Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

New Album SO LOVED – Intro Part 1

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Click above to listen Walking on Air as you read, which is one of 15 tracks on the new album So Loved (releasing 4/24/18). After reading and listening, I encourage you to watch the Walking on Air Music Video for additional reflection and inspiration.

What do the words SO LOVED make you think of?

My 11th and newest album So Loved has many stories to share behind all the new music, which I am excited to share in the coming months. As an introduction before its release, ideas have been flowing about this theme. One picture I will forever have in my mind is “my boys” served by Family Legacy in Zambia, some of whom are pictured in the photo below. These boys are orphans by the world’s definition, but they are children loved and seen by their heavenly Father from His perspective. Joyfully and beautifully they saw my love and care for them as a glimpse of God, and through their love, hugs, and smiles for me, God gave me a glimpse of how He sees and loves each of us as His children. Please read on for a few more thoughts to inspire your life and faith journey…

In being loved and loving others each of our stories include the past, future, and present. If you are like me, there are happy and sad memories from the past, with many positive experiences and some regrets. It can be easy and difficult at the same time, but a word to represent the past is “faith” as we remember God’s faithfulness in loving and caring for us. A word for our future in being so loved by God and sharing His love with others, is “hope,” as we place our trust in Him. A word for the present day and moment is “love.” Our being fully present and engaged in life’s moments enables our doing of receiving and sharing God’s love.

If you have been moved by this story and blessed with resources, please consider sponsoring a child in Zambia to help them attend a Family Legacy school and receive an excellent education, as well as much needed nutrition. Click here for Sponsorship Information (you then need to click the “Search” button).

What step can you take to grow in experiencing and sharing God’s love today?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Hope

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Click above to listen to listener favorite Awaken the Dawn as you read (this track first appeared on Unveiled, and is also on December Peace and Treasures of Peace). which appears on three albums. You can also order the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music and listen on Apple Music-iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora and more. If you have never seen it before, I strongly encourage you to pause and watch the Awaken the Dawn music video.

Where are you seeking hope this Easter, and in 2018?

It is amazing to think that three months have already passed this year. Since “hopes and dreams” are often spoken in the same phrase, how is your progress toward finding hope, and living your dreams in life? If you are like me, it is often easier to think of negative things reducing my hope in life, and preventing my dreams from coming true.

One of my hopes is that the four ideas below will help bring you greater hope this Easter, and also fuel your 2018 dreams…

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 and go deeper with this idea.

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 and go deeper with this idea.

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 and go deeper with this idea.

4. Jesus is Our Ultimate Hope
Easter fills me with awe and wonder. Though I am sinful and undeserving, Jesus loves me (and you) so much, He came from heaven to earth to save us and make us fully alive forever, through His death on the cross and His resurrection three days later. Romans 10:9 and John 5:24 are two of many beautiful and powerful Scriptures which testify to this…”if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (ESV)

Father God, thank you for loving us more than we can know or imagine. Thank you for your amazing gifts of grace, forgiveness, and hope you offer to us through Jesus.

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.”

Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Joy

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Click above to listen to Far Away from Home from Treasures of Peace as you read. You can use these links to listen and explore more: CD or MP3 Album , Sheet Music , iTunes , Amazon , Spotify , Pandora , or your favorite source.

Would you say you are “seeking joy” or “avoiding fear” more in life right now?

Moving from fear to joy (freedom is another word for joy) has been a long and challenging process over many years. Wanting to be safe, secure, and practical is deeply embedded in me. Below are six examples of moving from fear to freedom (joy) in my life story. After you read these, I hope you will click the image below to watch the Far Away from Home music video, and look for all the moments of child-like joy and freedom in the story. We all can have more joy and freedom if we seek to find them…

Click the image above to watch the “Far Away from Home” music video

From FEAR (lacking joy — often things are not in our control, but many fears are self driven too)…
—Being abused by a male babysitter at age nine led to fear and insecurity with my identity.
—Missing the first word in the 8th grade spelling bee led to a fear of public speaking.
—My right leg shaking during piano recitals led to fear of playing the piano for an audience.
—Going from 20 points to only a few minutes per game in high school basketball led to fear as a team leader.
—Failing my first two college exams led to a fear that I may not be smart enough to pass.
—The leap of faith from a fifteen-year business career to full-time music ministry led to fear of failure.

To FREEDOM (seeking and finding joy — this is a process, needing patience and prayer, and God’s grace)…
—Being vulnerable instead of hiding pain, brings freedom that God sees me and knows me.
—Focusing on what God thinks of me, instead of what others think, brings freedom in public speaking.
—Surrendering performance, playing for an audience of One, brings freedom in piano concerts.
—Remembering my 30-point game instead of 0-point games, brings freedom in being a leader.
—Recalling my joy in making two B’s after starting with two F’s, brings freedom in giving my best.
—God’s faithfulness since 2004 with Music to Light the World, brings freedom in living out my life calling and purpose.

