BACTERIA THE SIZE OF A WHALE?
Genesis 1:20
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
The abundance and variety of living things that God made continues to amaze scientists. All of us learned in school that bacteria are too small to see without a microscope. That's why, when scientists studied a newly discovered type of bacteria that is visible to the naked eye, they couldn't believe it was bacteria! More study convinced them that the sulfur pearl of Namibia is indeed the largest known bacteria.
The sulfur pearl of Namibia was discovered in deep-sea sediments in 1997. It is part of a strange family of bacteria that generates energy for life by oxidizing sulfur. Such bacteria had been found earlier in sediments found off the South American coast, but they are nowhere near the size of the sulfur pearl. Not only does the sulfur pearl need no light to live, but also it is an excellent reflector of light, which makes it easy to see. The sulfur pearl is so large that smaller bacteria colonize its outer sheath. To give some idea, if the average bacteria were the size of a mouse, the sulfur pearl would be the size of a great blue whale, the largest animal on earth! It is, in fact, about as big as a pinhead.
Despite its great size, it has no more cytoplasm than the average bacteria. About 98 percent of the bacterium's interior is taken up by a fluid filled sack in which the bacterium stores nitrates which it uses to metabolize sulfur. This allows it to go for months without finding new nitrates. God has generously - and creatively - provided for all His creatures, even this bacterium.
Dear Father, we thank You for the variety and creativity with which You have provided for all Your creatures. Amen.
S. Milius, "Digging bait worms reduces birds' food," Science News, April 17, 1999, v. 155, p. 246. Photo: Stained microphotograph of Thiomargarita namibiensis bacteria (Sulfur pearl of Namibia).
Genesis 1:20
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
The abundance and variety of living things that God made continues to amaze scientists. All of us learned in school that bacteria are too small to see without a microscope. That's why, when scientists studied a newly discovered type of bacteria that is visible to the naked eye, they couldn't believe it was bacteria! More study convinced them that the sulfur pearl of Namibia is indeed the largest known bacteria.
The sulfur pearl of Namibia was discovered in deep-sea sediments in 1997. It is part of a strange family of bacteria that generates energy for life by oxidizing sulfur. Such bacteria had been found earlier in sediments found off the South American coast, but they are nowhere near the size of the sulfur pearl. Not only does the sulfur pearl need no light to live, but also it is an excellent reflector of light, which makes it easy to see. The sulfur pearl is so large that smaller bacteria colonize its outer sheath. To give some idea, if the average bacteria were the size of a mouse, the sulfur pearl would be the size of a great blue whale, the largest animal on earth! It is, in fact, about as big as a pinhead.
Despite its great size, it has no more cytoplasm than the average bacteria. About 98 percent of the bacterium's interior is taken up by a fluid filled sack in which the bacterium stores nitrates which it uses to metabolize sulfur. This allows it to go for months without finding new nitrates. God has generously - and creatively - provided for all His creatures, even this bacterium.
Dear Father, we thank You for the variety and creativity with which You have provided for all Your creatures. Amen.
S. Milius, "Digging bait worms reduces birds' food," Science News, April 17, 1999, v. 155, p. 246. Photo: Stained microphotograph of Thiomargarita namibiensis bacteria (Sulfur pearl of Namibia).
LIZARD LANGUAGE
Acts 2:6
"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
Since God is the Author of all language, we shouldn't be surprised to find many and varied forms of communication among the creatures He made.
The recent discovery that even lowly lizards communicate with one another has offered several surprises for those who believe we evolved. In analyzing over 1,500 displays by sagebrush lizards, researchers say that there is no question that they are communicating with one another. Lizard communication is complex body language that follows recognizable rules of grammar. It is made up of three parts, which include head bobbing, "push ups," and leg motion. Mixing and matching one or more of these actions results in over six thousand possibilities!
But what do lizards say to one another? Repeated observations have convinced researchers that they can interpret what the lizards are saying to each other. Much of the communication is used to woo a mate. Lizards will also brag to other lizards when they find a particularly good rock. But a lizard may also warn away another lizard who might want to share his rock.
Not only is such complex communication among lowly lizards not expected by evolution, but also researchers noted that the pattern of communication over separated populations does not follow expected evolutionary patterns. Yes, even the lowly lizard glorifies its Creator!
We thank You, dear Father, for the gift of language. We especially thank You for Your trustworthy Word. Amen.
Susan Milius, "When Lizards Do Push-Ups," Science News, v. 155, February 27, 1999, p. 142. Photo: Belly of a male Southern sagebrush lizard. Courtesy of Steve Jurvetson. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Acts 2:6
"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
Since God is the Author of all language, we shouldn't be surprised to find many and varied forms of communication among the creatures He made.
