Two Ideas for Awe and Wonder

November 29, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of While the Morning Stars Sang in Chorus (Cinematic Mix) as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to the new music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What stirs awe and wonder in you at this time of year?

As we are now in the first week of Advent, a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth, I was reflecting on how best to share the inspiration behind the new song While the Morning Stars Sang in Chorus. This is a “creation song” rooted in God’s words to Job:

“Where were you when I created the earth?…How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise?” — Job 38:4-7 (The Message)

There is an amazing and beautiful connection to the Hubble telescope image below (credit to NASA and STSCI). Pause for a moment to study this image and read its description, then consider two ideas which stirred my wonder and awe. I hope they will stir yours too.

“Hubble peered into a small portion of the nebula near the star cluster NGC 2074 in 2008, to take a snapshot of a dazzling region of celestial birth and renewal. This approximately 100-light-year-wide fantasy-like landscape is a firestorm of raw stellar creation, perhaps triggered by a nearby supernova explosion. The image reveals dramatic ridges and valleys of dust, serpent-head “pillars of creation,” and gaseous filaments glowing fiercely under ultraviolet radiation. The region is on the edge of a dark molecular cloud that is an incubator for the birth of new stars. It lies about 170,000 light-years away near the Tarantula nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in our Local Group of galaxies.” — NASA

IDEA #1 — CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE

Let the beauty and wonder of the stars and all creation stir your wonder and awe this Advent season. If you believe, let God’s marvelous handiwork enrich your faith. If you don’t believe, God believes in you, and offers His love, forgiveness and hope in all things.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” — Psalm 19:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” — Hebrews 11:3

IDEA #2 — SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

The “birth of new stars” pointed me to the birth of Jesus. How can the Creator of the universe also be the Savior of the world? It is good to ask questions and to search for truth. We don’t have all the answers, but God does when we believe by faith and seek Him. Jesus coming as a baby is an awe inspiring display of power and humility, the Lion and the Lamb, our Creator and Savior.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 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 1:1-3, 14

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” — Luke 8:10-11

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” — 1 John 4:14

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” — 1 John 2:2

How does the music, image and/or words draw you toward awe and wonder?

My Soul Silently Waits

November 22, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of My Soul Silently Waits as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What are you waiting on?

Sometimes people ask us this question when it is obvious to them what our next step should be. Other times we are asking ourselves. There is tension in the waiting as we decide what we will do. A friend of mine describes this as “active patience.”

We all seem to have a favorite way to practice silence. It could be walking on the beach, driving in the mountains, hiking in the woods, or sitting in our favorite chair at home. Wherever you are on your faith journey, I encourage you to invest time in listening for God’s voice, and to ask God to speak into your current situation. This is the essence of the song My Soul Silently Waits.

Take a moment to reflect on the verses below, which I have found very helpful for seeking discernment with a decision, or seeing things more clearly in my circumstances. In addition to reading Scripture, it helps me to rephrase the verses into a personal prayer back to God. Then there is more of a conversation with Him, through both speaking and listening.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you and watch over you…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” — Psalm 32:8 and 32:10 (NIV 1984)

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” — Psalm 62:1 (ESV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV, ESV)

Which of these (or another passage) speaks into your waiting?

For Such a Time as This

November 15, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of For Such a Time as This as you read, from the new album Climb to the Sky. Visit climbtothesky.com for links to this 10th and newest album, music video, CD, MP3 Album, Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

What is a “for such a time as this” decision you are facing, or dream you are making?

As I was driving a winding, mountain road last weekend in north Georgia, the colors of autumn brought to mind the new song For Such a Time as This. I love the fall because it brings cooler air, and splashes of red, orange, yellow and gold leaves amidst southern pines and evergreens.

I couldn’t resist pulling off the road to capture the image below. Just as the brilliant red of this maple tree is only present for a short time, and just as the seasons come and go, life brings us possibilities and opportunities that will soon pass. Some of these are “leap of faith” moments, and we have to decide whether to jump. How do we know when to say “yes?”

Like Esther’s story in the Old Testament, we don’t get to see the full picture of all God is orchestrating until we can look back. What we do have the privilege of doing is surrendering to Him and asking Him to direct our steps. When I seek to listen for His voice, and wait on Him for either direction or confirmation for a next step, He is always faithful to reveal His plans little by little. When life’s “for such a time as this” decisions present themselves, I want to have a mindset of aligning my “push” with God’s “pull.” Practicing this today helps give me greater confidence and clarity for tomorrow’s “for such a time as this” choices.

This song is also a sixteenth birthday gift to my daughter, composed with a heart of love and blessing from her earthly father, and inspired by words from her heavenly Father. When we read the Scripture verses behind this song, one is spoken to Esther, and one is spoken from the Lover to his Beloved in the Song of Songs. Yet, the way to receive them is as though they are spoken from God to each of us (in my words): “…perhaps I have brought you to your current position for such a time as this. Remember, you are altogether beautiful and flawless in my sight.”

Hold on to these thoughts in your journey today — God believes in you, loves you, and forgives you more than you can know. Jesus loves you and believes in you, and His gifts of grace, love and forgiveness will always be there for you.

How can this be applied to one of your decisions or dreams today?

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NIV)
“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” — Song of Songs 4:7 (ESV)