Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Forgiven (Psalm 32)

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As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 32 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

Forgiven only has two instruments, the piano and cello (the cello is my second favorite orchestra instrument after the French horn). I wanted to express a deep and personal intimacy with God our Father, and a piano cello duet was the perfect musical combination. There is something special about the strings, and the marvel of the cello originating in 16th century northern Italy as part of the violin family.

God’s forgiveness comes through His love, and the love of God means Jesus crucified on my behalf. “The only basis for which God can forgive me is the Cross of Christ. The miracle of redemption is that God turns me, the unholy one, into the standard of Himself, the Holy One” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). Even though I put my faith in Jesus at age thirteen, I didn’t know all that I had received. God took me from death to life, not just from good to better, and not just to help me try to be a better person so He would accept me. Because of Christ, I am forgiven and given eternal life (John 3:16). This is the inclusive exclusivity of the Gospel. God’s forgiveness is ready and available to every single person on earth, and only through Christ our Lord, the Messiah and Savior of the world.

The musical conversation between the piano and cello takes us on a journey of intimacy with God, from seeking to finding Him, from receiving to knowing Him, from moments of sadness and uncertainty to a life filled with His peace, hope, and joy. The melodies in this composition move through three time signatures, perhaps an unintentional reference to the trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first section in 4/4 symbolizes forgiveness flowing down from heaven as the piano “sings” verse 1, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” The piano is also singing “blessed is the one” as a reference back to Psalm 1 and track one on the album, Day and Night. The second section in 12/8 time is a joyful theme of thanks and gratitude to God for His forgiveness. “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad…” (verse 11). The third section in 6/8 time is a bridge connecting the flowing and joyful themes that are repeated in the second half of the piece. This bridge is reflecting on the powerful truths in verses 8 and 10, which have been very significant in my life, faith, and musical journey—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.”

The piano and cello conversation grows richer and fuller as we experience the joyful theme for the second time. Then the opening, flowing theme returns to bring the song to a close. Even though this piece is a simple, intimate and beautiful duet, God revealed a powerful and compelling idea to me in this song story—that because Forgiven is focused on Christ’s death on the cross, in way it contains all eleven tracks on the album inside of it. All of these eleven titles, their inspirational Psalms, and God’s promises contained in them are founded on and point us toward Jesus’ forgiveness of our sin through His death on the cross, and His resurrection on the third day. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

How does Forgiven speak to you?

Psalm 32 (NIV) — FORGIVEN

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

But for a Moment (Psalm 39)

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As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 39 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

The introduction with heavenly choir and long orchestra notes signifies something powerful is about to be revealed. This song has a lyrical melody as the notes are singing the words, “but for a moment, pause in His presence” (verses 4 and 5). These two phrases happen to have the same number of syllables. The entire piece is built on this motif, worth repeating again. But for a moment. Pause in His presence. After the introduction the music speaks these phrases twice, then answers with a melody expressing faith and assurance when we fully pause in God’s presence.

The big idea is that my “being” comes before my “doing.” When I pause and commune with God, He reveals next steps for me to obey. The next step can be clear or He can give me a peace to move forward. Either way, I do not know exactly what will happen, and God is responsible for the results. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in (abide in) me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV) This verse inspired one of my earliest songs Abiding, which became a listener favorite on my first album Walk in the Light (2001). 

Psalm 39 by King David is noted as a cry for help, for the Pure and Shining One, a song of praising. Verses 4, 7, 11, and 13 stood out for me as I read and reflected on this Psalm many times during the composing process. “Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone! How fleeting and frail our lives! Don’t let me die without restoring joy and gladness to my soul.”

The original Hebrew word “Selah” is used in most Bible translations, and appears after verses 5 and 11. Scholars have interpreted this as a direction for a musical interlude, an instruction for singers to pause while instruments play louder, or as a call for the reader/listener to pause and reflect deeply on the profound truths just expressed (e.g., the brevity of human life). The words “pause in his presence” are a paraphrase for Selah, encouraging a moment of quiet contemplation and introspection in the presence of God. This aligns with the content of Psalm 39, which deals with my human frailty and how my true hope is in God alone. 

