Sky Whisper – Treasures of Peace II

February 22, 2022 By Stanton Lanier 8 Comments

The new song Sky Whisper (track 17) and album Treasures of Peace II are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down for the inspiration behind this new song and album.

Sky Whisper is the name of my studio which I created in 2016. “Sky” is another word for “God” and “Whisper” is another word for “Voice,” so for me the studio means “God’s Voice.” In my composing and creating I want to surrender every note and song, to glorify God and refresh the souls of people (this is what Johann Sebastian Bach believed the aim and final end of all music should be, to glorify God and refresh the soul). Treasures of Peace II is my second listener favorites collection, featuring seventeen pieces of music created from 2015 (Breathe) to the beginning of 2022 (Sky Whisper). The track selections include favorites from albums Climb to the Sky (2016) and So Loved (2018), as well as many singles released in 2020 and 2021, featuring both piano and orchestral works.

Musically, Sky Whisper is filled with melodies and meaning. The introduction and ending symbolize God’s ever presence, from eternity past to eternity future, with cinematic piano and powerful orchestra string swells. There is tension in learning how to hear God’s voice and and practicing this. The rhythmic cello and high piano represent life’s walk, the search, and the longing for God’s voice. A slower chorus follows representing how we begin to experience God and His voice, and we realize there is more for Him to reveal to us if we continue our pursuit. The music returns to the rhythmic walk but now it is deeper and richer, with more happening musically as God’s voice becomes more familiar. The chorus follows with its melody and the opening melody overlayed, more complex musically, yet more simple and intimate as we grow in hearing and knowing God’s voice. Then we are introduced to a third musical section (we can refer to these sections as theme A rhythmic verse, theme B chorus, and theme C bridge or second chorus). Theme C expresses a deeper knowing and longing, what C.S. Lewis refers to as “further up and further in” as we taste more of heaven on earth, along with the sweetness and beauty of intimacy with God.

The song then returns to the familiar early melodies, in a way remembering our past and need for growth in Christ, with new beautiful melodies woven in, symbolizing how God is with us always, even when we don’t feel His presence. The ending revisits the opening. God has been God from eternity past until now, and He will be for all eternity in the future. The rhythmic cello ends hopefully walking with God (in a major key) to the end. This hopeful ending is a shift from earlier in the song, when there is more tension, searching, and a haunting beauty from a combination of minor and major keys and scales. In the beginning, earlier in our life’s walk we are longing for something more and, as was the case for me, I didn’t know that hearing God’s voice was what I needed most. In my story I was thirty years old before I fully surrendered and ask God to speak to me. The sooner and more deeply we surrender, the more God has to reveal to us in our life and faith journey.

How does Sky Whisper speak into your story?

“With one breath he clears the sky, with one finger he crushes the sea serpent. And this is only the beginning, a mere whisper of his rule. Whatever would we do if he really raised his voice!” — Job 26:13-14 (MSG)

“A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:12 (MSG)

Easter 2018 ~ Seeking Joy

March 20, 2018 By Stanton Lanier 5 Comments

Click above to listen to Far Away from Home from Treasures of Peace as you read. You can use these links to listen and explore more: CD or MP3 Album , Sheet Music , iTunes , Amazon , Spotify , Pandora , or your favorite source.

Would you say you are “seeking joy” or “avoiding fear” more in life right now?

Moving from fear to joy (freedom is another word for joy) has been a long and challenging process over many years. Wanting to be safe, secure, and practical is deeply embedded in me. Below are six examples of moving from fear to freedom (joy) in my life story. After you read these, I hope you will click the image below to watch the Far Away from Home music video, and look for all the moments of child-like joy and freedom in the story. We all can have more joy and freedom if we seek to find them…

Click the image above to watch the “Far Away from Home” music video

From FEAR (lacking joy — often things are not in our control, but many fears are self driven too)…
—Being abused by a male babysitter at age nine led to fear and insecurity with my identity.
—Missing the first word in the 8th grade spelling bee led to a fear of public speaking.
—My right leg shaking during piano recitals led to fear of playing the piano for an audience.
—Going from 20 points to only a few minutes per game in high school basketball led to fear as a team leader.
—Failing my first two college exams led to a fear that I may not be smart enough to pass.
—The leap of faith from a fifteen-year business career to full-time music ministry led to fear of failure.

To FREEDOM (seeking and finding joy — this is a process, needing patience and prayer, and God’s grace)…
—Being vulnerable instead of hiding pain, brings freedom that God sees me and knows me.
—Focusing on what God thinks of me, instead of what others think, brings freedom in public speaking.
—Surrendering performance, playing for an audience of One, brings freedom in piano concerts.
—Remembering my 30-point game instead of 0-point games, brings freedom in being a leader.
—Recalling my joy in making two B’s after starting with two F’s, brings freedom in giving my best.
—God’s faithfulness since 2004 with Music to Light the World, brings freedom in living out my life calling and purpose.

Where are you lacking joy or facing fear right now? What is one thing you can do to seek joy and freedom?

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

From Fear to Freedom

February 21, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to a portion of Far Away from Home from my 9th album Treasures of Peace. Order the CD or MP3 Album or the Sheet Music. Listen on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, or your favorite source.

