Life, Health, and Prospertiy

Showing posts with label brad stiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brad stiles. Show all posts

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween 2010 – A Turning Point in My Life

It wasn’t planned, to begin this new chapter in my life on Halloween 2010.  Somehow it seems appropriate, though, and will be an easy date to remember.

Today is the day I pledge to become healthy.  I’ve gone the weight loss route before, and failed each time.  This time is different. I will not only lose weight, but will also become healthy in the process. I’m letting go.  I’m getting out of the way.  To explain what that means….  

In October 2009, I wrote and published an article about Brad Stiles, which you can read on my blog. Here is a paragraph from the article. It alludes to what I've been waiting for - to see where God is leading me.

" ‘In a recent interview with Dr. Lisa Van Allen, Brad described the lyrics to [his song] "Letting Go" as "moving forward, letting go of fear, and coming to the end of self-sufficiency by letting go of everything I thought Christ was, and how He viewed me. Instead of me living life for Christ, it is Christ living His life through me, through us. It's not I who lives, but Christ that lives within and through me. The dreams that He placed in my life are from Him. I want to walk in them. I want to get out of the way." Dr. Van Allen remarked, "When God calls you to do something, He brings in all the resources.’ "

To step back a bit, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching over the past 22 months, trying to understand what it is that God is calling me to do.  It began with a catalyst, as often happens, a crisis of sorts, if you will.  I was driven to seek answers, which led me back to church and subsequently to small groups (both within and outside the church), which led me to some wonderful new friends and support groups.

Paula Fields led me to Brad Stiles’ CD Release Concert (I resisted going until the last minute) and it was at his remarkable performance that I surrendered. Wow!  Just like that….  it was so natural, and my life changed forever in an instant. Well, that was only the beginning. During this time, Gator J. Gaynor from The Spirit, appeared and brought a love of music back into my life, and also brought me back out into the entertainment world.

Next, I felt compelled to write the article about Brad Stiles. I was driven… there really was no choice…  it simply had to be done.  As I began to formulate ideas for the article, it led to an interview with Brad, which, in turn, led me to Steve McVey and his book called “Grace Walk”, which led me to grace. After I read his book, I realized that I was actually embarking on a fascinating “grace walk”. The article also led me to Lisa Van Allen who later invited me to her course on “Fearless Living”, which began yet another new friendship, actually several.

This morning, Bill Nissen posted the following on Facebook: Philip. 2:3-4 (NASB-U) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

This grace walk has been an amazing adventure as God continues to bring in all the resources, the latest of which is Bill Nissen.  I am getting out of the way as God calls me to do this. With Bill Nissen’s help, I will not fail.  To be continued…..

Monday, November 30, 2009

Cedar Rapids Recording Artist Brad Stiles Releases Two Videos to YouTube.com

Brad Stiles, contemporary Christian recording artist and worship leader from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just released two videos to YouTube.com from his October 4, 2009, “Letting Go” CD Release Concert. The first video is energizing and adds a bit of rock to the music, whereas his second video is more spiritual in nature.

Friends and fans may be particularly interested in one of the CDs as it shows video of many people who attended this concert and now star on YouTube.com. This appears to be just one way Brad Stiles thanks his many followers and supporters, by allowing them to share in the fun and limelight.






Brad Stiles can be reached at http://www.bradstilesmusic.com

Author Resource: –> Diana Shores, Author, Ghostwriter and Book/Concert Reviewer
http://moonlitshores.blogspot.com
Contact: dianashores@gmail.com


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Just Released – “Letting Go” CD by Cedar Rapids Recording Artist, BRAD STILES

“Letting Go” is mighty, powerful, energizing, inspiring, and uplifting, yet at once calming and healing. Singer, songwriter, worship leader, musician, accomplished pianist, believer in Christ, friend, and recording artist, Brad Stiles is on the rise. Brad Stiles does not disappoint. This is contemporary Christian music at its best, with a touch of rock tossed in, a glorious mix of music that allows his songs to cut across generations and appeal to a broad audience.

