December 20th ~ The Inspiration for Peace

December 20, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Peace as you read. This piano-angelic vocals duet is from 2009 Best Holiday Album December Peace (ZMR Awards, winning over Enya and Yo-Yo Ma). If you enjoy, please consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen and download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or eBook). Also available from Amazon Kindle, iTunes, and other e-Readers.

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

Since Peace is one of my top songs on iTunes and a listener favorite around the world, I wanted to share some of the story behind this melody, originally inspired and composed for my fourth album, The Voice (in 2009 it was remastered and is featured as the closing track on December Peace). I started composing Peace in December 2004, and unlike most of my songs, it took another six months to reach its final form. It was recorded in August 2005 at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studios in California, with Grammy winning producer Will Ackerman. The angelic vocals of Noah Wilding were added a few weeks later at his Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont.

This composition was inspired by a little girl named Hayley, who died of leukemia at 22 months old, and whose life will always remind me to treasure every moment with childlike faith. When I received the phone call December 19, 2004 with news of her passing, I couldn’t sleep. I found refuge at my basement keyboard into the night. With headphones on, and everyone else in the house asleep, I started writing a song to remember and honor Hayley’s life.

The first version of Peace was like a music box lullaby. As the months went by before recording The Voice, the music evolved to a deeper place that attempts to share a peace that transcends circumstances, a peace that passes all understanding…a peace that Hayley knows and would want us to know. The delicate vocals are like those of an angel watching over Hayley, and each of us. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Hayley’s life was an inspiration to thousands of people who followed her story and prayed for her. I played Peace at her funeral, then her story led to Peace and other melodies being played at services of remembrance for families who had lost a child to cancer. Music to Light the World began donating CDs to offer hope and healing. Today this program is called Get Music Give Hope, and every year at least one CD is donated (sometimes several) for every CD sold. Thanks to generous customers and donors, 60,000 donated CDs have touched 600,000 lives (updated for 2014) as patients, family members, friends and caregivers have listened to the music in cancer centers and hospitals around the world. Thank you God for Hayley.

Pausing to Breathe

October 13, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 28 Comments

Click above to listen to the brand new song Breathe as you read (releasing 10/27/15 on iTunes worldwide, and all other download and streaming services).

How can pausing to “breathe” help you go from better to best?

Last week I put aside my “to do” list to film a new music video in the mountains of western North Carolina. My original idea was to go deep into an old forest with huge trees, since trees help us breathe by producing oxygen. After some hiking and scouting, the plan shifted. It was a little unsettling at first, but taking time to pause, to breathe in this moment, led to an amazing discovery…

Back at the entrance to the historic forest, there were two signs. The first indicated the mileage to a lookout point. The second said “No Outlet.” My friend (and camera man) agreed we should go exploring, to see if we might discover an even better (perhaps even the best) music video location. We were blown away, and couldn’t wait to start filming at sunrise the next morning.

The image above is just a glimpse of the beauty and wonder we experienced, and I cannot wait to share the new Breathe music video with you soon. Here are a few points of reflection from this story, which may be helpful with your creativity today:

Having a creative vision and dream to make a positive difference in people’s lives is a great first step.
Pausing to breathe (being flexible, waiting to see what is revealed) can take you from good, to better, to best.
Taking calculated risks (seeing what is down a “no outlet” road) is part of experiencing awe and wonder.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
“I bless God every chance I get…I live and breathe God…” Psalm 34:1-2 (MSG)

What are you working on that could move from better to best by pausing to “breathe” in a new creative direction?

Breathe – A New Song

September 24, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 42 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Breathe-Single.mp3 
Click above to listen to my new song Breathe as you read and reflect on these words (this new single released 10/27/15 on iTunes and all other outlets). Also, you can enjoy and watch the Breathe Music Video.
The piano notes, and the space between the notes, were inspired as I meditated on Scripture being God-breathed, my longing to live and breathe God, my need for time to “breathe” in the midst of a busy and noisy world, and for breathing room (margin) in my life and and the life of my family. Think on the verses below, and take some time to breathe today…
“…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” – Genesis 2:7 (English Standard Version)
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” – Job 33:4 (English Standard Version)
“I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God…” – Psalm 34:1-2 (The Message)

“You’ve always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, A lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You’ve always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.” – Psalm 61:3-5 (The Message)

“God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.” – Psalm 62:1-2 (The Message)

“With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. – Psalm 119:73 (The Message)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 (English Standard Version)

By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. – Psalm 119:105 (The Message)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New International Version)

What is one of your favorite life experiences where you had room to breathe in the moment?

Two Levels for a Dynamic Life

September 17, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

How healthy are your “two levels” in living a dynamic life?

It is amazing how music and life are so deeply related. An idea came to me, and I encourage you to join me in this experiment. Earlier this year I filmed some short videos with helpful composing tips, as part of building toward a new Master Class video course. The first 2:45 of the video below are about the importance of dynamics (louds and softs) in piano performance and composing. The experiment is for you to watch the video, and to think on the “dynamics” of your life in the following ways:

How healthy is my “soft level” to empower dynamic living (i.e. solitude, silence, quiet time, prayer life, etc.)?
How healthy is my “loud level” to enrich dynamic living (i.e. relationships, interaction with people, reaching out, etc.)?
What am I practicing in my private life that will make my public life more dynamic – spirited, energetic, passionate, magnetic?
Have you ever thought of your life as a movie script? Like you are living out a “master class” to make a difference in the world?

