Personal Blog
Sharing my Experience of Finding Faith
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" in today's terminology. However, back then, it was simply the norm during the turbulent decades of the 1960s and '70s. Unaware that our experiences would be categorized as such, Jesus somehow played a significant role in my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in forming a deep 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 disrupted. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, helping me navigate through the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, as well as the positive experiences. My personal account reveals 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 my purpose in life is what keeps me going. Being a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various forms of content, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love when you were young and attended church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through trauma, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us for coaching, seeking guidance on how to convey their pain and how God has supported them through it. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from challenges, but He miraculously provides us with strength to endure them."
However, the question remains, how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this article, I will provide three valuable tips that aim to assist you in reflecting on how to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, offering them solace, restoration, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
We all have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point. The key to engaging people with your story is to make it relatable to them. It is important to incorporate elements of our own experiences into your narrative so that we can connect with it on a personal level. This allows us to emotionally invest in your story and become captivated by it.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, has gone through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her music that anyone who has experienced any form of loss can relate to and continue to engage with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a songwriter and publisher known for his extensive work in Lillenas Music, who once shared a valuable piece of advice that has stuck with me. This advice may seem contradictory at first, but it really isn't. 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 won't be beneficial to your listeners. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, you may end up losing the attention of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that I can connect with, you encourage me to engage with your melody. If the specific elements of your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the skill to find the right amount of detail, neither too little nor too excessive, in order to emphasize your emotions during the difficult times and subsequently shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimony song is a song that showcases the ways in which God has accomplished victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that are not relatable to others. To enhance your songwriting, you can look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the writers engage listeners without simply stating specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and distress caused by a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to genuinely express your feelings in a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions through lyrics may sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are creating a sorrowful country song that captures the essence of heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to acknowledge that it is not a true testimonial, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and difficulties to face. 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 a safe outlet for processing your own issues and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact 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 successfully created a lively praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on creating a song solely about your personal childhood experiences, you could consider exploring positive biblical themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome any negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to expressing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative methods before delving into your pain and sharing it with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that portrays how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It might 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 triumph over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is conducted online over a period of eight weeks, we delve deep into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a complimentary phone call. During this call, we can discuss whether this program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave them below. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
This code uses the `getElementById` method in JavaScript to retrieve an element with the ID "ak_js_1" and then sets the "value" attribute of that element to the current timestamp, obtained using the `getTime`
Sections:
– Categorized as: This text is organized into different categories or topics.
– Stay connected: We can be followed on various platforms to stay updated.
– Explore more: There are additional posts available for browsing.
– Groups: The content is organized into different categories or tags.
– Frequently viewed posts: These posts are highly popular among readers.
– Begin your journey: Start your learning or exploration process