Who do you follow, your employer or God?

Oklahoma Police Captain Faces Disciplinary Action for Refusing to Attend Islamic Event. Http://tinyurl.com/4tvjq3k High school biology teachers refuse to teach evolution. Http://tinyurl.com/6z6fz4d Teachers call for right to boycott sex education. Http://tinyurl.com/4xzna7v FYE Fires Employees Who Refuse To Mislead Customers About Subscriptions And Other Ripoffs Hanover Maine http://tinyurl.com/3l4fnqy Truck Driver who Refused to Violate DOT Regulations http://tinyurl.com/3odr2db The above is just a few stories of people who have been told that they have to go against God's word or be disciplined. How about you? If you were told by your employer (weather you word for the government or private company) to go against God's word, would you follow your employer or would you follow God? Be sure your feet are under your seat. I have a feeling that I will be stepping on peoples toes. On February 23rd I heard a story on the radio about a Tulsa, Oklahoma Police officer who refused to attend an Islamic Event. At first, police officers were told it was voluntary that officers attend the event but very few officers signed up for the event. The department then made the event mandatory and this one officer still refused to attend. I was cheering him on. Attending would go against his Christian faith and so he risked his career to follow God. I then thought of the number of people I know or have talked to that told me that they do what they know is wrong but their boss makes them. When I ask, "why" they say that they can't afford to get fired. This is very sad and very dangerous. We all sin. No denying that. The reason we sin is because we are greedy and selfish. We all have hate. But how about when we sin because we choose to keep our job? I find that this is a very dangerous decision. I have blogged that we must obey our employers and work as if we are working for God. That is until our employer goes against God's word just as we are to obey the law of the land until that law goes against God's word. If you are sinning because you are afraid that you will be unemployed you are saying that you do not believe God will provide for you if you follow Him. You have more faith in your boss then you have in God. If you don't have faith that God will provide for your needs and you are willing to go against God's word to protect your employment, what are you going to do when things get worse? How about if someone threatens your life unless you deny God? How about if someone threatens your life unless you sin against God? If you are not willing to put a job at risk to follow God then how will you be willing to risk your life. How about the days that we know will come? In Revelation we read that there will be a beast and he will put his mark on people. Everyone who refuses to have the mark of the beast will not be able to sell, buy or trade. Have you ever given this any thought? If you are around for this, you will have to make a very tough decision. If you choose to obey God, the government of this world will not allow you to sell, buy, or trade. How are you going to eat? Where are you going to live? What are you going to wear? Do you have faith that God will provide for you? Do you? Really? What we face now with our employer is nothing compared to what will come in the future and since we do not know when those days will come, it is possible that you will be around. But, even if you are will not be around. What do you think God feels about you having no faith that He will provide for you for doing what is right? Does God like that you have more faith in your boss to provide for your needs then Him? And what if Government does make laws that go against God's word (as we see it is already trying to do)? If you are not willing to stand up to your boss at the risk of loosing your job, how are you going to stand up to government at the risk of going to jail? So, what are some of the things an employer can tell you to do that goes against God? Some of the common ones I see is: Cheating log books (truck drivers), speeding (travel), forbidding you from praying, lying, stealing, using your looks in a sexual way to get customers to buy something, teaching things that go against the Bible, and much much more. I pray that this blog will at least get you to think of the choices you make next time your employer tells you to go against God's word. And when you have decided in your mind what choice you are about do, ask, "Am I putting my faith in God or man." Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat http://theoklahomatomcat.blogspot.com/

