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After being laid off for 9 months and putting in tons of applications . . . DH Toodles got a call back yesterday! We have been trying so hard to not get discouraged as the weeks turned into months without a job and it has been hard. Only God's Grace has seen us through. We are praying that if this is the job God wants him to have then he will get it. Will you join us in praying? Thanks so much ! Blessings ! ~ Nikki
Merry CHRISTmas from our family, the Simcox's, to yours!
No Greater Gift
Twas the night we call Christmas
So dark and so cold
They were asking for shelter
But there's no room they were told
Joseph begged and he pleaded
My wife needs a bed
The innkeeper shook his head no
And offered his stable instead
Mary looked at her husband
And whispered its fine
A stable is warm
And I don't have much time
So there in the midst
Of the candlelight glowing
The bleating of sheep
And the cattle all lowing
Mary kissed her new son
In a new mother's way
Then she laid Him so gently
In the manger's sweet hay
In the fields were the shepherds
Watching over their sheep
Singing to calm them
And help them to sleep
When all of a sudden
The sky shone like morn
And angels proclaimed
"Your Savior is born!"
"In the city of David
You'll find Him this night"
And the shepherds praised God
With all of their might
They prayed and they shouted
They walked and they ran
"We must go to see Him
As fast as we can"
And as they knelt down before Him
In His stable bed
They told Mary and Joseph
What the angels had said
Mary kept all those things
Deep in her heart
And smiled as she watched
The shepherds depart
I just wanted to take this time to wish all of you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. May God bless you
with joy and fellowship with family.I would also like to share with you some things that I thank God for:
1. God's Amazing Grace and Love
2. Jesus, who paid a price I could not pay to pay for a gift I could not deny
3. My precious family. What a blessing they have all been to me! I love you all!
4. Food on our table
5. A roof over our head
6. Vehicles in the driveway
7. Having freedom to worship the Lord
8. Having the freedom to homeschool
9. Good books
10. Fuzzy socks
11. Flannel pjs
12. Friends in my life, real life and blogger buddies. You don't know how much you have blessed me by sharing your thoughts, struggles and triumphs. God Bless you!
After Tuesday's election I must say I am very disappointed. Our county now has liquor by the drink. It passed by a little over 200 votes. The biggest disappointment comes from knowing that there were Christians who voted for it and some who didn't vote at all which is just the same as voting for it. When will God's people wake up? I think the words of this Casting Crown song really say what I want to say. If Christians began being Christians we could make a great impact. Blessings! ~ Nikki
What If His People Prayed Lyrics
Casting Crowns What If His People Prayed Lyrics
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more
What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their own ways
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way
Chorus II:
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray
Bridge:
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
Choruses:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear yeaah
If only we would pray
(Choruses and bridge ad lib)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
No matter how disappointed I am about the election, I know that God is in control. It may be scary and hard to understand for me but His plan is perfect. No matter what comes remember this:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. (Psalm 135:6)
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. (Psalm 33:8)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:2)
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:7)
I made a blog for the devotions and printables I have made. I know most of the homeschoolers here are christians and are active in womens or childrens ministries in their churches. Hopefully you will find something on there to be a help or encouragement. You can check it out here Cross Bearer. ~ blessings! ~ Nikki
Pat is hosting a Falling In Love With Jesus giveaway. Be sure to check it out. There have been some great comments left in response to the giveaway. This giveaway ends October 7th so what are you waiting for?! Go ...
Here is a part of the comment I left. I wanted to share it in my post today because it just really describes how I feel about my walk with Jesus. Anyone else feel this way? ~ Blessings! ~ Nikki
... This may sound strange but this is a description of how I feel about my walk with Jesus. Imagine I am a child just learning to walk. I toddle ahead with Jesus holding my hand. Sometimes I fall and want to cry but I look up and He says "keep trying" and smiles at me. Then He helps me stand back up and keep going.We repeat this process a lot but He is ever patient and encouraging. How can we not love someone who loves us so?
Just a quick note to let everyone know VBS is going great ! Everyone is having a great time . I will post some awesome pictures later in the week. Keep praying , we have new kids come every day. Another local Church donated 3 huge boxes of crafts to our Jr Church that they had left over from their VBS. Toodles and I are so excited !
