forgot the link

www.thoughtsfiled.blogspot.com


^New Blog^

A NEW BLOG.

I changed the google account behind my Blogger account and created a new blog.

Please come visit the and follow it!

Thanks

-brett

know.

Find out more about who Jesus is.

Know Him first, you don't have to make any changes to accept Jesus.

Allow Him to change you through His Holy Spirit.

"For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die -- but God shows His love for us in that while we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7-8

slow down.

I woke up this morning feeling the pressure of this culture.
The go-go-go mentality that we Americans thrive on.
I can't keep up friends.

Can't we all just slow down?

Identity.

Over the past year and a half I have been challenged quite a bit. I’ve learned a lot about myself and have learned how to understand more about others. Nobody “has to be” someone for others. It’s okay to be who you are and at the place you are in life. There doesn’t have to be gossip about others but more so that it is okay to confront others, with good intentions, and discuss problems through. I have struggled with this for myself, in that; I’m not ALWAYS comfortable in my own skin. I have yet to meet someone that is comfortable at all times in his or her skin.

The good news, it is possible, it’s all about your identity though. If you are always trying to find your identity in yourself or things of the culture, you will never find that peace. On most days I struggle to find that peace. I’ll admit it, I don’t think highly of myself and I am aware of it. I’m also aware that I can think highly of myself without the ego of being prideful.
Who or what is it that I am finding my identity in? Sometimes it is a pretty girl that I meet, over thinking the situation of what it “could” be. Other times it is what my culture has to offer me; nicotine addictions, lust, greed, over eating, coffee, working out to look better rather then to be healthy, etc.

I’ve been reading about the first days of the church recently out of the book of Acts in the Bible. It has been an exercise, which is reading even when I could care less about it. Though, I have noticed something in reading. There are men that are going around to many regions of the world and are sharing with people a new identity that they could have. Just like our culture is now the cultures then were no different. Over feeding themselves, being drunk, having sex outside of marriage, cheating on spouses and finding identity in how much money they had. Sound like a lot of the issues in the world today?
These men of the early church were very sad to see this happening and they wanted to share the one thing that they found peace in, something other than what their culture had for them.

Not long before these men set out to the world a man had died and rose from the dead claiming that he was God in the flesh and that he had life that would go on forever to offer to those who believe. I’m sure you know who I am talking about, those of you living in the South you’ve probably known the story of this man, Jesus, for as long as you can remember. At that time though, the people didn’t understand who Jesus was and when they heard often they had rage toward the idea of God in flesh. This is what the men of Acts devoted their life too, telling people about this man.

How is it that one could find their identity in someone who had claimed to be God in the flesh? Does that even make sense? Isn’t it all about self-help?

The men of Acts inspire me beyond belief. They were not ashamed in their identity because they knew that their identity was no longer in themselves.

I am not there yet, but I would love to get to a place in my life where the chains of addiction, lust, pride, greed and others of like do not attract me. It isn’t going to be a self-help book, prescribed medicine, marriage, a big church, lots of talent, fame, money or a big house that will get me there. It’s going to be more similar to these men that I am writing about. A life devoted to Jesus Christ, not Brett Shields.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Out of a letter to the Churches of Galatia from a man named Paul

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Time For Change

With as many thoughts that cycle through my head in one day, it is time to get them out on paper. The necessity of "emptying" my brain out is for the cause of getting stale, nasty and overwhelming thoughts out in order that the truth in there can reign above all else. With God as my all, joy will begin for the great things God has blessed me with.

Almost every morning I wake up and already I feel defeated, discouraged and sad about my life. The TRUTH is, I have a great life and have absolutely NO reason to be sad. I am getting in the way of my self and I have had enough of it. The great thing about this season is that I am learning a ton about who God is. I believe though, that my heart is not wholly believing these things that I am learning. If my heart was obtaining the truth that my head is gaining my life would look drastically different.

Alright, so what is it that I am going to change?

I have no idea...

Lord?


I will start with 3 truths:

1. God, I know you are for me. (Romans 8:31)
2. God, You are with me... NO matter what.
3. God, I am MORE than a conqueror and nothing
can separate me from You and Your love
because of Jesus. (Romans 8:37-39)

breaking down.

It's okay..

to make changes in your life.

to be moved by a sermon, song or story that you hear.

to cry because God challenges you by someone elses words.

to feel convicted about actions you do or do not take.

to mess up, get dirty and drown out.

to have problems.


