Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, October 16, 2024

You might recognize this lighthouse—Cape Neddick Light in York, Maine—as it’s quite iconic. In fact, I’ve used it in a previous photo parable. However, this specific image hasn’t been shared before. Here, you can see the lighthouse’s reflection in a small tide pool among the shoreline rocks across the inlet. If you flip the image upside down (though, please don’t try this by manhandling your computer monitor!), you’ll see the reflection closely mirrors the original.

As Chrisitians, we are called to reflect God’s love. Does this mean we are capable of perfectly mirroring His love? No, and it’s not our task to achieve that reflection. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit handles that part. Our role is simply to be willing to reflect. Let’s consider the transformation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT):

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

Just as Cape Neddick Light doesn’t control the sunlight and calming of the wind to create its reflection, our reflection of God’s glory isn’t based on our own actions. We can embrace the opportunity to be mirrors, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us for the benefit of others. What an incredible privilege it is to be used by our Savior.

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, October 15, 2024

A smile can be contagious. We had been exploring a small village in the forest across the river and were now returning to our lodging which overlooked the Kelani River. Earlier that morning we had crossed the waterway on a makeshift pontoon craft which provided safe passage to the other side. During monsoon season it might have been a different story, but at the moment the vessel could be poled across the waterway. It was the main way the villagers accessed the larger settlement with its paved roads and shops. We were experiencing what a tropical climate can do to those not accustomed to such heat and humidity and were literally wilting on the vine.

Somehow or another we had the notion we were the only ones so affected. That is until we came in sight of some local men enjoying the cooling benefits the river had to offer. They were undoubtedly aware that the Academy Award-winning film Bridge on the River Kwai had been filmed not far from there, but their present interest in the river was much more basic. It offered a brief cooling respite from their work as well as a chance to enjoy each other’s company. A picture seemed in order and one of the group noticed my telephoto lens pointed at them. He must have also noticed my grin and conveyed this to his friends for they all joined in on the happy greeting.

Victor Borge, the pianist/comedian, had it right when he said, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.” And the nice thing about that is it’s not bound by any geographical boundary, be it a faraway river, the IRS agent’s office, or your own home.

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, October 14, 2024

This picture is of the Wenatchee River above Tumwater Dam – just west of Leavenworth. I took this a couple of years ago and the overcast skies seemed to really bring out the color in the vegetation.

The river in the fall just looked really peaceful here and totally different from other stretches of the river during spring runoff.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 (NLT)

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, October 13, 2024

As we rounded the corner into a cul-de-sac on our morning walk, I stopped in sudden admiration of a bright yellow plant. “Look,” I exclaimed to my husband, “this really brightens this corner!”

And a song began playing in my head, a song from a long-ago children’s songbook, Happy Songs for Boys and Girls. I still have a copy, and enjoyed revisiting its pages last night. I remembered such favorites as, “Dare to be a Daniel,” “Roll, Roll Your Burdens Away,” and “Let Us Sing the Books of Moses.”

Without even looking at the book, I could have told you what song #100 was, and how I didn’t think it belonged in a book of “Happy Songs.” It was much too mournful. It begins like this, “Into a tent where a gypsy boy lay, dying alone at the end of the day . . . .” I had a lot of questions about this sad scenario, such as, “Why was this boy dying alone? Where were the grown-ups? What was his health problem?”

This was definitely not the song that started playing in my head when we saw the bright yellow plant; it was, instead, the sprightly song, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” * This song has three verses, but it’s the last one that plays on repeat in my mind:

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the Bright and Morning Star.
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

The yellow plant finds itself in humble surroundings, mostly weathered beauty bark and scruffy greenery. Not only that, it is directly across the street from the most beautiful front yard in the neighborhood, totally given over to a profusion of beautiful flowers, especially roses of all heights and colors.

Unconcerned by comparison, our humble plant still brightens its corner, across the street.

Many years ago I introduced the “Brighten the Corner” song during Children’s Corner at church, and we talked about ways we could brighten people’s lives. A few weeks later, a woman met me at the sanctuary door and handed me a business card.

