Ask The HAZ!!!

Exciting News - Newest Song “You Are Good” Is Complete!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:18:00 +0000

I had intended on weekly posts but … life! However between we have been working on this song since completing “Receive Me” - about 4 months in all. I am so excited to share that it is finished, we have submitted it and expect it up on all streaming platforms soon!

I started writing this song years ago during a very painful time. Much like most of what I write, it has a long development period. We even made some adjustments during the recording process and progress.

I will post a “behind the song” but in the meantime, just to prime the pump a little, below I have posted links for the last time we played it live and what the final studio version is!

In the meantime, we need your help! Everything in this music world is foot traffic. We can pay for a service to push our numbers (which I won’t do) or my family and friends can just click on the link and listen to the song and just click that “like” (or heart) button. If you find the messages in our songs to be helpful and if our music is your gig you can help us by adding us to appropriate playlists and sharing with your friends. We had an initial goal for 1000 visits which were moving well towards however listening has dropped off. We’re still several hundred short. I have 2000 friends on facebook alone so the math is in our favor!

Help us as we help others! Just click here ⇨ Spotify - ITunes - Amazon

You Are Good (Live)

Official Release You Are Good - Amazon - YouTube - ITunes

We are also on JANGO RADIO!!

All streaming platforms coming soon!

Behind the Song - Unnatural

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:17:00 +0000

As always, thanks for reading! I will also likely have a video blog along the same subject as well. This song began decades ago with, as you may surmise, a moment of huge revelation through personal failure.

I had been working towards advancing in my profession at the time and had achieved what I felt then was impressive success. It was the late 90s and I was playing shows throughout the gulf states. I had been sponsored by a pretty well established label with large plans and felt I was coming of age and unfortunately developing a slight celebrity status. Destruction was looming as pride often does, fortunately no lines were crossed, but the reality of what I could be aside from the grace of God was clear. He brought light, clarity, correction, and redirection. How easy compromise leading to corruption sets it. It was my watershed moment - I cannot not work to build His kingdom and my own at the same time AND any attempt to build my kingdom will leave my frustrated because I am not meant for this place, I have a heavenly destiny.

The song starts almost with whining - I messed up, what now? Then I go to answer the question, remind that where and when I can't, GOD can and IS! Though I hate personal failure, I love HIM there! I also wanted to include the map as well, all very purposeful and vital to the song.

The intro line was the originally chorus and the song moved without much meaningful direction. It played well enough with just and acoustic but was never driven. It was nearly years before I rewrote it to the way it currently.

I was getting ready to minister at an event in NC which had an addiction recover component and I really wanted to use this song so I began to work with it and the new chorus progression came about which gave the song a lot of energy causing me to reconstruct the verses somewhat to fit the new rhythm. I have been told that you can't write songs so revealing because it's too much - but it was my journal entry and I felt and still feel most people can identify with this message.

It became a household favorite but I was never able to develop it further - I couldn't hear the parts. I would try different guitars, keys, and drums but was never satisfied. I relinquished this song to being only ever an acoustic song and have locked it away as that for years.

You want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plan. Along came Marko who has been a gift to me in so many ways. During the COVID shut down Marko challenged me to come to his studio and record 3-4 songs and allow him to develop them. We settled on three, this being the first.

When I heard the unmixed version, I was expecting to be asked to develop a lead guitar line with some riffs and heard this rotary organ. I loved it! I asked him how he thought of it and he said, very colorfully, "you're a musician and you play in churches, you need an organ!" And so it was. Even the touch of the tamborine is just remarkable. The emotion of the song is as you hear it. It starts with almost a whining admittance, it definitely travels through deep confession of the soul, and it announces the only answer, what He did to redeem us, and how I can get my head out of me and into His love for me.

You can enjoy it HERE (or linked below).

Thanks for reading, that's all for now!

I Did The Research - Did You? Let's Talk About That

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:01:00 +0000

"I did the research." The obvious rarely ever is so ... this is a bit of a read so please bear with me ...

As a clinician we want our patients to be responsible for their health. I never regard my patients who show up with info regarding their health care with any negativity. Please take accountability for your health. What injects confusion is when the information is considered of higher value than expert medical advisement. THIS IS THE SAME FOR ANY FIELD.

"What do you do when the experts disagree?" One of my mentors would challenge this question during my formative years - which I think some might say are still happening (at least I hope - does learning end?)

The danger is not knowing when in good faith you are receiving bad information. It may look sciency but it is based on a poorly constructed study, or just plain old "hip-shooting." These can be very convincing, however they lead good intending people to terrible consequences. I have more than I can count treated people who followed the advice of "natural medicine experts" who presented in liver failure or worse because of "natural" supplements.

Do not misunderstand me. I recommend natural remedies and lifestyle disciplines to people initially for many health issues and have a list of natural medicine providers I trust greatly - that I use myself! But when it comes to expert medical opinion and what qualifies as better information, I suggest tipping the hat to those who are LIABLE for their counsel. Your PCP and specialist teams have standards of care we must keep that if we can be held accountable to. Google has no such liability. If it did, it would shut down all medical advice columns.

Before I get ahead of myself, let me explain the reason why I am diving into these waters. I have quite a few patients who have benefited on GLP-1s such as Wegovy, OZEMPIC, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. It has been a greatly appreciated medicine for those who have failed natural and lifestyle measures and more conservative med therapies. The glycemic control and weight loss have significantly decreased other issues (we call co-morbitites) as well.

A recent published study suggested that these meds are connected to an increase in Non Arteric Anterior Ischemic Neuropathy (NAIOM). The study conducted by Hathaway et al was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), a very respected medical journal. The original paper can be read at the following link:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2820255/#google_vignette

The findings of the research in this paper suggested that GLP-1s are associated with NAION. This is very problematic. If someone were to read this study and interpret the results, they might (and did) incite panic regarding this medication. This is widely repeated online including law firms invitations - a major problem in medicine right now driving the costs - another topic.

So did you read the article I posted? The entire article? Did you know what you were reading? Do you understand what confidence intervals are? Do you know how to determine the power of a study? Do you know how to determine which level of the evidence hierarchy this study is? In the peer review, do you know who any of those people are? Yet the results of this study, which is pretty recent, are being ran with and as you may know, no news travels like false news.

A couple of things you may or may not know about research (there is MUCH more):

1. Research NEVER proves anything. It only describes the findings and tries to interpret the results.

2. Good research is repeatable. The method has to be intricately described so that peers can recreate the study exactly as it was done and the results should be the same.

3. Research is always topic specific. Unexpected results that seem to suggest new association or results against what was expected do not translate as cause and effect no matter how likely. They will likely lead to more research specific to the new information but they are not to be used for cause and effect because the controls in place were not for them, there could be bias.

4. Research is a language to itself. Those, like myself, who use it as a standard have to take very difficult classes to be qualified to properly interpret what is being presented and what it means.

So JAMA is not making a false claim, it is merely publishing the findings of a research group. The research group did not claim that GLP-1s cause NAIOIN, they merely found a connection. The news media and lawyers added the twist of cause and effect which would understandably be seen as cause and effect but no such claim was made by the researchers.

As is always done in medicine research, this study was evaluated by another group of researchers. Their study can be found here: https://www.ajo.com/action/showFullText?pii=S0002939425000947

They found that Hathaway et al's study participants were from a clinic with patients who had significant diseases not found frequently in the typical patient population so were possibly subject to a selection bias (I will explain). They had a much larger participant population and also referred to another similar study who both found NO association w NAION, in fact, if you review the study quite the opposite. It seems that GPL-1s in healthy people may help prevent NAION. More studies would have to be conducted to consider that. But clearly, AJO's study found that GLP-1s are not associated with NAION and that the study published by JAMA is inferior to the study published by AJO likely because of bias (I am simplifying).

But HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT? Well intended patients get in trouble with this and it can turn into mistrust of the medical system and frustration with treatment. It can also lead to avoidable treatment delay that can worsen symptoms and lead to a catalyst of negative health effects. All because of misunderstanding the point or and misinterpreting the results of very necessary research.

This is common for medicine and research. JAMA was not wrong for publishing Hathawy's findings. A study by a respected group was done and they published their findings raising concern. This necessitated more studies to be done that were very reassuring against the concern. No one is offended. This is research and vital to our process of medicine. Yet many will read the paraphrased versions of entities with clear bias and mistrust and fear form.

