Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, September 22, 2026

There are details a scientist might observe while holding a bird in his hand that the casual observer might totally overlook in the field.  The Northern Rough-winged Swallow provides a perfect example of this.  For most of us, it is just one of those rather indistinctly colored swallows that flit over the open water in seemingly effortless flight.  Even John James Audubon fell into this same trap when he collected what he believed were Bank Swallows which share many of the same characteristics.  But upon examining them more closely he discovered that he had collected representatives of a new species. Later observations added more information which have helped us differentiate between the two, but at the time, one thing stood out in his mind – their wings.

Running his hands over the collected specimens he discovered the leading edge of the wings felt rough, like drawing one’s hand over a rough file.  Upon closer examination he recognized that these outer primary feathers lacked terminal barbules, those little hooks that help feathers stay connected.  Obviously, their flight was not adversely affected. But neither he, nor others since, have been able to figure out the purpose of this anomaly.  This so impressed him, he awarded the scientific species name, serripenni, (meaning “saw feather”) to his discovery.

Paul seems to echo the idea that it’s not always those things which are most obvious that are the most important.  Notice his comment on this found in Romans 2:6-7:  “There is no doubt at all that he will ‘render to every man according to his works’, and that means eternal life to those who, in patiently doing good, aim at the unseen (but real) glory and honour of the eternal world.”  (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Bev Riter
Sunday and Monday, September 20 and 21, 2026

Earlier this month when in the Canadian Rockies, I was thrilled to walk on the glass-bottomed Columbia Icefields Glacier Skywalk.  Perched 1,000 feet above the Sunwapta Valley below, the 1,312-foot-long walkway is an experience that some of us thoroughly enjoyed.  Others, however, were afraid, did not trust in the structure and wouldn’t walk on it even though the nearby sign stated the following about its strength and engineering: the foundation was drilled horizontally 52 feet into the cliff, it is attached to the foundation with 34 large anchors using 6,000 A490 structural bolts and it can support 1,300,727 pounds.  Those of us who walked on it had faith in the engineering design and building of the structure as well as trust that it would not fall if we walked on it. And it didn’t fall when I was out on it!

I’m reminded of the many texts in the Bible about having faith in God and trusting Him.  We all have challenges and are sometimes concerned or anxious about things in our lives.  Faith in Him can help lead us through hard times.  Trusting in Him can lead to peace, joy and an abundance of blessings. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  Psalm 56:3

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, September 19, 2026

What you’re looking at in the photo above is a small trail leading from our neighborhood streets to a larger, brighter trail next to Lake Youngs Reservoir. The other day, toward evening, as Shelley and I were threading our way through it, I noticed bright sunlight gleaming through the fence on the right, and that some of the thin sunbeams were actually shining on the path itself.

As I walked along, I thought, Isn’t this something like the Sabbath? On the other side of the fence it’s sunny, but not so much on our side. But the Lord gives us a weekly Sabbath, to brighten us with the incredible glow of its promises, so that we can be rested and refreshed, and reminded of how we’ll celebrate every Sabbath with Him in heaven.

 When’s the last time you reviewed just how important Day Seven is to the Creator? The link below will help.

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

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, September 18, 2026

The reason this photo isn’t sharply focused is that it’s a telephoto one taken from my smartphone in our neighborhood earlier this month. What drew my attention to this scene was that I heard in the distance a sharp smacking sound, which I recognized as a roof-tile stapler.

But what was so intriguing was its rhythm. Usually roofers work up some sort of routine with the stapler, the most familiar (to me) being smack-smack-smack (pause), then smack-smack.

However, the rhythm I heard this day was smack-smack-smack-SMACK-smack (pause) smack-SMACK. The old phrase “Shave and a haircut—two bits” might make it more familiar to you. Back in the 30s and 40s it was a common ending to a song, especially the light-hearted ones.

I grinned reminiscently. I too was a young laborer in my late teens, not as a roofer (terrified of heights) but as a milk-carton-filler and parts-washer in our town’s dairy. The work was steady and paid well, but it was boring. Which means that I and my fellow-workers once in awhile tried to liven things up a bit, while keeping a sharp eye out for the boss, who would likely give us a mild reprimand that he wasn’t paying us to be performers!

Work is important. You might remember that in Genesis 3, God told Adam that because sin had entered the perfect planet, work would get a lot more difficult. But work is good, because it keeps us humble, and reminds us that the benefits we have don’t come cheap. Jesus, as you probably know, was a carpenter. And can you imagine a more boring job than planing a plank, with no power tools except His biceps?

The Bible makes a number of thoughtful comments about work. Click the link below to check them out and measure yourself against them.

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

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, September 17, 2026

If you can’t be out on the ocean, getting up close to a projected ocean is the next best thing. My granddaughter was having fun with the big screen, so I grabbed this picture. Her exuberance made me think about grand things in nature and how worthy God is to be praised.

