Blessed

As you and I celebrate the Fourth never let us forget that the freedom we share is not free. Men like Michael Monsoor gave their lives so you and I can live in freedom.

"On 29 September (2006), Michael A Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. Around midday, the exterior of the building was struck by a single rocket propelled grenade (RPG), but no injuries to any of the overwatch personnel were sustained. The overwatch couldn't tell where the RPG came from and didn't return fire."

"A couple of hours later, an insurgency fighter closed on the overwatch position and threw a fragment grenade into the overwatch position which hit Monsoor in the chest before falling in front of him. Monsoor yelled, "Grenade!" and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. Monsoor's body shielded the others from the brunt of the fragmentation blast and two other SEALs were only wounded by the remaining blast."

"One of the key aspects of this incident was the way the overwatch position was structured. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. Monsoor and the two injured were evacuated to the combat outpost battalion aid station where Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes after the incident from injuries sustained by the grenade blast."

Also due to Monsoor's selfless actions, the fourth man of the SEAL squad who was 10-15 feet from the blast was unhurt. A 28-year-old Lieutenant, who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day, said the following in crediting Monsoor with saving his life: "He never took his eye off the grenade – his only movement was down toward it. He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him." As I think about men like Michael Monsoor my mind goes back to a place called Calvary where Jesus Christ died on a cruel cross so you and I might have eternal life. This Sunday, being the Fourth of July why don't you just go to Church with a grateful heart and thank Him for all he has done for you. David said it well

Psalms 103:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psalms 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: We are blessed to live in a free country and we are blessed: Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

We are blessed for we have light

Psalms 118:27
God
is the LORD, which hath shewed us light:

We are happy because we have the Lord,

Psalms 144:15
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Have a blessed Fourth and I'll see you Tuesday.