Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Solo Piano Refuge

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Solo Piano Refuge is my first new song release of 2023. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read why and how I composed it. Grace and peace to you… 

 

When I wanted to quit lessons in the 7th grade, I didn’t realize the piano was becoming a refuge in my life. My dream at the time was to be a professional basketball player, and I thought I needed to focus on sports instead of taking music lessons. My parents convinced me to continue piano until the end of the school year, then we would decide over the summer. By the time 8th grade began I had discovered the piano held a special place in my heart and life. At that time I used the word “retreat” to describe the enjoyment of playing, but the word “refuge” is a better term. Refuge also means fortress, haven, hiding place, protection, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, and stronghold. The piano has been all these things and more, since composing my first song at age fourteen, completing twelve years of lessons, and, after many years of growing in surrender, God calling me to found Music to Light the World and become a full-time pianist and composer in 2004.

It’s hard to believe I have been “touching the keys” for over fifty years now. Solo Piano Refuge is rooted in deep places from my life, faith, and music journey. The long, rich chords are symbols of God’s ever presence, His calm strength, and Him being my Refuge, the ultimate Refuge. The delicate melodies in between are gentle expressions of my trusting Him, my dancing with Him, and my knowing His peace, hope, and beauty in my life. There are phrases of piano notes singing “The Lord is my refuge, my refuge, my refuge” many times throughout the piece. I hope this song will help you still your heart and mind, and that it refreshes you as you lean into God being your refuge as well. Please see the five Psalms below which speak to this, and join me in reading them as prayers back to God. I have edited the wording to make them personal and intimate with Him…

Psalm 46:1  >  God, you are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 34:8  >  Lord, I taste and see that You are good. I am blessed as one who takes refuge in You.

Psalm 5:11  >  Father, I am glad because I take refuge in You. I sing joy forever. You spread your protection over me. I love Your name and I rejoice in You!

Psalm 73:28  >  Father, it is so good to be near to You. You, my sovereign Lord, are my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds. 

Psalm 59:16  >  I will sing of Your strength, and I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress, my refuge at all times.

How does Solo Piano Refuge sing to your heart today?

My Spirit Refreshed

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Today is release day for the new song My Spirit Refreshed, now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or you can click below to listen as you read the inspirational notes underneath.

 
This musical idea began with Proverbs 11:25 which has been special to me for many years. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” I was also thinking of Johann Sebastian Bach’s famous quote, “The aim and final end of all music should be unto the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” As this verse and quote took root in my heart over the years, I began to encourage people in conversation. If we all seek to glorify God and refresh the souls of others in our life and work, then our light will shine more brightly in the world as we are a blessing to people.
 
For me refreshment includes experiencing peace, rest, hope, beauty, joy, and more as I have time alone or time with others. This can be in day to day life or when I am being intentional to unplug and relax in a beautiful setting, perhaps beside the ocean shore or in the mountains. I am sure you have some favorite places in the world to help you refresh. I love this Scripture passage and Bach quote because, in addition to seeking our own refreshment, the words encourage us to be refreshed by refreshing others.
 
Initially I envisioned some rhythm in the music to give it an upbeat feel and express the joy of being refreshed. However, as I searched for the right instruments and emotion, the piece began to take shape as a gentle dance on the piano, accompanied by soft strings and French horn. The meter begins in 4/4 time, then becomes 3/4 time, which is the same as a traditional waltz. The dance continues with 6/8 time, a third time signature which elevates the emotion as we listen. Even though the tempo is slow to medium throughout, it feels like it changes slightly for each time signature, even though the beats per minute are staying very nearly consistent. This musical approach became a new lens for viewing my own refreshment, as well as being refreshed by refreshing others. There is depth and richness in these experiences, with layers of beauty and meaning for ourselves and the lives we touch. The composing was exciting as I began to see how the time signatures could represent life’s gentle rhythms instead of using percussion instruments in the piece.
 
I pray the music and these thoughts are refreshing to you, and that your life and work continue to multiply refreshment in the lives of people you serve regularly, people you encounter periodically, and even people you may see only once in a lifetime.
 
How does My Spirit Refreshed speak into your story?
 
Proverbs 11:25 from a few Bible versions…
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (NIV)
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (ESV)
“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (MSG)
“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.” (NET)

Seeing Everything Beautiful

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The new track Seeing Everything Beautiful just released this week. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or click below for some moments of peace, hope, and beauty. You can also read the song story as you listen…

 
This is my first song to feature a new, state-of-the-art guitar software sample, capturing a world class player and connecting their skill and technique with my fingers on the keyboard. Gentle piano chords in the background keep the rhythm, and soothing orchestral horns and strings provide harmonies underneath.
 
