Twenty Years of Composing – Grace and Truth

May 27, 2020 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

It is hard to believe I composed my first instrumental melody twenty years ago (click above to listen with Spotify as you read). In May 2000 I had a new keyboard and basic studio set up. God inspired the idea to use a verse of Scripture as the basis for an instrumental song. The first melody was titled Grace and Truth from John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

This idea leading to my first instrumental has become more and more profound over the years. Below are a few thoughts about this song, and what it has meant to my life and faith journey. I hope these reflections inspire your story.

Grace and Truth is in the key of C, which made it easier to compose and play. It begins with delicate verse variations to represent how grace is gentle and tender. The chorus is big and bold with low chords to express truth. This is followed by a new grace melody with higher notes flowing down. The truth chorus repeats again. Then the original grace melody returns and ends the song. It became the seventh track on my first album Walk in the Light.

This amazes me how grace comes before truth in this verse. As my desire to study Scripture grew in the 1990s, I didn’t realize my heart was filling with more truth than grace. In the 2000s God began to teach me to have more grace and forgiveness toward people. He was gradually helping me to see every person as He sees them, and to love them with His love, as He first loved us. In my life and faith story grace has been catching up with truth. Today both grace and truth are filling my heart more and more. For many years I lived life with more of an either or perspective, where either grace or truth was the lead story. In my case truth carried more weight than grace. This made me quietly more self righteous and judgmental with regard to others, even though I was just as unrighteous and sinful in God’s eyes. Only Jesus is filled with one hundred percent grace and truth, but He invites us to grow in receiving and sharing both with others through our lives.

The Lord has been so patient with me. His grace is an amazing gift (Ephesians 2:8). His truth is perfect, refreshing my soul (Psalm 19:7). My life and musical journey with grace and truth is woven into all one hundred forty songs I have composed and arranged over the past twenty years. I hope my music and story continue to be a blessing and encouragement to you!

How does the music and inspiration behind Grace and Truth speak to you?

Perfect Peace New Song

April 9, 2020 By Stanton Lanier 70 Comments

Click below to hear the new song Perfect Peace with beautiful, peace-filled piano and cello (released April 28). Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and more. For pianists you can also purchase the PDF Sheet Music.This Swiss Alps photo I took last year is the background for the song artwork. Please see underneath the image to read some inspirational notes…

During these historic and unprecedented weeks of the global coronavirus pandemic, I have been meditating on Isaiah 26:3 which says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). The Amplified Bible says, “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You–in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Meditate on these words as you listen. It is a powerful combination to take in the Scripture inspired piano and Isaiah 26:3 together.

If you are interested in more of the “behind the scenes” story for this song…it took a couple of weeks for God to reveal. The piano begins by slowly singing the notes for “Perfect Peace” two times (each word is two syllables, musically). Then the notes sing “You keep him in perfect peace.” This phrase becomes the verse portion, which appears several times throughout the song. The chorus portion starts with rhythmic notes, and was inspired by the words “whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The chorus answers the verse as a response to the perfect and constant peace God promises us when we fully trust and take refuge in Him. It was a beautiful blessing from God to finish this song a few days before we remember Jesus’s life and death, and celebrate His resurrection. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is our ultimate Perfect Peace, who saves us from our sin, and gives the gifts of resurrection and eternal life to all who believe.

How does the music and theme of Perfect Peace sing over your life today?

How Thanksgiving Leads to December Peace

November 26, 2019 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Thanksgiving with piano and English horn as you read. If you enjoy, listen to this and more music from Best Holiday Album Winner December Peace (ZMR Awards), the just released 2019 Christmas album December Peace II, and check out the 31 Days of December Peace devotional softcover book or e-Book.

How can Thanksgiving lead to December Peace?