I heard about this neat giveaway on another blog. There are 3 copies of Biology 101 to be given away. It sounds awesome . I hope I win ! Go on and check it . Biology 101 Giveaway
Gin asked for some details of our VBS . I thought I would post a slide show of some of our decorations. We are doing a HolyLand Adventure from Group publishing. We have used their HLA themes for the last 3 years. We started with Bethlehem Village and last year we did Galilee by the Sea. This year is about the death and resurrection of Christ. The one thing I don't like about it is they don't have their curriculum in KJV which I prefer ( I know others have opinions on it but that is mine and I wont argue about it). That is something that is easy to work around though. The first year we had our Tribes outside in tents but last year we moved inside for Tribe time because of the heat and we will do the same this year.Our Marketplace shops will be outside as will the Gathering which is a time of singing.To decorate the rooms we use brown wrapping paper and an old chipped white board and draw "block' walls with cracks and chips in it . Plus we add a little friendly creature in each room to see if the kids can find it. I don't have pictures yet of the decorated rooms but I will post some later. We are just finishing up with them. Be much in prayer for us that we will see children and parents led to the Lord during VBS. ~ Nikki
I just want to thank God for all the wonderful blessings He has given me. Yesterday I was feeling so down.I've been so busy with school , youth ministry and preparing for VBS and you know what it's like when you feel like a spinning wheel thats not moving , you work and work and it seems like nothing is happening, so I prayed last night at church for God to give me some of His joy back into my heart. I wanted to be uplifted and encouraged . We had such a wonderful sweet service and I was feeling better but guess what? Better wasn't the best God had to give...He gave me the greatest joy a momma could have...my daughter went to the altar and accepted Jesus as her Savior . PRAISE HIM! My children have all been saved , what greater joy could a Momma have. I thought my heart would burst. God answered 2 prayers for me last night.Every time one of my Blessings accepted Jesus I rejoiced and was amazed at how good God is to us as parents.Now they are not just my children but brothers and sisters in Christ , joint heirs to the Promise. I just had to share that wonderful news with everyone. I'm so proud of my Blessings. They are the most awesome kids.They love to help others and to serve the Lord.Our youth at our church amaze me. I wish at their age I had the desire to worship and serve God the way they do.I know many of you Mommas know how I feel . I know you have children who love to serve the Lord ...tell them I said THANK YOU !
Well there is no snow but that's ok. I'm sure we will have our share soon :) I thought I would share my resolutions for the the new year with you .
Love More :A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)
Laugh More : Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (Psalm 126:2) A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance ... (Proverbs 15:13) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
Be More Content :Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Proverbs 15:16-17) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.(Philippians 4:11-13) But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, anditis certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Timothy 6:6-12)
I have come to the conclusion that if I can follow all these Scriptures this year then I will be the CHRISTian , wife , mother , daughter , sister , teacher and friend that I should be . What are some of "ya'll's" resolutions ? Leave me a comment so I can check out your blog .
Merry CHRISTmas everyone ! And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:1-20)
Rain - without it seeds planted in the soil won’t grow , they will lay dormant until that first drop of life giving water soaks in . When we were saved , a seed of Faith was planted in us , if it isn’t watered by
“rain “ it cannot grow . The rain I speak of are trials we as Christians sometimes go through . Jesus himself said that we would be persecuted , Matthew 5:10 -12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Peter also assures us of the reward of trials in 1Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Sometimes God sends us this rain in light spring like showers , in quick and overpowering cloudbursts or sometimes as a steady downfall . The trials are the life giving water to our seed of Faith . It’s what makes it grow . When we go through a trial our dependency on God becomes greater , which is what He desires of us. He wants us to be more dependent on Him , to trust Him with not only our souls but with our health , our families and our finances . Our Faith grows and grows when it is watered and cultivated . So let us be like Brother Paul when he said , 2Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
~ Copyright 2007 Nikki Simcox ~
I wanted to share this with everyone . I posted this on a message board that I'm a member of . I wanted to post it here too . I'm sure someone else has felt this way . I love how God opens our eyes so that we can see clearer .
"I wanted to share something with everyone . The focus of our church in January was prayer . We had a prayer revival (met for a week and prayed for ourselves and each other) and studies on prayer . Last week we had two speakers come and share with us , one was the Prayer Coordinator of our association . He shared some words that have been running through my mind every since . He said , "pray with excpectation , faith believing ." Now , I thought about that for a while and realized that alot of times when I pray , although I have faith that God can answer , I don't always expect Him too . Does that make sense to anyone ? I guess I have a little bit of a "your gonna do what your gonna do God" attitude sometimes . How awful is that ! Anyway , God has really been dealing with me over this . He reminded me how clear His words were on this subject . John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. God wants us to pray with the expectation that He will answer . Hebrews 4:15 - 16 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. I need to apologize to everyone who I have been praying for , I haven't been praying with expectation . I'm glad God opened my eyes to this and I assure you I will be praying for your more and EXPECTING , not just believing God will answer . ~ Nikki"
Anyway , God has really been dealing with me over this . He reminded me how clear His words were on this subject . John 15:7 