Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Life Experience
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, back in the tumultuous 1960's and '70's, it was just the way life was for us. We were unaware that there would be a label for the struggles we faced, but miraculously, Jesus stepped into my life and made a significant impact.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus has for everyone.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely changed. This love that I experienced has been a constant source of support for me for more than five decades, helping me navigate through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and the positive experiences as well. I firmly believe that my life's course was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my actions is this. It is the driving force behind my work as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully convey this incredible truth. It is the fundamental principle that shapes Nashville Christian Songwriters and influences all of our endeavors, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, as we strive to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love while attending church as a child or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through immense suffering, whether it be abuse, divorce, or other hardships, have shown interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to effectively express their pain and how God helped them endure it. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from life's challenges, but rather supports and strengthens us throughout every difficult situation.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences and testimonies through Christian songs, how can we effectively capture them? In this regard, I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering how to convey your own testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that people can relate to. To engage others in your story, it is important to create a connection by allowing them to see themselves in it. By incorporating elements of shared experiences, listeners can fill in the gaps with their own personal narratives, making it easier for them to connect and resonate with your song.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captivates our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support to grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced 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 Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, who shared this memorable advice. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, 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 unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or distract the listener. Going into too much detail about specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics may 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 specifics of your experience don't align with mine, it may discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult times and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a composition that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
… a testimonial song is a piece of music that illustrates the manner in which God has succeeded in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that are not relatable to others. To enhance your songwriting, it can be beneficial to study songs that evoke specific emotions and observe how the writers engage listeners without solely focusing on specific details.
Furthermore, it is important to have a clear understanding of the distinction between catharsis and testimon
When you are still emotionally wounded from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it in a song. Sharing your pain through lyrics may sometimes appear self-centered, unless you are composing a typical country song that showcases heartbreak. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it is not a genuine testament. It would simply be a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to handle. If you simply unload all of your pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe outlet for venting and processing your dysfunction and hurts. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact 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 energetic praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song specifically about your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to focus on incorporating positive biblical themes that showcase God's ability to bring healing and overcome negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative methods before delving into sharing your personal pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important and even necessary for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced, and His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path you take to reach it.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing songs that convey personal testimonies and much more. While many individuals may seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are 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 will allow you to determine if this program is suitable for you, with no obligation attached. Click here to schedule your free call.
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