How J.S. Bach Inspires Creativity

November 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Hymn to Bach from my 7th album A Thousand Years, featuring timeless classics and hymns. If you enjoy, please consider ordering the CD, MP3 Album, or sheet music from the A Thousand Years store page. You can also download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

How can J.S. Bach’s creativity inspire yours?

Johann Sebastian Bach lived from 1685 to 1750 in Germany. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth. There are over 1,100 known compositions. Somehow his music speaks to the soul, and I believe there is a reason why.

When I was taking twelve years of piano lessons from 1st through 12th grade, I was introduced to Bach’s Invention No. 8 when I was fourteen (also the year I wrote my first song). I knew this piece by memory for the next fifteen years, and would play it often. About ten years ago I came to deeply appreciate one of Bach’s greatest quotes…

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” Bach wrote the initials “S. D. G.” at the end of all his church compositions, and many others. This dedication meant Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone). Bach’s music still lifts the heart and energizes the soul, and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is still one of the most popular and well known wedding songs around the world today.

In tribute to Bach, I arranged Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring into my style blended with original composing. This solo piano piece opens my album December Peace (2009 Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). Listen to Jesu here. For the album A Thousand Years I arranged another famous Bach melody, Air on the G String, and combined this with the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy to honor Bach’s dedication Soli Deo Gloria. Listen to Hymn to Bach here.

I believe we all have one or two God-given gifts, passions and talents. Any number of skills and interests can be developed to become strengths, but when hard work and practice are put into something we love and are passionate about — and then we do this to the glory of God — the potential blessings are timeless and without limit.

What is your creative gift you are most passionate about?

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:3

How Does Autumn Refresh My Soul?

November 17, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to World of Wonders from the album A Thousand Years as you read, featuring Amazing Grace. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is you favorite season and how does it refresh your soul?

Mine is the fall, followed by spring, summer, and winter. Join me for a moment as I associate words with memories and ways “autumn splendor” refreshes my soul. I hope this triggers some special memories for you of your favorite season.

Invigorating: Feeling cool air and wind on my face
Adventuring: Building boyhood forts out of sticks and leaves in North Carolina
Captivating: Seeing the wide variety of trees and colors
Nurturing: Raking pine straw and blowing leaves
Cherishing: An early October wedding and Vermont honeymoon
Listening: Quiet walks in the woods help me hear God’s gentle whisper
Exploring: Driving in the mountains searching for beauty
Celebrating: Giving thanks for family gatherings and Thanksgiving traditions
Capturing: Photographing radiant leaves (like the one above I took this week)

The piano melody in World of Wonders is “singing” about breathtaking moments of beauty we can notice in nature, whether winter, spring, summer or fall. The emergence of Amazing Grace inside this composition is a symbol of God’s common grace in the seasons, how he cares for creation and for us. This great hymn also embodies the gift of His saving grace and forgiveness.

What comes to mind with the words “world of wonders” and “amazing grace?”

“Sing to God a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders!” — Psalm 98:1 (The Message)

“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” — Amazing Grace first verse; hymn written by John Newton in 1779, and joined to a traditional song named New Britain in 1835 which became its famous melody.

Have You Seen A Glimpse of Heaven?

November 7, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 1 Comment

Click above to listen to Eternity from my fourth album The Voice. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Have you seen a glimpse of heaven?

For me, these glimpses happen when I experience life’s greatest moments of beauty, adventure and intimacy (a concept inspired by C.S. Lewis and Ken Boa). This past summer my son and I stayed up past midnight and photographed a thunderstorm several miles out over the ocean. The lens would stay open for twenty seconds or so, and a few times we captured some amazing lightning flashes like the one below (notice the stars in the upper right from long exposure).

This image reminds me of a precious moment that combined all three experiences: the beauty of distant thunder and lightning, the adventure of staying up past midnight, and the intimacy of an unforgettable photo shoot with my son.

What is one of your life experiences similar to this?

