What Race Will You Run in 2015?

January 6, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Freedom from the album The Voice (recorded at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studio). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the CD, MP3 Album, or Sheet Music at stantonlanier.com (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon , Spotify, Pandora, and more).

As I was jogging this morning, this idea came to mind… What race will I run in 2015?

What race will you run in 2015?

Then I thought, “What kind of races are there? There is the human race, which we are all “running.” There is the rat race, which we can choose (or choose not) to participate in. Can you think of others?

Then I asked, “What if in 2015, I run the Freedom Race?” Here is what I mean…

I believe in freedom for all. My heart has been moved by organizations like the International Justice Mission www.ijm.org, rescuing and protecting the poor from oppression and slavery, and the End it Movement www.enditmovement.com, raising awareness for the 27 million men, women, and children trapped in slavery today, and helping END IT. However, with the phrase “Freedom Race” I am referring to something that drives our hearts from the inside out.

Psalm 119:32 says, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free” (NIV, 1984 version). When I was composing the Scripture inspired piano for this song in 2004-2005, the music had “running” parts and a “pausing to listen” section, to illustrate the importance of reflecting in the midst of the “race.” As I grow in my desire to know God, to know His Word, to have faith, and to listen for His still small voice (the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit), this “Freedom Race” becomes an unparalleled life adventure, filled with moments of marvel and wonder.

Will you run the “Freedom Race” with me in 2015?

How Freedom Became a Piano Melody

July 4, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Freedom 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).

What do you appreciate about freedom?

The song Freedom almost became the title track on this album instead of The Voice because this truth has been so powerful for me. The notes represent running through life with a heart that is free, pausing to treasure this freedom, and discovering higher levels of giving oneself away. I trust that the music and texts that inspired it will help you experience a freedom that gives you hope . . . makes you come alive . . . sets your heart free.

How can you live out freedom with more gratitude, more giving?

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” — Psalm 119:32

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.” — Galatians 5:13

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” — John 8:32

Your Favorite Open Space

March 19, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to Open Spaces (title track from my 8th album) 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, Open Spaces PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.

What is your favorite open space?

Is it a mountain top, a valley, an ocean shore? Is it an open field, the desert, flying high in the sky, being in the middle of the ocean, or somewhere else? This music idea originated from Psalm 119:45 in The Message — “And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom.” Recently I ran across this as well, “We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory” (Romans 5:2). I have always loved a marvelous vista or panoramic view. The mountains are my favorite, but ocean shores and cliffs, canyons, gorges, and long range meadows are not far behind. For me, the incredible heart rush I get from a breathtaking sight is symbolic of the spiritual high and spiritual peace God offers when I press into His grace and truth. He reveals things worth “seeing.” The next time I see a favorite open space, will I ask God to give me a glimpse of His love and grace toward me?

Is Your Heart Set Free?

July 5, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

July 4th, Independence Day, reminds us to give thanks for the freedom we enjoy in the United States. Fireworks shows across the country celebrated this freedom last night. In 2005 I composed Freedom, which is on The Voice CD. Following are the liner notes for this track, which share the inspiration behind the song…

Personal freedom has been a breakthrough experience in my life. For many years I thought I could achieve freedom through success and being in control. Then I discovered that the human spirit finds true freedom through serving others in love. Seeking to grow in a freedom that is centered on others has been an adventure filled with emotion and risk. This song almost became the title track because this truth has been so powerful for me. The notes represent running through life with a heart that is free, pausing to treasure this freedom, and discovering higher levels of giving oneself away. I trust that the music and texts that inspired it will help you experience a freedom that gives you hope . . . makes you come alive . . . sets your heart free . . . “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (Psalm 119:32; Galatians 5:13; John 8:32)

Where does your heart need to be set free in your life today? How can you serve others today to experience freedom?