Personal Blog
Sharing My Story of Finding Christ
I found my way to embracing Christ after experiencing a troubled upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, during the chaotic era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing that our circumstances would later be labeled with a specific term. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously intervened in my life.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the overwhelming and inexplicable love that Jesus has for us.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my life took a complete turnaround. This same love has been my source of strength for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, victories and sorrows, and also the positive experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and my purpose is closely tied to my faith as a Christian songwriter. My goal is to assist you in creating songs that beautifully convey the love and truth of Jesus. This principle is at the heart of Nashville Christian Songwriters, and our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are dedicated to spreading the message of Jesus' love to all individuals across the globe.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. In our coaching programs, we have encountered numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce. They seek to express their suffering through their music and learn how God has provided them with strength and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through them.
However, is there a way for us to express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional songs? Is there a method to effectively capture our testimonies within the context of great
In our journey through life, we experience both the joys and challenges it has to offer. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, it can be a bit challenging. I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in effectively conveying your testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Every individual is familiar with the emotions of loneliness and feeling directionless at times. By allowing people to relate to your story, you create an opportunity for them to connect with your song. It is important for our personal experiences to resonate within your narrative. When we can fill in the gaps with our own stories, it becomes easier for us to develop an emotional attachment to yours.
If the content of your story fails to capture our attention and relate to experiences we've had, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families. However, she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and continue to engage 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 at Lillenas Music, who shared a valuable insight that has stuck with me. Although it may sound contradictory at first, his point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point he emphasized is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other details, you may risk losing the attention of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can understand, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details in your story do not align with mine, it might make me lose interest. It may seem challenging, but it is possible. You can learn to find the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that others may not be able to relate to. To help with this, it can be beneficial to find examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without solely listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still feeling the pain and emotional scars from a traumatic experience, it becomes challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a classic country song that reflects on heartbreak. If that's the direction you want to take, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to acknowledge that it's more of a melancholic country song rather than a powerful testimony.
Considering your audience's perspective, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to handle. If you unload all of your own pain onto them without considering their capacity, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist; they serve as outlets for your dysfunction and emotional wounds. It's crucial to ponder the impact your lyrics will have on 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 uplifting praise song called "My Testimony," which effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song that tells a personal childhood story, it might be beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that showcase God's healing power over any negative experiences. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative approaches before delving into personal pain.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that highlights the ways in which God has been successful 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 recognize the distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate victory in your inner self, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and much more. Many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, but if you truly desire to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong calling to establish your ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not obligate you in any way and will help determine if our program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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