So HOW DO WE FIX IT? Well let's have the conversation! Talk to your providers about what you are finding and listen to their advice. We stay up on this stuff (most of us). Did you know we have to have 200 hours of continuing learning every 2 years? Unlike what is propagated by so many media personalities

- medicine does not prosper by keeping people sick, actually quite the opposite

- medical school does not teach pushing pills and procedures. That is absolutely absurd and offensive. We press natural lifestyle modification always first. But keep in mind, laughter is the best medicine until you break your arm ...

- nature doesn't make pills. They don't grow on trees. It takes chemicals to hold them together. Did you know thats many of the meds we use are derived from natural substances?

Your medical providers are much more invested in your health than GOOGLE. Our friends are well-meaning but they can get us in a lot of trouble because a lot of what we call research is really valuing only what we find that supports what we want to be true.

Consider the following sources for failures of logic and lets have that conversation. What do you need to talk to your provider about?

Also consider my friends, this applies to every study of life, including faith - oh the trouble we can get into. Here are some resources on research and bias:

Critical Thinking Tools - Failures in Logic

I hope this helps, that's all for now

Thanks for reading,

Update! Steep Learning Curve - But There's Great News!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 01:35:00 +0000

So - first things first - thank you to everyone who is helping us move this thing forward. We developed a pretty impressive group of friends years ago and we had to let this passion go quiet because of a disease situation that almost took one of my kids life. It resulted in giving up my career, moving across the country, and starting again. I'll dive into that more later down the road but the point is, we went from 194k reads to silence for 10 years - and we're back!

Why are we back? Honestly, it's because I feel compelled - we have a message to share and it is not one of redundancy. People need hope. They need to know that there is penetrating life through and available in all situations, especially what seems the hopeless ones. Our unique approach to ministry being accessible, multifaceted, transparent, and practical I feel people need, and compelled to meet that need.

The writing just started again - suddenly, and with doors opening when I wasn't pushing. So here we are. I left a world of ADAT and inkjet printing with certified letter mailing for copyrights and am now 25 years later re-entering a world of digital licensing. It's something to learn.

The plan was to release a 3 song EP. I instead released the singles one at a time when the first song Unnatural was completed thinking it might be a couple months for the other two, hoping I could reorganize them into the EP later. Well, we were able to get them released sooner then expected. My first hiccup was trying to release the 3 singles with the same artwork - and they were stopped - because that is against international copyright laws. So my very first move was to become a criminal - nice. They were however forgiving and patient with me. So then I went ahead and organized the EP as planned only to find out that an EP is 4-6 songs, 3 songs only if one is over 10 minutes long. So that is not going to happen - bummer.

However in all of it, I found out that my songs are also playing on the internet radio - 100 plays just last night! So I decided to give it a listen and this Jango Internet Radio is awesome. Check it out!

Jango Internet Radio

Click here!

Please click those like, share, and follow lings

As a reminder, I am also on many streaming services - just click here ⇨ Spotify - ITunes - Amazon

Keep following along with us! Things are happening!

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Behind the Song: You Won't Have To Run Anymore

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:58:00 +0000

Hey there! This is a new song we just finished the night prior to playing this live set. Not that we just started writing this song - actually I have been working on this one for years. It was originally more of a blues chop song, lots of quick breaks - it just didn't carry the flow and give room for the emotion that I wanted. Yuci and I were working on it and she was like, "Why don't we just air it out a little?"

So we did, she changed the keys from more of a rhodes organ to pads and piano and I went from my tele to an acoustic We had practiced and up until the moment we played this. I had intended on walking over and picking up the acoustic.

I got caught up with challenging those attending to consider themselves and just plain forgot. I realized once the song started playing what I had done and I figured I would just play what I had. This is how we will play it going forward ... excellent song!

Give yourself some room for some introspection and maybe enjoy it a little. God loves you. Listen, think about it - click those like, share, and follow buttons and ... enjoy!

That's my take on it anyways because I love the song!

Things Are Moving

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:06:00 +0000

Hey! We’re back in the studio. Posted some pics and videos on our FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM & X pages. Click those like and follow buttons - kind of need to build those numbers as the powers that be look close at them, otherwise having to use my personal page which can also keep you informed … but … we have the page and we would like to transition the music stuff over to that.

All three song are now out and available. The YouTube channel has over 200 unique visits to the Unnatural song! Woohoo, hope to see that number continue to increase. The other songs are on there as well - think you will really enjoy them! That channel is automated from TuneCore who we are published with and have no control over it. However you can link straight to our official music on streaming platforms.

Just click here ⇨ Spotify - ITunes - Amazon

On another front, another project I have been working is to get my inventory of resources reorganized on our new website. We are closing down the patrickhazard.com site and building the thehazmusic.com page as our central ministry operating page. The old webpage needed major updating, had long since aged out regarding securities etc. We were not in a place to keep it up and people were continuing to download and use the resources so I let it up as our ministry and work has continued. We are now in a place to focus and feel a sense of urgency so we are shoring things up. Ministry resources can be found on our webpage, I encouraged you to look around.

I have had a goal for some time to organize and make my medical charting dot phrases available for clinicians. I am a fan of getting resources to people who need them and this is a part of that desire. I have over 400 short phrases for exams, plans, documentation, etc and I have excited to say I have organized and posted them on a page on this blog. If you are a clinician looking for some resources for charting, check this out! If you are a med, PA, NP student about to start on rotations, I have a lot of good resources for you HERE.

We will continue to organize so things may still move around a little - not quite sure that we have found the best resting place for everything however I am glad with the progress we have made.

If my tools works in your belt, feel free to use them!

So, lots of good stuff happening!

Thanks for keeping up with us. Click those like, share, and follow buttons. Foot traffic helps open doors in the internet world so … thanks!

That’s it for now, thanks for listening

What starts in here will REACH THE WORLD!

UPDATE!!! All Three Songs Released! Release Me Is Now Available

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 01:37:00 +0000

So we have successfully navigated the world of legal copyright and distribution. Our last of three songs has dropped! Receive Me is on many streaming platforms! This song is a moment of transparency. "Will You take me as I am?" is a question we all muse, this song takes direct aim at this question. "What happens now?" What's done has been done, Lord how do we move forward with this? I think most of us handle success well, but I feel a most necessary skill in the Lord is how to approach Him quickly when we realize we have deviated, and the sooner the better.

Check out the following songs

UNNATURAL - RECEIVE ME - DEEPER STILL

You can also scroll down and click on the appropriate streaming widgets

or just click here ⇨ Spotify - ITunes - Amazon -YouTube

EP Releasing SOON!!! We are now going to be re-releasing as a 3 song EP for people that like to have a CD in your hands and we will be ultimately including these 3 songs in the 12 track album we are recording with the same name. Above are links to the songs, already on most streaming platforms. I think we are still waiting for the 3rd to release on Spotify (any day now) but we are on YouTube, Amazon, and Apple Music as well as scores more. As for the name of our album

We were made for a heavenly world so it should not surprise us when our attempts to find completion here leave us wanting.

The desire is against the nature we were called to.

It is ... UNNATURAL

Follow us to keep up to date on the happenings and just to stay in touch - we'd love to here from you! Foot traffic helps my friends, please click, listen, enjoy! Please click those LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE buttons!

On a personal note,

When I write a song, it is important to me that I am not just writing my version of someone else's art, I would just rather pay my respects and cover their art. I try to make sure everything I write is unique to itself and to the other songs I've written and that the message doesn't lend to redundancy.

There is no shortage on songs with the same name. but I can assure you that this song is unique among them. Not to say better, just in my view necessary to the completion or continuance of the message: God knows and is in control. He can be trusted.

I used to have quite the following but I have gone quiet for 15 years, that happens. Do me a favor, please click those like, follow, and share buttons - they really help to get traction again - foot traffic is important and we are ramping up again bc we feel that God is calling us to return to the megaphone. Jesus is real, His love is real, confusion has been crazy, and people need Him! Please click, listen, enjoy! Please click those LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE buttons!

Help me as I help others! Enjoy!!!

Deeper Still - New Song Has Dropped!!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:13:00 +0000

Our 2nd of three songs has dropped! Deeper Still is on many streaming platforms! This song is very special to us, written from a difficult moment. Life brings many experiences, pain among them - and I've known deep pain. Yet there God has a rich presence there. Corrie Ten Boom is one of my heroes of the faith - and she was a reluctant as most are. But God gave her a message in the deepest of her agony through her dying sister - "there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still."

Check it out DEEPER STILL - You can also scroll down and click on the appropriate streaming widgets or just click here ⇨ Spotify - ITunes - Amazon -YouTube

Do me a favor, I used to have quite the following but I have gone quiet for 15 years, that happens. Please click those like, follow, and share buttons - they really help to get traction again - foot traffic is important and we are ramping up again bc we feel that God is calling us to return to the megaphone. Jesus is real, His love is real, confusion has been crazy, and people need Him!