My good friend and mentor Ken Boa consistently encourages me to practice two disciplines: Gratitude and Remembrance. As I prepare my heart and attitude for the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., I was reminded of two verses that have transformed my life and faith journey. Here is how I believe these can prepare you and me for December Peace, and even can lead us there…

As you are listening to Thanksgiving, reflect on these words: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Recorded in Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7 point me toward giving thanks. They focus my heart and mind on gratitude. This prompts me to remember God’s blessings. Then I begin to think about particular times when God has been faithful to provide for me, to see me through a difficult time. For example, when our house was robbed, when there were emergency room visits to the hospital, when I was having fears and doubts about the future, etc. By practicing the thanksgiving in verse 6, this leads to the peace promised in verse 7, which will guard my heart and mind.

I composed the song Thanksgiving from these verses, because I am often tempted to be anxious about everything, not just anything. The music expresses child-like faith, and skipping through life with joy. I wrote the Advent and Christmas season devotional 31 Days of December Peace, to offer real life stories filled with hope and inspiration (from my life and the lives of special friends). Each leads to peace and rest, to gratitude and remembrance, to experiencing “December Peace.” Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with thanksgiving, peace and joy!

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, and for December, ask yourself these questions:

Who are some people you are grateful for?
What are some things you are grateful for?
What difficult times has God helped you through?
When did something amazing and good happen that encouraged you?

Valentine Love Song & Video

February 13, 2018 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Instead of the usual free music stream for your reading soundtrack, this post is designed for you to first read the short story, then watch the Pure Fountain love song music video down below. If you enjoy, check out the CD or MP3 Album, or Sheet Music (or visit iTunes, Amazon , Spotify, Pandora, etc.).

Have you ever had a love song written just for you?

With tomorrow being February 14th, this question came to mind: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had our own love song, written just for us?” I’ve got some good news — I think we do.

My worst Valentine memory is the year I forgot my wife had prepared a candle lit dinner for two, and I was over one hour late. Ouch. That one really hurt. Sometimes I can still feel like I am making up for this mistake that happened over twenty years ago (my wife has forgiven me, and yes, she still loves me!). Many Valentine’s celebrations have been wonderful. One of our family’s best memories in recent years was cooking a gourmet dinner to enjoy together.

In my brokenness, I frequently feel like I need to “earn” my wife’s love. It becomes conditional. If I “do this” or “don’t do that” then she will love me more. If I am not careful, I can also begin thinking incorrectly that God will love me more based on what I do or don’t do.

Pure Fountain is probably my favorite of three instrumental love songs I have composed (Captivating and More Precious are the other two). When these Scripture inspired piano melodies were born, I was writing them for my wife, but I was inspired by God’s unconditional love for me. His forgiveness, love and acceptance are not based on my performance, but on His grace.

So, read the few phrases below from Song of Solomon Chapter 4 (taken from The Message). Then, watch for them in the Pure Fountain love song video. Receive this as your love song — God’s love song, music, and words written just for you.

Dear lover and friend,
you’re a secret garden,
a private and PURE FOUNTAIN.

A garden fountain,
sparkling and splashing…

You’ve captured my heart.
I stay until dawn breathes its light
and night slips away.

Body and soul you are PARADISE.
One look my way and…
I was hopelessly in love!

As you watch the video, how do the words and melody speak to your heart?

Day 28 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ Pursuing Your Passions, Part 1

December 28, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Coventry Carol as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

In 1994, at the age of 30, I surrendered my career life to God and asked Him to show me what He wanted me to do. After getting an MBA and spending five years in consulting and sales, the time had come to trust God 100% instead of asking Him to join me in what I was doing.

In 1995, God called me to Ronald Blue & Co. to become a financial planner. It was the clearest sense of direction I had experienced in my life. So clear, in fact, that I thought the greatest blessing was that I had found my life calling. It was a joy and a privilege to wake up each day and give financial counsel to clients based on a biblical perspective.

Working with clients on financial and life stewardship caused me to ask myself the same questions I would often discuss with clients. How much is enough? What are your passions? As I reflected, my heart was stirred to revive a lifelong passion I had for playing the piano and writing songs. “Baby steps” of faith led me to a place where God inspired me to compose instrumental melodies to help people slow down and experience His peace. The next year, I released my first CD and gave it away to friends, clients and co-workers. More and more people began to enjoy and share my music and two more albums followed.

