Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, September 28, 2025

This is probably the most mundane photo I’ve shared in my years of contributing once a week to our church’s Daily Photo Parables! Please don’t spend any time scrutinizing this photo, trying to find my reason for choosing to post it. I’ll tell you. It will be much easier that way!

On a beautiful summer day (just before it turned to autumn), we were driving through the Skagit Valley and stopped at the seasonal country market, Snow Goose Produce. Before I purchased peaches, nectarines, and plums, I turned to snap a photo of the pumpkin field across the road. I think the sky was so blue, and the day so delightful, that I had to quickly document it. (The store was closing in five minutes.)

When I scrolled through my photos yesterday, I discovered something unexpected in the bottom righthand corner – I didn’t know I was in the picture.

And yes, that reminds me of Jesus.

My earliest Bible stories had texture to them — flannel. Each week I watched as my Sabbath School teacher moved flannel people and animals and buildings and trees and fire and water and all manner of objects around on a big flannel board, telling the story as she provided this action. I could always tell which person was Jesus; He wore burgundy fabric draped around His long white gown. And looked friendly.

I just now remembered that the very first Bible story I witnessed had a different, grittier texture to it – sand. I think this story made a lasting impression on me because Mrs. Zumwalt, our teacher, had rigged up a small pulley system with which to reenact the scene of Jesus ascending up to heaven, from our classroom sandbox. I was very young and I was amazed.

I graduated from sandboxes and flannel boards to Bible story books with colorful illustrations; Jesus still dressed in burgundy and white.

My real graduation happened many years later when I had an epiphany. The online Merriam-Webster Dictionary has several definitions for epiphany; the one that fits my experience is, “an illuminating discovery, realization.”

During two decades and more of Bible stories, I didn’t know I was in the picture.

My epiphany came when I read about Jesus agonizing in Gethsemane, sweating blood and crying out to His Father to, “if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 NKJV)

It was there that He made His final decision to choose the cross. I was in the picture; so were you. So that we could choose eternal life, He chose death, risking eternal separation from His Father.

I always enjoy nativity scenes, whether they’re in books, on front lawns in December, or on mantelpieces. They come in such varieties nowadays. (I must admit I squinted my eyes and furrowed my brow a bit when I saw a nativity set in which all of the figures, even the Babe in the manger, were snowmen.)

No matter a nativity set’s style, it usually groups together Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men, and perhaps an angel or two, to portray the Son of God humbling Himself to become Son of Man. I didn’t know that I belong in this picture, too.

Paul assures us that Christ Jesus . . .
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6, 7 NIV)

“Made himself nothing” is a rather stark way of describing the Incarnation!

At the cradle, at the cross, we are in the picture. That’s gospel.

It reminds me of a gospel song with a cheerful melody which fits its good news. J. Edwin McConnell (known as “Smilin’ Ed McConnell”) wrote the lyrics, and James B. Coats composed the music. It was published in 1910 and used widely in tent revivals and camp meetings. The first verse and chorus sing like this:

I am happy today and the sun shines bright,
The clouds have been rolled away;
For the Savior said, whosoever will
May come with Him to stay.

Chorus:
“Whosoever,” surely meaneth me,
Surely meaneth me, O surely meaneth me;
“Whosoever,” surely meaneth me,
“Whosoever,” meaneth me.

We know which Bible verse McConnell is harkening back to:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Yes, “whosoever” surely meaneth me, and surely meaneth you, too! We’re in the picture because we’re in the heart of God.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, September 27, 2025

This past Thursday I paid a quick visit to a medical clinic for a checkup. This clinic has recently moved here from another location, and the building is very nice and new. As I sat in the waiting area, however, I discovered that something important is missing.

As you can see, a robust fire extinguisher peaks out through the window in the door on the wall. Any flame in the vicinity would scarcely stand a chance against this protection.

But do you see the white square above? It’s labeled “Emergency Exit Plan.” But there is nothing there – no map, no printed guidance. Evidently this data is still being prepared.

That got me to thinking: as our battle-scarred planet tumbles toward eternity, we need an exit plan. Sure, we can protect ourselves from lesser danger with defensive methods, but what if we need to just leave – and leave safely?

