Two Reasons to Visit Your Quiet Place

May 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Quiet Place from the album The Voice (recorded at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studio). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from Amazon, iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is your favorite quiet place?

Are you being intentional to invest some time there? If it is far away, do you have a next best place closer to home where you can spend quiet time? It can be hard to believe that taking time for quiet and solitude is actually productive, and even increases productivity. Even now I can hear the call of urgent “to do” lists. How stopping feels contrary to accomplishing as much as I can today. Yet, something seems true and right about pausing. Here are two reasons why I believe our quiet places invite us to come visit.

First, I find a sense of refreshment that is so good for the soul. I am able to recalibrate my perspective toward being thankful. It seems like we each have a favorite physical place that quiets our spirit the most . . . the mountains . . . the beach . . . a farm . . . an open field . . . a walk in the woods . . . a special room. This piece of music was created to help you close your eyes and imagine that you are in this place so close to your heart.

Second, I find a sense of renewal. My attitude and words are more life giving when my heart thinks on things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Investing time for quiet offers the opportunity to pray and listen, to read and reflect on Scripture, and to live out Luke 6:45 in a more positive way: “What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

So, when is your next visit to your quiet place? May your heart be refreshed and renewed.

“He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:31-32

Hearing The Voice

May 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 10 Comments

Click above to listen to The Voice, the title track from the album The Voice (recorded at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studio). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from Amazon, iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Do you long, like me, to hear God’s voice more clearly in a noisy world?

I have discovered this is possible, but it takes some patience and practice to experience hearing God’s voice more often, and with more clarity. The disciplines of simplicity, silence, solitude and surrender play an integral part. However, the key is to take the first step. Here is some of my story and what I have learned.

By the time I was in high school I had become a worrier and perfectionist, and was overly conscious of what others thought of me. The voice I often heard in my mind was my own, criticizing my performance and pouring on more pressure to succeed. God was part of my life, but it took a long time before I deeply explored the possibility of hearing His voice. Could He actually guide my steps in life? Could He provide the wisdom, discernment and comfort that I needed? Could I really hear His voice?

The more I have pursued this, the more I have encountered profound conversations and intimacy with a God who cares for me beyond my comprehension. Tell God you would like to hear His voice more clearly. Ask Him to speak into your life, to instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, to give you counsel, and to watch over you (Psalm 32:8). Thank Him for His promise to surround you with His love as you trust in Him (Psalm 32:10). Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Try playing the solo piano title track from The Voice in an extra quiet place . . . be still . . . and listen. Listen. Be quiet. Listen. Be still. Listen.

Can you hear The Voice? What is God’s gentle whisper, His still, small voice speaking to your heart?

“. . . the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice . . . Elijah heard the voice. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (1 Kings 19:11-13; Isaiah 30:21)

Morning Launch Rocket Fuel

May 14, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click the player above to stream In the Morning from the album Still Waters as your background music. If you enjoy, consider supporting through iTunes, Amazon, or stantonlanier.com.

Do you start some days feeling “low on fuel” like I do?

Every day is fresh and new with grace and opportunity, but sometimes I still need a boost of “rocket fuel” to help me launch with confidence. Back in 2002 I discovered a Psalm that offers refreshment when my heart needs reviving. Here is how it speaks to me and how I apply it.

The Psalm is chapter 5, verse 3, which says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

This reminds me to step back and begin the day with surrender, early in the morning. With all the day’s issues and to do list ahead, Psalm 5:3 encourages me to pray, to remember there is power in prayer. I take a moment to marvel in awe, that the Lord of the universe hears my voice. Since I am wired to be anxious, worrisome, perfectionist, and fearful of uncertainty, it is so reassuring that once I lay my requests before Him, He has them. This shifts my posture from striving to achieve, to abiding to receive. I wait with expectation, and I trust that God “…is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Waiting can be the hard part. Sometimes God’s pace is standing still with no indication of an answer. Sometimes it is to take one baby step of faith at a time. Sometimes it is to start walking in stride with Him as He reveals each instruction. Sometimes guidance and direction comes like a flood and it is time to run or even sprint. The key for me is to do the part He is asking me to do, and to trust Him to do His part. Not to “over wait,” but also not to “over act.” Embracing the mystery and wonder that His ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) brings peace and hope to my spirit.

How do the music and words of reflection around In the Morning speak into your story today?