How Do You Climb to the Sky?

October 17, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

This week is the 1st anniversary of my 10th album Climb to the Sky. You can click above to listen above as you read, and visit the Climb to the Sky album page for the CD, MP3 Album, and Sheet Music. I am also including the music video at the bottom of this post for additional inspiration (filmed during a mountain sunset at 6,200 feet).

How do you “climb to the sky” in life?

This title track has such deep meaning in my story. I meditated on Psalm 139:8 “If I climb to the sky you’re there…” for quite a while before the music was revealed to me. This verse is rooted in the opening words of this Psalm, “God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight.”

There are many “broken stories” from my life which God has gradually healed and redeemed over time… Stuttering when I was five years old, which made me very shy. Getting glasses when I was ten years old, which I despised (I could still make a lot of basketball shots without wearing them). Having a sixth grade “girl friend” break up with me because I had not kissed her. Failing my first exams at Georgia Tech. Working as a shift manager in a carpet mill all but two Sundays every month. Over striving to succeed and meet people’s expectations during college and my early career years. There are others I have shared in earlier blog posts. What are some of your broken stories you need to climb above?

We are all on this “climb to the sky” in life. As children, we may have experienced this while climbing trees, flying a kite, or looking out an airplane window for the first time. As adults this can also come from life experiences we enjoy. I have found an eternal view to be most helpful. My “climb” is founded on a perspective that, one day at a time, life is an “adventure to live” instead of a “problem to solve” (credit to John Elredge from his book Wild at Heart). There is a sense of wonder and awe, and God’s loving kindness toward us found throughout Psalm 139, which is definitely worth a read.

As you hear the piano “climbing” with the chorus notes, join me in remembering to keep alive your child-like faith, to give thanks for life’s many blessings, and to embrace the adventure God has in store for you, by faith. He loves us and knows us more than we can comprehend.

How does the music of “Climb to the Sky” speak to you?

10th Anniversary – Why I Composed Awaken the Dawn

October 10, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to stream Awaken the Dawn as you read. For additional reflection, at the bottom I am also including the soothing, uplifting Awaken the Dawn music video filmed during an ocean sunrise on the Georgia coast.

What can you celebrate this week that happened ten years ago?

This week I am celebrating the 10th Anniversary of my 5th album Unveiled and the opening track Awaken the Dawn, which has consistently been a top listener favorite around the world. As I paused to look back and remember how this song happened, I was prompted to share more of the story with you…

I began composing Awaken the Dawn in May 2006, two months after the extremely painful experience of having our house robbed of everything small and valuable (all jewelry, cameras, etc.). I was on a quest for more hope in my life. The original working title was Waking Light. The inspiration was coming from Psalm 108:1-2, “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.” I learned this passage is identical to Psalm 57:7-8, and these are the only two places in the entire Bible (NIV version) where the words “awaken the dawn” are used.

The music was nice, but for many months it featured a main chorus which was not stirring enough emotion. I worked on it off and on, and finally by early 2007 it was taking shape, with each musical section finding its place. In all the writing, re-writing, and playing the notes over and over, my heart’s longing was to express the deep essence of hope referenced in these Psalms. It was a lofty goal, but I wanted this message of God’s hope, without words, to speak to the heart of every person around the world who might one day hear this melody.

We have all been “robbed” of hope in various ways. This could be in our dreams, relationships, emotions, spiritual journey, health, circumstances, or any number of life events. It is interesting to me that God would inspire a song about hope following not just having our house robbed, but several other experiences of loss or struggle, where there were moments of hopelessness in my life. Hidden in the piano notes is a message from my heart to yours… I have found Jesus to be faithful when I put my faith in Him to provide the peace, rest, hope and healing I need each day.

How does “Awaken the Dawn” sing a song of God’s hope into your life?

Taken by a Cloud

October 5, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to stream Taken by a Cloud from my 5th album Unveiled as you read this story from May 2014. I am also including the music video at the bottom so you can watch and listen for further reflection.

Have you ever been “taken” by a cloud? or had a beautiful scene take your breath away?

There is a splendor and mystery inherent in the world as seen in a common cloud that reflects something much larger than me. This idea originated from an ancient scripture, “As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud.” (from Acts 1:9)

I am thinking about clouds because this is my first blog post from an airplane. I have been “taken” by some clouds as I look out from my window seat. After departing from Baltimore in the rain on the way home to Atlanta, we soon were above the clouds looking down on them. Two recent experiences came to mind.

First, a few weeks ago I played a concert west of Chicago, Illinois near Wheaton College. My host was a new friend who graduated from Wheaton years ago. He took me on a tour of the Billy Graham museum there (Billy Graham also graduated from Wheaton). I photographed the above image in the final room of the museum. The Hallelujah chorus was playing from Handel’s Messiah, and the platform where I stood was surrounded by clouds. Carefully constructed mirrors created an effect that made the clouds go on forever whether I was looking up or looking down. This was a glimpse of heaven’s wonder and beauty, and it reminded me of Taken by a Cloud.

The second experience was last night in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was invited to share some of my Scripture inspired piano at the HOPE International “Celebrate Hope” annual dinner, where 650 people gathered to hear inspiring stories from around the world, and support the great work that HOPE is doing. They specialize in micro-finance and savings programs for people in poverty who have a small business. Through targeted financial assistance entrepreneurs can grow their profits to help improve their living conditions, educate their children, and have a positive impact in their community. What is interesting is that at the core of HOPE International, is the faith, hope and love found in Jesus, and the Gospel of His grace and forgiveness. As I was “taken” by the incredible stories of financial and spiritual transformation in these impoverished communities, I was filled with eternal hope found in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

How can you apply today’s music and words to find greater hope?

As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.” Acts 1:9-11