That’s where God’s Emergency Exit Plan comes in. But we have to know about it, and get ready. Click the link below to find out how:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/second-coming-jesus-christ

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, September 26, 2025

A week ago I decided to bite the bullet and finally upgrade my electronics’ haphazard charging station which refreshes both Shelley’s and my cell phones, my watch, and anything else which gives us “Low Batt” warnings. My current system was a tangle of confusing cords, some of which didn’t always stay connected.

A quick trip to Staples produced the unit you see in the photo. It’s attached to a thick cord with a three-prong plug big enough to just barely fit the wall socket, and as soon as I plugged it in and turned it on, two encouraging green lights began to glow: “Grounded” and “Protected.”

Those two lights make me feel very safe for what I’ll be plugging into this surge protector. And the Bible gives us details about our spiritual grounding (foundation), and the protection God provides. Check out these links!

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

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

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday and Thursday, September 24 and 25, 2025

On a recent intercontinental flight, I glanced out the window and captured the above image. I wish I would have glanced at the in-flight data to tell you precisely where I was when I pushed the button, but I didn’t. My best estimate is Northeast Canada.

Regardless of exact location, the sight brought back memories of a song “Above All,” by Michael W. Smith. The song, as you may recall, starts with these lines:

“Above all powers, Above all kings – Above all nature and all created things . . . .”

Peering out the window, at approximately 35,000 feet, you feel like you are, truly, above all. Then you pause, and remember we serve the most powerful God of all. He is the only King. He created nature, and all living things. That’s Above All.

While that is an incredibly humbling list of items, to be above, that’s not God’s motive. No, instead, our God puts us at the center of His purpose. Need proof? How about this:

John 3:16 & 17 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one 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.”

Just think. Our God is the King of kings, the Creator of ALL living things and is the most powerful of all. He gave His Son. For us. Let that sink in for a bit.

He is above all and chooses us. What an incredible thought. We serve and love an awesome God!

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Truth be told, life is often a mixture of reality and myth and the dividing line between the two is frequently difficult to determine. Such is the case of the Purple Swamphen, a large rail which is often found near swamps and marshes. First of all, let’s start with some truths.

It has been recently split into six separate species including the one shown here, the Australian Swamphen. Even though its flight is clumsy, it can fly long distances and undoubtedly spread from Australia to New Guinea and New Zealand in this way as well as other islands of the South-West Pacific.

However, its recent introduction into the swamps of Florida was undoubtedly human assisted. There it is considered a pest and 3,000 have been removed from the wild since biologists are trying to eradicate it. It is also considered a good swimmer, especially since it is without webbed feet. According to Pliny the Elder, the Romans kept these birds as adornments to their large villas and houses. There they were thought of as noble birds and thus escaped being eaten, one of the few birds that the Romans did not consume.

Now for the part they play in legends. In Polynesian culture the color red was highly esteemed but unlike other birds which derived their status from their plumage, the swamphen was prized from the color of its face, beak, and legs. Just like the ancient Romans, some Samoan chiefs kept them as pets. There, some believed it to be the incarnation of Vave, a mischievous and aggressive demon. Māori mythology also includes the swamphen in its traditions. There, it is known as Pukeko. In the story “How the Kiwi Lost Her Wings”, several birds of the forest were asked to save the forest from destruction by the bugs, to come down from the trees and consume these destroyers. All but the kiwi gave excuses, but in a selfless act the kiwi complied and was willing to give up its colors and the ability to fly. The excuse offered by the Pukeko was that it was too damp down there and he didn’t want to risk getting his feet wet. As a result, his punishment was to be forced to live in the swamp forever.

While these traditions may be entertaining, Scripture assures us of a better way, a way based upon reality. Paul encourages the young pastor, Timothy, in this way: “Put an end to their myths and fables, and their idea of being saved by finding favor with an endless chain of angels leading up to God—wild ideas that stir up questions and arguments instead of helping people accept God’s plan of faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3 TLB) In the same way the Apostle Peter assures us our faith in Christ is secure: “For we have not been telling you fairy tales when we explained to you the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. My own eyes have seen his splendor and his glory.” (2 Peter 1:16 TLB)

Reality and myth: we can make a distinction.

