1/19/11 Lord, our Operations Manager, Paul, told me that January 18, due to a variety of converging factors, is labeled "Saddest Day" of the year. Post holiday blues, post holiday bills, cabin fever, the day after a holiday, not another holiday until Memorial Day, cold weather, people jammed together in small places, less sunshine to get fresh outside air ... and, well, the list grows. I didn't know such a formal day existed. Maybe it should be a declared day off!

What I have known for quite some time is that depression, anger, violence, and crimes heighten certain times of the year. That's happened this week at RCM. Even with having Martin Luther King Day off. You'd think ...

What I have also known for quite some time is that Satan works for opportune moments to create havoc, and works subtly, quietly, prowling, preying, masterminding to spring at that choice moment when all evil factors collide for one spectacular defeat for God's people. After all, he is the prince of the air, ruler of demonic forces and this world. For a time.

At RCM this week, there have been more altercations among our people, over things that really are of little consequence in the big scheme of things than we usually have in a month, or two.

Sherica came in yesterday, really just asking a simple question about one of our regular services. She received a polite, honest answer from one of our social workers. It wasn't the answer she wanted, even though it was the only answer we could to give her.

I've know Sherica for quite some time, even immersed her into Christ last year. She's always been quiet, even docile, and easy to work with. The last time she came in, she cried over something in her life, some pain, she just couldn't bring herself to share.

Long story short Lord, Sherica simply lost control, exploded, started swinging, threatened our social worker, had to be contained, removed, reported to the police, and banned from RCM for some time. Why, Lord? We did do all we could do in a way that would please You we believe.

As much as January 18 is declared Saddest Day of the Year, Satan has declared war on those who love You Lord. What I have also known for quite some time is that when Your people pray to You, Lord, You listen. As one of our former homeless men reminds us all, "Prayer changes things." And too often, I try to overcome such spiritual forces by my power. Forgive Lord.

To overcome Satan's preying, Lord teach us to be praying. The sad part for Satan is that he thinks he's winning. He will, a soul at a time, should we fail to pray. Lord, teach us to pray.

When the devil had finished all this temptation, he left him until an opportune time (Lk. 4:13) ... For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12) ... This, then, is how you should pray ... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one ... (Mt. 6:9,13) ...