My dad's jacket

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior.  How is everyone doing?  I pray that this blog finds you all in good health and spirits.  Everything is going good out here.  I have been having mechanical problems with this truck ever since I picked it up in Dallas, TX.  Still having problems with it but I am hoping that it will keep going until my next home time in which then I will take it to the Freightliner dealer in Oklahoma City.  I am just tired of being down for several days when I should be running.  The family is doing good back at home.  Abigail is now in 1st grade and doing very good.  She has found out what the red pen is.  Paula has started grading her papers.  She tries so hard to get high grades and one time she was so saddened when she got a 93.    The year was 1990 and I was in 12th grade.  My friend, Anthony, was in trouble and asked if he could barrow some money.  He had gotten another speeding ticket.  So, I we drove to the Jeffersonville bank and I lent him the money.  A few month latter he was unable to pay me back so he gave me his leather jacket.  I liked the jacket.  It was a heavy leather jacket that had leather strips hanging across the back and sleeves.  I wore the leather jacket when I visited my father and he liked it.  I asked him to try it on and the sleeves were short but he didn't care.  He liked it. So, I gave him the jacket.  After I joined the navy I picked my dad up a patch of an eagle with lightning bolts in the background.  My dad liked eagles which I do too.  When I came home and visited him I gave him the patch so that he can put it on his jacket.  Yesterday, I was blessed to be able to visit family in NY.  I picked up a loaded trailer in Springfield, OH and will be delivering it in Wilton, NY.  The load has lots of time on it and I was not allowed to deliver it early.  So, I asked my dispatcher if I could go out of route and stop in White Sulpher Springs to visit family.  He told me I could.  This was the first time I got to see them since my father died.  During my visit, Val (my father's wife), asked me if I wanted his jacket.  I had a feeling she was talking about his leather jacket.  It felt weird because I had given it to him and I have never took something back that I have given someone.  It also was neat that he still had that jacket and wore it a lot after all these years and now I would have something that I gave him and he cherished.  She went into the bedroom to get it and I already felt tears coming.  My sister, Judy, what sitting next to me.  Neither Judy or Val new that this was the jacket that I gave dad.  Val brought the jacket out and sure enough, it was the jacket I gave him when I was in 12th grade.  I turned the jacket around and looked at the back and there was the eagle.  I could tell that he wore the jacket a lot.  The jacket was in real good shape.  I could tell that he took very good care of it.  But it has that well worn look to it. Val asked me if it fit me.  I put the jacket on and told Val and Judy about the day I gave dad the jacket and the patch and they were amazed.  Val now understood why the sleeves never fit and yet he always wore the jacket even though he would be teased about it.   It is amazing how God works.  How he will put things into motion to cherish great memories of those loved ones we loose and reminds us how much those people loved us.   It is those memories that bring us great joy.  I still remember the huge smile on dad's face when he put that jacket on for the first time and I told him it was his.  I remember every detail of that day.  Where he lived, where we were sitting, everything.  I am so glad that I gave him the jacket and the patch.  It means a lot to me that he put that patch on the back of the jacket and to hear that he wore that jacket a lot.  And I am so blessed that Val (not knowing that I gave him that jacket) had asked me to have it.  Thank you Val and thank you God.   Take care and God Bless Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat   http://theoklahomatomcat.blogspot.com/