Below are the first two steps that had a powerful impact on my faith journey. I hope they inspire and encourage you to pursue your passions.

1. Invest. In 1999 I had a stirring in my heart that I was supposed to invest in a keyboard and computer to record some old songs I had written in high school. God’s voice just would not go away on this, so I gathered information for six months, waited upon the Lord, and took action steps to obey and invest. Following this, God revealed a new idea to create solo piano from scripture to bring peace to the soul. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

2. Invigorate. What is it that invigorates you (i.e. refreshes, revitalizes, stimulates, enlivens, energizes, rejuvenates, animates, strengthens, livens you up)? Make sure to integrate whatever “it” is into your life, even if this means just a few minutes each day or a few hours each week. Make the most of life right now where you are. “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32).

Are you hearing God’s still small voice telling you to invest in some way? What invigorates you?

To be continued tomorrow…

Day 25 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ Shepherds and Stars

December 25, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Shepherds and Stars as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

“The aim and final end of all music should be unto the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

In arranging and composing for December Peace, my heart was to offer God’s peace and rest through a distinctive collection of traditional and original piano melodies. Johann Sebastian Bach, my all-time favorite composer, once said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” In tribute to him, the album opens with his timeless music known as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

When my parents didn’t let me quit piano lessons in 7th grade, I had no way of knowing that one day I would create my own arrangement of this world-renowned melody. Bach’s legacy of glorifying God and refreshing souls lives on, as Jesu is performed at weddings around the world nearly 300 years after its composition.

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them… saying, “Today… a Savior has been born to you.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke, 60 A.D.

In the fullness and busyness of the Christmas season, these words taken from Luke 2:8-15 give me reason to pause on Christmas Day. They inspired one of my favorite original compositions titled Shepherds and Stars, which expresses the heart of December Peace. Close your eyes and visit the scene. See the moon and stars shining, hear the sounds of fields at night, smell the aroma of dew and sheep… Imagine seeing the angel, announcing the Savior’s birth, and then the night sky filling with countless angels speaking of glory to God, and peace to men.

As I reflected on this story, here are two things I noticed:

1. The shepherds decided the event described to them was worth a visit. As you listen for God’s gentle whisper, what activity is He inviting you into?

2. We are all “shepherds in the field” living out daily life. God wants us to have encounters with Him. He wants to speak into our lives. Will you be intentional to watch for Him?

During this stressful and busy time of year, remember to pause on Christmas Day. Listen for God’s gentle whisper. Watch for His activity. Behold His glory. Refresh in His presence.

Merry Christmas!

Day 20 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ The Inspiration for Peace

December 20, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Peace as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or PDF 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 16 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ The Top

December 16, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Silence as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

My first job in high school was at a canoe rental called Adventures Unlimited. It was the summer after my junior year. I had my new driver’s license and I was going to drive old trucks and vans full of people going canoeing or tubing on the Coldwater River near Milton, Florida.

One of the first things I learned was a lot of vehicles in the world do not have an automatic transmission. My boss was assigning vehicles one Saturday and asked, “Who wants to drive the bread truck?” I eagerly volunteered and stepped up to start the engine. It started bucking like a giant horse. I didn’t know I was supposed to hold down the clutch pedal with my left foot and at the same time give it gas with my right foot! Everyone’s laughter invited me to smile.

The next summer I graduated to the old five-speed school buses. I was responsible for forty passengers with paddles, life jackets, coolers, beer, cigarettes, and occasionally some kind of cigarette that didn’t smell like a regular cigarette. I discovered the world is made up of all kinds of people, including some that really like to party.