Help me as I help others!

Getting back after it - could use your help!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:45:00 +0000

Where does the time go? My last post was in 2017, our family experienced a medical emergency that uprooted our lives and stole every bit of normal from us. But through it God was faithful, He was present, and He gave us a new sense of purpose. I saw the suffering that exists within the medical community first hand, so I joined it! We are serving at a new Church with wonderful people, have been there over 7 years now. Wow does time fly.

Yet my passion for writing, answering questions, helping people find their way to healing in Christ is stronger than ever. Well, we are getting back after it. We are settled in the Boston area now and feel it is time to begin to reach out again. We have a new website, please check it out: www.thehazmusic.com where we are making ourselves available to those who need our help.

We are currently in the studio recording new music. We have released our first single with two others about to drop. There has been some minor delay because I had to learns some legal issues with releasing singles - apparently they cant have the album name they will belong to on the artwork. Don't do that.

Our music is available on all streaming apps. The music is embedded, the song is there. Listen and enjoy! Here is a short list of links! Consider purchasing my tunes!

Spotify - ITunes - Amazon -YouTube

We have released the song UNNATURAL which is also the name of the coming album. Click here to find out more!

We also have a nice YouTube play list of my favorite songs that are live recordings of works I will record, but they can be enjoyed here.

What can you do? I can sure use your help. Foot traffic is everything, I have 2000 friends on Facebook alone, that many on X. If you would just click the links and listen to the song, that would be amazing.

If it is your gig, click those like, follow, and share links. And then add my song to a suitable playlist. Follow the YouTube play list and consider sharing. That will help immensely as we have been out of contact for sometime. People need to hear messages of hope and love in Jesus. You can help us do that, and that would be amazing.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep you updated!

The HAZ

Words Do Hurt

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 09:02:00 +0000

Pay attention to words. 

The last three years have been especially difficult (health-wise) for us and therefore for me. In the process of dealing with it I hear the few, but horrifically hateful, "curses" (it's the best word I have for it) thrown at us by a couple of people who have desired to put me in my place for not regarding them in the place they wish to be. Phrases like "if you don't ________ your family will suffer for your disobedience." Phrases like, "you haven't suffered enough so you need to..." ... accusations against my parental decisions or health wise decisions ... only twice has it happened and they were both years ago but I remember....

And it is difficult for me. I want to bring them pain in ways I know how. I want to help them feel what I am feeling knowing it will just reduce me to the picture of the animal so many receive as they view someone lose it. Revenge is a dish served best cold and I am happy to say throughout my adult life I have very few orders to fill. But I want those people to especially hurt because I know they celebrate our struggles and vindicate their hatred as if this is somehow proof they heard from God in their hatred of us. I want to hurt them deeply. Yet I know they probably have no clue what is going on and would be innocent of my rage ... because it is a mere projection of what I feel onto a target of my own delusion. 

But I would not have ammunition for this struggle had those words not been said. And so I must remind myself and maybe we can all learn...

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

Unless it edifies (builds up) ... shut my mouth. My words said in spite may, in some slight chance, cost me my life but will certainly cost my intended target much misery during very painful times.

That is my take on this anyways.

Discover Life: Wrapping Up September 2016 - It's Go Time!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 06:09:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up September 2016 - It's Go Time!

The time has flown by. I'm not sure where August went and now we sit at the end of September. DISCOVER LIFE has continued its mission to DISCIPLE people in their DISCOVERY of the their IDENTITY, PASSION, and PURPOSE. The results? Let's get to it!

Jared, our newest student of ministry candidacy enrolled in our School of Christian Leadership, has remained steadfast in his determination to show himself approved. It is not easy to work with broken men in a typical counseling environment where personal influence is kept to an hourly schedule. It is not easy to be prepared for a life of ministry in typical academia. DISCOVER LIFE School of Christian Leadership is no typical counseling or academic environment. It can be one of the hardest things a person can purpose to do. Jared, and Stephen, live and work among the men as they are learning ministry. Their "classroom" is the real-world environment where there is little escape, their "textbooks" are largely the broken men they are ministering among, and their "lessons" are not hypothetical, they are realtime consequences, both good and bad, of their actions among the men within these environments. Jared is committed in his discipleship to becoming a man "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17). Pray for Jared and Stephen as they continue in their efforts.

Colton is continuing to wrestle with the challenges up here. He has faced personal pain and heartache and has continued to remain. His stated goal of becoming a mature disciple has been his continuing driving force. He asks the right questions and engages in wrestling with allowing the work to bear fruit. Please continue to pray for him and his family. Pray for the perfect peace of God to rule in his heart and mind.

Joel has officially taken the full weight of the responsibility of discipling the men who choose to enter into this ministry. These men are broken and Joel needs to be able to clearly hear from the Holy Spirit concerning each person. Their needs are great. We have no power to see into another man's heart, but the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. As Joel has accepted that task, pray for him and his wife Roberta. It is a great sacrifice for anyone to minister in this capacity. The hours are long and the work is laboursome ... but it is a great work because it is touching the heart of God for the lost and wounded souls.

Our Father's House, the renovation project for the new DISCOVER LIFE living quarters is underway. We are in the process of finishing wiring the house. The next leap of faith will be insulating and installing the interior surfaces. Our hope is to have the renovation completed by winter.

We specifically ask, although it may seem repetitive, for continued prayer for the ministry leadership team here at DISCOVER LIFE. To consider how you can partner with us in prayer or investment, CLICK HERE!

LESSONS FROM THE SAWMILL: It's Go Time!

"The hay is down!" What does that phrase mean to you? Unless you are involved in haying, probable nothing more than "someone cut the grass" or something to do with the pain of getting grass in your shoes and socks. But to us, it is an all stop. The priorities have changed. The actual cutting of the hay is strategic. You don't want to let it grow to much. It can be hard on the equipment and there is a peak time of maxing the protein of the hay itself. The preference is to cut the hay when there is a forecast of several days of clear, dry weather. Once the hay is cut, it must be tedded (fluffed in order to dry) several times (preferably), raked, then bailed. If it rains during any of this process, or if is wet in any way when bailed, the bails will grow mildew and be worthless when needed in the cold of winter.

Therefore you can understand that when the hay is cut, everything possible stops up here to get that hay in the barn healthy. There is no complaining among those who understand the value. There is no bickering about less priority jobs going undone. And there is no insult in working any part of the process, whether it's the skilled or menial labor. In fact, it can often become a game ... a race ... the value is properly assessed, the agenda is pure and agreeable to all ... it's go time!

The new guys often see it as they see everything else ... more work. For some it is a matter of how little they can do to get through the day, an accurate and practical picture of the failures in their own lives that have brought them to needing the ministry of DISCOVER LIFE. But to those who are experienced, it is investment. We understand what this hay brings us. There can be no failure here and it is our delight to make sure it is done properly and quickly. The days are long, but the reward is longevity. The results of failure are incalculable.

Can you imagine a barn full of worthless hay? It may seem impressive from a distance, but when the practical use of it is needed, it not only fails to provide desperately needed nourishment, but it can actually cause disease and sickness, even death, in those who accidentally eat of it because the hidden failure wasn't recognized or recognizable. It also results in expending resources needed elsewhere to account for unnecessary needs and always implies lots of wasted time, energy, and materials.

What's The Point??

I know it gets repeated every month ... but this is us! We have no choice but to spend our energy. It is inevitable. We will spend it doing something, or we will spend it doing nothing. Nothing leads to it's own reward (nothing) but it's the kind of doing that we're talking about! In our doing, we ultimately fall into one of only two categories. Those who do well (thoroughly invested in the desired end), or those who do just enough to get through the task. The Bible teaches much on this but Paul made it as clear as possible in his letter to the Corinthians ... in God's letter to us.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

It's not just about running, it's about running to win. It's about investing everything we have in the expected or desired outcome now and continuing in diligence until the reward is earned. If all we want to do is finish, then that will define our investment. But if we want to win, then our investment requires the ingredient of temperance. The simple definition of temperance is "self-control." Seems simple enough. But the abstract meaning of temperance involves being unblemished in every aspect of our lives.

Immature athletes think that only the athletic part of their life effects their performance in the race, and they can have training habits that are extremely impressive with results among other immature athletes that support their beliefs ... they will inevitable win low level, insignificant races and they will mistakenly be defined, or worse, define themselves as a champion. But when the competition grows, they will always lose prematurely and unnecessarily.

