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Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

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Sound Waves – Simplify & Refresh

June 1, 2016 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/11-Prelude-In-C-StantonLanierc2011.mp3
Click above to listen to J.S. Bach’s Prelude in C while you read. This is from my 7th album A Thousand Years, which features a blend of original composing with unique arrangements of favorite classics and hymns.
 
What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
 
I love to experience the wonder of a musical journey, with beautiful melodies and awe-inspiring performances. If you would like to hear some of my favorites, I have created a summer vacation Spotify playlist called Sound Waves (you can listen here).
 
During a recent music video filming trip, I was able to wake before sunrise three mornings in a row. One morning captured below included the combination of ocean waves with a breathtaking sunrise. The scene was a picture of simplicity and refreshment, which are two of the key elements I love to bring listeners through my music.
IMG_3332If we described our favorite movie soundtrack, “simple” and “refreshing” may not be the first words we would use, but they would likely be in the mix. Two composers who inspire me are J.S. Bach and Hans Zimmer. I love their quotes about music below…
 
“I’ve spent my life trying to make things simpler. Because I find ultimately that complicated doesn’t reach the heart.” — Hans Zimmer
 
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” — Johann Sebastian Bach
 
Think about how you can simplify and refresh today. Can you use music? Do you need get outside to breathe the air? Take a walk? Find a quiet place? Thanks for joining me on this quest. I would love to hear from you with any comments or feedback.
 
What is one way you can simplify and refresh today?
 
“This is all that I have learned: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” — Ecclesiastes 7:29 (Good News Translation)

Filed Under: Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: a thousand years, hans zimmer, JS Bach, Prelude in C, Refresh, simplify, sound waves, spotify

Two Reasons to Visit Your Quiet Place

May 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/08-Quiet-Place.mp3

Click above to listen to Quiet Place from the album The Voice (recorded at the George Lucas Skywalker Sound Studio). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from Amazon, iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is your favorite quiet place?

Are you being intentional to invest some time there? If it is far away, do you have a next best place closer to home where you can spend quiet time? It can be hard to believe that taking time for quiet and solitude is actually productive, and even increases productivity. Even now I can hear the call of urgent “to do” lists. How stopping feels contrary to accomplishing as much as I can today. Yet, something seems true and right about pausing. Here are two reasons why I believe our quiet places invite us to come visit.

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First, I find a sense of refreshment that is so good for the soul. I am able to recalibrate my perspective toward being thankful. It seems like we each have a favorite physical place that quiets our spirit the most . . . the mountains . . . the beach . . . a farm . . . an open field . . . a walk in the woods . . . a special room. This piece of music was created to help you close your eyes and imagine that you are in this place so close to your heart.

Second, I find a sense of renewal. My attitude and words are more life giving when my heart thinks on things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Investing time for quiet offers the opportunity to pray and listen, to read and reflect on Scripture, and to live out Luke 6:45 in a more positive way: “What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

So, when is your next visit to your quiet place? May your heart be refreshed and renewed.

“He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:31-32

Filed Under: Music Stories, Peace and Rest, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: Piano for Prayer, quiet place, Refresh, Renew, The Voice

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