31 Days of December Peace: Day 1 ~ The Sled

December 1, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

The new 31 Days of December Peace eBook is available for only $4.99. Download at stantonlanier.com or the Amazon Kindle Store.

Cypress Road was packed with fresh fallen snow in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I could see it through the big living room window of my childhood home. The temperature was just below freezing. School was closed. My tummy was full with a vitamin fortified Kaboom cereal breakfast. All my “Mt. Everest” gear was in place. It was another dream winter morning for a nine-year old. Cypress Road. One hundred yards long with a perfect twenty degree slope. Another downhill sledding adventure was about to begin.

This unforgettable scene happened many times during my elementary school years. It was a treasured experience. So much so that a full body length sled was at the top of my wish list for Christmas 1974. The gift appeared and was all I had hoped for. A Gladding Champion Fastback. Sixty inches long, three strips of polished hardwood, painted for speed (including speedometer) and shiny red runners.

Every day after Christmas I waited… January… February… March… April… no snow. I couldn’t believe it! My sled dream had come true, but the snow never came that winter. The following summer my dad took a new job in Pensacola, Florida. As my eleventh birthday approached, I wondered “Is this really happening?!” My new sled and I were moving to the Florida panhandle! That was a long time ago. The Gladding Champion Fastback is now stored in the basement, still gliding through life with me. The glamorous adventure he was born for has ended up being a humdrum existence. A historic two inch snow at our house in Milton, Florida only resulted in a drag across the flat front yard. A few times “Champ” has coasted down some small slopes when we have had ice and snow in Atlanta or north Georgia, where I have lived most of my life. But for the most part, it just rests in storage, waiting to deliver pure joy with a long, downhill run.

Every December when I see my sled, I still long for that joy ride. But I am also reminded that no earthly possession will ever bring me the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your sled? Do you treasure Christ above all earthly treasures?

Are You Ready for 31 Days?

November 27, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Do you long for peace and rest during the stressful holiday season? I have been working on a special project to bring you daily inspiration throughout December. I will be sharing in my blog, but you can also learn more by visiting my Amazon Kindle page.

31 Days of December Peace is a brand new companion resource for my 2009 Best Holiday Album December Peace (ZMR Awards). I, along with special friends from my musical journey, have written stories and reflections inviting you into blissful moments each day during December (best while listening to the album).

My journey to founding Music to Light the World, and becoming an award-winning pianist and composer, was shaped by climbing trees in North Carolina, working at a canoe rental in the Florida panhandle, majoring in chemistry at Georgia Tech, meditating on ancient scriptures, and many other stories. Special friends have played a part in this story too, including a nephrologist, a Grammy winning producer, a jewelry designer, business owners, spiritual leaders, artists, authors, financial advisors and cancer survivors. Their stories interweave with mine to create a beautiful tapestry of peace, rest, hope and healing that is touching lives around the world.

Find a quiet place. Pause from the stress. Receive peace and rest. The words of 31 Days of December Peace and the music of December Peace invite you to experience a refreshing and renewing December.

Happy Thanksgiving

November 21, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 1 Comment

Podcast #3: The Quest

October 31, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

I am excited to finally share Episode #3 of the Pianist of Peace Podcast. To receive the greatest benefit, take 10 minutes to pause and listen without interruption. There are three elements to help you experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

Part 1 – A short, personal life story to inspire your journey.
Part 2 – A full-length melody to help you pause and reflect on a specific aspect of your life.
Part 3 – A few questions to encourage and challenge you to live a better story.

[buzzsprout episode=’64812′ player=’true’]

Stanton Lanier The Quest Live in Concert

The Quest, Live in Concert with Tracy Silverman on Violin

What Brings You Peace and Rest?

September 27, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

I’m in the middle of a busier than normal stretch, so I had to let my blogging rest for a bit. This “stopping” brought me peace and rest. Last Sunday I got to share my first ever concert in Missouri (at First Baptist Church in Dexter). This “doing” brought me peace and rest (see the photo below). Right now, some new music for my next album is on hold. This “waiting” brings me peace and rest.

Is there something you could stop doing to bring you peace and rest?

Is there something you can do to bring you peace and rest?

Is there something where waiting could bring you peace and rest?

Peace and rest

Last week I was working to get ready for our biggest event of the year on October 11th (An Evening of Hope 2012). I was also preparing for events this week in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. Back at the beginning of June, I set a goal to blog 2-3 times per week. I’ve “failed” a few times. This summer I also created the first three episodes of the Pianist of Peace podcast, each with a personal story, a life question, and music for reflection. My goal was to release one new podcast each month. This launched with the August Podcast, and the September Podcast followed. I will probably “fail” at this goal from time to time as well.

If you are in a busier than normal stretch, what can bring you peace and rest? Do you need to “stop” or “do” or “wait” regarding the possibilities? One thing I know: Whatever your passion is, whatever makes you come alive, don’t stop doing that. It will fill your heart with good things and overflow into your life being a blessing to others.

Rivers of Light

September 18, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

This morning I decided to create the opportunity for you to be still, slow down and just “be” versus “doing.” Take five minutes to watch the Rivers of Light music video. Reflect on the two questions below, then meditate on the two verses at the bottom that inspired this composition.

What is an answer I am looking for today?
What is a good gift I am desiring?

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear – Isaiah 65:24

Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. – James 1:17

Outside of Time

September 14, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Are you having the kind of day that seems like you are “outside of time?” Like more is getting done than humanly possible? Or, like me, are many days the kind that seem like “time is an enemy” and you think, “How am I going to get it all done?” When I wrote the song A Thousand Years and gave my 7th album this title in 2011, I was thinking about this a lot. Ever since, life often reminds me of the inspiration for this song, like what I saw in the sky last night.

