So why have I spent the last three weeks talking about marriage vows? After all, aren't there more important, edgier topics that need to be addressed? Part of the reason I decided to examine wedding vows is because I had never taken the time to do it – and I guessed many of you have not either. Since marriage was designed by God to be for life, it seemed fitting to look at what marriage means and what we are committing to when we enter into marriage. Why is marriage so important to God? I used to think marriage was all about us – that God wanted us to be happy and cuddled up to someone who … [Read more...]

Whoever said that marriage was for the weak did not understand the heavy weight of wedding vows. Lately, vows are often equated with tradition – just a ceremonial formality and words that a couple repeats. However, when we make a vow before God, significant shifts change in the spiritual realm. We cannot hold back those shifts; they are a part of the nature of vow-creation. And when we break those vows, we also don't have control over the spiritually significant consequences. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for … [Read more...]

Does it sound like anything is missing from the phrase “to love and to cherish?” If you ask me, it's the word… respect. To Love, Respect, and to Cherish is a much more balanced picture of what should be shared between a husband and wife. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. The Bible clearly tells men to love their wives. Why? Because it is not natural for men to love. … [Read more...]

There is something so sweet about watching a man care for his wife in her hour of need. For the past few days, I've been able to observe this first hand as someone dear to me is slowly recovering from surgery. Her husband has been by her side constantly (except for the few hours he's been required to work each day) and has gently held her, rubbed her forehead, spoken gently to her, and been her greatest advocate. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in … [Read more...]

These little four words in the vow have huge consequences. Unless you were raised in poverty, you don't go into marriage expecting to be poorer (or, at least much poorer than your current standard of living). If anything, you have visions of a nice house or perhaps a luxury apartment, well-dressed children, and even well-groomed pets. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us … [Read more...]