Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Life Experience
I embraced Christianity after growing up in a challenging childhood, which is now referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, we simply considered it as our way of life. Back then, we had no idea that there would be a specific term to describe the difficulties we faced. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow intervened and made a significant impact on my life.
My life went through a significant change when a person assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the inexplicable love that Jesus possesses.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life took a drastic turn. This deep affection has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the moments of success and sorrow, and even the pleasant experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. I am a Christian songwriter who strives to assist others in writing songs that can capture and convey this incredible reality. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith journey? It could be that you experienced the love of God during your childhood church days, or perhaps you found Him as an adult while struggling with addiction. Maybe you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, I've encountered many who have experienced significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or loss. They are seeking to learn how to express their pain through their music and how God has been their source of strength throughout it all. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from life's challenges, but miraculously sustains us through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively portray our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the positive and negative aspects. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in the form of Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonials? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to capture your personal stories in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that everyone can relate to at times. To engage people with your story, it's important to create a connection and allow them to see themselves in it. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we can better connect with and appreciate your story.
If the content of your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student at NCS and our friend, has personally gone through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her songs and ministry primarily address the struggles faced by grieving families, she also includes enough universal themes in her music so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss can relate and remain engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), a well-known songwriter and publisher, say this phrase and it has stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, 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 avoid including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or distract the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, you run the risk of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the underlying theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If the specific details of your experience don't align with mine, it might disengage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on your emotions during the difficult time, and ultimately shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights and celebrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own life that others may not be able to relate to. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without simply stating specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write a sincere song about it. Expressing your pain too openly in the lyrics might be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a traditional country song that evokes tears. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own personal struggles to handle. If you unload your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for expressing your dysfunction and pain. It's important to think about how your lyrics will impact 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 effectively created a lively and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your childhood, it may be beneficial to explore other optimistic themes derived from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power triumphs over any negativity. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative approaches before delving into your painful experiences.
Ultimately, a testimonial song is a personal expression of how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience a sense of catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials focus on celebrating God's victory over the hardships you have faced and the ultimate triumph he brings to your soul, regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the power of testimony songs and explore other valuable topics. While many individuals may be seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to strengthen your ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will allow us to determine whether our program aligns with your needs and aspirations. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call here, without any obligations.
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