The “being”—the abiding—symbolized in the first section of But for a Moment begins to grow into the “doing” that bears much fruit because of God’s power. I can do nothing apart from Him. There is a soaring secondary melody from 2:25 to 3:20 which emphasizes the “power of the pause” so to speak. It is as though heaven begins to open up for a moment. It is glimpse of what C.S. Lewis describes as “further up and further in” in his Chronicles of Narnia. The layers of the piano and symphony which build and build in the second half are the “much fruit” being lived out in the now. God’s Kingdom fruit is eternal and beautiful, which by faith we will one day be able to understand more fully. This piece comes to an inspiring, yet abrupt end because our life on earth is fleeting, and will come to an end very soon. We are here but for a moment. 

How does But for a Moment speak to you?

Psalm 39 (Passion) —BUT FOR A MOMENT

A Cry for Help

For the Pure and Shining One. A song of praising by King David

1-2 Here’s my life motto, the truth I live by: I will guard my ways for all my days. I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I’ll guard and muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around me. I will remain silent and will not grumble or speak out of my disappointment. But the longer I’m silent, the more my pain grows worse! 3-4 My heart burned with a fire within me, and my thoughts eventually boiled over until they finally came rolling out of my mouth: “Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. 5 What a brief time you’ve given me to live! Compared to you my lifetime is nothing at all! Nothing more than a puff of air—I’m gone so swiftly. So too are the grandest of men; they are nothing but a fleeting shadow!”

Pause in his presence (Selah)

6 We live our lives like those living in shadows. All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away. We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things, only to leave them all behind for who knows who. 7 And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone! 8 Save me from being overpowered by my sin; don’t make me a disgrace before the degenerate.

9 Lord, I’m left speechless and I have no excuse, so I’ll not complain any longer. Now I know you’re the one who is behind it all. 10 But I can’t take it much longer. Spare me these blows from your discipline-rod. For if you are against me, I will waste away to nothing. 11 No one endures when you rebuke and discipline us for our sins. Like a cobweb is swept away with a wave of the hand, you sweep away all that we once called dear. How fleeting and frail our lives! We’re nothing more than a puff of air.

Pause in his presence (Selah)

12 Lord, listen to all my tender cries. Read my every tear, like liquid words that plead for your help. I feel all alone at times, like a stranger to you, passing through this life just like all those before me. 13 Don’t let me die without restoring joy and gladness to my soul. May your frown over my failure become a smile over my success.

Once Upon a Time (Psalm 90)

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As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 90 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

The final track had to be epic. Once Upon a Time is another way of saying from “Everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2, NIV). The introduction with solo trumpet, alto choir and orchestra strings beckons us to set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). God’s Eternal Beauty is so lavish and immeasurable the closing track features full orchestra, brass, strings, choirs, and huge percussion with multiple big drums.

This composition is thematic, meaning the music is expressing the emotions of Psalm 90 with its melodies, instead of the music being lyrical and actually singing words like on some of the earlier tracks. Following the introduction, the first theme symbolizes our life on earth, trusting God’s strength and guidance even though we are weak and prone to wander. The answering theme conveys God’s provision and leading with the plans and purposes for us that He has known since before we born, and which He carries out as we depend on Him (Jeremiah 1:5 and 29:11). These themes get bigger and bigger as the song progresses, along with growing percussion layers symbolizing God’s heartbeat and rhythms He sets before us to keep in step. The song ends slowly with less instruments as the volume fades, with the drums fading and slowing into a heartbeat like rhythm. God’s heartbeat and ours can beat as one until our last breath. The trumpet of heaven from the introduction appears again at the end representing God’s omnipresence and omnipotence. He is everywhere at the same time—we constantly encounter Him if we take notice—and His power is absolute, unlimited, and supreme.

The vast instrumentation is rich with symbolism. The vibraphone joining the piano represents an element of fantasy once again, similar to its use in Marvelous Love. Each of us is living out a real life “once upon a time” story here on earth. God’s Word promises eternal life through faith in Jesus, which transports our story into eternity with God forever and ever. The French horn, alto choir and trumpet pronounce God’s presence forever and always. The symphony strings—violins, violas, celli, and basses—with featured violin and cello, illustrate how our life on earth is interwoven with God’s heart for us. As we live by faith, our delights and desires can align with His delights and desires for us (Psalm 37:4). The big drums—bass, toms, and timpani—are a more literal demonstration of God’s bigness, power, and rhythm through His Divine providence (His protective and spiritual care for us).

