by John Carpenter | May 22, 2023 | Camp News
We are still busy in all that needs to get done so that we are ready for another blessed season of Del-Haven Camps. The lake has been treated to clear it up of all the lake weeds and moss that every year builds up in it. The ongoing mowing process has already begun – which takes up a lot our time to stay on top of the campgrounds upkeep. Dead trees are being ear marked for cutting down and cutting up. This means brush piles on top of brush piles are being formed to burn up. I relate all this in hopes that you remember to pray for us to get all of this done without injury or any major mishaps along the way. All of this requires the use of equipment and supplies that right now in our economy is much more expensive to operate. But, our Sovereign God is still on the throne – and His coffers are always full! Praise His Name!
We would be remiss to not request from you all that prayers be made for all the children that have already requested a place in the camp schedule. And, this means that we need prayers for our Lord to send to us the helpers (male and female) that want to serve Him by filling a place on our Del-Haven Staff. The Lord has always provided – and we expectantly look for Him to do so again this year. This is where your support is most vital(!) – your Prayer Support – for which we wholeheartedly love and thank you!
Thank you to Sycamore Hills Baptist Church and the Rusher family for adding a Gaga Ball pit to our recreation area. This game has become popular in recent years, and the campers will surely enjoy this new addition.
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2023 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
“But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased!” [Ps,115:3] “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven and in earth – in the seas, and all the deep places.” [Ps.135:6] “For in Him we live and move and have our being…” [Ac.17:28] “Jesus answered and said unto them: This is the work of God – that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” [Jn.6:29] “And when the Gentiles heard this – they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord – and as many as were ordained to eternal life – believed!” [Ac.13:48] “For of Him – and through Him – and to Him — are all things – to whom be glory forever. Amen.” [Ro.11:36] “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit – that we are (the) children of God…” [Ro.8:16]
Each of these texts declare the absolute and total Sovereignty of God over absolutely all things throughout absolutely all of our lives! From the Old Testament it is written from Is.46:9-10 that God tells us: “Remember the former things of old – for I am God and there is none else I am God and there is none like me! (10) Declaring the end from the beginning – and from ancient times the things that are not yet done – saying – my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure!”
Then in the New Testament from Rev.22:13 Jesus – the eternal Son of God incarnated into being the eternal Son of man descriptively declares of Himself: “I am Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end – the first and the last!” In fact, the Ro.11:36 text above is referring specifically of Him as well — when it speaks of all things in this fallen world of fallen men – and, He is the one who gets all the glory if any of them are saved from their sins! Once again – it’s all Christ in regards to absolutely all that pertains to our eternal salvation.
The Holy Spirit inspired apostle wrote in 1Co.2:12-13 these words: “Now we (have) received – not the spirit of the world – but the Spirit which is of God – that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things we speak – not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth – but (in) which the Holy Spirit teacheth – comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
All of this alludes directly to what Jesus teaches us from Jn.16:12-13> “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when He – the Spirit of the Truth is come, He shall not speak of Himself – but whatever He shall hear (that) shall He speak: and He will show [or, more lit. “announce to”] you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me – for He shall receive of mine – and shall show [or, more lit. “announce it”] unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine – therefore said I that He [the Holy Spirit] shall take of mine, and shall show it [or, more lit. “shall announce it”] unto you!”
In other words, dear ones, our absolutely Sovereign-over-all-things Triune God has purposed and decreed – from His vantage point (which is eternity) – everything that pertains to our eternal Salvation! And, it is the mighty work of the Spirit of God to bear testimony unto us – to unfold to us – we, who are truly His children – all the pertinent things within our capacity to understand — while we are still in this world – that pertain to our having been eternally saved! And, Praise His Name, He unfolds it for us – from and through His wonderful magnanimous Word! Ro.10:17 tells us that true and saving “Faith – cometh by hearing – and hearing by the Word of God!” Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 15, 2023 | Camp News
As we draw nearer and nearer to the kick off of our camping season we are ever mindful of all that needs to done. The upkeep of the campground and the different jobs of preparation must be dealt with. Please pray that we accomplish the burden of the necessary tasks right on top of us. The reality of our inflated costs of normal living expenses brings upon us a greater burden as well. Your much needed prayers for these matters – are much appreciated.
As the weather begins to warm up – if any of you have some time to spare when you can help in any way – please feel free to let us know and we will make some plans to accommodate you.
As just a reminder, please do not forget to pray for our ongoing need of staff help. We need both male and female helpers to guide and direct the children throughout the camp program and schedule. Pray for the manifestation of the God’s presence and moving in just the right way to send us what we need in order to minister the gospel of the glory only of the Lord Jesus Christ unto 6 to 12 yr. old boys and girls.
And, speaking of which – please be in prayer with us that the Lord will be preparing the hearts and souls of the children that both: Want to come to Camp Del-Haven for the first time – and all those boys and girls that want to come back to camp. The Spiritual War that rages all around us makes it necessary for God’s people to become Prayer Warriors for the sake of Christ our God!