Where are you lacking joy or facing fear right now? What is one thing you can do to seek joy and freedom?

“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)

“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)

Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Peace

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Click above to listen to Peace from The Voice as you read (also on the albums December Peace and Treasures of Peace). Here are links to shop and hear more: The Voice CD, MP3 Album, or Piano Book, PDF Sheet Music, Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon. After reading you can also soak in the Peace Music Video to relax and reduce stress.

How are you “seeking peace” this Easter season, and sharing the gift of peace with others?

One of my meditations behind this music is the idea that the amount of peace and contentment I have in my life is a result of the quantity and quality of my private, quiet times with God. He is the ultimate source of my peace. His peace overflows into the fruit of our public ministry into the lives of others. If we don’t invest time seeking, we won’t be as fruitful in our sharing…

Peace is a gift received, which then can overflow from the heart in loving and serving others. But how do we receive, and then share, this precious gift? The following verse is a great one for seeking peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). After asking and seeking, then we begin to find, and to receive this peace from Jesus, which transcends our circumstances.

When I feel like I am running low on peace, I know I need to refuel by spending some time with the Prince of Peace. He is always ready to encourage me and give me wisdom as I seek to listen to His voice through prayer and Scripture.

What is one step you can take to be a “peace seeker” (and sharer) this Easter?

John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know that I am God.”

John 15:5 — “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Grace

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Click above to listen to Spirit of Grace from Open Spaces as you read (after reading, watch the Spirit of Grace music video). You can also order the Open Spaces CD or MP3 Album or PDF Sheet Music, or enjoy on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora.

As we prepare for Easter 2018, what do the words “seeking grace” mean to you?

The song Spirit of Grace reminds me to remember, and be grateful, for life experiences and memories. Weather beautiful or disappointing, most life events keep pointing me toward grace. The photograph below is from an unforgettable family visit to the Great Ocean Road in Australia a few summers ago. This image symbolizes three reasons for a “seeking grace” in my life, relationships, and calling. I hope the music, words, and video invite you to join me in seeking grace this Easter season.

Seeking Grace Reason #1: Receiving Grace Leads to Giving in Life. God’s love and grace are bigger than an ocean, surrounding, protecting, and washing over the shoreline of my heart. The more deeply I  receive and am grateful for them, the more they overflow out of my life. This leads to giving love, grace and forgiveness to others, as well as giving time and resources to serve others.

Seeking Grace Reason #2: Giving Grace Leads to Blessings in Relationships. God and and the truth of His Word are like the rock along the Great Ocean Road — strong, unshakeable and often bold. God’s grace is like the oceans — deep, wide, and often gentle. After unknowingly doing the reverse for many years, I have found if I first give people gentle, compassionate grace, which is rooted in bold, confident truth, this leads to blessings in relationships.

Seeking Grace Reason #3: Blessings of Grace Lead to Freedom in Our Calling. In the verses down below the Holy Spirit is called a spirit of grace, the spirit of truth, and our Helper. Jesus was full of both grace and truth, and the gift of God’s grace saves us through faith. It is easy for me to condemn myself because of my sins, selfishness, imperfections, and failures, which can hold me captive. I can never earn them, but I can receive the blessings of grace. These include being forgiven, others-centered, faultless, flawless and excellent in God’s eyes, all of which lead to freedom in my calling.

Which reason for seeking grace is most inviting to you this Easter?
 
“I’ll pour a spirit of grace and prayer over them.” — Zechariah 12:10 (MSG)

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…the Spirit of truth.” — John 14:16-17 (ESV)

“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)

“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 2:8-9 (ESV)

“The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide.” — Isaiah 11:9 (MSG)

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV)

Valentine Love Song & Video

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Instead of the usual free music stream for your reading soundtrack, this post is designed for you to first read the short story, then watch the Pure Fountain love song music video down below. If you enjoy, check out the CD or MP3 Album, or Sheet Music (or visit iTunes, Amazon , Spotify, Pandora, etc.).

Have you ever had a love song written just for you?

With tomorrow being February 14th, this question came to mind: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had our own love song, written just for us?” I’ve got some good news — I think we do.

My worst Valentine memory is the year I forgot my wife had prepared a candle lit dinner for two, and I was over one hour late. Ouch. That one really hurt. Sometimes I can still feel like I am making up for this mistake that happened over twenty years ago (my wife has forgiven me, and yes, she still loves me!). Many Valentine’s celebrations have been wonderful. One of our family’s best memories in recent years was cooking a gourmet dinner to enjoy together.

In my brokenness, I frequently feel like I need to “earn” my wife’s love. It becomes conditional. If I “do this” or “don’t do that” then she will love me more. If I am not careful, I can also begin thinking incorrectly that God will love me more based on what I do or don’t do.

