by John Carpenter | Nov 10, 2012 | Devotional
16) “Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In everything give thanks — for this is the will of God — in Christ Jesus — concerning you.” 1Th.5:16-18
(4) “Rejoice in the Lord — always! And again — I say, ‘rejoice’! (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand! (6) Be careful for nothing — but in everything — by prayer and supplication — with thanksgiving — let your requests be made known unto God; (7) and the peace of God — which passeth all understanding — shall keep your hearts and minds — through Christ Jesus.” Phi.4:4-7
There is a common theme expressed in these two different portions of God’s word. Both exhort the true child of God to face whatever circumstances they find themselves in — with cheerfulness. Which entirely makes sense when we remember how Jesus tells us that “in the world” we “shall have tribulation — but be of good cheer”, He says: “I have overcome the world!” Knowing this — we can rejoice in the Lord — always and evermore. Praise His Name! Knowing this — we can be at peace without any anxiety over anything that may have adversely developed around us!
Both texts also advocate a constant — soul rendered posture and practice of prayer. To “pray without ceasing” connotes praying uninterruptedly and without omission. This suggests that the true child of God knows no down time of both an awareness and an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty in each and every situation that unfolds as being His sovereign will for their lives. They are constantly — prayerfully plugged in — to the administrative direction of their Lord and Savior. “The Lord is at hand!” The Lord is our “refuge and strength — a very present help in trouble!”
And finally, both texts tell us that — as a true child of God — thanksgiving is also going to be ever present. Thanksgiving is the evidence of the both the absence of anxiety — and the presence of peace. And, this is true — no matter what sort of adversity we are called to face in this fallen world! It is the conduit through which we bare our souls — and bear our burdens before our gracious Savior and God! Thanksgiving is the evidence of our confidence in the truth — that God can do anything — and that He intimately cares for us by virtue of the fact that — we are to prayerfully present everything –before, and unto Him!!
In fact — this prayerful petitioning for God’s deliverance from all our cares and anxieties — is the very context that the Word presents of how we — as His true children — do humble ourselves before Him: (6) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God [I.e. under the all powerful hand of God] — that He may exalt you [Or, that He may lift and elevate you out] — in due time [I.e. at just the proper time]– (7) casting all your care upon Him — for He careth for you!” So then — we are constantly — cheerfully — prayerfully — and thankfully — casting all our cares upon Him — because He is intimately interested in all that concerns us!
For Christ’s Glory Only-
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 20, 2012 | Camp News, Ministry News
Our 60th Anniversary Banquet was a wonderful success! Every table was filled to capacity — we even had to break out extra chairs for the event! We want to thank all of you that came and made it such a blessing. We had an open mike for any person in the gathering that had a testimony of how that the Lord used Del-Haven as a means of His grace in their lives. There were shared many blessed experiences. It is marvelous to see and to hear what God has done!
Once again, we had book marks that were freely distributed — that had the names of children written on them whom the Lord had sent to camp. These were to be taken — and used as special reminders to specifically pray for them. This gets even our supporters — and the people who pray for us — directly involved in the ministry of the Lord in a child’s life. What wonderful thing it is. These young boys and girls need our prayers throughout the whole year — as they must face the pitfalls of life in a fallen and sinful world. I am certain we will ultimately see how our Savior used just such a simple thing as this — as an effective means of His great grace in His intervening in their personal lives and sustaining them.
Please continue to pray for us and our daily needs — and our staff — and all the children — as we continue to hold up the light of God’s Word of Grace in this dark world. May God bless and keep you all!
Marylee Carpenter played the camp song and gave testimony to how God revealed himself to a young girl and campers when a ring went missing and was discovered again in the Lake of the Ozarks.
A packed house of supporters, former/current staff and campers, and friends attended our yearly banquet at Pleasant Grove Bible Church.
Justin Dix shares stories from the first camp sessions.
Carl Brewer recounts special moments of prayer with Don Carpenter at Camp Del-Haven.
