The Marriage Covenant and Wedding Vows

The Marriage Covenant and Wedding Vows

In this episode of Only for a Season, I’m joined by Luis Martinez, a Minister and Elder at House of Praise, who has been married for nearly 50 years and has officiated weddings. Together, we talk about the marriage covenant from a Christian biblical view, why couples should not enter marriage lightly, how two families become connected through marriage, and what the traditional marriage vows truly mean. This conversation is for engaged couples, dating couples seriously thinking about marriage, and anyone who wants to better understand marriage as a sacred covenant before God. The wedding is one day, but the covenant is for life. Luis highly recommends this book for couples planning marriage - The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman

Two Fathers, One Legacy of Faith

n this Father’s Day episode of Only for a Season, Mel reflects on the lives of two men who helped shape his family, his own father and his father-in-law, Luis Gabriel Sr. Through memories of illness, faith, family meals, prayer, obedience, laughter, and love, this episode honors the quiet strength and lasting legacy these fathers left behind. Mel shares how both men modeled a deep trust in God and how their example continues to bless the generations that came after them. For those celebrating Father’s Day with joy, grief, distance, or reflection, this episode is a reminder to cherish the memories, reach out while you can, and find comfort in the love of our Heavenly Father.

Katelynne’s Side of the Story - Grandchildren Near and Far

This episode is a special edited version of a heartfelt conversation I had with my oldest granddaughter, Katelynne, about what it means to love family across the miles. When I first recorded this conversation, I thought the story was mostly about how Ruth and I felt as grandparents when our grandchildren moved far away. But after listening again, I realized the deeper story was Katelynne’s. Her words helped me understand what distance felt like from the grandchild’s side. In this episode, we talk about missing everyday moments, staying connected through phone calls and visits, the importance of being intentional, and the kind of love that distance cannot take away. For grandparents with grandchildren who live far away, I believe this conversation will encourage you to keep reaching out, keep loving, and keep building memories in every season.

As for Me and My House

In this heartfelt episode of Only for a Season, Mel reflects on a small plaque that hung in his childhood kitchen on West 43rd Street in Cleveland, Ohio. It read, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That simple message became more than words on a wall. Through the quiet example of his parents praying, reading Scripture, and faithfully living out their faith, Mel saw what it meant to build a Christian home. This episode is an encouragement to young parents to let their children see their faith in everyday life, and a reminder to older parents with wayward children to keep praying, keep believing, and never lose hope. The seeds planted in faith are never wasted. #ofaseason

The Women Who Hold Our Family Together

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Only for a Season, Mel Cruzado shares a heartfelt reflection on the women who have shaped his life and family. He honors his wife Ruth of 46 years, along with their daughters Jennifer and Michele, and talks about the quiet strength, sacrifice, and love that mothers carry every day. From creating a home filled with warmth and tradition, to raising children and pouring into the next generation, this episode looks at the beauty of motherhood through the different seasons of family life. It’s also a message to men. A reminder to notice, appreciate, and honor the women in their lives while they still have the chance. A personal and faith-rooted episode about love, gratitude, and the legacy of a godly woman.