3 Bad Words (That Destroy Guest Experience)

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. A few weeks ago I found myself at Pebble Beach Golf Club.  It’s not what you think.  Heather and I were spending a few “alone days” in Monterey, California prior to the wedding of dear friends in a nearby vineyard.  While in Monterey we heard about the … Continue reading 3 Bad Words (That Destroy Guest Experience)

Young Men and Old Men

Labels!  We don’t like them!  Young men don’t think of themselves as young and old men don’t think of themselves as old, probably because the words “young” and “old” are not specific enough.  They are highly subjective, are they not?  A man who dies at 65 was “just too young”, a man who has a child at 45 was “just too old”, and a man … Continue reading Young Men and Old Men

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO TRUST LEADERS?

The American mind has a very difficult time trusting those in authority.  Perhaps we were more traumatized by the tyranny of King George or the dictatorial demands of authoritarian regimes from which we migrated than previously expected.  Perhaps words like Watergate, Lewinski, WMDs, and deleted emails have broken down the walls of trust.  Perhaps too many fathers have walked out, employers have flipped out, and … Continue reading WHY IS IT SO HARD TO TRUST LEADERS?

3 Signs your Marriage is in Trouble

There is nothing more beautiful than watching a relationship sprout, blossom, and bloom.  One of my favorite things about being a pastor is watching love grow in our congregation.  It’s so much fun to look out into my flock and see a man who previously came alone sitting (very closely) to a woman who previously sat alone.  LOVE!  Then they ask to speak with me.  … Continue reading 3 Signs your Marriage is in Trouble

The One Thing I Tell Every Couple

Heather and I love talking about marriage, speaking at marriage retreats, and sitting with married couples in order to discuss marriage.  Marriage counseling has become a passion of ours, as we have now been privileged to sit with hundreds of couples and help them navigate the joys and dangers of relationships.  In the last 12 years I’ve noticed a common denominator in each of our … Continue reading The One Thing I Tell Every Couple

Mental Illness and the Christian Church

As humans, we have the proclivity to speak authoritatively on subjects in which we know very little. “I seriously don’t think Donald Trump will make it past the primaries.” – J. Teis, June 16, 2015. “Disney purchased Star Wars?  They’ll probably destroy it!” – J. Teis, October 30, 2012. “I can say with certainty, that this whole Facebook thing is a fad.” – J. Teis, … Continue reading Mental Illness and the Christian Church

Brace Yourself for Change

For Christmas one year my parents scrimped enough money to give me an electric-powered slot-car racing track.  It was absolutely incredible!  Two cars, one blue and the other red, would race down the strait-away, take ninety-degree turns, round embankments, and speed toward a double loop de loop.  My brother and I spent hours racing each other. There we’d sit, clutching our plastic hand controls, attempting … Continue reading Brace Yourself for Change