Personal Blog
Sharing My Story of Finding Faith
I discovered my faith in Christ during a difficult upbringing that is often described as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply thought of it as our normal way of life. Little did we know that our experiences would later be recognized and labeled as such. Nonetheless, it was through the intervention of Jesus that my life was transformed.
I went through a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the overwhelming love that Jesus has for everyone, an experience that is difficult to put into words.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In just a moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love that I have experienced has supported me for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. The profound impact of feeling God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen has permanently altered the course of my life.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It's the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in writing songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every person on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church visits, or perhaps 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 faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to convey their experiences and the ways in which God has provided them strength and support. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously upholds us through them.
However, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both positive and negative moments. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in the form of Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this regard, I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in contemplating the most effective ways to capture your personal experiences in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a unifying element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To make your story relatable, it is important to provide a connection for people, allowing them to see themselves in your narrative. By incorporating elements of our shared experiences, we can better engage with your song. Allowing space for individuals to insert their own experiences into your story is crucial for creating a connection and capturing their hearts.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own personal experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and a close friend, has gone through the painful experience of suffering five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her songs and ministry, she specifically addresses the needs of grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes that anyone who has encountered any form 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
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, that has stuck with me ever since. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it is not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including irrelevant details in your song that do not benefit the listener. If you delve too deeply into specifics like locations, times, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, you might end up losing the interest of your audience.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that resonates with me, you allow me to become engaged in your story. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on the emotions you experienced during the difficult times and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in one's life.
It is important to consider the unique details that are personal to you and cannot be easily related to by others. One way to improve your songwriting is to find examples of songs that evoke the specific emotion you want to convey and study how the writers engage the listeners without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional and physical pain from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Revealing your pain too explicitly in your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're specifically aiming to create a sorrowful country song. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it won't necessarily serve as a testimonial but rather a melancholic country ballad.
When considering your audience, it's important to remember that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for your personal issues and hurts. It's worth considering the impact your lyrics will have on 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 broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of crafting a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on highlighting positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's transformative power over any negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative approaches before delving into sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has triumphed in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have an outlet for catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to also write these songs for yourself, but it's important to note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have experienced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into various aspects of songwriting and explore the power of testimony songs. While many individuals are seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to establish your ministry, you can follow this link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and is meant to help you determine if our program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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