SO LOVED Track #7 – Lush Meadows

June 12, 2018 By Stanton Lanier 3 Comments

Click above to listen to track #7 Lush Meadows 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 is a favorite “lush meadow” moment for you? What was the scene like?

As I composed Lush Meadows my heart was to write music that would take us to a beautiful meadow. I wanted to feel a sense of lying back and looking up at the clouds, of resting and relaxing in the moment, and of trusting God in all areas of life. This song was inspired by the 23rd Psalm and the peace and assurance expressed in David’s words, as well as Psalm 51 and David’s brokenness before God. Here is some of the story behind the soundtrack and how it happened…

David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He wrote half of the Psalms (75 of 150), defeated the giant Goliath as boy, killed a lion and bear when he was a shepherd tending his sheep, and was the second king of Israel. However, he was also sinful, afraid, and often cried out to God in distress. The tension within his character has helped me have a much deeper understanding of God’s grace and forgiveness toward us, as well as His love and power working through us. With all this in mind, the music encompasses the friction between the wonder and beauty of the Holy Spirit working in our lives (the lush meadows from Psalm 23), and our sin and brokenness before God (within this beauty the piano sings the words “Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me” throughout the song).

Musically, the piano is underscored by an atmosphere of deep peace to represent a lush meadow. The French horn symbolizes a shepherd’s horn. The harp is a tribute to David playing the harp and lyre as recorded in the Psalms. Listen to the song again, and allow God to sing His grace, forgiveness, and beauty over you.

How does Lush Meadows and its inspiration speak into your story today?

LUSH MEADOWS | DAVID
Psalm 23 and 51. “God, my shepherd, I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows. Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love.”

Walking on Air – Guided Meditation #3

October 3, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

The new song and video Walking on Air inspired me to create three short meditation opportunities to help you stop “doing” for a moment, so you can practice “being.” There are deep and meaningful insights available to us when we take time to pause and listen for God’s voice. Our moments of “being” with Him equip and energize our “doing” for Him as we seek to serve and love others well.

This exercise will seem simple, and it is, but it will not be so easy because you need to quiet your mind and silence any distractions. For this third meditation guide, as you watch the video below and listen to the music, I want you to think about your future, and how God offers us eternal hope. First, read the Scripture passages below…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 1:8-9 (ESV)

“He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (The Message)

Next, watch the video (or close your eyes) and as you listen to the music, see what God wants to reveal to you. What is He saying about your present circumstances? Your past hopes and hurts? Your future with Him? Anything else? When God speaks, write down what He is saying to you, or at least take mental notes so you can hold onto His words for future encouragement.

Walking on Air – Guided Meditation #2

September 26, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

This exercise will seem simple, and it is, but it will not be so easy because you need to quiet your mind and silence any distractions. For this second meditation guide, as you watch the video below and listen to the music, I want you to set your heart and mind on pursuing three things: to know God, to worship Him, and to notice His vibrant beauty. First, read the passage below…

“God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly…Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!” Psalm 89:5-9 and 15-18 (The Message)

Next, watch the video (or close your eyes) and as you listen to the music, see what God wants to reveal to you. What does He want you to know about Him—for the first time or in a fresh way? How was this worshipful for you? What did He say to you about His vibrant beauty? Anything else? When God speaks, write down what He is saying to you, or at least take mental notes so you can hold onto His words for future encouragement.

Walking on Air – Guided Meditation #1

September 19, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

The new song and video Walking on Air inspired me to create three short meditation opportunities to help you stop “doing” for a moment, so you can practice “being.” There are deep and meaningful insights available to us, when we take time to pause and listen for God’s voice. Our moments of “being” with Him equip and energize our “doing” for Him as we seek to serve and love others well.

This exercise will seem simple, and it is, but it will not be so easy because you need to quiet your mind and silence any distractions. For this first meditation guide, as you watch the video below and listen to the music, I want you to reflect on celebrating one or two of your life’s most beautiful moments. When Hannah found out she was pregnant (with her son Samuel), 1 Samuel 2:1 tells us, Hannah prayed: “I’m bursting with God-news! I’m walking on air…I’m dancing my salvation.” (The Message)

Now, pause and ask God to bring to mind a beautiful moment or two from your life, when you were filled with celebration, when you were “walking on air.” Next, watch the video (or close your eyes) and as you listen to the music, see what God wants to reveal to you. What are the moments He brings to mind? What is something deeper He wants you to know? From these memories? About Himself? Anything else? When God speaks, write down what He is saying to you, or at lease take mental notes so you can hold onto His words for future encouragement.