[everyone's broken]

the truth is.

am I choosing to get lost in Jesus?

am I choosing sin and flesh over righteousness and life?

am I complaining because the things that I want in life don't go exactly how I want?

am I loving certain things AND people because I want it/them or because God wants me to want these things?

am I being bold about Christ?

do I not care about people enough to share with them the truth of eternal life that they could have?




I'm glad I have a savior because most days, the truth is, I do things that I hate. Sin.

you.

I used to like posting lyrics of songs everywhere; on my blog, facebook status', text messages, etc. I've come to think that it is pretty cheesy to do that! But, for the last few days I have had a song stuck in my head that is almost %100 what I have been feeling, which is why I think it is stuck in my head. The coolest part about the song is that it has become a prayer of mine and I would love to share it with you. It is a beautiful song.

Stop the press, everything's a mess,
You can look alive, but you are not at rest.
And i-ideas are flowing through your head,
A million miles an hour while lying in your bed.
A lucid life you never thought you'd lead.
Are you working everyday?
Are you working just to bleed?
I know.

You're staring at the names of the famed that are dipped in gold
The feeling you deserve what you've heard
But it doesn't go away.

Oh, the tongues of men and angels
I speak but lack love.
Oh, love, will I stab you in the back?
Working everyday,
I'm afraid I forgot to show what's most important: love.

Here I am, dear Lord, tasting hints of fame
And I don't want it anymore
If it's not you that I gain
Wanna fall at your feet
Don't wanna fall from your peace

Have you ever been the man that just ran
When you knew that God was talking?
Have you ever heard his voice through the noise
But just let it go away?

Oh, the tongues of men and angels
I speak but lack love.
Oh, love, will I stab you in the back?
Working everyday,
I'm afraid I forgot to show what's most important: love.

Here I am, dear Lord, tasting hints of fame
And I don't want it anymore
If it's not you that I gain
Wanna fall at your feet
Don't wanna fall from your peace

A heart at rest is harder now
Don't let it go away
A hard earned pay, a hard earned pain
Right now they're just the same
What's the use, why work so hard
When it's not what you crave
When what you need is: love.

Here I am, dear Lord, tasting hints of fame
And I don't want it anymore
If it's not you that I gain
Wanna fall at your feet
Don't wanna fall from your peace

Of Men and Angels, The Rocket Summer

that's today...

...March 1.

Goals for this month..

* See if God wants me to stay at Starbucks; and if I don't stay, create a resume in order to get a job at a different coffee shop.

* Get on track financially; resort back to the budget that I was once on, so that like in the month of February if I have to spend 300 dollars on something like my car, it won't hurt.

* Figure out how to focus my mind. In the month of February I could not handle it most days. Mind has been ready to explode.

* Continue praying for those that I have been and more that come to mind.

* Above all else.. continue pursuing God; allowing Him to mold me.

-brett

call and response.

Psalm 25:11 "For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great."

1 John 2:12 "...your sins are forgiven for his name's sake."

i want to KNOW.

Some of you know that for the past 6 months I have been pursuing playing drums. It has been an incredible time for the most part, I have been able to grow so much as a drummer and I feel blessed when I sit down to think about it, because honestly I had no idea a year ago that it would go this far. I don't bring it up on the blog often because I never know what to say about it. I have a lot on my mind with it and I was listening to a new Rocket Summer song and it made me think about one of the more upsetting sides of playing.

I often find it hard to let go and worship when I am playing (by the way, I play for churches as a drummer). It is something that has been frustrating. I often find myself just playing to prove my "skills" to the people I am playing with. This really gets in the way of worshipping God. The music scene, in and outside of the church, has a lot of pressure of who you know and how good you "kill it" on your instrument.

I understand that you need to be able to play your instrument well, but why is there so much judgement if someone is not great at their instrument. Don't we all start somewhere? If I play with someone who is not so great at an instrument I have to remind myself that we all grow as musicians and not everyone is on the same level. If you consistently are playing you consistently will be getting better. There will always be someone who is better at what they play than you or them. Often, the best musicians are the best because they have years of experience.

Years of experience. Which means to me, that playing music is not a race. It's not about how fast you can get better than the next person. I am learning to enjoy the pace of gaining experience. It's fun, and when I stumble on my face while playing, I learn what not to do next time.

I'm not saying that it is not important to get better at your instrument. That is very important. I also believe it is important to practice, practice and then practice more. I think that at any level of a musician that practice is still important. Music is so amazing because you can never stop learning. It's beautiful because it is more than just knowing how to play an instrument. It also includes how to transition from song to song, where to play and not play within a song, if you play with a click track you learn how to play within the timing that is before you, you learn how to work with the other musicians on stage and being able to create energy that feeds off to the crowd you are before is a HUGE thing.