What have you been afraid of in the past, where you now have freedom?

Two issues prompted this new post. First, with almost two months gone, my and your New Year excitement and enthusiasm about all that is possible in 2017 may have begun to fade. Some of this decline can be due to fear. Second, this Thursday, February 23, is “Shine a Light on Slavery Day” where the End It Movement is leading the fight for freedom for an estimated twenty million people in the world being held against their will.

Below are six examples of moving from fear to freedom in my life story. After you read these, I hope you will click the image below to watch the Far Away from Home music video, and look for all the moments of freedom in the story…

Click the image above to watch the “Far Away from Home” music video

From FEAR…
—Being abused by a male babysitter at age nine led to fear and insecurity with my identity.
—Missing the first word in the 8th grade spelling bee led to a fear of public speaking.
—My right leg shaking during piano recitals led to fear of playing the piano for an audience.
—Going from 20 points to only a few minutes per game in high school basketball led to fear as a team leader.
—Failing my first two college exams led to a fear that I may not be smart enough to pass.
—The leap of faith from a fifteen-year business career to full-time music ministry led to fear of failure.

To FREEDOM…
—Being vulnerable instead of hiding pain, brings freedom that God sees me and knows me.
—Focusing on what God thinks of me, instead of what others think, brings freedom in public speaking.
—Surrendering performance, playing for an audience of One, brings freedom in piano concerts.
—Remembering my 30-point game instead of 0-point games, brings freedom in being a leader.
—Recalling my joy in making two B’s after starting with two F’s, brings freedom in giving my best.
—God’s faithfulness since 2004 with Music to Light the World, brings freedom in living out my life calling and purpose.

We all have deep and meaningful fears and freedoms, struggles and victories, tears and joys. Thinking of people being enslaved, whether through human sex-trafficking, work without pay, or other forms of violence and abuse, prompts me to ask God to bring rescue to them physically, from fear to freedom. Recognizing others whose struggles are far greater than mine, prompts me to be much more grateful for the freedoms God has given me by His grace.

What is one fear you have, where God can help you move toward freedom?

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

“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.” — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Meets It Is Well with My Soul

March 17, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to the title track A Thousand Years from my 7th album as you read (featuring original, Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and It Is Well with My Soul melodies). If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album, or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, and more).

What is one of your favorite childhood memories that filled you with wonder and awe?

As you listen to the music stream and read this post, I want you to think of a favorite childhood memory filled with beauty, then recall something recently that stirred this same child-like faith, wonder and awe. I can remember climbing to the top of a 100-foot tall sweet gum tree in North Carolina at age nine, the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains when I was ten, or trying to outrun the ocean waves washing up on the beach at age eleven. Just a few years ago I got to visit northern Minnesota for a week of canoeing and camping. I awoke at 3 a.m. several mornings to gaze at night skies filled with more stars than I had ever seen.

For me, these kinds of moments are breathtaking. They remind me that creation has a Creator, and the story I am living has a Storyteller. They point me toward God’s beauty, adventure, and intimacy he reveals to me, and his incredible gift of grace and forgiveness. Connecting physical and spiritual wonder and awe is so powerful and reviving.

This was all contained in my heart as I created the song A Thousand Years, combining original composing from Psalm 90:4 with Mozart’s famous melody best known as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and the famous 1871 hymn It Is Well with My Soul. Musically I wanted to interweave the wonder and awe of child-like faith with the peace and hope of spiritual peace with God through Jesus in my soul.

If this music and topic inspires you, please take time to watch or bookmark the newest music video Far Away from Home, from my 9th album Treasures of Peace. The music and story are a visual illustration of Isaiah 41:10 child-like faith and living life without fear.

Where is a place you could go to nurture your child-like wonder and awe?

Psalm 90:4 (NIV) “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG) “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 Story Behind My Song “First Love”

February 11, 2015 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to First Love (Revised) from the new album Treasures of Peace: The Stanton Lanier Collection. If you enjoy, check out the CD or MP3 Album, or visit iTunes, Amazon, or Spotify).

What comes to mind when you hear the words “First Love?”

I think these two words draw us in because we think back to a memory of love. For example, basketball was my “first love.” How would you fill in the blank? “__________” was my first love. Or, maybe we remember our first girlfriend or boyfriend as our “first love.” With this being Valentine’s week, I think about how my wife is my “first love” because we share the truest, deepest sense of this, a lifelong commitment to love and respect each other through life’s ups and downs.

When I wrote the song First Love in 2003-2004 (for the album Draw Near), I was thinking about all the meanings behind this. Yet, most of all, I was thinking about how God first loves us. I cannot earn His love. He offers it as a free gift, and grows this in me as I surrender my heart to Him. Then, last summer when I was composing a new, revised version for Treasures of Peace: The Stanton Lanier Collection, I added inspiration from Psalm 63 and the phrase “your love is better than life,” referring to God’s love for me.

As you listen to this track, you will hear the new (2014) opening and closing melodies inspired by Psalm 63, and the original (2004) middle section with verse and chorus, inspired by 1 John 4. These references are down below.

How could you apply “First Love” in a fresh way this Valentine’s Day?

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love… Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:16, 19 (NIV)

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:1-4 (NIV)