Pine “nuts” are the seeds of the pine tree found inside the cones. Pine seeds take about two years to form (the female cones take about 2-3 years to mature and produce viable seed. They look green at first, but mature to the brown color cones we know as “Pine cones”). The name for the types of seeds that conifers, such as pine trees, form are called “Gymnosperms”. Pine tree cones contain possibly over 200 seeds per cone, depending on species. Pine tree seeds are found inside of the cones. A cone has the ability to produce two seeds under each of its cone scales.

Did you know that Whitebark pine seeds are an important food for grizzly bears? And adult female grizzlies that eat more pine seeds have more surviving cubs than females who eat fewer pine seeds.

The world is full of examples of “Fibonacci number examples, the pine’s spiral growth of branches, needles and cone scales are arranged in Fibonacci number ratios.

Scripture:
Isaiah 41:
17 “The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the LORD will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.

19 I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,

20 so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

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John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Thoughts:
Did you know the pine cone holds the promise of many new pine trees? It provides food, oil, and lumber from the many trees that manage to germinate from it. There are many types of seeds in the earth, and they come packaged in many ways. maybe you are like the pine cone seeds and you don’t look as promising as an apple, or a grape. you don’t freely burst forth with your seeds like the milkweeds or thistles, but there are promises that are inside you …perhaps taking a little more time, or maybe a little more hidden than some others. Let God bring forth the promise that is in your life, each in its kind….

“Thank you Heavenly Father, for making me to be the kind of person I am. I trust you have a purpose for my life. I will start asking for you to use my gifts in your Kingdom, to bless others through me.

I ask you to open my eyes to the many types of gifts and talents that are in myself and in those around me. Help me to see people as you see them, Help me understand you and your purposes better, Lord. I wait expectantly this Christmas for the life of Christ to grow within my heart. Thank you, Amen.”

You can cook with pine nuts
Learn about all kinds of gymnosperms