How Thanksgiving Leads to December Peace

November 28, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Thanksgiving with piano and English horn as you read. If you enjoy, listen to more music from Best Holiday Album Winner December Peace (ZMR Awards) and check out the 31 Days of December Peace devotional e-Book.

How can Thanksgiving lead to December Peace?

My good friend and mentor Ken Boa consistently encourages me to practice two disciplines: Gratitude and Remembrance. As we transition from our U.S. Thanksgiving holiday to the season of Advent, I was reminded of two verses that have transformed my life and faith journey. Here is how I believe these can prepare you and me for December Peace, and even can lead us there…

As you are listening to Thanksgiving, reflect on these words: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Recorded in Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7 point me toward giving thanks. They focus my heart and mind on gratitude. This prompts me to remember God’s blessings. Then I begin to think about particular times when God has been faithful to provide for me, to see me through a difficult time. For example, when our house was robbed, when there were emergency room visits to the hospital, when I was having fears and doubts about the future, etc. By practicing the thanksgiving in verse 6, this leads to the peace promised in verse 7, which will guard my heart and mind.

I composed the song Thanksgiving from these verses, because I am often tempted to be anxious about everything, not just anything. The music expresses child-like faith, and skipping through life with joy. I wrote the Advent and Christmas season devotional 31 Days of December Peace, to offer real life stories filled with hope and inspiration (from my life and the lives of special friends). Each leads to peace and rest, to gratitude and remembrance, to experiencing “December Peace.” Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with thanksgiving, peace and joy!

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, and for December, ask yourself these questions:

Who are some people you are grateful for?
What are some things you are grateful for?
What difficult times has God helped you through?
When did something amazing and good happen that encouraged you?

5 Things to Know About Heaven

November 14, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to stream Longing for Heavenly Country from my 10th album Climb to the Sky as you read. I am also including the music video at the bottom, so you can use for additional reflection if you like.

What does “heavenly country” make you think of?

With our U.S. Thanksgiving holiday approaching, along with autumn colors and cool air, November brings a season of harvest and reminds us to count life’s blessings. Each of us has the universal challenge of quieting life’s noise and distractions enough to pause and give thanks, and to experience more moments of peace and contentment.

Inspired by the song Longing for Heavenly Country, I began to think about heaven, and how setting our thoughts on things above can bring a harvest of blessings to us now — during life on earth — as well as to our future. Along with the music track and video, I hope you will reflect on “5 Things to Know About Heaven” (from Scripture and C.S. Lewis) to increase your peace, joy, and contentment now, and in the days to come.

1. Heaven is a Real Place.

The word “heaven” appears in the Bible 622 times. If we believe by faith, here are two of many encouraging verses about heaven being a real place…

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” — John 14:1-3 (NIV)

2. Heaven is Our True Home.

“The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.” — C.S. Lewis

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” — Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

“But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there.” — Philippians 3:20 (TLB)

3. Heaven is a Better Country.

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” — C.S. Lewis

The passage below is from Hebrews 11, known as the “Hall of Faith,” from the many Bible characters named in this chapter.

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” — Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV)

4. God and Jesus Invite Us into Relationship from Heaven.

“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” — Psalm 14:2 (NIV)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6 (NIV)

5. We Can Play a Part in Bringing Glimpses of Heaven to Earth.

“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” — C.S. Lewis

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)

Which of these encourages you the most right now?

5 Reasons to Pause and Breathe

November 7, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to stream the song Breathe as you read. I am also including the Breathe music video at the bottom, so you can use it to “pause and breathe” for further reflection.

How is pausing to “breathe” beneficial to you?

An amazing story happened during the filming of the Breathe music video. For 24 hours I put aside my “to do” list and unplugged from all technology while in the mountains of western North Carolina. I needed and wanted some “breathing room” to convey the essence of this song musically and visually. My original idea was to go deep into an old forest with huge trees, since trees help us breathe by producing oxygen. After some hiking and scouting, the plan shifted. It was a little unsettling at first, but taking time to pause, to breathe in this moment, led to a surprising discovery…

Back at the entrance to the historic forest, there were two signs. The first indicated the mileage to a lookout point. The second said “No Outlet.” My friend and camera man agreed we should go exploring, to see if we might discover an even better (perhaps even the best) music video location. We were blown away, and couldn’t wait to start filming at sunrise the next morning.

