The first thing about our wedding might be a bit of a shock, but it's the most important distinctive, it's not ALL about us. The lingo around most weddings is "it's YOUR day", and it's definitely an important day, one of our most exciting days, but it is not ALL about us.

The next thing we must express is how we can feel this way, that it's not all about us. We don't, as a couple, look for our purpose, meaning or ultimate joy in each other. We love each other, enjoy each other and love spending time with one another, but we will never "complete each other" no matter how many times they use that in the movies.

So what is the ultimate joy, ultimate purpose in our life and what is the wedding all about? We believe that it's all about Jesus Christ. Jesus made us, saved us and is redeeming us. We can not find any more hope or joy than in the gospel. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Once you have tasted of the grace of God you realize that nothing else will ever match His love for you.

It's all about Jesus...

So what is this gospel we are referring to? We believe that there is one God who exists in three persons, all equal, all perfect but with different roles. God created the world to display His glory, and He placed humans in it, in His likeness to enjoy the world. The problem came when we disobeyed Him. He is both perfect and just, not able to allow sin to go unpunished, we find ourselves out of God's presence, separated from Him and in a body that is going to die. Ultimately, since we sinned against an eternal God, we would be in punishment for eternity, in hell, but the story doesn't stop there.

God is also loving, merciful and gracious, just as much as He is about justice. Even though he did not have to, He sent His son into His own creation (earth), became a servant and died one of the worst deaths for us. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Worse yet, God put the wrath that should have been poured out on us onto His own Son. This Son is Jesus, and death did not hold Him in the grave. Three days after dying on the cross, God raised Jesus back to life so that we may have eternal life and live with Him forever. Because of this great sacrifice, we desire to worship and serve Christ with our lives. We find this the most joy filled thing we can do! Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Our ultimate fulfillment is when we die, we get to live with God in heaven forever, never to be affected by sin, sickness or death, and to live with our greatest treasure, God.

For our wedding, we want everything we do to be Christ centered. What this means is that we want to show the true meaning behind life and the celebration of two becoming one, to point to God and His church. Weddings are only an image/shadow of the church being reunited with Christ. We get a small taste of this union here on earth in the union of marriage.

If you are not a Christian, and do not live your life for the purpose of glorifying God, I would urge you to think through this. If you want to be a Christian and live your life for Jesus, you need to repent (turn away from) of your sin by praying (talking) with God, confessing your sin to Him and trust in the Gospel for your salvation. You should also join a church.

If you have any questions, we would love to talk to you,

In Christ,
Eric & Amberly

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