Restore Kidz Update

ELEMENT OF THE MONTH: Thankfulness

The Big Idea for the week is WE CAN EXPRESS THANKFULNESS IN MANY WAYS. Showing our appreciation for God is one great way to teach others about God’s goodness. Some people may never go to church. We can show others how great God is just by expressing thankfulness for his presence in our lives. This does not mean we have to like everything that happens in life. Thankfulness is expressing our appreciation for God being a part of the good and the bad.

VERSE OF THE MONTH: COLOSSIANS 3:15

We looked at three of the many ways to express thankfulness. First, simply say the words. Second, write down your thoughts of thankfulness to God or others. Third, if you feel led to do so, give up something as a sacrifice to the Lord.

Thanksgiving is coming up and many are putting on Facebook the things they are thankful for. Include your kids! Ask them what they are thankful for and ask ways they can show how they are thankful. Let’s become Thankful people!

Can’t wait to see you this Sunday!!! Wear your Flannel and bring a Flannel to give to the OASIS Shelter.

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

It’s NOVEMBER!

The Big Idea for the week is THANKFULNESS MEANS HAVING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Most of us know how to be thankful in certain situations. We are thankful for presents, compliments, and special friends or family members. Sometimes we even remember to be thankful to God for the way He protects and provides for us. But how many of us live in an attitude of thankfulness all the time? That’s hard to do when things are not going the way we’d like them to. That’s why we have Colossians 3:15 as our verse of the month. We NEED the peace of God to rule in our hearts!!

VERSE OF THE MONTH: COLOSSIANS 3:15

This Sunday we talked about ways we can show an attitude of gratitude. Practice these with your kid at home as well! We should show thankfulness to God and others by our

Words

Minds (thoughts)

Actions

We read in 2 Corinthians 11:23-26, 32-33 how Apostle Paul showed gratitude when he was in some very uncomfortable situations such as prison, beatings, and being shipwrecked. Paul showed an attitude of gratitude, thanking God often. If we look through the books of the New Testament that Paul wrote for uses of the word thanks or thanksgiving, we can find more than 35 times Paul chose to give thanks. He spent much time teaching the churches he started to be thankful and also exhibit thanksgiving.

The kids were challenged to stop complaining this week. Have you noticed? Talk to them and help them notice when they are complaining and be an example of someone who has an attitude of gratitude.

Can’t wait to see you this Sunday!!!

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

It’s NOVEMBER!

This month the Element is THANKFULNESS.

The Big Idea for the week is WE HAVE MANY REASONS TO BE THANKFUL. As we will learn from God’s Word, we should fill every day with feelings of thankfulness. Even when things are not going the way we want them to, there is always something for which we can be thankful. What are you thankful for this week? Comment below to share what you are Thankful for.

In class we talked about Exodus 15, and we find the Israelites had just witnessed the mighty power of God at the Red Sea. Not only did God divide the waters into two halves so they could walk through on dry land, but He completely wiped out the Egyptian army that was chasing them. can you imagine what it would have been like to see those events? Do you think you would ever, EVER forget what God had done for you? I hope none of us would. Just three days after they had witnessed the amazing power and protection of God, they were in a dry place and had run out of water. When they did finally find water, at a place called Marah, they couldn’t drink it because it was very bitter. Remember now, it was only three days since God’s awesome power had been on display and they celebrated His goodness to them. What do you think they did? They chose to grumble and complain. The Bible tells us God instructed Moses to throw a tree branch into the water, and it made the water sweet and refreshing! God provided the people with another reason to be thankful! How amazing is our God?! He provides even when we complain! Imagine if they had been appreciative even during the dry times? What amazing things would God do?!

VERSE OF THE MONTH: COLOSSIANS 3:15

We look forward to seeing you next Sunday. Listen to the podcast below to hear all about our lesson.

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

We had a PRAYERFUL October as we learned all about Prayer in Restore Kids. Thank you so much for a great month.

We ended the month with the BIG IDEA: The Bible teaches us to pray for others. We all have a natural tendency to be selfish. It’s part of our sin nature! We can grasp the concept of talking to God about ourselves and our needs. Praying for others is a very important ministry we can take part in especially kids.

When we pray for others we are helping them bare a burden or struggle. This brings us closer to one another.

Listen to the podcast about the lesson below.

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

What a wonderful Sunday! The kids “took over” service! We are so proud of all their hard work and attention in class to be able to memorize God’s word.

Prayer is our Element for the month. Pastor Kevin spoke about the way we handle our worries and how our kids are watching us. Give your worries to God in prayer. He also gave two challenges. KIDS CHALLENGE: Ask parent what time can we start praying today. PARENT CHALLENGE: Be ready with an answer.

Thank you parents for bringing your kids on time to service! We count it a great joy to teach your kids and see them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

KIDS TAKE OVER SERVICE: Kids are ready to go! And so are the volunteers!

