Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

SO LOVED Track #2 – So Loved

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Click above to listen to the title track So Loved as you read. You can also enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. And you can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

What does “so loved” bring to mind for you with family, friends, and faith?

As we celebrate Mother’s Day in the U.S. this coming Sunday, I am dedicating this song and this week’s post to my Mom. She has been loving and encouraging me in my life and music since before I started playing piano at age six. In case you haven’t heard the story before…when I was twelve years old and wanted to give up piano lessons to focus on basketball, she wouldn’t let me quit. Mom and Dad both had a bigger, long-term perspective. They said I needed to finish the school year first before we would decide if I should stop piano lessons. By the time my 8th grade school year arrived, playing the piano had become a retreat, a sanctuary where I could relax and unwind. Then the next summer I wrote my first song…

This title track for my just released album is also based on a love story. Since God revealed the idea for So Loved to be an album of life soundtracks inspired by Bible stories, He has been deeply moving me to know how much He loves me. Just as for each of these characters, God sees our lives as priceless works of art, and our stories as epic adventure films. He is forever singing a beautiful song over our life as He does the extraordinary through broken, ordinary people, for His glory. His love never quits, and He transforms our lives when we trust in His bigger, long-term perspective.

Musically So Loved is all original, but as the music emerged I was reminded of my favorite composer J.S. Bach. His timeless melodies from the early to mid 1700s have a simplicity as they sing to our hearts and ears (this does not mean Bach is easy to play, however!). He signed all his compositions “Soli Deo Gloria” — to the Glory of God Alone, and his music is filled with refreshing beauty. The life of the disciple John and the John 3:16 verse quoted at the bottom are the inspiration behind the song and album So Loved.

In the opening and closing sections, if you listen closely, the piano notes are repeating the words “For God so loved, the world, that He gave His only Son.” The boy choir, Gregorian choir, harp, and vibes (vibraphone) join the piano to offer angelic, heavenly harmonies. These parts were not intentionally inspired by Bach, but they could be considered reminiscent of his church music composing and chorales.

How does SO LOVED and its inspiration speak into your life today?

SO LOVED | JOHN
John 3. “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.” We are so loved.

SO LOVED Track 1 – A Beautiful Thing

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Click above to listen to A Beautiful Thing as you read. You can also enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. And you can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

What comes to mind when you think of “a beautiful thing?”

When I was composing A Beautiful Thing, I was captivated by both the scene of Mary of Bethany sitting and Jesus’s feet listening, hanging on His every word, and these three words. I began to search for a melody that sang them, and after many hours the song began to take shape. As you listen you can hear the piano singing the five syllables “a beau-ti-ful thing” several times in the opening minute, and then again in the middle of the song. Sometimes this phrase is answered with the notes singing the three syllables “so beau-ti-ful.” Read on for more of the behind the scenes inspiration for A Beautiful Thing, which is the opening track on my 11th and newest album So Loved…

In our heart of hearts, we all have this sense of searching and wanting to know and be known. God created us to long for truth and beauty, to know Him, to sit at Jesus’s feet if you will. However, the enemy, and the stress, noise, hectic pace, and distractions of the world work against us. They prevent us from fully tasting and seeing what a rich, meaningful, and powerful experience it is to sit at His feet, and to really listen.

The music has some slight tension in it, representing the time and effort it takes to get there — to Jesus’s feet — and to begin listening to what He has to say to us. The opening section and its repetition in the middle of the song, represent “getting there.” Then the chorus melodies express what its like to be there, taking everything in Jesus has to share with us — words of grace (patiently and lovingly forgiving us for our sin and proneness to wander), and wisdom for guidance (what He wants us to obey). It was an amazing experience as God revealed an idea and the notes for the ending section of the song.

When we truly sit at His feet, Jesus reveals more to us than we can imagine. The piano begins to overlay melodies that all sing together, with eight hands playing at once. These piano layers represent the harmony of our lives, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all singing together. The song is “a beautiful thing” as we worship our loving Father, sitting at His feet, hanging on His every word. One of the melodies symbolizes the perfume flowing down from Jesus’s head, over and over. Matthew and Mark speak to Mary anointing Jesus’s head, and John speaks to her anointing His feet with extremely expensive perfume. The disciples argued that the perfume could have been sold, and the money given to the poor. Jesus responds saying, “she has done a beautiful thing to me.”

How does this track and its inspiration speak into your life today?

A BEAUTIFUL THING | MARY OF BETHANY
Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 10. Jesus said, “she has done a beautiful thing to me.” When we truly sit at His feet, Jesus reveals more to us than we can imagine.

New Album SO LOVED – Intro Part 2

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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.

Has God shown you are SO LOVED by Him through another person?

I will be sharing more stories behind my 11th and newest album So Loved after it releases on April 24th. For this Intro Part 2 (if you missed it, you can also read Part 1), I want to tell you about Daniel in Zambia. Daniel was one of ten orphan boys in my Family Legacy Camp Life group in summer 2015 and 2016. Music to Light the World is Daniel’s sponsor so he can attend a Family Legacy Academy school to receive a top education, along with meals and nutrition. Before I share more about Daniel and the photos below, I encourage you to consider sponsoring a child in his Chainda community in Lusaka, Zambia (pronounced Chi-(eye)-in-dah) — Chainda Children Needing Sponsoring.

So the picture on the left is from June 2015 Camp Life and the picture on the right from January 2017 Dream Camp. You can see Daniel’s physical growth in these images. He is also growing in his faith in God as well as all his school subjects. From the first day we met in 2015, Daniel stayed really close to me, always wanting to play together, just the two of us, even when the other boys played as a group. Even though Daniel is fatherless, He has shown me God’s love in a fresh way, and how God sees me and wants me to stay close to Him, like I saw Daniel and was available to him.

Who is someone you can share God’s love with 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

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. Whether 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)