3 Phrases to Fuel Your Dreams

January 31, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to stream listener favorite Awaken the Dawn, which appears on three albums. If you enjoy, you can order the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (or listen on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora and more).

What are you dreaming about for 2017?

It is amazing to think that one month has already passed this year. As you look back on January, did you make progress toward your dreams? If you are like me, it is sometimes easier for my “self talk” to be negative, telling me what I didn’t get done, instead of being positive, and recalling steps accomplished toward my dreams for 2017 and beyond.

As I was exercising early yesterday morning, three phrases came to mind to fuel my dreams, and I wanted to share them with you…

1. Sing and Make Music.
What is your passion? Your purpose? What do you love doing that also serves others? To “sing and make music” means to release your “song” — your gifts and calling — into the world to be a blessing to others. To clarify your purpose, think about the one or two things you love to do. They often begin in childhood, or revealed themselves to you early in life. Do one thing today to “sing and make music.” Read and reflect on the verse behind this phrase (see down below). You can also watch the Awaken the Dawn video to inspire you.

2. There’s No Need to Fear.
What are you afraid of? Success? Failure? What others will think? These are some of my fears. Take a leap of faith today, like a little child who jumps into your arms and trusts you to catch them. Take one action step that is a little scary, but which will move you one step closer to your dream coming true. Read and reflect on the verse behind this phrase (see down below). You can also watch the Far Away from Home video to give you courage.

3. Do Not Be Anxious.
What are you worried about? What makes you anxious? For me, this can be uncertainty about the future, financial security, being healthy, my creativity, making a difference, etc. Whatever you are are anxious about, surrender this to God today, asking Him to carry it for you, and to show you a next step to take toward your dream. Read and reflect on the two verses behind this phrase (see down below). You can also watch the Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling video to bring a calm assurance.

What words below speak to you the most? Write them down, keep this in front of you, and take action this week.

Psalm 108:1-2 (NIV)
“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.”

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Psalm 65:8, Psalm 34:9 (MSG)
“Dawn and dusk take turns calling, ‘Come and worship.’ Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.”

New Year Gratitude in Guardians of the Night

January 24, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of Guardians of the Night as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What are you grateful for in January 2017?

Have you recalled all the experiences and events you are thankful for from 2016? Yes, every year life has times of struggle, suffering, stress and despair. But also yes, we can remember and express gratitude for moments of victory, hope, peace and joy.

Can you remember some “reasons for gratitude” from a family vacation last year? A date with your spouse? An event with your children? A mountain top moment with your work? A mission trip or time serving others? A particularly moving prayer or quiet time with God? The list could go on. As I reflect and remember, I find energy and momentum to look for “gratitude moments” in 2017. (One year ago I was grateful for the December 2015 moment with my son when we photographed the Mojave Desert night sky – see below).

The song Guardians of the Night was inspired by Psalm 136. This Psalm names twenty-six “thank you reasons” followed by twenty-six “for God’s steadfast love endures forever.” One of these is for the moon and stars which are “guardians of the night.” This reminds me to even be thankful for a good night’s rest, to God for watching over me during the night, and for giving to His beloved even while we sleep (Psalm 127:2).

How can you keep gratitude in your heart and mind throughout this New Year?

Psalm 136:4-9 (The Message, NIV)

“Thank the miracle-working God…The God whose skill formed the cosmos…
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations…The God who filled the skies with light…
The sun to watch over the day…Moon and stars as guardians of the night. His love endures forever.”

Two Ideas for Awe and Wonder

November 29, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of While the Morning Stars Sang in Chorus (Cinematic Mix) as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to the new music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What stirs awe and wonder in you at this time of year?

As we are now in the first week of Advent, a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth, I was reflecting on how best to share the inspiration behind the new song While the Morning Stars Sang in Chorus. This is a “creation song” rooted in God’s words to Job:

“Where were you when I created the earth?…How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise?” — Job 38:4-7 (The Message)

There is an amazing and beautiful connection to the Hubble telescope image below (credit to NASA and STSCI). Pause for a moment to study this image and read its description, then consider two ideas which stirred my wonder and awe. I hope they will stir yours too.

“Hubble peered into a small portion of the nebula near the star cluster NGC 2074 in 2008, to take a snapshot of a dazzling region of celestial birth and renewal. This approximately 100-light-year-wide fantasy-like landscape is a firestorm of raw stellar creation, perhaps triggered by a nearby supernova explosion. The image reveals dramatic ridges and valleys of dust, serpent-head “pillars of creation,” and gaseous filaments glowing fiercely under ultraviolet radiation. The region is on the edge of a dark molecular cloud that is an incubator for the birth of new stars. It lies about 170,000 light-years away near the Tarantula nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in our Local Group of galaxies.” — NASA

IDEA #1 — CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE

Let the beauty and wonder of the stars and all creation stir your wonder and awe this Advent season. If you believe, let God’s marvelous handiwork enrich your faith. If you don’t believe, God believes in you, and offers His love, forgiveness and hope in all things.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” — Psalm 19:1

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

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” — Hebrews 11:3

IDEA #2 — SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

The “birth of new stars” pointed me to the birth of Jesus. How can the Creator of the universe also be the Savior of the world? It is good to ask questions and to search for truth. We don’t have all the answers, but God does when we believe by faith and seek Him. Jesus coming as a baby is an awe inspiring display of power and humility, the Lion and the Lamb, our Creator and Savior.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:1-3, 14

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” — Luke 8:10-11

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” — 1 John 4:14

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” — 1 John 2:2

How does the music, image and/or words draw you toward awe and wonder?

