Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

How are You Dreaming Big for 2020?

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As you read enjoy streaming Wherever You Go from the album Open Spaces (or listen on your favorite music service).

How are you Dreaming Big for 2020?

I want to Dream Big for this year. How about you? I want to be confident instead of hesitant, to have faith instead of unbelief, and to have an abundance mentality instead of scarcity mindset. Below are three actions I plan to practice while Dreaming Big for 2020.

1. Live Fully in the Present. Remember the past. Be mindful of the future. Live in the present. These wise words from a friend have been part of my Dreaming Big for a long time. The past year included many amazing blessings, along with some challenging trials. The future seems bright, but I can be afraid of what is uncertain and out of my control. My primary focus should be the gift of life today, and living fully in each present moment. I also need to rely on the promise “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

2. Ask Boldly. I have found if I approach asking boldly from a posture of “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4), then my Big Dreams will better align with God’s Big Dreams for me. He is the Dream Giver, the Creator (with capital letters). I am a dreamer and creator (with lower case letters), asking God boldly to accomplish the Big Dreams He wants to come true this year in my life. This fills me with awe and wonder because I only know a small portion of what is in store. As I live fully in the present, and ask boldly, I remember the past with thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in doing “immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me” (Ephesians 3:20). I look expectantly to the future believing “God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish” (Philippians 1:6).

3. Move Forward by Faith. When I lean into listening for God’s voice—His gentle whisper—He guides me forward by faith. This can be a sense of the Holy Spirit nudging me toward my next step of obedience, God “speaking” to me through His Word or answers to prayer, or through acting on invitations from others with discernment. Moving forward can appear the opposite when the Holy Spirit checks my spirit to slow down or stop, when God is quiet and can seem distant during a season of waiting for clarity with a next step, or when people are offering me “good ideas” which are not “God’s best” plans. These tensions are why Dreaming Big requires faith and drawing near to God. I can move forward by faith, drawing strength from Hebrews 11:6 (without faith it is impossible to please God), and James 4:8 (Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you).

Which of these can you put into practice to energize your Dreaming Big for 2020?

SO LOVED Track #12 – Spread Your Wings

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Click above to listen to track #12 Spread Your Wings 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.

How do the words “spread your wings” inspire your life journey right now?

For much of my life the words “spread your wings” were all about me. As a teenager and younger man I wanted to “spread my wings” — achieve success, have financial security, see the world, live a life of adventure on my own terms, etc. Eventually at age thirty I reached a point of surrender. Instead of “striving to achieve” I slowly began a new journey of “abiding to receive” God’s blessings of life purpose and provision. Little did I know, many years later I would compose an instrumental song titled Spread Your Wings, inspired by the story of Ruth. I hope the melody and these thoughts inspire your life journey today…

As I was creating the album So Loved from selected Bible characters and their stories, Ruth and Boaz were top contenders. The more I read the story and searched for a title (found in the book of Ruth, chapters 2 and 3), the phrase “spread your wings” stood out. Don’t we all aspire to live a “spread your wings” kind of life? And yet, as it was for me at first, doesn’t this make us think of spreading “our” wings to enjoy the freedom and independence this seems to offer? When Ruth said to Boaz, “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer,” this is a picture for us of how God redeems us by His grace. Boaz was the son of Rahab the prostitute (her story inspired track #10 Scarlet Threads). Boaz and Ruth were great grandparents to Jesus by twenty-eight generations. Through Jesus God spreads His wings over us, covering all of our sins, and completely forgiving us. He offers us the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), and the opportunity to know and trust Jesus as our Savior and Friend. Wow. This is the kind of “spread your wings” life I want to live!

P.S. The opening 1:10 of the song expresses our longing for redemption, and the beauty of receiving God’s gift of salvation through Christ. Then the piano slowly “sings” the phrase “spread your wings over me” four times, followed by “spread your wings, spread your wings, spread your wings, over me” three times. After another verse section variation, beginning at 2:44 the chorus builds even larger all the way to the ending, repeating the above phrases over and over. This allows God to sing His Word over us as we surrender to and trust in His covering. Within the track the words “spread your wings” are played thirty-five times by the piano.

