Personal Blog
Sharing my Journey of Finding Faith
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would later be categorized under a specific term. Nevertheless, it was during this time that Jesus intervened and made a significant impact on my life.
My life underwent a significant change when a person assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible love that Jesus possesses.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely altered. This love that I experienced has been the source of my strength and endurance for more than five decades, carrying me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a different course when I first encountered the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and purpose lies in this. It is the driving force behind my work as a Christian songwriter, aiming to assist you in creating songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth, and this is reflected in all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
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 possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with many Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, I've encountered individuals who have endured intense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are seeking to learn how to express their struggles and how God has provided them with strength throughout. James Finley suggests that while God may not shield us from hardships, He miraculously carries us through them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we do so effectively? Here are three tips that I believe will assist you in effectively conveying your testimonies in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Most individuals are familiar with the emotions of loneliness or feeling directionless at certain times. The most effective approach to engage people in your narrative is by providing them an opportunity to relate to it. It is crucial for us to perceive elements of our own experiences within your story. This allows us to connect with and appreciate your story on a deeper level.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we've personally experienced, 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 specifically addresses the pain and grief that families dealing with loss go through. However, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which is all of us – can relate and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on expressing the feeling rather than getting caught up in the specifics
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. 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 refrain from including irrelevant details in your song that won't benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary details, there's a chance of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you make me feel included in your narrative. If your specific details don't align with my own experiences, it may disconnect me. It may seem challenging, but it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on conveying your emotions during the difficult times and then shift the story towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that reflects on how God has successfully overcome challenges in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details of your own experience that may be difficult for others to relate to. To enhance your songwriting skills, it can be helpful to study songs that resonate with you and observe how the songwriters effectively evoke emotions in their audience without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally wounded from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose a genuine song that reflects it. Expressing your pain too explicitly in your lyrics can sometimes give off a sense of self-centeredness, unless you're aiming to create a typical country song that elicits sadness. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to understand that it won't be considered a testimony, but rather just a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to understand that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you burden them with all of your problems, they might not be inclined to listen for long. That's why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe space for you to share your issues and pain. 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 successfully created a lively and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase the transformative and healing power of God in overcoming difficult situations. There are numerous approaches to expressing your personal testimony, so I encourage you to explore alternative methods before delving into the depths of your pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important and necessary for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It may be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficult experiences you have faced, ultimately bringing triumph to your soul regardless of the path taken.
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 explore various other aspects related to songwriting. While many individuals seek free courses and webinars on Christian songwriting, if you are willing to take your songwriting skills to the next level and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you, and it comes with no obligations. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call here.
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