KIDS TAKE OVER SERVICE: Kids teacher Ms. Carmon helps the kids say their verses and books of the Bible.

We continue our Element on Prayer for one more week. It is so great to hear your kids pray and understand prayer! SEE YOU IN CHURCH!Thank you!

Listen to the podcast about the lesson below.

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

What a wonderful Sunday in Kids!

We are only in the second week of October and with our Element: PRAYER, and it has been such a blessing to see your kids learning how to have a conversation with God.

The Big Idea for this week was Jesus taught us how to pray. We learned in Matthew 6 how Jesus prayed while here on earth. The Lord’s prayer or Model prayer teaches us how we should pray. Listen to the podcast below to hear more about what we learned in Kids this week.

This week we did a craft! Use it as a tool to help your kids learn to pray. Each bead on the craft reminds us of the Lord’s prayer and how we should pray.

• Blue bead - Dear God, the opening of the prayer.

• White bead - Praise God, He is holy, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, faithful, Creator, etc.

• Black bead - Confess Sin, take this time to ask for forgiveness of sins

• Brown bead - Prayer Request, as our verse says let your request be made known to God.

• Purple bead - Thanksgiving to God, take this time to thank God for the request he has answered and how he has provided for you

• Red bead - In Jesus Name, we pray to God, but in Jesus name because Jesus is our intercessor.

Many times kids and adults have a hard time with PRAYER. Use this craft to keep you on track. This is how Jesus prayed and what better example to follow.

Next week is KIDS TAKE OVER BOTH SERVICES!!! Oct. 20! We we will be quoting scripture, the books of the Old Testament, and singing songs on stage. They have been learning these things in class.

Please have them in the kids room at beginning of service to participate. Kids will be sitting with their parents during the message. Pastor Kevin will be giving the message to the kids and adults. For those parents who are serving during the message, Kids team will have a spot with them. If you would like to practice with them here is what we are doing.

• Books of the Old Testament

• John 3:16 (ESV)

• Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

• Song: Never Let Go of Me Click here for YOUTUBE video.

Kids Fest is October 19 from 5:00-7:00 at the church. If you or someone you know are available to help with this event, please take a moment to sign up on the Serve App. If you have not downloaded the App yet, you can do that here.

Thank you for allowing us to teach your kids,

Restore Team

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Restore Kidz Update

It is just so good to be in church!

Restore kids started the month of october with some exciting things happening. Our new element for the month is prayer - a conversation with god. have you ever heard your kid pray? what sweet voices and true faith in god when you hear a child pray to him.

the big idea for this week was god hears and answers our prayers. We learned god answers our prayers with a yes, no or wait. please listen to podcast below explaining more of what we learned in restore kids.

our verse for this month is Philippians 4:6. the bible teaches us to pray to god with all our request. also, it speaks about how to pray.

Kids Fest is October 19 from 5:00-7:00 at the church. If you or someone you know are available to help with this event, please take a moment to sign up on the Serve App. If you have not downloaded the App yet, you can do that here.

Check out the following resources for parents and kids.

Let's talk about money

Recently I spoke about giving at church. You can find the video here.

I’d like to add some practical tips for handling money because

1. Many would like to give, but feel they can’t afford to give.

2. Many of us need help handling our finances, even those who are giving.

3. The culture has given us a misconception about money and it’s purpose.

I want to share some basic principles that have helped us gain financial security and enabled us to increase our generosity. When Casie and I got married in 2006, we realized that we were both savers. We’d been saving money for most of our lives because we were raised to save. Many people aren’t, and I’d like to share with you how we saved, invested and utilized money. As a result of these practices we are able to free up our schedules and say yes to what matters most.

1. We always give and save first. We set aside 10% for giving and 10-15% for saving. We enrolled in every 401k match, company stock option, etc that we were offered. When we were in our 20s this meant making sacrificial decisions. We didn’t buy our dream home. We bought a duplex and rented half of it out. We didn’t buy expensive new cars. We bought dependable used vehicles. We learned to cook delicious meals and made eating out a special treat. Even now, we typically prefer the food we cook at home to what we find in many restaurants. Our vacations for many years were either camping trips or low cost destinations.

   This is difficult if you’re not making middle class income. Our first few years together, we typically had extra jobs or income from side hustles. Casie went back to school to get a Master’s Degree in her field. You may need to finish a degree, become an industry apprentice, or save to start your own business. Many of times we struggle to save because we are over-spending or under-employed or we aren’t taking full advantage of their expertise and skills we’ve acquired. Nothing worth doing is easy or quick, but commit to the long process. Start making good decisions now, and they’ll snowball as your income and savings grow. By the way, I still work at FedEx part-time because of their benefits. We don’t need the income, but we enjoy the benefits. I don’t know that I’ll ever quit. Stop believing that you need to arrive at the top of some corporate ladder or save millions to live a generous life. You don’t need millions or a six figure income. You need simple principles and determined effort.