P.S.S. The bird in the photo is an African Darter, which I took in July 2015. Through my music and ministry Music to Light the World, my family and I were invited by Family Legacy to serve orphans in Lusaka, Zambia. We were able to visit Chobe National Park to see amazing wild life along the Chobe River in Botswana.

How can you go deeper in trusting God to spread His wings over you?

SPREAD YOUR WINGS | RUTH
Ruth 2 and 3. “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” God protects us under His wings when we fully surrender to and trust in Him.

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…”

SO LOVED Track #9 – Heart and Soul

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Click above to listen to track #9 Heart and Soul 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 are you pouring your heart and soul into right now?

This could be your work, your hobby, your family, your marriage, your next vacation, your walk with God, or any number of noble pursuits. The song Heart and Soul is a soundtrack inspired by the life of Caleb, whose great faith resulted in a life of even greater adventure as he trusted God’s guidance. A better phrasing of this question in my journey is “How is God stirring my heart and soul to follow Him better, to follow Him like Caleb?” This requires a wondrous and mysterious combination of stillness and waiting with surrender and action. As you listen to the music and read about the six sections of this song below, I hope you will find fresh inspiration and wisdom in making your life choices and decisions…

1. Section 1 (First 45 seconds, 0:00 to 0:45). Approaching God in Stillness and Waiting. The song opening expresses our wanting to know what to do next. This requires moments of prayerfully getting quiet, and listening closely for God’s gentle whisper.

2. Section 2 (Next 45 seconds, 0:45 to 1:30). Moving with Surrender and Action. This section symbolizes taking first steps as we begin to find our rhythm with faith and obedience, and to know God and His voice more intimately, like Caleb.

3. Section 3 (Next 60 seconds, 1:30 to 2:30). Going Deeper in Stillness and Waiting. This section is a little bit longer than the opening, symbolizing deeper stillness and waiting — listening more attentively, and hearing God’s voice more clearly.

4. Section 4 (Next 45 seconds, 2:30 to 3:15). Moving with Greater Surrender and Action. Our life and faith rhythm gets bigger and louder so to speak, as we interact with God, listen for His voice, and obey His further instructions more swiftly.

5. Section 5 (Next 45 seconds, 3:15 to 4:00). The Blessing of Communion and Interaction. This musical bridge takes us into still deeper communion with God, interacting with Him as we combine both waiting and acting. He knows our needs and guides us faithfully.

6. Section 6 (Final 60 seconds, 4:00 to ending). The Blessing of Affirmation. As we follow God with all our “heart and soul” He encourages us and gives us greater confidence. Like Caleb, the chorus melody and rhythm now begin to represent the growing fruit and impact of our life choices and decisions. This happens as we continue to trust and obey God in all things.

Which phase of this process is most meaningful to you at this moment?

HEART AND SOUL | CALEB
Deuteronomy 1, Numbers 13-14. “he (Caleb) was all for following God, heart and soul.” When God says “let’s go” and we obey, all things are possible with Him.

SO LOVED Track #8 – Strength Is Yours

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Click above to listen to track #8 Strength Is Yours 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.

How do you bring forth strength when you feel weak and helpless?

When I am overwhelmed by life struggles or battles I may ask the questions, “Lord, why is this happening?” or “Where are you Lord?” As you listen to Strength Is Yours, journey with me for a moment into the story behind this song and its application in our lives. Then perhaps listen again with a renewed perspective. Here is how this song and its meaning came together…

It was about 1180 B.C. The Israelites were completely overwhelmed in Judges 6. They were being defeated and overrun by the Midianites. They were way outnumbered, all their crops were being stolen, and they were hiding in caves to find some sense of safety and security. This was the scene when God appeared to Gideon, a man small in stature, and called him a Mighty Warrior. Gideon was certain God had made a mistake and needed quite a bit of convincing before his faith would reach beyond his current reality. When we face life’s battles or life seems hopeless, in mystery and wonder God offers us hope that He knows everything we are going through. Not only does He join us in the battle, He is fighting our battles for us.

