THANKFUL THURSDAY...whom would you sacrificially die for?

Thank you for joining me on this THANKFUL THURSDAY. Iris over at Then stings my heart is our host each week and I appreciate her so much as she leads us all into a time of expressing thanks to our Lord and Savior.

This week I want to express thanks for SACRIFICIAL LOVE. Have you ever considered whom you would lay your life down for?

* your neighbor?

* the check out girl at wal-mart?

* your dentist?

* the mailman?

* the kid next door that is on drugs?

*Jesus Christ?

IS THERE ANYONE THAT YOU WOULD

SACRIFICIALLY GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR?

I have to be honest with you - there aren't too many people that I would give my life for - outside my family.

My friend Sherry sent me a recount of a story that tells of how we take sacrificial love for granted. I thought it was priceless and very moving, as I ponder this thought of whom I would sacrificially die for...

Luke AFB is southwest of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.

A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

THE COMPLAINT:

'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base':

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.

THE RESPONSE:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom.

We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects. The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....

JESUS CHRIST

AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIER

One died for your soul,

the other for your freedom

ETERNITY IS FOREVER

IT JUST HAPPENS TO BEGIN ON EARTH.

What are you grateful for today? Please join other grateful hearts over at THANKFUL THURSDAY and offer up praise with us! FIND US HERE!

Blessings,

Laurie