Walnuts Are Drugs, Says FDA

From the New American   Seen any walnuts in your medicine cabinet lately? According to the Food and Drug Administration, that is precisely where you should find them. Because Diamond Foods made truthful claims about the health benefits of consuming walnuts that The FDA didn't approve, it sent the company a letter declaring, "Your walnut Products are drugs" — and "new drugs" at that — and, therefore, "they may not Legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug Application." The agency even threatened Diamond with "seizure" if it failed to Comply. Diamond's transgression was to make "financial investments to educate the public And supply them with walnuts," as William Faloon of Life Extension magazine put It. On its website and packaging, the company stated that the omega-3 fatty Acids found in walnuts have been shown to have certain health benefits, Including reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. These claims, Faloon notes, are well supported by scientific research: "Life Extension has Published 57 articles that describe the health benefits of walnuts"; and "The US National Library of Medicine database contains no fewer than 35 peer-reviewed Published papers supporting a claim that ingesting walnuts improves vascular Health and may reduce heart attack risk." This evidence was apparently not good enough for the FDA, which told Diamond That its walnuts were "misbranded" because the "product bears health claims that Are not authorized by the FDA." The FDA's letter continues: "We have determined that your walnut products are Promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are Intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease." Furthermore, the products are also "misbranded" because they "are offered for Conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals Who are not medical practitioners; therefore, adequate directions for use cannot Be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended Purposes." Who knew you had to have directions to eat walnuts? "The FDA's language," Faloon writes, "resembles that of an out-of-control police State where tyranny [reigns] over rationality." He adds: This kind of bureaucratic tyranny sends a strong signal to the food industry not To innovate in a way that informs the public about foods that protect against Disease. While consumers increasingly reach for healthier dietary choices, the Federal government wants to deny food companies the ability to convey findings From scientific studies about their products. Walnuts aren't the only food whose health benefits the FDA has tried to Suppress. Producers of pomegranate juice and green tea, among others, have felt The bureaucrats' wrath whenever they have suggested that their products are good For people. Meanwhile, Faloon points out, foods that have little to no redeeming value are Advertised endlessly, often with dubious health claims attached. For example, Frito-Lay is permitted to make all kinds of claims about its fat-laden, fried Products, including that Lay's potato chips are "heart healthy." Faloon Concludes that "the FDA obviously does not want the public to discover that they Can reduce their risk of age-related disease by consuming healthy foods. They Prefer consumers only learn about mass-marketed garbage foods that shorten life Span by increasing degenerative disease risk." Faloon thinks he knows why this is the case. First, by stifling competition from Makers of more healthful alternatives, junk food manufacturers, who he says "heavily lobb[y]" the federal government for favorable treatment, will rake in Ever greater profits. Second, by making it less likely that Americans will Consume healthful foods, big pharmaceutical companies and medical device Manufacturers stand to gain by selling more "expensive cardiac drugs, stents, And coronary bypass procedures" to those made ill by their diets. But people are starting to fight back against the FDA's tactics. "The makers of Pomegranate juice, for example, have sued the FTC for censoring their First Amendment right to communicate scientific information to the public," Faloon Reports. Congress is also getting into the act with a bill, the Free Speech About Science Act (H.R. 1364), that, Faloon writes, "protects basic free speech Rights, ends censorship of science, and enables the natural health products Community to share peer-reviewed scientific findings with the public." Of course, if the Constitution were being followed as intended, none of this Would be necessary. The FDA would not exist; but if it did, as a creation of Congress it would have no power to censor any speech whatsoever. If companies Are making false claims about their products, the market will quickly punish Them for it, and genuine fraud can be handled through the courts. In the absence Of a government agency supposedly guaranteeing the safety of their food and Drugs and the truthfulness of producers' claims, consumers would become more Discerning, as indeed they already are becoming despite the FDA's attempts to prevent the dissemination of scientific research. Besides, as Faloon observed, "If anyone still thinks that federal agencies like the FDA protect the public, this proclamation that healthy foods are illegal drugs exposes the government's sordid charade."

What we should do for those who are emotionally hurt.