Experienced athletes, as Paul was referencing, understand that every part of their lives, especially the insignificant, must be disciplined if they are going to be able to muster the strength to perform in the final stretches of their races. If there is a blemish in diet and nutrition, rest, mental and physical preparation, flexibility, form, mental and physical strength, proper technique, uniform, pace, etc it will cost them ... and when competing against the best, they will lose to those who have it all together. They know that in reality, their physical ability is almost equal, what separates the one winner from all the losers is having it all together, and, as often is said, the race is often won or lost before the event begins.

Throughout Church history, we've witnessed God's promises to reveal the hidden motives in the hearts of those who draw near to Him. That can seem threatening but it shouldn't have to be. "Your Word I have hidden (treasured) within my heart so that I might not sin against You" is written in verse 11 of Psalm 119 (author unknown but often attributed to either David, Ezra, or Daniel). If the "hidden agenda" of our heart is to seek the Lord, then God promises to bring that to light and one of the growing characteristics of our lives will be temperance.

But, if the hidden agenda of our heart is anything else and we still yet draw near to Him, then He promises to reveal that as well. We have a saying around here, "the bubbles will rise," and they do ... and most often at very inconvenient times. That is not unique to a residency discipleship ministry. This is throughout the history of the Church. It is too common! The far reaching effects of innumerable "sudden" failures of so many people among countless organizations across time that appear to be thriving with life with so many depending on them for food that have turned out to be dead within have appeared to turn the Church into a laughing stock ... but it hasn't.

God isn't fooled nor surprised. He will protect and purify His Church! God leaves the weeds so that the wheat can grow ... but the season where He brings the truth will come and all who have allowed themselves in the darkening of their own hearts to be corrupted will be exposed (Mat 13:24-30). But we can purpose within ourselves to be trustworthy among those whom God has sent us as lights.

Therefore we must set our hearts and minds to seeking a striving in the presence of God wholly and utterly. We must hold fast to the teachings of Scripture. We must be temperate in all things. We must repent of our sinful desires and ambitions. We must combat and reveal hidden agendas that declare war against the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. For all of us who define ourselves as His, it's go time! Run well!

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!

Wrapping Up July 2016 - Does That Feel Light to You?

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:28:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up July 2016 - Does That Feel Light to You?:

Discover Life has continued its mission of discipling people in the discovery of their identity, passion, and purpose. July has been a great month so ... let's get to it!

Joel has been busy keeping the men on point while ensuring that necessary tasks and projects are being done. John has been steadily growing in Christ and keeps himself occupied with looking after the well-being of the men through encouragement and support. Thanks to John, the men have very nourishing meals and the house stays clean and organized. This month we witnessed Bernie transition from induction to studentship. God is working in his life but the end Bernie desires will take some time. Please pray for his family during this time as he continues to surrender himself in his pursuit of God.

This month we also welcomed two new men into the ministry here! I ask that you pray for Zach and for Colton. Both men desire to walk in the abundant life Christ promises (John 10:10) but have been unable to do so. Pray that their hearts will be opened to the truth of the love of God and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We, as mature Christians, find ourselves still in the battle of incorrectly indoctrinating the experiential as a supplement of Scripture even in the opposition to Scripture; the people who come up here have an exponentially more difficult time with it. They often have God completely defined through their experiences and much of their beliefs are in direct opposition to Scripture. Though it may seem to appear a simple fix, it isn't.

People do what they do because they believe what they believe. Our views of God are some of the most foundational beliefs we have and are inclined to defend them with ferocity. If our views are wrong, or incorrect, we tend to initially feel intimidated, or even humiliated. If this is the response of a healthy minded person, imagine the difficulty of the unhealthy. So please pray as often as you can that we speak wisely and clearly and that we have and walk in the discernment of when to stop and teach or when to bear up and build up allowing time ... picking our battles is an utmost necessity. We need God's wisdom up here. More than anything, the people who come need the presence of God in their lives. A great model for this kind of prayer was penned by Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 4:14-19

So please pray that:

the men would be strengthened by God in their souls
Christ would dwell in them through faith
they would be rooted and grounded in love
their hearts and minds would be opened to begin to comprehend (in the unity of Biblical faith) the incomprehensible vastness of God
they would personally know, receive, and grow in the love of Christ
they would be filled with all the fullness of God!

I feel it important to remind that these men are usually here as an extreme, and often last, resort. Their lives are characterized by chaos, sin, and bondage to an enemy who knows no end to his cruelty. So it is a huge concern of ours that we assist them in finding what they are looking for. As you pray for the men, please also pray for the leadership and all of the extended families involved. We thank you in advance.

The renovation work on Our Father's House (our new residency facility) is coming along. The framing is done and the plumbing is well under way, but we have along way to go! We invite your investment! To check our opportunities to invest into the kingdom of God through the discipleship ministry here at Discover Life, CLICK HERE!!! Please consider to "help us as we help others."

LESSONS FROM THE SAWMILL: Does That Feel Right To You?

Bailing hay! That's what we've been getting after. Last winter we ran very short of hay and had to purchase thousands of dollars worth of hay to feed our cattle. Last year's season was weak. This year we have had some much needed rain and then breaks of good weather producing, so far, a wonderful bounty of hay! Which is exciting for us ... but to those who don't understand the winters here and the needs of the cattle (and how they are an intricate part of life up here) all they can see is ... WORK!

Well, a couple of weeks ago, after I finished tedding (spreading out to dry) the hay, I went to check on the bailing. The truck was full, the trailer was full. It's a beautiful sight to see that much hay ... but as I got close I discovered something was off. The bails on the trailer seems to be collapsing under the feet of those standing on it and they were having a lot of difficulty blocking them. I picked up a bail to through it and ... well ... it wasn't dense, the bailing twine was loose, and the bail was extremely light. A lot of work had been done ... a full days of it. From a distance, it was impressive to see ... even reassuring ... that much hay ready to be put up. But it was all for nought. The bailer was not adjusted right and all of that work, though abounding in quantity, was so lacking in quality and substance for future use that we had to undo all of the bails - hundreds - and rebail them because the work done could not sustain itself.

What's the Point??

This, again, is us! We tend to rush into getting things done without checking the foundational elements. We build beautiful houses in our lives, and sometimes very quickly, that are impressive in stature from a distance, maybe even within ... until the storm comes. But it is the very storm, or any other method of extreme testing, that proves the reality of what can't be seen ... and its inherent and intrinsic value.

Consider Jesus' teaching:

24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Matthew 7:24-27

No one can see the value of the foundation from the outside ... and to the untrained eye, maybe not even from the inside! Yet the quality of the foundation will be made clear through the eventual testing of our character that comes often at very inconvenient times and will come.

In the case of the bails, we had to adjust the bailer, bust the bails loose, and manually feed them into the bailer. The resulting bails, though not quite as many, were quality. Our attitudes were right because we owned our part in the initial failure. Many hands had grabbed those bails, many experienced hands and no one called for a stop. So no one was blamed and the job was finished well with a great lesson learned by all involved.

But be warned, we don't always get a second chance to fix our mistakes. Especially when we have failed to reign in our character. It only takes a matter of seconds to mortally wound a lifelong relationship. The men who come here tend to have no weakness or restraint in voicing their frustration by validating themselves by explaining the lengths of their efforts and intentions in their service to God as an alternative to actually serving Him. "I served God for four years and then this happened!" "Well ... how then do you have a two year old daughter with and unmarried woman you are not with?" "Well, I had a little something something on the side." I kid you not, this is a common conversation. This my friends, though a concentrated version, is us. We all have this capability ... and in this moment, the voicing of our frustration and the attempt to validate ourselves is really a smokescreen for what we are really doing: we are accusing God of failing us. "God I did all this work and now You owe me!"

Yet we never stopped ourselves to check to see if the bailer was set properly. We failed to make sure the foundation was right. Paul said it like this:

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 3:10-13

There is little more useful than to be a vessel of safety and security during the height of a destructive storm. But to build a beautiful house that collapses under the pressure of a storm ... the measure of loss cannot be calculated. For a final thought in closing, I feel it well to repeat a phrase often used by people who work at high altitudes or in suspended environments: "check your rigging." Do the first things first and all the things right. Otherwise, we may find ourselves working endlessly on things that have no value and must be torn down when the testing comes and the testing will come. What is the worth of that?

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up June 2016 - Nobody Does That!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 19:48:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up June 2016 - Nobody Does That!:

It seems like the months fly by up here ... and June was no different! Let's get to it!

The ministry and men of DISCOVER LIFE have benefited this month by four wonderful blessings.

