Each Light-Filled Hour

October 11, 2022 By Stanton Lanier 16 Comments

Today is release day for Each Light-Filled Hour. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all services, or click below to listen as you read the story behind this new song. I hope the melodies and rhythms bring you joy and peace.

This piece has a happy, uplifting mood, as it celebrates the gift of each new day. As I composed Each Light-Filled Hour I was reflecting on all the things I have to be thankful for, instead of allowing negative thoughts to frustrate me. Even when things are not going my way, if I step back and shift my perspective, I realize there are many blessings to notice when I pause and look for them. Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 reads, “Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, Remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke.” (MSG) These words of wisdom help my thinking shift from concerns over the past or future to cherishing the present moment. They help me set my heart on things above instead of earthly things (Colossians 3:2), and remind me to be grateful to God for His faithfulness. He is with me in each hour, each day, each week, each month, and each year, even when it may not feel like it. This is part of living by faith, to have faith even when I have fear and doubt. “…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.” (Psalm 32:10, NIV)

Musically, I wanted to challenge myself to have several elements that were the same, symbolizing God’s constant presence, strength, and care for us in each light-filled hour. This happens with the long undertones of low strings, as well as the time signature and chord pattern remaining the same. All of these repeat underneath throughout the song. The melodies and rhythms were born from a second challenge, which was to express joy and wonder, with a sense of happy, child-like faith. My natural tendency is to take things seriously, and to ask “Why?” when a decision requires faith and risk. Each Light-Filled Hour is evidence of God restoring His joy, peace, and hope in my heart, and inspiring me to ask “Why not?” when He is prompting me toward an exciting possibility or opportunity which requires me to depend on Him. The piano, choir, horn, strings, and percussion all work together to create and uplifting, energizing experience.

I hope this piece makes you smile, reminds you to make the most of your life today, and resurrects a memory from the past which filled your heart with joy. God’s blessings to you, and wishing you His grace and peace. – Stanton

How does Each Light-Filled Hour speak to you, and “sing” over you life today?

“Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour…” (Ecclesiastes 11:7-8, MSG)

My Spirit Refreshed

September 20, 2022 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Today is release day for the new song My Spirit Refreshed, now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or you can click below to listen as you read the inspirational notes underneath.

This musical idea began with Proverbs 11:25 which has been special to me for many years. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” I was also thinking of Johann Sebastian Bach’s famous quote, “The aim and final end of all music should be unto the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” As this verse and quote took root in my heart over the years, I began to encourage people in conversation. If we all seek to glorify God and refresh the souls of others in our life and work, then our light will shine more brightly in the world as we are a blessing to people.

For me refreshment includes experiencing peace, rest, hope, beauty, joy, and more as I have time alone or time with others. This can be in day to day life or when I am being intentional to unplug and relax in a beautiful setting, perhaps beside the ocean shore or in the mountains. I am sure you have some favorite places in the world to help you refresh. I love this Scripture passage and Bach quote because, in addition to seeking our own refreshment, the words encourage us to be refreshed by refreshing others.

Initially I envisioned some rhythm in the music to give it an upbeat feel and express the joy of being refreshed. However, as I searched for the right instruments and emotion, the piece began to take shape as a gentle dance on the piano, accompanied by soft strings and French horn. The meter begins in 4/4 time, then becomes 3/4 time, which is the same as a traditional waltz. The dance continues with 6/8 time, a third time signature which elevates the emotion as we listen. Even though the tempo is slow to medium throughout, it feels like it changes slightly for each time signature, even though the beats per minute are staying very nearly consistent. This musical approach became a new lens for viewing my own refreshment, as well as being refreshed by refreshing others. There is depth and richness in these experiences, with layers of beauty and meaning for ourselves and the lives we touch. The composing was exciting as I began to see how the time signatures could represent life’s gentle rhythms instead of using percussion instruments in the piece.

I pray the music and these thoughts are refreshing to you, and that your life and work continue to multiply refreshment in the lives of people you serve regularly, people you encounter periodically, and even people you may see only once in a lifetime.

How does My Spirit Refreshed speak into your story?

Proverbs 11:25 from a few Bible versions…

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (NIV)

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (ESV)

“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (MSG)

“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.” (NET)

Seeing Everything Beautiful

August 25, 2022 By Stanton Lanier 13 Comments

The new track Seeing Everything Beautiful just released this week. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or click below for some moments of peace, hope, and beauty. You can also read the song story as you listen…

This is my first song to feature a new, state-of-the-art guitar software sample, capturing a world class player and connecting their skill and technique with my fingers on the keyboard. Gentle piano chords in the background keep the rhythm, and soothing orchestral horns and strings provide harmonies underneath.

My inspiration began with a different idea for a theme and title, but nothing magical happened for a couple of days. In searching and investigating some other familiar Bible verses, the Scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:11 caught my eye and heart which says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” This verse inspired the song Eternity back in 2005, on my 4th album The Voice. However, this time the “everything beautiful” stood out for me. I have to be intentional to slow down, pause, and take notice of the beauty around me each day, or else I will miss it.

The emotion in this music expresses God’s beauty over our life, our relationships, our circumstances, life’s ups and downs, and many other aspects of life where beauty is there for us to receive if we see it. There is some mystery, wonder, and poetry to the idea we can see God’s beauty in everything, and over everything, if we look more closely. I hope Seeing Everything Beautiful washes over you and brings you a sense of knowing God sees you, loves you, and knows you and your every need in this very moment.

How does Seeing Everything Beautiful speak into your story right now?

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)