The helpless feeling we experience is expressed in the intense opening of this soundtrack. The violin opens with a distressed melody, and is answered by the cello notes singing the phrase “go in this strength that is yours” in the midst of our insecurity and uncertainty. These were God’s words to Gideon, and they are His words to us, even when life’s battles lead to a hopeless heart. He promises to give us His strength and to be with us in all things. He is singing a “Mighty Warrior” chorus with angels and a heavenly orchestra of music, which builds in the song to a climactic finish filling our hearts with hope and strength. Let the music and this truth wash over you as you “go in this strength that is yours.”

What is one thing God is saying to you today through this music and its inspiration?

STRENGTH IS YOURS | GIDEON
Judges 6. God said to him, “Go in this strength that is yours. I’ll be with you. Believe me.” God is mighty and strong. He fights life’s battles with and for us.

Don't Wait

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“If you’re waiting to do something with your spouse, don’t wait.” These words rocked my world in the final hour of a men’s weekend retreat in May 2008. Even if you’re not married, read on. All of us are waiting to do something. Maybe you’ve waited long enough.

The SoulyBusiness.com retreat had brought several powerful moments. I thought I had experienced all that God was going to do. Then, during a talk titled “Finishing Well” these words cut straight to my heart. The speaker told a story about a very successful Texas chicken farmer, who had died suddenly from a heart attack. At his funeral service, his wife said, “If your waiting to do something with your spouse, don’t wait.”

Ever since 1995, for thirteen years, my wife and I had received a newsletter twice each year inviting us to consider a trip to Greece and Turkey. They were always mailed from the same couple who had led a group of twenty people, including us, on a spring 1995 pilgrimage to Israel. That experience was unforgettable. We had never seen the Bible come so alive and be confirmed so incredibly – geographically, archaeologically, and spiritually.

We knew the Greece-Turkey would be just as amazing. It was called The Journey’s of Paul. The itinerary included Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, the island of Patmos where John wrote Revelation, Instanbul and much more. It just wasn’t practical. In the 1990s we both worked and it was just us. No kids. But from 1995 to 2005 our two children were born and unexpected career curve ball was pitched to us. In 2004 I left a ten-year financial planning job to found Music to Light the World and become a full-time pianist and composer. Since then, our finances had been “just in time” with no surplus.

When the “don’t wait” words stirred my heart with such clarity, I sensed God whispering, “Take a leap of faith. Trust me. You’ve waited long enough. It’s time to do this thing with your wife. Go on the Greece-Turkey trip.” It was crazy from a worldly perspective. I would have to make a withdrawal from my IRA, paying a 10% penalty and income taxes on the entire amount. Yet, there I stood. After each talk there was a space for a few men to speak their mind. For the first time during the weekend I was telling eighty guys what had just happened. Apparently we were supposed to take this trip, and not wait. But we were living month-to-month, and our only savings was in retirement accounts. And, I was a former financial planner and would be withdrawing the cost of the trip from my IRA (the room erupted with laughter at this point). Yes, God does have a sense of humor!

I have found when we move forward by faith, things start to line up. They don’t line up in advance. All the steps are not clear if we over wait. But when we follow God’s nudges, He reveals things little by little. Like the $1,000 down payment toward our trip that was a gift from a complete stranger at the retreat, who heard my story and just “happened” to have been assigned the job of praying for me in secret the entire weekend. Like the fact that our parents’ schedules were open so they could stay at our house with the kids. It was stunning to witness all that took place. This story alone is one reason I live by faith in a God who loves us more than we can imagine. Even when life doesn’t make sense. Even when I have my doubts. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

What are you waiting to do? Don’t wait too long. Just do it.

Don’t Wait