Hope Harbor

No Will? Don’t Worry, Government…

Chris Brill — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:03:28 +0000

Imagine you are a fly on the wall during a court proceeding. The judge is about to make a decision concerning property of yours. As you watch and listen, you realize you cannot make known to him your thoughts and feelings. He listens to testimony from several people who are laying claim to your belongings and other assets. The claimants could include anyone, because it is a public court proceeding called Probate Court.
You may have heard many things concerning probate court, but nothing is for sure until the judge makes the final judgment. Concerning your affairs, what documents would he have from you to make that final decision? How is he going to judge when he looks at the evidence placed before him by those who say they are the rightful heirs?
Nationally more than 60% of Americans do not have a will and where there is no last will and testament, then the government will make that decision for you. Most people put off this very important decision process because they are not exactly sure of what to do or what can be done. Hope Harbor and Oklahoma Christian University would like to offer you an opportunity to get some questions answered and gain some guidance for your decisions. Saturday, March 3rd, the Blue Starr Church of Christ is hosting an Estate Planning Seminar. An attorney from OCU, specializing in Financial/Estate Planning, will be the presenter. The seminar will begin at 10:00 a.m. with two 50-minute sessions and a lunch. If you are interested in attending please contact me at 918-343-0003 (222) or Click Here sign up. There is no cost for this seminar.

Restoring Hope

Chris Brill — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:02:59 +0000

Restoring hope and equipping children and families for lives with meaning and purpose. It’s the mission statement Hope Harbor has taken on, but what does it mean? To Hope Harbor, it means doing everything we possibily can to change the lives of as many children and families as possible. It means staff members who lovingly commit their time to work with teens and their families through the Children’s Home and Academy. It means providing counseling in the community to help children of all ages who don’t need residential placement, but who need individual help or whose families need counseling. It means offering parent training through church and community settings to help mothers, fathers, grandparents, and all other caretakers to be effective in the lives of children. It means taking parent training into prison settings to teach mothers and fathers who are in jail what they can still do to help keep their children from following the same path. And it means offering all of these services regardless of ability to pay.

Hope Harbor has set an ambitious target of serving 2,000 people a year by 2015. We’re well on our way to meeting, and hopefully exceeding that target. Along the way, opportunities to provide a low-cost thrift store in Claremore, one that serves the needs of the community while still raising funds to support Hope Harbor’s efforts, has unfolded at a surprisingly rapid pace. As so many individuals and families struggle with economic hardship, Thrift Harbor has given us one more way of restoring hope.

Playful Competition for a Serious Purpose

Chris Brill — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:56:10 +0000

On May 13th, the youth leader of one youth group in the Tulsa area will be doused with chocolate syrup or whatever “treat” is chosen this year. His youth group will get to do the honors. Cameras will capture the moment, and a memory of fun and laughter will be firmly established. But behind the fun, a deeper purpose will be accomplished as well. The funds raised through the a playful competition will be used to support efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect – so other children and teens can have moments of laughter instead of sadness and fear.

Hope Harbor’s annual Change Campaign generally launches in April, but this year’s Teen Challenge got an early start. Area youth groups are already competing to see who can raise the most change (totals are actually divided by the number of members in the youth group to keep the competition fair) toward Hope Harbor’s efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect through parent education and early intervention with Christian counseling.

To launch the first Teen Challenge, teens were asked to consider the sheer number of children throughout the United States who face abuse and neglect each year. This year, a different approach was used – teens were asked to consider the story of one single child. One child who would be abused. One child whose life would eventually be lost. And they were asked to consider, if they could change the story for that one child, whether they would. We all hear terrifying facts and staggering numbers. The problems of others become almost abstract when we know there are so many. But if we can think of changing one life, one story, the question becomes more challenging; Will we help?

New Year’s Goal

Chris Brill — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:52:43 +0000

Recently I was challenged by a good friend to not make a “New Year’s Resolution.” He said, “You’ll just break it in a few days or couple of weeks.” At first I was thinking, “Now wait a minute,” until he went on to explain, “Instead of the typical New Year’s resolution, set a goal and work to achieve it.”

I have given this much thought and I have decided to establish a “New Year’s Goal.” My wife and I want to increase our weekly contribution. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us to give as we purpose in our hearts and 2 Corinthians 1:22 refers to God putting the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a down payment of His promise. I find it troubling that my heart is the very avenue by which I have physical and spiritual life, yet I have always struggled in my giving.

For the longest time we have only given about 2-3% of our gross income and we want to increase that amount to at least 10% before the end of the year. When we consider our giving is in response to what God has blessed us with, we felt 10% was the least we should give. While the Old Testament is no longer binding, it did set a standard under an old covenant. The old covenant was then replaced by a better covenant through which we have the hope of eternal life. It just seems logical to give more because of a better covenant. – Chris Brill

Children who teach us…

Chris Brill — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:05:52 +0000

Ten years ago a little eight year old girl told me that I was selfish and I needed a change of attitude. Here is what happened…

One Sunday, I was preparing to make a presentation to a congregation about the need to support children in their affliction. As I was meeting people, I noticed a little girl patiently waiting. Beside her appeared to be her mother, who seemed eager to speak to me. As soon as I could I gave her my attention. Excited and full of pride she proceeded to tell me her daughter had been saving something special. I knelt down and greeted the young lady. I do not remember her name, as I probably should, but she held out her hand to greet mine and then handed over a wrapped container. Her mother told me she saved a little over $8 in change, originally planned for her birthday and, on her own, she decided it was more useful to the children than for her birthday.

Without a single word, the little girl spoke volumes. When she selflessly handed over something of great value to her, for the purpose of helping others, it caused me to examine myself. Over time, as I pondered this encounter, I have come to realize that I am selfish and I need to have the attitude of this little girl.

Jesus tells us in Mark 10:15, Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (NASB)

There are many things we can learn from a child, including our attitude of giving.