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Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

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Lessons from a Modern Day Scribe

May 28, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/08-Desire-StantonLanierc2004.mp3

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…

Scribing LessonsDear 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.”

Filed Under: Life Stories, Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: 1 John 5, Desire, Draw Near, Jeremiah 29:11, Modern Day Scribe, Paul Antonio, Psalm 40:8, Q Boston, Scribe, Scribing, Scripture Inspired Piano

The Secret to a 2nd Half of Desire and Delight

July 2, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/10-Delight.mp3

Click above to listen to Delight from the album The Voice (recorded at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studio). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from Amazon, iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Are your desires coming true in 2014?

It’s a matter of perspective, right? Sometimes I question, “Are my motives pure?” Sometimes I wonder, “Am I desiring the right things, the best things?” Several years ago an ancient scripture verse became like a compass, a “true north,” for these kinds of questions around desire.

DSC06718_5_3 2

My perspective began shifting from achieving to receiving, and from striving to surrendering. One of the ways I like to express this is, “I want to line my ‘push’ up with God’s ‘pull.’” It’s not always easy — or realistic — to be joyful and happy, but Delight helps me remember to focus on the good news in life (rather than the bad), as well as the good I can do. I love John Eldredge’s thought in his book Epic that life is an adventure to live rather than a problem to solve. This piano melody also resonates with this idea.

I believe great blessings and surprises await us in the second half of 2014. The secret is to align our heart’s desires and delights with God’s grace and goodness, and to ask for His guidance. When I feel alone or wonder if some desire will come true, God faithfully provides as I surrender results to Him.

What desire or adventure in your heart seems God-sized and impossible without His help?

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4

“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” — Psalm 119:35

Filed Under: Giving Hope, Inspiration, Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: 2014 Goals, Delight, Desire, Psalm 37:4, Scripture Inspired Piano, The Voice

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