Daily Photo Parable

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, March 12, 2025

I presume you have heard of the phrase, “Can’t see the forest for the trees.” The thought being, you are so focused on something directly in front of you, that you can’t see the wider view or, “bigger picture.” Bringing that concept to life, I would point out all the distractions we face daily. These distractions don’t allow us to see what we should be really focused on.

Don’t get me wrong, I know how challenging this can be. We are absolutely bombarded with information and stimulation, from screens of all sizes, various forms of media, and an endless stream of notifications, making it very difficult to find moments of peace and focus. The word “focus” may seem to be counterproductive if we should be looking at the wide view. However, “focus” doesn’t necessarily mean you have blinders on. In fact, you can focus on the big picture – by pushing out the other parts that are distracting.

Ironically, I find the best physical place to find that moment of calm and that opportunity to see the “forest” is right here (see image) in the forest. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, God’s nature (whatever that looks like in your part of the world) allows us to be that much closer to Him. We see the tree that’s right in front of us, as well as the surrounding grove. We hear His voice, giving us permission to push the distractions aside and focus on His love.

To take a page out of David’s playbook seems like the right way to go:

Psalms 16:8

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

By fixing our gaze on the Lord and keeping Him at our side, we can find stability and security. Our faith becomes unshakable when we focus on God.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Some nicknames seem to just naturally fit the wearer, like kid gloves, or slippers for that matter. It’s easy for us to see why the title “Golden Slippers” was given to the Snowy Egret. This small member of the heron family is equally at home in freshwater and marine environments; anywhere it can spend its day fishing. It employs a variety of techniques to capture its prey, from the sit-and-wait approach to actively chasing its prey with wings spread. It’s also been known to shuffle those golden slippers in the shallows to scare fish from their hiding places.

Their beautiful diaphanous feathers are shown at their best during breeding season when courtship rituals are in full swing. This beauty also led to their destruction when they were killed for these plumes which were in demand for hats in the women’s millinery trade. In 1886, these feathers were selling for $32 an ounce, which was twice the going rate for gold.

However, an even more pricy purchase was made long ago for you and me. The chorus of the old negro spiritual, while not relating to the egret, still brings to mind the promise of that gift, something better, something beautiful, something shared by all who make it there:

Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear
Because they look so neat

Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear
To walk the golden street.

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, March 10, 2025

I was driving up Highway 97 in Central Washington sometime back, when I saw these white flowers blooming on the side of the road. I was able to find a pullout so I could get a closer look.

They are white stemmed evening primroses and are quite beautiful. They were growing in sand in a burned-over ponderosa forest area.

It’s amazing what evidence of a Creator we can see in the designs around us.

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.
Romans 1:18-20 (The Message)

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Maylan Schurch
Friday and Sabbath, March 7 and 8, 2025

Tuesday of this week Shelley and I dropped by a favorite bookstore (which combines new and used volumes), and as usual I walked over to the reference section.

There I saw this lineup of books, exactly as you see them, in this order. As I studied them, I reached for my smartphone to snap a photo. These are various ways people look at the Bible, I thought. But which is right?

Some people see the Bible as a treasury of quotable quotes – moral aphorisms to live by. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Love your enemies.”

Others read Scripture as a repository of extraordinary facts. God created us? God became human? God died and rose again – and can perform this same miracle for others?

Still others consider the Bible as filled with useless information, to be discarded if modern science thinks it should be.

But the wisest (and humblest) of Bible students have discovered that in the deepest and most eternal sense, the Word of God is “real world research.” Science and philosophy go only so deep – but Scripture goes even deeper:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For more of what this awesomely masterful volume has to say about itself, click the link just below:

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

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, March 6, 2025

Sometimes when things seem to be closing in around us, it is a good time to reevaluate the situation and do what we can. On this particular day we wanted to go for a walk, but the rain was pouring, and the wind had picked up. It was tempting to stay indoors and hide from the weather.

With a little determination, we found some umbrellas and headed out.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12

It turned out the umbrellas did a great job protecting us from the weather and we had a nice walk.

To read more about the armor of God, follow this link.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206&version=NIV

Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, March 5, 2025

There are several things I love, and two of them are pictured in this image. Any guesses? (I’ll pretend I heard someone speak up) Correct! One is my fur buddy – Taima, and the second is – nature. Nature is referred to as God’s second book. Dogs are referred to as people’s best friends. Put them together and you’ve got a perfect pair.

Dogs are incredibly loyal to their human caretakers. This loyalty might come from the protection and food we provide, but companionship plays a big role too. In the wild, canines live in packs, much like humans have families. This pack mentality offers the protection and companionship they need. Domesticated dogs are no different; they enjoy the company of other dogs and their human families as well.

Just as our furry friends long to be with their masters, we humans long to be with our Creator. Like the dogs in our lives, we share traits of loyalty, love, and faithfulness toward our one true Savior. As God’s creations, we have a way to fulfill that longing through our daily walk with Him. If Taima had his way, we’d go on daily walks (if not more). By applying that same desire and gratitude, my daily walk with God becomes much more precious.

Wherever you live, try to find time for those special moments to walk with God in His second book. If you have a dog to join you, even better.