Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, February 7, 2026

On a neighborhood walk a couple of weeks ago I angled off on a slightly different route, and noticed for the first time this amazing little tree. Notice how it starts out as an upright trunk, but then its branches suddenly shoot out in all directions, making you wonder whether there’s something wrong. Will this tree survive?

Well, if you’ll take a moment to follow the course of each branch, you see that eventually they veer back toward the center, and the taller and more mature branches have started growing shoots which (in spring and summer) will produce leaves and maybe flowers.

To me, this tree is a parable of how God works with willing human beings. Haven’t you ever had a time (or times) in your life where everything seemed to go off the rails for you? And haven’t you seen the Lord patiently and lovingly urging you to return to Him, so you can grow to your fullest potential?

Click the link below for several Bible verses about encouragement. And yes, they’ll encourage you – that you might be able to encourage someone else with them!

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

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, February 6, 2026

A few days back my wife Shelley told me that she’d been examining greeting cards in a store, not finding any which suited her purpose at the moment. A nearby woman, who was feeling the same frustration, finally said, “I’m going over to Ace. They have a good supply.”

Shelley, and later I, were startled to learn that our local hardware store stocked this kind of item. And this Thursday, when I told her that I was going over to Ace Hardware to buy some replacement furnace filters, she asked if I could take a photo of the greeting card display.

This is what you see, above. Actually, for Shelley’s greater convenience, I snapped this photo and then swiveled the racks and took another one, and sent them both to her.

I’ll confess that I did a bit of eyebrow-raising during that store visit. I have never once entered a hardware store with Valentine’s Day on my mind. I’m there solely for furnace filters (and in Thursday’s case a roll of electrician’s tape), or duplicate house keys or that kind of thing. These display “spinners” are located right next to the paint section (notice the “Benj” of “Benjamin Moore” peeking out from behind the sale poster?).

Home repair is often why I go to Ace. But a focus group somewhere decided that what might minister to heart repair might dislodge a few additional shekels from the male pocketbook. Or from purses of the females, once word spreads about the colorful spinners.

And of course the Designer of human hearts is supremely interested in both heart and home repair. Want to read seven Bible verses about this? Click the link below.

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/marriage-and-family

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, February 5, 2026

This Cotoneaster bush (pronounced Co-tony-aster) is loaded with berries this year. I’ve read that these are not the first choice for birds to eat, although some birds can eat them without harm if they want. It is a sort of backup food source if needed. They are not edible for people, but can be healthy for birds such as blackbirds and thrushes.

When we consider the abundance of support that God provides, we might consider how we treat God like a backup instead of a front-line support. This reminds me of these verses.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:7-10

I like how Jesus offers a full life, and anything else is robbing us of that. Let’s resolve to take advantage of God’s offer as our front line.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 

A couple weeks back, I was strolling through our neighborhood when I noticed the frost on these fallen leaves. In both images, you can see how the ice crystals formed along the ridges and veins. The outer edges have a little more frost than the inner parts. It almost looks like someone hand‑painted them or dipped them into an ice bath and let them freeze.

Details. Just by looking at these photos, you can pick out all the intricate little details.

And the God we serve is interested in those very details. He cares about every detail. Think about that for a moment – the Creator of our tiny planet, which sits inside our solar system, which is part of an entire galaxy, which is only one small piece of the whole universe – is interested in the details of an icy leaf. How does that even begin to make sense?

Let’s read from the book of Luke, chapter 12, verses 6 & 7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Maybe this helps answer the question. In this passage, we see that God is aware of sparrows being sold – and it’s called out that He cares for us so much more than these small birds. In fact,  He knows the exact number of hairs on our heads. That’s ‘detail’. And on top of knowing those details, He cares for us. Us. You and me. The ones living on this tiny planet that seems so small compared to the universe He created.

So, does God pay attention to the details? He absolutely does. And He cares about each one. What an incredibly loving Father we have. Thank you, God, for knowing each of us and choosing to care for each of us.

Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

We’ve all seen hummingbirds that looked black until the instant they turned and suddenly they became a ball of glorious color. And of course we understand that is all because of the nature of their specialized feathers which reflect the light. This is because the melanosomes responsible for this in hummingbirds are pancake-shaped and filled with air bubbles, creating a more complex set of surfaces that bounce light off of it producing the iridescence we enjoy. There are however, a handful of hummers that truly are largely black. Among those is the Black-bellied Hummingbird, found only in Costa Rica and Panama.

Its name is appropriate really only for the male since the female’s belly is light gray instead of the black found in the male. Also notice the white outer tail feathers and the rufous patch on the shoulder of the wings that is apparent when folded. The white “frosting” on the forehead adds a subtle finishing touch to this understated hummingbird.

Contrast this with the superlatives the author of Hebrews 1:3 uses in an effort to describe the all-encompassing brilliance of Christ. “The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God’s Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father’s] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. (Amplified Bible)

This seems to be in direct contrast to the way He chose to present Himself when He walked among men on earth. Perhaps He chose to do this so we wouldn’t be so overcome with His godliness that we wouldn’t be able to appreciate His humanity. Still, won’t it be wonderful to see Him revealed in all of His glory?

Photo ©2008 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, February 2, 2026 

Waterfalls demonstrate the power of water. Today’s photo also captures the beauty that often accompanies the sudden change in a river’s water level. Dougan Falls is one of many waterfalls on the Washougal River in southern Washington.

Biblical writers have used the power and beauty of waterfalls to symbolize God’s Power, his overwhelming love, and His spiritual depth.

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24 ESV).

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me (Psalm 42:7 ESV).

To capture the smooth silky view of the Dougan Falls, this photo required longer than normal exposure. In a similar fashion, if we want to experience the fullness of God’s love, His power, depth, and righteousness, it will require deep and constant exposure to His will. We can find that in His Word and in His Holy Spirit. I hope that you allow his character to wash over you today.

Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, February 1, 2026

I was told by people who were there that as a young child I never sucked my thumb or used a pacifier. This was not due to any strong will power on my part, but to the fact that I could not breathe well through my nose. I remember being described by what I thought was an unlovely term as a “mouth breather.” All this was remedied with nasal surgery at age 18, and it seemed much too late at that point to take up the habit.

So I have no first-hand knowledge of pacifiers, such as the one in the photo above, which we found on the sidewalk which borders our neighborhood park. But I have seen them calm many a fussy child, and have heard parents and pediatricians discuss the pros and cons of their use.

And yes, this pacifier makes me think of Jesus.

The variety of dictionaries I consulted offered a handful of definitions for the word “pacify” – soothe, appease, subdue, calm, bring peace to a place. It’s traced back to the Latin word meaning “to make peace.”

Isn’t that just like Jesus?

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

And yet . . . there’s also this jolting verse, words clearly spoken by Jesus Himself:

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

What??? Jesus, Prince of Peace, Peace-giver, Lord of Peace . . . what’s going on here?!!

I think that’s the key – let’s see what is going on here; let’s check the context.

When I read the whole chapter, I find that it begins with Jesus calling His twelve disciples to Him and preparing them for their first mission trip. First He gives them power, then He describes their assignment, then gives them encouragement and warnings. And that’s where His disturbing “no peace” statement comes in.

At least this used to disturb me. But hearing His words now in context, I don’t see Jesus contradicting Who He is, or what He came to do. I believe He’s preparing His disciples for the reality that His gospel message is not always going to be received as good news. Not everyone is attracted to His kingdom, preferring their kingdom of self. In that sense, He comes not to pacify, but to polarize.

He’s describing what will happen, not by His choice, but by His listeners’ choices. He is still the Giver of Peace to all who will accept it, to all who will choose His kingdom.

When we do accept His gift and choose His kingdom, He invites us to suit up in His armor. The apostle Paul describes our opponents, and then our armor and weapons, including the gospel of peace:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Time to suit up for a new day and a new month – God’s peace be with you and yours!