Wrapped in Strands of Fist and Bone

Once again I'm listening to A Long December by the Counting Crows. Once again I'm at my computer ready to divulge any revelations or knowledge that I think I might have had. But this time I'm not at the Crooked Tree. I'm not at Borders or at home or Barnes and Noble. No, this time I'm in Iowa City, Iowa, hundreds and hundreds of miles away from everything I know, missing the ones I love and praying for the ones in need of prayer.

I've made a few friends, through either church or pickup basketball at the Iowa Field House. One of my friends is Jay. He is from a mid-sized city in Iowa and went to a Catholic school, although he told me he is Presbyterian. I met Jay at the Field House last night when I was playing ball with some really cool Asians and a few other people. When we finished playing last night around 11 we said goodbye and I didn't get anybody's number so I could hang out with them again. But then this morning, as I returned to the cereal-heaven portion of the Hillcrest Marketplace (Hillcrest is my dorm and Marketplace means glorified cafeteria) I saw Jay once again, and we ate together this time. It was nice. So I got his number and I hope to get to know him more. 

I also met two really nice guys at Parkview EV Free church yesterday, there names are Jonathan and Ben. Ben wears brown converses and has blonde hair and is shy and doesn't speak firmly. But he has a kind heart. Hank and I bought our books with them yesterday. 

As I said, I went to an EV Free church yesterday. It was okay but my friend JD from Dallas helped get me in tough with the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) pastor here in Iowa City so I'm meeting with the pastor later today. So I'm really excited about that and I hope to find where God wants me in terms of churches. I like church. 

Today I started an amazing book. I've only read the first two and a half pages but I already know it's an amazing book because I've been told by my pastor and worship pastor. It's called Reason for God and it was written by Timothy Keller. It's great because he outlines (in the introduction) some different barriers God enabled him to overcome in college to truly see the truth, grace, and beauty of Christ. 

I want to find a group of believers who live what the Bible says. I want to find a "band of brothers" (and sisters) who throw themselves at the feat of the needy. I want to find people like Jesus. Who love and adore Him. 

(I really need a raincoat.)

Wedding Toast

by Richard Wilbur

St. John tells how, at Cana's wedding feast,

The water-pots poured wine in such amount

That by his sober count

There were a hundred gallons at the least.

It made no earthly sense, unless to show

How whatsoever love elects to bless

Brims to a sweet excess

That can without depletion overflow.

Which is to say that what love sees is true;

That this world's fullness is not made but found.

Life hungers to abound

And pour its plenty out for such as you.

Now, if your loves will lend an ear to mine, 

I toast you both, good son and dear new daughter.

May you not lack for water,

And may that water smack of Cana's wine.