Calvary Hot Springs

Exalting Christ Through the Ministry of the Word

Poimen

Created for God’s Glory

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Thinking Out Loud

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 

Psalm 139:13–18

I like to be liked. Suffice it to say, I don’t like not being liked. I feel safe making this confession because frankly, I’ve never met anyone who genuinely claimed to enjoy not being liked. One of life’s realities is that sooner or later, you will meet someone who doesn’t like you. Maybe they simply dislike you because of something you can’t change. Maybe you did something that disappointed them. In either case… I don’t like not being liked. And neither do you.

The matter of needing to be liked, and the fear of not being liked becomes harmful when ones identity and sense of worth rests upon it. If the sense of value, worth and of well being is determined by what people think of you, then chances are, you spend a lot of time in self-doubt, discouragement and perhaps depression. The John Lydgate adage is true: “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Obviously, living life in a pleasing way, with the aim to put others first and to serving them is biblical, but it is contrary to being a Christian to live in fear of not being liked or accepted. You cannot allow your fear of man (fear of not being liked) to dictate how you live and how you think of yourself.

The psalmist in Psalm 139 declares with awe the idea that the sovereign God of creation would choose to take thought of him. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you (17-18).

The context of the chapter tells us that the thoughts of which the psalmist writes are thoughts about him in particular, and about God’s people as a whole. They are numerous thoughts (more than the sand), and they are precious thoughts of me. I am ever on His mind, so while awake and while asleep, I am still with you. Simply put. God not only loves, but He likes His people. God likes you! God likes me!

There’s more!

The entire chapter speaks of God’s omniscience and omnipresence, particularly in regards to God’s people. Notice how he describes God’s active role in his development in the womb (Read 13-15). And then, while still yet unformed, every day that man now lives was, before time known and formed specifically for him (Read 16). The Lord is intimately and actively at work in our makeup and has laid out before us the life we would live.

Do you see what the psalmist is proposing? It is remarkable that the Lord, in His mercy chose to place His love upon you, knowing you for who your really are. Equally as remarkable (or perhaps more so) is that from eternity past, He chose you, loved you (Ephesians 1:3), knew you, and predestinated you to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29). In other words, you were created for God’s glory through the love that He abundantly pours out upon you.

If you are in Christ, you are loved. You are liked. And in this reality rests your true identity, your value and your worth. 

Certainly, there will be times of insecurity because of a person’s opinion of you. At times you will wonder where you fit in, or if your life is making a difference. You’ll wonder if you have a purpose. You will experience struggles, failures, defeats, frustrations and self-doubt. The Christian is not exempt from human emotions, and for this you can thank the Lord. God’s grace however, keeps us from allowing these emotions to define us. God’s grace shows His strength in our weakness. God’s grace reminds us that we are in Christ, and…

… in Christ… you are loved! 

… in Christ…  you are liked! 

… inChrist… you are accepted!

Your worth, your identity and your purpose is this, that you have be created for God’s glory. And His glory is manifested in the abundance of His love for you. So the more you revel in God’s love, the more of His glory is revealed in you and through you to the world. I like being liked, don’t you?

—Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone Be Glory!)

Meet Jodie Lim

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putting names to faces…

 Jodie Lim and her husband Drew moved to Hot Springs in April of 2020, right smack dab in the middle of the Covid-19 Pandamic. After two weeks of isolation from the Hot Springs community, she and Drew, along with their three boys (Jude, Deacon and Malakai) moved in with her ever so quirky in-laws until they found a home for themselves. Praise the Lord, with just a few more details to get past, they will be moving in to their own place real soon.

Drew & Jodie Lim, Jude, Deacon, Malakai

Jodie and her family moved to Hot Springs in 2001 when she was just 13 years old so that her dad could attend Cornerstone Bible Institute. She and her two brothers eventually attended and graduated from CBI as well. After graduating from CBI in 2009, Jodie remained in Hot Springs until marrying Drew in 2011 and moving to Lakewood Washington where Drew was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord at the time. After leaving the military, Drew and Jodie remained in Washington for 9 Years before moving back to Hot Springs.

Jodie was blessed to have been reared in a home where the gospel was explained and demonstrated on a regular basis. Her parents Dan and Diana Kunnari loved the Lord, His Word and His people. Dan pastors in Ashton, Iowa. At the age of 5, the Lord worked in Jodie’s heart to show her need for a Savior. She says, “I remember thinking I was a ‘good’ girl. I went to Sunday School, I memorized verses and I tried to obey the rules. I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t know I needed Jesus. There are a few distinct memories I have of the Lord using my older brothers to bring out anger and self-righteousness in me that finally opened my eyes to see my sinfulness. I remember a conversation I had with my dad following one of these instances that started in tears and ended in joy. I know he shared verses with me about my sin and need for a Savior and I believe that is when God opened my eyes to understand and accept the Gospel.”