These thoughts and inspirations barely scratch the surface of the immensity, significance, and magnitude of God’s Once Upon a Time. God, Yahweh, tells Moses His name is, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), and Jesus uses the same phrase in John 8:58 when He says, “before Abraham was born, I am!” He is from everlasting to everlasting.

If you have made it this far on the journey with me reading these twelve song stories, I hope you have a greater realization and appreciation that God is for you and with you always. He sees you, knows you, loves you, and forgives you fully through Christ and the Holy Spirit. He has faithfully demonstrated to me that He and His Word are absolutely true as I continue to encounter His presence and surrender to His pursuit of me. God keeps chasing me in spite of my fears (Isaiah 41;10), anxious thoughts (Philippians 4:6-8), and imperfections (2 Corinthians 12:9)—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In closing, I would love to pray Numbers 6:24-26 over your life and faith story: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How does Once Upon a Time speak to you?

Psalm 90 (MSG)—ONCE UPON A TIME

1-2 God, it seems you’ve been our home forever; long before the mountains were born, Long before you brought earth itself to birth, from once upon a time to kingdom come—you are God.

3-11 So don’t return us to mud, saying, “Back to where you came from!” Patience! You’ve got all the time in the world—whether a thousand years or a day, it’s all the same to you. Are we no more to you than a wispy dream, no more than a blade of grass that springs up gloriously with the rising sun and is cut down without a second thought? Your anger is far and away too much for us; we’re at the end of our rope. You keep track of all our sins; every misdeed since we were children is entered in your books. All we can remember is that frown on your face. Is that all we’re ever going to get? We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), and what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard. Who can make sense of such rage, such anger against the very ones who fear you?

12-17 Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—and treat your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let your servants see what you’re best at—the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!

Before You Were Born

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The new album Before You Were Born just released, streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen to the title track as you read the story behind this new collection.

 

Before You Were Born has been in my heart since last summer, when I read a book about the life of Jeremiah and was reminded how God knows us and sets us a part before we are born (Jeremiah 1:5). The idea evolved into my 16th album with the new composition Before You Were Born (Prelude) becoming the opening track, followed by a carefully ordered collection of twelve tracks. The subtitle Symphonic Meditations for Life’s Seasons describes the prelude followed by four sets of three songs to represent spring, summer, fall, and winter.

My long time friend Dr. Ken Boa has been one of the most significant influences in my life, faith, and music journey since I began attending one of his Bible studies over twenty-five years ago. He is an amazing Bible teacher and scholar, has authored over thirty books, and he is very gifted painter, which is one of his many hobbies. Four of his paintings formed the album artwork and symbolize the seasons, inviting you to listen, reflect, and let this album inspire you with God’s peace, hope, and beauty in the season of life you are currently walking through. Please visit Ken Boa – Reflections Ministries and also his website for the Museum of Created Beauty which was recently published to draw us all closer to Christ through the beauty of God’s Creation.

As an additional resource, use the links below to read or re-read the blog posts I wrote for each of the symphonic tracks representing life’s seasons. All of these songs and verses fill my heart with God’s peace and hope as I embrace His grace, truth, mystery, and wonder.

SPRING (Tracks 2, 3, and 4): Come and Talk with Me , Sky Whisper , and Harmonies of Light

SUMMER (Tracks 5, 6, and 7): Prayers for a Lifetime , Seeing Everything Beautiful , and All You Have in Mind

FALL (Tracks 8, 9, and 10): Quiet Revelation , My Spirit Refreshed , and Waiting, Walking, Running

WINTER (Tracks 11, 12, and 13): Wiping Away Every Tear , Circle of Quiet , and I Lie Down and Sleep

I hope this special music project inspires you, and encourages you in your life and faith journey.

Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

The Call of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-5, NIV)

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

O Come Let Us Adore Him

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The new release O Come Let Us Adore Him is my 29th Christmas instrumental, joining I Saw Three Ships and albums December Peace and December Peace II.  You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen O Come Let Us Adore Him as you read why and how I composed it.