Not any old business card – this was my business card! She had designed and printed a card just for me that gave me the title of: “Shelley Schurch, Corner-Brightener”! I laughed with delight! I still carry this card with me in my purse, as a reminder that I don’t need a long and impressive resume in order to be useful to the Lord. Just shine, Shelley, shine!

Because it’s really all about Him, isn’t it? The song invites us to “here reflect the Bright and Morning Star.” Only six verses away from the conclusion of the Bible, Jesus says:

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of Dvid, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:16-17 NKJV)

As we step out into this brand-new week, just think about the awesomeness of what we’re invited to do:

Shine reflected light,
drink deeply from life-giving water,
and repeat His invitation to everyone who is thirsty.

Shine, drink, invite. “You in your small corner, and I in mine.”

*Lyrics by Ina D. Ogdon, music by Charles Gabriel, ©1941
**Concluding line of “Jesus Bids Us Shine,” lyrics by Susan B. Warner, music by Edwin O. Excell, public domain

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Maylan Schurch
Friday and Sabbath, October 11 & 12, 2024

Just across the street from the entrance to our cul-de-sac is a house whose owners have taken sympathy on wild birds over the past few years. For as long as we remember, this hospitality has attracted a flock of pigeons, whom you see along the gutter above.

Shelley and I especially enjoy it when we see them flying in the air. A couple of days ago I was walking past this house and noticed that the pigeons, augmented by another flock from somewhere else, were swooping back and forth in the air above me. “Murmuration” is the term to describe what these birds are doing.

I paused for a moment to see if I could spot which bird was the leader, but I don’t think there was one. Somehow they decide as a group when they want to turn, and it’s almost synchronous, and only rarely do one or two individuals fail to follow. Within this consensus decision I don’t see any evidence of factionalism. On the contrary, it seems like idyllic fellowship.

Humans are a lot smarter and more complex than birds, of course, but the Bible insists that we need to work toward unity—not a lock-step, goose-step, robotic response, but a unity based on a united love of the Creator and His qualities.

Take a moment to ponder two Bible verses about God’s ideal for us, spoken by Paul and Jesus, at the link just below:

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

Photo ©2024 by Chelsea Jurgensen
Commentary ©2024 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, October 10, 2024

In this photo it appears that a narrow trail leads through a dense field of pumpkins. The trail, however, is made of pumpkins, so it would be difficult to walk it. The folks at Swans Trail Farms went all out to assemble this realistic looking scene.

When I think of walking a narrow trail, I image a safe route that will lead through some rugged terrain. If a person stays on the trail, they have an excellent chance of having a good hike.

Jesus talked about the narrow road.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Does walking a narrow path of following God’s law mean we won’t have fun? Contrary to what some may think, following a law of love is actually fun compared to the pitfalls of following the wide path. We all make mistakes, however, and we can trust Jesus to forgive us. Because of this we don’t live in fear. But it makes us want to walk and live in that zone where we can truly make loving decisions while having fun.

Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Do you agree with my title? I presume you do. Just think of what God has made for this world, and for us? The word  “incredible,” as a descriptor, is an understatement.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I love the outdoors and specifically any opportunity to get out into nature and capture images. There are times when I intentionally get my camera gear ready, pack the car, and go to a predetermined location to see what I can find. There are even more times, when I am outside and an image presents itself, where I must quickly react with my phone camera. The image you see of the young buck definitely falls into the latter category.

While out walking in our neighborhood last week, I spotted something moving behind a small tree and then it ‘escaped’ behind me, revealing itself. As you can see in the first image, the light and the lens did their magic to capture our dear friend (pardon the pun) hovering above the pavement. All four legs in the air, not touching the planet. The second image provides a better view of this guy, trying to find a more peaceful location to munch on something green and not have to deal with cars, dogs, or pesky photographers.

John 1:3 (NIV):

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

God created that deer. He created the deer to have the ability to “air walk” and provided him with the instincts to move from danger. All that God created was intentional, with a purpose. In some cases, the purpose was to make US smile. To allow us a chance to take a break from the cares of the world and marvel at the very creation, He created. What’s amazing is, the creations we view on Earth will pale in comparison to the creations we see and interact with in Heaven. That day can’t come fast enough! Thank you God!