At the beginning of the month we were blessed with a week of personal and group ministry to the men and staff of DISCOVER LIFE  by Bob Hudson, the director of The Cross Ministry Group. One of the major focuses of his ministry is to assist people in finding their identity in Christ by dealing with their false selves. Much of this is done through dealing with emotional responses. The Cross Ministry Group hosts national retreats for men and women and both can be found HERE. We were blessed to host the Woman At The Cross retreat here in early June.

The very next weekend we celebrated with the union of our own Stephen and Naomi Conti (formerly Gockel). This relationship has been a joy to watch develop in Christ. What a testimony! In a culture that presses the denial of godliness and the pursuit of self-centeredness, this couple chose to walk before God uprightly and entered their marriage as a testimony to countless young people resounding that God's way is the right way and is possible for those who choose to obey Him! Well done you two and a huge congratulations to both families, who are, in our opinion, very incredibly special.

Immediately following the wedding DISCOVER LIFE  was blessed with the ministry of Colonial Carpenters For Christ. This ministry based in North Carolina brought 17 men to take on the project of reframing the house we are preparing to move our residency to (Our Father's House). They were a huge blessing to us here in both work, but also in ministry. Words cannot express our gratitude for their willingness to give of themselves so freely.

To wrap up the month we we privileged to participate in Larry Poston's teaching retreat on a Biblical approach to demonology. The notes and sessions will be made available soon. With so many culturally and emotionally driven while Biblically obscure teachings out there, and with that the overt disagreement so many have on the issue, who can anyone trust regarding this very important topic? According to Larry Poston, the Bible is the only trustworthy source. This retreat channels everything the Bible has to say concerning Satan, demons, and the occult for the student to gain maximum insight while minimizing unbiblical influences on the topic. Thank you Larry!

In closing, I do continue to ask that you pray for the men of DISCOVER LIFE  and the leadership. This dynamic ministry exists to disciple people in the discover of their identity, passion, and purpose. This is no easy task. The only model of ministry we have to complete our mission is Jesus Christ Himself and the discipleship He demonstrated to us. The nature of our ministry brings us very close and personal to people who are in dire need of God's grace. We have no ability within our human capacities to offer them anything that will truly help, but with God's leading and directing through His Holy Spirit, we have life to offer. If you would like to know how you can help, please CLICK HERE! Thank you for helping us as we help others!

LESSONS FROM THE SAWMILL: Nobody Does That!!!

Experts! They're all experts! I was discussion the process and need for weeding our garden with one of the men up here and he sounded off with the all-familiar phrase.

The men most often come up here with lives that are shattered including immeasurable amounts of collateral damage that their poor choices have caused. The usual cycle is they start out very appreciative of our acceptance of them, but within days the same self-life that led them to their destructive lifestyle resurfaces because we always bring us along. Criticism begins veiled as "I know how to do this better" ... and it can be self deceiving because they don't realize that the problem is not within the issue of who gets to come up with new ideas but it has everything to do with the fact that the motivation behind their thinking is merely self-preservation.

They don't want to do the work (whether it be studying, helping around the house, or jobsite assignments) so they would rather think (while others work) of ways to do the work better and when their ponderings are not received with appreciation, they become offended which leads to becoming bitter and critical. They do not consider the existence of strategies behind the work. They do not consider their commitment and promise to do what they are asked to do cheerfully. They are veiled from their own selfishness and all they can see is our unwillingness.

It is at this point that the decisions are made. We recognize the cycles. There are no shortage of compliments for the first few days ... but they are merely reactionary to being off the streets. I have an old saying I hold to: I can trust a compliment from a person that will tell me when I am wrong. Think about it. If you have a friend who tells you when they don't like your cooking, then you can trust their compliments because ... well ... they wouldn't otherwise. So the compliments from the new inductees is taken as what they are: survival. The truth is the compliments are merely another method of self-preservation. I look to the point where the critical nature begins to show itself ... because this is who they are and this is where the work will begin. Jesus' disciples criticized Him and we can expect no better in this process.

In John 6, late in the chapter, Jesus is teaching about how God reveals Jesus' divinity to us. He uses some hard to grasp teachings that caused even His disciples then to shake their heads in confusion. "Wait! I have to drink Your blood? This is nonsense." Many left without understanding the point and Jesus response is initially as confusing:

65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"

John 6:65-67

We probably would have chased down our departing followers and straightened it out with them. "No! Don't leave! What I meant to say was ..." Yet he says to the twelve, "You leaving too?" But Jesus knew everything quite conveniently being God. He knew the hearts of those following Him whether they were following for their own agendas or because they genuinely wanted what He had to offer: abundant life (John 10:10). He knew that His use of language would cause those listening to harden their (already hardened) hearts or it would stir up something and cause the hungry to press closer for food (Matthew 11:12-19; Matthew 15:27).

What's the point?? I remember one of the Charlie Brown theme songs had a line in it that said "We are all a boy named Charlie Brown." I didn't get it as a child but I get it clearly now. What Charles Schulz was manifesting in Charlie Brown is in all of us ... that is why everyone identifies with Charlie Brown! We pick out people that fill the rolls of Linus, Lucy, Susie, etc ... but we all identify with Charlie Brown. That was the genius in creation of his character. Well this is the same here! These men ... they are all versions of us, though concentrated. We all suffer from our own agenda that blinds us. We validate our behaviors and actions by tunnel-visioning our intentions ... and we defend our intentions to the death ... even to the death of those we love because we will not be wrong or wronged.

I can overlook your weakness of character unless it stumbles on my weakness of character, then I am validated to destroy you in order to protect others from seeing my weakness of character. But it is in the very choosing to put off self-ambitions and to strive for unity that we actually get to experience true fellowship and the joy it brings. Paul didn't mince words here!

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

When the men finally come face to face with their conflict within themselves to continue in their criticism or to put it off and choose to be appreciative, the relationship begins, not ends. And the same is with all of us. We really don't have the right to enjoy the fruit of fellowship until we have chosen to fight for it against our own nature. It is in the very intentional decisions we make to not walk in offense and criticism of others that we usually find our genuine love and appreciation for them. Anything until then was simply that you just agreed, and who doesn't like a good association? But it is there in the choosing to unite through conflict where the joy of the relationship really begins because it's been tested, not by agenda, but by just plain old life circumstances. I am blessed to have many such relationships. But even as I write this, I am reminded of a conversation I was having just the other day with another believer and the response was the same: but Pat, nobody does that! Well somebody does.

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up May 2016 - The Evidence Makes It Obvious

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 03:38:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up May 2016 - The Evidence Makes It Obvious:

May of 2016 was a fast month up here on The Hill. I'll get right into it!

We welcomed the arrival of Bernie and said farewell to Jay. Jay has been growing steadily in his discipleship and moved forward just a few days ago. Bernie has been experiencing the good conflict of discovering who Christ is, what the Gospel is, and his identity in Christ made possible through the power of the Gospel! We have also witnessed continued growth in Joel and John as they continue in their discipleship journeys serving the men in ministry leadership. Stephen has continued to sharpen his leadership roles within both DISCOVER LIFE and Huntersfield Christian Training Center. Please pray for the men as they continue on their individual journeys. Please pray for their protection, but also for the intrusion of the Holy Spirit; that darkness would be confronted with light and that lies would be confronted with the truth.

We were also privileged to enjoy the ministry gifts of Bob Hudson, leader of the Cross Ministry Group. We are excited to see the men of DISCOVER LIFE develop their ability to effectively communicate and express themselves, discovering for themselves their own ability to both be honest in their approach to others and receptive of the approaches of others. The most dangerous lies we believe are the ones we tell ourselves. One of the core beliefs of DISCOVER LIFE is that “people do what they do because they believe what they believe.” Therefore, if we want to see our actions truly change, we must change our beliefs. We must discover where we have believed lies and change our minds about them accepting the truth. Then we will know the freedom that Christ so richly purchased. The Cross Ministry Group approaches that directly. For more information, CLICK HERE.

We look with great anticipation to June of 2016!!!

We will be celebrating the marriage of Stephen Conti to Naomi Gockel on June 11^th! This has been a wonderful relationship to see come together. The marriage union is one of the only institutions of God and seeing a couple obey Him in the process is truly a blessing.

We will be enjoying the teaching ministry of Larry Poston, a professor from Nyack College. Larry is extremely gifted in communicating important Biblical truths in a manner that is very relevant without diluting the message or the mission. For more information, CLICK HERE! For a previous teaching seminar of Larry Poston, CLICK HERE!