Pure Fountain is probably my favorite of three instrumental love songs I have composed (Captivating and More Precious are the other two). When these Scripture inspired piano melodies were born, I was writing them for my wife, but I was inspired by God’s unconditional love for me. His forgiveness, love and acceptance are not based on my performance, but on His grace.

So, read the few phrases below from Song of Solomon Chapter 4 (taken from The Message). Then, watch for them in the Pure Fountain love song video. Receive this as your love song — God’s love song, music, and words written just for you.

Dear lover and friend,
you’re a secret garden,
a private and PURE FOUNTAIN.

A garden fountain,
sparkling and splashing…

You’ve captured my heart.
I stay until dawn breathes its light
and night slips away.

Body and soul you are PARADISE.
One look my way and…
I was hopelessly in love!

As you watch the video, how do the words and melody speak to your heart?

A Love Song for Your 2018

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Click above to use Pure Fountain as your reading soundtrack, from my 8th album Open Spaces. Then watch the Pure Fountain music video and receive this as a love song from God to you. You can order the Open Spaces CD or MP3 Album or PDF Sheet Music, or enjoy on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora.

How can this instrumental love song inspire your 2018?

With the February 14, 2018 Valentine’s Day holiday approaching, I wanted to offer you a love song without words. Our favorite love songs with lyrics are wonderful, but sometimes creating a musical opportunity to listen for God’s loving “gentle whisper” or “still small voice” can provide a special blessing in my life. I hope you will receive this as a beautiful love song from God to you, and receive His blessing over you in this New Year.

Reflect on these words from the Lover (God) to his Beloved (us) in Song of Solomon, Chapter 4. Then, watch for them in the Pure Fountain video, and let the Lord sing them over you and your life in 2018…

“Dear lover and friend, you’re a secret garden, a private and PURE FOUNTAIN. A garden fountain, sparkling and splashing… You’ve captured my heart. I stay until dawn breathes its light and night slips away. Body and soul you are PARADISE. One look my way and…I was hopelessly in love!” (The Message)

Father God, thank you for loving me and forgiving me. Please show me your love today, and throughout 2018. Help me to take notice, and to share your grace and love with others. Amen.

“…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.” — Psalm 32:10 (NIV)

2018 Dreams ~ Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling

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Click above to listen to 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 inspires your 2018 dreams the most — 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.

IMG_9935Sunsets 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. Maybe it is the grace and hope in storybook endings, in finishing well, embodied in every sunset. Or, perhaps a beautiful sunset reminds us to keep surrendering our dreams to God, to see how He will lead us toward accomplishing them one day at a time.

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 as the ultimate Dream Giver.

How does Psalm 65:8 inspire your 2018 dreams?

“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)

2018 Peace and Rest ~ Breathe

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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 for further reflection in seeking “2018 Peace and Rest.”

How can “pausing to breathe” bring peace and rest, as well as joy and productivity?

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…

IMG_0692Back 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. I hope these will help lead you toward greater peace and rest, greater joy and productivity, and greater inspiration and creativity in 2018.

  1. To help you clarify a creative vision and dream to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
  2. To embrace flexibility, waiting to see what is revealed, is part of going from good, to better, to God’s very best.
  3. To take calculated risks (seeing what is down a “no outlet” road) is part of experiencing God’s awe and wonder.
  4. To grow in surrender. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
  5. 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” inspires you most for 2018?

2018 Hope and Beauty ~ Walking on Air

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Click above to listen to my newest song Walking on Air as you read. After reading and listening, I encourage you to watch the Walking on Air Music Video for additional reflection and inspiration.

What is your hope in 2018? What beauty can you look for?

There are three references to “Walking on Air” in The Message Bible (included at the bottom of this post). These inspired a fifteen hour studio day last year writing and recording this new song. During a summer British Columbia concert trip, a new music video was filmed to combine a musical and visual expression of hope and beauty in a world that so often can seem hopeless and unappealing.

Isaiah 55:8-9 is a powerful passage I rely on by faith whenever things don’t make sense, or whenever events are impossible to fully understand… “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (ESV).

Just as we all would love for a moment to be able to “walk on air” or fly like a bird, we also experience events in life that are the opposite of hopeful or beautiful. When my faith is tested, I can either put my faith in God’s promises or in my circumstances. In an Isaiah 55:8-9 kind of way, I have found God is always bigger than my situation and worthy of my trust. From tragic events happening around the world today, to this week’s severe winter weather along the US east coast, to whatever “storm” you may be facing in life, my prayer for you is to receive God’s grace, hope, and beauty through Walking on Air.

How does “Walking on Air” encourage you with hope and beauty?

Interestingly, the three passages below use the phrase “Walking on Air” in contexts of celebrating life’s beautiful moments, worshiping God with vibrant beauty, and looking to the future with eternal hope.

1 Samuel 2:1 (MSG)
“Hannah prayed: I’m bursting with God-news! I’m walking on air…I’m dancing my salvation.”

Psalm 89:5-9 and 15-18 (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; 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!”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (MSG)
“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.”