Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Life Story
I found my way to embracing Christianity after growing up in a challenging and unstable environment that is commonly referred to as "dysfunctional" today. However, during the 1960s and '70s, we simply thought it was the norm. Unbeknownst to us, Jesus played a significant role in turning my life around.
My life went through a profound change when someone guided me to experience the inexplicable affection 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 enduring love has been the source of strength for me for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. Being a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible reality. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on earth, which is why we offer various resources such as 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 also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us, seeking guidance in expressing their emotions and how God has supported them through it all. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously carries us through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the joys and the hardships. 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 I believe will assist you in contemplating the most effective ways to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Begin by searching for a shared element or theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Most people are familiar with the emotions of loneliness or feeling lost at times. By making our stories relatable, we can make others feel connected and interested in our music. It is important to include elements that resonate with our audience's personal experiences, allowing them to connect their own stories with ours and ultimately develop a strong attachment to our music.
If there isn't anything in your story that resonates with us and reminds us of our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former NCS student, Becky Norquist, went through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and stay engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement "find a common theme to write your song around" was first mentioned by Dave Clark, a prolific songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. Although it may seem contradictory, it is not. The main idea is to choose an emotion or theme as the core of your song. On the other hand, it is important to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or distract the listener. Providing excessive information about locations, time, dates, names, or other specifics can cause the listener to lose interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If the specific details don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and avoiding excessive information, focusing on the emotions you felt during the challenging situation, and ultimately shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that showcases the victories and triumphs of God in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the specific details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be understood by others. To assist in writing a song, it may be beneficial to search for examples of the type of song you want to create and observe how the songwriters engage the listeners in an emotion rather than simply stating facts.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a sincere song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics can sometimes come across as self-centered, unless you are writing a traditional country song that embraces sadness. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to recognize that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to deal with. If you only burden them with your own problems, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your own emotional baggage and pain. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel once they've heard your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your own childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power triumphs over any negativity. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider alternative approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write songs for yourself as a form of catharsis, it is crucial to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Testimonials express gratitude for God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced, emphasizing His ultimate victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program, NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many people are looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you're truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call does not require any commitment and is merely a way for us to determine if our program aligns with your needs. Click here to schedule your free call.
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