As you are listening to the Eternity music stream, recall one of these moments and cherish it. Reflect on Ecclesiastes 3:11 that inspired me to compose Eternity. For me, the cello and piano represent heaven and earth, respectively, and a conversation between the two, where a welcoming grace meets a longing for hope. Below are some other quotes around this theme. I pray you see a glimpse of heaven in something or someone today. I would love to hear your comments.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. — Ecclesiastes 3:11

The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing to find the place where all the beauty came from. — C.S. Lewis

I believe in the immortality of the soul because I have within me immortal longings. — Helen Keller

We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come. — A.W. Tozer

People without a relationship with their personal Creator are hungering for love, happiness, meaning, and fulfillment, but nothing that this planet offers can fully satisfy these longings. — Ken Boa

If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world. — C.S. Lewis

How Beautiful – The Weather Channel Surprise

November 5, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 1 Comment

Click above to listen to How Beautiful from my second album Still Waters as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

When was a time something you love was part of a great surprise?

Sometimes these events happen in bunches, and sometimes there may only be a few per year. This story happened Saturday, February 1, 2003. I was still a full-time financial planner and had released my second album Still Waters before Christmas 2012. In the midst of Saturday chores and projects around the house, there was a voice mail left on my phone.

It was a friend from Arkansas, and the message said, “I think I just heard your music on The Weather Channel. How is that possible!?” With technology at the time, it took a few days to figure out. A Still Waters CD had made it from a person at work to a person at The Weather Channel to the person in charge of music for the Local on the 8s. The song How Beautiful had been selected for the music rotation, and was playing in the background about once every two hours across the U.S. This only lasted for two minutes during the local forecast.

To my surprise, this led to CD orders from thirty states. There were amazing stories from people who emailed to share they could sense God’s peace and hope in the instrumental music. One was from a lady in Michigan who was folding her laundry. Another was from a young man in a Connecticut hospital. All of this caused tears of joy and a growing sense that something bigger was happening. Was God calling me toward doing music full-time?

The other big surprise was the inspirational verses behind How Beautiful. This was and still is one of my favorite melodies on this album. The piano notes are singing the scriptures almost word for word, which speak of the beauty of serving others in love, and the wonder and mystery of God’s grace and forgiveness.

How beautiful can your life be today in sharing some good news with someone?

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” — Romans 10:15

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Do the Skies Speak to You?

November 3, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Across the Skies from the album A Thousand Years as you read, featuring Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available). Do the skies speak to you? I can remember it like it was yesterday. I loved climbing to the top of the tall sweet gum tree across the street from my childhood home in North Carolina. I call it the “100-foot tall sweet gum tree,” as seen through the eyes of a nine-year old boy. When I sat on a strong branch near the top, holding on to the tree trunk, my perspective shifted. I could look out over the neighborhood. I could see the birds flying high. I could sense there was something much bigger than me. I didn’t know it then, but there is scripture that speaks to what I believe I was sensing…

“God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.” (Psalm 19:1-6, The Message) This is how the melody Across the Skies was birthed for the album A Thousand Years, which interweaves original composing with timeless hymns and classics. Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D became the canvas for painting an original melody inspired by the first half of Psalm 19. As you listen, think about some of your favorite “sky moments.” What vistas did you treasure as a child? Where do you like to go today to see the sky? As you take in the scene, can you hear God’s gentle whisper speaking softly to the depths of your soul? Let your heart be warmed to faith as God reveals Himself to you, as the Great Storyteller writes a page in your story today (the image above happened as my flight was landing on a recent Ohio concert trip). “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-6, NIV)

Higher – Why is this Happening to Me?

August 29, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Higher from my third album Draw Near as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Higher was inspired by Isaiah 55:8-9 — “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

What has happened recently that made you wonder why?

Are you feeling defeated right now? Discouraged? Something got you down? Bear with me through this story that happened two summers ago. I hope you are nudged closer to overcoming whatever is deflating you. “It” doesn’t have to win…

It was a Friday morning off to a great start. I was up early, had some quiet time, and was ready for a good day. After breakfast my wife said, “You could go ahead and fix the faucet this morning, before it gets hot.” I knew she was right. One of our outdoor faucets had a small leak, dripping about one gallon per day. I adjusted my plans, set my mind to checking this off my list, and thought, “replacing a washer shouldn’t take too long, but even if it does, I will still maintain a positive attitude.”

“Let’s get this done and finish a new blog post this morning too,” I thought. I borrowed some special tools from two neighbors and set to work. First, I turned off the water line to the house. Then, I removed the faucet. I quickly realized that none of the washers in the assortment package would fit. I was frustrated, but kept a good attitude. It meant a return trip to Home Depot. Maybe it would be easier to just get a new faucet. There wasn’t one. Our faucet was too old. My good attitude turned to groaning.

