Personal Blog
Sharing My Story of Finding Faith
I discovered my faith in Jesus Christ during a challenging upbringing, which is now referred to as a "dysfunctional" childhood. However, back then, it was simply the norm during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would later be labeled, Jesus miraculously entered my life and made a profound difference.
My life changed dramatically when someone assisted me in experiencing the indescribable love of Jesus for the very first time.
The photograph 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 half a century, guiding me through both challenges and successes, as well as the joys in life. I can confidently say that my life's course was forever altered when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It serves as my motivation for being a Christian songwriter and assisting others in creating songs that can capture the incredible truth of this experience. The fundamental belief of 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.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith journey? It could be that 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 a significant loss in your life brought you to a place of brokenness, and you sought God's sustaining presence in that painful time. Many Christian songwriters have expressed interest in our coaching programs, seeking to learn how to convey their pain and how God carried them through it, especially those who have experienced great loss, abuse, or divorce. James Finley once said, "God doesn't shield us from life's hardships, but miraculously upholds us through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and testimonies through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this regard, I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering the most impactful ways to capture your testimonials in songs that resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that everyone is familiar with. To connect with others through your story, it is important to create a sense of identification. By incorporating aspects of our own experiences, we can better relate to and appreciate your narrative.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and evoke emotions related to our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student of NCS, has personally gone through the pain of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily focuses on supporting grieving families. However, she also incorporates universal themes in her songs that resonate with anyone who has experienced any form of loss, which includes all of us. This allows listeners to connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I am referring to was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. I have always remembered what he said. At first, it may seem contradictory to the previous point, but it is not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. On the other hand, the second point advises against including irrelevant details in your song that would not benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other unnecessary specifics, there is a chance of losing the audience's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your story. If the specifics of your story do not align with mine, it may deter my engagement. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the skill of providing the right amount of detail, neither excessive nor insufficient, to focus on your emotions during the challenging experience and subsequently shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that expresses the ways in which God has brought success and victory into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your story that we may not be able to relate to. To better understand how to evoke emotions in your songwriting, it can be helpful to study and analyze the techniques used by other songwriters who successfully engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally and physically affected by a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to authentically write a song about it. Expressing your pain and suffering through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a typical country song that focuses on heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own personal struggles to cope with. If you unload all of your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe space for you to express your dysfunction and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact 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 energetic and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony". They have successfully conveyed a message rooted in Scripture that applies to a wide range of people. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on highlighting positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power overcomes any negativity. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be wise to explore different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has overcome obstacles in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release and find catharsis. It could be beneficial to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis is a way to let go of emotions, while testimonials are a way to celebrate God's triumph over challenges and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of testimony songs and explore various other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals may seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a complimentary phone call. This call will help determine if our program aligns with your needs and interests. Book your free call now.
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