Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Imagine Immeasurable

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Today is worldwide release day for Imagine Immeasurable. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this beautiful and welcoming orchestral track offering peace and hope to our lives and stories.

 

When I started composing the music I envisioned a bigger, powerful “immeasurable” theme to represent God and His infinite strength, and a smaller, delicate “imagine” theme to represent me and my dependence on Him. We are responsible for the imagining and He is responsible for the immeasurable. An introduction happened with soft organ, solo English horn, and gentle choir, followed by a beautiful solo oboe melody. My music ideas shifted to an “immeasurable” main theme expressing God’s beauty and majesty, and an “imagine” secondary theme conveying my well intended energy and effort.

This moved my heart to see that God’s immeasurable nature did not require a strong and powerful effort by Him. Instead, I began to consider how His creation of the stars, the universe, the earth, the oceans, the mountains, the flowers, the animals, and human beings, everything, happened with ease, majesty, and beauty. His immeasurable does not require striving or stress for anything. Rather, there is a sense of ease, confidence, assurance, beauty, grace, and love in everything He does. This perspective was a new revelation for me, as I reflected on the inspiration from Ephesians 3:20, which has become more and more special in my life and faith. It moves me to focus on God’s abundance instead of my scarcity, to imagine great possibilities as I delight in Him and seek His desires for me, and to know His power is working in and through me by the Holy Spirit.

The primary “immeasurable” theme which is first heard as an oboe solo is repeated throughout the song, with more instruments joining to increase its breadth and depth. The secondary “imagine” theme answers, bringing some energy with French horn and rhythmic strings to symbolize how we tend to bring our own strength and effort to a situation. The choir harmonies represent heaven in all its grandeur. The “imagine” theme becomes slower the second time it appears, and a majestic cathedral organ leads the melody to represent God’s immeasurable protecting and enveloping our strength, our life, and our story. As the song progresses the “imagine” becomes more like the “immeasurable” to symbolize our gradual growth in becoming more like Jesus by surrendering to God, trusting Him completely, and having more grace and love for all people. The immeasurable theme repeats to the end, slowly working its way from full orchestra to the solo oboe we heard in the beginning, with soft strings and choir harmony underneath, and a final chord by the full orchestra.

How does “Imagine Immeasurable” speak into your life and story today? 

EPHESIANS 3:20 (NIV, NKJV, and MSG versions)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Revealer of Mysteries

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Today is worldwide release day for Revealer of Mysteries. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this cinematic, orchestral track filled with drama, power, and mystery, and offering hope and possibility to our lives and stories.

 

Wonder, Joy, Beauty, and Mystery are themes and inspiration for four songs I composed during summer 2021. If you haven’t heard the first three yet, you can read the story behind them as you listen to each melody, or you can stream them on your favorite music service — Breathing Wonder, Joy Singing Joy, and Gaze Upon the Beauty.

Revealer of Mysteries is a cinematic, orchestral track filled with drama, power, and mystery, and offering hope and possibility to our lives and stories. I composed it as though it were a film score for the life of Daniel. His story included him interpreting Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (chapter 2), three friends being thrown in the blazing furnace (chapter 3), and him being thrown in the lion’s den (chapter 6). I hope both the music and the inspiration behind Revealer of Mysteries will encourage you with a sense of hope and possibility in your life and story, whatever your circumstances may be.

Music Overview

The song opens with rhythmic strings, and a hint of the “power” theme. The first “mystery” theme section follows, which has a slower tempo and begins some dramatic tension. The power theme answers, but is much bigger this time, with horns, and more of the orchestra playing the melody. A bigger version of the mystery theme arrives next, adding a counter melody on strings, and some rhythmic choir harmony. The biggest combination of the power theme follows, with rhythmic strings, full symphony on melody, and timpani drum. Then there is a final, smaller mystery section highlighted by piano and bells. The gradual ending revisits the power theme with small instrumentation, piano and rhythmic choir, revealing a dramatic ending.

Inspiration Overview

God has been inspiring me for many years with His extraordinary power and mystery (see Isaiah 55:8-9 and Jeremiah 33:3). Throughout the Bible, and to this day, He uses ordinary men and women to do amazing and extraordinary things when they surrender to Him, want to hear His voice, and seek to obey Him. I have found God faithful in my life as I watch to see what He reveals to me, and then what He invites me to do. He is truly a Revealer of Mysteries.

“In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed” (Daniel 2:1-2). None of the king’s wise men could interpret his dream, and he was so angry he decided to have every one of them put to death. Daniel heard about this, and knew he and his friends would be executed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. That night God gave him a vision. “During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: ‘Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king'” (Daniel 2:19-23).

“The king asked Daniel, ‘Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?’ Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries'” (Daniel 2:26-28). After Daniel interprets the dream in every detail, King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor (Daniel 2:46). Then the song title verse appears in Daniel 2:47 — The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

I hope both this dramatic, powerful, and mysterious story from Daniel’s life, and the music, offer you hope and possibility in your life and story. May this new song Revealer of Mysteries play a small part in encouraging you with God’s peace and presence. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you. He is with you. His hand is upon you. I have found Him trustworthy beyond belief, and so want you to know and experience His goodness and faithfulness in your life as well.

How does Revealer of Mysteries speak to you? Musically? Spiritually?

Joy Singing Joy

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Today is release day for Joy Singing Joy. This is my first composition for a full choir, and you can stream everywhere. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all other outlets, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this song.