I want to take it at a good pace and allow God to work in me what his will is. I will let God be the promoter. A good friend once told me, "God is the God of promotion."

And, when I am tempted to meet people just so that I have a good list of "who I know" I will do my best to remember the lyric I stumbled across in the Rocket Summer song... "cause it's all about who you know, and not about if you really KNOW anyone."

I want to KNOW the people that I know, not just "know" people.

-brett

make someone's day.

"Life is not about any particular achievement or experience. The most important task of your life is not what you do, but who you become." - John Ortberg

Every day we are given the opportunity to do good for others and for ourselves. A lot of the time we get scared to do these things. It is often easier to just not do it because we are in a hurry to get to this place or to do that thing. Sometimes we don't do those things because we talk ourselves out of it because we don't want to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. I often spend time avoiding people because I do not want to leave my comfort zone. The truth is... we are all created to do good works.

I lose track of that because I am busy consuming myself with well, myself. It's almost as if I am too good to help others. I talk myself out of doing a good task by telling myself, "It's okay, things will work out for that person." But, what if you were the one who could help this other person get back on there feet, whether it be literally helping someone up or just talking to someone for 5 minutes.

I have to be honest with myself right now, I'm not TOO good to help someone else. Truth is, it is because of my desire to live for myself that I often don't help others. I get so wrapped up in what the point of my life is that I lose track of what the point of my life is. My thoughts of "flourishing" my life for the glory of God are so self-centered that the actual flourishing of my life is choked and slowed up quite a bit.

What step needs to be taken? First step for me would be to stop believing the lies that the world feeds me. That I'm the most important thing in my life. That things will work out for others and I don't have to help them. Lastly, that I'm not strong enough or good enough to help people. These lies are what can choke flourishing in my life.

And, the best way to stop believing lies would be... ?

The best way to stop believing lies is to replace the lies with actual truths. In order to flourish into the best version of yourself that you can be, you must first receive life from outside of yourself. God has in mind for you the full potential of what you can be. Let me tell you a "secret," He is guiding you towards that full potential all of the time, and He is not in any particular hurry. (paraphrased from something John Ortberg wrote) Once you receive this life from outside of yourself, you become VERY capable and not discouraged to help others. It actually becomes natural and you no longer are helping others so that YOU can look good.

This is something I want to work towards. I want to become God's best version of myself. This is the most rewarding way to have your life unfold. God's version of us is the most beautiful thing I could ever believe. Also something else, it is contagious. You have been around the type of people who have extremely flourishing lives, you often leave them challenged to try harder and love more. It's almost as if for a moment you were infected by their life. The coolest part about these people is that their intentions aren't to make you feel jealous of what they have, it's simply that they have chosen to work towards the best version of themselves they can be. So, when you are challenged by that, accept the challenge. What's the worst that could happen? You might make someone's day better. Sucks, right?

nah.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. which God prepared in advance for us to do."

-Ephesians 2:10

for everyone.

Do you know about those nights when you think your head is going to explode? Sometimes it can be that you are having horrible thoughts and you cannot get away from them; other times it is because you are so full of joy that you might actually explode. Yeah, those are the nights that I am talking about. Well, last night was one of those nights for me. Oh, and it was the latter one of those two situations.

Our church had their quarterly night of worship last night at the Alpharetta campus and I am so happy that I attended this. The choice of songs was the best I have been a part of yet in the 5 years of attending. The band was phenomenal, in my opinion the best of the best that our church has to offer were up there playing those songs as if they were born to play just those songs. They played a lot of the songs off of our church's most recent live album titled, "Awake." I am going to post a link so that you guys can find a way to get a hold of this album, it's AMAZING.

Aside from the awesome band, the awesome stage and the awesome set list of songs another reason it was such a great night was the group that I was attending this event with. I was able to worship with the people who mean most to me. I realized that last night how much some of my friends are beginning to really mean a lot to me. I've always been pretty good at spending time alone and so a lot of the time I can only have surface relationships with friends. I think it is time for me to really pursue my friends, but most of all let them pursue me. My father was also standing next to me, he is someone that I have always been able to worship with.

Throughout the night as we were singing I kept thinking of some scripture. It was blowing my mind as I really thought about it....