This led me to a plumbing supply store where there wasn’t a new faucet, but I was given a new washer at no charge. I smiled as I walked back to the car with this unexpected gift. But back home the washer seemed a little too thick. The faucet would not re-attach no matter how hard I pushed and turned. I began to talk to it, telling it who was boss. I went back to the plumbing supply store to get a different washer, and discovered they close from 11am to 12pm every day(!). My groaning turned to frustration! “Why is this happening!” I cried in my head. “This is such a waste of time!” I was feeling hopeless and defeated.

I went back to Home Depot to find the correct washer. It only came in packs of ten. I came home, put one in place, and the faucet still would not re-attach. I stared at it, pushed it, hit it with a hammer, put my foot on it, anything I could think of to make it screw back on. My frustration had turned to anger! I knew there had to be a way. I tried loosening another nut closer to the top. If this was the solution, it would create enough clearance to re-attach the back of the faucet, then I would have to re-tighten the smaller bolt to have everything good as new. It worked! Amazing! It was something simple, but had taken an hour to discover. Then, the final step. I turned the water line back on, and . . . no more leak! It was over! I had defeated the faucet, and my positive attitude reappeared out of hiding.

I would much rather be creating, practicing or sharing my music, but living in the present meant to fix this problem first (just so you know, sometimes I do call a plumber). Life’s interruptions somehow can be good for the soul, and can make room for greater things to happen. There is an ebb and flow, a pacing to each day. When I feel like time is being wasted, in fact good things can be happening. I just may not know what they are. It keeps things in perspective when every day doesn’t go my way. Perhaps tomorrow more will happen than seems humanly possible.

Life can get me down. I can be anxious about the future. Can you relate? Are you feeling defeated or discouraged by something big or small? Live in the present. Take one step at a time. Know the grace of a new day is coming with tomorrow morning’s sunrise. Remember God’s ways are higher than our ways.

How can Isaiah 55:8-9 speak into your life today?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8-9

Radiant – One Big Idea to Let Your Light Shine

August 28, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Radiant from my first album Walk in the Light. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is one of your favorite ways to let your light shine?

If you’re like me, you replay your life like a movie from childhood until now and think about:

What – What gifts and talents do I have that have been a blessing to others?
When – When did I use these to make the most positive difference?
Where – Where was I at the majority of the time?
Why – Why did I let my light shine in these moments?

I love remembering and meeting people whose eyes sparkle with life and extra brilliance. When I notice this in young children I am inspired to nurture my child-like faith, believing anything is possible. When I see this in the elderly, their radiant eyes motivate me with their silent answer, “Yes, seek to live a purposeful, fruitful life, and long to finish well.” Then there are those with dazzling eyes who are any age in between. For me, their shining symbolizes energy and focus on making a positive difference.

Here is the one big idea…

Instead of playing your life movie and filling your thoughts with what, when, where and why, try going all the way down to your heart and soul level. Read and meditate on the ancient Scriptures below about “radiance” and “letting your light shine” and see what this brings up to the top of your thoughts, desires, and dreams.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins. May they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
— Psalm 19:7-14 (verse 8 in bold is the inspiration behind the Radiant piano melody)

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

How did this combination of music and words inspire you to let your light shine?

How I Composed My First Instrumental Song

August 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to my first instrumental composition Grace and Truth from my first album Walk in the Light (2001). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Does your view of others lean a little more toward grace or truth?

I began twelve years of piano lessons at age six in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and wrote my first song at age fourteen in Milton, Florida (after wanting to quit piano lessons at age twelve because of basketball). The photo below is from the eighth grade talent show, when I played Tony Orlando and Dawn’s “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (and went along with my mom’s idea to tape yellow ribbons all over my navy shirt and blue jeans!).

