Personal Blog
Sharing My Story of Finding Christ
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as the normal way of life. We were unaware that there would be a designated term for the experiences we endured. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously entered my life and transformed it.
My life went through a significant change when someone guided me to experience the incomprehensible love that Jesus has for us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This profound affection has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the joyful moments. I can confidently say that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of a powerful motivation. This motivation drives me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that capture the incredible truth of this motivation. It is the fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs. Our ultimate goal is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story or experience of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church days, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that a significant loss in your life left you feeling broken. Many Christian songwriters who have faced great challenges like abuse, divorce, or loss have shown interest in our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to express their pain through music and how God provided them with strength and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure and overcome them.
However, the question remains, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through compelling musical compositions?
As we journey through life, we experience both the joys and challenges it has to offer. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in contemplating the best ways to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a unifying theme in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are experiences that are familiar to everyone. By making your story relatable, you can engage people and make them feel connected to your music. It is important to incorporate elements of our own experiences so that we can personally connect with and appreciate your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, went through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry primarily focus on providing support to grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
The statement that stuck with me was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it actually makes sense. The first point is to choose a central theme or emotion for your song. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful to your listeners. If you go into too much detail about specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other specifics, you might end up losing your audience's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If the specific details differ from my own experiences, it can deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult times and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that depicts the triumph of God in your personal experiences or journey.
It is important to consider the unique details of your own experiences that may not be relatable to others. To enhance your songwriting, it can be helpful to find examples of songs that evoke specific emotions and study how the writers engage the listeners, rather than simply listing off specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional and physical pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a traditional country song that evokes sorrow. If that's your intention, feel free to pursue it, but understand that it won't truly serve as a testament to your experience, but rather as a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to deal with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. That's why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and hurts. It is crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional atmosphere are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their energetic praise song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and applicable to a broad audience. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your personal childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's healing power over any negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to consider other options before expressing your pain in a way that may overwhelm the listeners.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights how God has succeeded in your life. It is important, and even necessary, for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to distinguish between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing negative emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced and His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and cover various other aspects. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves to determine whether this program aligns with your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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