” (which I take to be a variant of “awesome!”) offers encouragement right at the start. What “Lava!” signifies I have no clue.

Here, another injection of encouragement is provided with a hearty “good”, after which the color-coded participants must take their positions again, and puzzle over the next command: “Get the cons.” Thus far I had detected no signal that the players were to capture criminals, so I decided that the speller had meant “get the coins,” since there followed a series of gold-chalked circles (one of which you can see at the top) with dollar signs in them. Hop along, land on a coin, and you’re that much richer.

At this point, if I have these in the right order, the participants are heartened by another shot of encouragement (“good job”), after which they resume their positions and respond to the simple command “run.” Helpful triangular shoe-tread designs let them know where to place their feet.

At last, we seem to have come to the end of the challenge course. The artist – choosing again not to be trammeled by basic spelling rules – declares not only the “fenesh” but pats the participants verbally on the back with “vare god!”

And here’s a view back along the course. I’m not sure what the final cryptic symbols are:

Cute, right? Tragically, a steady rain fell the following day, and when I sought to re-examine the challenge course it had been washed away. But what stuck with me was encouragement. Whoever had set this course out was someone who believed that positive affirmations were helpful.

The Bible has quite a bit to say, and demonstrate, about how encouragement makes all the difference. Check out this link:

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

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, April 3, 2026

One of the truly annoying – and even disconcerting – things I notice happening is how craftily artificial intelligence is slithering its way into my life. It’s showing up in my word processing, hovering at the left edge of my Microsoft Word documents’ lines, begging me to use it to fine-tune my writing style. It has shouldered its way into my Google searches and tries to be helpful there.

Luckily, its programmers are starting to include warnings, as in the photo above. At first glance, doesn’t that statement sound something like a mild oath, such as “by cracky” or “by George”? Gemini, as it turns out, is Google’s “Personal Assistant,” which promises to help you if you tell it what you want it to do. I haven’t tried it out, and don’t plan to, except I know that even if I so a simple Google search, a whole lot of AI is already at work, guiding me to the answers it thinks I want.

But “There may be mistakes,” this gentle warning tells me. In other words, “Don’t trust me to be absolutely error-free. Keep in mind that I might not have all the facts, or that I might occasionally use the facts I do have in an incorrect way.”

I’m glad they post that warning, because I need it. For several decades I’ve spent time thinking about ways to think clearly and correctly. I’ve learned that it’s easy to fool me unless I reason cautiously and humbly. I hope, as AI surrounds us and infiltrates our machines, that we all become more vigilant about how to think.

And you’ve probably discovered, as I have, that human logic only leads us so far. There’s Bible logic to consider too. The link below offers several eternally-relevant Scriptural thinking patterns. Check them out!

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