Walking in the Light

May 24, 2016 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

Click above to listen to Walk in the Light as you read. This is the title track from my very first album of Scripture inspired piano in 2001.

How do you know if you are walking in the light?

This question can have a lot of good answers. Last week while filming some music videos in south Georgia, I captured the image below. It is a beautiful symbol of how life brings light and darkness. By faith, we are called to walk in the light.

Isn’t it interesting how the setting sun draws our attention in the photo? We know there is darkness in the world, in life, and even in our hearts. This darkness, and the dark storm clouds pique our curiosity, but we are drawn to the light.

Here are four ideas to consider, which help me know if I am walking in the light…

1. Walk in the light of God’s peace. “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)

2. Walk in the light of God’s rest. “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” (Exodus 33:14)

3. Walk in the light of God’s hope. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. Walk in the light of God’s healing. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8)

Reflecting on these truths refreshes and encourages me. I hope they do the same for you. There is light, God’s light, beckoning to us in the midst of life’s storms. I would love to hear from you if this is especially meaningful to you today. You can send your comment down below.

Which idea for walking the light shines the most for you?

Here is the inspirational verse for the song Walk in the Light: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

The Powerful Message Inside “Number My Days”

May 26, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click above to listen to Number My Days from my first album Walk in the Light as you read. If you enjoy, consider ordering the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music (the song is also on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more).

What does the phrase “number my days” bring to mind?

For me, this question brings a flood of thoughts and memories. I wrote this piece of music almost fifteen years ago. It was the summer of 2000. I had been married almost ten years. Our son was three years old. We were expecting our second child in November (our daughter).

This year will be our 25th wedding anniversary. Our son just graduated from high school, and our daughter just finished eighth grade. This fall we will have a college freshman and a high school freshman. Where did the days go?

There is a powerful message inside this song Number My Days…

The music has two main sections. The opening and primary theme expresses joy and hope, living in the moment, making the most of our days, having child-like faith. The answering theme is slower, more reflective, symbolizing the much needed pause to take all of life in, to recalibrate, to nourish our souls.

The message inside this song comes from Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NIV). Said another way, “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (MSG).

All of these inspirations were on my mind with a toddler and baby on the way in the summer of 2000. All of them are still in my thoughts today in 2015, yet they are maturing. They are richer. They beckon me toward hope in knowing God more deeply, in being more grateful for His grace, in being a better husband, a better father, a better friend. Yes, there is a powerful message inside Number My Days.

Which of the above themes is most relevant for you right now?

10 Ideas to Live Out Grace and Truth

May 12, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

Click above to listen to Grace and Truth, from my first album Walk in the Light. You can listen to and play the CD or MP3 Album or Sheet Music or hear this song on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more. What do the words “grace and truth” bring to mind? Fifteen years ago this month (in May 2000), I composed my first ever Scripture inspired piano melody. I had been meditating on John 1:14 which reads, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (NIV). Musically, this piano composition features a higher, simple section symbolizing the gentleness and patience of God’s grace, and a lower, big chord section representing the strength and power of God’s truth. I have thought a lot about this song and verse. The following ten ideas to live out grace and truth are from my journey since writing the music fifteen years ago. In the midst of corresponding lures of the world, perfection is unattainable, but little by little, progress is possible. I hope these inspire the story you are living out… Jesus’s Grace and Truth / Lures of the World 1. Love and listen to people first / Judge people without knowing their story 2. Offer grace and forgiveness / Seek to always be right 3. Create more to serve others / Consume more for me 4. Give generously / Store up selfishly 5. Spend strategically (family vacation) / Bank on the future (secure retirement) 6. Pursue childlike wonder and awe / Settle for more seriousness and less joy 7. Practice simplicity and silence / Overdose on busyness and noise 8. Work at solitude and surrender / Join the crowd and be self-reliant 9. Take one step toward God’s big dream / Predetermine big dreams will never work 10. Abide in God’s purpose to receive / Strive for success to achieve Which of these inspires you the most?

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?

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

Are You Striving or Abiding?

August 19, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 3 Comments

Click above to listen to Abiding 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 life feel more like you are striving or abiding?

I have a great friend who asked me years ago, “If you could only choose one word to describe living by faith, what would it be? I thought for a minute and said, “Obey.” He responded, “Abide.” Another great answer may come to mind for you. He and I still discuss all the life areas where we are striving and wanting to succeed – spiritual, family, work, relationships, health, etc.

There is that word — striving. It can be a good thing to strive. So how did a mental shift influence my story when I realized if striving is a viewpoint, then abiding is like a vista?

Striving involves hard work and faith. Resting involves hard work and faith too. When I shifted my focus from “Striving to Achieve” to “Abiding to Receive” my efforts and results took on a richer meaning. This is a delicate balance, but it helps me remember that God’s definition of success is different than mine, other people’s, and the world’s. Instead of striving in my own strength, by abiding in God’s strength my perspective shifts from depending on myself to depending on Him.

