Thursday, August 14, 2008

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

17 comments:

agapesmansion said...

Wow, this is something to think about! Who would I give my life for? I'll definately have to think about this. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Thankful Thrusday!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully powerful post! Thank YOU for sharing ~Chrissy

Addicted to Beadz said...

Laurie,

That is a great post! So much to ponder! Thanks for sharing!

Cheryl

God Chaser said...

Powerful! Who would I sacrifice my life for. Really something to thank about. thanks for sharing.
A great story to remind us it is not about us.

Nancie said...

Hi Laurie,

This is such a beautiful thankful post and wonderful tribute to the soldiers! Thanks for sharing this moving story with us. Thank God for our Lord Jesus Christ Who One died to redeem our souls and the faithful soldiers who laid down their lives for our freedom. Thanks for sharing your thankful heart with us.

I am thankful to God that I can meet you and many others through Thankful Thursday. Your post is encouraging. I am in the midst of listing out blogging friends that I like to share 2 awards with. I have included your blog as well. I like to share these Sharing The Love Award and Friendship Award with you. Do come over and receive them when you have time. You can save the images and upload them to your side bars or posts. And feel free to pass them to your blogging buddies. Take care and God bless you and family always!

With appreciation and prayers,
Nancie

Denise said...

Such a thought provoking post, bless you.

Anonymous said...

What a great post. Thanks for sharing. Alot to think about.

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Love the letter response. People just don't understand what is going on and become so selfish in their own little lives. Great post. I'm glad I got to read that.
Blessings,
Kim

Erica said...

Awesome. We so often take both forgranted. Thanks for the reminder.

Marsha said...

Thank you for this thought provoking post on sacrifice. "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." Phil. 1:21

Have a blessed weekend.

Laurie Ann said...

Very powerful post, Laurie. Lots to think about here.

Peculiar said...

Laurie,

I've read the story you quoted here before, at someone else's blog, and it still touches my heart. You presented a good question, who would we lay down our lives for? We'd like to think that we could easily answer this question, perhaps by saying whomever God pleases or causes us to lay it down for, but the truth is, if we had to lay it down, we'd want to choose, and it wouldn't be for that many people. We're selfish by nature and need to ask God to give us the complete love for all others that He had. He laid down His life for many. I'm so thankful that He did, and that He chose me.

I enjoyed reading your post today. It really causes us to stop and think...and pray.

Michele Williams said...

Wonderful powerful post! Amen!!! I am humbled and eternally grateful to both Christ and this young brave soldier!! Thank you so much for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

that made me think about how far i would go for my family and for others. thank you for sharing. God bless.

Laura said...

First I couldn't believe what I was reading from the writer to the newspaper; then after I read the Lt. Col response I wanted to applaud him. It's so sad to know people like that are out there...and great to know someone spoke up, and did it so respectively.
Hope you are well.
Love, Laura

Cheri said...

Girl, you never cease to amaze me!

Laura said...

I will most certainly pray for you, and for Jeremy and his new bride. I am wondering, do I have your email address? I can't remember...but I would like to have it! Please send me a comment and I won't post it. Sorry if I have it...I think I'm losing my mind sometimes...
Also, I wasn't sure if I should post your last comment so I didn't. Let me know if you would like me to so people can pray!
Love, Laura