UPDATE Sept 2021: I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches. He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them, let alone asked for their forgiveness.
***
Psalms 28:1-9 Of David.
To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more. Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
I have written about this Psalm before, but I often return to it for encouragement. One of the themes you see in the Psalms (and really in the entire Bible) is that the wicked are many and the righteous are few. Though not overtly stated in this Psalm, that fact is implied as the Psalmist seems to protest being classed with the mass of the wicked. He is not like them. He blesses the Lord.
One of the ploys of the wicked is to accuse the righteous of evil. Abusers love to “remind” their target that “everyone is against you. Obviously you are the problem. Just look and see how many people hate you and agree with me.” But the Psalmist insists that this is not the truth and that in fact he is in the right. When we stand for truth and speak it and live it, we are going to be hated. The wicked do not like light and exposure. All that a righteous person need do to be hated is to be. To exist and live in righteousness.
1 Jn 3:12-13 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
Notice also the bold-faced line in the Psalm. We are quite familiar with this characteristic of evil. It speaks peace but plots evil behind the scenes. It goes to church on Sunday morning wearing “peace” but all the while evil is in its heart. It greets people in Jesus’ name. It pronounces blessings on them. It prays oh so piously. But all the while, evil is in its heart. Actively. Plotting.
Lord, give to them according to their works. Grant us Your mercy. You are our strength and our shield.
A Cry For Justice 
On an ongoing basis, as often as humanly possible, every time a window of opportunity opens. I know, that is redundant in a way, but I have been reminded of this for years. Obviously, since I have been married more than once “I AM” the reason for the breakdown of the marriage. This is what I was told. It is a lie. My part in those relationships is being naïve, not seeing red flags, a childhood full of abuse, and believing the lie that I didn’t deserve better. My God says differently.
I can remember all of the times going to church with X and listening to all of his accusations of members on the way there, him speaking to the same people like they were his best buddies, getting back into the car and the real person coming back out. How many people were deceived.
Here is an awesome promise I found this morning:
Rev 3:9 And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.
(I normally don’t read the Message but I ran into this and LOVED it!!!)
Good one, His Beloved!
Thank you! Love this!
Last night he failed to make his 2nd daily phone call to the children. He’s a very regimented person so you can set your watch to his scheduled phone calls. But last night the phone never rang. I tossed and turned all night hoping he’s was dead and fearing the Lord would strike me dead for such wicked thoughts. He called this morning, so he’s alive and well. Evil continues to prevail and I feel guilty for wishing he was gone. David used to wish his enemies were dead, didn’t he?
Hi FiftyandFree
I think this writing could be of help to you:
“Don’t They Ever Die”
Don’t they ever die? [Internet Archive link]
I needed this! Thank you!
Pastor Jeff wrote:
People are multifaceted. An individual’s state of mind influences how they perceive a different individual’s state of heart.