Personal Blog
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
I found my way to Christ amidst a challenging upbringing that many today would label as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as a normal part of life. Unaware that our experiences would eventually be categorized under a specific term, Jesus somehow stepped into my life and made a significant impact.
I went through a significant change when someone assisted me in discovering the incomprehensible love of Jesus for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support throughout the past five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and my motivation in life is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter. My goal is to assist others in crafting songs that capture the extraordinary reality of Jesus' love. The fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced a 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 were deeply hurt by a significant loss of some sort. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have expressed interest in our coaching programs. Many of them have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are seeking to learn how to effectively convey their struggles and how God helped them through it all. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from hardships, but miraculously provides us with the strength to endure them."
However, what is the process of expressing our personal experiences and beliefs through exceptional musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three suggestions that may assist you in figuring out how to portray your stories in a manner that resonates with listeners and offers them solace, restoration, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are widely understood. To connect with others through your story, it is important to provide a relatable experience that allows them to relate to your song. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we can better connect and become invested in your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, has gone through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are specifically aimed at helping grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her music so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss can relate and continue to follow her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
Many years ago, I was introduced to the wise words of Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. One of the things he emphasized was the importance of finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. This is the first key point. However, it may seem contradictory, but the second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that do not serve the listener. If you start delving into specific locations, dates, names, or other intricate details, you run the risk 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 connect with your song. If the details of your story don't align with mine, it may discourage 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 experience, and ultimately shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights the ways in which God has brought about victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that are personal to you, which others may not be able to relate to. It can be helpful to look for examples of songs that convey the emotions you want to express and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically compose a song that truly reflects your feelings. Expressing your pain excessively through your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are creating a heartfelt country song that resonates with the listener's emotions. If that is your desired approach, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to acknowledge that it is not a testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to understand that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they're there to provide a safe outlet for expressing your pain and difficulties. It's worth considering how your lyrics will impact your listeners and what kind of emotional space you're inviting them into. After hearing your song, how will they feel?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have succeeded in creating an inspiring praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it may be more beneficial to explore various positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's ability to heal and overcome any negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but keep in mind that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis is a way of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the hardships you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path you took to 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 crafting testimony songs and much more. While many individuals are only looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. To schedule your free call, please click here.
Spread the word about this article among your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to leave a reply. Also, remember to save my name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
In this code snippet, the getElementById method is used to retrieve an element with the ID "ak_js_1". The setAttribute method is then called on this element to set the value attribute to the current timestamp using the getTime
Categorized under, stay connected with us, explore additional posts, various categories, labeled keywords, well-liked articles to read, begin your journey, highly-regarded audio programs, distinctive attributes, information regarding our organization, the courses we offer, enroll now for our complimentary guide on the top ten tips for professional songwriters.