Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17, 2025

I spent time identifying this specific hummingbird (hopefully I did it correctly). The reason it took a bit more time is that it’s either a female or an immature (male or female). In the bird world, many of the adult males have striking and very colorful markings. In the case of these two varieties, Anna’s and Rufous, they have similar characteristics. I inspected a few different images, researched the written descriptions, and eventually listened to each of their calls. Eureka! (I hope) I identified it — Anna’s.

In the book of Matthew (7:16-20), Jesus says, “…you will know them by their fruit.” This was/is a teaching on how best to recognize true followers from false prophets. Jesus didn’t say, “You’ll know them by their words,” or “by their church attendance,” or even “by their knowledge.” He said fruit. When we reflect on the fruit that is being referenced here, we know it’s the Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Those are action words. It’s the outward result of an inward reality.

Just like the hummingbird, appearances can be deceiving. From a distance, many birds look the same. It’s only when you get close—when you observe their behavior, their sound, their patterns—that you begin to see what’s really true. The same is true for us as Christians.

No matter what we do, people are observing us. They’re listening to our “calls,” watching our “flight patterns,” and trying to figure out what kind of bird we really are. And if we’re not staying true to what God wants us to be, we might be sending mixed signals—claiming to be one thing but living like another.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about authenticity. It’s about making sure that what we say we believe is actually reflected in how we live.

Because in the end, it’s not just about being identified correctly by others—it’s about being known by God as His own.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

2024 was a banner year for cicadas across the eastern and midwestern portions of the United States. And that’s all because of the timing. You see, cicadas can be divided into two groups: the annual cicadas which contain the vast majority of the species; and the periodical cicadas which get all the attention. That’s because those in this group remain underground in their nymphal stage until they emerge as adults after being absent for either 13 or 17 years. As it turns out, all three cycles, the annual, the 13 year, and the 17 year all converge in 2024. This occurrence takes place every 221 years (13 X 17) and the last time this happened was way back in 1803 when Thomas Jefferson was president!

No one really knows why these insects have elected to follow such a timetable, or what it is that “sets off their alarm” that it’s time to “wake up” after spending 99.8 per cent of their lifetime in absolute darkness. During their couple weeks as adults where they breed, lay and deposit their eggs, they die off and seemingly vanish from the face of the earth. Such now-you-see-’em/now-you-don’t has earned their genus the name Magicicada.

The secular world in general is quite skeptical of such things as the day=year principle for interpreting prophecy, or of prophecy, in general, for that matter. But just because one doesn’t happen to see one of these insects for 17 years doesn’t mean they aren’t around or that they won’t show up by the millions at their appointed time. I happen to be one of those who believes both in the preciseness of prophecy and the likelihood of cicadas showing up in mass in another 17 years.

Photo ©2010 and Commentary ©2025 by Chuck Davis
Monday, July 14, 2025

I call myself a “Wilderness Photographer,” and most of my photographic emphasis is on grand scale landscapes. But being in the wilderness also brings me face to face with delicate beauty. I like to think that wildflowers still display God’s original creative design and power.

Today’s photo is one of my personal favorites. I captured the image in May of 2010. I still remember my mother saying, “April showers bring May Flowers.”

Locally, bleeding hearts are prolific in the mountains during April and May. On this day, the forest floor was damp from the gentle rain and this plant was alone. My eye was drawn by the brilliant colors and the single blade of grass that framed the blooms. It reminded me of the song we sometimes sing at church, “His Banner over Me is Love.” It is fitting that the basis for the song is from King Solomon. “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love” (Song of Solomon 2:4 KJV).

Please enjoy these bleeding hearts as a symbol of God’s enduring love for us. I hope you find yourself under his banner today.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath and Sunday, July 12 and 13, 2025

A few weeks ago, on one of Shelley’s and my post-breakfast walks, I noted these two trees on a cul-de-sac corner. I’d never noticed them before, since they’re right beside a beautiful garden of several flowers we spend time gazing at.

At first I thought that this might be just one tree, which had forked out from the soil before growing together. But the more I studied their base, and looked over the tops of the yellow flowers, it seems that they are indeed separate, though of course I’d have to dig down to be sure.