My inspiration began with a different idea for a theme and title, but nothing magical happened for a couple of days. In searching and investigating some other familiar Bible verses, the Scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:11 caught my eye and heart which says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” This verse inspired the song Eternity back in 2005, on my 4th album The Voice. However, this time the “everything beautiful” stood out for me. I have to be intentional to slow down, pause, and take notice of the beauty around me each day, or else I will miss it. 
 
The emotion in this music expresses God’s beauty over our life, our relationships, our circumstances, life’s ups and downs, and many other aspects of life where beauty is there for us to receive if we see it. There is some mystery, wonder, and poetry to the idea we can see God’s beauty in everything, and over everything, if we look more closely. I hope Seeing Everything Beautiful washes over you and brings you a sense of knowing God sees you, loves you, and knows you and your every need in this very moment.
 
How does Seeing Everything Beautiful speak into your story right now?
 
“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, NIV)
 

Prayers for a Lifetime

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Today – July 20, 2022 – is release day for Prayers for a Lifetime. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music services, or by clicking below. As you listen, scroll down to read some of the story behind this song…

 

“Life is short. God is big.” This phrase comes to mind every time I think of Bible verses speaking about how short our time is on earth. For example, Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” and Ephesians 5:16 “…making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” For me these are reminders that heaven is our true home, and we are just passing through. Prayers for a Lifetime comes from deep places in my heart and soul. I have experienced great loss and great blessings. I have had times of victory and times of struggle. Life has brought moments of sanctuary which are like a cool, refreshing waterfall, and moments of desert which are like a parched land causing me to ask, “Where are you God? Why is this happening?” 

Some of the piano notes in the chorus are “singing” the words “a prayer to the God of my life” from Psalm 42:8. This song takes a long look back on life, from God conceiving me in my mother’s womb and knowing everything about me before I was born, even the numbers of the hairs on my head (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 12:7), to a lifetime of memories from childhood until today. By God’s grace and faithfulness, I can look back and look ahead, knowing He is with me in good times and bad. “But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.”

As I composed the music I reflected not only on prayers for my lifetime, but prayers for other lifetimes — my wife, children, family, relatives, and friends, and prayers for every person around the world who hears my music, and hears this new song. May we all grow in pursuing our heavenly Father, surrendering to Him, longing to hear and obey His voice, and experiencing His grace and goodness in our lives. Thank you Jesus for being the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and for the gift of eternal life with you forever (John 3:16), far beyond my short lifetime on earth.

Thank you for listening to and reading about Prayers for Lifetime. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

Here are three version of Psalm 42:8…
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. (NIV)
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (ESV)
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. (NLT)
 

Come and Talk with Me

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Today – May 24, 2022 – is release day for Come and Talk with Me. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music services, or by clicking below. As you listen, scroll down to read the inspiration behind this song…

 

Don’t we all have a friend or family member who we want to talk with, or who we want to come and talk with us? The title of this piece speaks to this universal human desire, for another person to “come and talk with me.” Yet the context of these words from Psalm 27:8 is an invitation from God, asking us to come and talk with Him. In Psalm 27:8 the psalmist writes, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.'” (NLT) Other versions of this Scripture speak to seeking God, seeking His face, worshiping God, praying to God, and chasing after God. God’s simple invitation to Come and talk with Me is deep and rich with meaning.

Psalm 27 begins with, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Throughout the Bible God promises to be our Savior, Protector, Provider, Comforter, Healer, Guide, and much more. When I put my faith and trust in Him as Father, and seek to obey Him, God is always faithful to be with me. He is filled with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience in response to my sin, and when I fall short of His holiness. Jesus is the only Perfect and Holy One, without sin. He invites each of us to be saved by His grace and forgiveness when we receive this gift by faith. We can come and talk with Jesus and God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Musically there are two primary themes. The introductory theme has some rhythmic movement to symbolize life’s busyness. Even though coming to talk with God is a simple invitation, it is not so easy most of the time. The main chorus theme which answers is an expression of when we begin to experience God’s voice, and when we purse coming to talk with Him. The beauty and wonder elevate musically to illustrate the blessing of being in fellowship with Him. The “life is busy” theme returns once more, but the “hearing God’s voice” theme becomes what the song is about. This chorus theme is repeated to the end of the song with various solo instruments, orchestra, and choir joining the piano, sometimes in unison, and sometimes with a counter melody or harmony. The music fades slowly to a gentle chord ending, symbolizing walking through life on earth, and into eternity in conversation with God, speaking our heart and listening to Him. I hope this piece is uplifting to your life and faith journey, and offers you peace and encouragement in your current circumstances.

