Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

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)