Author: Rich Gorecki

Why Do Guys Tease Each Other?

Over the years, I’ve noticed an odd behavior mainly among men: it’s the not-so-fine art of “guy teasing.” You’ve heard it many time and may not have noticed. It shows as an off-the-cuff comment like “Hey, nice three-putt” when one of your buddies misses a short, easy putt. You may also hear “Did you get that shirt at the thrift store?” when a guy wears something very fashionable. Yet another example is “Just put on your big-boy pants and deal with it!” intended to help a friend after a personal setback or criticism. In one sense, men simply use words to engage in this playful, yet weird form of communicating. But on the other hand, where is the line between male bonding and bullying? “Genderally” Speaking During many of my talks on male friendship, I often speak in “genderalities” which is defined as “a statement or principle having very general,

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Covenantal Friendships Like Jonathan and David

This past weekend, I had the honor of speaking at a local church about the biblical friendship between Jonathan and David. Their story, detailed throughout the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, has been misunderstood and misused over the years. But properly studied and interpreted, their covenantal friendship shows how loyalty and emotional intimacy leads to deeper, more authentic friendships that we need more of today.  The story is a complex one. The relationship between Jonathan, the heir apparent to the throne of Israel as the oldest son of King Saul, and David, the anointed future king and slayer of Goliath unfolds throughout the 31 chapters of 1 Samuel (I give a brief summary as part of my message you can watch at this link). This covenantal friendship also includes six important traits I describe below. First, let’s explore the difference between a covenant and an agreement. Covenant vs Agreement

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United in Love, Divided by Hate

I feel compelled to write about the importance of unity and accountability in light of this past weekend’s assassination attempt of former President, Donald Trump. This post is not about my stance on one side or the other of the political aisle. It is not to state a position on gun ownership or spreading conspiracy theories. It is about reminding us that mature men must unite in love rather than being divided by hate. Men need deeper, more authentic friendships who hold each other accountable to avoid hateful speech, divisive positions, and actions that cause abuse, bullying, and isolation. We also need our churches to demonstrate love and not base their entirety on politics. We need to engage in fruitful conversation that are united in love; not divided by hate. The Divided States of America Even prior to this past weekend’s events, many people feel that the United States was

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