Day 12, 31 Days of December Peace ~ Finally Home for Christmas

December 12, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming as you read. This 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?

Esther looked out her window at the gathering gloom of dusk and accumulating snowfall. It would be a long night here at the nursing center and she hoped that tonight her roommate would finally sleep. The long nights of intermittent moans and raspy breathing did nothing to help her own discomfort, tethered as she was to the ever-present oxygen cannula since her last heart attack in June. Her decision to stay here in New England rather than to live with her daughter in the Midwest had been hers, one she was at peace with after much thought and prayer. Yet tonight, despite the colored lights and garland at each window, it hardly seemed like the Holidays here, much less Christmas Eve. Trusting in her Lord and His providential care for her was a great comfort; but the nights here could be so lonely… especially on this night…

Staring into the darkness, watching the swirling, playful snowflakes’ procession on their way to join the blanket below, she could not help but think back over her 89 years to the happier days of girlhood; to the Christmases of days gone by, with the expectation of Santa Claus and presents. There was Mamma’s cooking and Daddy’s stories, all jumbled together with memories of her own children, in like manner, now all grown and gone with young adult children of their own. She thought wistfully of her own dear Bill, of a Christmas Eve proposal and a lifetime of love and sharing. He was now long-gone to be with Jesus and her heart ached, just to see him smile…to hold his hand… to hear him call her “Essie” one more time. Her family, busied with their own children and grandchildren, managed to call fairly frequently these days… always a lift for her spirits. But, it was not like being there, amidst it all, as impractical and impossible as that was now. The cycles of life, intertwined and spinning together like the dancing flakes before her, were always moving, always changing…
Finishing her bedtime routine, complete with her daily Scripture reading, she slipped beneath her covers and sighed audibly. She remembered the baby Jesus, another unnoticed sojourner; a pilgrim forgotten by the very world He came to save. She remembered John 3:16 and thought about the Father’s Gift, the Light of the World, and how strange it must have been for this infant King; our God wrapped up in flesh, to be away from His home… just so we could know Christmas…

Drifting now, headed for sleep, she breathed a wearied but fervent prayer: “Just to be Home, Lord Jesus… Home with You… Home with Bill… just to be Home…” Her breathing steadied as sleep overcame her. The minutes passed; then an hour, then two, as steadiness gave way to slowing, slowing now to a peaceful still.

And somewhere in the blustery, wintry darkness, Light said, “Come,”…and she did!…

How J.S. Bach Inspires Creativity

November 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Hymn to Bach from my 7th album A Thousand Years, featuring timeless classics and hymns. If you enjoy, please consider ordering the CD, MP3 Album, or sheet music from the A Thousand Years store page. You can also download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

How can J.S. Bach’s creativity inspire yours?

Johann Sebastian Bach lived from 1685 to 1750 in Germany. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth. There are over 1,100 known compositions. Somehow his music speaks to the soul, and I believe there is a reason why.

When I was taking twelve years of piano lessons from 1st through 12th grade, I was introduced to Bach’s Invention No. 8 when I was fourteen (also the year I wrote my first song). I knew this piece by memory for the next fifteen years, and would play it often. About ten years ago I came to deeply appreciate one of Bach’s greatest quotes…

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” Bach wrote the initials “S. D. G.” at the end of all his church compositions, and many others. This dedication meant Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone). Bach’s music still lifts the heart and energizes the soul, and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is still one of the most popular and well known wedding songs around the world today.

In tribute to Bach, I arranged Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring into my style blended with original composing. This solo piano piece opens my album December Peace (2009 Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). Listen to Jesu here. For the album A Thousand Years I arranged another famous Bach melody, Air on the G String, and combined this with the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy to honor Bach’s dedication Soli Deo Gloria. Listen to Hymn to Bach here.

I believe we all have one or two God-given gifts, passions and talents. Any number of skills and interests can be developed to become strengths, but when hard work and practice are put into something we love and are passionate about — and then we do this to the glory of God — the potential blessings are timeless and without limit.

What is your creative gift you are most passionate about?