 

Throughout 2023 I knew I wanted to finish the year with a new Christmas recording. There are so many wonderful hymns and melodies composed over centuries of time. O Come Let Us Adore Him happened in 1743. I have fond memories of singing the first line at Christmas time since childhood, which is also the chorus for the Christmas hymn O Come All Ye Faithful. Both were written by John Francis Wade.

I wanted the arrangement to be big, symbolizing the enormous amount of adoration, awe, and wonder in heaven when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. As Creator of the universe and Savior of the world He is worthy of my adoration and worship on earth as well. I also wanted to interweave some favorite traditional Christmas hymns into the composition. You will hear portions of Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and Joy to the World, each presented in a unique way, overlaying or complimenting the O Come Let Us Adore Him main theme.

As I worked on this project there was a sense of how breathtaking and awe inspiring the scene in heaven would have been if we could have witnessed it. Following Christ’s humble birth in a manger, we get a glimpse of heaven’s glory in the Luke 2:8-15 Scripture passage, where verses 13 and 14 read, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

To emphasize how big God is and how full His presence was when Jesus came to earth as a new born baby, the music has multiple bass lines with low strings, combined with layers of bass, tenor, alto, and soprano choirs, and shining moments of high strings throughout the piece. The melodies of the main theme and three other Christmas hymns are shared between cello, English horn, French horn, alto and soprano choirs, flute, and oboe. The piano is way in the back and ties everything together as it plays throughout the song. The phrase “O come” is repeated in the beginning, between sections along the way, and at the end, to express the adoration in heaven and on earth for our Savior. Silent Night overlays beautifully with the main theme, Away in a Manger takes turns, and the notes from Joy to the World sing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” I wanted “is come” and “O Come” to be played several times to finish the piece, followed by all of the musical elements slowly fading into eternity. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy!

How does O Come Let Us Adore Him speak to you this Christmas?

O Come Let Us Adore Him (1743, by John Francis Wade who also wrote O Come All Ye Faithful, using the first line as the chorus)

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

For he alone is worthy, For he alone is worthy, For he alone is worthy, Christ the Lord.

Let’s praise his name together, Let’s praise his name together, Let’s praise his name together, Christ the Lord.

We’ll give him all the glory, We’ll give him all the glory, We’ll give him all the glory, Christ the Lord.

 

Solo Piano Dawn

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My 15th album Solo Piano Dawn just released. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen to the title track as you read the story behind this new collection.

 

This project fills my heart with joy and worship in gratitude to God for inspiring twelve new solo piano compositions in 2023. I am most grateful for who He is, and what He has done in my life. Jesus being both the Creator of the universe and my personal Savior and Lord is a miracle and mystery, which I have found to be true as I have investigated and experienced His grace, truth, and faithfulness.

Solo Piano Dawn is a Scripture Inspired Worship Collection of these twelve tracks, one hour of instrumental music inviting you and all who listen to receive God’s peace, rest, hope, and beauty. All of the tracks were released as singles in 2023, except for two brand new pieces: the opening track Solo Piano Prelude and the closing title track Solo Piano Dawn, which were composed to complete the album (Solo Piano Dawn features new music combined with the chorus melody from my piece Awaken the Dawn). The ten singles each have their own blog post which you scroll down or search to read the inspiration behind each one.

The twelve track titles are not in the order I composed and released the singles. Instead, they have been curated to create a unique flow and journey expressing the realness and variety of life circumstances, the mountain tops and valleys, the pains and struggles, the hopes and joys, the fear and faith, the uncertainty and the adventure. As you listen through the sequence of Solo Piano Prelude, Solo Piano Wonder, Solo Piano Psalm, Solo Piano Refuge, Solo Piano Blessings, Solo Piano Angels, Solo Piano Grace, Solo Piano Unheard, Solo Piano Beyond, Solo Piano Yearning, Solo Piano Sleep, and Solo Piano Dawn, I hope you will be blessed and encouraged that God sees you, loves you, knows you, and is there for you.

You can reflect on the verses behind the title track below, which speak to worship, and how as humans were all created to worship. The opening track Solo Piano Prelude is gentle preparation for the journey, and also symbolizes the peaceful assurance that God is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, from Genesis to Revelation.