For while we were STILL weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

+Romans 5:6-8

That is for everyone. If you don't even know God, that is about you. It's about me, it's about Justin Timberlake and President Obama. Our pastor last night said this, "your sin and my sin qualifies us for God's forgiveness," it is the common bond between every human on this earth. We are all qualified to be forgiven at any moment in our life.

As you go to church or spend time around some Christian that you may work with or have class with see what they have to say about God's forgiveness. If you are a Christian, prepare yourself to be asked this question at any moment. Understand why you choose to believe that you are forgiven by God. And always be willing to share this forgiveness with someone, it is meant for everyone....

For there is no distinction: for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..

... and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

+Romans 3:22-224

Link for NP Live Album: Awake -

http://resources.northpoint.org/store/shop.do?cID=64&pID=1910

Album is also on iTunes! North Point Live:Awake

for others?

...sometimes the best thing to do for others is to bring them to God in your prayers. And if you don't exactly know what they need prayer for, God knows.

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

-Romans 8:26

monday nights.

Good morning! On each of the last two monday nights my dad and I have gone out to eat. Just the two of us, talking. I do feel bad because I probably talk too much and don't leave any space for him to be, well.. the dad. I'm sure over the next few Monday night dinners we have I will learn how to shut up and listen to him.

There is a book that my dad has been reading that he offered for me to begin reading as well; so that we could go through it together. I'm glad he asked me because I have been wondering recently if I need to be doing a study with some close guy friends. How much cooler is it going to be doing a study with my dad though?

This book that we will be going through is written by John Ortberg and it is titled, "ME: the me I want to be >>becoming God's best version of you." Let me just say, I am very open and excited about what will come out of doing a study with my father. He is always so calm, relaxed and realistic. Things I often struggle with.

And so on this 20 degree morning and my only day off from work this week, I will begin with "Part one: finding my identity" and see what's going on in this book. I will get back to you guys soon!

Have a great day!

- brett

weakness.

Romans 8:26-30

Truth

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Hope

And we know that those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

sunk.

Lately.. I've been going crazy. My thoughts are getting the best of me and I can't seem to catch up with myself. I am quite exhausted and I believe it is directly related to my thoughts. This happens to me all too often, I over think and worry about EVERYTHING. I do think this is a challenge I will deal with for a long time.

But you know what? I don't want to deal with this. It is far too annoying and far too tiring. It seems almost impossible for me to relax and just enjoy the great things that are right in front of me.

Last night my dad and I went out to eat and I remember thinking how cool it was. It is not that in the past I haven't enjoyed being around him and my family, it is just that last night I finally realized how important family can and should be for me. I know that I have good friends around me and people that care about me, but I don't feel like I deserve it. I am always unable to return the love to them that they show towards me.

So, what should I do? I have no idea. I just hope this anxiousness that is sitting on me would relieve, even just for a full day. I need to learn how to have more fun. Stop over thinking everything and just kind of go with the flow of life. In the process of learning this I hope I don't push the most important people to me, away from me.

I watched this video just a few minutes ago and I think it may be something awesome for me and I want to share it with you. It's Francis Chan speaking about taking risks.

Enjoy!

-brett

me. finale.

God remained faithful through the first 16 years of my life, before I ever gave Him credit or acknowledged Him for who he is. He brought our family through a very hard time. We were lead divinely to exactly the right place so that we could meet with the exactly the right people that could help. I am amazed as I am typing this how much He kept us safe in His arms; though we didn't notice.

In June/July during the summer in between my Junior and Senior year of high school I went on my very first trip to a place that is very close to my heart: Estonia. It was only an 11 day trip, but it was incredible. I was so free while I was there. I acted a little crazier and dropped a lot of the nerves I tend to get around people. It was a great experience.

After returning it would soon be time to start my Senior year high school. I can remember Leigh Anne always joking about how we can't believe I made it that far, alive. No, never because we were worried of an overdose or car wreck even; simply because Leigh Anne wanted to kill me during those first 6 years in Georgia. I am glad she didn't though, I'm not sure what she would do without my messy room or smart comments I tend to make.

Anyhow, I was anxious for senior year to fly by and luckily I was on work program. I was able to leave school before 12:00 each day. It was like a dream come true. I started off my senior year as one of the leaders for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). From the beginning this was a struggle; seeing that I wasn't an athlete it was hard to gear the messages and themes towards athletes.

