Personal Blog
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, back in the 1960s and 1970s, it was simply the norm for us. It was unexpected, but Jesus found a way to intervene and impact my life.
I underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in discovering the indescribable affection that Jesus has for me.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely altered. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive experiences as well. The pivotal moment that forever transformed the course of my life occurred when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The motivation behind my work and existence is the love of Jesus. Being a Christian songwriter, my aim is to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully capture this incredible reality. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is why we offer podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal experience or story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you have faced a significant loss that left you broken. I have spoken to many Christian songwriters who have gone through great pain, abuse, or divorce and are interested in our coaching programs. They seek guidance on how to express their pain through music and how God has supported them throughout their journey. James Finley believes that while God doesn't spare us from hardships, He miraculously helps us endure them.
But how can we effectively express our personal experiences through impactful songs? But how can we successfully convey our testimonies through exceptional songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the most compelling ways to capture your personal experiences in songs that resonate with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a prevailing theme within your narrative that resonates with a wide range of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people in your story, it is important to create a sense of connection and resonance. By including relatable elements, we allow others to see themselves in our narrative and become invested in it. This can be achieved by leaving gaps in our story, which the audience can fill with their own experiences, ultimately leading to a deeper connection and appreciation for our story.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student of the National Christian School, Becky Norquist, went through the painful experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing solace to grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has suffered 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 the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and his words have stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem like a contradiction, 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 irrelevant details in your song that do not serve the listener's understanding. If you delve too deeply into specifics like locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other unnecessary details, there is a chance that the listener may lose interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail, focusing on your emotions during the difficult situation, and ultimately shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the success and victory of God in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. To help with this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that capture the emotion you want to convey, and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in that emotion rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a genuine song about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are creating a country song filled with sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it won't be a testimonial, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own problems and struggles to deal with. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be receptive for long. This is why professionals such as therapists and personal journals exist – they provide outlets for expressing and processing personal dysfunction and hurts. It's crucial to think about 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" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it may be more beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that illustrate how God's healing power can overcome any negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to consider other options before expressing your pain in a way that may burden others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have an outlet for catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to distinguish between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials highlight God's victory over the hardships you have faced and the ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path you take 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 writing testimonial songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish a successful ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program aligns with your needs and goals. Feel free to schedule your complimentary call using the provided link.
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