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:3

How Does Autumn Refresh My Soul?

November 17, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to World of Wonders from the album A Thousand Years as you read, featuring Amazing Grace. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is you favorite season and how does it refresh your soul?

Mine is the fall, followed by spring, summer, and winter. Join me for a moment as I associate words with memories and ways “autumn splendor” refreshes my soul. I hope this triggers some special memories for you of your favorite season.

Invigorating: Feeling cool air and wind on my face
Adventuring: Building boyhood forts out of sticks and leaves in North Carolina
Captivating: Seeing the wide variety of trees and colors
Nurturing: Raking pine straw and blowing leaves
Cherishing: An early October wedding and Vermont honeymoon
Listening: Quiet walks in the woods help me hear God’s gentle whisper
Exploring: Driving in the mountains searching for beauty
Celebrating: Giving thanks for family gatherings and Thanksgiving traditions
Capturing: Photographing radiant leaves (like the one above I took this week)

The piano melody in World of Wonders is “singing” about breathtaking moments of beauty we can notice in nature, whether winter, spring, summer or fall. The emergence of Amazing Grace inside this composition is a symbol of God’s common grace in the seasons, how he cares for creation and for us. This great hymn also embodies the gift of His saving grace and forgiveness.

What comes to mind with the words “world of wonders” and “amazing grace?”

“Sing to God a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders!” — Psalm 98:1 (The Message)

“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” — Amazing Grace first verse; hymn written by John Newton in 1779, and joined to a traditional song named New Britain in 1835 which became its famous melody.

How Beautiful – The Weather Channel Surprise

November 5, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 1 Comment

Click above to listen to How Beautiful from my second album Still Waters as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

When was a time something you love was part of a great surprise?

Sometimes these events happen in bunches, and sometimes there may only be a few per year. This story happened Saturday, February 1, 2003. I was still a full-time financial planner and had released my second album Still Waters before Christmas 2012. In the midst of Saturday chores and projects around the house, there was a voice mail left on my phone.

It was a friend from Arkansas, and the message said, “I think I just heard your music on The Weather Channel. How is that possible!?” With technology at the time, it took a few days to figure out. A Still Waters CD had made it from a person at work to a person at The Weather Channel to the person in charge of music for the Local on the 8s. The song How Beautiful had been selected for the music rotation, and was playing in the background about once every two hours across the U.S. This only lasted for two minutes during the local forecast.

To my surprise, this led to CD orders from thirty states. There were amazing stories from people who emailed to share they could sense God’s peace and hope in the instrumental music. One was from a lady in Michigan who was folding her laundry. Another was from a young man in a Connecticut hospital. All of this caused tears of joy and a growing sense that something bigger was happening. Was God calling me toward doing music full-time?

The other big surprise was the inspirational verses behind How Beautiful. This was and still is one of my favorite melodies on this album. The piano notes are singing the scriptures almost word for word, which speak of the beauty of serving others in love, and the wonder and mystery of God’s grace and forgiveness.

How beautiful can your life be today in sharing some good news with someone?

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” — Romans 10:15

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Higher – Why is this Happening to Me?

August 29, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Higher from my third album Draw Near as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Higher was inspired by Isaiah 55:8-9 — “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

What has happened recently that made you wonder why?

Are you feeling defeated right now? Discouraged? Something got you down? Bear with me through this story that happened two summers ago. I hope you are nudged closer to overcoming whatever is deflating you. “It” doesn’t have to win…

It was a Friday morning off to a great start. I was up early, had some quiet time, and was ready for a good day. After breakfast my wife said, “You could go ahead and fix the faucet this morning, before it gets hot.” I knew she was right. One of our outdoor faucets had a small leak, dripping about one gallon per day. I adjusted my plans, set my mind to checking this off my list, and thought, “replacing a washer shouldn’t take too long, but even if it does, I will still maintain a positive attitude.”

“Let’s get this done and finish a new blog post this morning too,” I thought. I borrowed some special tools from two neighbors and set to work. First, I turned off the water line to the house. Then, I removed the faucet. I quickly realized that none of the washers in the assortment package would fit. I was frustrated, but kept a good attitude. It meant a return trip to Home Depot. Maybe it would be easier to just get a new faucet. There wasn’t one. Our faucet was too old. My good attitude turned to groaning.