The image above is just a glimpse of the beauty and wonder we experienced, and I believe you will love the Breathe music video footage. Below are “5 Reasons to Pause and Breathe” from this story, which may be helpful with your creativity or in your life today:

To help you clarify a creative vision and dream to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
To embrace flexibility, waiting to see what is revealed, is part of going from good, to better, to God’s very best.
To take calculated risks (seeing what is down a “no outlet” road) is part of experiencing God’s awe and wonder.
To grow in surrender. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
To allow beauty to lead to worship. “I bless God every chance I get…I live and breathe God…” Psalm 34:1-2 (MSG)

Which “reason to pause and breathe” speaks most to you right now?

Power of Being before Doing

October 31, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to stream Counting the Sand of the Sea from my 10th album Climb to the Sky as you read…

Have you experienced the transforming power of Being before Doing?

In March 2006 our house was robbed. It was the middle of the day. Our son and daughter were at elementary school, and my wife and I were out. A neighbor said they saw a person standing at our front door, who appeared to be soliciting. Instead they were the lookout, while a team of robbers broke in a back window, tore through our house in a few minutes, and stole everything they could find that was small and valuable. My wife and I were wearing our wedding rings, and I was at a meeting with my notebook computer, but otherwise $10,000 of jewelry and cameras — even the money in our kids’ piggy banks — was gone for good. All the sentimental value of each item was lost. Even many years later, this is a painful memory. It took time for me to surrender my anger and frustration to God, and to fully forgive these people.

I believe there is a key element of our lives we can be robbed of every day if we’re not careful. It’s the practice and discipline of “Being before Doing.” It seems like a small thing, but it’s actually huge and has great value. In our “doing” we should not settle for results that are only good or better, when God’s “very best” is available to us. His best outcomes are the “much fruit” Jesus promises in John 15:5 if we abide in Him.

According to Nielsen Research, the average American spends about 11 hours a day staring at a screen. We know we use our screens for work and leisure, but some of our screen time is robbing us of “Being” time. This leads to God’s “much fruit” being stolen from our “Doing” time.

I captured the below photo during a recent family hike in Arches National Park, Utah. We totally unplugged for five days of fall vacation. A few days after getting home, God revealed an entire new song within a few hours, which is much faster than normal. It was one of those “watch this” moments where He demonstrated how after some quality “being” time, He can “do” things very quickly and powerfully. Instead of more striving we need more abiding and being, so God can do the striving and doing for us.

Do you maintain a healthy pattern of “Being Before Doing?” This most likely requires you to unplug from every device, or at least go offline. When was the last time you invested one hour, or maybe even one day or one week, to just “be” and not “do”?

Do you routinely have a clear sense of hearing God’s voice in your life? Of knowing what He wants you to do next? Of knowing when He checks your spirit, and lets you know to wait?

I love Frederick Buechner’s quote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Ravi Zacharias reminds us there are great needs in the world, but God asks only that we take on our portion.

We all have a special purpose to make a positive difference in the world, to bring hope and healing to people’s lives. However, only God can bear 100% of humanity’s pain and suffering, the ways we judge, compare, hurt or think wrongfully of each other instead of loving, serving, and encouraging one another. Only God has the bandwidth to provide 100% of the hope, healing, and leadership needed to transform our lives and the lives He touches through us.

So what is your portion? Have you unplugged and asked Him? Have you quieted your world, eliminated all distractions, and asked God to help you hear His voice? What He wants you to do next?

Picture me holding up a DSLR camera with a large lens. Let the DSLR camera represent our Being. Now, think of me holding up my phone beside the DSLR camera. Let the phone symbolize our Doing. This word picture has a lot of depth and meaning. Think about how investing in the value of our Being (the high resolution, focus, and magnification) powers the fruitfulness of our Doing (daily tasks, projects, and applications to make a positive difference).

How could you benefit from some “being” time right now?

An Invitation from Dawn and Dusk

October 24, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to stream Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling as you read. For additional reflection, I am also including the music video at the bottom, which was filmed during sunset in a south Georgia pecan grove.

Which is most inviting to you — a beautiful sunrise or a beautiful sunset?

