Personal Reflection on Blog Writing
My journey towards embracing Christianity began during a challenging upbringing that is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was simply the reality of growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s. We were unaware that our experiences would later be labeled with a specific term, but it was during this time that Jesus entered my life and made a significant impact.
There was a significant change in my life when someone assisted me in establishing a connection with the unimaginable love that Jesus possesses.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love, which has been with me for more than half a century, has supported me through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. The essence of my personal account is that the course of my life was irrevocably altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and the motivation behind my actions is because of this. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career as a Christian songwriter and help others in writing songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental belief of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of how you found faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood in church or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Alternatively, you might have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us to join our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to express their suffering and how God provided them with strength and support. James Finley once said, "God does not shield us from hardships, but amazingly helps us endure through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and beliefs through powerful musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the best ways to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, offering them comfort, healing, and hope.
Begin by searching for a shared element or theme within your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. To truly engage and connect with your audience, it is important to create a story that allows them to see themselves in it. By incorporating elements that resonate with their own experiences, they can fill in the gaps with their own story and become invested in yours.
If your story doesn't captivate us and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the painful experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry center around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes into her songs so that all of us, who have experienced any form of loss, can relate and connect with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The saying that stuck with me is from Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The first point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, dates, names, or other particulars, you might end up losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, it allows me to become a part of your narrative. If the specifics of your story do not align with mine, it might deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the skill to provide just the right amount of detail, focusing on your personal experience during the difficult times, and then shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that reflects the triumph of God in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that may not be relatable to others. To assist in writing a song, it can be beneficial to find examples of songs that resonate with the emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners on an emotional level rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you have experienced a traumatic event, it can be difficult to write a sincere song that reflects your emotions. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a traditional country song that focuses on heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to understand that it is not a genuine testimonial. Instead, it is simply a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to remember that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to contend with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and emotional pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional state 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 focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it may be more beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's healing power over any negative aspects in life. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider alternative methods before delving into painful subjects.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials commemorate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced and his ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken to get there.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is conducted online over eight weeks, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a sincere desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a complimentary phone call. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Book your free call now.
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