Now, watch the video, listening to importance of dynamics in the song Awaken the Dawn. Write down your thoughts on the above as you take in the video. Look for the parallels between music and life. Notice the similarity between music dynamics and living a dynamic life. After the video, identify one or two action steps to help you make progress in dynamic living.

What “dynamic life” level needs your focus right now – the “soft” or the “loud?”

Here is the short description from when I created the video. Think of “life” instead of “piano” when you read the text…

I use Awaken the Dawn to demonstrate how dynamics help elevate emotion in the listener. Using different levels of soft, medium and loud expression in our playing helps melodies “speak” to the heart. Be flexible, experiment, and have fun with your creativity!

If by chance you would like to browse Piano Books and PDF Sheet Music click here. For Master Class details click here.

Lessons from a Modern Day Scribe

May 28, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to Desire from my third album Draw Near as you read. If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more).

Have you ever thought of yourself as a scribe?

Of course, there is much depth, skill, history and training to the ancient art of scribing. I know very little, but recently had the privilege of being introduced to Paul Antonio, who is a modern day scribe in London, England. During a live presentation he taught the Q Boston audience how scribing involves pausing, stillness, deep breathing, as well as the beauty of this ancient (and modern) art form.

Then he offered a challenge…invest the time to write out one chapter of the Bible by hand, and see what happens. He said this would require a place of silence and no distractions, and to invite God and the Holy Spirit into the process. A friend and I decided to go for it and share our experience with each other. Here is my description to him of what happened for me this morning…

Dear Bill,

Ever since we committed to scribe a chapter of the Bible by May 31st, God has brought this to mind. Well, this morning, I paused, took some deep breaths along the way, and wrote out 1 John 5 (included above next to photo of Paul Antonio).

It probably took about one hour, and I was inviting the Holy Spirit into the process, not sure what would happen, but anticipating something special. I was two-thirds of the way through and there was peace, joy and inspiration as I wrote. However, I had not had any breakthrough, or a strong sense of anything extra. Then when I got to verses 14 and 15, my heart was pierced, and tears began to flow…

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

Writing these two verses out brought a flood of prayer memories and requests, when our children were in the womb, how God has shaped and is shaping His purposes for them now at ages eighteen and fourteen, my bride of almost twenty-five years, relationships, eleven years of Music to Light the World, etc., etc. I put the pen down and began praying for many people and things according to his will, holding onto the promise in these verses.

A few lessons I learned from this experience are 1) slow down and be still, 2) pause and breathe deep, 3) remember God’s plans and purposes in my story, 4) writing out Scripture can lead to a powerful encounter with Him.

Would you join me in some scribing and let me know what happens for you?

The song Desire was perfect for today’s post because it was inspired by the verses below, which combine beautifully with those found in 1 John 5:14-15.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 40:8 “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

The Powerful Message Inside “Number My Days”

May 26, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to Number My Days from my first album Walk in the Light as you read. If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more).

What does the phrase “number my days” bring to mind?

For me, this question brings a flood of thoughts and memories. I wrote this piece of music almost fifteen years ago. It was the summer of 2000. I had been married almost ten years. Our son was three years old. We were expecting our second child in November (our daughter).

This year will be our 25th wedding anniversary. Our son just graduated from high school, and our daughter just finished eighth grade. This fall we will have a college freshman and a high school freshman. Where did the days go?

There is a powerful message inside this song Number My Days…

The music has two main sections. The opening and primary theme expresses joy and hope, living in the moment, making the most of our days, having child-like faith. The answering theme is slower, more reflective, symbolizing the much needed pause to take all of life in, to recalibrate, to nourish our souls.

The message inside this song comes from Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NIV). Said another way, “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (MSG).

All of these inspirations were on my mind with a toddler and baby on the way in the summer of 2000. All of them are still in my thoughts today in 2015, yet they are maturing. They are richer. They beckon me toward hope in knowing God more deeply, in being more grateful for His grace, in being a better husband, a better father, a better friend. Yes, there is a powerful message inside Number My Days.

Which of the above themes is most relevant for you right now?

My Secrets to Contentment

May 21, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Contentment from the album The Voice. If you enjoy, you can order the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music directly or visit iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, and more.

What is your secret to being content?

Do you feel like you are in a fog when it comes to being content? It doesn’t take much for me to drift into being discontent with my circumstances or to worry about the future, even though I know there is so much to be thankful for. I have to be intentional to nurture remembrance and gratitude.

