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Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Joy

March 20, 2018 By Stanton Lanier 5 Comments

Click above to listen to Far Away from Home from Treasures of Peace as you read. You can use these links to listen and explore more: CD or MP3 Album , Sheet Music , iTunes , Amazon , Spotify , Pandora , or your favorite source.

Would you say you are “seeking joy” or “avoiding fear” more in life right now?

Moving from fear to joy (freedom is another word for joy) has been a long and challenging process over many years. Wanting to be safe, secure, and practical is deeply embedded in me. Below are six examples of moving from fear to freedom (joy) in my life story. After you read these, I hope you will click the image below to watch the Far Away from Home music video, and look for all the moments of child-like joy and freedom in the story. We all can have more joy and freedom if we seek to find them…

Click the image above to watch the “Far Away from Home” music video

From FEAR (lacking joy — often things are not in our control, but many fears are self driven too)…
—Being abused by a male babysitter at age nine led to fear and insecurity with my identity.
—Missing the first word in the 8th grade spelling bee led to a fear of public speaking.
—My right leg shaking during piano recitals led to fear of playing the piano for an audience.
—Going from 20 points to only a few minutes per game in high school basketball led to fear as a team leader.
—Failing my first two college exams led to a fear that I may not be smart enough to pass.
—The leap of faith from a fifteen-year business career to full-time music ministry led to fear of failure.

To FREEDOM (seeking and finding joy — this is a process, needing patience and prayer, and God’s grace)…
—Being vulnerable instead of hiding pain, brings freedom that God sees me and knows me.
—Focusing on what God thinks of me, instead of what others think, brings freedom in public speaking.
—Surrendering performance, playing for an audience of One, brings freedom in piano concerts.
—Remembering my 30-point game instead of 0-point games, brings freedom in being a leader.
—Recalling my joy in making two B’s after starting with two F’s, brings freedom in giving my best.
—God’s faithfulness since 2004 with Music to Light the World, brings freedom in living out my life calling and purpose.

Where are you lacking joy or facing fear right now? What is one thing you can do to seek joy and freedom?

“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)

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

Filed Under: Giving Hope, Life Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: Far Away from Home, from fear to freedom, Isaiah 41:10, Overcoming Fear, Treasures of Peace

From Fear to Freedom

February 21, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Far-Away-from-Home-Clip-60-sec-MP3.mp3

Click above to listen to a portion of Far Away from Home from my 9th album Treasures of Peace. Order the CD or MP3 Album or the Sheet Music. Listen on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, or your favorite source.

What have you been afraid of in the past, where you now have freedom?

Two issues prompted this new post. First, with almost two months gone, my and your New Year excitement and enthusiasm about all that is possible in 2017 may have begun to fade. Some of this decline can be due to fear. Second, this Thursday, February 23, is “Shine a Light on Slavery Day” where the End It Movement is leading the fight for freedom for an estimated twenty million people in the world being held against their will.

Below are six examples of moving from fear to freedom in my life story. After you read these, I hope you will click the image below to watch the Far Away from Home music video, and look for all the moments of freedom in the story…

Click the image above to watch the “Far Away from Home” music video

From FEAR…
—Being abused by a male babysitter at age nine led to fear and insecurity with my identity.
—Missing the first word in the 8th grade spelling bee led to a fear of public speaking.
—My right leg shaking during piano recitals led to fear of playing the piano for an audience.
—Going from 20 points to only a few minutes per game in high school basketball led to fear as a team leader.
—Failing my first two college exams led to a fear that I may not be smart enough to pass.
—The leap of faith from a fifteen-year business career to full-time music ministry led to fear of failure.

To FREEDOM…
—Being vulnerable instead of hiding pain, brings freedom that God sees me and knows me.
—Focusing on what God thinks of me, instead of what others think, brings freedom in public speaking.
—Surrendering performance, playing for an audience of One, brings freedom in piano concerts.
—Remembering my 30-point game instead of 0-point games, brings freedom in being a leader.
—Recalling my joy in making two B’s after starting with two F’s, brings freedom in giving my best.
—God’s faithfulness since 2004 with Music to Light the World, brings freedom in living out my life calling and purpose.

We all have deep and meaningful fears and freedoms, struggles and victories, tears and joys. Thinking of people being enslaved, whether through human sex-trafficking, work without pay, or other forms of violence and abuse, prompts me to ask God to bring rescue to them physically, from fear to freedom. Recognizing others whose struggles are far greater than mine, prompts me to be much more grateful for the freedoms God has given me by His grace.

What is one fear you have, where God can help you move toward freedom?

“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)

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

Filed Under: Giving Hope, Life Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: Far Away from Home, from fear to freedom, Isaiah 41:10, Overcoming Fear, Treasures of Peace

A New Song to Help You Overcome Fear

July 18, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 17 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Far-Away-from-Home-MP3.mp3

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…

Far Away from Home Med

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)

Filed Under: Giving Hope, Life Stories, Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: Far Away from Home, Isaiah 41:10, music for cancer, No Need to Fear, Overcoming Fear, Scripture Inspired Piano

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