Photo ©2012 and Commentary ©2025 by Chuck Davis
Sunday, September 21, 2025

This week, our parable highlights a Washington State native plant. Azurite Lake offers a welcome campsite and stunning views to the few who are willing to cross never-ending talus fields and then bushwhack up steep mountain slopes.

On this trip the Cascade Azalea (Rhododendron Albiflorum) greeted me. These beautiful blossoms were on the edge of our camp and were displayed as if in a vase.

The absolute best of what God wants for us only comes with effort. A brother of Jesus put it this way: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NIV).

Persevering to Azurite Lake gave me flowers. Striving under trials and temptations in love of our Savior will bless us with a crown.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, September 21, 2025

I was parched. I was so thirsty. I was almost through shopping on a very warm day in a rather small store that I knew well. It was fully stocked with groceries, but what I craved before going to the check-out line was a bottle of water.

Shelves of beverages beckoned me – all manner of energy drinks and juices and kombucha and fancy flavors. I stubbornly searched the aisles for just plain ol’ water. Finally I saw, stacked near the front of the store, what you see in my photo – a big 2.5 liter jug of water.

This was more than I was searching for, but it had no additives and the price was right — $2.99. I hefted it into my shopping cart and rolled over to the check-out line.

And there was another selling point: how could I turn down the offer of something labeled Eternal?

That question reminded me of a middle-grade book I read many years ago. Maybe you’ve read it, or have seen one of the two feature films based upon it. I haven’t watched either movie, wary that they might not stay true enough to the story. I’ll never forget the story.

The book is Tuck Everlasting, written by prize-winning author Natalie Babbitt. Winnie, an unhappy ten-year old girl, meets Jesse, a seventeen-year old boy who’s drinking from a spring in the woods behind her house. She is whisked away by his family, who tell her that because they all unsuspectingly drank from this spring 87 years ago, they are now immortal. In a less elegant word, they are stuck. They have unhappily remained the ages they were when they first sipped the spring water, and have no expectation of ever aging or growing into more than they are.

Dilemmas abound. Will Winnie choose to drink the water? Will she protect Mr. and Mrs. Tuck and their two sons? How will they all deal with a villain who emerges from the shadows, who schemes to turn the spring into a money-making bonanza for himself? Would living forever on this earth be a blessing or a curse? The book asks the reader, If you could choose to live forever, would you?

Suddenly the chorus of a long-ago song comes to mind:

“Anybody here wanna live forever, say “I do,”
Anybody here wanna walk on golden streets, say ‘I do.’
Anybody here sick and tired of livin’ like you do,
Anybody here want a home with love forever, say ‘I do.’” *

The song shifts the forever-living from this weary, sin-plagued planet to the golden streets of heaven, so the question dramatically changes. And my answer changes! Yes to living forever with my loving God in heaven! That’s my kind of Eternal! Or, I should say, that’s His kind of Eternal.

But what about those who would answer the question with No? No, I do not want to live forever with God in heaven? Does that mean that they live forever, eternally tormented in the fires of hell?

I’m so glad to say that I don’t think so. I believe the Bible teaches us that, in the end, sin and sinners will be no more. Fire will cleanse this earth, and the result of that cleansing will be eternal.

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch . . . You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,” says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:1,3 NKJV)

This is only one verse in a fascinating study of Bible passages that speak about the purpose and nature of hell. See Hell for more verses.

Turning from fire back to water, let’s join Jesus and the Samaritan woman who encounters Him at a well, where He asks her the favor of a drink of water. Amazed that a Jewish man would speak to a Samaritan woman, she enters into a life-giving conversation with Him, which includes this eye-opening, heart-opening promise:

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13,14 NIV)

As you walk through this brand-new week, be sure to drink enough water – the kind you find at the store, and from your faucets, and especially from Jesus!

* “Say, ‘I Do’” by Ray Hildebrand