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

December 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Peace as you read. This piano-angelic vocals duet is from 2009 Best Holiday Album December Peace (ZMR Awards, winning over Enya and Yo-Yo Ma). If you enjoy, please consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen and download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or eBook). Also available from Amazon Kindle, iTunes, and other e-Readers.

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

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 generous customers and donors, 60,000 donated CDs have touched 600,000 lives (updated for 2014) 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.

Day 9, 31 Days of December Peace ~ Peace on Earth

December 9, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to the worldwide listener favorite Peace as you read. This is the closing track on 2009 Best Holiday Album December Peace (ZMR Awards, winning over Enya and Yo-Yo Ma). If you enjoy, please consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen and download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or eBook). Also available from Amazon Kindle, iTunes, and other e-Readers.

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:14

Peace on earth begins with peace in the human heart. It is the result of an inner transformation that affects external conditions. So for example, if a home is conflicted over angry adults, then peace will come when hearts have been captured by peace with God. When Jesus enters the arena of life, He brings peace to those who submit to Him.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:1-2a).

Are you stressed out over meeting everyone’s expectations? Is the pressure of buying gifts, planning menus and making year-end financial decisions pushing your patience to the edge? If so, inhale the peace of God and exhale the expectations of others. Be careful to not miss the joy of Jesus during this celebration of His birth. Focus on His desires.

Peace on earth does not mean all wars will cease. As our Savior taught, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Mark 13:7). In fact, many times following Christ means a clash with the morals of society, a discomfort with family members and conflict with your work culture.

However, in the middle of our situations of unrest, we can rest in the Lord. The calming presence of Jesus was illustrated as He lay in swaddling clothes as the world’s Savior. His peace pursues impure hearts – He came to “seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). So begin by surrendering to your Master Jesus, who began His reign in a humble manger.

Worship the glory of God in all of His goodness, mercy and grace. Wise men and women still seek Him, because He is the originator of wisdom and peace. His favor rests on those who rest in Him, love and obey Him and follow Him all the days of their lives. So, settle down and see Jesus. Replace your frantic pace with calm faith and loud noise with silence. Invite the peace of God to enter into your hurried heart. His peace settles stress.

Lastly, use this season of celestial celebration to celebrate your salvation in Christ. Maybe bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to your Savior. Dress up in His honor and read the Christmas story. Encourage the children and grandchildren to take on Bible character roles and act out that special day in Bethlehem. Most of all, by grace, model for a world without peace – the world of peace Jesus gives you.

Have I made peace with God? How can I rest in His peace under stressful situations?

My Personal Faith Story (Video)

June 9, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 14 Comments

This morning I am taking a leap of faith by inviting you into some of my life story, with the song Peace from The Voice playing in the background. Thanks to the 315 Project for capturing this 3-minute version of my faith story so beautifully on film.

How does my story connect with yours?

I would love to hear from you and will respond personally. You can comment through the blog or contact me via email. Thanks for watching and God bless you in your journey today and this week!

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.

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.

31 Days of December Peace: Day 19 ~ His Peace

December 19, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 3 Comments

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

Peace took on new meaning for my family in 2004. That December found us holding our first and then only daughter, Hayley, close in our arms, day after day, as we awaited her final breath. Years of faith, prayers of loved ones, and Scripture-inspired music surrounded us daily and reminded us of the eternity we one day would share together; the knowledge of Hayley’s imminent death, though, remained wrenching. I remember constantly kissing her forehead, as I had a lifetime of love to fit into an unknown, but certainly short, number of days. I wanted the warmth of her cheek on mine and the memory of holding this cherished gift from God to be etched on my heart forever.

Hayley would pass away from an aggressive form of leukemia on December 19, 2004, having been home under hospice care for several weeks. A year filled with hospital rooms, intense chemotherapy, more than 60 blood and platelet transfusions, full-body irradiation, and a cord blood transplant would come to an end that evening with our daughter taking her last breath…six weeks before her second birthday.

December Peace is His Peace. His Peace brought tears of joy to my eyes and compelled my heart to sing praise as my precious daughter smiled, took her last breath, and left this world forever. His Peace was joy amidst anguish.

His Peace continues to turn my fear, anger and confusion into faith, love and compassion, and helps me look forward for comfort rather than backward for explanations. And it is His Peace that now fills my Decembers with visions of my baby girl running into His arms.