With musical influences ranging from Bach to Windham Hill, Beethoven to Billy Joel, and Charles Wesley to U2, God planted a new idea in my mind — use Bible verses He had spoken into my life to inspire instrumental melodies. I called this “Scripture inspired piano” and my heart was to bring peace to the soul and listen for God’s voice. After about twenty years of song writing (piano and lyrics) I composed my first instrumental melody called “Grace and Truth” in May 2000. Here is how it happened…

Grace and Truth is inspired by John 1:14 which says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This is a great mystery, how Jesus was filled with grace and truth. For me, this is 100% times two = 200%, which is not humanly possible. But this is the wonder of the Gospel, the gift of forgiving grace combined with God’s truth and wisdom.

I started in the key of C (all white keys) and played a simple left hand chord pattern. Then I added a delicate right hand melody to represent grace. The “grace” melody is then answered by a chorus of “truth” represented with bigger chords in both hands. It was fun creating a musical blend of grace-forgiveness with truth-strength, and to discover I could compose instrumentals. I hope you enjoy listening and reflecting on this verse and idea.

Where can you start simple (like the key of C), and seek to apply a little more grace or truth in life?

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

Are You Striving or Abiding?

August 19, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 3 Comments

Click above to listen to Abiding from my first album Walk in the Light (2001). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Does your life feel more like you are striving or abiding?

I have a great friend who asked me years ago, “If you could only choose one word to describe living by faith, what would it be? I thought for a minute and said, “Obey.” He responded, “Abide.” Another great answer may come to mind for you. He and I still discuss all the life areas where we are striving and wanting to succeed – spiritual, family, work, relationships, health, etc.

There is that word — striving. It can be a good thing to strive. So how did a mental shift influence my story when I realized if striving is a viewpoint, then abiding is like a vista?

Striving involves hard work and faith. Resting involves hard work and faith too. When I shifted my focus from “Striving to Achieve” to “Abiding to Receive” my efforts and results took on a richer meaning. This is a delicate balance, but it helps me remember that God’s definition of success is different than mine, other people’s, and the world’s. Instead of striving in my own strength, by abiding in God’s strength my perspective shifts from depending on myself to depending on Him.

The results of hard work can be the same whether I “strive” or “abide,” but there is a healthy dynamic when I am grateful for receiving results versus celebrating achieving results. Striving is a great word and attribute, so if you still like this word, maybe you can add “striving to abide” to your mindset. I have found if striving is an attitude, then abiding takes life to a new altitude.

Where are you abiding instead of striving? What are you receiving instead of achieving?

The song Abiding was born out of John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” The opening melody symbolizes walking through life with a desire to abide in Christ. The chorus melody represents the good fruit, much fruit, that follows, which only He can produce in and through us.

Wildflowers – 7 Reasons to Press the Pause Button

August 6, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Wildflowers from Unveiled with piano, vocals and guitar. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is your response to the phrase “do not be anxious about your life?”

I composed Wildflowers because It is easy to become preoccupied with worrying about all kinds of things. Slowing down and pausing to look at wildflowers in bloom can put things in perspective. The guitar and vocals join in to remind me I am not alone.

Last week I invested time with my family on vacation, and took a ten day rest from social media, blogging, etc. Below are 7 reasons I found it very beneficial to press the “pause” button…

1. Resting. Rest is vital for refreshment and productivity (for more on this, see my post Rest – Are You Receiving It?

2. Quality Time with Loved Ones. A walk on the beach with my wife, a bicycle ride with my daughter, a midnight photo shoot of lightning with my son. Priceless.

3. Being Instead of Doing. It is reviving to marvel at the wonder of creation — ocean waves, thunderstorms, warming sun, treasuring moments instead of checking off to do lists. I also have written a blog post about this: This Very Moment – Being vs Doing

4. Slowing the Pace. We are overloaded with information and activity from all directions. Periodically we need to slow life’s pace to renew our focus for running life’s race.

5. Enjoying a Hobby. I enjoy cooking and photography, so grilling a few dinners and taking lots of pictures were both therapeutic for my soul. I captured the wildflowers above off the southwest Florida coast.

6. Watching Sunsets. I love sunrises and sunsets. I have never regretted taking the time to watch. Either one is a symbol of grace, hope and faith that God is in control. When is the last time you took time to really take in a sunrise or a sunset?

7. Reducing Worry and Anxious Thoughts. Matthew 6:25 (ESV) says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Pressing the “pause” button helps me keep things in perspective, to trust God for provision, and to count life’s blessings.

What is your #1 reason to press the pause button right now?

MATTHEW 6:25-34 (The Message)
25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.