This is not an easy one for me. I love both, don’t you? If I must choose, I would make a beautiful sunrise a slight favorite. I have seen several over the past year. The most memorable were from an ocean shore or from a hilltop or mountain view. Maybe the awe and wonder of a sunrise comes from being rewarded with such beauty, after making the extra effort to rise early in the morning. Or, maybe it is the grace and hope, the new beginnings, symbolized in every sunrise.

Sunsets don’t require us to rise early, but to patiently watch and wait at day’s end. They can be just as beautiful, or sometimes even more beautiful than a sunrise. As long as you can see the horizon, with an unobstructed view, there is always a chance to behold a wonderful sight. The awe of a sunset could come from the sense of ending a day peacefully. Perhaps we have worked hard on a project or rested well on a vacation. Or, maybe it is the grace and hope in storybook endings, in finishing well, embodied in every sunset.

One of my favorite pieces from my newest album Climb to the Sky is titled Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling. I loved this phrase the moment I came across it in Psalm 65. Even more suitable, the psalmist writes what dawn and dusk take turns calling — “Come and worship.” Perhaps this is the nudge we are feeling when a beautiful sunrise or sunset takes our breath away…our hearts are being invited to come and worship God.

How does Psalm 65:8 inspire you today?

“Far and wide they’ll come to a stop, they’ll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, ‘Come and worship.’” — Psalm 65:8 (The Message)

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” — Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

How Do You Climb to the Sky?

October 17, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

This week is the 1st anniversary of my 10th album Climb to the Sky. You can click above to listen above as you read, and visit the Climb to the Sky album page for the CD, MP3 Album, and Sheet Music. I am also including the music video at the bottom of this post for additional inspiration (filmed during a mountain sunset at 6,200 feet).

How do you “climb to the sky” in life?

This title track has such deep meaning in my story. I meditated on Psalm 139:8 “If I climb to the sky you’re there…” for quite a while before the music was revealed to me. This verse is rooted in the opening words of this Psalm, “God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight.”

There are many “broken stories” from my life which God has gradually healed and redeemed over time… Stuttering when I was five years old, which made me very shy. Getting glasses when I was ten years old, which I despised (I could still make a lot of basketball shots without wearing them). Having a sixth grade “girl friend” break up with me because I had not kissed her. Failing my first exams at Georgia Tech. Working as a shift manager in a carpet mill all but two Sundays every month. Over striving to succeed and meet people’s expectations during college and my early career years. There are others I have shared in earlier blog posts. What are some of your broken stories you need to climb above?

We are all on this “climb to the sky” in life. As children, we may have experienced this while climbing trees, flying a kite, or looking out an airplane window for the first time. As adults this can also come from life experiences we enjoy. I have found an eternal view to be most helpful. My “climb” is founded on a perspective that, one day at a time, life is an “adventure to live” instead of a “problem to solve” (credit to John Elredge from his book Wild at Heart). There is a sense of wonder and awe, and God’s loving kindness toward us found throughout Psalm 139, which is definitely worth a read.

As you hear the piano “climbing” with the chorus notes, join me in remembering to keep alive your child-like faith, to give thanks for life’s many blessings, and to embrace the adventure God has in store for you, by faith. He loves us and knows us more than we can comprehend.

How does the music of “Climb to the Sky” speak to you?

10th Anniversary – Why I Composed Awaken the Dawn

October 10, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to stream Awaken the Dawn as you read. For additional reflection, at the bottom I am also including the soothing, uplifting Awaken the Dawn music video filmed during an ocean sunrise on the Georgia coast.

What can you celebrate this week that happened ten years ago?

This week I am celebrating the 10th Anniversary of my 5th album Unveiled and the opening track Awaken the Dawn, which has consistently been a top listener favorite around the world. As I paused to look back and remember how this song happened, I was prompted to share more of the story with you…

I began composing Awaken the Dawn in May 2006, two months after the extremely painful experience of having our house robbed of everything small and valuable (all jewelry, cameras, etc.). I was on a quest for more hope in my life. The original working title was Waking Light. The inspiration was coming from Psalm 108:1-2, “My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” I learned this passage is identical to Psalm 57:7-8, and these are the only two places in the entire Bible (NIV version) where the words “awaken the dawn” are used.

The music was nice, but for many months it featured a main chorus which was not stirring enough emotion. I worked on it off and on, and finally by early 2007 it was taking shape, with each musical section finding its place. In all the writing, re-writing, and playing the notes over and over, my heart’s longing was to express the deep essence of hope referenced in these Psalms. It was a lofty goal, but I wanted this message of God’s hope, without words, to speak to the heart of every person around the world who might one day hear this melody.

