Personal Blog Post:
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
My upbringing was far from perfect, characterized by a challenging and tumultuous period during the 1960s and 1970s that is now commonly referred to as a "dysfunctional" childhood. At the time, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing the significance of our experiences. However, it was during this time that Jesus personally intervened and changed the course of my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the inexplicable affection that Jesus has for us.
The image was taken by a photographer named Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was drastically altered. The love I experienced at that time has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive moments as well. I firmly believe that my life took a completely different path when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passions is because of this. It motivates me to be a songwriter who focuses on Christian themes and aims to assist others in crafting songs that can convey this extraordinary truth. This fundamental principle is at the heart of Nashville Christian Songwriters, and our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are all created 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 during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you have faced immense loss that left you broken. In our coaching programs, we have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have endured great pain, abuse, or divorce, and they have expressed their desire to learn how to convey their emotions and how God has provided them with strength throughout it all. James Finley suggests that while God does not shield us from difficulties, He miraculously supports us through every situation we face.
However, what is the best way for us to express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional songs? However, how can we effectively convey our personal stories and experiences through remarkable
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing these experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three helpful tips that can assist you in reflecting on how to capture your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners and offers them comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people in your story, it is important to provide them with relatable experiences. By incorporating elements that resonate with their own lives, they can connect with your song on a deeper level. It is necessary for listeners to be able to draw parallels between their own experiences and your narrative, allowing them to become emotionally invested in your work.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are centered around supporting families who are grieving, but she also includes enough universal themes in her music that anyone who has experienced any type of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and continue to engage with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, this statement may seem contradictory, but it actually isn't. The first point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that won't benefit the listener. When you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, you may risk losing the listener's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If the specific details of your story don't align with my own experiences, it might discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing enough or excessive detail to emphasize the emotions you felt during the difficult situation, and then shifting the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has brought victory and success into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that are not relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is to study and analyze songs that evoke certain emotions, observing how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions rather than simply stating facts.
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 that reflects your feelings about it. Expressing your pain through your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are writing a typical country song where you pour out your heartache. If that's the direction you want to take, then go ahead and do it. However, it's important to understand that it won't be considered a testimonial, but rather just a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to navigate. 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 a outlet for expressing and processing your personal difficulties. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after listening to 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 that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to incorporate positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's healing power over all the negative aspects of life. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that demonstrates how God succeeded in your life. The process of catharsis plays a crucial role in maintaining your emotional well-being. 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 expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials commemorate God's triumph over the hardships you experienced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we explore testimony songs and many other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals may be looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. During this call, we can discuss whether this program is suitable for you. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call now.
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