When Job's three friends, Epliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.  When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.  Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.  (Job 2:11 - 13)   Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  How is everyone doing?  I pray that everyone finds this blog in good health and spirits.  Things are going pretty good out here even though I have not been doing very good on miles and my pay hasn't been very good. The truck I was given when I returned from my trip to New York has been in the shop a lot.  In fact, my truck is in the shop now.  Has been since Friday and our truck is in the shop til Monday afternoon.  I am hoping to get everything on this truck fixed before I go home at the end of this month so that when I go back on the road everything will be working good and I can run normal again.   I have just picked up a new student last week.  He is from Cuba and teaching him is interesting.  He knows English but has trouble with some words.  We sometimes have trouble with communication.  He has a nice attitude and really wants to learn so I will do my best to teach him.  He keeps telling me that Americans are crazy.   When someone has physical needs or runs into problems such as loosing a job, loosing their home or physical possessions in a natural disaster, I see lots of people running to help that person with their physical needs.  But how about their emotional needs?  Are we not to help people when they are having emotional problems too?    God created us to be social beings.  I don't care if someone says they prefer to be alone, God didn't create us to be that way.  Throughout the Bible, even from the beginning, God says that it isn't healthy for us to be alone and God also says and even demonstrates the blessings we have through each other.  When God wants to bless someone or help out  someone He uses people to do it.  This isn't only for physical needs but emotional needs also.  I know that it is hard to be around people who are feeling sad, depressed, or lonely.  But it is God's will that we be there for others when they have emotional problems and it is also God's will that we accept help when we have emotional problems.  And lets face it, we all have felt down and we all will feel down in the future.    So, why does God want us to comfort one another?  After all, God says that He comforts us, doesn't He?  In fact, Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our comforter.  But, God also said that we must comfort others as God comforts us (2 Cor 1:4).  Think how hard it is to be with and comfort people who are down emotionally.  It is easy to fix physical problems but to just be with someone who is emotionally down is very hard.  It takes a lot from us and without God, we don't do good at it.  This takes lots of Love.  More then us as humans have.  But God does have that kind of love and gives it to us.  By us showing God's love when someone is down, we show God to others.  Truth is, God uses you to show His love to the world.  You are the hands and feet of God.  The cool thing is that by being His hands and feet, you don't have to do anything.  Just let God work through you.    What do you do when someone is feeling emotional pain or is just lonely?  Most of the time people will avoid being around someone who is emotionally down because we feel like we can't do anything.  What do you say?  What do you do?  It is hard thing because everyone reacts to emotional pain differently.  The mind is very complex and everyones mind is different.  But you know, most of the time all that is needed is just for us to be with them and listen.  Maybe a hug, a cup of coffee, a card game, or just sitting and being quiet.  Most of the time when someone is down, they already know what they must do.  They just need another human to be with them.   By being there, we show that we care and will be by their side.  That is love.  That is the love God has for us and the love we should show others.  By us showing God's love, others will see that we are God's children and will also see God.   So, the next time you see someone hurting.  Pray for them, but also take the time to comfort them.  It can be a phone call, an e-mail, a hand written letter, and if possible ... Visit them.  I am going to make a challenge to myself and ask that you all do the same.  Every time you see that someone is hurting (whether it be on a social network group, church bulletin, Internet group, through a friend, or you see them in person) take the time to make contact with them.  This doesn't mean you have to fly out to their house.  But IM them, give them a phone call, e-mail them or write them a letter.  If you do live close then it is better to see them in person.  But ask them how are they feeling and let them open up to you.  Remember, God may be using you to be his hands and feet.  You may be the one God uses to bring someone closer to Him.  You may be the one God uses to help prevent a brother or sister from falling away.  Most of all ... You will be showing love to a neighbor.   Well, I must be going.  Take care and God Bless.   Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat

Casey Anthony found not guilty. A Christian view

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  How is everyone doing?  I am doing OK.  I just found out last night that my father passed away from cancer.  We all knew it was just a matter of time but it is still a shock when a loved one passes away.  He did pretty good though.  I thank God that my wife and children got to see him before he passed away and that he was feeling good while we were there.  My wife got to see who my father is and where I get my attitude and craziness.  God plans things out so perfect.  Think about it, if we would have built our house when we wanted to, we would not have gotten to New York to visit my father.  When we  submit to God's Will, all works out perfect.   Something else happened yesterday also.  Casey Anthony was found not guilty to charges of killing her daughter.  Of course, after the verdict, many reacted and most attacked Casey and felt that she got away with murder.  How are we, as Christians supposed to react to this?   It is easy to see how emotions can flair in this type of news.  Actually, one of the great things in us (in particular, Americans) is how we, as a whole, value women and children.  When  something terrible happens to a woman or a child, we react with great emotion.  The sad part though is often we react with hate and even judge in a wrong way.  It is OK if we see someone do wrong to judge their actions.  God does tell us what is right and wrong and we should correct our neighbor in love.  If you don't do this, then in essence you are allowing your neighbor to harm himself or others.  Therefor, you are showing hate to your neighbor through your actions.  But when it comes to a case that you see only on TV or in the News Media, how can you even judge the persons actions?  The only information you are getting is what the news (like they always tell the whole story) tells you or reports.  Even if you watch the whole trial on TV you are subject to influences from commentators and other information from other sources.  This is why the jury isn't supposed to watch TV, read the news, or talk to others.  To tell you the truth, we have to let human government be the judge to human law and leave it at that.  Let God determine if Casey sinned against God.  We must surrender all appoints and rest assured that God is in control.  What ever happened to Casey's daughter, God allowed to happen and God can use the tragic death of this little girl to glorify Him.  God is still in control.  Do you believe that?  Rest assured that that little girl is not dead now and if anyone is to blame for her death (which we do not know) then justice will be served.  That is another thing, is justice ever served in a human government?   Another thing to keep in mind is that we must ALWAYS SHOW LOVE TO ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO.   The Bible could not be any clearer of this.  Do you remember when the man killed several Amish children in a school house?  Do you remember what the reaction was from the family of those children who died?  Brothers and Sisters, that is exactly what the Bible says we should do.  No where do you find under the new covenant that we are to seek justice or to hate those who do us wrong.  We should not speak no evil against Casey.  No foul words should come from our mouth nor any opinion of her guilt.  We should show her love and speak loving words.    Well, we are on our way to Florida and my student is driving.  I need to get some sleep so that I can drive tonight.  Y'all take care and God Bless.   Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat http://www.facebook.com/oktomcat

