speak easy, listen hard

This afternoon, instead of working in the biology office as I’ve been doing the last few weeks, I was able to work with my boss on some of the projects he needed to take care of: inoculating some nutrient broth test tubes with Bacillus, Serratia, and some other bacterium as well as checking inventory against the database. I love working in the biology department! Before we actually got to the tasks awaiting us we just spent some time talking in his office, which is another one of the things that I really enjoy about my job (it’s never dull working with Bob). Our conversation started with just the basic fair but after a short time we were talking about faith and trusting God. Some of the things that really stuck with me were the questions that we’ve both had come up about bad things happening to good people, being more Christ-like, and the verse that says something about going into a closet to pray.

After walking with Jeannine tonight, God laid something on my heart that was a culmination of a few conversations I’ve had the last few days, all leading into the importance of keeping communication open with God.

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” Jeremiah 31:3

Lovers usually don’t yell at each other across a room but instead get close and speak softly to each other. When speaking with this loved one, you intentionally incline yourself toward that other person so you can hear what they’re saying and really listen to what they’re trying to tell you, listening with everything that you can so you get the full message and provide feedback. Your intent interest shows in your posture, gestures, and the reactions to what the other person says. God pursues us and wants to be in relationship with us; He pours out blessings and leaves little notes and hints, small gifts to remind us that we are loved and cared about. Sometimes they’re not overt or they’re confusing and we won’t understand what He’s trying to get across unless we slow down, focus ourselves on this conversation with our soul’s Lover and listen intently, soaking up not just the words but all that we can of Who is directing His love toward us.

Awed by the alliteration

The student who needed help with Anatomy & Physiology has not shown up yet, though we were supposed to meet about 25 minutes ago. In order to suppress mild vexation I decided to see it as an opportunity to work on my flash cards for Mammalian Physiology and play on the internet a little longer. *contented grin*

So, I figured I'd share the new Showbread video, along with the lyrics, for "Lost Connection With The Head" off their new album, The Fear of God.

Showbread "Lost Connection With The Head" Music Video from Showbread on Vimeo.

oh lord i'm sick of myself
i'd rather bury it than carry it
i'm desperate for help
and barely sentient means just being me
follow suit the destitute my modus operandi
a face that's marked by pallor means you're wasting away
so get a tan and raise your hands and take to feeling okay
no one enjoys the party when they're stricken with anemia
and i'm a shallow sinking surface simply screaming septicemia

peace of mind is hard to find
so i'm standing in line and feeling fine

aye me, sad hours seem long!
and even longer when you're numb
fading away and that's okay
cause life has me under her thumb

i'm languorously open ended
and the endings no good
i've been told to break the mold and i would if i could
but apathy is easier than caring at all
and the undulating nothingness means having a ball
incredibly impressive and bereft of concern
lobotomized and optimized and then i'm ready to burn
and i'm at war within myself and self is winning the fight
cause feeling like no one at all means feeling alright

sense of purpose has got me feeling worthless
and i'm fading away, but that's okay

oh yeah, all right
i'm in a big fat cage and feeling free
that's okay , that's all right
cause that's all that's left of me

goodbye, goodnight
that's all that's left of me

(from their website: www.showbread.net)

"Fading away, but that's okay... "

This rainy Tuesday afternoon finds me awaiting a potential tutee in the Student Center, across from the "We Proudly Brew Starbucks" coffee shop of sorts. It's been a pleasant time though as my friend Brandon stopped by for a chat. I was able to share a new Showbread video with him (somewhat, though the lyrics were indistinguishable) and he shared a new site for books with me. He and his wife are AMAZING people, truly!

He also mentioned that I hadn't posted a blog in a while, which is true, so I thought the time left until said student arrives would work as a window to post a few brief thoughts.

...

School is going well -- I still need to make some flash cards for two classes, but so far, so good.

Zack brings much joy into my life -- he left a sweet text message the other day when he wasn't able to call. I'm looking forward to spending more time with him. C:

That's a wrap for now.

Face gone

Technically last night now, I got to see Showbread for the first time live! Not disappointed in any way. The other bands were pretty great too:

Calling The Shots

The Gallery

Goodnight Caulfield

It was terrific, the bomb diggity. I'm grateful for those guys from Georgia.

^_^

Another RELEVANTmagazine.com slices find:

Loss

Life doesn't have the grace to play the first few chords of a Jeff Buckley song when everything is about to change drastically. The lighting isn't perfect either, nor every element properly framed. There are no cue cards or marker tape to guide you to your spot.

God gives the grace that brings that friend by your side who is there no matter what, sunshine or rain. God's grace offers the most awful jokes at the most opportune time when they're precisely what's needed. It's in His grace that the hand of a friend extends to hold yours and she listens to whatever you need to say, and just listens, sharing what the Holy Spirit is whispering between your intertwined fingers. His grace brings comfort and peace amidst the turmoil that life has chucked your way.

(This was written about a month and a half ago when a friend lost her mom.)

it's coming...

The 7th Anniversary of thehouse is in one week.

^_^

http://www.thehousenlr.com