   The reason we give and save first is to establish a line in the sand. I need to learn to say no because I’ve already invested or saved that money. I need hard rules that encourage wise decisions instead of frivolous spending. I need to commit to saving and giving as a discipline in my life that will lead to generous outcomes.

2. We purchase more assets than liabilities. An asset produces income or grows in value. Conversely, a liability loses value and typically produces little or no income. An asset could be a business, real estate, investments or a degree (depending on the institution and job sector). Liabilities include vehicles, boats, furniture, vacations, etc. You have to purchase some liabilities, no doubt. I need a vehicle, food and a home. However, I don’t need a brand new vehicle or a newly built 3,000 sf home. Over the years we’ve purchased assets and delayed the purchase of liabilities. I still drive the truck I bought in college for about $9,000. Last year we could have purchased a new truck. Instead we invested the same amount and purchased another rental property that produces income. Trucks lose value over the long term, real estate (typically) grows in value over the long term. By the way, that rental property generates enough profit to cover a truck payment if I really want one (spoiler, I don’t).

   I’ll admit, liabilities are way more fun to buy. However, assets give you the freedom to decide what you do with your money and time. Let me put it this way. The rental properties we’ve acquired were difficult to purchase. There’s paperwork, proof of income, closing deadlines, etc. Liabilities (boats, cars, vacations) can typically be purchased in a few minutes or hours. However, our assets produce income and therefore give us freedom. We can decide to spend the money and time these assets have freed up however we like. Liabilities, on the other hand, tie a noose around your neck. You can’t take a week off because you need the overtime to pay the monthly payments and insurance attached to the liability. Avoid liabilities. purchase the cheapest liabilities you can. Don’t buy the most house or car you can afford.

3. We found free and inexpensive ways to enjoy ourselves. We love riding our bikes, hiking trails and spending time on the water. You don’t have to spend money every time you want to have fun. Lately, we’ve been running and hiking more often. Most of our favorite places to visit don’t cost money. Even our vacations are inexpensive. We typically fly (for free thanks to points and Southwest) to a city close to a National Park. We’ll camp for $15 per night in an amazing new setting for a few days. We bring our meals and supplies with us on the plane. We’ve been to dozens of amazing parks while spending only a few dollars per night. You don’t have to spend a fortune flying to exotic places and staying at extravagant resorts to unwind and relax. We save those rare occasions for big anniversaries or achievements (the assets give you the freedom to do that, but you don’t have to spend every dollar you make).

   Lately, I’ve been playing more basketball. There are tons of good courts in my city where I can play pick up ball. No membership. No gym fees. Casie takes the dogs running and enjoys rollerblading (hello 1996). It says a lot about us, when we feel we have to spend money to have a good time. The culture has brainwashed us into thinking we can only have fun if we are spending money. You can enjoy the weekend without spending tons of money eating out and shopping. Our lives should be so much more than a receipt of purchases we’ve made along the way.

4. We keep an eye on our budget. You thought you’d get through this post without the b word didn’t you? We had a budget before we got married (it wasn’t realistic). We have been constantly adjusting our budget ever since. We have regular financial conversations to keep us committed to good habits. We have a plan for money. We tell it where to go and what to do. We never find ourselves asking, “what should we do with this money?” Your budget will tell you what you can and can’t do. We have our current budget, next year’s budget and our dream budget (once some of the rental properties are paid off completely). Too many people have a theoretical plan of how they’d spend $10M from the lottery, but no idea how they’re going to spend the money they’re actually making. If you’ve never been through Financial Peace University, I’d encourage you to consider attending. If nothing else, read the book Total Money Make-over by Dave Ramsey. Everything really comes down to a decision followed by determination. It took a decade for us to see some of our decisions pay off. Keep after it. Adjust the budget when you get a raise. Make changes when you pay off that debt or car payment. Ideally, every debt you pay off should free up money to be saved, invested or donated.

I want to remind you the why matters more than the what. I believe anyone can make money and create wealth. You have to know why you’re doing it. I’m not saving and investing so I can retire to a golf-course community (nothing against golfing). I’m not saving up for a yacht (my 13’ boston whaler is pretty dope tho).

We are making these decisions to create freedom for ourselves now and later in life. We use this freedom (time and money) to invest in our family, our church and our community. Money doesn’t dictate my life or my schedule. We get to determine how we want to spend our time and energy. This freedom allows us to choose how we invest our greatest resource: time. What’s your why? Are you trying to free up time during this season to be present in your kids’ lives? Maybe you’re trying to create space in your schedule to start a business or launch an initiative for your community? When you have time and resources, you can invest them in what maters most to you. Find your why.

