Should anyone be judged or defined by their worst day? In this episode of Church Quake, Pastor Johnny Teague (head pastor at Church at the Cross) and licensed professional counselor Michelle Temafont (Clinical Director at Shield Bearer Counseling Centers) explore the delicate balance between grace, forgiveness, and necessary consequences.

Drawing from professional counseling insights and real-life scenarios—including navigating marriage crises, personal mistakes, and the difficult line between helping loved ones and enabling destructive behavior—Johnny and Michelle discuss how we heal from our lowest moments while still upholding accountability.

In this episode, Johnny and Michelle cover:

• Grace vs. Consequences: Why acknowledging mistakes and facing consequences are essential for personal growth and changing behavior.
• The Danger of Enabling: How to stop repeating cycles of rescuing and learn to let people face reality.
• Healing in Counseling: How Shield Bearer counselors help individuals process trauma, anger, and the burden of bad decisions.
• Forgiveness and Apologies: What a genuine, non-excuse-laden apology looks like when things go wrong in relationships and communities.

Key Contact Information & Resource DirectoryShield Bearer Counseling Centers

• Phone: (281) 894-7222 (Call to schedule professional counseling, inquire about insurance, cash options, and flexible scheduling)
• Services: Professional mental health counseling and support for individuals, couples, and families.

Church at the Cross

• Address: 3835 S. Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
• Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM
• Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:45 PM
• Pastor: Dr. Johnny Teague

Author & Book Signings (Dr. Johnny Teague)

• Official Website: johnnyteague.com (Explore books, order signed copies, and view event schedules)
• Featured Books: A Real Estate Nightmare & Lovers Lane Murders
• Upcoming Barnes & Noble Book Signings:
  
  • Saturday, October 17, 2026 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Grand Parkway near Kuykendahl (Spring, TX)
  • Saturday, October 24, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Champions Area off FM 1960
  • Saturday, November 7, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Weslayan Location inside the 610 Loop (Houston, TX)

Show & Sponsor Contacts

• Church Quake Call-In Line: 1-800-808-5548
• Black Ink Financials (Terry Black): Accounting, bookkeeping, and mobile notary services.
  
  • Phone: (832) 343-8955
  • Email: admin@blackinkfinancials.com
• Home for the Holidays Gift Market (Stacy Bowes): Holiday markets and church fundraising partnership opportunities.
  
  • Website: homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we hold ourselves back with excuses? In this episode of Church Quake, Pastor Johnny Teague (head pastor at Church at the Cross) and licensed professional counselor Michelle Temafont (Clinical Director at Shield Bearer Counseling Centers) tackle a universal human habit: making excuses.

From avoiding responsibility and fearing failure to comparing our struggles to others, Johnny and Michelle explore how excuses act as emotional shields—and why facing the truth, taking accountability, and stepping out in faith is the only way forward. Joined by listeners calling in to discuss personal accountability and spiritual growth, this episode offers practical insights from both a pastoral and professional counseling perspective.

In this episode, Johnny and Michelle cover:

• The Anatomy of an Excuse: Defining what an excuse is, why we use them to deflect guilt, and how they paralyzingly hold us back from success.
• Fear of Failure & Success: Why the fear of taking a chance keeps people stuck in their comfort zones.
• Counseling Insights: How therapists help clients cut through rationalizations and process real emotions instead of avoiding them.
• Spiritual Accountability: A look at biblical perspectives on accountability, avoiding excuses in our walk with God, and embracing responsibility.

Key Contact Information & Resource DirectoryShield Bearer Counseling Centers

• Phone: (281) 894-7222 (Call to schedule professional counseling, inquire about insurance, cash options, and flexible scheduling)
• Services: Professional mental health counseling and support for individuals, couples, and families.

Church at the Cross

• Address: 3835 S. Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
• Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM
• Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:45 PM
• Pastor: Dr. Johnny Teague

Author & Book Signings (Dr. Johnny Teague)

• Official Website: johnnyteague.com (Explore books, order signed copies, and view event schedules)
• Featured Books: A Real Estate Nightmare & Lovers Lane Murders
• Upcoming Barnes & Noble Book Signings:
  
  • Saturday, October 17, 2026 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Grand Parkway near Kuykendahl (Spring, TX)
  • Saturday, October 24, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Champions Area off FM 1960
  • Saturday, November 7, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Weslayan Location inside the 610 Loop (Houston, TX)

Show & Sponsor Contacts

• Church Quake Call-In Line: 1-800-808-5548
• Black Ink Financials (Terry Black): Accounting, bookkeeping, and mobile notary services.
  
  • Phone: (832) 343-8955
  • Email: admin@blackinkfinancials.com
• Home for the Holidays Gift Market (Stacy Bowes): Holiday markets and church fundraising partnership opportunities.
  
  • Website: homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when we stop pretending and finally get real in church, in counseling, and in our relationships? In this episode of Church Quake, Pastor Johnny Teague (head pastor at Church at the Cross) and licensed professional counselor Michelle Temafont (from Shield Bearer Counseling Centers) dive deep into the power of authenticity, handling shame, and creating safe spaces to heal.

Drawing from a powerful, emotional moment during a midweek service where a church member opened up about a difficult family conflict, Johnny and Michelle explore why God honors a "broken and contrite heart" over religious facades. They discuss how to move past the fear of judgment, how counselors help clients break down walls, and why being real is the only true pathway to spiritual and emotional healing.

In this episode, Johnny and Michelle cover:

• The Danger of the Facade: Why pretending everything is fine keeps us from real spiritual growth and genuine community.
• Vulnerability in Counseling: How Shield Bearer counselors create safe environments to process pain without judgment.
• Being Real in Marriage & Life: Practical tools for sharing fears, feelings, and worries with your spouse.
• The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Examining true humility versus religious pride.

Key Contact Information & Resource DirectoryShield Bearer Counseling Centers

• Phone: (281) 894-7222 (Call to schedule professional counseling, inquire about insurance, or discuss budget-friendly options)
• Services: Professional mental health counseling and support for individuals, couples, and families.

Church at the Cross

• Address: 3835 S. Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX (Intersection of Westpark Tollway & Dairy Ashford)
• Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM
• Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:45 PM (An open-mic, interactive verse-by-verse study)
• Pastor: Dr. Johnny Teague

Show & Sponsor Contacts

• Church Quake Call-In Line: 1-800-808-5548
• Black Ink Financials: Accounting, bookkeeping, and mobile notary services with Terry Black.
  
  • Phone: (832) 343-8955
  • Email: admin@blackinkfinancials.com
• Home for the Holidays Gift Market: Holiday markets and church fundraising partnership opportunities.
  
  • Website: homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.