The recent discovery that even lowly lizards communicate with one another has offered several surprises for those who believe we evolved. In analyzing over 1,500 displays by sagebrush lizards, researchers say that there is no question that they are communicating with one another. Lizard communication is complex body language that follows recognizable rules of grammar. It is made up of three parts, which include head bobbing, "push ups," and leg motion. Mixing and matching one or more of these actions results in over six thousand possibilities!
But what do lizards say to one another? Repeated observations have convinced researchers that they can interpret what the lizards are saying to each other. Much of the communication is used to woo a mate. Lizards will also brag to other lizards when they find a particularly good rock. But a lizard may also warn away another lizard who might want to share his rock.
Not only is such complex communication among lowly lizards not expected by evolution, but also researchers noted that the pattern of communication over separated populations does not follow expected evolutionary patterns. Yes, even the lowly lizard glorifies its Creator!
We thank You, dear Father, for the gift of language. We especially thank You for Your trustworthy Word. Amen.
Susan Milius, "When Lizards Do Push-Ups," Science News, v. 155, February 27, 1999, p. 142. Photo: Belly of a male Southern sagebrush lizard. Courtesy of Steve Jurvetson. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
DID KING DAVID GO TO THE MALL?
1 Kings 20:34
"And Benhadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away."
Did King David go to the mall? Malls or shopping areas are hugely popular today. Archaeologists are now asking whether shopping malls originated in the 11th century BC.
Archaeologists have long speculated on the purpose of the buildings they call tripartite pillared buildings. These were long, rectangular buildings that were divided into thirds by two interior rows of pillars. Thirty five of these buildings have been found at 12 sites. Some thought they were storehouses. Others suggested they were stables.
Their size and the thickness of the walls made it clear to archaeologists that these were not private homes. Nor has a used household bowl ever been found in one. But many new, unused vessels - including lamps which have no soot - have been found in them. In addition, evidence of high windows has been found at one site. Based on this and other evidence, one archaeologist has suggested that these buildings were, in fact, marketplaces such as those described in 1 Kings 20:34. They originated in the land that Ben Hadad ruled.
David could have gone to the mall, for the Philistines had them. But King Ahab appears to have been active in getting malls built in Judah! Perhaps those people three thousand years ago were not so different from us today.
Dear Father, we thank You that we share the same humanity as all since Adam, rather than having descended from apes. Amen.
Moshe Kochavi, "Divided Structures Divide Scholars," Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 1999, p. 44. Illustration: King Ahab from Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum.
1 Kings 20:34
"And Benhadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away."
Did King David go to the mall? Malls or shopping areas are hugely popular today. Archaeologists are now asking whether shopping malls originated in the 11th century BC.
Archaeologists have long speculated on the purpose of the buildings they call tripartite pillared buildings. These were long, rectangular buildings that were divided into thirds by two interior rows of pillars. Thirty five of these buildings have been found at 12 sites. Some thought they were storehouses. Others suggested they were stables.
Their size and the thickness of the walls made it clear to archaeologists that these were not private homes. Nor has a used household bowl ever been found in one. But many new, unused vessels - including lamps which have no soot - have been found in them. In addition, evidence of high windows has been found at one site. Based on this and other evidence, one archaeologist has suggested that these buildings were, in fact, marketplaces such as those described in 1 Kings 20:34. They originated in the land that Ben Hadad ruled.
David could have gone to the mall, for the Philistines had them. But King Ahab appears to have been active in getting malls built in Judah! Perhaps those people three thousand years ago were not so different from us today.
Dear Father, we thank You that we share the same humanity as all since Adam, rather than having descended from apes. Amen.
Moshe Kochavi, "Divided Structures Divide Scholars," Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 1999, p. 44. Illustration: King Ahab from Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE FATHERS?
Luke 1:17
"He And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
How important are fathers to their children? First of all, the role of father was given to us by God. But over the last several decades, some have tried to redefine or redesign the family in a way that makes fathers unimportant or unnecessary. Numerous studies have shown what happens when we do this.
Between 1960 and 1990 the percentage of children living apart from their fathers doubled to 36 percent. Studies show that it is much worse for a child to lose their father through divorce than through death. Fatherlessness has been shown to be a contributing factor to early sexual activity. Teen suicides, shown to increase in fatherless families, have tripled since 1960.
Scholastic Assessment test scores have dropped 75 points since 1960; the drop is linked to the lack of fathers at home. Teenage boys raised without a father are more likely to get in trouble with the law. Children without their fathers are much more likely to suffer child abuse, according to several studies. One 26 year-long study found that the most important childhood factor in developing empathy is a father's involvement in the family.
Yet another study has found that 90 percent of the children who go to church with mom and dad will remain active in church through their teens. If neither parent comes with them, only 40 percent remain faithful. If only dad comes with them, 80 percent remain faithful. We must admit that we cannot improve on God's design for the family.
Father, thank You for fathers, and give us more faithful fathers. Amen.
David Popenoe, "Life Without Father," Reader's Digest, February 1997, p. 65; Lutheran Witness, June 1995, v. 147, p. 7. Photo: Father cuddling his newborn daughter. Courtesy of Kiefer Wolfowitz. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.
Luke 1:17
"He And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
How important are fathers to their children? First of all, the role of father was given to us by God. But over the last several decades, some have tried to redefine or redesign the family in a way that makes fathers unimportant or unnecessary. Numerous studies have shown what happens when we do this.
Between 1960 and 1990 the percentage of children living apart from their fathers doubled to 36 percent. Studies show that it is much worse for a child to lose their father through divorce than through death. Fatherlessness has been shown to be a contributing factor to early sexual activity. Teen suicides, shown to increase in fatherless families, have tripled since 1960.
Scholastic Assessment test scores have dropped 75 points since 1960; the drop is linked to the lack of fathers at home. Teenage boys raised without a father are more likely to get in trouble with the law. Children without their fathers are much more likely to suffer child abuse, according to several studies. One 26 year-long study found that the most important childhood factor in developing empathy is a father's involvement in the family.
Yet another study has found that 90 percent of the children who go to church with mom and dad will remain active in church through their teens. If neither parent comes with them, only 40 percent remain faithful. If only dad comes with them, 80 percent remain faithful. We must admit that we cannot improve on God's design for the family.
Father, thank You for fathers, and give us more faithful fathers. Amen.
David Popenoe, "Life Without Father," Reader's Digest, February 1997, p. 65; Lutheran Witness, June 1995, v. 147, p. 7. Photo: Father cuddling his newborn daughter. Courtesy of Kiefer Wolfowitz. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.
A SIMIAN SHAKESPEARE THEATRE?
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
You may never see a troop of monkeys traveling from city to city to perform Shakespeare, but some researchers now believe that monkeys do, indeed, develop culture. This unexpected discovery does not support evolution. Rather, it shows how the creation itself reflects the nature of our Creator. God's very act of creation was an application of His knowledge to impress order on the creation. But human beings are not the only creatures who likewise use knowledge to increase order and make life easier. When such knowledge and order is passed on to the next generation, you have what we call culture.
Researchers studied the scientific literature on four populations of African chimps. Their study revealed that these chimp populations do, indeed, pass knowledge on to their children. For example, one population eats soldier ants by holding a stick near the entrance to the nest. Once the stick is filled with ants, they sweep the stick clean with their lips. At another preserve, the chimps collect the ants the same way, but then sweep the stick clean with their fingers.
Researchers have even seen mother chimps teaching their children certain skills. They have seen mother chimps leave nuts and stone "hammers" near rocks that could be used as anvils to teach their children how to open nuts. One mother even did a slow motion demonstration of nut cracking for her child. No, it's not the ability to pass on information that makes us unique. It's God's special love for us in sending His Son to save us!
Dear Father, we thank You for Your love for us in making Yourself evident in the creation. Help us witness Your love, too. Amen.
B. Bower, "Chimps may put their own spin on culture," Science News, v. 154, December 12, 1998, p. 374. Photo: Courtesy of SteveHDC. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
You may never see a troop of monkeys traveling from city to city to perform Shakespeare, but some researchers now believe that monkeys do, indeed, develop culture. This unexpected discovery does not support evolution. Rather, it shows how the creation itself reflects the nature of our Creator. God's very act of creation was an application of His knowledge to impress order on the creation. But human beings are not the only creatures who likewise use knowledge to increase order and make life easier. When such knowledge and order is passed on to the next generation, you have what we call culture.
Researchers studied the scientific literature on four populations of African chimps. Their study revealed that these chimp populations do, indeed, pass knowledge on to their children. For example, one population eats soldier ants by holding a stick near the entrance to the nest. Once the stick is filled with ants, they sweep the stick clean with their lips. At another preserve, the chimps collect the ants the same way, but then sweep the stick clean with their fingers.
Researchers have even seen mother chimps teaching their children certain skills. They have seen mother chimps leave nuts and stone "hammers" near rocks that could be used as anvils to teach their children how to open nuts. One mother even did a slow motion demonstration of nut cracking for her child. No, it's not the ability to pass on information that makes us unique. It's God's special love for us in sending His Son to save us!
Dear Father, we thank You for Your love for us in making Yourself evident in the creation. Help us witness Your love, too. Amen.
B. Bower, "Chimps may put their own spin on culture," Science News, v. 154, December 12, 1998, p. 374. Photo: Courtesy of SteveHDC. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
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