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

Why do we hold ourselves back with excuses? In this episode of&nbsp;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&mdash;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:
<ul data-path-to-node="9">
<li>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.</li>
<li>Fear of Failure &amp; Success: Why the fear of taking a chance keeps people stuck in their comfort zones.</li>
<li>Counseling Insights: How therapists help clients cut through rationalizations and process real emotions instead of avoiding them.</li>
<li>Spiritual Accountability: A look at biblical perspectives on accountability, avoiding excuses in our walk with God, and embracing responsibility.</li>
</ul>
Key Contact Information &amp; Resource DirectoryShield Bearer Counseling Centers
<ul data-path-to-node="13">
<li>Phone: (281) 894-7222 (Call to schedule professional counseling, inquire about insurance, cash options, and flexible scheduling)</li>
<li>Services: Professional mental health counseling and support for individuals, couples, and families.</li>
</ul>
Church at the Cross
<ul data-path-to-node="16">
<li>Address: 3835 S. Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX</li>
<li>Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM</li>
<li>Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:45 PM</li>
<li>Pastor: Dr. Johnny Teague</li>
</ul>
Author &amp; Book Signings (Dr. Johnny Teague)
<ul data-path-to-node="19">
<li>Official Website: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://johnnyteague.com" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjM6KCzrcGXAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ6AE">johnnyteague.com</a> (Explore books, order signed copies, and view event schedules)</li>
<li>Featured Books: A Real Estate Nightmare &amp; Lovers Lane Murders</li>
<li>Upcoming Barnes &amp; Noble Book Signings: 
<ul data-path-to-node="19,2,1">
<li>Saturday, October 17, 2026 (2:00 PM &ndash; 4:00 PM): Grand Parkway near Kuykendahl (Spring, TX)</li>
<li>Saturday, October 24, 2026 (1:00 PM &ndash; 4:00 PM): Champions Area off FM 1960</li>
<li>Saturday, November 7, 2026 (1:00 PM &ndash; 4:00 PM): Weslayan Location inside the 610 Loop (Houston, TX)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Show &amp; Sponsor Contacts
<ul data-path-to-node="22">
<li>Church Quake Call-In Line: 1-800-808-5548</li>
<li>Black Ink Financials (Terry Black): Accounting, bookkeeping, and mobile notary services. 
<ul data-path-to-node="22,1,1">
<li>Phone: (832) 343-8955</li>
<li>Email: admin@blackinkfinancials.com</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Home for the Holidays Gift Market (Stacy Bowes): Holiday markets and church fundraising partnership opportunities. 
<ul data-path-to-node="22,2,1">
<li>Website: <a href="https://homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com/" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjM6KCzrcGXAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ6QE">homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Hop in, Close the car door. Heading home after a hard day's work, join Johnny Teague, Author and Pastor of Church at the Cross Houston. Johnny will be sharing heart-warming stories about many of our neighbors in Houston, then he will take time to look at the headlines visit about what God's Word has to say to our day.  Relax and enjoy the ride.  

Hop in, Close the car door. Heading home after a hard day's work, join Johnny Teague, Author and Pastor of Church at the Cross Houston. Johnny will be sharing heart-warming stories about many of our neighbors in Houston, then he will take time to look at the headlines visit about what God's Word has to say to our day.&nbsp; Relax and enjoy the ride.&nbsp;&nbsp;