Personal Blog: Sharing my Journey of Finding Faith
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my childhood was far from conventional. It was a time of societal upheaval and challenges, which we simply considered as a normal part of life. Little did we know that our experiences would later be labeled as a "dysfunctional" upbringing. However, amidst the chaos, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in uncovering the indescribable love that Jesus holds for everyone.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, helping me navigate through the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a different path when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is what keeps me going. This is why I have chosen to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in crafting songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story or experience with faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood in church, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Alternatively, you may have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have encountered numerous Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they have expressed a desire to learn how to convey their struggles and how God has helped them endure. James Finley suggests that God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs? How can we ensure that our testimonies are beautifully expressed in
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that I believe can guide you in capturing your experiences in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people with your story, it is important to create a connection that allows them to relate to it. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we are able to better connect and appreciate your narrative.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are centered around providing support and comfort to grieving families. However, she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss, which includes all of us, can relate to and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), mention this and it has stuck with me ever since. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that don't contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, there's a chance of losing your audience's interest.
When you find the shared connection and shared feeling in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to become a part of your narrative. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it may discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail, neither too little nor too excessive, to focus on the emotions you experienced during your challenging time and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a song of testimony is one that depicts the victory of God in your personal experiences. …a song of testimony is one that portrays the way in which God has overcome obstacles and brought success in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not be relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is by studying examples of songs that successfully evoke emotions in their listeners, rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are writing a traditional country song that focuses on heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to acknowledge that it is not a genuine testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
Considering your audience's perspective is essential because they most likely have their own struggles and challenges to handle. It is important to avoid overwhelming them with your own pain, as this may result in them losing interest quickly. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe space for you to express your dysfunction and hurts. When writing lyrics, it is crucial to think about the impact they will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created a lively praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it may be worth exploring various positive themes from the Bible that showcase God's ability to bring healing and redemption to any negative circumstances. There are numerous creative ways to express your testimony, so it might be beneficial to consider alternative approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write such songs for your own healing, but it's important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your soul regardless of the path you have taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of crafting testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligations. This call will help determine if our program is the right fit for you. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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