-Pastor Marc

Serve for Portsmouth to make Him known

Hello friends,

Spring has finally made her presence known.  The flowers are beginning to bloom and the days are becoming longer. And if you’re an allergy sufferer like me, the symptoms will soon pass.  I can’t wait to hang out with my grandbabies, taking in the warmer weather. Zoo, here we come!

Restore is looking forward to another Love Portsmouth Serve Day, a wonderful way for us embrace the warmer weather as a church.  Small group leaders are preparing their members for different projects throughout our community. Interested peoples are welcome to join a team and meet new people while having fun serving our neighbors.  Serving our neighbors is not difficult. First, we need to prepare our hearts and minds before God, to come with a humble and willing spirit (Psalm 143:10). He has already come before us in our communities in need.  We have to meet HIm where He is already present.

Next, how we serve can be very simple, from prayer to worship to manual work.  Questions we can ask what business, organization and/or individuals could use a blessing? Who in your neighborhood has a need?  What project types best suit your group’s ages and abilities? Here are a few ideas:

• Clean a widow’s or single mother’s yard

• Kids can host a lemonade stand

• Have a tea party at a nursing home

• Help nursing home residents prepare care packages for foster kids

• Serve a hot breakfast for the homeless

• Do a community trash clean up

Finally who we serve is of the greatest importance.  We come to serve not to question or judge one’s condition or circumstance but to show the love of Christ during our interactions. Jesus sat with the undesirable of society- the prostitutes, the lepers, the sinners of His day (Mark 2:15). We are not to show fear or apprehensions when serving but express a joyful spirit in sharing the Gospel with others.  It is in these settings where people are saved and God is glorified (Matthew 4:14-16).

Beware my friends.  During our times of serving, your heart will break and become full of compassion towards the needs of others.  Yes, we come to serve but God will reveal Himself to us and show us where we need to change (pride, humility, obedience).  We will be pruned to bear more fruit for our personal growth and for the growth of the Kingdom.

I would like to leave you with a charge David gave his son Solomon- "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.  Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it." - 1 Chronicles 28:9-10. I’m extending this charge to us-to show people salvation is found in Christ and to build the kingdom.

I can’t wait to see you on May 25 for Love Portsmouth Serve Day.  If you have any questions or would love to coordinate a project, don’t hesitate to contact me.  

Latrilla

5 Hope Killers

Hope isn’t natural. It’s a decision

This month we’ve focused on our hope in God. We long for hope here and know we have a hope in heaven. Abiding in hope can be difficult, though. Like faith and love, our hope can be tested and exhausted by everyday life.

Here are some hope killers we need to avoid:

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SHAME

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 

Shame is opposed to hope. Shame is natural. Hope isn’t. God’s salvation through Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin, but also the shame sin fosters. If you are dealing with shame I’d simply ask,

“Is this shame over something you’ve already repented of and asked God’s forgiveness for?”

If so, take comfort, God has forgiven you and you aren’t what you’ve done. If it’s shame over sin you’re currently committing, God is convicting your heart to bring you to repentance. That’s more conviction than shame. Conviction is good as long as it leads us to repentance. Shame and guilt don’t lead to repentance. They only lead us away from hope, forgiveness and peace.

MATERIALISM

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

When we focus on material possessions, it’s easy to get discouraged. The wild truth is even those with much tend to want even more. If our hearts are set on wealth, power, and the like our hearts will never be satisfied. Materialism can rob us of the hope God longs for us to abide in.

REGRET

Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We all have regrets. There are days and conversations we wish we could change. Living a life focused on the failures of the past can rob us of our hope in the future. Throughout the NT we are encouraged to focus on hope and let go of the past. Paul had much to regret: persecution, unbelief, wasted years, etc. Yet he focused on all that lay ahead.

WORRY

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I’m a worry wart. I’ve always been a big dreamer as well as a big worrier. I have huge aspirations for the future coupled with massive fears of what could go wrong. The recipients of Jeremiah 29:11 were facing dangerous and difficult days, yet God encouraged them not to lose hope. Philippians 4:6,7 puts it simply: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When we abide in constant worry it’s difficult to have hope. Worry can strangle hope with a million little questions and fears. There is a time to plan. Then there’s a time to pray and trust God with our plans.

MISPLACED HOPE

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Here’s the best news: our hope isn’t dependent upon our skill, our goodness or merits. Our hope is based on God and his mercy, justice, grace and holiness.

Here’s the worst news: we tend to place our hope in everything but God.

Paul put it this way in 1 Timothy 6:17:  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 147:11: the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

It’s easy to be hopeful when my career, relationships, health, and heart are satisfied. When things aren’t going so well, hope is more difficult. Hope must be a decision I make daily. I will hope in God and his promises, not my feelings or accomplishments (they change so easily). So let me ask you bluntly:

What are you placing your hope in today?