My Soul Silently Waits

November 22, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of My Soul Silently Waits as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What are you waiting on?

Sometimes people ask us this question when it is obvious to them what our next step should be. Other times we are asking ourselves. There is tension in the waiting as we decide what we will do. A friend of mine describes this as “active patience.”

We all seem to have a favorite way to practice silence. It could be walking on the beach, driving in the mountains, hiking in the woods, or sitting in our favorite chair at home. Wherever you are on your faith journey, I encourage you to invest time in listening for God’s voice, and to ask God to speak into your current situation. This is the essence of the song My Soul Silently Waits.

Take a moment to reflect on the verses below, which I have found very helpful for seeking discernment with a decision, or seeing things more clearly in my circumstances. In addition to reading Scripture, it helps me to rephrase the verses into a personal prayer back to God. Then there is more of a conversation with Him, through both speaking and listening.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you and watch over you…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” — Psalm 32:8 and 32:10 (NIV 1984)

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” — Psalm 62:1 (ESV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (ESV)

“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.” — Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV, ESV)

Which of these (or another passage) speaks into your waiting?

For Such a Time as This

November 15, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of For Such a Time as This as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What is a “for such a time as this” decision you are facing, or dream you are making?

As I was driving a winding, mountain road last weekend in north Georgia, the colors of autumn brought to mind the new song For Such a Time as This. I love the fall because it brings cooler air, and splashes of red, orange, yellow and gold leaves amidst southern pines and evergreens.

I couldn’t resist pulling off the road to capture the image below. Just as the brilliant red of this maple tree is only present for a short time, and just as the seasons come and go, life brings us possibilities and opportunities that will soon pass. Some of these are “leap of faith” moments, and we have to decide whether to jump. How do we know when to say “yes?”

Like Esther’s story in the Old Testament, we don’t get to see the full picture of all God is orchestrating until we can look back. What we do have the privilege of doing is surrendering to Him and asking Him to direct our steps. When I seek to listen for His voice, and wait on Him for either direction or confirmation for a next step, He is always faithful to reveal His plans little by little. When life’s “for such a time as this” decisions present themselves, I want to have a mindset of aligning my “push” with God’s “pull.” Practicing this today helps give me greater confidence and clarity for tomorrow’s “for such a time as this” choices.

This song is also a sixteenth birthday gift to my daughter, composed with a heart of love and blessing from her earthly father, and inspired by words from her heavenly Father. When we read the Scripture verses behind this song, one is spoken to Esther, and one is spoken from the Lover to his Beloved in the Song of Songs. Yet, the way to receive them is as though they are spoken from God to each of us (in my words): “…perhaps I have brought you to your current position for such a time as this. Remember, you are altogether beautiful and flawless in my sight.”

Hold on to these thoughts in your journey today — God believes in you, loves you, and forgives you more than you can know. Jesus loves you and believes in you, and His gifts of grace, love and forgiveness will always be there for you.

How can this be applied to one of your decisions or dreams today?

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NIV)
“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” — Song of Songs 4:7 (ESV)

Finding Hope in Long and Lonely Nights

November 8, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of A Long and Lonely Night as you read. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. After reading, watch the Far Away from Home music video to lift your spirit.

What have you been anxious or fearful about lately?

Recently I had the opportunity to share my music at a conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and to play concerts in Waukesha and Kenosha. This trip allowed me to visit the shores of Lake Michigan, including the Cana Island Lighthouse.

The image below was taken through a small window from inside the lighthouse during the climb up (a small “climb to the sky” moment). As I thought about sharing the inspiration for the song A Long and Lonely Night, I began thinking how the inside of a lighthouse is much darker than the outside. The greatest source of light on the shore, which can be seen for miles, is dark inside.

When I am feeling dark on the inside, the light of God’s word and presence is there shining into my circumstances. When I am anxious or fearful, He says “Fear not.” When I am having a long and lonely night, or not sleeping well, He is always there, caring for me, offering hope and comfort, even though I may not feel hopeful.

My long and lonely nights are not nearly as rough as Paul’s. He went from being totally against Jesus and his followers, to being totally for Jesus. His personal encounter with Jesus in Acts 9 transformed his life. From then on he shared the good news of God’s grace and forgiveness, and that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God. This resulted in Paul being jailed, beaten, flogged, shipwrecked, robbed, betrayed, and without food multiple times. He had many a long and lonely night.

How does this solo piano melody and its inspiration speak into your long and lonely nights?

“I’ve known…many a long and lonely night without sleep…” 2 Corinthians 11:27 (MSG) “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (MSG)

“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

Longing for Heavenly Country

November 1, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 8 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of Longing for Heavenly Country as you read. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What does “Longing for Heavenly Country” mean to you when you first read this phrase?

This blog post is dedicated to my friend Craig, and in honor and memory of his wife Kellie. I just found out overnight that Kellie passed away from cancer at age thirty-nine, on October 13th, the day of my Atlanta release concert for the new album Climb to the Sky (“Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there!” Psalm 139:7-8, The Message).

The new song Longing for Heavenly Country inspired by Hebrews 11:16, is deeply connected to the album cover art that Craig created in 2011 for my 7th album A Thousand Years. As you listen to the melody, take a look at the image Craig created below. Pause and study it for yourself, for a minute or two. Take in the amazing creativity, and the elements illustrating the inspiration from Psalm 90:4, “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (NIV)

Then, see below the image for how it captures the essence of Longing for Heavenly Country…

With God’s grace and help, Craig and Kellie demonstrated great faith during her battle with cancer. Even though we cannot understand or explain many things that happen during our life on earth, or how God’s ways are often mysterious, Craig and I were discussing how He tells us His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Below are five of the rich symbols of “Heavenly Country” in Craig’s image for A Thousand Years.

The Dove. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, and is our Guide, Counselor and Comforter (Matthew 3:16, Isaiah 11:2, 2 Corinthians 1:4).
The Flowing Water. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38, NIV)
The Overflowing Cups. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows…” (Psalm 23:5, NIV)
The Books Holding Up the Piano. One of these is an old Bible. “Your word is a lamp for my feet.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV).
The Shoes for the Piano Pedals. These are Craig’s grandfather’s shoes. They are a symbol of our legacy, of God’s faithfulness, that we pass down to our children, and our children’s children (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Kellie has a perspective on these truths, these glimpses of heaven, that we do not yet fully know. I am certain she would want us to know how much Jesus loves us, believes in us, and forgives us, even though sometimes we may not feel like we love him, believe in Him, or have been forgiven by Him. Today I give thanks to God for Craig and Kellie being part of my life and music story.

How does the music and these words speak into your “longing for heavenly country?”

“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 11:16 (NIV)

Climb to the Sky – Part 2

October 25, 2016 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Climb to the Sky is my brand new album release. Click the play button above to enjoy a sample as you read. To listen to all 12 tracks visit the Climb to the Sky album page. Also, I hope you will pause to enjoy the new Climb to the Sky Music Video.

What are some ways you like to “climb to the sky” in life? Today as an adult? When you were a child?

Several weeks ago I posted Climb to the Sky – Part 1, so if you would like to read this first you can click here. Since writing this title track song in February 2016, I have been meditating on Psalm 139:8 “If I climb to the sky you’re there…” 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.”

Before performing this piece as the closing number for that Atlanta release concert, I shared with the audience some of the “broken stories” from my life. About how I stuttered when I was five years old, and this made me very shy. How I had to get glasses when I was ten years old, and didn’t wear them until I was thirteen (but could still make a lot of basketball shots without them). How a sixth grade “girl friend” broke up with me because I had not kissed her. And how for many years I was striving to succeed and meet people’s expectations for my life, through my college and early career years.

Then I shared how we are all on a “climb to the sky” in life. As children, this could have been 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, but for me, my “climb” is founded on a perspective that life is an “adventure to live” instead of a “problem to solve” (credit to John Elredge from his book Wild at Heart). This is some of the wonder and awe found in Psalm 139. The entire Psalm 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, 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?

Counting the Sand of the Sea

August 30, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of Counting the Sand of the Sea as you read. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to the new music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What is your favorite seashore memory?

My 10th and newest album Climb to the Sky has two songs drawing inspiration from Psalm 139. The first is the title track, and the second is called Counting the Sand of the Sea, which came from verses 17-18…

“Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them—any more than I could count the sand of the sea.” (The Message)

From 6th to 12th grade I lived in the Florida panhandle, about thirty minutes from Santa Rosa Island, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The water is a beautiful blue green, and for many people, perhaps their favorite element. However, for me it is the sand — a glorious white color, with an extremely fine texture. There is just nothing like it between your toes.

The gulf island seashores are one of my favorites, but in 2015 a new seashore took first place, when I was able to see the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The combination of cliffs, sand, and sea creates breathtaking views, and stirs the heart with God’s beauty and wonder.

Hillsong United is a worship band based in Australia, who wrote one of today’s most popular songs of faith titled Oceans. The chorus sings…

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Will you join me today, in remembering a favorite seashore, and in meditating on Psalm 139?

Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling

August 16, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling as you read. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to the new music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What is your favorite — 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 the new pieces on my upcoming 10th 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.

How does Psalm 65:8 below speak into your story 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)