Brad Stiles’ “Letting Go” CD was released on September 22, 2009. Recorded in Nashville, TN, he gathered some of the best in the recording industry to assemble this CD. While selecting songs for his album, Brad told Caleb Rowden, from Executive/Universal Music and co-writer of some of his songs, that he is all about grace, and how he was spiritually moved while reading the book, "Grace Walk", by Steve McVey. His song “Grace Cover Me" ministers to many people. Brad feels, “You find freedom as you begin to let go, and then pick up His grace for your lives.”

Brad Stiles performed his “Letting Go” CD release concert on October 4, 2009, at the Antioch Christian Church in Marion, IA. It was a passionate and captivating performance as he gave his heart and soul to his music. He was genuine, and spirited his message of grace and love of God throughout the room. He took his audience on a musical journey to develop a closer relationship with Christ, urging them to be still, to listen, to let go, and stirring them to action. There is no question that lives were changed that night.

Talented host and emcee, Gator J. Gaynor, from The Spirit, entertained the audience throughout the evening. In a sudden twist, at the end of the performance as people were about to leave, Gator asked everyone to remain for a few minutes and called Brad back on stage. In a spontaneous and incredibly moving moment, he asked the audience to pray Brad Stiles forward, saying, “This CD release concert is a culmination of at least two years of hard work in getting to this night to celebrate. And yet, at the same time, this is by no means the end of the journey. Let this be the beginning of celebrating another chapter in Brad’s life.” Powerful.

No stranger to the stage, Brad Stiles has performed for over 15 years throughout the country from coffee shops and bookstores to the Hilton Coliseum, Constitution Hall, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has performed with many artists, including Caleb Rowden from Executive/Universal Music, Alvin Slaughter from Hosanna Integrity, Lindell Cooley from MMI, Inc., Jonathan Martin from Spring Hill Worship, Rick Muchow from Saddleback Church, Jacob Lowery from Phillips, Craig and Dean, Lynda Randle from Spring House Music Group, international composer and arranger Kirby Shaw, singer/song writer Barry Manilow, and a multitude of others.

In a recent interview with Dr. Lisa Van Allen, Brad described the lyrics to "Letting Go" as "moving forward, letting go of fear, and coming to the end of self-sufficiency by letting go of everything I thought Christ was, and how He viewed me. Instead of me living life for Christ, it is Christ living His life through me, through us. It's not I who lives, but Christ that lives within and through me. The dreams that He placed in my life are from Him. I want to walk in them. I want to get out of the way." Dr. Van Allen remarked, "When God calls you to do something, He brings in all the resources." This CD is a tribute to his calling.

Brad started his solo career in 2005. He found that after he stepped off stage people wanted something to take home from his concerts, and he wanted to provide something that would continue to minister to them. This launched him into action, and in 2007, he took the leap of faith to raise the capital to create this CD.

A creation of the Lord, raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we are truly blessed that Brad remains true to his roots. He did not abandon the community on his journey.

In “You Are the Answer” and “The Hand That Holds the World" we are given but a tiny glimpse of the strength and depth of Brad's tenor voice. Looking ahead to his next CD, Brad says it needs to be even better. He is letting go and letting the Lord bring it. Brad’s prayer to his listeners is that “these songs will encourage you to believe again, trust again, and know God is always here for you.” And, "To You, Jesus, thanks for teaching me to LET GO of everything I thought you were and for teaching me your love and grace."

We have only just begun to scratch the surface of the talent that lies within Brad Stiles. I can hardly wait to peel back the layers.

You can get a signed copy of this "Letting Go" CD on Brad Stiles' website, or download his music on iTunes.


Photo Credits: --> Erin K. 'Manson' Kirchhoff & Sarah Skow, The Locket, www.thelocketonline.com

Author Resource: --> Diana Shores, MA, EdS. Author, Ghostwriter and Book/Concert Reviewer.
Contact: dianashores@gmail.com