This is when we must rely on transcending power of God’s love. His love never fails. His love never falls short. His love is always enough.

2011 was certainly a season of this for me. We had come to the painful realization that our love for our son was not enough (which is always the case) and our attempts to reach him were failing miserably. Our only hope was to completely release him to God, and put all our trust in His love to transcend and overcome the lies of the enemy and the huge chasm of pain. Let me just say, this was the hardest thing I have ever faced. During this time, the Lord gave me this poem:

My Love Falls Short

Like an arrow that misses the target, dropping in hushed silence. My love falls short.

Like a bullet blown off course, wandering aimlessly, lost forever. My love falls short.

Like the batter who swings with vigor, but inevitably strikes out. My love falls short.

With miserable effort, I try. With each endeavor I fail. My love falls short.

My love cannot reach you. My love is not sufficient. My love falls short.

With all my heart I want to help you. With every breath I want to save you, but my love falls short.

There is one love that is strong enough. One love that has the power, only one love that does not fall short.

Like the unrelenting power of the tides, it is a love that endures; a love that never fails.

Like the majestic mountains, it is a love that is timeless; a love that will not fail.

It is a love that is perfect: a love that cannot not fall short.

It is the love that created you. It is the love that called you, a love that will never fail you.

It is the love of God, the love of Abba Father, the love of the Savior that will not fall short.

I hold to this love, this Divine love that saves. I cling to it to touch you.

I know God’s love will not fall short.

To this love I appeal. To this love I plead. In this love I have put my trust.

It will not fall short.

His love will reach you. His love will heal you. His love will do what mine cannot do.

His love will save you.

My love falls short, but this love, God’s love, will never fall short.

God has been so incredibly faithful! It took some time, but we have seen God’s love not only transcend massive obstacles of anger, dependency, and hurts, but also transform a hardened and bitter heart into a heart exploding with life, joy, and desire to follow God’s call on his life!

Whatever your circumstance, God’s love will transcend it. Yours may not be a child; maybe it is a parent, or a work or health situation. Look to God’ love. Trust in His love. God’s love transcends all!

They convey Christ as a fragile, doe eyed, “Can’t we all just get a long” wanna be leader. (The Passion Of The Christ was the only movie to even get it close, in my opinion).

This is not the God of the Bible at all. Yes, God is righteous and just, but He does not stand over us waiting for us to sin. He pursues us with His love. God’s love has grit! God’s love is tenacious! In His great love, He gave Christ to die for our sins so He could have fellowship with us.

I believe Jesus was physically strong along with the spiritual power and authority He displayed. He was, after all, a carpenter with no power tools! Jesus withstood tremendous betrayal, torture, persecution, and carried the weight of the sins of the world because of His great love.

He is committed to us. He will not give up on us.

“For great is His love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 117:2

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

God’s love is tenacious! He will not let you go. He will not let go of those you care about. There is no darkness or depth that He will not be there for us (Ps. 139). As they say, “You can run, but you cannot hide.” Just ask Jonah.

If you are running from God, stop. He loves you more than you can ever imagine and He will wait you out. You can’t out run Him or out wait Him.

If you have pulled away because of shame and guilt, turn back to Him. There is NOTHING that can separate you from God…except you.

If you are contending for loved ones, be encouraged. God’s love will pursue them. His love is perfect and unending. He will reach them with His love.

For those of you who know me, you know why. For those of you who don’t… let me tell you.

My oldest son, Brooks, got married last Saturday, 2/11/12. It was a week full of errands, getting the house ready for my in-laws, picking them up at the airport, and busy days decorating for the ceremony and reception (we lost the gal who was doing the decorations at the last minute…long story).

It was a very short engagement because Brooks wanted to take Cheyenne back to Las Vegas, where he had been living, but as his wife. They wanted to do it right. His father and I agreed, her parents agreed, and so we were off. Putting a wedding together in under two months is not impossible, but it is busy!

So the much anticipated day arrived! It was a wonderful day.

With scattered showers in the morning, God was so gracious to hold off the rain while the kids and their court got pictures in the park. Even though it was cold, it was dry. (Rain spells disaster for wedding dresses,  hairdo’s and makeup!) Part of the reception was set up outside as well. I am so grateful God parted the clouds for those few hours of our special day.

The kids went to Santa Cruz for their wedding night and were back at church the next day to see off friends and family that came to support and celebrate their union. They packed up her house and loaded the truck on Wednesday and hit the road to start their new life together at dark-thirty Thursday morning. I, with some friends, came in behind them and did the move out clean on the house.

I am always grateful for my friends, but I have to tell you, it is during these times of one’s life that friends are the life raft that keep you afloat. We had so many people help us with so many things (emotional support as well as physical)  The kids had so much help with packing and moving. Thank you Jesus for friends!

I’ve posted a few pictures from my sad little camera.  I am very anxious to see the professional ones.

Brooks with Alaina, the most adorable flower girl ever!

Brooks watching Cheyenne come down the aisle.

