Easter is the promise that death is not the end, that this earthly life is not all there is, and that we will be given the most extraordinary gift imaginable: eternal life in the presence of God. You see, these bodies we inhabit are temporary vessels. They serve us well for a time, but they are not our permanent home. Heaven is our permanent home.
The Knowing: How Epiphany’s Divine Revelation Can Guide Your Love Journey There’s this moment that happens in every love story—a moment when you just know. You know this is the person. You know this love is different. You know, deep
In our world that fills every quiet moment with sound—notifications and news, hurried conversations and endless distractions—this welcome into Christmas Eve is also a welcome into stillness. Christmas asks us to acknowledge the whispers of the Divine, to create space in our hearts for that still, small voice that speaks to us in silence. Tonight, let us welcome one another into celebration and contemplation, into the kind of deep listening where God’s voice can be heard.
Discover how to build a sacred relationship foundation that goes beyond your wedding day. Learn the practical and spiritual work of creating lasting love in marriage.
One of the most common questions I get from the guests at a wedding is “How did you start doing this?” My guess is that no one probably grows up thinking they are going to be a wedding officiant, myself included. If I could have predicted that when I moved to Bozeman in my mid-twenties that I would be frolicking in the mountains while working a fun, creative job, I would have told myself I was crazy. And I would have been right.
One of the biggest parts of the wedding ceremony is “The Vows”. Let’s face it, it’s what everyone came to hear. You can have nice prayers or readings in your ceremony, but what everyone leans into, and what gives everyone a tear in their eye is the words you say to your partner. And this is the framework for how you will treat your partner for the rest of your life, so it better be good. No pressure!
A Marriage Mission Statement is a vision for what you want your marriage to be. Done well, it will help shape the next generation too, as the stronger YOUR relationship is the greater security and stability you will offer as an example to the youngsters in your life. A Marriage Mission Statement is an expression of your core values of life for your primary relationship. It will reflect your priorities and enshrine what’s important to you as a visual reminder to you as a couple, so that on those hard days it will serve as a tool to keep focused on what matters most.
It might seem simple, but keeping family traditions is fundamental to your marriage and family life. Whether you realize it or not, traditions strengthen marital bonds by providing a solid structure, a sense of continuity, and a feeling of belonging. They are crucial in providing support through life’s transitions by creating deeper commitment in times of joy and celebrations, and also offering comfort through crises, disappointments, and losses. Most of all, meaningful traditions contribute to the emotional health, self-esteem, and self-respect of both the individual and couple.
When we gather together for Easter Sunday as Christians, we are acknowledging the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. We are giving our devotion and gratitude to Him in return for His gift of everlasting life to us. But we also need to celebrate our own lives in this time and this place without forgetting what He did for us.
We do this by gathering together as a faith community, and taking in His Holy Spirit as sustenance for this world and the next. How do we do that exactly? By taking the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This Easter Sunday, let’s consider all that this sacred act in the name of Christ has to offer us in this world.
Each year we remind ourselves of His story when, in ancient times, the people asked for a savior. Someone to help them find their way in uncertain times. Someone to help ease their day-to-day suffering. Someone to help them not only find their own salvation, but also to be a beacon of love for the whole world and everyone in it, unconditionally. And that prayer was answered through the birth of Jesus, granting all of us the opportunity to also receive eternal life if we only allow Him to be born in our hearts. What an incredible gift.