A thousand years…are like a day – Psalm 90:4

I noticed the clouds in the sky, a steeple and the stillness of the moment, like I was outside of time, just for a few seconds. Psalm 90:4 says “A thousand years in your sight are like a day or a watch in the night.” It is hard to wrap my mind around God being outside of time for eternity – past, present, and future. But here is an attempt from the analytical side of my brain…

If 1 day (24 hours) was 1,000 years of time…

Half a day (12 hours) would be 500 years of time
6 hours would be 250 years of time
3 hours would be 125 years of time
1 hour would be 42 years of time
1 minute would be 8 months of time
1 second would be 4 days of time

I don’t know about you, but this gives me a new perspective on my daily to do list in every area of life. If my life is a story, and there is in fact a Storyteller, who is outside of time, perhaps there will be times when a lot, a whole lot, gets done in much less time than I would think. Perhaps there are a lot of things getting done, moving forward, that I don’t even know are happening right now.

So, the next time you have a project due in seven days, what if you thought, “That’s like 7,000 years.” Or, if you only have three hours left to get something done, you say, “I can finish this in less than 125 years.” Life is hard work, and has moments of victory and struggle, but Psalm 90:4 keeps things in perspective for me. How about you?

If you like, you can listen to music from A Thousand Years for reflection.

Bursting with Possibility

September 12, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

I am feeling overwhelmed by having so much more than I can do right now. However, at the same time, life is bursting with possibility. How about you? Are you feeling overwhelmed, and burdened by impossibility? Or, are you feeling overwhelmed, and bursting with possibility? A swim, a phone call to a friend, and a morning snack created an “aha” moment today…

“How can my life story have more plentiful juice with a refreshingly sweet tang?”

Clementine – Bursting with Possibility

This morning I swam 60 laps (about 3/4 mile). I was feeling great, partly I’m sure, from the endorphins produced by the exercise. There was a sense this was so worth while. That the “lost time” of working out would more than make up for itself. The day ahead was filled with possibility.

After the swim, I was prompted to call a friend and connect with his story. He is beginning a new adventure, so I wanted to encourage him. He is a great storyteller and has helped me tell better stories. His heart was so filled with possibility for his future, the stories were just flowing out of him. It was so worthwhile, and I knew the time would be redeemed. He was filling my cup with possibility.

When I got home to start my work day, I was planning a “snack reward” for my swim – a Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar (they were on a really good sale at Walmart). Before I could grab one, my wife said I should have a piece of fruit. I knew she was right. I went for a Clementine, a tiny tangerine that peels really easily and is bursting with juice and flavor (I have to admit, I ate it in one bite). As soon as it burst into juice and flavor in my mouth, I realized even in the midst of an overwhelming to do list, today was bursting with possibility.

Read this definition of a Clementine and relate it to your life story today…Also known as the Algerian tangerine, Clementines are the crown jewel of the Mandarin Citrus Family. Originating in North Africa (now also grown in California and Florida), this is the best loved mandarin orange. A hybrid between an orange and mandarin or tangerine, this variety is seedless, smaller in size, has thinner membranes, and more plentiful juice with a refreshingly sweet tang.

Are you feeling overwhelmed like me? Don’t be burdened by what is “impossible.” Will you join me in remembering that every day is bursting with possibility? How can this help you live a better story?

“…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Silence in the Noise

September 10, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

How do you find silence in all the noise around you? Take a moment to be silent and take in the photo below, or a view you have out the window. Or, close your eyes and think of your favorite “quiet place.” Something happened to me when I went for a run this morning that forced me into silence…

Beach Thunderstorm – Symbol of Silence

I got out my little clip on iPod shuffle to listen to some music during my run. After getting it set in my ears, I noticed the switch had already been moved over to the “on” position. This had happened before. I knew the battery would be dead, and it was. I had to run without any music, which turned out to be a good thing.

I remembered running before there were iPods or MP3 players. This morning I listened to my feet. I heard different kinds of birds singing their morning song. I heard my breathing. There was a little bit of road noise from cars, but I can’t remember it. I must have blocked it out. I found myself praying some too. I was able to find “silence in the noise.” It was refreshing.

Can you remember your favorite “quiet places” growing up? I used to climb trees and take long bike rides. I remember a summer job carrying canoes down to the river with nobody around. In college, I used to find a desk for studying in the most hidden away part of the library. It seems that we all have a need for silence. Silence is refreshing to the soul.

What is your favorite “quiet place” today? There are moments I long for during vacation times, like a thunderstorm at the beach. This can be a quiet place. I like to be up early sometimes, reading in my favorite chair, before the world is awake. This can be a quiet place. See what happens in your life this week when you meditate on the idea of finding “silence in the noise.”

To go a step further, try listening to a sample of Quiet Place from my 5th album The Voice.

Podcast #2: Bread of Angels – The Passport

September 7, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

I am excited to share Episode #2 of the Pianist of Peace Podcast. This one is slightly longer than average, so to receive the most benefit, wait until you can take the time to pause and listen without interruption. There are three elements to help you experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

This story, and all the stories within the story, were totally unplanned and unexpected. When all this was happening, I knew I had better start writing it down. It fits perfectly with the song Bread of Angels, which expresses the wonder of provision, and how all things are possible. Bread of Angels is on my newest album A Thousand Years. I hope you enjoy…

[buzzsprout episode=’58647′ player=’true’]