This verse from Revelation seems to fit the picture.

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13

The program being shown was focused on learning about big fish in the sea and how they need to be protected. It will be wonderful when God returns and his creatures including humans can live in peace. God is praiseworthy!

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15 and 16, 2026

As the early Christian church grew in the first century it came in contact with a wide diversity of people not generally encountered in Judea.  This presented new challenges on how to deal with issues which had not previously arisen and Paul spent much of his time addressing how to deal with this diversity.  Obviously, it’s still a challenge we haven’t completely resolved.

Nature is replete with variety, and this extends even into the oriole family.  When we think of the nests of orioles, the long, hanging pouch comes to mind.  And this is also true of the Hooded Oriole’s nest, but it includes more specific demands upon the setting for its home.  This oriole can be found across the southern part of states reaching from California to Texas.  As more ornamental plants have been introduced and more hummingbird feeders erected, the bird’s range has extended northward along the coast. It seems to be especially fond of palms in which to build its nest.  When the female constructs the nest in these leaves she pokes holes in them; then working from the underside, she pushes fiber through, sewing the nest together.  This takes her three to four days to complete.  No one really knows why they prefer palms, but they do.  It’s just part of what makes them unique.

This distinctiveness may actually work to benefit the species.  And in the same way, those unique qualities which we bring to the body of Christ may be used to enrich the church.  Paul never suggests unity is to be brought about by conformity.  Instead, he offers an approach that fits all, in all situations:  “Always be humble and gentle.  Patiently put up with each other and love each other.  Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united.  Do this by living at peace.”  (Ephesians 4:2-3 CEV)

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday and Monday, September 13 and 14, 2026

“SorryforallthebadthingsI’vedoneuntoyou.”

That’s how they said it, as if it were all one word. And they said it fast.

I’ve always enjoyed this story my husband tells from his childhood days. He’s the oldest of four siblings, with a span of seven years from youngest to oldest, two boys and two girls.

During their younger years they developed a nightly practice, which their parents had nothing to do with. As they climbed the stairs to their bedrooms they would say to each other, “I’m sorry for all the bad things I’ve done unto you.” Only they rattled it off rapidly.

(I especially enjoy the inclusion of the word “unto.” I think it elevates the apology, giving it a King James touch.)

And speaking of touch, it touches my heart that these four children decided that, on their way to bed each night, they should make a clean sweep of their day with mutual apologies. Some might criticize this rapid-fire apology as lacking specifics, but I think their young hearts were in the right place, and they had plenty of time for maturity to teach them more about apologies and confessions and repentance. Meanwhile, I’m happy to cut them some slack.

However, I’m not as generous when it comes to Jesus’ disciples. I am not prone to cut them slack when I read Bible passages that show them, more than once, arguing amongst themselves about who would be the greatest, who would shine brightest and best in the coming kingdom. Even within hours of Jesus’ arrest and trials, we hear this:

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24 NKJV) (See their facial expressions in my photo above, courtesy of my husband’s sketching talent!)

With amazing patience, Jesus responded to their grumbling and grouching over their positions in His kingdom:

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. (Luke 22:25-26)

And then, seeing that His words were not enough, Jesus shows them what He means.

The story unfolds in John 13, with these tender words:

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1)

He loved them so much that He needed them to understand that one of the keys to His kingdom was humble, heartfelt service to others.

They had gathered to celebrate the Passover with its special meal, but apparently the customary servant was missing. Who would wash their feet? Certainly not the disciples, still simmering in their unhappiness with each other.

And so, John tells us in his eyewitness account, Jesus took off his cloak, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and knelt down to wash and dry the feet of twelve men, twelve friends, twelve people He loved “to the end.”

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15)

How would you feel if you’d been one of the twelve, and Jesus had washed your feet, fully knowing you’d been fussing and fuming about something you shouldn’t have even been thinking about? How did they respond?

I like to think their hearts were softened, and their attitudes shifted. I like to think that they apologized to Jesus and to each other. I don’t know that.

What I do know is that before the terrors of the night were over, one of them had betrayed Him, one had denied Him, and all of them had abandoned Him after His arrest.

And yet, when He defeated death and rose triumphant from the grave, eleven of them turned back to Him, and He welcomed them with arms wide open in forgiveness. He must have been so eager to return to His Father, and the peace and joy of heaven, but He lingered on this earth for forty days, doing all He could to equip His disciples for their mission of preaching the gospel and inviting Jews and Gentiles into His kingdom.

They still had a lot to learn about that kingdom, but they were getting a good grip on God’s grace, and forgiveness.  I, too, have a lot to learn, and I thank the Lord for each new day to discover more about His character and His kingdom.

Lord, please teach us how we can best shine for You here and now, as we look forward to There and Then.