When I was composing and recording Contentment my heart’s desire was to slow down my mind from thinking anxious thoughts, and to focus on the things in life that are pure and lovely: “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Below are my “secrets” to moving from discontentment toward contentment…

FROM TO

Think about what you don’t have                 Give thanks for what you do have
Dwell on goals you have not achieved         Take one positive step toward progress
Worry about outcomes you can’t control    Surrender outcomes and serve others well
Be upset by what hasn’t gone your way      Remember when things turned out okay
Let fear and uncertainty cause inertia         Let faith and adventure move you forward
Compare where you have less                     Count your priceless blessings

How can you move toward contentment today?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” — 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” — Philippians 4:11

3 Ways to Find Hope in Sunrises

May 19, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Awaken the Dawn from my fifth album Unveiled as you read (also on December Peace and Treasures of Peace). If you enjoy, consider ordering a CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora and more).

What does a sunrise symbolize for you?

This week is “graduation week” for our family, with our son finishing 12th grade and daughter finishing 8th grade. This fall my wife and I will be in new territory with a college freshman and high school freshman. We will also celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. My desire is to find hope looking forward and looking back as 2015 unfolds.

Yet, with so many special memories from the past, and such great anticipation for the future, I can have trouble living in the moment. I catch myself thinking about tomorrow or the next day, or even something on my schedule for later today. My sense of hope can become misguided or even get lost in the busyness. How about you?

Ever since I composed Awaken the Dawn from Psalm 108:1-2 (also see Psalm 57:7-8), sunrises have been a richer symbol of hope for me. Somehow this music embraces a human longing we all share each and every day — a desire for hope in the midst of life’s circumstances.

For me, trying to fulfill this longing for hope with my own strength, my own plans, or my own common sense, always falls short. Below are three ways to connect hope with each day’s sunrise. As you read them, see which one speaks most to your heart right now, and try to practice it.

1. REST. We are in a place of rest when watching a sunrise, or rising from sleep to the sunrise and a new day. Resting moves us toward hope.

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” — Psalm 62:5

2. WAIT. We have to wait for the sun to rise. This is true whether we woke up early to get in position, to get the camera ready to capture a sunrise, or we have been resting through the night, waiting for the new day. Waiting moves us toward hope.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14

“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

3. SURRENDER. We cannot control the sunrise. We cannot control our life circumstances. We can try to make wise decisions and then take action, but ultimately a posture of surrender is needed. Surrender moves us toward hope.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.” — Psalm 32:8-10

Which will you use to connect hope with tomorrow’s sunrise?

The inspirational verses behind Awaken the Dawn…

“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” — Psalm 108:1-2

“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul!Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” — Psalm 57:7-8

A 4-minute Tool to Refresh Your Spirit

May 14, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to This Very Moment from the album Open Spaces as you read. If you enjoy, take time to watch the music video down below too, and consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (also available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora).

Does your spirit need refreshing?

If your answer is “yes,” I can relate. When I first began writing piano instrumentals, the creative process was (and still is) therapy for my soul. The music was refreshing my spirit without me describing it this way. Over time it began to touch other lives in a similar way.

About one year ago I was prompted to search “Scripture inspired piano” on Google. To my surprise, I learned that my music and Music to Light the World held the #1 position, with several other links also on the first page of Google. This is what I had been calling my piano compositions from the first melody in May 2000.

This revelation inspired me to create the new tag line “Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit” to support Music to Light the World’s vision and mission. To learn more, click here. If you have been blessed, I invite you to join our 2015 Vision as well.

Even though this is the heart behind all ninety-nine tracks I have recorded so far, This Very Moment is one of the best choices as a 4-minute tool to refresh your spirit. Whether listening to the track or watching the sunrise music video filmed beside a pond with birds singing, I hope you are refreshed, and would love to hear from you.

If your spirit was refreshed, how would you describe your experience?

This Very Moment was inspired by the idea of cherishing life’s moments, and this verse from John 5:24 — “The Son gives life . . . Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real and lasting life.

5 Ways to Blossom this Spring

March 26, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Always in Blossom from the album A Thousand Years as you read. If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album, or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, and more).

How do you plan to blossom this spring?

With trees, shrubs, and flowers budding, the wondrous colors of spring will be revealed soon. This is my second favorite season after autumn. You will see this in my April and May posts.

Always in Blossom was inspired by Psalm 1, which contains a few ways our lives can “blossom” more fully — making a positive difference in the world and the lives of others. I added a few inspiring thoughts of my own which align with this theme to come up with what I am calling 5 Ways to Blossom this Spring…

1. Eyes up, knees down, hands open. Gaze upward to heaven, kneel in prayer asking God to bear fruit through your life, have a posture of “open hands” to receive His guidance and blessings.
2. Experiment with random acts of kindness toward family, friends, those you serve, those who serve you, and even strangers. See what happens when you love others with grace.
3. Take good things into your heart, because out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Speak encouraging, life-giving words to others.
4. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). If this is hard, ask God to help you delight in Him and His Word. Meditate on Scripture. Use biblegateway.com to search verses, words and topics of interest.
5. Allow the beauty of creation to set your thoughts and praise on our Creator. This is what Saint Francis of Assisi did in 1225 A.D. when he penned words inspired by Psalm 148. These became the great hymn All Creatures of Our God and King (which inspired my song — and blog post about — Alleluias Dancing).

Which one is your favorite to live a more radiant life this spring?

Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. — Psalm 1:2-3 (MSG)

Whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers. — Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. — Luke 6:45 (NIV)

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