The reception.

Because others fail us, it is hard to trust people, so we can find ourselves wondering if God is really trustworthy. When we are not seeing answers to prayer or the times we don’t feel God we may begin to doubt His love and care for us.

God is trustworthy. He is the only one who is truly perfect and righteous. We can trust Him.

We Will Not Be Put To Shame.

“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No-one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame…” Psalm 25:1-3

We Will Not Be Shaken.

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

We Will Not Be Separated.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us… For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Know that God loves you. You can trust Him in ALL things. He will not abandon you, no matter what.

I may not always see or feel the sun, but I don’t question if the sun still exists if I don’t see it or feel it. I don’t always feel God or see His hand, but I know He is with me and He is completely trustworthy.

Put your trust in God. You can trust Him with your deepest concerns.

I have grown to know God’s love in deeper, more meaningful ways over time. My understanding of His love grows and matures with each day I serve Him. God’s love has proven to be timeless.

Past, Present Or Future…God’s Love Is Endless

It doesn’t matter what has happened, or hasn’t happened. It doesn’t matter what we fear my happen or not happen, God love us and His love is endless and endures all things. If it were not for the love of God, we would all be destroyed and devoured.

I love what Jeremiah, in his confusion and grief declared, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 (This verse has held me through some very dark days.)

God’s Love Is Everlasting

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us… As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him…” Psalm 103:8-18

God’s love for you is inexhaustible!  He will never give up on you! He will ALWAYS love you!

What does God’s timeless love mean to you?

Misconceptions Of God’s Love

Many people have misconceptions of God’s love. They believe God’s love is defined by what they think and the way they feel. They will never be fulfilled until they understand the truth of God’s love. Here are a few common misconceptions:

“If I don’t feel God’s love, it isn’t real.” ”If I don’t understand God’s love, it isn’t true.”

“I have to earn God’s love.” ”It is just a matter of time before God’s gets fed up with me.”

“If God loves me, why is this happening to me?” ”If God loved the world, why are so many people suffering?”

Jesus, in a powerful prayer for us said “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that’s us!), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. … May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20-26

God wants us to know His love for us. He wants us to understand His love for us. He has declared it all through His Word, and it is the driving force behind everything He does. Even the hard stuff He allows in our lives is because He loves us enough to correct us, challenge us to trust Him, and build our character.

Through the month of February I will be doing a series on the love of God. I hope you will join me for each post and grow with me from knowing about the love of God to truly KNOWING THE LOVE OF GOD.

What was your first experience in realizing the love of God?

I’m not a big football fan, but I do enjoy a good Super Bowl party. For me it is all about friends, food,and fun. Mark, on the other hand, it is all about the game.

I’m usually not interested in the half time entertainment. Even though I watch, much like one would watch a train wreck with morbid curiousity. They are most often pretty bad.

I do like to see who is singing the National Anthem, and hear how they do. So glad our fore fathers picked the hard song ever to sing for our National Anthem.

Both of us, and most everyone I know, love the commercials. Super Bowl commercials have become a huge part of the Super Bowl experience. The room will be buzzing with conversation and cheering, but as soon as a commercial comes on….”Shhhh! It’s a commercial!” The room is silenced and all eyes on the TV.

Most of the commercials are good: some funny, some heart warming. Can you imagine the pressure to be on the advertisement team that has to come up with a commercial to be debuted during the Super Bowl? Wow. Those companies pay ALOT of money to have their add aired during the Super Bowl. That’s a lot of pressure.

Gotta love the commercial that Focus On The Family aired during a recent play-off game. It is powerful in it’s simplicity: John 3:16

So, for today I thought it would be fun to post The 25 Best Super Bowl Commercials. Enjoy!

Are you all about the game, or are you all about the party?

Have a great weekend: going to church and then watching the Super Bowl, snacking with friends, sleeping on the couch… whatever, have a great day!

Since it is February, the month of love, I want to continue delving into the love of God.

God’s Love Is…

God’s love is unquestionable. God’s love is incomparable.

God’s love is incredible. God’s love is inexhaustible.

God’s love is dependable. God’s love is unconditional.

God’s love is irrevocable. God’s love is immutable.

God’s love is infallible. God’s love is indisputable.

God’s love is remarkable. God’s love is irresistible.

God’s love is accessible. God’s love is available just for you.

“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 21

How do you “keep yourself in God’s love”?

What we are able to comprehend is astonishing, almost more than we can bear.

I want to talk this week about the love of God:

When did you first realize God’s love for you?

How did you respond to God’s love?

God’s love is an amazing thing. I don’t think we fully grasp the power of God’s love. I don’t think we even have the capability or capacity to fully grasp anything of God, let alone His love.

What we are able to comprehend is astonishing, almost more than we can bear.

I want to talk this week about the love of God:

When did you first realize God’s love for you?

How did you respond to God’s love?

How has His love made a difference in your life?

What does His love mean to you now?

Complete this sentence: “God’s love is…. ”

I want to hear from you!