Let’s make a united effort to lift up our supplications before the Lord.
Jeff is working on some landscaping in front of the dining hall during one of our Saturday work days. Please contact us if you have a group looking for a ministry project this Spring.
Also, we have opened up our camp registration and are beginning to receive camp applications. If you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity to volunteer and serve with our summer camp programs, please contact Sheri at 816-425-0460 or Sheri@campdelhaven.org.
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become
the firstfruits of them that slept. (21) For since
by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam
all die – even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(23) But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are
Christ’s – at His coming.
(24) Then cometh the end, when He shall have
delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father;
when He shall have put down all rule and all
authority and power.”
[1Co.15:20-24]
by John Carpenter | Apr 15, 2023 | Devotional
“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one – and come away. (11) For, lo, the winter is past – the rain is over and gone. (12) The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.(13) The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. (14) O my dove, that art in the clefts of the Rock – in the secret places of the stairs. Let me hear thy voice – for sweet is thy voice – and thy countenance is comely.” [Song.2:10-14]
This wonderful text of scripture is a representation of a special communication that comes from the heavenly Bridegroom unto His Bride – awakening her from her sleep. This contextually seems to reflect the way that our Savior comes and rouses each one of His eternally saved ones who have finished their course of life in this world and finally fallen to sleep in their physical death. We will close our eyes here – and open them in our Lord’s glorious presence – where we will abide forever and ever. And, it will be like getting through a season of the death of winter (by God’s grace of course) and entering into an eternal-life-season of springtime…in the loving presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Praise His Name!
That this revelatory experience – of divine communication — includes each and every one of those particularly given by God the Father unto God the Son is evidenced by what Jesus says from Jn.6:37-40> “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven – not to do mine own will – but the will of Him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me – that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing – but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of Him that sent me – that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him – may have everlasting life – and I will raise him up at the last day!”
When it says from vs.39 “but should raise IT up again at the last day” it’s talking about the whole great congregation of all those whom the Father has given to the Son from out of the whole history of fallen-in-sin humanity! This whole company of particular persons is precisely what the Holy Scriptures mean by “the Bride of Christ”! And, just as the Lord God made Eve out of Adam and brought her unto him (see: Ge.2:22-24) even so are all the saved-by-grace of fallen-in-sin humanity created in Christ Jesus and ultimately by the Father drawn unto Him. Jesus said, “No man can come unto me – except the Father which hath sent me – draw him – and I will raise him upat the last day.”[Jn.6:44] Hence, all the Father gives to the Son to save – are all the Father draws to Him. And, these are all the ones that Jesus will raise up at the last day.
Plus, this resurrection of us by the Lord Jesus is according to God the Father — who has given us to Christ – and drawn us to Christ – He has also eternally saved us by Christ! Even at the very moment the Spirit of God makes His saved one to know that their eternal salvation has happened – He does so by speaking – testifying unto us — that we have been saved! Ro.8:16-17 confirms this true spiritual experience. It says: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (17) and if children – then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”. This happens at our regeneration – our new birth! And, it is this same “still small voice” that effectually awakens us (see: Eph.5:14: “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead – and Christ shall give thee Light.”) This makes Christ’s Resurrection Day a real celebration!! Christ’s Resurrection takes us from Regeneration to Glorification! Hallelujah!!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 13, 2023 | Camp News
As we once again must March toward the front of the battlefield for the Lord – it is only appropriate that we spend much time before Him in prayer – seeking and pursuing His leading and His provision and His protection from the Enemy and all of his evil plans and devices. We must endeavor – by His grace — to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His Might” [Eph.6:10]. We do earnestly covet your prayers with us and for us in this our resolve.
Please continue to pray for all the children that our Elohim has willed and ordained to be at camp this year. Pray that He prepares their hearts to receive and believe the gospel of the glory only of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, pray for our staff members that will be on the front line with the children – that they be given by the Spirit of our God the words from His Word that will in turn quicken the hearts and souls of the children. Pray for these right now to be shielded from all the machinations of the devil and all of his seed that do tirelessly work to prevent them from hearing and seeing the truth. Call on He who is the Head of all principality and power – to hold them back from effectually working their evil plans to disrupt and destroy.
And, in your praying for us – please do not forget to pray that our Lord blesses our April & May tradition of having work days – especially on the weekends. This means that there will be nine Saturdays beginning with April 1 and then extending throughout the month of May. Perhaps you or your church group could plan on helping us out on one or more of those days – to prepare the campgrounds. We would greatly appreciate any and all that come out to help. Just give Sheri or myself a call or text and let us know your plans: 816-425-0460 or 816-277-7071.
Summer 2023 Schedule
Staff Training: June 5-7
Session 1: 6 to 9 Boys and Girls: June 12-15
Session 2: 9 to 12 Girls: June 19-22
Session 3: 9 to 12 Boys: June 26-29
Session 4: 9 to 12 Girls: July 10-13
Session 5: 6 to 9 Boys and Girls: July 17-20
Session 6: 9 to 12 Boys: July 31-Aug. 3
