Personal Blog Post
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
Growing up in the 1960's and 70's, my childhood was filled with challenges and hardships that are now labeled as "dysfunctional" by society. However, back then, it was just the norm. Little did I know that Jesus would eventually play a pivotal role in my life, bringing about a positive change.
My life underwent a significant change when an individual assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the inexplicable affection that Jesus possesses.
The image has been captured by the photographer Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support 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 say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my purpose is this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. It is the fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters, and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to spreading the message of Jesus' love for every person on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you faced a significant loss that left you broken. I've had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce and are interested in our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to express their suffering and how God has provided strength and support throughout their journey. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the joys and challenges it has to offer. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences and faith through Christian songs, it can sometimes be a daunting task. To assist you in effectively conveying your testimonies in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with solace, restoration, and optimism, I have three valuable tips that I believe will be of assistance.
Initially, attempt to discover a unifying element in your narrative that a large number of individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that many people can relate to. By incorporating elements in your story that resonate with others, you create an opportunity for them to connect with your song. It is important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences within your narrative, allowing them to engage and develop an emotional attachment to your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate 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. Through her music and ministry, she addresses the struggles of 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 and stay engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling rather than getting caught up in the specifics
The statement I'm about to share was said by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme, specifically an emotion, to base your song on. The second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that don't add value for the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other particulars, you may end up alienating your audience.
When you discover the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that resonates with me, you encourage me to become a part of your story. If the specifics of your experience don't align with mine, it might discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible. You can acquire the skill of incorporating the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the challenging period and then shift the focus towards how God's intervention brought redemption to you.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights and celebrates the victories and successes that God has brought into your life.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and that we may not be able to relate to. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that are similar to the type of song you want to write and see how the songwriters engage listeners in an emotion rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that reflects your feelings. Expressing your anguish through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a country song filled with heartfelt sorrow. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it won't be considered a testimony, rather just a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to bear. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, 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 is crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting 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 might be beneficial to explore positive themes from Scripture that showcase how God's healing power can overcome negativity. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be advantageous to explore different approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that depicts how God has succeeded 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 the two types. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's ability to overcome the hardships you have faced and achieve victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more over the course of eight weeks. While many individuals may be seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will help determine if our program is the right fit for you, and there is no obligation to proceed. Take the first step by scheduling your free call here.
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