The week following the wedding will be our big construction week! Carpenters For Christ has offered to come and take on the task of framing our new residence for the men: Our Father’s House. We have been working diligently in demolition and debris removal to prepare the house for this week. This residency is going to free up room for 12 more beds and provide a more adequate residential option for the men who come here for ministry to find rest for their souls. The men of DISCOVER LIFE have outgrown their current residence, the Hope House. This is a much-needed improvement. Our total budget for the renovation is $96,800.00 and we need your help in raising it. For more information for this project, please take a minute to look at our PROPOSAL. We encourage you to share it with you church, ministry, and friends. Please consider helping us as we help others!!

Prayer Requests!

If you would be so inclined, please consider our NEEDS LIST and pray as you spend time remembering us before the Lord.

LESSON FROM THE SAWMILL: The Evidence Makes It Obvious

One of the unique advantages of DISCOVER LIFE being housed at the HCTC is the ability for the men to learn life-lessons working the grounds, farm and sawmill in real time through immediate consequences for decisions made, whether bad or good. If we don’t feed the cows, they will find food to our detriment. If we hide from preparatory work, we are overwhelmed with consequential repairs. If we use equipment correctly, we are efficient in our labors. If we use it incorrectly, we waste much needed time in both repeating and repairing was well as replacing prematurely warn parts. We even experience avoidable injury. The consequences here are real and they are great substance for revealing deeply masked truths in the lives of the men.

A few days ago, we were in the barn feeding the cows when one of the men said “uh oh, that’s not supposed to be there.” I came over to see what he was looking at and said, “Looks like the cows are out.” He responded with a short “yep.”

What’s the point??

We didn’t have to see the cows out. We only had to see the fresh manure on the ground. We didn’t have to start a huge discussion on the merits of who would decide whether the cows were out or any such thing. The evidence made it obvious. You see, the cows cannot get into that area of the barn unless they have broken through the fence. It’s that simple, and the same is with us!

Remember Samuel’s question to Saul after Saul disobeyed God concerning His directives in handling the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). Saul moves very quickly to assure Samuel of his obedience and victory as an obvious smokescreen to mask his disobedience. Samuel doesn’t allow himself to be engaged in a debate with Saul concerning the merits of his victory because the evidence made it obvious. As Saul begins to brag, Samuel asks a simple question:

1Samuel 15:14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

Samuel needed nothing else to know Saul had disobeyed … and Saul’s obvious attempt to patronize him fell terribly short. Saul was caught … and this is us in a nut.

We spend so much energy trying to both cover our mistakes and prove our successes forgetting that God has promised us that both will show themselves clearly.

Matthew 12:33,35 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

So what do we do then? Well it’s simple. If we are attempting to cover our sin then just stop. The initial step to getting out of the hole we are digging ourselves in is to STOP DIGGING. If we have the sense to recognize that we are doing wrong, then the Holy Spirit is at work so we need to respond properly because the evidence makes it obvious! We need to confess and repent!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted …

On the other hand, if we are busy trying to prove our successes, then we need relax and just enjoy our relationship with Him and let the natural process of being in His presence produce the fruit. The evidence makes it obvious.

Remember:

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

We have nothing to say that our fruit does not make clear! We just need to be focused on being properly planted.

That’s my take anyways, thanks for reading!!!

Lessons From The Saw Mill: Discover Life: Wrapping Up April 2016 - Root Well!...

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Mon, 02 May 2016 00:25:00 +0000

Lessons From The Saw Mill: Discover Life: Wrapping Up April 2016 - Root Well!

April showers bring what? Truthfully, the month has been a roller coaster here at DISCOVER LIFE. Peaks and valleys are a part of life but God promises us the peace that allows us to get caught away with neither and, through it all, hold onto the steadfastness of who He is through think and thin ... and this month brought a lot of each. Let's get to it.

This month began with the loss (or more accurately the gain) of Mr Charlie R Gockel. He is now enjoying his eternal reward, but it was very emotional here. His obedience and willingness to love touched so many lives, as was evident at his funeral. The man lived, loved, and laughed furiously. It has been a great adjustment here in his departure.

A week later, we were blessed with the teaching ministry of Drew Crowell as he blessed us with two back to back teaching retreats. The first week was on the Three Kings and the weekend covered the miracles of Jesus. You can listen to them and download the study guides HERE. Just click on the link and scroll down. There are also many other teachings there that you can enjoy. During the retreat we were able to enjoy fellowship with former students Donovan and Alan. Donovan has remained in constant fellowship with DL since his departure and now is part of our leadership staff. Alan tays in constant communication with us and travels up to visit often.

Several of our students were able to attend a ministry teaching series offered by Teen Challenge in Ravena, NY. We strive to develop relationships with local ministries in order to lead by example through fellowship and collaboration. We are pleased to see the growing number of ministries we are developing trusting relationships with as we mature in ministry.

Work continues here. To accommodate the growing needs of housing the men, we moved Stephen out of the Hope House into the Cabin. That was a fury of renovation work mostly done by Mr. Charlie. Work on Our Father's House (formerly known as the Farm House) has continued. There is a great need there for assistance both financially and in labor. The estimated cost for renovations is $80,000. This will make room for 12 beds and greatly increase our ability to disciple the men who come here. They are currently crammed into a house that should only reasonably house 2 men with one leader. This will also make more staff leadership housing available as well. Please pray with us and consider how you can help us help others.

We were able to fence in some more pasture and continue to increase our grazing lands. Last year was a bad year for hay. We went into winter not having enough. Much of that was caused by not having sufficient grazing land for the cows mixed with a really rough hay season. We ran out of our hay in February and started having to purchase round bails ... an expense we don't have provision for. Yet God does provide. This year we hope to settle that issue by making more use of grazable lands that will allow our hay pastures to produce more volume.

We have also experienced continuing transition within some of the men. Robert and Ed moved on. Please pray for them as they move back into their society ... that they will choose to continue the discipleship journey they have begun here. We are watching Jay be transformed by the grace of God. He has developed a love and desire for the Word. His nature is changing and it is a pleasure to watch. John has continued to be a blessing as Residential Supervisor. His presence in the home has brought a welcomed stability for the men. Joel is continuing to strengthen. His presence in the home brings a powerful reality of the love and grace of God to the men through his own humility and willingness to be drawn on. Please continue to pray.

I do ask again that you consider investing into the work we are doing here. We have a needs list HERE. Maybe your live locally and can provide some much needed labor. Maybe you would like to invest in some of the projects here. Maybe you would like to sponsor (partially or fully) one of the men here. Perhaps you have machinery, tools, materials, and/or resources that you would like to offer. Maybe you minister locally and would like to invest time into the men regularly. Whatever your desire, we will receive it gladly. Please consider to help us as we help others.

Lessons From The Saw Mill: Root Well!

This month I began the process of pulling up compacted stone that serves as a part of a driveway in order to prepare the ground for the garden. It was only about a 16 foot length of driveway but it resulted in a mountain of stone that I had to do something with. The thought then occurred to me that I could use the stone to solve the water runoff problem (as well as once and for all handle the weed problem) in the breeze way between the church building and the parsonage.

The previous state of the breezeway consisted of a weedy alley with a flagstone path. It is a nightmare to keep trimmed and water ponds there pretty terrible working its way into the garage because of the inability to be routed elsewhere. I decided not to poor the stone over the path and, as a memorial, to replace the original stone in the path after completion. Those stones are very old. This lesson results from an amazing discovery I had while preparing the ground for the rock as I removed the stone.

The flagstones were surrounded with weeds. My idea was to strip the ground to the dirt, then lay down weed blocker paper, cover with the rock and aggregate, compact, and replace the stones using rock dust to level and secure them. The grass was a nightmare to remove, as expected ... until we got to the grass around and between the flagstone path. It looked the same and felt the same, but when I removed the stone, I could grab feet long thick strips and remove them simply with just my hand using no pulling strength. The path was underlayed with a rock dust of sorts in order to keep the stones level that was extremely dense and refused to allow the roots of the grass to penetrate it. The grass looked healthy and felt healthy ... even responded to the lawn mower and weedeater the same ... but there was no depth, and there was no real root to it. It gave easily once the flagstones were removed. Its stability was completely based on the stones layed there and had nothing to do with its own maturity!

What's The Point???

This is potentially the case for all of us! The truth is, we are all only as stable as the stones we identify with. For some, their stability is in the acquisition of whatever they define wealth to be, whether it be money, possessions, education, family, social position, political position, etc. But all of those are stones set only for a season. They are not lasting and can only provide a minimal level of support. Once they are shaken, all that is dependent on them comes crashing down with them.

We would do well to remember the words of the Psalmist:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:7

Peter reminded us:

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME."