This led me to a plumbing supply store where there wasn’t a new faucet, but I was given a new washer at no charge. I smiled as I walked back to the car with this unexpected gift. But back home the washer seemed a little too thick. The faucet would not re-attach no matter how hard I pushed and turned. I began to talk to it, telling it who was boss. I went back to the plumbing supply store to get a different washer, and discovered they close from 11am to 12pm every day(!). My groaning turned to frustration! “Why is this happening!” I cried in my head. “This is such a waste of time!” I was feeling hopeless and defeated.

I went back to Home Depot to find the correct washer. It only came in packs of ten. I came home, put one in place, and the faucet still would not re-attach. I stared at it, pushed it, hit it with a hammer, put my foot on it, anything I could think of to make it screw back on. My frustration had turned to anger! I knew there had to be a way. I tried loosening another nut closer to the top. If this was the solution, it would create enough clearance to re-attach the back of the faucet, then I would have to re-tighten the smaller bolt to have everything good as new. It worked! Amazing! It was something simple, but had taken an hour to discover. Then, the final step. I turned the water line back on, and . . . no more leak! It was over! I had defeated the faucet, and my positive attitude reappeared out of hiding.

I would much rather be creating, practicing or sharing my music, but living in the present meant to fix this problem first (just so you know, sometimes I do call a plumber). Life’s interruptions somehow can be good for the soul, and can make room for greater things to happen. There is an ebb and flow, a pacing to each day. When I feel like time is being wasted, in fact good things can be happening. I just may not know what they are. It keeps things in perspective when every day doesn’t go my way. Perhaps tomorrow more will happen than seems humanly possible.

Life can get me down. I can be anxious about the future. Can you relate? Are you feeling defeated or discouraged by something big or small? Live in the present. Take one step at a time. Know the grace of a new day is coming with tomorrow morning’s sunrise. Remember God’s ways are higher than our ways.

How can Isaiah 55:8-9 speak into your life today?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8-9

Radiant – One Big Idea to Let Your Light Shine

August 28, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Radiant from my first album Walk in the Light. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is one of your favorite ways to let your light shine?

If you’re like me, you replay your life like a movie from childhood until now and think about:

What – What gifts and talents do I have that have been a blessing to others?
When – When did I use these to make the most positive difference?
Where – Where was I at the majority of the time?
Why – Why did I let my light shine in these moments?

I love remembering and meeting people whose eyes sparkle with life and extra brilliance. When I notice this in young children I am inspired to nurture my child-like faith, believing anything is possible. When I see this in the elderly, their radiant eyes motivate me with their silent answer, “Yes, seek to live a purposeful, fruitful life, and long to finish well.” Then there are those with dazzling eyes who are any age in between. For me, their shining symbolizes energy and focus on making a positive difference.

Here is the one big idea…

Instead of playing your life movie and filling your thoughts with what, when, where and why, try going all the way down to your heart and soul level. Read and meditate on the ancient Scriptures below about “radiance” and “letting your light shine” and see what this brings up to the top of your thoughts, desires, and dreams.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins. May they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
— Psalm 19:7-14 (verse 8 in bold is the inspiration behind the Radiant piano melody)

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

How did this combination of music and words inspire you to let your light shine?

Vive La Joye – Finding Joy in Life’s Trials

August 26, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to Vive La Joye from the album A Thousand Years as you read, featuring one of Beethoven’s famous melodies (Vive La Joye means “joy forever” in old French). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available). There is also a YouTube video of me performing this song and sharing some of my story – Vive La Joye Music Video. What trial (small, medium or large) is stealing your joy? It was at least 98 degrees on my first day of sixth grade as a new Florida panhandle resident. The 100% humidity added bonus heat and sweat. Within the first hour of arriving at my new school something was amiss. I realized that I was the only student in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades who was wearing short pants! “You can’t wear shorts!” was yelled at me from finger-pointing students. Even teachers looked at me funny and shook their heads. The icing on the cake was being sent to the principal’s office. We had to call and ask my mom to bring me some long pants. She wasn’t home to answer the phone. I think she was at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store. It was a long day filled with embarrassment, ridicule, patience and endurance. Eventually I was able to forgive my parents for overlooking the fine print in the school handbook. It took a little longer for me to restore my self-esteem in public.

