Personal Blog
Sharing my Journey to Finding Christ
I discovered my faith in Christ during my challenging upbringing, which is now commonly referred to as a "dysfunctional" childhood. However, back then, it was simply the norm during the chaotic era of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would be labeled as such, Jesus miraculously appeared in my life and brought about a significant change.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in forming a deep 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 transformed. The love I experienced at that time has been my source of strength for more than half a century, carrying me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive experiences as well. I firmly believe that the course of my life was permanently altered 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 the love of Jesus. I am a Christian songwriter who aims to assist others in creating songs that can capture the beauty of this incredible truth. The main principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual in the world, which is why we offer podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
Do you have a personal story to share?
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 you have been deeply affected by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs have expressed their desire to learn how to express their pain and how God has been their source of strength during difficult times. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from life's challenges, but rather miraculously supports us through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in contemplating how to authentically portray your experiences in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Start by discovering a shared element within your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
We all have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point in our lives. By sharing a story that resonates with people, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important for us to find a connection between our own experiences and yours. When we can relate and fill in the missing pieces with our own stories, we are more likely to develop an emotional attachment to yours.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. A person we know, Becky Norquist, who has previously attended NCS, went through the difficult experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. In her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the needs of grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has suffered any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I am about to share was originally said by Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. It has stuck with me ever since I heard it. At first glance, this statement may seem contradictory, but it actually isn't. The initial point is to identify a common theme or emotion as the foundation for your songwriting. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that would not be helpful or meaningful to your listeners. If you delve too deeply into specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other intricate details, you may risk losing the interest and connection of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, you allow me to become engaged in your narrative. If the specific details of your story do not align with mine, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to find a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details in order to focus on the emotions you experienced during the challenging situation, and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a song of testimony is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own experiences that may not be relatable to others. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that reflects your experience. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may come across as self-centered, unless you're aiming to write a country song that evokes sadness. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be a genuine testimony, rather just a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you simply burden them with your own problems, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and pain. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics 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, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an impressive job with their uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and is applicable to a wider audience. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power can overcome all the negativity in life. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be worth exploring alternative approaches before delving into sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. 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 involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced and his ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of how you arrived at that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may be interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to establish your ministry, we invite you to click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is completely obligation-free and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for you. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call today.
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