The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean

-- Jonathan Edwards

2 Corinthians 6(ESV)

 1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2For he says,

   "In a favorable time I listened to you,
   and in a day of salvation I have helped you."

   Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

 11We have spoken freely to you,^[a] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

God help me!

I have remained amazingly content today.  I thank God for that, for His satisfaction.  I thank God that He has counted me worthy enough to show me that satisfaction is found through His existence.  I have had 1 dollar in my bank account since Monday so that I do not overdraft, and absolutely no money in my wallet.  I do, however, have change lying in the cupholder of my car.  To be completely honest, even in this situation I have not faced any real want.  There are instances where I would like to buy someone something, or buy a drink but just not have the funds to do so.  But I have been well fed during this time.  I have had food, clothing, and housing and for these things I remain thankful. 

All of this has really done is show me that my happiness, excitement, and contentment are not found through things.  I have found that my joy is truly rooted in God.  Come Friday, though, I will be wildly rich.  I have worked often and I have a decently large pay-check stored up for me.  Through this, I believe, God will teach me to be content, satisfied, and joyful in Him... even when I have riches.  He will teach me that neither lack, too much, or just enough will satisfy my soul.

Philipians 4

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The Church Reaches Out

At this critical time, the Christian church, still relatively small in number, gained new respect for its generous care of the needy. Without temples or properties of its own, except for cemeteries, it offered help quickly to victims of famine or plague or poverty. Increasingly, the church was perceived as an honest agent helping the poor, and Romans of good will gave generously to the small community.

By the year 250, in Rome alone, the church regularly supported 1500 poor people and widows. It also sent large sums to Africa and Asia Minor to ransom captives held by invading armies. Lawrence, the deacon, was largely responsible for this extraordinary Christian effort inspired by the gospel of Jesus.

The Persecutions of 257- 258

Reacting to the church's new power and coveting its growing resources to fuel its wars, the government began a persecution. An edict in 257, meant to be bloodless, targeted church leaders and church assets; a second edict in 258 caused blood to flow. Pope Xystus II and four deacons were seized in the catacombs of St Callistus and executed on August 6th. Lawrence, the deacon, was seized and executed on August 10th.

The Poor are the Treasures of the Church

Later popular stories offer the colorful account of Lawrence's martyrdom that shaped popular hagiography and the efforts of artists through the centuries: The Roman prefect, anxious for the money of the church, promised the deacon freedom if he would transfer it over to him. Lawrence responded by asking for three days to get the church's treasures together for delivery to the prefect's house. Then, going through the city he sought all the poor and unfortunate supported by the church and brought them to the prefect’s door. "Here are the church's treasures," he told the official, "the blind, the lame, the orphans and the old."

In anger, the prefect ordered Lawrence burned alive on a gridiron. Those witnessing his execution described the saint going to his death cheerfully, even joking with his executioners. "Turn me over, I'm done on this side."

Sarah Hobbs has confirmed that my Xanga is, indeed, still working.  As a result of this, a message from John Piper, which touched me deeply.  I wrote it in my bible, even as he preached the gospel to my soul every day. 

Piper said,

" God says: