31 Days of December Peace: Day 4 ~ Lord, Make Us Thankful

December 4, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

The new 31 Days of December Peace eBook is available for only $4.99. Download at stantonlanier.com or the Amazon Kindle Store.

Frank Stanton Bondurant was his name. My mom called him “Daddy,” but to his grandsons he was known as “Daddy B.” He was born in 1905 and died in 2002, just shy of his 97th birthday. As I reflect on his influence in my life, I am amazed at how many lasting impressions he made. He was quite a storyteller.

Daddy B was an only child. His parents both died before their 42nd birthday, so he didn’t think he would live past that age. They both played piano, but he was a gifted violinist. He played high school football when there were no face masks, just a thin leather helmet. He broke both eyebrow bones and both collar bones. He loved to play games and tell jokes. If you said, “Please pass the cereal,” he would throw you the box! He introduced me to fig preserves and Mama B’s blackberry cobbler. He threw baseball with me for hours when I was a Little League pitcher, teaching me how to grip the threads to throw a curve ball, drop ball, fast ball and slider. He played his violin with me when I was playing piano in middle and high school. When I learned to drive he always reminded me that if an animal ever ran in front of me that I should “go through it,” and not swerve to miss it. He had wrecked his car one time avoiding a dog. His advice probably saved my family’s life when I hit a deer in June 2002 driving sixty miles per hour. I went through it. Incredibly, we were on the way to Daddy B.’s funeral when this happened.

“Lord, make us thankful for these and all our blessings. Pardon our sins for Christ’s sake. Amen.” This was Daddy B’s prayer before every meal whenever we saw him. These are only a few of my memories of this beloved man of character, passion and faith. I loved Daddy B. I will always remember the blessing he was in my life.

Who is your Daddy B? Can you be a “Daddy B” for someone?

31 Days of December Peace: Day 1 ~ The Sled

December 1, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

The new 31 Days of December Peace eBook is available for only $4.99. Download at stantonlanier.com or the Amazon Kindle Store.

Cypress Road was packed with fresh fallen snow in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I could see it through the big living room window of my childhood home. The temperature was just below freezing. School was closed. My tummy was full with a vitamin fortified Kaboom cereal breakfast. All my “Mt. Everest” gear was in place. It was another dream winter morning for a nine-year old. Cypress Road. One hundred yards long with a perfect twenty degree slope. Another downhill sledding adventure was about to begin.

This unforgettable scene happened many times during my elementary school years. It was a treasured experience. So much so that a full body length sled was at the top of my wish list for Christmas 1974. The gift appeared and was all I had hoped for. A Gladding Champion Fastback. Sixty inches long, three strips of polished hardwood, painted for speed (including speedometer) and shiny red runners.

Every day after Christmas I waited… January… February… March… April… no snow. I couldn’t believe it! My sled dream had come true, but the snow never came that winter. The following summer my dad took a new job in Pensacola, Florida. As my eleventh birthday approached, I wondered “Is this really happening?!” My new sled and I were moving to the Florida panhandle! That was a long time ago. The Gladding Champion Fastback is now stored in the basement, still gliding through life with me. The glamorous adventure he was born for has ended up being a humdrum existence. A historic two inch snow at our house in Milton, Florida only resulted in a drag across the flat front yard. A few times “Champ” has coasted down some small slopes when we have had ice and snow in Atlanta or north Georgia, where I have lived most of my life. But for the most part, it just rests in storage, waiting to deliver pure joy with a long, downhill run.

Every December when I see my sled, I still long for that joy ride. But I am also reminded that no earthly possession will ever bring me the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your sled? Do you treasure Christ above all earthly treasures?

Podcast #3: The Quest

October 31, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

I am excited to finally share Episode #3 of the Pianist of Peace Podcast. To receive the greatest benefit, take 10 minutes to pause and listen without interruption. There are three elements to help you experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

Part 1 – A short, personal life story to inspire your journey.
Part 2 – A full-length melody to help you pause and reflect on a specific aspect of your life.
Part 3 – A few questions to encourage and challenge you to live a better story.

[buzzsprout episode=’64812′ player=’true’]

Stanton Lanier The Quest Live in Concert

The Quest, Live in Concert with Tracy Silverman on Violin

Outside of Time

September 14, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Are you having the kind of day that seems like you are “outside of time?” Like more is getting done than humanly possible? Or, like me, are many days the kind that seem like “time is an enemy” and you think, “How am I going to get it all done?” When I wrote the song A Thousand Years and gave my 7th album this title in 2011, I was thinking about this a lot. Ever since, life often reminds me of the inspiration for this song, like what I saw in the sky last night.

A thousand years…are like a day – Psalm 90:4

I noticed the clouds in the sky, a steeple and the stillness of the moment, like I was outside of time, just for a few seconds. Psalm 90:4 says “A thousand years in your sight are like a day or a watch in the night.” It is hard to wrap my mind around God being outside of time for eternity – past, present, and future. But here is an attempt from the analytical side of my brain…

If 1 day (24 hours) was 1,000 years of time…

Half a day (12 hours) would be 500 years of time
6 hours would be 250 years of time
3 hours would be 125 years of time
1 hour would be 42 years of time
1 minute would be 8 months of time
1 second would be 4 days of time

I don’t know about you, but this gives me a new perspective on my daily to do list in every area of life. If my life is a story, and there is in fact a Storyteller, who is outside of time, perhaps there will be times when a lot, a whole lot, gets done in much less time than I would think. Perhaps there are a lot of things getting done, moving forward, that I don’t even know are happening right now.

So, the next time you have a project due in seven days, what if you thought, “That’s like 7,000 years.” Or, if you only have three hours left to get something done, you say, “I can finish this in less than 125 years.” Life is hard work, and has moments of victory and struggle, but Psalm 90:4 keeps things in perspective for me. How about you?

If you like, you can listen to music from A Thousand Years for reflection.

Bursting with Possibility

September 12, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

I am feeling overwhelmed by having so much more than I can do right now. However, at the same time, life is bursting with possibility. How about you? Are you feeling overwhelmed, and burdened by impossibility? Or, are you feeling overwhelmed, and bursting with possibility? A swim, a phone call to a friend, and a morning snack created an “aha” moment today…

“How can my life story have more plentiful juice with a refreshingly sweet tang?”

Clementine – Bursting with Possibility

This morning I swam 60 laps (about 3/4 mile). I was feeling great, partly I’m sure, from the endorphins produced by the exercise. There was a sense this was so worth while. That the “lost time” of working out would more than make up for itself. The day ahead was filled with possibility.

After the swim, I was prompted to call a friend and connect with his story. He is beginning a new adventure, so I wanted to encourage him. He is a great storyteller and has helped me tell better stories. His heart was so filled with possibility for his future, the stories were just flowing out of him. It was so worthwhile, and I knew the time would be redeemed. He was filling my cup with possibility.

When I got home to start my work day, I was planning a “snack reward” for my swim – a Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar (they were on a really good sale at Walmart). Before I could grab one, my wife said I should have a piece of fruit. I knew she was right. I went for a Clementine, a tiny tangerine that peels really easily and is bursting with juice and flavor (I have to admit, I ate it in one bite). As soon as it burst into juice and flavor in my mouth, I realized even in the midst of an overwhelming to do list, today was bursting with possibility.

Read this definition of a Clementine and relate it to your life story today…Also known as the Algerian tangerine, Clementines are the crown jewel of the Mandarin Citrus Family. Originating in North Africa (now also grown in California and Florida), this is the best loved mandarin orange. A hybrid between an orange and mandarin or tangerine, this variety is seedless, smaller in size, has thinner membranes, and more plentiful juice with a refreshingly sweet tang.

Are you feeling overwhelmed like me? Don’t be burdened by what is “impossible.” Will you join me in remembering that every day is bursting with possibility? How can this help you live a better story?

“…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Podcast #2: Bread of Angels – The Passport

September 7, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

I am excited to share Episode #2 of the Pianist of Peace Podcast. This one is slightly longer than average, so to receive the most benefit, wait until you can take the time to pause and listen without interruption. There are three elements to help you experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

This story, and all the stories within the story, were totally unplanned and unexpected. When all this was happening, I knew I had better start writing it down. It fits perfectly with the song Bread of Angels, which expresses the wonder of provision, and how all things are possible. Bread of Angels is on my newest album A Thousand Years. I hope you enjoy…

[buzzsprout episode=’58647′ player=’true’]

Mocah Cream Cake = Peace and Joy

August 30, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

I was just starting my morning and got a call from my brother. He said, “Happy Birthday!” (it’s my 48th today) and shared he woke up thinking about me. He said it’s interesting how as we get older others mean more and we mean less. He elaborated, “Our younger days are often more self focused and self serving. As we get older, life is more about our relationships with others, and serving others before ourselves.” “Wow,” I said. “That’s today’s blog post.”

Below are some short reflections to help you think about your life story and living it well. But first, I wanted you to see my Mocah Cream Birthday Cake.

My wife has been making this for me since 1990, the year we were married. Today I will cut a big slice of my 23rd Mocha Cream Cake. Peace and Joy! When my brother talked about how our perspective changes through the years, I was stirred to remember what was happening in my life from age 8 to 48.

Age 8. Third grade. Beginning to grow out of stuttering as a child. Still struggling with my R’s and W’s. The word “reward” bugs me to this day. Very shy. A few neighborhood friends. Playing little league baseball and basketball. Third year of piano lessons. Elton John’s song “Rocket Man” was a hit.
Age 18. Graduated high school. Started freshman year at Georgia Tech. Had written 15 songs and had 10th and 12th grade piano recitals. Scored 30 points in a high school basketball game. Very special friends and memories. By faith, had trusted God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus.
Age 28. Second wedding anniversary. Had an MBA. Started my third job. Striving for success by the world’s standards. Wanted to be a real estate investor, entrepreneur. Had not surrendered my life and career fully to God. Started studying the Bible with my wife.
Age 38. Fulfilled and on purpose as a financial planner (after “career surrender” at age 30). About to release my second instrumental piano album. Starting to wonder if music was what I was supposed to do. Living for significance was now more important than success. Longing to hear God’s voice.
Age 48. Precious memories and relationships looking back. Top priority to be a loving and leading husband and dad. Not taking life as seriously as I once did. More tears. More joy. More adventure. More wonder. More uncertainty. Grateful for every day. Living in the present. Excited about the future!

How about you? Does your life story have peace and joy today? Who or what needs your focus to live a great story, to serve others well? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

What Are Your Yellow Ribbons?

August 27, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to win the school spelling bee and make it on the Tonight Show as the U.S. National Spelling Bee Champion. I misspelled the first word. I can still remember my favorite English teacher calling out the word, “execute.” I spelled it e-x-i-c-u-t-e. I was devastated. Later that school year I played Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree on the piano for the 8th grade talent show. This was a good life changing moment. I think you’ve had some of these too. There is something you can do with them to inspire your life today. Let me explain.

Stanton Lanier – 8th Grade Talent Show

It was my mom’s idea. She said I should put yellow ribbons all over me as part of my outfit for the talent show. I was nervous, but I went through with it. Everyone loved it. I won third place, if I remember correctly. But this was a “first place” moment in believing I could accomplish something. The spelling bee experience had shattered my public speaking confidence. My “Yellow Ribbons” helped me realize anything is possible.

Did you have a “Yellow Ribbon” moment while growing up? It may have been a coach or teacher that really believed in you. Someone who told you “You can do it.” I had some who did, and some who didn’t. To inspire your life today, and increase your confidence, recall one of your “Yellow Ribbon” moments. Take yourself back into the scene. Listen for the sounds, smell the air, visualize it. Now mix this with some childlike faith, such as “with God all things are possible,” and apply this to a current project, relationship, or dream you have. Keep a long-term mindset and take things one day at a time. But most of all, keep believing!

I would love to hear about one of your “Yellow Ribbon” moments, or if these thoughts give you inspiration for something you are working on.

Open Spaces

August 22, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

What is your favorite “open space?” Is it the beach or the mountains? Is it an open field or a walk in the woods? “Open space” moments we cherish are often temporary and fleeting. I don’t think it has to be this way. Read on to see what I mean…

I visited Yosemite National Park for the first time this past spring and was blown away. I learned photographer Ansel Adams first visited Yosemite at age nine. He was so taken by it, he returned every year for the rest of his life, and began photographing it from every possible angle and season. His black and white photos of Yosemite are legendary. I shot the image above from the famous tunnel view, where you are first greeted by the valley. Breathtaking.

Maybe the Yosemite vistas had put “open spaces” into my mind, but I was unaware. A few months later, I started composing a melody and was looking at Psalm 119, where The Message says, “Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life…invigorate me on the pilgrim way…And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom…” The music came quickly and became Open Spaces, a new song I hope to release in early 2013.

I don’t think life’s “vista” or “open space” moments have to be short lived. By faith, when God meets me where I am, in spite of my brokenness, fears, and worries, he longs to invigorate me. He wants me to experience striding freely through wide open spaces. Spiritually speaking He offers me the opportunity of daily “open space” moments if I am attuned to the wonder and beauty around me, if I notice the kindness of others toward me, if I seek to love and serve.

So, what is your favorite “open space?” How can the essence of those special “open space” moments ring true in your daily living?

An Evening of Hope

August 20, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

When I wrote my first song at age 14, and composed my first instrumental melody at age 35, I didn’t know what it would mean. In both cases, and every time in between, I was just led to create, to compose. I wasn’t thinking about who would hear it, or what would happen. Creating gives me hope. Are you creating just because something inside or from above is inspiring you? Does this give you hope?

Over the past ten years, people have shared amazing stories from around the world about my music bringing peace, rest, hope, or healing to their life or health circumstances. I have learned I cannot control what will result from my actions. My small part in a much grander story is to be faithful to my calling and purpose. One day, one step at a time.

When Music to Light the World was founded in early 2004, these were a few things I didn’t know…

A co-worker’s daughter would die of leukemia that December
I would write a song for her called “Peace,” which would become a listener favorite around the world (inspired by her life and John 14:27)
Music to Light the World would begin donating CDs to families who had lost a child to cancer in 2005
We would begin calling this program Get Music Give Hope in 2009 (every CD purchase helps one CD be given to a patient or family)
One of the daughter’s nurses from 2004 would become Program Director for Beads of Courage, serving 30,000 children and families facing cancer or severe illnesses in the U.S. and overseas
In 2012 we would have a goal to donate 30,000 CDs, so every one of these families could be offered hope and healing.

On October 11th, Music to Light the World will host our 2nd annual fundraising dinner and concert, called An Evening of Hope 2012. Whether you are near or far from Atlanta, Georgia, I hope this story has inspired you, and you will consider playing a part in this unique event. If you would like to learn more about how you or someone you know can attend or make a tax-deductible donation to this effort, please visit https://www.stantonlanier.com/10-11-12.php

Are you following those nudges to use your creative gifts? Are you finding hope in the process?