But just look at them. They’re side by side, equally healthy. Neither has been overshadowed or shouldered aside by the other. Neither has sensed the need to slope sideways and go its own way. Year by year, the closest of buddies, they have grown together.

The Bible has a lot to say about the benefits of unity, and the tragedy of fractured relationships, not only among humans but also between heaven and earth.

That’s why I think you and I need to ponder the two verses you’ll find when you click the link below, and come away more firmly resolved to seek the kind of unity Heaven wants for us.

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

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, July 11, 2025

In a parking lot a couple of Sundays ago, and I don’t remember where, I caught sight of the above car’s rear window. Whoever owns or has charge of this car evidently loves all these synthetic beasts, loves them so much that when I peered into the back seat, I saw even more! (below . . . can you spot the grimace of disbelief on my reflected face?)

What’s so terrifying in the top photo is that this shoulder-to-shoulder furry phalanx, while as endearing as all-get-out, totally blocks the view of the driver trying to look in the rear-view mirror.

But this particular driver, when behind the wheel and operating the car, seems entirely oblivious to the danger. These cuddly treasures are left on view, and provoke horror in the hearts of all who’ve ever been rear-ended, as I have.

Most people, of course, are aware of the dangers of a blocked back ledge, and store their treasures elsewhere. If money is a treasure to them, they don’t stash stacks of hundred-dollar bills on that ledge, but keep them out of sight in a bank.

Whether or not it’s a hindrance to motor vehicle operation, obsessively-hoarded treasures like money can still obscure your view of what’s important, including dangers they might mask. Fortunately, the Bible provides crisp no-nonsense guidance here. Check out link just below:

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

Photo ©2025 by Amber Jurgensen
Commentary ©2025 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, July 10, 2025

We heard good things about paddle boards and decided to give it a try. Here is a picture of me on the left trying my best not to fall into the drink. My wife graciously documented my mishaps by taking pictures. The board seemed pretty wobbly as I over-corrected my balance.

Fortunately, my son-in-law was there to give advice. He suggested putting the paddle on the boat for a point of contact. He said not to lean on it too much because I could fall over that way. It was just enough to give some stability that I needed to relax and let my balance adjust.

It made me think of parallels with following Jesus. When we decide to follow Jesus, it might be a new environment. It is easy to over correct like following rules too rigidly at the expense of being kind. It can be helpful to have someone you trust for a little advice. Just like I could lean on the paddle for support, we don’t want to lean on something so hard that we topple over. Finding a balance and looking for the truth Jesus provides seems like the way to go.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Living in the Pacific Northwest, especially during the winter months, can be a challenge. A challenge when it comes to getting enough sunshine at least. Being outdoors, in sunshine, allows your skin to absorb Vitamin D3. This process is essential to maintaining good, overall health. Not only does it improve your physical health, but it also provides a boost to your mental health as well. You genuinely feel better just after a few minutes (or seconds) under the glowing star.

How is absorbing the “golden rays” any different than feeling the presence of our Creator? I would say, it’s very similar. Feeling God in our daily walk not only keeps us grounded and on the right path, but we physically feel different – in a good way. Knowing He is walking beside us allows us to have a sense of security, a sense of calmness. That warmth is real when He is with us.

You may be asking what the image of this bright beautiful flower has to do with sunshine. Well, as you can see in the image, a recent rain left the water droplets on the green petals. When I took in this scene, I saw this gorgeous red and orange tinted daisy — shining as brightly as it could. The reflection in the droplets also tells me that the sun was hiding behind clouds. Regardless of the lack of direct sunlight, it still allowed me to have a peaceful moment, a chance to breathe and reflect on goodness. At that moment, it didn’t matter what the weather was up to, because there was still “sunshine” radiating from this creation.

Whether you live in a part of the world where the sun likes to hide behind clouds, or a location where you hardly ever see clouds, the feeling can be the same when you have a daily walk with God. He is the ONLY sunshine you will need. That said, He also gives us the physical warmth of His created Sun as well. Thank you, God, for both!