Personal Blog: Sharing my Journey of Finding Christ
Growing up in the tumultuous years of the 1960s and '70s, my childhood was far from conventional. It was what society now labels as "dysfunctional," but back then, it was just the reality we knew. Little did we know that our experiences would be classified under a special term later on. However, during this chaotic time, Jesus entered my life and brought about a significant change.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a connection with the incomprehensible love that Jesus has for us.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This enduring love has been my source of strength for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently state that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It is the driving force behind my work as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist others in creating songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to people worldwide.
What is your personal story? It could be that you experienced the love of God when you were young in church, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. I've had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they were eager to learn how to express their struggles and how God helped them endure. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather provides us with miraculous support throughout everything we face.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences and faith through Christian songs, it can be challenging. Here are three tips to help you effectively convey your testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Start by identifying a theme or topic in your story that many people can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By allowing people to connect with your story, you create a sense of invitation in your song. It is important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences within yours. This allows them to emotionally engage and become enamored with your story.
If there isn't anything in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student of NCS, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support to grieving families, but she also includes enough 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
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, who shared a valuable piece of advice that has stuck with me. 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 avoid including unnecessary details in your song that don't add value to the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other irrelevant specifics, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you create an invitation for me to connect with your song. If the specific details of your story don't align with mine, it can deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a musical composition that depicts the triumph of God in your personal experiences.
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 to study songs that resonate with you and observe how the writers engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply describing details.
Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to create a genuine song that serves as a testimony of that event. Expressing your emotions too intensely in your lyrics can often be seen as self-centered, unless you are writing a typical country song that focuses on heartbreak and sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not necessarily a true testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. That's why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and hurts. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting worship song called "My Testimony" by conveying a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it might be worth considering incorporating positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power over any negative aspects. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it may be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
To conclude, a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis is a way to release emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficult experiences you have encountered and His ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path you took to reach that point.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing songs based on personal testimonies and cover various other topics. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your own ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free and non-binding phone call. This call will help determine if the program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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