 

Living from a deep sense of joy in my heart has been a long process for me. As you may have read or heard already, joy is a significant part of my redemptive story, since I spent many years taking life too seriously. My journey led to the release of four songs with “joy” in the title — Joyful on my second album Still Waters, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring on my sixth album December Peace, Vive La Joye on my seventh album A Thousand Years, and Joy to the World on my twelfth album December Peace II. At age thirty I surrendered my career to God, and my joy slowly began to increase as I studied Scripture and listened for God’s voice. At age thirty-five I wrote my first instrumental song, and at age forty I became a full-time pianist and composer.

The more I keep receiving God’s love, grace, and joy, the more I am able to give these to others. This song and its title were born from this idea of receiving, giving, and repeating this process in our lives. God’s “Joy Singing” brings me joy, and my “Joy Singing” brings Him joy. My life and other lives are blessed in the process. Some days God’s “Joy Singing” helps me find some joy to make it through. Some days my “Joy Singing” overflows into people’s lives, rooted in a deep sense of gratitude to God. Even though I am imperfect and inconsistent, God’s character is constant. His love, grace, and joy are always there for me, and for you. When the revelation for this song happened, I realized the word JOY could form a cross as a symbol of Jesus’s love for me, and the joy in receiving His forgiveness of my sin forever.

Joy Singing Joy was a new musical challenge because in my previous songs featuring choir, the voices support the piano or blend with the orchestra. This time a full choir would be the lead instrument, with sopranos and tenors singing the melody, and altos and basses adding harmony. Since the word “singing” was at the center of the title, I wanted the choir to be front and center, with a string orchestra underneath. I was also inspired to give some shining moments to instruments which require breath. A solo trumpet accents the main melody, and flutes and trombones add rhythmic harmony as the song builds. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6, NIV).

Wherever you are in your “journey with joy” in this life on earth, I pray Joy Singing Joy will inspire and encourage you to pursue God more deeply if you know Him, and to investigate Jesus more deeply if you are being drawn toward Him. These gifts of love, grace, and forgiveness offer an eternal joy and peace which transcend all understanding (see Philippians 4:6-8).

How does “Joy Singing Joy” speak to you?

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

“Worship the Lord with joy. Enter his presence with joyful singing.” – Psalm 100:2 (NET)

“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart. I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” – Psalm 9:1-2 (MSG)

“They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.” – Psalm 126:5 (AMP)

“I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.” – Habakkuk 3:18 (MSG)

Breathing Wonder – New Song Story

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The new song Breathing Wonder just released today, June 1st. You can stream everywhere including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music services, or listen below. I would love to hear how this speaks to you. As you listen, scroll down to read some of the story behind this piece…

 

If you have known me or my music for a while, seen me live in concert, or read other blog posts, you know that child-like faith and joy are a vital part of my story. These characteristics were present in life’s early years, but from my late teens into my thirties they were deeper down beneath the surface. I had good intentions about growing in my faith, being a good husband and father, having a successful career, and loving and leading others well. However, I took everything too seriously. These goals became more of a burden, which decreased my sense of child-like wonder, awe, and joy. By God’s grace, and through pursuing Jesus more, my life is being transformed, and I have experienced deeper peace and joy in my heart, life, and music as a result.

Breathing Wonder is filled with child-like faith, wonder, and joy. This composition is my first ever marimba concerto, featuring marimba as the lead instrument, supported by chamber strings and choir. I found the themes on the piano, but wanted to elevate the joy and rhythm. The marimba is like a child skipping through life. The main theme is in 7/8 time, which adds to the adventure. The secondary theme is 4/4 time and breathes more, with choir notes inspired by “they’ll take your breath away.” Some beautiful, wild azaleas became the artwork after their “singing” captured my attention on a spring nature walk.

My hope is for you and everyone who listens to be reminded of moments of joy and wonder from your childhood, and perhaps even a recent memory when you felt a sense of amazement at God’s creation or faithfulness in your life. For me, life is an adventure to live instead of a problem to solve. Adventures with Jesus leading the way are quite breathtaking, and filled with wonder. May His joy and wonder be an invitation and blessing to you today!

All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. Take a good look at God’s wonders—they’ll take your breath away. He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn’t that cause for a song? — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (MSG)

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (NIV)

How does “Breathing Wonder” inspire you?

What I Learned from Coldplay Last Night

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Even though I have played over 500 times for concerts, events and groups of all sizes, I haven’t been to that many concerts in my life. Last night I got to go with a friend to Coldplay in Atlanta. Below is an image of confetti that was blown in huge volume from the stage to the ceiling at the beginning of the second song for the show. Then it floated back down over the crowd in millions of pieces. It was magnificent. Here is what I learned…

Confetti = Beauty, Hope and Wonder

1) Humankind loves to behold beauty (eyes, heart and mind). The stage, the band members, the confetti, the stage lights, the sparkling light wristbands (that everyone in the audience was wearing), displayed rainbows of colors. The moments illustrated C.S. Lewis’ quote that our greatest moments of beauty, adventure and intimacy in this life are glimpses of heaven. Also, that God planted eternity in the human heart: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.”                        – Ecclesiastes 3:11

2) Humankind longs for hope. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “All joy…emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings.” Pleasure, comfort, safety, security, good health, provision, enjoyment, seeing the world, loving people. The list could go on and on. If there is a Creator, there must be a Creation. If there is a Storyteller, human life lived to the fullest must be part of a greater story (paraphrased from G.K. Chesterton).

3) Humankind loves moments of wonder / adventure. “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation” – C.S. Lewis. There is this “hard wiring” we are born with. One part says guard your life, another part says go for it, “it” being experiences of wonder and adventure. Life moments that make our heart race in a good way, like being mesmerized by nature, a roller coaster ride, serving others in love.

What beauty are you beholding today? What hope are you longing for? Do you have a memory, or something you are looking forward to that promises wonder and adventure?