With each middle school “trial” during those years, pleasing people (what others thought of me) was subtly becoming overly important since that first day of 6th grade. Then came the big 8th grade spelling bee. I had always made good grades, so the pressure was on and I was a favorite to win the competition. Silence filled the room full of teachers and students after my first word was called out – “Execute.” With butterflies in my stomach, I nervously spelled E – X – I – C – U – T – E. “I’m sorry. That is incorrect,” was the gut wrenching response from my favorite English teacher. It was another “short pants” fiasco. Pleasing others, trying to be perfect, grew to become an idol for me in life. One day at a time God is doing a work to free me from this by His grace. Life’s trials come in different sizes, from short pants to relationship struggles to facing cancer to losing a loved one. God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and He promises to be with me (Psalm 23). Putting my trust and hope in Him helps me count life’s blessings and even find some joy. What step can you take toward joy in the midst of “short pant” moments or a bigger trials? “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” — Psalm 16:11

How I Composed My First Instrumental Song

August 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to my first instrumental composition Grace and Truth from my first album Walk in the Light (2001). If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Does your view of others lean a little more toward grace or truth?

I began twelve years of piano lessons at age six in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and wrote my first song at age fourteen in Milton, Florida (after wanting to quit piano lessons at age twelve because of basketball). The photo below is from the eighth grade talent show, when I played Tony Orlando and Dawn’s “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (and went along with my mom’s idea to tape yellow ribbons all over my navy shirt and blue jeans!).

With musical influences ranging from Bach to Windham Hill, Beethoven to Billy Joel, and Charles Wesley to U2, God planted a new idea in my mind — use Bible verses He had spoken into my life to inspire instrumental melodies. I called this “Scripture inspired piano” and my heart was to bring peace to the soul and listen for God’s voice. After about twenty years of song writing (piano and lyrics) I composed my first instrumental melody called “Grace and Truth” in May 2000. Here is how it happened…

Grace and Truth is inspired by John 1:14 which says, “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 is a great mystery, how Jesus was filled with grace and truth. For me, this is 100% times two = 200%, which is not humanly possible. But this is the wonder of the Gospel, the gift of forgiving grace combined with God’s truth and wisdom.

I started in the key of C (all white keys) and played a simple left hand chord pattern. Then I added a delicate right hand melody to represent grace. The “grace” melody is then answered by a chorus of “truth” represented with bigger chords in both hands. It was fun creating a musical blend of grace-forgiveness with truth-strength, and to discover I could compose instrumentals. I hope you enjoy listening and reflecting on this verse and idea.

Where can you start simple (like the key of C), and seek to apply a little more grace or truth in life?

“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.” — John 1:14

A New Song to Help You Overcome Fear

July 18, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 17 Comments

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…

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)

Six Ways to Be More Content

July 9, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Contentment from the album The Voice. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

How is your contentment on a scale of 1 to 10?

It is so easy for me to be discontent with my circumstances or to worry about the future, even though I know there is so much to be thankful for. I wrote this melody to slow down my mind from thinking anxious thoughts, and to focus on the things in life that are pure and lovely.

Here are six ways I have found, which help me move from discontentment toward contentment…

Think about things you don’t have OR focus on giving thanks for things you do have
Dream about goals that haven’t happened OR take one positive step to make progress
Worry about outcomes you can’t control OR surrender outcomes and serve others well
Be frustrated by what hasn’t gone your way OR remember when things turned out okay
Let fear and uncertainty cause inertia OR let faith and adventure move you forward
Measure where you have less than others OR count life’s blessings that are priceless

Which of these would help you increase your contentment level?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” — 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” — Philippians 4:11