Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Solo Piano Wonder

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Today is release day for Solo Piano Wonder. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind the song…

 

Solo Piano Wonder is a peaceful, refreshing melody gently giving space to slow down and nurture our childlike faith. The uplifting sounds invite us to see the wonder all around us, and to stand in awe for a moment. I need to remember to pause and notice the beauty in my surroundings, God’s creation, as well as the beauty in people, who are all made in God’s image. If I can see things with the wonder and awe of a young child, my soul is nourished and refreshed with greater peace, hope, and joy. Maybe the music will take you back to some beautiful childhood memories, such as a favorite place or person, your favorite activity, or times when you had your greatest sense of awe and wonder. Maybe the music will remind you of a moment of wonder from yesterday, or even today.

This song takes us on a musical journey with a sense of wandering in a good way, experiencing peace and delight as we treasure the gift of life and watch life’s moments unfold. The primary melody and secondary melodies compliment one another with a sense of a question and an answer. This illustrates the ebb and flow of walking with God as we notice Him here, there, and everywhere with childlike faith. Sometimes I have questions, wondering why something happened. Whether answers come quickly and clearly, or take some time, or even remain a mystery, I can choose to refocus my heart from a sense of wondering to a sense of wonder. Jesus loved when the little children came and sat with him, listening to His voice, and receiving His love and grace with awe and wonder. I can remember times long ago as a boy, swaying in the breeze at the top of a tall tree, or feeling the wind on my face riding my bicycle. I can remember yesterday, when I noticed the blooming flower buds, or spoke encouraging words to a store cashier. I can remember today, giving thanks to God for waking me up this morning. This is the spirit of wonder I want to nourish in my heart and soul.

How does Solo Piano Wonder speak to you?

“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)

“…to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.” > Psalm 136:4 (ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” > Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” > Mark 9:15 (NIV)

Solo Piano Unheard

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Solo Piano Unheard released February 16, 2023. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read why and how I composed it. Wishing you God’s grace and peace today… 

 

Solo Piano Unheard is about taking time to pause…to listen for, look for, notice, and receive hope and beauty in the midst of life’s tension and mystery. The long rings of the piano strings, the gentle melodies, and the carefully selected harmonies interweave my hopeful certainty with my fears and doubts. I wanted the strings to ring long as a representation of life’s “unheard” moments when we are listening for God’s voice, but we wonder if He is hearing us. I have found He is always right there with me and for me, even it doesn’t feel like it. In His time, and in a very personal way, He lets me know He sees me, knows me, and loves me in the midst of whatever I am going through.

There is something about solo piano that can be so breathtaking, so provocative, and so compelling. This song has unique pauses and rhythms creating a back forth conversation between the notes and the silence, between my questioning and God’s answering. The tempo picks up in the middle, but then slows down again, illustrating the pacing and variety each day brings as I seek to live out my faith whether my cup is full, empty, or somewhere in between. The Scripture verse containing the title word “unheard” is found in Isaiah 52, which speaks to Jesus carrying our pains and Him suffering on our behalf, in order that we may be saved by His grace when we listen, hear, and believe.

How does Solo Piano Unheard sing over your life today?

For what was unheard of they’ll see with their own eyes, what was unthinkable they’ll have right before them. > Isaiah 52:15 (MSG)

For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. > Isaiah 52:15 (NIV)

This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. > Matthew 13:13-14 (NIV)

That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. I don’t want Isaiah’s forecast repeated all over again: Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing. > Matthew 13:13-14 (MSG)

…faith comes from hearing  the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. > Romans 10:17 (NIV)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. > Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Solo Piano Refuge

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Solo Piano Refuge is my first new song release of 2023. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read why and how I composed it. Grace and peace to you… 

 

When I wanted to quit lessons in the 7th grade, I didn’t realize the piano was becoming a refuge in my life. My dream at the time was to be a professional basketball player, and I thought I needed to focus on sports instead of taking music lessons. My parents convinced me to continue piano until the end of the school year, then we would decide over the summer. By the time 8th grade began I had discovered the piano held a special place in my heart and life. At that time I used the word “retreat” to describe the enjoyment of playing, but the word “refuge” is a better term. Refuge also means fortress, haven, hiding place, protection, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, and stronghold. The piano has been all these things and more, since composing my first song at age fourteen, completing twelve years of lessons, and, after many years of growing in surrender, God calling me to found Music to Light the World and become a full-time pianist and composer in 2004.

It’s hard to believe I have been “touching the keys” for over fifty years now. Solo Piano Refuge is rooted in deep places from my life, faith, and music journey. The long, rich chords are symbols of God’s ever presence, His calm strength, and Him being my Refuge, the ultimate Refuge. The delicate melodies in between are gentle expressions of my trusting Him, my dancing with Him, and my knowing His peace, hope, and beauty in my life. There are phrases of piano notes singing “The Lord is my refuge, my refuge, my refuge” many times throughout the piece. I hope this song will help you still your heart and mind, and that it refreshes you as you lean into God being your refuge as well. Please see the five Psalms below which speak to this, and join me in reading them as prayers back to God. I have edited the wording to make them personal and intimate with Him…

Psalm 46:1  >  God, you are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 34:8  >  Lord, I taste and see that You are good. I am blessed as one who takes refuge in You.

Psalm 5:11  >  Father, I am glad because I take refuge in You. I sing joy forever. You spread your protection over me. I love Your name and I rejoice in You!

Psalm 73:28  >  Father, it is so good to be near to You. You, my sovereign Lord, are my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds. 

Psalm 59:16  >  I will sing of Your strength, and I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress, my refuge at all times.

How does Solo Piano Refuge sing to your heart today?