How does the album Solo Piano Dawn speak to you?

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. (NIV)

Psalm 34:9. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. (MSG)

Psalm 95:6. So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before God, who made us! (MSG)

Psalm 96:1. Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God—worship God! (MSG)

Psalm 96:8-9. Bring gifts and celebrate, Bow before the beauty of God, Then to your knees—everyone worship! (MSG)

Psalm 100:4. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. (MSG)

Revelation 8:1. Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets. When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (NKJV)

Solo Piano Angels

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Solo Piano Angels just released today! You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind this new piece.

 

Solo Piano Angels is a my first solo piano recording featuring the chorus melody from the song Bread of Angels, which was composed and released in 2011 on my seventh album A Thousand Years. The original version is a duet with piano and angelic vocals, with different themes for the introduction, verses, and ending. The main theme has always been so beautiful and powerful when the notes sing over my life. I am humbled and amazed when I pause to remember how God inspired the music. It was like the melody had been in heaven all along, and God sent it down through my head, heart, and hands when He was ready. The creative process can take days, weeks, or months to be complete, but when our Creator with the big “C” delivers, it becomes clear I am a little “c” creator just seeking to hear His voice and receive His inspiration by faith.

Solo Piano Angels also features the main theme from another listener favorite Walking on Air, which is used as the musical transition at the end of each angels chorus section. The verse melodies and variations within this new song are delicate and gentle, yet powerful in their symbolism of angels watching over us. Out of the many Bible verses including the word angel or angels I have shared six down below that I used for reflection and inspiration during the composing process. The phrase “heaven’s angels worship You!” from Nehemiah 9:6 is sung a few times by the piano notes, expressing God’s glory, beauty, and provision.

I hope this piece helps you relax and take some deep breaths. As you listen, close your eyes and envision you are breathing in God’s peace and presence, and breathing out life’s worry and distractions. Thank you for listening and reading. God’s blessings to you!

How does Solo Piano Angels speak to you?

“Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise! You’re the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven’s angels worship you!” (Nehemiah 9:5-6, MSG)

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4-5, NIV)

“He rained down showers of manna to eat, he gave them the Bread of Heaven. They ate the bread of the mighty angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.” (Psalm 78:25, MSG)

“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. Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air!” (Psalm 89:5 and 89:17, MSG)

“Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?” (Matthew 18:10, MSG)

“Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, MSG)

Solo Piano Psalm

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Today is release day for Solo Piano Psalm. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind this new piece.

 

Solo Piano Psalm is a gentle piano journey, expressing life’s moments of peace, hope and beauty amidst the tension of the world’s noise, despair, and distress. It is a simple decision, but not an easy one, to thank God from a full heart, to embrace Him as my sanctuary, and to sing His love and faithfulness each day. I have provided three Psalms below for reflection, but I encourage you to read other Psalms in the Bible that are special to you, or you can just begin with Psalm 1 or Psalm 23.

I composed the first minute of the song as an introduction to establish a sense of peace, calm, and contentment, knowing God is with me by faith and experience. At the same time, there is a hint of tension as I am also seeking and longing for God’s love, wisdom, and provision in every area of my life. Every Psalm in the book of Psalms is genuine and vulnerable whether giving thanks to God or crying out to Him for help.

The main theme for Solo Piano Psalm begins around the one minute mark, and the notes are “singing” and repeating the words “I’m thanking you God, from a full heart.” There are additional musical variations as the journey continues, including a section of long chords reminding me to pause and reflect, to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). Whatever circumstances you are facing in your life, whether a time of victory or struggle, I hope the melodies and notes sing peace, hope, and beauty to your heart, and help you know how much you are seen, known, and loved by our Heavenly Father.

How does Solo Piano Psalm speak to you today?

“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy! I’m singing your song, High God.” (Psalm 9:1-2, MSG)

“God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.” (Psalm 9:9-10, MSG)

“Your love, God, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I’ll never quit telling the story of your love.” (Psalm 89:1, MSG)

Solo Piano Grace

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Solo Piano Grace just released and is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the story behind this new piece.