1 Peter 2:6

All of humanity consists of people looking for some foundation to build their lives from. We tend to simply reproduce what others seem to do that led them to the success that we want. When it fails, we conveniently blame them for our current condition. There is no shortage of new self-help books. If the originals worked, there would be no need for furthering that industry. What do you do when the experts disagree? Fortunately for humanity, there is only one expert: the Creator God. Humans are not experts on humanity ... we are always still in the process of discovering it! Jesus made it clear that we could and should completely trust Him.

42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. THIS WAS THE LORD'S DOING, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES' ? 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

Matthew 21:42-44

It's simple logic. All of us will die. Our works will cease. Anyone who builds themselves on any stone laid by another human is making a big mistake. Christians that encourages others to build on their own works rather than bringing them to a place to be dependent only on God set the masses up for failure. We always reproduce what we've been taught until we learn that it is wrong ... and that usually takes time. It may look good for a season and that season may endure. But the minute that stone is removed, and it will be removed, the work will be shown for what it is ... rooted poorly and taken up quickly. There is only one Stone that is immovable ... and you can build your house on that stone.

So for me, the choice is simple and I made it:

Matthew 7:24-25

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:6-8

Root well! Otherwise ... well ... it's just not going to last.

That's my take anyways! Thanks for reading!!!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up March of 2016: Ouch! Don't Do That

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:57:00 +0000

Lessons From The Saw Mill: Discover Life: Wrapping Up March of 2016: Ouch! Don't Do That!:

It’s been a fast and busy month here at Discover Life! Let's catch you up to what we have witnessed concerning the grace of God in the lives of the men up here! Click on the original link above or just keep reading!

Patrick and his family returned from their trip to Louisiana safe and sound and hit the ground running. John Vodarsik returned to Discover Life to join the ministry leadership staff serving the men as their head of household. Soon after, Ed (from New Jersey) joined the discipleship ministry after learning of it through a candid run in with a former student. A few days after that, Jay came as part of our ministry relationship with Teen Challenge. A week later, Joel joined us.

Robert is doing well in his progression as a disciple of Christ. He is working things out with his family and beginning the process of building his future as a vessel for Christ. Robert began working part-time last month in order to provide for his children. Though we would typically restrain a student from working until they have been here in residency for one year, we also cannot allow children to go without while their father is being provided for. The leadership of Discover Life feels that if we accept a man with a family, then we must adjust our policies where necessary to ensure the families are being taken care of while their father is away. So we felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to make provision for Rob to get work. We are also praying about his (hopefully soon) return to his profession. We are witnessing the miraculous transforming power of the grace of God through Jesus Christ in the heart and family of Rob. God’s love is amazing!

Please continue to pray for the men. Stephen is soon to be married (June!) and we are celebrating that union. His studies are progressing as he prepares for a life of ministry service. Rob needs guidance and assurance that God will provide. He is in the middle of learning to trust Him resolutely. Ed and Jay both need God’s affirming peace and rest in their souls. Pray they are able to maintain this walk towards their own freedom in Christ. Pray for Joel that he finds true and total healing and restoration through the grace of God in Jesus Christ and pray for his wife that she is comforted by the Holy Spirit during this time.

I want to give a testimony … it may seem insignificant but it’s really not. This month, the men asked us for a griddle for cooking. Things are tight so instead of purchasing one we asked through Facebook for someone to consider donating a used griddle they may have laying around. Within a couple of days, we had a brand new griddle as a surprise. That meant the world to the men … that someone would do that … but it more importantly demonstrated that God is truly interested in the little things. He tells us to ask … and He moves on the hearts of His people. Thank you, whoever you are! Trust Him!

One of the focuses Patrick feels God is drawing him towards it preparing the men who are discipled at Discover Life to really be thoroughly prepared to commit and contribute to their community and to their church congregation. Life in any residency ministry can give a false sense of reality concerning everyday life. Paul spoke of meat and milk, this is neither … this is milk preparation. The high number of program recycles are often linked to the disillusionment a graduate experiences when he is no longer the center of everyone’s focus. There is no pastor who can, or should for that matter, offer the concentrated level of personal ministry we offer. There is no boss who can provide the level of purpose that we do. Any residency program is going to schedule the day and provide tons of one on one. Here at DL, we move carefully and as responsibly quick as possible to get the men to where they are setting their own schedules that work within what is minimally expected of them … just as they would in any other field of work. We work to wean them off of concentrated need and replace them with healthy relationships. We press them to seek responsibility for themselves without someone constantly doing it for them. The only textbook that practically teaching how to thrive free … is freedom. Pray for us as we strive to follow after the leading of the Holy Spirit to disciple these men into a strong, practical, and disciplined walk resulting from a solid relationship with Jesus Christ.

This coming month (April) we are excited to host Drew Crowell. Drew is a Bible teacher from Colorado who has a burden for seeing men find freedom in Jesus Christ. He is very involved in the founding and supporting through Bible instruction to several discipleship ministries. We are always thrilled with his presence here. His gift in teaching allows the student to really layer into the Word, first at surface level, then quickly move deep into personal applications. Pray for the people to be prepared to receive. Pray for Drew as he follows God’s leading. We can’t wait!

Lessons From The Saw Mill: Ouch! Don’t Do That!
We do a fair bit of wood working up here. This month I was asked to build this big planter from cedar so I set to the task. I don’t know if you’ve ever worked with cedar but it is not the easiest wood to work with. The tree itself is knotty and not very thick, so a lot of wood is wasted in just getting some workable boards. The wood grain itself is … well … difficult. The best I can describe it is that is a very “hairy” grained wood. But people love the smell … and the look … and it handles the weather very effectively.

But to get that wood to a place where it can actually be usable, a lot of work must be done. First, it has to be cut. So on the mill it goes. We have to remove most of the tree just to get to board size cuts (round vs square). Once we have some boards, we have to plain them. A plainer, in case you don’t know, is a saw of sorts that acts like sand paper. A board is sent through it, there are a series of small cutting blades that cause the surface of the board to be smoothed to skin-soft. But it takes a hard toll on the board itself.

To get a board that is ½ inch think, we have to start with a board that is at least ¾ inch thick. The plainer takes several passes on each side, while adjusting each time to get that board smooth and beautiful. Often during the process, a knot (the tree is full of them) will be hidden within the cut and will show itself. The plainer has a hard time with those knots sometimes because, unique to cedar, the knots come out of the board and cause a hole to form, along with a bunch of racket. Often the board will break. Other times the board will appear knotty, but after a few passes, the knots are gone and all that remains are some awesome grain patters and colors. Rarely will the plaining of a board result in anything other than a finished, smooth, and beautiful piece of wood prepped and ready to find its place in the project. If a board is rendered useless through the plaining process, it’s never the plainer’s fault, it is the inconsistencies in the tree itself. The result, either way, cannot be predicted, it can only be discovered. Yet it is the very refining process that is wounding that board that brings out what no one else can see otherwise.

What’s the point? This is us!!! God speaks to us through Jeremiah saying,

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

That word for hope is “expected end.” He promises to get us to that place He desires us to be … where we will be of the character that He always intended us to be!

Remember:

… He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…

Philippians 1:6

But we expect the work to be easy … or at least that’s what we want. But He promises fire … FIRE people! I’ve seen nothing in my life that can stand before fire and not be destroyed … except precious gold and silver … they love the fire. But it is that fire that changes them and removes from them their “dross” or better said impurities.

I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.' "

Zechariah 13:9

So the process is tough and it does remove stuff from us that we thought was part of who we were … and it reveals things in us that we didn’t know were there. It also removes fears from us for things we thought were so big and were mere surface lies … and what lies beneath is made beautiful and useful for His purposes … which is after all, or should be, the hope we seek.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12 - 13

I’d say that was a pretty good deal. Don’t run from the refiner … you and I are more precious than fine gold! Let Him do His work. What He takes, we don’t want. What He reveals, He can sort out. What He breaks, He can mend. Because the result will be amazing! What is that result?

That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17

That’s my take anyways! Thanks for reading!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up February 2016: Don't Drink From That!!!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:14:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up February 2016: Don't Drink From That!!!

I want to thank all of you who have been keeping up with us as we navigate through the mess of ministering among broken lives desperate for freedom. None of us, not one, has within ourselves the capacity to untangle the knots of the soul, let alone heal the wounds. It is only through the realization upon the revelation of the grace of God through Jesus Christ that any person experiences freedom through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit! We desperately need His guidance for everyone who comes up here ... and it is our hearts longing to see each one of them healed and restored to the freedom Jesus purchased! But it is never easy ... never.

