Personal Blog:
Sharing my Journey of Finding Christ
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as our way of life. We had no idea that there would be a specific term for the struggles we faced, but through divine intervention, Jesus entered my life and brought about a significant change.
When someone assisted me in discovering the incomprehensible love of Jesus, I underwent a remarkable change.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a blink of an eye, my entire life was completely altered. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the other positive aspects as well. I can confidently say that my life's course took a permanent shift when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the work I do is the driving force behind my passion as a Christian songwriter. My goal is to assist you in composing songs that effectively convey the incredible truth of this faith. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, and all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs serve this purpose.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood at church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that a devastating loss brought you to a place of brokenness. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce and are interested in our coaching programs. They are seeking to learn how to effectively express their suffering and how God has provided them with strength throughout it. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships but rather miraculously supports us through every challenge.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through compelling music?
Throughout our lives, we experience both positive and negative moments. However, when it comes to expressing these personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three valuable tips that aim to guide you in creating songs that resonate with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to identify 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 listeners, it is important to create a connection through your story. By weaving elements of universal experiences into your song, others can find a piece of their own lives within it. This allows them to personally connect and develop an attachment to your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, has personally gone through the pain of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry primarily cater to grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her music that resonate with anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us. This allows everyone to connect with her songs and remain engaged.
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, who emphasized the importance of this concept. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it actually makes sense. The initial step is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second step is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your lyrics that might confuse or distract the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there's a chance of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to become engaged in your narrative. If your specific details diverge from my own experiences, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient but not excessive details, focusing on the emotions you felt during the difficult situation, and ultimately shifting the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights and celebrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own experiences that may make it difficult for others to relate to your story. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to convey and analyze how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions without simply listing specific details.
Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose a genuine testimonial song about it. Expressing your pain too openly in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song that evokes sadness and heartache. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it may not be considered a genuine testimony, but rather just a melancholic country song.
Considering your audience's perspective, it becomes apparent that they likely already have their own problems to handle. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be receptive for long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist. Their purpose is to serve as a safe space for you to express your struggles and pain. It is important to reflect on how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you inviting them into? How will they feel after listening to your song?
In my opinion, I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job creating the uplifting praise song "My Testimony" that conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on finding positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power overcomes any negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to share your personal testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative approaches before delving into the depths of your pain in front of others.
To sum up, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has overcome challenges in your life. Emotional release is crucial for your well-being. It might be worth writing these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to understand the distinction between cathartic songs and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves letting go, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the hardships you have faced, highlighting His ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path taken to reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which stretches over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of writing testimony songs and offer much more. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to develop your songwriting skills and feel a strong calling to establish your ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call with no obligations. This call will help you determine whether this program is suitable for your needs. Secure your free call by scheduling here.
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