Personal Blog Post
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
My upbringing was far from ideal, characterized by a tumultuous environment during the 1960s and '70s. However, we didn't realize at the time that our experiences would later be labeled as a "dysfunctional" childhood. Despite the challenges, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
I went through a profound change when someone assisted me in experiencing the indescribable love that Jesus has for the first time.
The photo was taken by a photographer named Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been the source of my strength and endurance for more than five decades, supporting me through all the challenges, successes, hardships, and joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a different course when I first felt the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my actions is this. It is the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in composing songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters, and the driving force behind all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced a profound sense of 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 went through a devastating loss that shattered you. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense suffering, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us, expressing a desire to learn how to convey their pain and how God provided them with strength throughout those difficult times. James Finley once stated, "God does not shield us from any hardship, but miraculously supports us through it all."
However, what is the process of expressing our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this article, I will provide three tips that can assist you in contemplating the best approach to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with love, comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, search for a shared theme or element in your narrative that resonates with a broad audience.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. By allowing people to connect with your story, you create a pathway for them to be engaged in your song. It is important for listeners to find a common thread between their own experiences and yours. This connection enables them to fill in the gaps with their own personal stories, ultimately leading to a deep appreciation for your music.
If your story doesn't resonate with us and connect to our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student at NCS and a friend of ours, has personally gone through the pain of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also includes broader themes in her songs that everyone, regardless of their specific loss, can relate to and continue to engage with.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember when Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, mentioned this idea that has stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to discover a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful to your audience. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other particulars, there's a chance that you might lose the interest of your listeners.
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 of your experience do not align with my own, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the ability to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult period and then redirect it towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that highlights the ways in which God has brought victories and successes into your life.
It is important to understand that there may be details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be universally understood by others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to study and learn from songwriters who have successfully conveyed emotions to their listeners, rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and experiencing pain from a traumatic incident, it can be challenging to authentically express your feelings through a testimonial song. Often, when you pour out your emotions in your lyrics, it may come across as self-centered, unless you are composing a country song that captures the essence of heartbreak. If that is your intention, then by all means, pursue it. However, it is important to recognize that it would not be a genuine testimony but rather a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you burden them with your own problems, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe outlet for expressing your dysfunction and pain. It is essential to think about the impact of your lyrics on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you bringing 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," which effectively conveys a message based on Scriptures. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power over any negativity. There are various ways to express your testimony, so it's worth exploring different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that illustrates how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves unloading emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of how you reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of testimony songs and explore various other aspects. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated 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 serves as an opportunity to assess whether this program aligns with your goals and aspirations. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call today.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave a reply below. Also, remember to save my name, email, and website in this browser for future reference.
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