Keeping the Fireworks Alive
Day 1 - Jun 29, 2026
Appreciate the Cost of Freedom
When we watch the fireworks this 4th of July, we will see a huge display of light. But this year those flashes in the sky will celebrate something much bigger: our nation's 250 years of strength, hard work, and vision.
In marriage, keeping the "fireworks" alive isn't about chasing a feeling. It’s about building a connection so strong that the sparks of romance are a natural celebration of the life you have built.
Through our marriage ministry, Marriage Minute, Mandy and I have a deep heart’s desire to see all couples continually investing in their relationships. We know that growing a love that lasts takes intention and effort. Here is how you can do it.
The brightest fireworks are built on the deepest sacrifices.
The freedoms we celebrate at this 250-year mark were not free. When the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew they could lose everything, including their lives. They signed it anyway because they wanted a better future for their children. Our freedom was bought with sacrifice, and we honor this milestone because we respect the high cost they paid.
"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her." — Ephesians 5:25 (NLT)
A great marriage works the exact same way. A strong partnership does not just happen. It is paid for over the years by giving up pride, letting the other person have their way, saying "I'm sorry," and choosing "we" instead of "me."
Mandy and I have learned that when you look at your spouse, you must recognize the invisible sacrifices they have made to get you here. True closeness happens when two people completely respect the cost the other has paid to keep the marriage strong.
Love is a daily choice, not just a feeling.
Take Action
Questions that need to be asked:
What is one invisible sacrifice you have seen your spouse make for our marriage recently that you haven't thanked them for?
Where am I currently putting "me" first when I need to put "we" first?
Action Step: Write a short thank-you note to your spouse today, naming one specific sacrifice they have made for your family, and leave it where they will find it.
Day 2 - Jun 30, 2026
Weather the Winter Storms
The History: Our nation did not just declare independence and easily march to 250 years. The country survived freezing, starving winters at Valley Forge. Soldiers had no shoes and little food, but they stayed together and trained hard so they could win in the spring. They refused to quit when it was cold.
You can't enjoy the summer fireworks if you quit during the winter storms.
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
You will face harsh "winters" in your marriage. Money will get tight, kids will be hard, and feelings will get hurt. The fun feelings might fade for a little while, but your commitment is what keeps you warm.
You have to fight for your team, not against them. Working through the hard times is what builds a bond so strong that the joy returns in the summer.
The toughest times make the best teams.
Take Action
Questions that need to be asked:
Looking back at a hard "winter" in our marriage, how did getting through it make us stronger today?
When we argue, how can we remember that we are on the same team?
Action Step: Hold hands today, look each other in the eye, and say out loud: "No matter what storms come, I am on your team."
Day 3 - Jul 1, 2026
Weather the Winter Storms
The History: Our nation did not just declare independence and easily march to 250 years. The country survived freezing, starving winters at Valley Forge. Soldiers had no shoes and little food, but they stayed together and trained hard so they could win in the spring. They refused to quit when it was cold.
You can't enjoy the summer fireworks if you quit during the winter storms.
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
You will face harsh "winters" in your marriage. Money will get tight, kids will be hard, and feelings will get hurt. The fun feelings might fade for a little while, but your commitment is what keeps you warm.
You have to fight for your team, not against them. Working through the hard times is what builds a bond so strong that the joy returns in the summer.
The toughest times make the best teams.
Take Action
Questions that need to be asked:
Looking back at a hard "winter" in our marriage, how did getting through it make us stronger today?
When we argue, how can we remember that we are on the same team?
Action Step: Hold hands today, look each other in the eye, and say out loud: "No matter what storms come, I am on your team."
Day 4 - Jul 2, 2026
Celebrate the Milestones
Why do we shoot fireworks on the 4th of July? Founding father John Adams knew people forget the good stuff. He said we needed parades, parties, and lights in the sky to force us to remember what we achieved. He knew we needed to stop working and cheer.
A marriage that doesn't celebrate its past will struggle to see its future.
"We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them... These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever." — Joshua 4:6-7 (NLT)
Couples get so busy with life—raising kids, working jobs, paying bills—that they forget to celebratewhat they are building. Whether you are married one year or fifty years, you must make your milestones matter. Plan a trip, go to dinner, or simply stop and say, "Look at what we built." Be proud of the years you have together.
If you never pause to cheer, you will forget why you are playing.
Take Action
Questions that need to be asked:
What is a specific victory in our relationship that we skipped over, and how can we celebrate it now?
How do you feel most loved and celebrated when we have a special day?
Action Step: Plan a mini-celebration for this weekend. It doesn't have to cost money—buy a special dessert or take a walk, and spend 10 minutes talking about your favorite memories together.
Day 5 - Jul 4, 2026
Happy 4th of July from Mandy and me! Today is a monumental day—our nation is officially 250 years old! As we wake up to celebrate this amazing milestone and wrap up our 5-part series, Keeping the Fireworks Alive, we want to leave you with a challenge that looks beyond today's celebrations and focuses on the future.
Pass the Torch to the Next Generation
When the founders signed the Declaration of Independence exactly 250 years ago today, they were not just doing it for themselves. They were building a country that would last for hundreds of years after they were gone. As we watch the fireworks tonight, we are enjoying the seeds they planted. Now, we must ask ourselves: what kind of family legacy are we leaving for the next 250 years?
Your marriage is the blueprint for the next generation's love story.
"We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders." — Psalm 78:4 (NLT)
Your marriage is a living map. The way you talk to your spouse, the way you handle fights, and the way you show love sets a permanent example for your children and your friends. At Marriage Minute, it is our deepest heart's desire to see you invest heavily in your relationship because a strong marriage is a bright light in a dark world. It proves to everyone watching that true, lifelong love is really possible.
A strong marriage is the best gift you can give your kids.
As we wrap up this series today, remember that the fireworks in your marriage are the reward for your hard work. You must respect the cost of your partnership, grab the everyday moments, fight through the winter storms, and cheer for your milestones. When you do these things, you aren't just protecting your own marriage—you are passing the torch of hope to the next generation!
You can't pass the torch if you let your own fire go out!
Take Action
Questions that need to be asked:
When our kids or friends watch us, what is the loudest message they learn about our love and our faith?
What is one faith tradition or habit we have built that we want our children to copy in their own lives?
Sometime today, while the hot dogs are on the grill or you are waiting for the fireworks to start, share your story. Look at your kids, your grandchildren, or a younger couple, and tell them how God brought you and your spouse together.
Share a quick testimony about a time God helped you survive a hard season in your marriage. Let them hear you praise God and praise your spouse out loud!