Personal Blog
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
My upbringing was far from ideal, with a challenging and chaotic environment during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and '70s. Back then, we didn't have a term like "dysfunctional" to describe our situation. However, amidst it all, Jesus miraculously entered my life and changed everything.
I went through a significant change when a person assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the indescribable affection of Jesus, which I had never experienced before.
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 support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the joyful and difficult moments, as well as the highs and lows. The turning point in my life occurred when I first felt God's love at the age of eighteen, and it has had a lasting impact on the direction my life has taken.
The reason I continue to exist and engage in my work is because of this specific factor. It is the driving force behind my identity as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The primary principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood in church, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you feeling broken. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed their interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to convey their experiences of suffering and how God provided them with strength and support. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we all experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in the form of Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Allow me to share three valuable tips that can assist you in effectively capturing your personal experiences in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
We are all familiar with the emotions of loneliness and feeling directionless at certain times. The most effective approach to connect with others through your story is to provide them with a means to relate to it. It is important for us to perceive our own experiences within yours, allowing us to form a deeper connection and develop an affinity for your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, has gone through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she specifically addresses the struggles of grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and continue to be engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a highly successful songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, who shared this insightful statement that has stayed with me. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it isn't. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that may not be helpful to the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, you run the risk of losing the audience's interest.
When you discover the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it might discourage me. However, despite seeming difficult, it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the challenging experience and then shifts towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God has achieved victory in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that showcases the ways in which God has overcome obstacles in your life.
It is important to understand that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be easily related to by others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that have a similar feel to what you want to write and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in emotions rather than simply stating facts.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a genuine song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're creating a typical country song that dwells on heartbreak. If that's the direction you want to take, then go ahead and do it, but be aware that it won't truly serve as a testimony but rather as a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own problems to deal with. If you simply unload all of your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist. They are there to provide an outlet for your struggles 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 effectively created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your own childhood experiences, it may be beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative and healing power of God. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it might be worth considering alternative approaches before delving into personal pain.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that illustrates the triumph of God in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It may also be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself, but it's important to note the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the challenges you have faced, ultimately bringing triumph to your soul, regardless of the path taken to reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you desire to take your songwriting skills to the next level and have a deep sense of purpose to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligations, in order to determine if this program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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