How does “Come and Talk with Me” speak into your story right now?

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” — Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Gaze Upon the Beauty

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Today is release day for Gaze Upon the Beauty. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the story behind this stilling melody offering peace and beauty.

 

This piece is expressing the simple (but not easy) idea to practice stillness before God, to gaze upon His beauty, and to listen for His voice. It brings to mind the Scripture passage “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), and the Bible story of Mary and Martha, when Jesus said Mary did a “beautiful thing” listening intently at His feet, while Martha was busy about many things (Luke 10:38-42).

After years of “striving to achieve” (how I describe my approach to life and career goals in my 20s), God began helping me pursue His idea of “abiding to receive.” His definition of success is different from the ways of the world. He invites me to meditate on His Word, practice what it says, listen for His voice, and seek to obey what He would have me to do. Then, God says, “you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

These are some of the threads woven into Gaze Upon the Beauty. The inspiration and the music invite me to be more still and less hurried, to have more calm and less busyness, and to know more peace in the midst of life’s storms. This is why the piano has such a simple repeating melody, and why the tempo is very slow. The cello notes begin “singing” the words “Gaze upon the beauty” very slowly over the piano. Then the piano and French horn take us into a long gaze, meditating on God’s beauty, and reminding us of His beauty we see in people and creation around us. Finally the horn sings the “Gaze upon the beauty” melody a few more times while the cello harmonizes. The piano climbs higher and higher to a simple, uplifting ending. The swelling orchestral strings underneath add to the profound treasure available to us in these simple truths.

What does “Gaze Upon the Beauty” mean to you?

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire (meditate) in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

Quiet Revelation New Song

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The new song Quiet Revelation releases worldwide Tuesday, July 28, 2020. You can listen below, and stream on all major services including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc. Scroll down to see some inspirational thoughts…

This new song Quiet Revelation happened within a few days in late June 2020, and was completed much faster than usual. The idea I wanted to express was very clear in my mind, but how would the music take shape? I personally need to invest time regularly to slow down, quiet my mind, be still, and listen. When I compose music there is a sense of the melodies coming down from heaven. It feels like God already knows the tune, and He reveals it to me through quiet revelation. The song name and theme invite you to listen for some kind of quiet revelation you may need in your life and faith right now.

A chamber string orchestra plays beautiful chords and swells as the harmony foundation. The piano carries the melody, and is gradually joined by cello and later French horn as the chorus builds and repeats. A gentle choir and more symphony strings join the chamber orchestra to enrich the harmonies underneath, as verse and chorus melodies build emotionally. All of these musical textures symbolize the wonder and diversity of words God wants to say to us, and songs He wants to sing over us.

Relax, close your eyes, and invite your heart, soul, and mind to be blessed with Quiet Revelation. “I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.” (Psalm 119:113-114, MSG)

How does “Quiet Revelation” speak to you?

Chasing Splendor New Song Story

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Today is the worldwide release of the new song CHASING SPLENDOR, an epic, cinematic instrumental. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, and more. This song has over forty tracks and is filled with adventure and awe. I am passionate about including these two experiences in my life, and hope you can feel adventure and awe in the music. Below is some of the story behind the composition. To see more about the song’s inspiration read my earlier post Chasing Splendor.

I composed this like a film score because our life stories are like an epic movie on the big screen. The world is watching and every life we touch matters. CHASING SPLENDOR opens with a big movie chase “scene” featuring rhythms, strings and brass (“God’s beauty and love chase after me every day of my life” – Psalm 23:6 MSG). Then the first splendor movement is revealed with pianos, keyboards, choirs, strings, electric guitar and soundscapes. The chase returns with more intensity as a symbol of how passionately God pursues us with His beauty and love, and the grace and forgiveness He so wants us to know. This brings us to a second splendor movement that evokes an even deeper sense of awe as we soak in the beauty (“Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders” – Psalm 145:5 MSG).

Musically, as the splendor continues, elements of the chase return (rhythms, string, and brass parts), but in a new way. The chase is now in sync with the splendor. The chase has become more gentle, joining the splendor together as one. The song finishes with a climactic, powerful drum boom. As God chases us, if we open our hearts to trust Him and surrender, the splendor He sees in us begins to shine. Jesus wants to display His splendor uniquely through us as we trust and obey Him. This process takes time and is lifelong, but we have the opportunity to see His splendor grow and flourish in our lives. The irony is that greater splendor comes from deeper surrender. We must rely on God’s all powerful strength through us, instead of our own limited strength.