Jodie’s confidence for eternity to come is in Christ’s work on the cross. She’s thankful that the Gospel continues to be at work in her even today, as the Lord often reminds her of her need for Him and then points her once again to Jesus who fulfilled that need. 

The Darkness of the Soul

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Thinking Out Loud

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalm 139:8-12

The very first time I experienced the starkness of the dark was when Kellie and I first made our way across eastern Wyoming on the way to Hot Springs. Even with headlights on, the darkness on either side of the pickup appeared to be as a black curtain beyond which nothing existed. 

As a shepherd in the middle east, David knew this sort of darkness, perhaps even more so than we. Thus, he wrote the above. But the darkness of which he wrote was likely not the darkness of the night, but rather the darkness of his own soul. You don’t need to read too far into the Psalms to notice that David had very strong emotions, and that often those emotions experienced great sorrow. For example, throughout Psalm 42 David writes, Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? (5, 11)  My soul is cast down within (5), Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? (9)

This darkness of the soul is not unique to David. We call the prophet Jeremiah, “The Weeping Prophet.” The Apostle Paul spoke of being utterly burdened beyond… strength and of despairing of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8). The Reformer Martin Lutherwas afflicted with a melancholy that threatened to destroy him. The prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon suffered from depression for many years, even in the midst of a thriving ministry. His wife, Susannah Spurgeon wrote, “My beloved’s anguish was so deep and violent, that reason seemed to totter in her throne, and we sometimes feared that he would never preach again.”1 Of course, the prophet Isaiah describes Jesus as a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38). This is not to indicate our sorrows to equal that of Jesus, but to point out that Jesus identifies with us in affliction.

Sorrow, affliction, despair, depression… whatever you’d like to call it, is a reality of life in a fallen world, even for a Christian. This is why passages such Psalm 139:8-12 is such an encouragement. Let me make just a couple of observations and then encourage you to look at it yourself.

First, notice that although David spoke of personal emotions, the primary focus of the passage was the Lord, not himself.

Second, notice that David was speaking of the omnipresence of God. Specifically, he spoke of God’s omnipresence in his life (or the life of every person). This is not just in a spacial sense, but in the omnipresence (omniscience) of the whole of who you are (read the entire chapter).

Third, notice that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

Finally, notice that there is no mention that the darkness that overcomes is ever removed. It may be, in the sense that in God’s presence, His light dispels the darkness (John 1:5)… but maybe not. It doesn’t actually say. What it DOES say is that wherever I may be, even in darkness of soul, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Ponder that for a moment… 

The confidence of the psalmist was not that the darkness would be removed, for God’s purposes may be to work in the midst of the darkness rather than in its removal. Because the Lord is omnipresent, the confidence of the psalmist was that He would be with him in the midst of it all… even when it didn’t feel like it.

If you find yourself in a dark place (or before you get there), be encouraged to read and to meditate on Psalm 139 and Psalm 42-43. Read it numerous times, marking it and making notes of what you learn. Also, I found the following articles to be helpful in thinking through these matters from a biblical perspective. 

Did You Know That Charles Spurgeon Struggled with Depression? by Michael Reeves (https://bit.ly/MRonSpurgeon)

Spiritual Depression in the Psalms by John Piper (https://bit.ly/PiperonPsalm42)

Spiritual Depression: The Dark Night of the Soul by R. C. Sproul (https://bit.ly/SproulonDepression)

Honesty About Depression by Heath Lambert (https://bit.ly/LambertonPsalm102)

—Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone Be Glory!)

Meet Sheri Coleman

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putting names to faces…

 Sheri was born in South Dakota and raised in Wyoming. She and her husband Gale lived in Kaycee, Wyoming before moving to Hot Springs in 1986. Sheri is a “retired” school teacher after 40+ years of teaching. She enjoyed teaching in town schools as well as in the one room school house in Buffalo Gap. With the many years of experience and training, Sheri now coaches and mentors teachers for the Oelrichs and Hot Springs School Districts.

Sheri enjoys quilting when the weather turns cold but has spent much of her summer camping, kayaking and bike riding in the hills with her lady friends. She and Gale have two children, Jason in eastern South Dakota and Amanda in Custer, and seven beautiful grandchildren.

Gale and Sheri have been a part of Calvary for 34 Years, and have seen its ups and downs. With servant’s hearts, they have poured their lives in almost every aspect of the life of the church and have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of many who have come across their paths. Many students from Cornerstone Bible Institute have spent Sunday afternoons and days throughout the week in their home learning the practical side of Christian living and Christian loving. 

