Day 6 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ Silent Night Beneath the Light

December 6, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Silent Night as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

Peaceful. Content. Joyful. Free. Mesmerized. Filled with a deep sense of wonder and awe.

These words reflect the emotions connected to one of my favorite childhood memories… sitting beneath the street light in front of our home, admiring the endless parade of snowflakes as they emerged from the darkness and entered into the light. The combination of the delicate flakes dancing in the wind and landing without a sound brought me peace.

To this day, when I hear the song Silent Night I can close my eyes and find myself transported back to that sacred place. I can see the individual flakes. I can remember what it felt like when a flake landed on my eyelashes or nose instead of my tongue as I sought to enjoy a frozen treat. It was a peaceful place of solitude and silence where I could get lost in time and thought. I spent hours watching snowflakes fall.Looking back now, I realize how rare an occasion it was for me to sit still as a boy. I was an active kid, always on the run. What was it about that scene that drew me back so often? That kept me silent and still?

Although I was oblivious to my connection with the Creator of the heavens and the earth as a child, today I am convinced that my overwhelming sense of wonder and joy was born beneath that street light. It’s as if God was calling me to experience a silent night, to sit alone with him, to leave the cares of this world (you know the tough stuff like 3rd grade math and watching TV) behind me. I have no doubt that I under-appreciated the silence, solitude and peace available beneath that street light. Fortunately I can still retrieve those moments of peace from my memory bank and relive them in my mind’s eye today from a far more grateful perspective.

When you think back upon your childhood, where did you experience December Peace? Can you close your eyes and go back to that sacred place? Take a moment and get lost in time today. Set some time aside to experience a silent night beneath the light.
Close your eyes. Travel back into your childhood memory bank. Who knows, you might just feel a snowflake or two hit your nose before you open your eyes. Peace be with you.

Climb to the Sky – Part 1

August 9, 2016 By Stanton Lanier 8 Comments

Visit climbtothesky.com for CD and MP3 Album pre-orders, and October 13th Atlanta release concert tickets. For the time being, I hope you enjoy listening to Taken by a Cloud from my 5th album Unveiled in the background as you read…

What does the phrase “Climb to the Sky” bring to mind for you?

As a young boy I loved to climb trees. Growing up in North Carolina there was a 100-foot tall sweet gum tree in our neighbor’s yard, across the street from our house (I have written about this before — you can read here if you like). My friends and I climbed to the top often, but I also remember being up there by myself. There was something about the quiet, the breeze, the view, and the perspective there was something, some One much greater than me. I didn’t know it then, but Psalm 139 (the inspiration behind Climb to the Sky) would be waiting for me in the future to describe this sense of awe and wonder.

Whether climbing a tree, visiting the mountains, hiking a high trail, or looking out an airplane window, the bigness of the sky is fascinating. What is your favorite “big sky” experience? Fluffy clouds, breathtaking sunrises, captivating sunsets, and starry nights have brought unforgettable memories of the sky in my faith journey. It is not the creation though, but the Creator who offers us a personal relationship through Jesus and His death on the cross to save us from our sins. He had the ultimate climb to the sky in Acts 1:9, which inspired the piano-violin duet Taken by a Cloud.

I hope these thoughts have stirred some of your life’s “climb to the sky” memories, and they give you hope in whatever you are facing today. The “Sky Maker” made us too. He, our heavenly Father, loves us more than we know, and has redeemed us by His Son’s grace and forgiveness. It takes child-like faith to believe, but I have found Him faithful in showing me the way and watching over me in all things. Trusting Him during our quickly passing days on earth prepares us for the ultimate “climb to the sky” and eternity with Him.

What verse from Psalm 139 speaks most to you today (see below)?

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there!” — Psalm 139:1-8 (ESV)

“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—I can’t take it all in! Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! — Psalm 139:1-8 (The Message)

31 Days of December Peace: Day 6 ~ Silent Night Beneath the Light

December 6, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to my arrangement of Silent Night as you read. This track 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?

Peaceful. Content. Joyful. Free. Mesmerized. Filled with a deep sense of wonder and awe.

Sacred Mountain Moments

March 17, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 1 Comment

Click above to listen to Sacred Mountain (from my 8th album Open Spaces) as you read. If you enjoy you can stream, download music, or find sheet music at the following links: Open Spaces CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Desert Thirsty for Rain PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

Can you think of a recent experience you can connect with a childhood memory?

It was June 1974 when I first saw them. I was ten years old, and we were half way into our only cross country family vacation. North Carolina to Wyoming and back — by car. Our 1972 Buick Skylark was loaded to the brim. The trunk would barely close and the white carrier top held all our tent camping gear. I will always remember my first viewing of the Rocky Mountains. Driving west, watching them rise, and rise, and rise over the horizon left a mark. It was a sacred moment. There was a sense that only God could have created something so beautiful, so majestic. Being in the mountains always triggers a spiritual encounter for me.

These are things I reflected on as I was composing “Sacred Mountain,” inspired by 2 Peter 1:18. “We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” What a scene it must have been when Jesus led Peter, James and John up a high mountain, and there was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, his clothes became as white as the light, and Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. I believe God wants to reveal “sacred mountain” moments in our day-to-day life, but we have to have our hearts, ears, and minds open to “see” them.

What is a childhood experience you had that was “sacred” in your memories? Have you had a “sacred mountain” moment lately?

31 Days of December Peace: Day 6 ~ Silent Night Beneath the Light

December 6, 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.

Peaceful. Content. Joyful. Free. Mesmerized. Filled with a deep sense of wonder and awe.

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?

Podcast #1: Vive La Joye – The Sweetgum Tree

August 15, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

I am very excited to share my very first podcast with through this blog post! I have wanted to do this for a long time. The idea is to provide you with an extended “concert moment,” with three ways to experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

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

I started piano lessons at age six, growing up in North Carolina. There was a giant sweet gum tree across the street from our house. It seemed a hundred feet high. I didn’t know it then, but climbing to the top was stirring a longing for wonder and adventure in life. This got pressed down as I got older and struggled to find safety, security and success.

I hope you will make the time to listen. It may stir up some great memories of your childhood. Maybe there is something it will encourage you to pursue. Something good and true you have thought about doing for a long time. I would love to hear your comments and will respond personally…

[buzzsprout episode=’56615′ player=’true’]

The Sled

July 18, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Why am I writing about a sled in the middle of July? Is it because cold weather thoughts can help cool us off on a hot summer day? Maybe. But I really wanted to share this childhood story because it always stirs up good thoughts and questions in my heart…

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. I had just finished 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 been realized, 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 thirty-seven years 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. An historic two inch snow at our house in Milton, Florida only resulted in “drags” across the flat front yard. A few times “Champ” has coasted down some small slopes around Atlanta and north Georgia where I have lived most of my life. My heart has never raced with the joy that I know he can deliver. Not yet.

Where was your “Cypress Road?” What was your “sled?” Have you ever received a special gift that is now in “storage” or that has never fully realized its potential? Does the sled symbolize any life gifts you need to restore? Physically, relationally, spiritually?