Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

What I Learned from Coldplay Last Night

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Even though I have played over 500 times for concerts, events and groups of all sizes, I haven’t been to that many concerts in my life. Last night I got to go with a friend to Coldplay in Atlanta. Below is an image of confetti that was blown in huge volume from the stage to the ceiling at the beginning of the second song for the show. Then it floated back down over the crowd in millions of pieces. It was magnificent. Here is what I learned…

Confetti = Beauty, Hope and Wonder

1) Humankind loves to behold beauty (eyes, heart and mind). The stage, the band members, the confetti, the stage lights, the sparkling light wristbands (that everyone in the audience was wearing), displayed rainbows of colors. The moments illustrated C.S. Lewis’ quote that our greatest moments of beauty, adventure and intimacy in this life are glimpses of heaven. Also, that God planted eternity in the human heart: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.”                        – Ecclesiastes 3:11

2) Humankind longs for hope. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “All joy…emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings.” Pleasure, comfort, safety, security, good health, provision, enjoyment, seeing the world, loving people. The list could go on and on. If there is a Creator, there must be a Creation. If there is a Storyteller, human life lived to the fullest must be part of a greater story (paraphrased from G.K. Chesterton).

3) Humankind loves moments of wonder / adventure. “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation” – C.S. Lewis. There is this “hard wiring” we are born with. One part says guard your life, another part says go for it, “it” being experiences of wonder and adventure. Life moments that make our heart race in a good way, like being mesmerized by nature, a roller coaster ride, serving others in love.

What beauty are you beholding today? What hope are you longing for? Do you have a memory, or something you are looking forward to that promises wonder and adventure?

Creator or Consumer?

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This morning I had the privilege of presenting the Chick-fil-A Corporate devotional to their headquarters staff. As I shared a few melodies and visuals from “December Peace,” my central theme was to each ask ourselves the question, “How can I be more of a creator than a consumer this holiday season?” We all have some gift, talent, or passion that can be a blessing to others . . . baking a dessert, painting a picture, building something out of wood, or countless other possibilities. When we nurture our creativity it feeds our soul and overflows from our heart to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Regardless of the time of year, how you can you be more of a creator than a consumer? Does this idea stir your heart like it does mine?

New Music

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I am always working on new music and had a breakthrough this past Wednesday morning with a new melody that I think will become something very special.  I was meditating on Psalm 19 and the words “in the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun” speaking to the wonder of the heavens and the skies.  This new original work blends in with a world renowned classical melody penned over 300 years ago.  It is very likely to show up on my 7th album which I hope to release in late spring 2011.