by John Carpenter | Jul 26, 2025 | Camp News
Well, Dear Ones, here we are – already in the month of July — and still in a recovery mode where any regular camp activity and ministry is concerned. Jeff’s health is continuing to make some real good progress. He is – by God’s grace – making some real strides at regaining his physical strength. Please continue to lift him up before our Lord in prayer – where this is concerned.
We have also some real progress to report on a different level. The Lord has led unto us an added ally and asset. Thanks to His leading – we now have a new member on the Del-Haven Board. That’s right — our board of directors have prayed for – and responded in obedient faith – in interviewing and deciding to add a new person to our Board of Directors. Our Board has been increased in that — Mr. Skip Stevson – of Strasburg Union Church — of Strasburg, MO — has officially become a part of us. He has (along with Strasburg Union Church) faithfully and prayerfully supported Del-Haven in all that we are endeavoring to do for the Lord in the furtherance of His Kingdom. Skip is a man of much knowledge and many skills that we are sure will prove to make him a valuable asset to this ministry. Please remember him in your prayers for Del-Haven – that the Lord will continue to bless us in His divine leadership of this ministry.
We – recently — have had to make some much needed parts replacements in our swimming pool. It has required a new Pump Motor plus we needed to replace a large “O” ring for the new motor. And “when it rains – it pours”– we had to replace our Breaker Box — a major double breaker – that was bad. All total – the higher than usual cost of just getting our swimming pool serviced and ready for use has been $943.00! But, do you know what? Our ever faithful Lord and Leader has more than provided for us in that we had the funds to cover it. Once again – Praise the Lord!
We really do love it when the Lord manifests His ever faithful presence and provision for our needs! By the way, it appears that our new president is successfully making a positive impact on the economy. We definitely could use a lowering of the inflation that has been so oppressive. Let’s continue to pray for our government and those that have ruling authority over us [1Ti.2:1-2]. May the Lord through them lead us in a quiet and peaceable life – in all Godliness and Honesty. Do not forget to seek the Lord in putting together a spiritually capable staff so that we can once again – bring out “cabin-fulls” of children into the hearing of the Word of the Truth of the Gospel!
Thank you for all your continued loving and prayerful support! We love you – and we continue to pray for you as well. We thank our Lord and Savior God for you all!
by John Carpenter | Jun 21, 2025 | Devotional
“God…now commandeth (lit.) all everywhere – to Repent – (31) Because – He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in Righteousness – by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance (or more lit. faith) unto all – in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” [Ac.17:30-31]
“And the servant of the Lord – must not strive – but be gentle unto all men – apt to teach, patient (25) in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves – if God peradventure – will Give them — Repentance – to the acknowledging of the Truth.” [2Tim.2:24-25]
“Then Peter and the other apostles – answered and said – We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus – whom ye slew and hanged on a tree! (31) Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior – for to Give Repentance to Israel – and forgiveness of sins. (32) And we are His witnesses of these things – and so is the Holy Spirit – Whom God Hath Given – TO THEM – that obey Him.” [Ac.5:29-32]
“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us – who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ...(18) When they heard these things – they held their peace – and glorified God, saying – Then hath God – also to the Gentiles – Granted Repentance unto life!” [Ac.11:17-18]
The last several monthly devotionals have followed a common theme of what the Word declares descriptively – concerning our following the footprints of our Savior through this world – right into His heavenly presence. Now – we embark upon a subject that is not at all that far removed – from that same topic — in that we begin to examine a common characteristic that is very much a part of what the Word also describes as an obvious trait that indicates that we have truly been Holy Spirit Quickened – into truly following Jesus, who is without a doubt – our Sovereign Savior Substitute! Praise His Holy Name Forever!
Genuine Repentance is another unique and personal aspect of God’s genuine work of salvation – in every chosen sinner/child’s providence and experience – in this world. It, too, is not something that God expects the sinner – from themselves, to muster together and self-contrive, or manifest, or perform. If He waited for us to truly repent of our sins — in His plan to redeem us – then none of us would ever truly be saved by His grace. True Repentance – is also all done by Christ – or, True Repentance – does not truly exist – or, has not yet come to pass. So, what exactly is True and Genuine Repentance – and from what source does it spring into action – and why is it so important?!
“Repentance” is a marked characteristic of a True believer’s New Birth from above – by the Holy Spirit – and by the Word of God. [see: 1 Pe.1:23] Hence, Repentance draws attention to this True and Genuine characteristic of – the True Believer’s genuine experience, relationship and walk – with the Lord Jesus Christ through this evil world (or, through this world – of the Evil One). [see 2Co.4:4-6]
This is so important because – God Commands it! We will be going through the above four scriptural contexts – and we will attempt to unpack from them the pure Truth of exactly what True Repentance is – and how its character is continually being experienced in all who have been – genuinely spiritually awakened and quickened to follow – Christ Jesus – and Him alone! Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 21, 2025 | Camp News
Well, Dear Ones, in spite of all the turmoil and controversy that is going on in this world – by the exposure of corruption that has been embedded – in some parts – for many years – in our government – we can still take comfort that our sovereign Lord God – is still in absolute control!
It is truly wonderful to know that He in whom we trust – whom we follow – is why we can rest completely assured that — “all things work together for good to them that are – the called – according to His Purpose.” Praise His Name! He is the One who holds the whole of our Future – and that is Truth!
