Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Sabbath, January 11, 2025

On the last day of 2024, as Shelley and I were returning home from a morning walk, I noticed what you see above (I’ve shown both the front and the back sides). It’s about four inches long, and I found it on the sidewalk of a corner house leading into our cul-de-sac. It looks as though it’s made of a cork-like wood, but there was nothing nearby which it appeared to have broken off from. I don’t even know if it’s a word at all, but it certainly doesn’t seem to be something from nature.

The reason I photographed it front-and-back is that I do not know what it is, and thought that a reverse view may have given a clue, but it doesn’t seem to. If you can identify what it says, you’re welcome to email me at maylanschurch@gmail.com with your solution.

But right now, for me at least, this is a mystery word (and maybe not even a word). It’s confusing to me because I don’t have the whole story.

As 2025 creeps inexorably under our feet, we’ll probably experience real confusion a number of times. And while the Bible isn’t going to tell me what my four-inch corklike inscription might mean, it’s a dependable de-coding manual when it comes to how to live our lives. Check out the verses at the link below:

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

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, January 10, 2025

More and more businesses, like the medical clinic where I saw the above scene on Thursday, have decided to help patrons easily recycle parts of their products which otherwise might end up in a landfill.

However, for years, the recycling options were limited to just the three boxy containers in the photo above. I don’t know about you, but I am not conversant enough with recycling to know – for example – where exactly a sandwich wrapper would go. Or the wrapper of a candy bar or some potato chips. Or what about Styrofoam? Often, I’ve noticed that the confused consumer simply guesses.

But Thursday I noticed that, for the first time, a “catch-all” or “miscellaneous” option has been added – in the form of the humble trash basket on the right. (More and more businesses are simply calling the fourth bin “Trash.” Now discarding is easier!

If the recycling label-deciders had spent a bit more thoughtful time, maybe by doing a study of the trash people actually throw away, they might have added that fourth category here. At any rate, a little more applied wisdom might have moved the project more toward total inclusivity.

As we barge ahead into 2025, wisdom is certainly what we need. And at its root, real wisdom comes from the One who created us. Check out the Bible advice at the link just below:

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

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, January 9, 2025

A loud crackling buzzing sound emanated from inside our well house while I was working near it. I opened the door and found that a hanging barn lamp that also operates as a heater for the water tank in freezing weather, was smoking. This light also comes on whenever the main light is turned on where I was working. I quickly turned off the light switch and examined the lamp. The innards were charred black.

The lamp appears to be from the 1950’s, and it seemed like that was the end of the road for this lamp. A toothbrush with soap didn’t seem to do anything to clean it up. A wire brush turned out to be just what was needed.

In the picture the difference can be seen between a charred piece and a piece that has been brushed. The lamp is now back together with clean parts and updated wiring. The lamp is now mounted with a strong metal pipe holding it up instead of an old string. The second picture is included to show the final lamp. Hopefully it will last another 75 years. I’m planning to give it regular inspections to make sure it is working properly.

Seeing the difference between the old and new parts made me think about how sin can char our lives. However, we have hope because God’s forgiveness gives renewal. After close inspection it appears the wire brush left grooves and there are still tiny bits of carbon that are embedded. While on this Earth we can’t avoid scars left from the problems we experience. But we can have functional and loving lives through Jesus.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, January 8, 2025

It’s a new year and I am sure you’ve heard (a few times) about resolutions and how to improve yourself in 2025. This particular verse gives us great insight about the best resolution possible.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Does it get any better than that? It’s literally one action from us – trust in the Lord. When we do that, He shows us the correct answer, path, direction, etc. Given the environment we live in, there are a thousand things attempting to distract us from this action of trust. However, we also ask for the reminder. When we think of all the “new plans” or goals for this year, if we put this at the top of the list, the rest will fall into place. Thank you God!

The photo image may not directly be a reflection of trusting in God, but it’s a beautiful reminder of what He’s capable of doing. If He can create a gorgeous plumeria tree, with sweet smelling blossoms like this, we should trust Him that He’s capable of doing anything for us.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, January 7, 2025

They seem joined together at the hip, inseparable in their expression of worth. In fact, the terms “gold and silver” are used together 171 times in the NIV to comment on value placed, either rightly or wrongly, upon something considered to be of merit. Solomon uses the combination to elevate the importance he places upon understanding: “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16 NIV)

And for that reason, this brightly-colored neotropic tanager seems inadequately named, for it is simply known as the Silver-throated Tanager. Silver-throated it may be, but what about its brilliant golden plumage? Does it not deserve our equal admiration? Found dangling from limbs in mossy forests from Costa Rica to Ecuador, this jewel deserves proper recognition.

But then again, we humans do have a penchant for underappreciating that which is of true worth. We punch the clock and put in our time, we act as responsible citizens when the King of Heaven reminds us, “’The silver is mine and the gold is mine’, declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:8 NIV) This in no way demeans the value of our efforts; it simply is a reminder of what is primary and what falls far behind as secondary.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, January 6, 2025

This is a view of Mission Creek in Kelowna, British Columbia. It runs for 47 miles and provides 25% of the water in Okanagan Lake.

In the spring, during the thaw, it is more like a raging river. In the summer, people float on parts of it. In the fall, there is a spawning kokanee (land-locked sockeye salmon) run. We saw a couple of struggling fish which were at the end of their life cycles.

When I went, early one autumn, there were a lot of signs of fall. The weather was cooler, the color of the leaves on trees and shrubs was turning or had turned and some trees had already lost all of their leaves. Even ferns had turned yellow. The fish run was almost over. There were signs about looking out for bears. The water in the creek was about the lowest I have ever seen it. There seemed to be fewer varieties of birds. (I’m sure some had already flown south,)

Take a good look at God’s wonders—
they’ll take your breath away.
Psalm 66:5 (The Message)

Photo And Commentary (c)2025 by Shelley Schurch
January 5, 2025

I sputtered. And then I muttered. Just look at this mug, semi-quoting a Bible verse. Leaving the Lord’s name out of it! Because I easily remembered the text (and the song). It goes like this:

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

There. That’s what the mug should say! I was filled with righteous indignation. Well, maybe just indignation. When I looked again at the mug I thought several things:

1. It’s actually an attractive mug.
2. It means no harm.
3. It’s designed to attract a buyer who wants to celebrate a special day.
4. I should calm down.

I still like the original verse, though. As we edge into this brand-new year, I think it makes a wonderful verse for me to recite each morning. Maybe it would help me not to sputter and mutter so much!

In fact, I appreciate all of Psalm 118, especially its bookends. It begins and ends with the same verse:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
(Psalm 118, verse 1 and verse 29)

As we glance over our shoulders at 2024, and cautiously look ahead at 2025, I’ve decided I want to fix my focus most of all on what will endure forever. God’s goodness and mercy top that list.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
(Psalm 23:6)

Happy, Healthy, Hopeful New Year to You and Yours!