How does CHASING SPLENDOR speak into your life and story today? 

Chasing Splendor

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Chasing Splendor is the title of a new cinematic instrumental releasing in a few weeks. The musical idea has been taking shape in my mind for a good while. There is powerful meaning and symbolism behind Chasing Splendor which encourages me, and I hope will encourage you (the composition and recording features forty tracks). I plan to share more inspiration once this new single releases on all the music streaming services (Spotify, etc.). Below are two life applications for now…

1. God is Chasing Me and You. Psalm 23:6 says, “Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life…” (MSG). These words from David to God are heartfelt. They flow from his experience of God as a trustworthy Shepherd and Guide in his life. Do you sense God and Jesus pursuing you sometimes? I do, but not as frequently as He actually is chasing after me (every day of my life). This chase is much more epic than it seems in our day to day routines. Life is like a great film and the author and director is God our Father. He loves us and forgives us so much. He has such amazing plans in store for us. He wants us to trust and obey Him, to “ask boldly” for His direction and favor (as I shared in January’s post How are You Dreaming Big for 2020 ?). Contrary to our human way of thinking, we must yield to the chase. We must surrender our striving to God, and seek to wait, walk, and run in stride with His plan and His timing. Are you yielding to His pursuit?

2. God Sees Splendor in Me and You. Psalm 145:5 says, “Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders” (MSG). People exclaiming over God’s splendor, and the lavish splendor of His kingdom are written in verses 11 and 12 of this same Psalm. I cannot produce splendor myself. My sin and imperfections produce a broken view that my life is not worthy of God’s splendor. Yet God sees splendor in me, even when I don’t feel it. If we have trusted Jesus to bring us from death to life, and believe in Him by faith, the same power that raised Him from the dead lives in me and you. His splendor lives in me and you. God wants to display His splendor to a watching world through our lives. He is chasing us down, chasing this splendor out of us, so to speak. When we yield to the chase, we begin to notice His splendor more in us and around us. Does His beauty and splendor have you talking?

Which one of these speaks most to you today? God chasing you, or God’s splendor being on display in your life?

SO LOVED Track #11 – If You Say So

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Click above to listen to track #11 If You Say So from the new album So Loved as you read. You can enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. You can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

What “deep water” is God calling you to?

If You Say So is a tribute to Peter’s bold faith. We can relate to his story because, like us, he was longing for spiritual hope and beauty, and yet he was broken and imperfect. His devotion to Jesus led him to proclaim, “Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won’t.” And yet, three times he denies ever knowing Jesus. As I composed this song it became a conversation between the piano and cello, with French horn underneath. Here are the two phrases the notes are singing, which we can apply to our life and faith…

If You Say So I will. If you listen for them, you may hear how the piano and cello are singing these words throughout the song. The song opens with “But if you say so, I will” repeated four times. Peter and his co-workers had been fishing hard all night, and had caught nothing. Following this, Jesus told him to push out into deep water and let his nets down for a catch. They caught a huge haul of fish strained the nets to capacity. This story inspires me to ask God two questions: “Do You have something you want to let me know? Is there any deep water you are calling me to?” If we lean in by faith to ask, listen closely, and obey, we can experience God’s faithfulness and fruit in our lives beyond our capacity to comprehend or imagine.

Do You Love Me? The piano and cello notes begin singing this phrase in the middle of the song, and more and more to the very end, where these words shaped the final four notes. After His resurrection Jesus asks Peter this question three times (remember Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the crucifixion). In our lives, we know Jesus loves us because He says this, and promises this to us, so many times in Scripture. The entire album and title track So Loved are a testimony to His great love for us (John 3:16). The question “Do You Love Me?” has become even more powerful for me. Even though I am (and we are) broken, sinful, and imperfect, Jesus loves us first. He invites us to love Him in response with grateful hearts. When we experience His love and grace more fully in our lives and stories, it overflows from us to people we encounter in God’s “deep water” moments.

How do the music and words offer you hope and beauty today?

IF YOU SAY SO | PETER
Luke 5, John 21. Peter’s bold words “but if you say so I will” and Jesus’ words “Do you love me?” inspire us to know God’s patient tenderness toward us.

PUSH OUT INTO DEEP WATER (LUKE 5:4-11, MSG)
When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.” Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I will let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch. Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

DO YOU LOVE ME? (JOHN 21:15-19)
(This happens following Jesus’ resurrection, right after Peter has a second miraculous catch of fish). After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.” Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ” Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep…”