Something I didn’t expect from this canoe rental job was a growing appreciation for solitude. I would often volunteer to take a job called “the top.” It was twelve miles up river where trailers full of canoes were unloaded for the day trip. At 7 a.m. there I would be, just me and one hundred canoes to be carried on my shoulders down to the sandbar. I relished the physical workout. The reward of solitude came when all the canoes were on the beach. I could take a swim in the river or just lay back on a cushion in a canoe. The only sounds were the gentle flow of the river, the breeze in the tops of tall pine trees and birds singing. This was a treasured time to relax, rest and be refreshed. It wasn’t too long before the school buses would start arriving filled with people. This experience taught me the value of slowing down and being still along the way.

What was your favorite summer job growing up? What did you learn? Where is your haven for solitude?

Day 14 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ Needle on a Piece of Vinyl Dup

December 14, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Angels We Have Heard on High as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

Music has been a part of my life since a very young age, and the music of December is a thread that knits together all of my 43 years. Just reading the titles of songs that were learned as a toddler, performed in choirs, played on instruments and now enjoyed as a listener… it takes me to another place. It has been said that music is love in search of a word. The music of December is inspired by God’s love in search of the world. It tells stories of the night of Christ’s birth; it brings cheer and merriment due to God’s blessings, and it quiets the mind and stills the heart as we reflect on our place and purpose.

My greatest memories of December are of Christmas spent at home with my family growing up. Even though I grew up in Florida, we managed to have a fire in the fireplace around the holidays. I would lie in front of the fire and peer into the coals looking for shapes and designs. My older brother and I would see how long we could touch the lights on the tree before they burned our fingers. It seemed like the blue lights were always the hottest! There was always something sweet to eat in the kitchen at Christmas, even though snacks generally consisted of celery and carrot sticks. We would shake all the presents and try to guess what each one was. And the backdrop to it all was a needle on a piece of vinyl that produced music that filled the house. There is just something different about December.

As a child, I didn’t fully appreciate the ability to rest or experience peace. It didn’t require any effort really… I could just “be”. Now, as a husband and father with a young family of my own, it is all I can do to find momentary rest and pause in the middle of a busy world. Matthew 11:28-30 tells us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” While this is an invitation to trust Jesus personally and an opportunity for rest through forgiveness, it’s also a reminder to me that I can bring my troubles to Him, I can trust Him and find peace in Him. That’s what I hope to do this Christmas, and I hope that for you too.

Day 13 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ What is Your Drum?

December 13, 2017 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Little Drummer Boy as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

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

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

I am a conflicted human being. Dad has a PhD in analytical chemistry and Mom majored in art. I grew up liking math and numbers. Sometimes I still catch myself counting my steps as I walk. I can hear musical melodies in my head, and started composing by ear when I was fourteen. I majored in chemistry, have an M.B.A., and spent fifteen years in the business world before becoming a pianist-composer in 2004.

Growing up I kept discovering what I didn’t want to be. I didn’t want to be a doctor. My mom talked me into being a Candy Striper volunteer at our local hospital when I was fourteen. I didn’t like the sight of blood, but was determined to conquer this fear. One day I got the courage to watch a nurse draw blood into a tube from a lady’s arm. Shortly thereafter, standing straight up, I fainted outside the hospital gift shop. My medical career was over. I still have a knot on my head where it hit the concrete floor.

I searched for my calling at a canoe rental, a paper mill, a carpet plant, a soft drink facility, a consulting firm and an insurance company. Then, at age thirty, I experienced what I call “career surrender.” I basically said, “Lord, I give up. Please show me what you want me to be.” My steps were so clearly directed to a financial planning job that I thought I would work there for the rest of my career. What I began to learn, however, was to surrender my faith, my family, my work and my life to God.

The Little Drummer Boy story has always inspired me. At the end the poor little drummer boy says, “What gift can I bring?” as he stands before the baby Jesus. He sees the gifts from the wise men and knows he cannot afford a gift so grand. His friend says, “play your drum.” As he plays the baby Jesus smiles. What a beautiful picture. I believe we all have a special “drum” to play that is unique to us. Some of us discover this very early in life. For some of us it takes time for it to surface. Sadly, some of us don’t look for it, or keep putting it off until “someday.”

What is your drum?