Personal Blog
Expressing Your Beliefs Through Personal Experiences
My journey to finding faith in Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, back then, it was simply the norm for us as we navigated the turbulent times of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would later be labeled as such, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a profound impact.
My life underwent a profound change when someone guided me to experience the unimaginable love of Jesus for the very first time.
This photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, 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, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the pleasant moments. The pivotal moment in my life occurred when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen, and it forever altered the course of my journey.
The driving force that keeps me going and motivates me to pursue my passion as a Christian songwriter is the belief in something greater than myself. It is the inspiration behind my efforts to assist others in creating songs that capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides 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 God's love while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It is also possible that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense suffering, such as abuse, divorce, or tragedy, have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to convey their pain and how God has provided them with strength and support. James Finley beautifully articulates that while God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously sustains us through them.
However, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively communicate our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in reflecting on how to convey your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners, offering them solace, healing, and hope.
Begin by searching for a shared element or theme within your story that resonates with a large number of people.
It is a common human experience to feel lonely or lost at times. By sharing a story that others can relate to, you can effectively engage them in your music. It is important to include elements of our shared experiences in your narrative, allowing listeners to connect and resonate with your song. This connection enables us to emotionally invest in your story and develop a fondness for it.
If your story doesn't captivate us and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours and a former student of NCS, has gone through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's actually 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 may confuse or disengage your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, there's a chance that you may lose your audience's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, you enable me to become a part of your narrative. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your personal emotions during the difficult times and then shifts towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a song of testimony is one that depicts the triumph of God in your personal experiences.
It is important to understand that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and may not resonate with others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to study and analyze songwriters who have successfully invited listeners to feel a certain emotion, rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still feeling the emotional pain and trauma from a distressing event in your life, it can be 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 creating a typical country song that revolves around heartbreak and despair. If that's the direction you want to take, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to acknowledge that it's not truly a testimony. Instead, it would be classified as a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to handle. If you simply burden them with your own pain, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to serve as a outlet for your personal issues and wounds. It is 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 based on Scripture. 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 in overcoming negativity. There are numerous approaches to expressing your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. Catharsis, which is the release of emotions, is crucial for your emotional well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write these types of songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves pouring out your emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficulties you have faced, ultimately leading to triumph in your soul regardless of how you reach that point.
In our online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are committed to expanding your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligations. This call will help determine if our program is the right fit for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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