The results of hard work can be the same whether I “strive” or “abide,” but there is a healthy dynamic when I am grateful for receiving results versus celebrating achieving results. Striving is a great word and attribute, so if you still like this word, maybe you can add “striving to abide” to your mindset. I have found if striving is an attitude, then abiding takes life to a new altitude.

Where are you abiding instead of striving? What are you receiving instead of achieving?

The song Abiding was born out of John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” The opening melody symbolizes walking through life with a desire to abide in Christ. The chorus melody represents the good fruit, much fruit, that follows, which only He can produce in and through us.

Four Reasons to Practice Solitude

June 20, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 5 Comments

Click above to listen to Solitude from my 2001 debut album Walk in the Light as you read. If you enjoy, consider purchasing the song, album download, or CD from iTunes, Amazon or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

What is your favorite way to practice solitude?

When I was in high school and college I worked several summers at a canoe rental in the Florida panhandle (Adventures Unlimited is still going strong and has beautiful canoe trips and awesome zip line courses – today’s photo is from a return visit to the Coldwater River in 2012).

My favorite job was called “the top.” A co-worker would drop me off at 7 a.m. at the beginning of the twelve mile day trip. At the same time other co-workers would unhitch trailers full of canoes and drive back to home base. Within a few minutes it was just me and one hundred canoes to unload. For the next hour, one by one, I would carry them on my shoulders down to the sandbar beach. It was an awesome physical workout, but here is why I loved this job so much…

If I could finish by 8 a.m. or maybe a little sooner if I hustled, I knew I would have twenty to thirty minutes to soak in the cool, clear, shallow river (before the busloads of canners would start arriving). Or, I could lie back on a cushion in a canoe and just listen to the breeze blowing through the tops of pine trees, or the birds singing to start a new morning. I wasn’t thinking about it a lot then, but looking back, I was learning to practice solitude. It was refreshing and energizing. It made my attitude more positive and my work more productive.

To this day, I can draw on those memories, and I know what a difference it can make to be alone, to be still, and to take in the moment. Whether taking a morning jog or swim, or sitting in my den before the world awakes, I like to listen for God’s gentle whisper in these moments. I am alone, but I am not lonely. The more I practice solitude, the more enriching it becomes. Four motivating reasons for me are: 1. Refreshment, 2. Energy, 3. Positive Attitude, and 4. Productive Work.

How could some moments of solitude shed light on a life decision you are facing?

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” – Mark 1:35

Numbering Our Days

June 11, 2014 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

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

Are you numbering your days?

Today’s post was birthed during a morning swim, as I was remembering last night…

Number My Days was one of the first Scripture inspired piano melodies I composed. It was the summer of 2000. We had a three-year old son, and were expecting our second child that fall (we were blessed with a baby girl). When I was creating this piece, I was meditating on Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NIV). The Message says it like this — “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”

Here is what happened last night…

This same “baby girl” (now our thirteen-year old daughter) wanted to go with her friends for pizza after the swim meet. It was 11 p.m. and meant we would be out until midnight. I knew we would be tired this morning, and it might even make for long day. Yet, I knew that one hour would be worth it, one of those priceless moments woven into the fabric of daily life. It was a “number my days” moment to treasure with my daughter.

Treasuring life’s “priceless” moments is like pausing to treasure a beautiful sunrise. Being intentional to invest our living to “number our days” is like making the effort to rise early to witness a breathtaking view. I hope this music-words combination is a blessing and encouragement to you today.

What is a recent “number my days” memory for you? How can you apply this to an upcoming life event?

Working While I Sleep

May 7, 2014 By Stanton Lanier 4 Comments

Click the player above to stream Beloved (Lullaby) from Walk in the Light as your background reading music. If you enjoy, consider supporting through iTunes, Amazon, or stantonlanier.com (where sheet music is also available).

Do you sometimes wish your work could get done while you sleep?

If you are like me and answer “yes,” I have an idea for you. Before I share it, here are two practices that will help this idea take root. First, I try to practice “sunset remembrance.” When the sun goes down, I focus on being thankful for all that DID get done that day, versus all that DID NOT get done. Second, I try to practice “sunrise gratitude.” I give thanks to God for waking me up another day, for the gift of life, and I reflect on His many blessings. Then, I try to focus on abiding and surrender, while giving my best, since I cannot pull off each day’s productivity and accomplishments in my own strength alone. With these sunset and sunrise practices, I have a mindset of aiming for progress, instead of trying to be perfect.

Now, for the idea. The song Beloved (A Lullaby) was one of my earliest works, inspired in the year 2000. It came from two verses rich in meaning and life application, which point to an increase in the amount of work that gets done while you sleep. Psalm 127:1-2 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep (some versions say “provides for” His beloved, even while they sleep).

When I discovered this and began to take it to heart, it was incredible to think that God is at work on my behalf through the night, as I sleep. What a relief! I am reminded of this when amazing things happen at a future time, following prayers or seeds of action I have planted. Sometimes it takes only days, sometimes it can be years, and sometimes God is silent, but I rest in this powerful truth. What an encouragement that good works can actually happen for me while I sleep, whether they be physical, relational, emotional, spiritual, or financial.

What is one thing you can surrender and wait for in expectation as you go to sleep tonight?