In my junior year I began to mess around on drums a little bit. When I was in 7th grade I made the best decision in band class to switch from the ever so manly clarinet to the percussion side of the world. I never knew how important of a decision I made right then. Some of the other leaders at FCA wanted to start a band that could lead worship, they asked me to play drums. I agreed and I was pretty horrible. I had never really learned how to play. I hadn't played much since middle school and it was so difficult the first time we played. I did enjoy it though.

Over the remainder of Senior year I joined a band with some really good buddies of mine. The original name of the band was "Blueberry Jam" and our claim to fame is a cover of "Mountain Jam" by the Allman Brothers, although we changed the name to "Sawnee Mountain Jam." For those of you that live in Forsyth, you should understand.

Most of the time we would just mess around at Joel's house (one of the guitarist) for hours, managing to play two MAYBE three songs in that time. We enjoyed to drag out guitar solos, change the tempo of songs and build it up real big at the end. It was great time. We played a few shows that year and people seemed to enjoy us for the most part. While I was playing with these guys and also playing with FCA I realized that I really enjoy drums. I started practicing on my own time and then would go and play for hours with The Revival (the new name for Blueberry Jam). It was cool to become a drummer again.

I made it through my senior year and during that time Estonia slipped back into my life. I was asked to come back to Estonia for a full summer after my Senior year and along with me my buddy Scott was also asked. He was much quicker to say yes than I was. There were a few things in my life that I was not so willing to give up, but as soon as I did I sent the email to Chris Brock asking if I could come.

After graduation was over and the festivities that follow, Scott and I boarded a plane for a two month journey in Estonia. That summer was the most eye opening summer I ever experienced. God made himself so known to me. He made it so clear that I could have a relationship with him and be closer than I was before. He showed me that He can work through me and use me to bring glory to his name. He taught me that things can get tough but to trust in him and he would carry me and the team I was working with through those times. I could spend 15 blog posts on just that summer in Estonia alone, so I will move on.

In August just after returning from Estonia I gained my current job at Starbucks. It has treated me well over the last year and a half. Sometime between August and January of 2008, my friend Nick asked me to come play drums at the youth group he was playing at the time. I remember being so nervous about it. I had to learn to play live with a click track (metronome) and also to play something that was not as improvised a jam band music. I made it through it alive and they kept calling me back. I was amazed, I hadn't decided that I wanted to continue playing drums when I got back from Estonia, in fact it had almost been time to close up that part of life. Though, I got the call. Over the following months I got much better at playing with a click track and I learned many new things about drumming and worship music. I had moved away from jam band music and moved into my favorite type of music.

During the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 I spent time thinking about whether or not I wanted to return to Estonia for another summer. I ended up making the decision that I would. I raised the support and was getting ready to head back to Estonia in June of 2009. The only thing I was nervous about this time around was, am I still going to be able to play drums when I get back?

There I was heading back to Estonia for two and half months. This past summer was the most amazing time I have ever experienced with God. In the summer past, He showed me this close relationship I could have with him. In the most recent visit to Estonia He showed me how faithful and TRUE his word is. I learned a lot about the Bible in this past summer. I learned a ton about how God worked between the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible. There were so many themes through His word that I was beginning to see and how everything was always leading up to the birth of Jesus. It was incredible, I fell in love with Estonia last summer. So much so that I began speaking about leaving the states for some time to live there. This desire is still in my heart, but it is all in God's time.

Since returning in August I have spent a lot of time with friends. This has been a struggle because sometimes I am not the most loving and compassionate person, especially if I am in a bad mood. God has showed me this in the last couple of months. It is becoming my "thing" to work on in 2010. The verse "Let your love be genuine" in Romans snuck up on me a week ago and I haven't stopped thinking about it.

Other than working at Starbucks and spending time with friends, there has been drums. I never dreamed drums would even go as far as it has now. It continues to grow though. I have seen God in it a lot. I am enjoy each time I get behind a drum set more and more. As far as my future goes in Estonia, I am unsure. Right now I am following my dream.

I can't complain about life right now. I have people in my life that I have never cared so much about anyone else. I struggle to show them sometimes, but it is in me. My prayer this year is to grow into loving relationships with the people in my life. Drop the sassy part of me and to let my love be genuine. I cannot do this without God. I have to allow him to work through me and step out of His way.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the journey God has taken me and my family on. Please forgive anything that is not grammatically correct. There were many thoughts I was trying to get out! I am looking forward to sharing more on the blog about God and what he is teaching me. I hope it can bless you, as I would love see this Blog only for His glory. Go, enjoy your day and we can catch up soon.

Thank you,

brett