Mary Palmer is introduced as a former camper, staff member, and new board member. She gave a wonderful testimony about what the ministry at Del-Haven has meant to her and her family over the years.
by John Carpenter | Oct 20, 2012 | Devotional
“Then he which had received one talent — came and said, ‘Lord, I knew thee — that thou art an hard man — reaping where thou hast not sown — and gathering where thou hast strawed! (25) And, I was afraid — and went and hid thy talent in the earth. Lo, there thou hast that is thine.’ (26) His Lord answered and said unto him, ‘Thou wicked and slothful servant! Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not — and gather where I have not strawed’!” Mt.25:24-26
This excerpt comes out Christ’s parable of the talents from Mt.25:14-30. Among many good points that could be made regarding the servant that was given just one talent — there is this obvious truth that could be said: God does not bestow His grace — upon any of His true children — for them to do nothing. In fact, His grace is enabling! It is by His grace of faith — and not by sight — that we do walk through this fallen world. The wicked servant knew full well that God was sovereign.
Often times — as true believers — in a fallen and hostile world — the battle that we face where the real evil enemy is concerned — is not simply cut and dried — or, totally black and white. We — of necessity — must constantly be seeking the Lord through prayer and researching His Word — in order to be able to discern what it is that we should be doing. Of course, God is absolutely sovereign and in control of all things — and there is no doubt about the fact — that whatever happens is ultimately going to prove to be exactly the way that His eternal purpose and decree — His immutable counsel — has determined. But, this truth concerning God’s sovereignty never ever undermines our accountability unto Him and His Word where we as His chosen children are concerned. We are fulfilling what is written in His Word — as either being His saved ones in this fallen world — or, we are not! “So then — every one of us shall give account of himself to God!” Ro.14:12
There are many among our company as Christians that have succumbed to the sad reality of the foreboding sinful state and condition that our country is presently in — and in their forlorn mind set — they have determined to not participate in the up and coming election. I know how you feel — but I also know that this ought not so to be! To do nothing is exactly what the Evil One hopes will happen. We must reckon with the present reality — that God has not providentially orchestrated it — so that we have a clear choice between a true spiritual leader to rule over us — and someone who isn’t. It’s not that simple! But, when we know of one choice that will not totally strip away our Godly freedoms and blessings — then we must trust the Lord — and make that choice! When nothing is done — a choice for evil is made. God help you!
The Lord does not teach His total sovereignty as a fatalistic philosophy, but rather as it truly is — a strong and mighty tower for all His saved ones to take refuge in regardless of the certainty of His coming unfavorable judgments!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 6, 2012 | Events, Ministry News
Well — dear friends and family in Christ — it was in June of 2012 that our 60th anniversary had officially occurred. However, the Banquet Celebration of this event is slated to take place on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Our program will be from 11:45 to 2:30 — around the noon hour on that Saturday. So — mark your calendars and definitely plan to be there! We will be rejoicing and thanking our Lord and Savior for His preservation and provision of the ongoing ministry of Camp Del-Haven — which He has caused to extend for over 60 years!
This grand event will take place at Pleasant Grove Bible Church (the very first church to ever financially support us on a regular basis). The church is located at:
4916 Lee’s Summit Rd., Kansas City, MO.
We will be sure to have our usual great food and music and fellowship — all the necessary ingredients for a wonderful time. We want you all to be there so we can express the undying love that we have toward you for your faithful prayers and general support. This would be a great time to bring someone new — who has not been familiar with the existence of our God given mission. We will be going over the history that comprises the whole testimony of this true work of God that has been sustained so as to span even the recent generations of our present society.
So — please mark this date — and please make it a point to be there! If you have any questions at all — you can call 816-690-3497. We’ll see you there!
by John Carpenter | Sep 6, 2012 | Ministry News
“It is a good thing to give thanks — unto the Lord — and to sing praises — unto thy name, O most High! (2) To show forth thy lovingkindness — in the morning — and thy faithfulness — every night. (4) For thou, Lord — hast made me glad through thy work! I will triumph — in the works of thy hands! (5) O Lord, how great are thy works! And thy thoughts are very deep.” Ps.92:1-2,4 -5”
