The people of Florida and the gulf coast are very familiar with hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 with the peak period being from early August through the end of October. This year was especially threatening. The news of Hurricane Irma, with Jose and Katia following close behind, was the big weather news of the 2017 Labor Day weekend. Floridians were preparing for what looked like a category 5 hurricane making a direct hit on their state within the next few days. The storm heading their way was bigger than the entire state of Florida. There was no safe place within the state. Evacuees were instructed to head for Georgia and points north.

Even with current technology, it is hard to predict with ...

This month I’m writing about the family meeting, one of the best ways to keep the family, especially the clan (family of families), connected. Let me start with the definition. What is a family meeting and who should attend? A family meeting is a gathering of the family of origin (dad, mom, and children) and, on occasion, of the extended family (daughters-in law, sons-in-law). It is a leadership meeting where decisions will be made so young children and grandchildren are not included. 

Why hold a family meeting? What is the purpose and what are the benefits?  A family meeting helps to keep a family connected and "on the same page."  In clans (family of families) the adult children have typically moved out of ...

The fall is a fabulous time of year! The leaves change colors, the temps are a little cooler and more refreshing, the kiddos go back to school (I think I heard some parents shout, “Amen!”), and we return to our normal schedules. Starting this month, Hopewell Counseling will once again be offering a purity group. This group is for men who desire to become sexually pure, receive a high level of accountability, and develop great friendships with other men. The purity group will go through two phases with phase one lasting 7 weeks and phase two lasting 18 weeks for a total of 25 weeks. 

If you struggle with sexual purity and want the accountability of other men, this is your group. Perhaps you are walking in purity and just ...

With the end of summer and the return of the children to school there is the inevitable adjustment to the new fall schedule. In our counseling practice Elsie and I have summer hours and rest-of-the-year hours.  My guess is your work schedule has probably changed too. As I’ve thought about work here are some Biblical principles on the subject: