Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Invigorate My Soul

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Use today’s post as a time of meditation. The selected verses down below are from Psalm 119 in The Message. They speak to me powerfully. They invigorate my soul. They also include the inspiration behind the Open Spaces music and video.

I hope this combination of music, words and video inspires your faith, creativity and calling. Please feel free to comment on how this speaks to you, and I will reply personally.

Grace and Peace, Stanton

Verses 1-2
You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.

Verses 17-18
Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

Verses 43-48
Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever;
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
Then I’ll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—relishing every fragment of your counsel.

Verses 175-176
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

Your Favorite Open Space

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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? Open Spaces 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?

Open Spaces and Psalm 119

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Did you know that the Open Spaces CD cover image was what I saw out an airplane window? Yes, it was January 2013 and I was flying home from Boston to Atlanta after recording six piano melodies, when 20 minutes into the flight I saw the ocean, the sand, the horizon of the sea, a mountain view, the “open spaces” from 20,000 feet. I was captivated and took 40 photos. This is my first post sharing the inspiration behind the album and the title track Open Spaces…

Stanton Lanier Open Spaces Cover

This morning I was having quiet time and reading through my “underlines” from Psalm 119 in The Message Bible. Here is the context behind the new music:

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily, on the road revealed by God…when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set. Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I’m going to do what you tell me to do. I’m single minded in pursuit of you. Be generous with me and I’ll have a full life. I’ll run the course you lay out for me if you’ll just show me how. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me — my whole life one long, obedient response. Invigorate me on the pilgrim way. And I’ll stride freely in wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I’ll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. Your promises rejuvenate me. I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk in this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. By your words I can see where I am going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me. Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well.

I encourage you to meditate on these words while listening to Open Spaces. You can hear samples on the website or on iTunes. May your spirit be refreshed!