3 Gifts to Quench a Thirsty Soul

May 30, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

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?

A New Song to Help You Overcome Fear

July 18, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 17 Comments

Click above to listen to the new song Far Away from Home (Keyboard Mix). If you enjoy it will be available on iTunes very soon. The release date is set for Tuesday, August 5, 2014. (Updated May 2016: iTunes purchase and download now available here.) What fears are you facing that you need to overcome? This is a first. I have never put a song out for listening before it was available for purchase, but I was prompted this week to write a new post to share the story behind this melody. I will explain why in a moment. I encourage you to listen through this 4-minute track as you reflect on these words…

The Image for the iTunes Single Far Away from Home (Keyboard Mix)

The story begins when I was fourteen. An elderly lady in our church invited me to her home to study the Bible over the summer. Everyone had great respect for her faith and wisdom so I said “yes.” I only went a few times, but I remember reading out loud together and discussing each passage. She introduced me to Isaiah 41:10 — “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.” These words spoke powerfully into my life and became a milestone in my faith journey. I started writing songs on the piano that year and one of them was titled “Fear Not.” So now we’re going to fly through a few decades of time. Journey with me as I remember some of the many fears from age fourteen until now. Look back on your story, your fears, and remember those you overcame, even though they seemed insurmountable at the time: Will I hit the game winning shot? Does she like me? Are you there God? Can I pass this class? Should I take this job? Does God really forgive me? What if I ask her to marry me? Why is “this” happening? and How will we get through this? — miscarriage, car accident, loss of a loved one, medical emergency, house robbery, financial uncertainty? Lord, what do you want me to do? What is amazing is if you read Isaiah 41:10, it is an answer to all of the above questions and more — anything we are fearing, everything we are facing. I am going to put a few different versions of this passage at the bottom so you can meditate on them. This week my youngest of two brothers was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Hundreds of people are already in this battle with him, praying for his healing and that soon he will be cancer free again, for good. The first thing I did was to send him the words of Isaiah 41:10 and this new song for listening. We are trusting God’s promise in this verse. Being one of the first scriptures I took to heart, I always was wondering if and when Isaiah 41:10 would become one of my Scripture inspired piano melodies. I started composing them in May 2000, and as 2014 began, there were 88 compositions. Little did I know that in February, #89 would be born from this passage. It took until July to refine it and complete it, and now, because God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), you are able to listen to my musical expression of these life changing words (I will share about the title Far Away from Home in a future post). How does Isaiah 41:10 speak into your life right now? ISAIAH 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (New International Version) Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. (The Message) 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. (English Standard Version) 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. (The Living Bible)

10th Anniversary Celebration

April 29, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click the player above to stream Peace as your background music. If you enjoy, consider supporting through iTunes, Amazon, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Peace was inspired in 2004, the year Music to Light the World was founded. That year my wife and I, and a support team around us, took a big leap of faith. Music to Light the World is a non-profit ministry with a mission to be a leading instrument for God’s peace, rest, hope and healing in the church, the cultural arts, and the lives of cancer patients. As we prepare for a 10th Anniversary Gala this fall, I wanted to share the 2014 Vision and Mission poster below. Please take a moment to be inspired by the stories and impact that God has made possible.

I invite you to play a role in the story as we launch into the next ten years. Peace was the foundation for Music to Light the World’s Get Music Give Hope program, where generous donors and supporting customers help one CD be given away for every one purchased. Over 50,000 CDs have been donated to cancer patients and their families around the world so far, touching 500,000 lives as relatives, friends, and caregivers hear the music. Our dream is to give away 1 million CDs and MP3 Albums by 2024 to cancer patients and others in need, touching 10 million lives with a message of hope and healing.

Has the melody Peace or Music to Light the World touched your life in a special way?

31 Days of December Peace: Day 20 ~ The Inspiration for Peace

December 20, 2012 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

The new 31 Days of December Peace eBook is available for only $4.99. Download at stantonlanier.com or the Amazon Kindle Store.

Since Peace is one of my top songs on iTunes and a listener favorite around the world, I wanted to share some of the story behind this melody, originally inspired and composed for my fourth album, The Voice (in 2009 it was remastered and is featured as the closing track on December Peace). I started composing Peace in December 2004, and unlike most of my songs, it took another six months to reach its final form. It was recorded in August 2005 at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studios in California, with Grammy winning producer Will Ackerman. The angelic vocals of Noah Wilding were added a few weeks later at his Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont.

This composition was inspired by a little girl named Hayley, who died of leukemia at 22 months old, and whose life will always remind me to treasure every moment with childlike faith. When I received the phone call December 19, 2004 with news of her passing, I couldn’t sleep. I found refuge at my basement keyboard into the night. With headphones on, and everyone else in the house asleep, I started writing a song to remember and honor Hayley’s life.

The first version of Peace was like a music box lullaby. As the months went by before recording The Voice, the music evolved to a deeper place that attempts to share a peace that transcends circumstances, a peace that passes all understanding…a peace that Hayley knows and would want us to know. The delicate vocals are like those of an angel watching over Hayley, and each of us. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Hayley’s life was an inspiration to thousands of people who followed her story and prayed for her. I played Peace at her funeral, then her story led to Peace and other melodies being played at services of remembrance for families who had lost a child to cancer. Music to Light the World began donating CDs to offer hope and healing. Today this program is called Get Music Give Hope, and every year at least one CD is donated (sometimes several) for every CD sold. Thanks to customers and donors, over 50,000 donated CDs have touched 500,000 lives as patients, family members, friends and caregivers have listened to the music in cancer centers and hospitals around the world. Thank you God for Hayley.

An Evening of Hope

August 20, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

When I wrote my first song at age 14, and composed my first instrumental melody at age 35, I didn’t know what it would mean. In both cases, and every time in between, I was just led to create, to compose. I wasn’t thinking about who would hear it, or what would happen. Creating gives me hope. Are you creating just because something inside or from above is inspiring you? Does this give you hope?

Over the past ten years, people have shared amazing stories from around the world about my music bringing peace, rest, hope, or healing to their life or health circumstances. I have learned I cannot control what will result from my actions. My small part in a much grander story is to be faithful to my calling and purpose. One day, one step at a time.

When Music to Light the World was founded in early 2004, these were a few things I didn’t know…

A co-worker’s daughter would die of leukemia that December
I would write a song for her called “Peace,” which would become a listener favorite around the world (inspired by her life and John 14:27)
Music to Light the World would begin donating CDs to families who had lost a child to cancer in 2005
We would begin calling this program Get Music Give Hope in 2009 (every CD purchase helps one CD be given to a patient or family)
One of the daughter’s nurses from 2004 would become Program Director for Beads of Courage, serving 30,000 children and families facing cancer or severe illnesses in the U.S. and overseas
In 2012 we would have a goal to donate 30,000 CDs, so every one of these families could be offered hope and healing.

On October 11th, Music to Light the World will host our 2nd annual fundraising dinner and concert, called An Evening of Hope 2012. Whether you are near or far from Atlanta, Georgia, I hope this story has inspired you, and you will consider playing a part in this unique event. If you would like to learn more about how you or someone you know can attend or make a tax-deductible donation to this effort, please visit https://www.stantonlanier.com/10-11-12.php

Are you following those nudges to use your creative gifts? Are you finding hope in the process?