SONGWRITING

Since my postings about the recent cuts some of my songs have gotten on different recordings, I've had many asking about songwriting and wanting tips. While I do not consider myself to be an authority on the subject by any means, I would suggest a few things.

First, write about what God is showing and teaching you. It may seem like common sense, but far too often people try to emulate successful songs they've heard, and they adopt subject matter that they only know from a distance. Write about what you know about.

Secondly, to write about something you know about you have to be teachable. Stay in God's word and allow him to show you new things. Write about those things from your new perspective.

Speaking of perspective, write from different points of view. Every song doesn't have to be to God. Just as every song doesn't have to be about how you were a sinner and now you're saved. While true and a worthy subject, there is so much more to write about.

Finally, write for the church you are serving. That will be a place where God's will confirm His calling for you to be a writer. If your own church is not accepting of your writing, then there's a good chance God is not calling you to write for Him in a professional setting.

This is just a little advice. Take what you will and leave the rest for someone else. Even if you never desire to share your songs with anyone else, let me encourage you to write for the Lord. Write out of your personal walk with Him, for Him, and sing your song to the Lord in your time alone with Him. Afterall, we only have a song in our hearts because He placed it there.