Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Seizing Your Divine Moment

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These are my notes from 2004 that I kept from Seizing Your Divine Moment (retitled Chasing Daylight) by Erwin McManus. They had a powerful impact in my life then, and they still do now. I hope these thoughts and questions inspire your journey today…

When we play it safe, we squeeze God out of the formula.  If we go only where we know and do what we’re certain will succeed, we remove our need for God.  Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, self-sufficiency is no longer an option.

This is the challenge that is set before us – that we not only take initiative, that we not only move with confidence into the reality of uncertainty, but also that we maximize our sphere of influence as we grow in depth of character.

The Christian cliché “the safest place to be is the center of God’s will” has eliminated the place for risk and insulated us with a comfort-and-security theology. This view runs counter to what is found in the Scriptures. The center of God’s will is not a safe place, but the most dangerous place in the world. God fears nothing and no one.  God moves with intentionality and power. To live outside God’s will puts us in danger, but to live in His will makes us dangerous. When we begin to seize our divine moments, we do not begin to live risk-free, but instead become free to risk.

You have already been authorized to move forward, so advance (Phil. 3:12-14).  Impact your world by fighting the battles that are on God’s heart.  Move with an urgency that creates a movement. Engage in an adventure so compelling that it causes the awakening of the dead in spirit. In this moment, each of us will have to choose. Will you seize your divine moment or let it slip away? Will you choose to go to the left, or will you go to the right?

Vote for Abnormality

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Inspiring words from Chasing Daylight (originally titled Seizing Your Divine Moment), by Erwin McManus. What is one area you can focus on taking more initiative?

I must resolve not only to leave the path of doing evil, but also to passionately pursue a life of doing good.  Maybe there is a touch of insanity to think that you or I could really make a difference, knowing who we are, that we could somehow change the course of human history.  If it’s normal to wake up in the morning and just try to make it through the day, then I vote for abnormality.  I choose insanity.  Wake up tomorrow morning asking the dangerous question, “What can I do today to make a difference in the world?”

What Will I Choose?

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A few thoughts about the choices we make each day, from Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. These words crossed my path in the early 2000s when I was a financial planner, and my heart was being stirred to compose new music. They are just as special and profound in my life today…

In my moment of truth what will I choose?  Will I choose the wilderness or the adventure?  Have I confused the blessing of God with wealth, comfort, and security?  Have I considered that His greatest blessing comes when He calls us to be pioneers, explorers, and even conquerors?  Will I dare to live a life of adventure?  When I do, I will live in the epicenter of God’s activity.

Adventures Unlimited – Part 2

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Over the years I have grown in embracing life as an adventure. I grew up loving basketball and piano, but was also good at math, science and numbers, so my approach to life was overly practical for a long time. Yesterday’s blog, “Adventures Unlimited – Part 1,” spoke to adventure sometimes being embarrassing, noisy or crowded.

Working at Adventures Unlimited also included moments of silence and solitude (by the way http://www.adventuresunlimited.com is still operating today in the Florida panhandle. It is a fantastic escape from life’s hectic pace). My favorite job at Adventures was called “the top.” Whoever worked “the top” would get dropped off around 7am on a weekend morning. A sunrise caravan of vehicles would leave at least 100 canoes to be unloaded by one guy for the most popular “day trip.”

I began to learn the importance of including times of solitude in my life as I would work to unload all the canoes, then rest in the river listening to the breeze, the birds and the flowing water. Solitude plays a vital role in pausing to listen for God’s voice in my life and in the creative process. Remembering Adventures Unlimited reminds me that life’s adventures can involve hard work and activity, as well as times of rest and solitude.

How about you? Are you nurturing the “adventure” part of your heart? Are you overly “practical” when you have opportunities to embrace 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?

First melody May 2000

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I began playing the piano at age 6 and writing songs at age 14, but it wasn’t until I was 35 that I composed my first instrumental melody called “Grace and Truth” in May 2000. With musical influences ranging from Bach to Windham Hill to Billy Joel, and inspiration coming from ancient scriptures, I began creating melodies to help me (and eventually others) slow down and experience a sense of God’s peace and rest in a hurried world.

Welcome

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Welcome to my new blog!  I appreciate your interest in my music and will be posting regularly, sharing in the following areas: 1) Present Moment – what I am thinking about, what is happening, what I am working on, 2) Past Stories – life stories and inspiration behind the six albums and 65 piano melodies / arrangements I have recorded so far, 3) Looking Ahead – special projects and dreams for the future with life, music, Music to Light the World and Get Music Give Hope.  Thanks for being part of the story . . .