We rejoice greatly over the fact that Jeff Hall is the recipient of our Lord’s blessings in regards to all the things that he has had to go through where his physical health is concerned. We are hopeful that we may be able to organize some family camps for this July and maybe even August! The Lord willing (and He can do anything) this will happen. Please continue to be in prayer for Jeff – in this regard. He has recovered a lot of his strength already! Let’s keep lifting him up before our Savior!
Also, of course – Please continue to pray for the re-development of Camp Staff…this is still a strong desire of our hearts to be able to once again bring 6 to 12 year old children out here for a week of camp activities – and into the hearing of the Word of the Truth of the Gospel. Through you – our Lord demonstrates His faithfulness unto us! What a wonderful blessing! We realize how uncertain these times appear to be! In these very times – let’s remember Ps.118:6: “The Lord is on my side – I will not fear – what can man do unto me?” And then also verse 8: “It is better to trust in the Lord – than to put confidence in man.” And that says it all. The Lord Jesus Christ is, indeed – all we need – to get from here – right into heaven!
Thank you everyone – for being there before the ruling throne of our sovereign Savior. We love you – and we pray for you.
by John Carpenter | May 20, 2025 | Devotional
“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost – that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (26) For such a High Priest became us – Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners – and made higher than the heavens…” [Heb.7:25-26]
“As ye have – therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so walk ye in Him: (7) rooted and built up – in Him – and established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught – abounding therein – with Thanksgiving.” [Col.2:6+7]
“I am crucified with Christ – nevertheless I live – yet not I, but Christ liveth — in me – and the life that I now live – in the flesh – I live – in the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [Gal.2:20]
“Know ye not, that – so many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus – were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore – we are buried with Him – through baptism into death – that like as Christ was raised up from among the dead – through the Glory of the Father – even so we – should Walk in Newness of Life.” [Rom.6:3-4]
Throughout the above scriptures – we wish to emphasize the Person and Work of our Savior – that, literally directs the very steps of His truly regenerated believers through – this still yet sin filled life – in this sin filled world. In other words, all those who are filling the description of Rom.8:14> “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God – they are the sons of God.” These are the ones that are being led by the Holy Spirit –through this world filled with trouble, trial and sorrow right from their grave — here – and right into the glory – only – of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only – Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be! Praise His Name! When you read the scriptures above – just focus on what is written in red – and behold the beautiful Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ in His truly saving us from all of our sins!
Let’s summarize exactly what each of these texts describes – provided to us who have been acted upon – by the Wonderful Grace of Jesus:
1) The Heb.7 text tells us that Jesus – by His grace, alone – saves us “to the uttermost” – from the uttermost depths of Hell – unto the glorious uttermost heights of – holy, holy, holy heaven! He does this by literally becoming our sin – and suffering the penalty (the unrestrained wrath of God) for all of it! The result of this is – us becoming His Righteousness! What a most wonderful trade – our sin for His Righteousness! It is in this Way (which Jesus only – is) that gains for us – eternal approval and access into His holy heavenly Presence – forever! [see: 2Cor.5:21]
2) The Col.2 text assures us that Christ Jesus (and Him alone) has eternally secured – both – our receiving and believing Him – and our successfully walking in (or, truly following) Him – throughout the rest of our earthly – and eternal – lives! It is all accomplished by Him — and for us — through His Wonderful Saving Grace. [see: Eph.2:8-10]
3) The Gal.2:20 text brings right into view – the Cross of Christ Jesus – as the very Center of Influence of God’s entire Eternal Salvation Scenario! And, this text exactly declares that the Person and Work of Christ – at Calvary – is the very gateway into a right now – right relationship – with Jesus as we follow Him – and His footsteps – through this sin-filled-world – right into His glorious and totally victorious – eternal and loving Presence! [And remember Who Jesus really is: “the Lamb of God” Rev.13:8]
4) Points one through three lead us right into the fourth and final text, Rom.6:3-4. This text also scripturally declares to us – by Divine Descriptive Demonstration – a true testimony of our being identified as a – true seed of the sovereign Savior and, therefore, a true believing member of the Household of God – and an heir of His heritage – the Promise of God and His Eternal Salvation! [see: Mt,13:24-30 and 36-43]
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 20, 2025 | Camp News
Dear ones, as I put forward in last month’s letter — an urgent prayer request for our Brother – Jeff Hall – let me give you all an update on his health. He had to go through open heart surgery. And, in addition, because he also had a great need for some serious dental work to be performed – that had to come first!
Now at this point I must give first of all – our great Lord and Savior thanks – and then next also for all of you that obviously prayed for Jeff even before you knew of His dire need! I say this because the dentist and the doctor acted so quickly! They performed the much needed dental work on a Wednesday – and then – did the more serious open heart surgery – on the immediate next day (Thursday)! This seemed to me to be a very risky proposition, to say the least! But God (two great words of our Bibles) intervened for Jeff beautifully — in answer to all our hopes and prayers! Jeff came through the crisis – because of Christ his Savior! Thank you, Lord – thank all of you who were moved to intercede on his behalf.
Now, because of the immediate season upon us — of Jeff’s recovery (which should be at least 6 weeks) we will most likely be working on some much needed renovation of our buildings and grounds that we know we need to give some much needed attention. It is our hopes to be able to minister and do some family camping ministry before the end of the Summer. Please be in prayer with us to this end – and please keep Jeff in your ongoing prayers – for his thorough and complete recovery.
Don’t forget to be praying for the Lord’s replacement of our Staff! We want the ones that He provides. Please pray for us – that we may patiently seek Him to hear and answer our prayers.
