Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, September 30, 2025

It would probably surprise no one that many things on this earth are a mixture of both good and bad; good in one setting and bad in another. We can use the Cane Toad to illustrate this. Also known as the Marine Toad and the Giant Toad, this amphibian is the largest toad in the world with some females reaching nearly 10 inches in length. Native to South and mainland Central America, its range extends northward to the southernmost part of Texas. Problems arise however, in areas where the toad has been introduced. In some of those areas their population density is 98-99% greater than what is found in their native state.

These toads have been introduced into many areas in the Pacific and Caribbean as a means of biological control of agricultural pests such as beetles that devastate the sugarcane plantations. In some instances this seems to have worked successfully, while in others it did not. The downside is that this invasive species can wreak havoc upon native animals. The reason for this is that the skin of the adult is toxic. In addition, the parotoid glands behind the eyes produce a poison known as bufotoxin which can even be deadly to humans who have eaten it. Dogs are especially vulnerable since they are prone to licking or biting the toads. Even the eggs and tadpoles contain this toxin.

The Cane Toad isn’t inherently bad, but there is no doubt that it can do serious damage when in the wrong place or used inappropriately. James speaks of our tongue in the same way. “We use the tongue to bless our Father, God, and we use the same tongue to curse our fellow-men, who are all created in God’s likeness. Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth—surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen!” (James 3:9-10 J.B. Phillips New Testament) Like so many other things in our lives, the tongue is neither good nor evil. The way we use these instruments determines their value.

Photo ©2007 and Commentary ©2025 by Chuck Davis
Monday, September 29, 2025

Just saying the word floods us with memories. For a lot of us, our memories of “home” are rooted in childhood. For me, that is Stevenson, a small town in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Today’s photo was captured from a turnout on Washington State Highway 14 at Cape Horn.

I hope you enjoy this scene comprised of a river, mountains, fields, trees, and white puffy clouds under a blue sky. For me, I am looking home. I can see Beacon Rock hiding in the background. In my mind’s eye, I see the Bonneville Dam and the Bridge of the Gods. Home for each of us is different, but the memories we have remain vivid.

Consider the memories that Jesus must have had. As He thought of home, did He envision Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth? Based on his words, I suspect His home was none of those places. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said, “Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3 KJV).

I am looking forward to the time when this picture will no longer stir my memories. I look for a home that has been prepared by Him. I hope to call you neighbor.

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.