We have all been “robbed” of hope in various ways. This could be in our dreams, relationships, emotions, spiritual journey, health, circumstances, or any number of life events. It is interesting to me that God would inspire a song about hope following not just having our house robbed, but several other experiences of loss or struggle, where there were moments of hopelessness in my life. Hidden in the piano notes is a message from my heart to yours… I have found Jesus to be faithful when I put my faith in Him to provide the peace, rest, hope and healing I need each day.

How does “Awaken the Dawn” sing a song of God’s hope into your life?

Taken by a Cloud

October 5, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to stream Taken by a Cloud from my 5th album Unveiled as you read this story from May 2014. I am also including the music video at the bottom so you can watch and listen for further reflection.

Have you ever been “taken” by a cloud? or had a beautiful scene take your breath away?

There is a splendor and mystery inherent in the world as seen in a common cloud that reflects something much larger than me. This idea originated from an ancient scripture, “As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud.” (from Acts 1:9)

I am thinking about clouds because this is my first blog post from an airplane. I have been “taken” by some clouds as I look out from my window seat. After departing from Baltimore in the rain on the way home to Atlanta, we soon were above the clouds looking down on them. Two recent experiences came to mind.

First, a few weeks ago I played a concert west of Chicago, Illinois near Wheaton College. My host was a new friend who graduated from Wheaton years ago. He took me on a tour of the Billy Graham museum there (Billy Graham also graduated from Wheaton). I photographed the above image in the final room of the museum. The Hallelujah chorus was playing from Handel’s Messiah, and the platform where I stood was surrounded by clouds. Carefully constructed mirrors created an effect that made the clouds go on forever whether I was looking up or looking down. This was a glimpse of heaven’s wonder and beauty, and it reminded me of Taken by a Cloud.

The second experience was last night in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was invited to share some of my Scripture inspired piano at the HOPE International “Celebrate Hope” annual dinner, where 650 people gathered to hear inspiring stories from around the world, and support the great work that HOPE is doing. They specialize in micro-finance and savings programs for people in poverty who have a small business. Through targeted financial assistance entrepreneurs can grow their profits to help improve their living conditions, educate their children, and have a positive impact in their community. What is interesting is that at the core of HOPE International, is the faith, hope and love found in Jesus, and the Gospel of His grace and forgiveness. As I was “taken” by the incredible stories of financial and spiritual transformation in these impoverished communities, I was filled with eternal hope found in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

How can you apply today’s music and words to find greater hope?

As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.” Acts 1:9-11

Walking on Air – Guided Meditation #3

October 3, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

The new song and video Walking on Air inspired me to create three short meditation opportunities to help you stop “doing” for a moment, so you can practice “being.” There are deep and meaningful insights available to us when we take time to pause and listen for God’s voice. Our moments of “being” with Him equip and energize our “doing” for Him as we seek to serve and love others well.

This exercise will seem simple, and it is, but it will not be so easy because you need to quiet your mind and silence any distractions. For this third meditation guide, as you watch the video below and listen to the music, I want you to think about your future, and how God offers us eternal hope. First, read the Scripture passages below…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 1:8-9 (ESV)

“He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (The Message)

Next, watch the video (or close your eyes) and as you listen to the music, see what God wants to reveal to you. What is He saying about your present circumstances? Your past hopes and hurts? Your future with Him? Anything else? When God speaks, write down what He is saying to you, or at least take mental notes so you can hold onto His words for future encouragement.

Walking on Air – Guided Meditation #2

September 26, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

This exercise will seem simple, and it is, but it will not be so easy because you need to quiet your mind and silence any distractions. For this second meditation guide, as you watch the video below and listen to the music, I want you to set your heart and mind on pursuing three things: to know God, to worship Him, and to notice His vibrant beauty. First, read the passage below…

“God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly…Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!” Psalm 89:5-9 and 15-18 (The Message)

Next, watch the video (or close your eyes) and as you listen to the music, see what God wants to reveal to you. What does He want you to know about Him—for the first time or in a fresh way? How was this worshipful for you? What did He say to you about His vibrant beauty? Anything else? When God speaks, write down what He is saying to you, or at least take mental notes so you can hold onto His words for future encouragement.