Sheri came to a saving faith in Christ Jesus in 1980 as the result of many years of hearing the gospel. They were loved and discipled in their early Christian life by Pastor and Mrs. Arthur Bigelow and Pastor Ray and Grace Herd. Sheri’s confidence for an eternal hope rests in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ on her behalf. 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

After reading Psalm 139 with a brother this morning and pondering its truths I once again am amazed at the kindness of our God. The psalmist makes five bold claims about the Lord’s relationship with His people and its compelling call to seek Him. You can read the entire chapter on your own.

The Lord knows me…

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 

The Lord really KNOWS me. He knows my ups and my downs, my deep thoughts, my course of life and where I find my rest. He knows not only my works, He knows my ways. He knows altogether even before a word is on my tongue (I wish sometimes He would stop me from saying it before I got myself into trouble). He keeps me close beside Him and with a gentle hand on my shoulder, He not only directs my steps, He assures me of His presence. The Lord really knows me.

The Lord surrounds me…

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?… If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 

There is not a single place in all of creation where I can escape the Lord’s presence. This is a dreadful thought for the wicked, but not for the righteous. The righteous are assured that the Lord is ever there to lead by the hand through the course of life and to provide security in His right hand. When entering into the unknown and when living in uncertain times, I am assured that these dark times are not dark at all to the God of light.

The Lord formed me…

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb… Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

The Lord is the giver of life and is its architect. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Moreover, He has established and knows my days. Before the substance of my being came into existence the days of my life were already established. In His providence He set into motion all the affairs of my life. Nothing that I face catches the Lord by surprise.

The Lord considers me…

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. 

The sovereign God of creation who sustains all things, takes thought of me. But not just a passing thought. His thoughts toward me are so vast, it is beyond measure, more than the sand. They are loving thoughts for my good, and I can be assured that He works for His glory and for my benefit.

The Lord searches me…

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.… I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

The preoccupation with the world system blinds the me from the goodness of God. It robs me of the confidence and security that comes from being God’s own possession. 

In contrast, a steadfast gaze upon the Lord sets the world in true perspective. It gives to me a healthy hatred toward the things that oppose God and brings about a yearning for a release from its clutches. Meditating upon the things of God evokes the longing to rid myself from any and all that detracts from the view of God and that is grievous in His sight. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

—Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone Be Glory!)

Meet Lyn Bentson

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putting names to faces…

 Roger and Lyn (Lynette) Bentson are “California escapees” who arrived in Hot Springs on July 30th, 2015. We fell in love with Hot Springs in 1991, on a family trip to Aberdeen, when it became a steadfast dream to retire here someday.  We love it here, and haven’t looked back!

Though Roger and I have been married since 1982, we never had children, hence no grandchildren. In fact, few relatives, period.  So, friends are important!

My main career has been as a First Grade teacher. I taught 11 years in Christian schools, which I loved.  Family and other changes led me into becoming a “dyslexia specialist” and tutor in 2003, which I also love. If you are concerned about a child of average or better intelligence who somehow has difficulty with reading, writing, etc., please ask me if I can help! This is definitely my area of strength.

I was raised in a lukewarm Methodist church which really didn’t teach the gospel clearly. I DO remember my Dad reading to me from The Golden Bible for Children, (I still love the pictures), and I think he must have prayed for me. I had a vision of Jesus and John 3:16 when I was in 4th grade. I didn’t understand it, but I somehow knew Jesus was important at that moment. I finally “got it” at a Youth work camp in my senior year (Yuma Indian Mission), and gave my life to Jesus one night. The next morning, when I woke up, I knew something was different, in a major way. That first year as a Christian was great!

Since then it’s been a varied and interesting walk, some highs, some lows. We’ve experienced a number of different “flavors” of Christianity.  A big take-away….”integrity trumps hyper-spirituality every time.” Though I’d like a little more “freedom” in worship expression, what I love about Calvary Baptist (well, the people, of course!) is Pastor Matt’s well-thought-out messages, and especially how he goes in depth with the Old Testament books. My current Biblical interest is looking at ancient prophecy and how it is being fulfilled before our eyes right now!

To Mask or Not to Mask… That is NOT the Question

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Thinking Out Loud

A recent conversation brought to light that some believers find it necessary to “mask shame” those who wear face masks in public places, even to the point of name calling. That bit of information has been at the forefront of my mind and heart ever since. A brief chat this morning added further that “mask shaming” sometimes comes through unintentional but thoughtless remarks. And then, sometimes opinionated comments posted on social media the night before makes for awkward conversations the next day.

Of course, this is contrasted by “non-mask shaming” in return (I just made up that term). Questioning ones character, challenging the genuineness of their love as well as their intelligence because they are non-mask wearers. And then, it wouldn’t be complete until some meme or some article is posted with the intent of ridiculing all the crazy people out there.