 

The new song Solo Piano Grace expresses the peace, hope, and beauty God’s grace brings to my life. The piano melody themes are simple and beautiful yet deep and powerful, much like God’s grace and forgiveness of  my sin, and the wonder of His love and faithfulness. As the years go by I am learning the amount of grace and forgiveness I give to others is a reflection of the grace and forgiveness I have received from Jesus. I want to keep growing in my understanding of God’s grace and my gratitude to Him for saving me from death to life. He has given me grace by the truckload, and He is teaching me to offer this quantity of grace to all people – family, friends, and strangers. The Lord has offered immeasurable grace to me over and over again. I want the times I have given others only a thimble, teaspoon or cup sized amount of grace to remind me to offer people grace by the truckload, which God has given to me. May His grace encourage you today, that you are seen, known and loved by a heavenly Father who is for you, and with you always.

How does Solo Piano Grace speak to you? 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

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 1:14, NIV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6, NIV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:21, NIV)

All You Have in Mind

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All You Have in Mind just released and is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the story behind this piece.

 

The new song All You Have in Mind may be my favorite of 2023 so far. It is filled with musical expressions of the peace, hope, wonder, refreshment, energy, and anticipation God wants me to experience to the fullest. This happens when I trust Him one day at a time for all that He has in mind to do in my life story. The inspirational verse is from 1 Samuel 14:7, “‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his (Jonathan’s) armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.'” (NIV) Another version reads, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” (ESV) Just prior to this Jonathan says, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf,” to see him and his armor-bearer through a situation in which the two of them were greatly outnumbered by their enemy. My life application would be for times when I am greatly overwhelmed by a challenging situation, or even an exciting opportunity, as I wonder if God will come through for me. Can I, will I, fully put my trust in Him for the outcome He desires? Is He really with me heart and soul? And am I with Him? Perhaps He will act on my behalf when I have the faith to take action. He wants me to experience all He has in mind to do in my life.

There are several other verses this brought to mind, which are like beautiful threads of a tapestry in my life and faith, just like all the musical parts of this song weaving together to form the composition in its full expression. One of these is Psalm 37:4 which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (ESV) “Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.” (NET) God has a lot in mind to do in my (and your) life, but His plans and purposes happen at His pace as we take steps of faith based on what He has revealed so far. After a faith step He reveals a little bit more to obey. Psalm 37:4 reminds me to speak my heart to God, and to listen to His heart for me as well. I want to be in a two-way conversation with Jesus, sharing with and listening to Him, as I seek to align myself with His desires and delights for me, which then become ours together as one. Down below are more verses I had in front of me as I composed the music. I hope these refresh you and inspire you like they do me.

These Scriptures and thoughts were my meditation as I began to sketch ideas on the piano. The opening notes sing “Do all that you have in mind,” which you can hear two times at the beginning, and again throughout the song. Musically this begins my surrender to God for what He has in mind to do in my life. This process is exciting to me now, even though I was more often afraid or hesitant in the past, earlier in my life. The opening theme leads to a second theme with long notes expressing how big God is. He has me in the palm of His hand and His strength and power are with me as I seek Him. He is very calm and at peace with everything even though my heart may be uncertain, or even racing a little with wonder. This sets up the primary theme which is when God moves in our story. The pace moves from waiting to walking to running with Him by faith (visit Waiting Walking Running which I composed a few months ago to listen and read more on this topic). All You Have in Mind features orchestral strings and alto choir, symbolizing God’s ever presence, and the countless angels in heaven watching over us and cheering us on. The cello and French horn are reassurances of God’s tender care, which is very personal and detailed for each of us. The feather flute is the Holy Spirit, which is woven into every musical theme throughout the piece. I hope the music and the story behind it encourage you to keep running life’s race with desire and delight, and with wonder and adventure. Keep watching for God to do all that He has in mind to do in your life. Perhaps He will do something exceedingly and abundantly beyond what you could have imagined.

How does All You Have in Mind speak into your life story today?

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” (Psalm 37:23, NIV) 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

“A man’s or woman’s mind plans his or her way [as he or she journeys through life], But the Lord directs his or her steps and establishes them.” (Proverbs 16:9, AMP)

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Proverbs 20:24, NLT)