This life is full of difficult, sometimes nearly impossible-to-bear circumstances. His Peace reminds me that there is an eternity beyond what we can imagine. His Peace reminds me that all that is ahead is so much greater than anything we will leave behind. His Peace reminds me that He is in control AND that I am loved.

His Peace frees me. His Peace brings me to contentment, even when my heart aches… especially in December.

31 Days of December Peace: Day 18 ~ My Favorite Month

December 18, 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.

December is my most exciting month of the year. It is the month we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. When I reflect on our Savior and what He has done for me on Calvary, I have so many things to be thankful for, and I rejoice in all that Jesus has made available to me.

Jesus is my Peace, my Healer, my Comforter, my Joy, and my Strength. When I think on the works of His marvelous hands, I recognize my future is in Good Hands. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I can look forward to having peace in the new year and walking in God’s plan for my life .

December is the month when I reflect on how Jesus made a difference in my life throughout the past months and seasons. Never has Jesus failed to bring me through. As I travel along this journey, I have an assurance I am never alone because Jesus promised in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave or forsake me. When I know Jesus is the one lighting my path, I can see brighter days ahead. December is the month I take pleasure in celebrating our Savior with Christmas carols, love, unity, and fellowship with those who have impacted and made a difference in my life. I also make a great effort to give back to those who may not know the love of God. I realize throughout the year I have been blessed to be a blessing, so I seek to allow my life to be a blessing to as many as God would have me serve. I celebrate my Savior by lifting Him up and magnifying His name in the midst of those who need a word of encouragement, and hope.

December is the month I look forward to giving out some of the most beautiful and inspirational greeting cards. While drinking hot cocoa, I write words expressing my love. My favorite December songs are Silent Night and Holy is the Lamb. I am always anticipating God raining down some snowflakes, giving us a white Christmas that shows reverence for His Holiness.

December brings me great joy because I know in my heart Jesus is real, and everything begins to reflect Christ’s love. People are more generous; all over the world songs are being sung about our Savior’s birth; amazing miracles are expressed and talked about over the news; lights are bright throughout the nights, and the world has a heart of giving. Children are laughing and playing, and everyone is anticipating the birth of something new.December is a time I reflect on God’s Peace. There is always a feeling of God’s awesome presence moving around us that lets me know all is well. December is the last month of the year, and I know God speaks about our “Latter being Greater.” As I look back, and look ahead, I can actually testify as to how God’s Peace has calmed all my storms.

Mocah Cream Cake = Peace and Joy

August 30, 2012 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

I was just starting my morning and got a call from my brother. He said, “Happy Birthday!” (it’s my 48th today) and shared he woke up thinking about me. He said it’s interesting how as we get older others mean more and we mean less. He elaborated, “Our younger days are often more self focused and self serving. As we get older, life is more about our relationships with others, and serving others before ourselves.” “Wow,” I said. “That’s today’s blog post.”

Below are some short reflections to help you think about your life story and living it well. But first, I wanted you to see my Mocah Cream Birthday Cake.

My wife has been making this for me since 1990, the year we were married. Today I will cut a big slice of my 23rd Mocha Cream Cake. Peace and Joy! When my brother talked about how our perspective changes through the years, I was stirred to remember what was happening in my life from age 8 to 48.

Age 8. Third grade. Beginning to grow out of stuttering as a child. Still struggling with my R’s and W’s. The word “reward” bugs me to this day. Very shy. A few neighborhood friends. Playing little league baseball and basketball. Third year of piano lessons. Elton John’s song “Rocket Man” was a hit.
Age 18. Graduated high school. Started freshman year at Georgia Tech. Had written 15 songs and had 10th and 12th grade piano recitals. Scored 30 points in a high school basketball game. Very special friends and memories. By faith, had trusted God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus.
Age 28. Second wedding anniversary. Had an MBA. Started my third job. Striving for success by the world’s standards. Wanted to be a real estate investor, entrepreneur. Had not surrendered my life and career fully to God. Started studying the Bible with my wife.
Age 38. Fulfilled and on purpose as a financial planner (after “career surrender” at age 30). About to release my second instrumental piano album. Starting to wonder if music was what I was supposed to do. Living for significance was now more important than success. Longing to hear God’s voice.
Age 48. Precious memories and relationships looking back. Top priority to be a loving and leading husband and dad. Not taking life as seriously as I once did. More tears. More joy. More adventure. More wonder. More uncertainty. Grateful for every day. Living in the present. Excited about the future!

How about you? Does your life story have peace and joy today? Who or what needs your focus to live a great story, to serve others well? I’d love to hear your thoughts…