This grieves my heart… and as a Christian, it ought to grieve yours as well. To be perfectly honest, it actually just frustrates the living daylights out of me. Obviously the scriptures make no mention of wearing masks or not wearing masks, but it does address the matter in principle.

Three portions of scripture come to mind when I think on these things, 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, and Romans 14. Each deal with, among other things, dietary practices that were neither right or wrong. That is, the particular matter causing division was not an issue of sin. It was more a matter of conscience than anything else. You can and should read each passage yourself. But let’s briefly touch on a few things Paul brings out, using Romans 14 as our source.

First, we are to welcome one another, but not to quarrel over opinions (1). The emphasis: Our union in Christ trumps our personal opinions… (period) (vs.1)

Second, we are not to despise the other because, who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another (the Lord being His master)? (vss. 4, 10-12)

Third, whichever side of the issue we fall, we are to be fully convinced in [our] own mind doing it in honor of the Lord (vs. 5-9)

Fourth, we are to pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Simply put, you are to pursue the good of the other before yourself (19-23).

Finally, we are to remember that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men (17).

We barely scratched the surface of the passage, so I STRONGLY encourage you to take some time to read through Romans 14 thoughtfully and prayerfully, and with the desire for the Lord to do a work in you.

Essentially, the Bible teaches us to keep the main thing the main thing. It warns against becoming distracted by non-issues. We are in spiritual warfare together, and unless we walk circumspectly, we will be entangled with the affairs of this world (matters with no eternal significance)… we will be entangled with face masks. In turn we lose sight of our brothers in Christ. We lose sight of the mission set before us.

If you wear a face mask, wear it unapologetically, with the conviction that by God’s grace you are behaving in the most prudent and gracious way before men and before the Lord. Guard your mind and your heart with regards to those who don’t wear a face mask. Be gracious in your heart toward them (Ephesians 4:2).

If you do not wear a face mask, do so with meekness and grace as to the Lord. And do it without ignorant presumption of His protective care. Guard your lips. In love, carry a face mask with you and put it on when necessary for the sake of others. Do this, not because you have to, but in order to serve others before yourself (Philippians 2:4).

If your brother or sister has offended you, graciously speak to them about it. Don’t assume that they should know better if you have not pointed it out to them. If you are approached because you have offended someone, humbly keep your heart in check, pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding and be reconciled (that’s almost biblical) (Romans 14:19; Matthew 5:23-24). 

Remember, the union with Christ you share with one another and the loving unity realized in the Spirit is infinitely more the main thing than any opinion you may hold regarding the Corona Virus and wearing a face mask.

Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone Be Glory!)

Meet Liz Tramp

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putting names to faces…

So we heard from Matt Tramp last week. Let’s hear now from his wife, Liz. Liz Tramp is one of the many Johnson kids who have made their way to Hot Springs throughout the years. One of the great blessings the Lord has given to Calvary is the privilege of having each of them as a part of our fellowship. We thank the Lord for the love each has displayed for the Lord, His Word and His people. The trademark Johnson stubborn streak in submission to the Lord’s direction has been a wonder to observe and to enjoy. 

Liz arrived in Hot Springs in 2007 and has remained since her graduation from CBI in 2010. While still in school, Liz studied and worked as an EMT and EMT-I. Liz is a trained Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and worked on the Hot Springs Ambulance Services for over 10 years. Before marrying Matt in 2014, Liz took the opportunity to serve in short term missions in Johannesburg, South Africa working with SIM’s ministry to HIV-positive orphans and foster children.

Currently, Liz faithfully serves the Lord caring for their 4 year old son, Amos, their 5 month old Shiloh and an 11 month old foster son whom they have had the opportunity to love for the past 10 months. When you think about it, you might pray for him and all the unknowns that his future holds, and most importantly for the salvation and restoration of his family. We trust the Lord will use this in his life for His glory.

Liz, and her husband Matt minister to our teens, helping them to know the Lord and to grow in Him. She has a heart for ministry both in and outside the local church. She has, through the years served in many different ministries here at Calvary.

The Lord was pleased to place Liz into a family whose mother and father loved and served the Lord. At the age of 2 to 6 years, Liz and her family lived in the Ivory Coast, West Africa as missionaries with New Tribes Mission. She has been a pastor’s kid her entire life and was exposed to the gospel from a very early age. It was as a teenager that the glorious gospel of Christ took root in her heart and bore fruit to salvation. After living in fear that she had not been praying the right prayer of salvation over and over again as a child, the “lightbulb” turned on at a teen camp when she understood that she was not trusting in Christ’s work, but her own. 

The assurance of her eternal destiny rests in the perfect work of Christ on the cross on her behalf as she is continually being conformed to his image (Romans 8).

This is how you can pray for Liz and her family: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24