“ I want to Christ and the power of his resurrection...” — Phillipians 10:13 ( NIV)
As I looked at the computer screen saver, I saw a picture my husband had taken last year of three bald-headed, baby birds still in the nest. It brought back memories of last spring, when a mother robin built her nest on the down spout of our neighbor’s garage. Each time I looked out my kitchen window I could see the circular bundle of twigs, bark, and grass nestled on top of the elbow of gutter pipe.
It wasn’t hard to recognize because I’d seen robin’s nests before. Each time I spotted one I looked with anticipation hoping to find some eggs inside. However, I’d never had the pleasure of witnessing life inside those nests. But this one was different. It wasn’t an empty decoy. There were three tiny eggs snuggling side-by-side in the bottom, as if they were being held in the palm of God’s hand.
I took my binoculars and eagerly watched each day for signs of life to resurrect from this group of miniature eggs. Then one day, I watched with delight as a newborn bird stretched it’s skinny neck up over the top of the nest. Before I knew it, there was a threesome bobbing up and down, with their tiny beaks wide open, crying for their mother to bring them some food.
Within days, their little heads were sprouting fuzz. It seemed almost overnight that feathers emerged from their barren wings. Jeff snapped pictures, as we watched in wonder how the baby birds transformed from barren and bald, to a state of beauty. Watching them resurrect from eggs to living creatures was a breathtaking experience.
Spring is the season we celebrate the Easter holiday. It commemorates God’s display of power in Christ’s resurrection from death to new life. I think God planned it that way. Watching creation emerge all around us each spring, gives us a glimpse of the miracle of His resurrection power.
Annettee Budzban is a newspaper religion columnist, freelance writer and author. She has been published in Christian magazines such as guideposts Angels on Earth, Stewardship, Standard, and many more. Her writings have also been many popular anthologies such as a Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup,God's Way books and others. Her books when Heaven Whispers and Inspirations to Restore Your Soul can be ordered on -line in any bookstore. Her e-mail is ahrtwrites2u@aol.com
Pakistani Christian Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy
Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com | Friday, March 28, 2014
The Pakistani court found Sawan Masih guilty of blasphemy on Thursday and sentenced him to the death penalty. The Christian sanitation worker had been accused of speaking against the Prophet Muhammad in March 2013 by a Muslim friend.
According to The New York Times, the friend informed authorities that Masih had insulted Muhammad during an argument. The accusation caused an uproar in which riots swarmed the Christian neighborhood of Joseph Colony in Lahore. Residents fled the area as 170 houses were burned along with two churches.
While an execution has never been performed in Pakistan for a blasphemy charge, recently elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has voiced his public support of capital punishment.
Masih’s lawyer will be appealing the sentence to the Lahore High Court.
Masih says that he has been falsely charged so that Christians will leave the Joseph Colony area, making it available for industrial development.
“They hatched a conspiracy to push out the residents of the colony,” Masih said in a statement. “They contrived a case and got it filed by a person who was close to me. I am innocent.”
Human rights groups say that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have been used in the past by individuals with personal vendettas settle scores with another. Some accused of blasphemy are attacked and murdered by vigilantes before cases come to trial.
Pray for the persecuted Christians of the World...
Have a Blessed Sunday,
Richard
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