Keep Dreaming, Even in the Desert

March 26, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Desert Thirsty for Rain (from my 8th album Open Spaces) as you read. If you enjoy you can stream, download music, or find sheet music at the following links: Open Spaces CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Desert Thirsty for Rain PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

Do you have a big dream, but it seems like you are wandering nowhere in a desert?

We are not alone. This is part of dreaming. It is an important phase of living out our big dreams to do good in the world. “I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead. I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.” (Psalm 143:5-6, The Message) Several resources and people played a part in inspiring me to pursue a big dream in 2004 — the launching of Music to Light the World. The one I am thinking of today is The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson. It is a modern-day parable that tells the story of Ordinary, who dares to leave the land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. I encourage you to add this to your “dream reading” list. It took five years (1999 to 2004) for me to be ready to experience a big dream’s early phases: Embracing My Big Dream — a feeling grows into a longing that becomes a unique calling, Leaving My Comfort Zone — having courage to overcome fear, to embrace uncertainty, and Meeting Bullies in the BorderLand — learning some will believe and others will not; learning to love people well either way. These are plenty hard to overcome, but the next one can catch you off guard, and could be the most challenging: Entering the Wasteland — a lonesome time in the desert, wondering what is happening, and asking, “where are you God?” and “Why did you give me this dream?” It turns out these times in the desert are not wasted. They help us trust God as the Dream Giver. They help our faith grow stronger. They prepare us for whatever lies ahead, including, as shared in The Dream Giver, blissful times of sanctuary, daunting valleys of giants, and rewarding lands of promise. What next steps can you take to help your “desert” experiences strengthen your faith?

Argument or Story?

March 24, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Spirit of Grace (from my 8th album Open Spaces) as you read. If you enjoy you can stream, download music, or find sheet music at the following links: Open Spaces CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Desert Thirsty for Rain PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

“Is your life more of an argument or more of a story?”

This question cut to my heart several years ago. It went deep. For most of my life the idea I was supposed to “defend my faith” had taken root. A light bulb came on as I realized my story had been more of an argument up until then. It was good argument — for what was true, noble and right — in a word, for TRUTH. The thing I couldn’t see as clearly was the spirit of judgement and criticism toward others that came with this “truth package,” wrapped in pride with a ribbon of self-righteousness. Even if only perceived by others, this meant they were felt. My friend Ken Boa (www.kenboa.org) says, “Stop taking yourself so seriously, because God has already taken you seriously.” I cannot make myself right. Only God makes me right, and it is by His Spirit of Grace (Zechariah 12:10, Ephesians 2:8). Living a captivating story is so much more compelling than winning an argument, right? Thinking on things that are pure, lovely, and admirable — in a word, GRACE — means loving, accepting, and forgiving well. It means listening to someone’s story and sharing pieces of my story that speak into theirs. It also means being positive in my assumptions toward others versus negative (because I don’t know their full story yet). Living a story of grace is a process. It takes practice. It means mistakes will happen. It weaves a beautiful tapestry of wonder, mystery, joy and tears. Will I live a story of grace today? Will I have a spirit of grace or “ungrace” toward others? As a bonus for reflection, consider watching and listening to the Spirit of Grace music video…

Wherever You Go

March 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Wherever You Go (from my 8th album Open Spaces) as you read. If you enjoy you can stream, download music, or find sheet music at the following links: Open Spaces CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Wherever You Go PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

Do you remember the Dr. Seuss book Oh The Places You’ll Go?

Here are a few places my life journey has taken me…Climbing to the top of big trees, wrecking my “spider” bicycle, falling off a horse, getting stung on the lip by a yellow jacket, wanting to quit piano lessons, scoring thirty points in a high school basketball game, working summers at a canoe rental, majoring in chemistry, earning an MBA, being a husband to my bride, selling life insurance, touring the Holy Land, serving clients as a financial advisor, becoming a father with two children, traveling to U.S. national parks (Acadia, Grand Canyon, Yosemite), witnessing a star filled night sky in northern Minnesota, publishing a book, and starting a blog!

Out of all these, and many other experiences, I would have to say the most important moment in my life was placing my faith in Jesus Christ. Even though I am broken and far from perfect, the realness of His love, grace, forgiveness, peace, hope and power in my life have been growing ever since. As my trusting and abiding in Him deepens, life is filled with “Oh The Places You’ll Go” experiences of wonder, beauty, mystery, sadness, adventure and joy. “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) Is there some place it seems God is asking you to go that will require faith and courage?