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?

Thanking Our Mom – Happy Mother's Day Weekend

May 9, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to More Precious from the album Still Waters. I wrote this love song for my wife in 2002. She is an amazing wife and mother, two things which are precious, and priceless. Mother’s Day expanded my thinking to allow this love song to be for moms as well, so feel free to share this special Mother’s Day blog post with streaming music above, and special video below.

Have you thought of your wife or mother as “more precious than jewels?” An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)

I am thankful to still have my mom in my life. She taught me a lot of things that have traveled the years with me: share kindness, give encouragement, enjoy creativity, have fun, honor and respect others, laugh out loud, cry when you need to, bake blackberry cobbler like this (with the family recipe), love and trust God in life. These are just a few. She has also loved me, prayed for me, believed in me, and encouraged me. I am thankful and will always remember her caring, her character, and many special memories we share. All of these things are “more precious than jewels” (and rise above past disagreements or arguments).

Below is a special love song music video called Pure Fountain. If you are a mom, take in the music and text as a love song from God to you. His heart is filled with love, grace, and forgiveness toward you as a mother and in your life. If you want to say “thank you” or “I love you” to your mom, consider sharing this video link with her as an expression of your appreciation.

What is one special thing you can say or do to let your wife know, or your mom know, she is precious and priceless?

Working While I Sleep

May 7, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click the player above to stream Beloved (Lullaby) from Walk in the Light as your background reading music. If you enjoy, consider supporting through iTunes, Amazon, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Do you sometimes wish your work could get done while you sleep?

If you are like me and answer “yes,” I have an idea for you. Before I share it, here are two practices that will help this idea take root. First, I try to practice “sunset remembrance.” When the sun goes down, I focus on being thankful for all that DID get done that day, versus all that DID NOT get done. Second, I try to practice “sunrise gratitude.” I give thanks to God for waking me up another day, for the gift of life, and I reflect on His many blessings. Then, I try to focus on abiding and surrender, while giving my best, since I cannot pull off each day’s productivity and accomplishments in my own strength alone. With these sunset and sunrise practices, I have a mindset of aiming for progress, instead of trying to be perfect.

Now, for the idea. The song Beloved (A Lullaby) was one of my earliest works, inspired in the year 2000. It came from two verses rich in meaning and life application, which point to an increase in the amount of work that gets done while you sleep. Psalm 127:1-2 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep (some versions say “provides for” His beloved, even while they sleep).

When I discovered this and began to take it to heart, it was incredible to think that God is at work on my behalf through the night, as I sleep. What a relief! I am reminded of this when amazing things happen at a future time, following prayers or seeds of action I have planted. Sometimes it takes only days, sometimes it can be years, and sometimes God is silent, but I rest in this powerful truth. What an encouragement that good works can actually happen for me while I sleep, whether they be physical, relational, emotional, spiritual, or financial.

What is one thing you can surrender and wait for in expectation as you go to sleep tonight?