Love Conquers...

Sometimes things just happen. Such was the case with the harmony part to one of my songs many years ago. To this day, one of my all-time favorite parts of any of my music is the second verse to the song, “Compromised The Truth.” Not only am I drawn to the words, but I’m also drawn to the harmonies that my best friend Angela created as she listened to the song for the first time. In fact, her harmonies were so strong that we decided to include one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever written on our first CD…and the song was then only one month old.

I was reminded of this song and its harmonies during church yesterday. As my pastor courageously confessed his struggles against fear, he read this text from 1 John 4:18-19:

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

I immediately began singing the second verse of “Compromised The Truth.”

Patrick went on to share his thoughts that maybe Jesus was afraid that night he served his last supper. Maybe Jesus experienced a deep amount of fear before going to the garden to pray for his friends only to have a friend betray him. Even so, Jesus lay down his life for his friends. Because, well, he loved us. And love conquers fear.

Love conquers fear.
Love overshadows mistakes.
Love extends forgiveness.
Love exudes grace.
And God is…love.

I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life.

I’ve allowed fear to paralyze me. I’ve allowed lies to deceive me. I’ve allowed temptation to sway me. I’ve allowed worry to consume my mind.

I’ve compromised the truth more times than I care to admit.

Yet love still holds me.
And beautiful surprises still emerge.
And life still happens.
Amen and amen.

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Compromised The Truth
(www.reverbnation.com/deannadeaton)


I taught her how to hide, to turn from the ones she loves
I taught her to enjoy the night and I taught her to fear the light
Oh I taught her how to run and I taught her how to lie
And I taught her how to cry, oh I taught her how to hide

Oh I should have, cause I could have told her differently
Oh I should have, cause I could have shown her differently, yeh
Oh I should have, cause I could have, but I didn’t, no I didn’t
Instead I compromised the truth for me

Well there is no fear in love cause perfect love drives out fear
And perfect love comes from Christ and not the other guy who tries to satisfy
The demands of this world and the needs of the flesh
And the guilt of the soul that keeps us from praying but keeps us saying

Oh I should have, cause I could have told her differently
Oh I should have, cause I could have shown her differently, yeh
Oh I should have, cause I could have, but I didn’t, no I didn’t
Instead I compromised the truth for me

I’m sorry that I compromised the truth
For me