Personal Blog: Sharing My Journey
My journey towards finding faith in Christ began during a challenging upbringing which is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, at the time, it was simply the reality of growing up during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s. Unbeknownst to us, our experiences would later be identified under a specific term, but it was through the intervention of Jesus that my life took a transformative turn.
I underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the inexplicable affection that Jesus embodies.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This very love has supported and guided me for more than five decades, through all the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, and even the positive experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. As a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist you in creating songs that can effectively express this incredible reality. The main focus of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, including 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 during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that a significant loss in your life left you feeling broken. During our coaching programs, I've encountered numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are eager to learn how to express their emotions through their music and how God has provided them with strength throughout their struggles. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us in every situation."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through compelling songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the positive and negative aspects. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that aim to assist you in reflecting on how to capture your own testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with love, comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared theme or aspect in your narrative that resonates with a wide range of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that people can relate to. By sharing a story that resonates with others, you are able to engage them in your song. It is important to incorporate aspects of our own experiences into your story, allowing listeners to connect and become invested in it.
If your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student at NCS, went through the heartache of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. She has channeled her emotions into her music and ministry, which primarily caters to grieving families. However, she has also incorporated universal themes in her songs, allowing anyone who has experienced loss in any form – which includes all of us – to connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The idea I'm about to share was initially mentioned by the well-known songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark from Lillenas Music. It may seem contradictory at first, 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 be beneficial to your listeners. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify a common theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details you share don't align with my own experiences, it can be off-putting. However, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and overwhelming the reader. The focus should be on conveying how you felt during the trial and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights and celebrates how God has brought victory and success into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that we may not be able to relate to. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without solely focusing on specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to compose an authentic song that serves as a genuine testimonial about it. Expressing your emotions too intensely in your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are creating a heartfelt country song that captures the essence of sorrow. If that is your intention, then by all means, go ahead and pursue it. However, it is important to acknowledge that such a song would be categorized as a melancholic country tune rather than a powerful testimony.
When considering your audience, it's important to understand that they likely have their own struggles to deal with. If you only focus on sharing your own pain with them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they provide a designated outlet for expressing and processing your issues. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? 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 conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song specifically about your childhood, it might be beneficial to focus on positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power can overcome any negative experiences. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be helpful to explore different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. Expressing your emotions and finding release is crucial for your emotional well-being. It might be beneficial for you to also write these songs for yourself, but it is important to note that there is a distinction between the two types of songs. Catharsis is a way of purging emotions, while testimonials highlight and celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul regardless of the journey.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery, an online coaching and mentoring program that spans over eight weeks, we delve deep into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs and goals. Book your free call now.
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