8 Sep, 2011
It's for the Birds
Plant has evolved a specialist bird perch
By Jennifer CarpenterScience reporter, BBC News, Tuebingen, Germany
New research sheds light on the world's most specialized bird perch.
The researchers suspect that the vertical, branchless stem of a South African plant - locally called the Rat's Tail - has evolved to encourage pollinating birds to visit its flowers.
The birds hang upside down from this perch and fertilize the plant when they thrust their beaks into the red flowers to drink nectar.
For more on this story visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14788701
Matthew 13:31:32
"31He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
What does God's Story scripture teach us about
When I first read today's news story I instantly thought of this passage in Matthew. We don't often think of a flower as being strong enough to hold much weight and so the picture that is painted for us by Jesus is superb. This little picture of the mustard seed becoming like a tree is in the middle of series of parables Jesus uses to teach people about the Kingdom of Heaven. He wants people to realize that God's Kingdom will start with a small movement that will grow into something much larger, something that will change the fabric of the world.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Make a list of some small gifts that you have recieved that turned out to make a big difference in your life. (Example: When I was a kid I was given a small camera. I enjoyed taking pictures so much, by the time I reached high school I was recieving awards for some of my photographs.)
- Look up some stories elsewhere in scripture where something small had a major impact. (Example: The stone David used to slay Goliath.)
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide you to see and cherish the small things in your life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
Today's news story gives some open doors to talk with your peers about our dynamic and creative God. Here are a couple of suggestions...
- The development of the branch on this flower shows a God that is infinitely inventive in His creaton.
- This news story has similarities with today's scripture. A plant becomes a resting place for the birds.
- You could ask your friend to tell you about a time when something small became a "big" positive in their life?
- What opportunities do you see in today's story?
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