Three Ways to “Be Still” and Reduce Noise

January 15, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to my arrangement of the old hymn Be Still My Soul (1752 lyrics, 1899 music), from the album A Thousand Years as you read. If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album, or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, and more).

How do you like to “be still” and reduce life’s noise?

If you are wanting more “peace and rest in a hurried world,” and all the “noise” in life has you overwhelmed, I want to let you in on a secret — you weren’t designed to be stressed.

I also felt more stressed until the idea of creating and listening to Scripture inspired piano was revealed to me. I didn’t know that practicing this regularly for fifteen years would lead to touching listeners around the world, and becoming an award-winning composer. I just had a desire to “be still” in my own life, and rise above the fog of noise and busyness.

Here are three ways to “be still,” which have increased my inspiration and productivity. One of these may stand out, or these three suggestions might give you a better idea to try for you.

1. Unplug. On our most recent family vacation, I did not take my computer. This became more invigorating each day. It helped me to live in the moment, and focus on creating memories together. I try to “unplug” from technology for part of each day. For example, I have been jogging without any earbuds or music in my ears. Listening to my foot steps, my breathing, the wind blowing, or a bird singing blocks out the noise. When I did finally get a smart phone (I waited until January 2012), in the settings I turned off “push notifications” for everything, including email. I figured I did not want technology to “push” me around. Instead, I would “pull” from it on my schedule. How do you unplug from the noise?

2. Do Something “Old Fashioned.” On that same recent vacation, we only took a deck of cards for entertainment. We played a few times and it was nice to talk to each other during the games. At home we sometimes play a board game instead of watching TV. I also enjoy cooking in the kitchen with my wife, or grilling dinner outside. When we do watch TV, we often enjoy “old fashioned” shows the most, such as The Muppets, Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy, or The Dick Van Dyke Show. If you’re married, try taking a walk with your spouse and holding hands. What are some “old fashioned” things you like to do?

3. Meditate on a Bible Verse. Consider writing down (or recording as a voice memo in your smart phone) a Psalm or verse that can encourage your faith and spiritual journey. For example, Psalm 46:10 reads, “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” This idea grew to a new level when John 1:14 inspired my first Scripture inspired piano melody — “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Meditating or memorizing verses like these helps me remember I wasn’t designed to be stressed.

What step can you take to “be still” and find refreshment for your soul?

Five Simple Steps for Stillness

June 30, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to the title track Still Waters from my second album as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes, Amazon, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Have you had any “still waters” moments lately?

When I composed this song in 2002, we had two young children and my financial planning career was in full swing. I was beginning to wonder if I was supposed to make a dramatic career shift from “money to music” (it was 2004 before I would leave a fifteen-year business career to become a pianist-composer and ministry founder). I had this longing for stillness in the midst of life’s fullness and busyness on all fronts. All the music I composed for Still Waters was created “around the edges of life” (late nights and early mornings). Every song was like a diary entry in my quest to find the “still waters” God promises we can know and experience.

This quest has taught me to seek progress rather than perfection. Life’s activities and distractions are abundant not some of the time, but all of the time. Regardless of your season in life, below are five steps I have found helpful in finding still waters, and receiving the benefits of stillness.

1. Stop. For some, unplug might be the better word. Put your phone down. Step away from the computer. Turn the television off. Begin to practice three short “stop” moments: after waking in the morning, sometime during the day, and in the evening before going to sleep.

2. Be Still. This can look different, depending on how you are wired. You might physically be still reading in a chair, or praying as you sip coffee or tea on your patio. You might mentally be still resting your mind during a walk, jog, or swim. You might enjoy stillness alone or together.

3. Listen. Allow for moments of pause, to listen in silence. Try exercising without any video, music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Listen to your breathing, the birds singing, the breeze blowing. Composing and listening to instrumental music has helped me listen differently too.

4. Meditate on Scripture. Use a short verse to repeat in your head and absorb into your heart. For example, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything give thanks” (Philippians 4:6). Ask God to speak into your life during these first four steps.

5. Live by Faith. Enriched through “still waters” moments, I find myself more able to trust, believe and hope in God’s promises to lead, restore, guide, comfort and prepare me in the midst of life’s activities and distractions. Living by faith integrates stillness and action, being and doing.

Which of the above could benefit you most today?

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”