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

How Freedom Became a Piano Melody

July 4, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Freedom 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 do you appreciate about freedom?

Personal freedom has been a breakthrough experience in my life. For many years I thought I could achieve freedom through success and being in control. Then I discovered that the human spirit finds true freedom through serving others in love. Seeking to grow in a freedom that is centered on others has been an adventure filled with emotion and risk.

The song Freedom almost became the title track on this album instead of The Voice because this truth has been so powerful for me. The notes represent running through life with a heart that is free, pausing to treasure this freedom, and discovering higher levels of giving oneself away. I trust that the music and texts that inspired it will help you experience a freedom that gives you hope . . . makes you come alive . . . sets your heart free.

How can you live out freedom with more gratitude, more giving?

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” — Psalm 119:32

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.” — Galatians 5:13

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” — John 8:32

The Secret to a 2nd Half of Desire and Delight

July 2, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to Delight 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).

Are your desires coming true in 2014?

It’s a matter of perspective, right? Sometimes I question, “Are my motives pure?” Sometimes I wonder, “Am I desiring the right things, the best things?” Several years ago an ancient scripture verse became like a compass, a “true north,” for these kinds of questions around desire.

My perspective began shifting from achieving to receiving, and from striving to surrendering. One of the ways I like to express this is, “I want to line my ‘push’ up with God’s ‘pull.’” It’s not always easy — or realistic — to be joyful and happy, but Delight helps me remember to focus on the good news in life (rather than the bad), as well as the good I can do. I love John Eldredge’s thought in his book Epic that life is an adventure to live rather than a problem to solve. This piano melody also resonates with this idea.

I believe great blessings and surprises await us in the second half of 2014. The secret is to align our heart’s desires and delights with God’s grace and goodness, and to ask for His guidance. When I feel alone or wonder if some desire will come true, God faithfully provides as I surrender results to Him.

What desire or adventure in your heart seems God-sized and impossible without His help?

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4

“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” — Psalm 119:35

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!

Rest – Are You Receiving It?

May 23, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to Resting 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).

Have you been receiving rest in the midst of life’s stress, busyness and hurry?

With regard to rest, are you more likely to strive for it, or receive it? As we go into the three-day Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S., I hope your resting is enhanced by a short life story from this week, and the liner notes behind this song.

To experience rest fully involves surrender, letting go of things out of your control, and stopping the worry. I have found much better results from a posture of receiving (open heart, open hands) rather than striving (gritted teeth, clinched fists). My rest was put to the test this week when my wife’s email address speed went from normal to very. very. slow. I am our family “IT Guy” (computer fixer), which is a scary thought, and had to (calmly) deal with the service provider over the past few days. I struggled to rest in the situation because this was a rare case where nothing was wrong with our computers or equipment, yet they would not accept responsibility and admit this problem could be their fault (even though while using the email account an error message appeared saying something was wrong on their end – Warning. Server Error. Connection is Very Slow.). Ultimately I had to surrender, let go, and stop worrying about the circumstances and the outcome, which were both out of my control. It was not easy, but the intense frustration reminded me I needed to receive rest.

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are remembered. This definitely puts life’s “problems” in perspective. There is reason for all of us to pause, give thanks, and rest in the freedom and blessings we are able to enjoy. Because others have sacrificed to bring more peace, rest and joy to our lives, we can express our gratitude, whether to military, family, relatives, friends, teachers, or bosses.

Here are the liner notes from The Voice CD for the song Resting you have been listening to: “Rest is something I often seek, to take a step back from the pace and fullness of life, to trust that things I cannot control are in good hands, and to find a few moments of calm strength in a world so full of unrest. There are times that I need to rest by relaxing, and there are opportunities when I need to rest in the midst of activity.”

Rest – Are you receiving it?

“The Lord replied, ‘my Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” – Exodus 33:14

Two Reasons to Visit Your Quiet Place

May 21, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

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.

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

Hearing The Voice

May 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 10 Comments

Click above to listen to The Voice, the title track 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).

Do you long, like me, to hear God’s voice more clearly in a noisy world?

I have discovered this is possible, but it takes some patience and practice to experience hearing God’s voice more often, and with more clarity. The disciplines of simplicity, silence, solitude and surrender play an integral part. However, the key is to take the first step. Here is some of my story and what I have learned.

By the time I was in high school I had become a worrier and perfectionist, and was overly conscious of what others thought of me. The voice I often heard in my mind was my own, criticizing my performance and pouring on more pressure to succeed. God was part of my life, but it took a long time before I deeply explored the possibility of hearing His voice. Could He actually guide my steps in life? Could He provide the wisdom, discernment and comfort that I needed? Could I really hear His voice?

The more I have pursued this, the more I have encountered profound conversations and intimacy with a God who cares for me beyond my comprehension. Tell God you would like to hear His voice more clearly. Ask Him to speak into your life, to instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, to give you counsel, and to watch over you (Psalm 32:8). Thank Him for His promise to surround you with His love as you trust in Him (Psalm 32:10). Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Try playing the solo piano title track from The Voice in an extra quiet place . . . be still . . . and listen. Listen. Be quiet. Listen. Be still. Listen.

Can you hear The Voice? What is God’s gentle whisper, His still, small voice speaking to your heart?

“. . . the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice . . . Elijah heard the voice. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (1 Kings 19:11-13; Isaiah 30:21)

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.

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 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.