Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

3 Gifts to Quench a Thirsty Soul

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Click above to sample Desert Thirsty for Rain as you read. If you enjoy, use the following links to shop and hear more: Open Spaces CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Desert Thirsty for Rain PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

What helps you most when your soul is thirsty?

My soul is “thirsty” when God seems distant. I find myself asking either “God, why is this happening?” or “Lord, where are you?” Life feels parched and dry, prayer seems empty and hopeless, and my mind fills with fears and doubts.

Three gifts to quench a thirsty soul are music, visuals, and Scripture. Listen for the “rain drops of hope” found in Desert Thirsty for Rain. Watch the music video for symbols of hope. Look for refreshment in the Scripture verses below…

“I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.” Psalm 143:6 (The Message)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” Psalm 19:7 (NIV)

If your soul is thirsty, God’s grace, forgiveness, love and care are there for you like the rain drops in Desert Thirsty for Rain.

Which gift quenches your thirst most today?

Desert Thirsty for Rain

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Click above to listen to Desert Thirsty for Rain (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.

Is your soul thirsty like a desert thirsty for rain?

When I composed this song, I wanted to express the emotions of life’s “desert” moments or seasons, when life seems dry, prayer seems empty, and God seems distant or even very far away (if sometimes fear grips you like us does me, you should also check out the Far Away from Home music video and its inspiration).

It only takes a moment to remember some “desert” moments from recent times to years ago: the five-day long stomach illness a few weeks ago, when the car didn’t start leaving for a trip last fall, when our house was robbed, the jobs early in my career when there was something missing, working third shift in a carpet mill, making an “F” on several college exams, missing the game winning shot, wanting to quit piano lessons when I was twelve, having to get glasses when I was ten, stuttering when I was five. The list go could go on.

However, there is another perspective in Psalm 143, which gives me great hope…

Desert6“I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.” (The Message) “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” (ESV)

I can choose to dwell on a “desert experience” from the past, to focus on some “desert moment” in the present, or to fear a “desert season” in the future. Or, I can choose to remember all the good things God has done for me in the past, to reflect on how He is working on my behalf today, and to give thanks for His faithfulness to be with me in the future, wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).

I hope you will use the new Desert Thirsty for Rain Music Video as a resource for seeking God’s presence, whether life right now seems like a dry desert or a thirst quenching waterfall. If your soul is thirsty, God’s grace, forgiveness, love and care are there for you like the rain drops in Desert Thirsty for Rain.

What is one memory of something good God did, which you can cherish today?

Keep Dreaming, Even in the Desert

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Click above to listen to Desert Thirsty for Rain (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.

Do you have a big dream, but it seems like you are wandering nowhere in a desert?

We are not alone. This is part of dreaming. It is an important phase of living out our big dreams to do good in the world. “I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead. I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.” (Psalm 143:5-6, The Message) Sand desert Several resources and people played a part in inspiring me to pursue a big dream in 2004 — the launching of Music to Light the World. The one I am thinking of today is The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson. It is a modern-day parable that tells the story of Ordinary, who dares to leave the land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. I encourage you to add this to your “dream reading” list. It took five years (1999 to 2004) for me to be ready to experience a big dream’s early phases: Embracing My Big Dream — a feeling grows into a longing that becomes a unique calling, Leaving My Comfort Zone — having courage to overcome fear, to embrace uncertainty, and Meeting Bullies in the BorderLand — learning some will believe and others will not; learning to love people well either way. These are plenty hard to overcome, but the next one can catch you off guard, and could be the most challenging: Entering the Wasteland — a lonesome time in the desert, wondering what is happening, and asking, “where are you God?” and “Why did you give me this dream?” It turns out these times in the desert are not wasted. They help us trust God as the Dream Giver. They help our faith grow stronger. They prepare us for whatever lies ahead, including, as shared in The Dream Giver, blissful times of sanctuary, daunting valleys of giants, and rewarding lands of promise. What next steps can you take to help your “desert” experiences strengthen your faith?