Murphy's World - Backed up with a load of port-o-potties

The following comes from OTR Protrucker I was dispatched to deliver 5,000 pounds of Port-o-Potties to Port Republic, MD. Dispatch provided neither phone numbers nor bills. I looked on the map, planned my trip out and got to the area. I followed the arrows and signs until one pointed to turn left. So I turned left. No sign of a town, but there were houses and cars parked on both sides. Then the road dead-ended into a lake. It was 2 a.m. And there was no place to turn around, so I backed out for two miles. I found a parking lot, pulled in and went to sleep. Four hours later, I woke up and headed off to find a phone book and a phone to call the customer. The only place I could find that had a phone and a phone book was a liquor/general store. When they asked me who I was looking for, they got on the phone and made the call themselves. I thought I would have to find the customer and sleep in their yard until they came in the next morning, but, as it turned out, they came out and escorted me to their place. Coastie Elberton, GA Dear Coastie, Port Republic, MD is a small, rural town. Fortunately, in Small Town, USA, people still help each other out, so count your blessings that you ended up where you did when things went from bad to worse. I know that flies in the face of the usual Murphy story, but work with me on this. In this day and age, the thought that you are driving around without a cell phone is scary. The thought that you found a place with a dial-up phone and a phone book is even scarier. The thought that the proprietor of the place would make the call for you is scariest of all. Finally, the thought that the customer would come out at 6 a.m. And personally escort you to the delivery location is unbelievable. Like we said earlier, thank God for small towns and good people. That leaves us with just two questions: 1. How in the world do you back down two miles of road in a big rig at 2 o'clock in the morning, and 2. Why in the world would they need 5,000 pounds of port-o-potties in Port Republic, MD? On second thought, I don't want to know. Regards, Murphy and Lucky Dog

30% of Companies Plan to Cut Healthcare as Obama Reform Starts

Moneynews.com   Three in ten employers will abandon offering health coverage to their employees when President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act takes effect in 2014according to a survey published by McKinsey Quarterly.   While only 7 percent of employees will be forced to switch to subsidized-exchange programs30 percent of companies say they will "definitely or probably" stop offering employer-sponsored coverageaccording to the study published by McKinsey Quarterly.   "At least 30 percent of employers would gain economically from dropping coverageeven if they completely compensated employees for the change through other benefit offerings or higher salaries" the study saysaccording to Market Watch.   That doesn't mean too many people are going to quit due to health coverage issuesthe study adds.   "Contrary to what employers assumemore than 85 percent of employees would remain at their jobs even if their employers stopped offering [employer-sponsored insurance]although about 60 percent would expect increased compensation."   As the 2012 presidential elections approachpotential and confirmed Republican contenders are vowing to repeal the so-called Obamacareincluding former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.   "In addition to the unconstitutional nature of individual and employer mandateswe are learning that they simply don't work" Gingrich saysaccording to CNN.   Such measures require the government to specify exactly what coverage must be included in insurance for it to qualifyGingrich adds.   "The resulting costs to the taxpayer — and strain on the budget — lead the government to try and control healthcare costs by limiting healthcare services. The inevitable result is rationing by a namelessfacelessunaccountable board of government bureaucrats."