February has come and gone. It is cold, but not as cold as last year! The men up here can often experience and isolating effect, not from any policy change we are making but simply due to the weather restrictions. When it's -20, you just tend to stay home and indoors. Please continue to pray for Robert as he continues his discipleship process here. Pray that he would be strengthened ... that needs would be met ... that he would be able to stand firm in his trust in God. Pray for his family .. for his children. We are watching the miracle working power of God through the transformation of a soul ... Robert is growing!

This month, the leadership team (Charlie, Ron, Patrick, and Stephen) went to a men's retreat hoping to get the scoop on a ministry that we would like to host here at Huntersfield Christian Training Center, the home for Discover Life. Immediately upon return, Patrick brought his family back to Louisiana for a much needed visit with his family and ministry friends. Excitement is spreading concerning the work that the Holy Spirit is doing through the ministry of Discover Life. We are encouraging those in church and ministry leadership to contact us for information on how we may be able to serve you. We are also always open the ministry of those who feel led to impart the good news of the Gospel to our men through classes or retreats.

Upon Patrick's return, his focus will be on encouraging young men eager for ministry to join the Discover Life School of Ministry. Part of our vision is to serve as an excellent resource for encouraging, equipping, and enlisting young men and women (non-residency as of yet) for a life of ministry service being thoroughly equipped (spirit, soul, and body) both theologically and practically for every good work. In doing so, we feel God has specifically directed us not to charge for this education, enabling the graduates to be debt free upon graduation which serves both them in their financial establishment but also the churches that will benefit from receiving their ministry without having to be burdened with their debt. We are looking to partner with youth and young adult pastors and ministry leaders everywhere to make this opportunity available. Our residency opportunities are limited! Contact us today!

Discover Life School of Discipleship continues to be spread as a resource ... that is great news. Former students share their testimonies with others that are in need and the calls keep coming. Please pray that God will continue to provide for our needs here. We charge for nothing but the cost of this type of discipleship is great. There is great emphasis placed here on the health of the body and the relationship it has with the health of the soul. The men eat hearty meals here. They participate in a rigid exercise program. They are properly clothed. They are instructed and committed to proper hygiene. They have a social life. They are brought into the community. Their health needs are all met. They are pressed academically completing demanding writing and study assignments. All of this comes at a great cost. God meets that need continuously and miraculously by various people who realize what we are doing and decide to invest into the Kingdom of God through the transforming miraculous work of Discover Life. If you would consider investing into the lives of men desperate for freedom, CLICK HERE!

LESSONS FROM THE SAW MILL: Don't Drink From That!!!

We have this amazing mountain spring that waters much of the center. The water is just simply the best and most refreshing drinking water on earth (in my humble opinion). You get thirsty looking at it! We water our cattle with that spring. It flows through a pipe and empties into this water trough in the yard where the cows and horses can walk over and drink.

Several weeks ago, we were repairing some damaged section of fence (the cows kept getting out). One of our men was spotted walking back from the water trough acting as if he had just refreshed himself. When he was asked what was going on, he proudly declared he had just drunk from the cattle trough ... which earned him a series of lectures, restrictions, corrections, lessons, and ultimately, some kidding. Why? That seems harmless enough! After all, it is water coming from a spring ... and we drink it all of the time from the faucet! This was this young man's justification and rationale ... and maybe some of you might be thinking the same.

Well, it's simple. It is a big deal. It's a huge deal ... cows poop where they eat! That water trough is surrounded and full of what we call "cow paddies." Yes the water is refreshing! Yes it looks good to drink! Yes we drink it from other sources with no risk. The problem isn't the water, it's completely the manner by which it is obtained and in what it is contained in! The water is good! But the water in this specific location is CONTAMINATED and unfit for HUMAN CONSUMPTION by both the process in which it gets to the trough and the trough itself. It poses no risk to the cows. The health risks it poses to human are many including various bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasite infestations, fecal matter diseases like e coli, etc. This is not to be taken lightly. This can seriously injure a person ... this can result in death! And the young man thought we'd be proud! Our reaction caught him by surprise ... after all ... they do it on all (?) of the TV shows!

So what's the point???

This young man represents all of us! We see that God has created wonderful things that refresh, nourish, encourage, and entertain us but we demand to enjoy them outside of the parameters He set for us to be able to be free and unhindered in our enjoyment of them.

We struggle, or miss altogether, in our understanding the concept of a gift being CONTAMINATED by either the method with which we obtain it or the means by which we are trying to use it ... then we blame God for failing us! Yet what we are experiencing has nothing to do with the gift itself ... the gift is still good! We will through the gift away and search for "new life" not understanding that the problem remains ... and all things good will be subject to this cycle because we are denying the real problem that keeps repeating: our own personal self life that thrives on instant self gratification which ignores warnings and directions and assumes all things exist for spontaneous personal pleasure. Yet nothing satisfies and nothing lasts.

The Bible says it like this:

Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. Proverbs 5:15

God, in His infinite wisdom, has prepared for you such great wonders that even your enemies will know it (Psalms 23).

There is no denying that people experience initial pleasure "drinking" from "cisterns" that are not specifically theirs (speaking both literally and figuratively). Remember:

4 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? Job 20:4-5

So there can be no greater satisfaction for a human that can be enjoyed without conviction, worry, fear, condemnation, or negative consequence than what God has planned and provided for that person. The use of anything less or otherwise will leave the individual always wanting...though it may satisfy a temporary craving, it only leads to more hunger.

God says it this way:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (to bring you to your expected end!). Jeremiah 29:11

I choose to trust Him ... and hopefully dodge some nasty stomach aches and parasites ... how about you?

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up January 2015: All Things In Their Seas...

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:22:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up January 2015: All Things In Their Season:

The start of 2016 has been good for the ministry of Discover Life! If you have been following along, Rob received Christ at the beginning of the year ... and has been growing steadily since. New creations and the transformation Christ does is a joy to observe. There is no greater miracle! In Matthew 9 and Mark 2 we read of the paralytic that Jesus healed. Remember that the miracles of Jesus are always about the message, never the miracle ... those a mere parlor tricks. The friends of this man go through extreme measures to bring the man before Jesus and He responds by ... forgiving his sins!?! That was no accident. He looked on him, as He does us, and sees the greatest need and goes after that. The restoration of the soul to be able to come before the presence of God is the pinnacle of miracles ... and we get to experience that here ... and you have a part in that too! Please continue to pray for the men up here at Discover Life.

The midweek discipleship ministry extended to the community is also growing. This year, we began semester based classes and family ministry services. As of now, we are using every room we have to facilitate this ministry and it is extremely well attended! We are offering the following classes (group studies):

Discover Life - Healing and Freedom (Men's and Women's classes)
The Pursuit of Holiness - a book study
Genesis, Creation, and the Gospel
Financial Peace

We hosted several retreats already this year, including a youth retreat (called "Snow Camp") and a minister's retreat. Rob's son, Griffin, came to the Snow Camp and received Jesus as his savior!!! Talk about miracles! He gave testimony that he, after being invited, initially didn't want to come to a place like this but, after thinking about seeing his dad, figured that it was worth coming. He said he expected it to be the worst weekend of his life ... and Jesus met him, intruded, and His love was demonstrated in a way Griffin couldn't deny ... and now he is His! Please continue to pray for Griffin. I will have the sessions posted soon.

We also were able to get the wood boiler in operation for the main dorm and the gym. This will ultimately save us a lot of money. The boiler was donated to us, as well was the building and some very needed skilled labor. But, in all, we still incurred a materials cost of almost $10k. This will be paid for (in what we save by not needing oil) this year! That will help with covering the cost of ministry here greatly! Thank God for His provision and for people's willingness to give!

In a few days, the leadership of DL will be heading out to Kentucky for a men's ministry training event that will allow us to host certain retreats here at HCTC. During that time, Donovan (our first "graduate") will be returning as staff ... as staff! He will be keeping the men here under oversight! This is the kingdom of God at work! Donovan came here an addicted mess in terrible need of Jesus' healing and restoration ... and he found his pearl! I watched it happen. Donovan returned home over a year ago and has been living in victory since. This year, he took on the leadership role for the men's Discover Life class ... has been in constant fellowship ... and testifies with his own life what freedom in Christ is! There are ministries that press the men to remain in and shift from student to leader, but our desire is that leaders be able to demonstrate what freedom is ... it's not a bubble with all temptations removed. Jesus came to bring us an abundant life ... one of power, love, and a strong mind. It is for freedom we've been set free, and we are to walk in that liberty! As deep calls unto deep, free calls unto free. Donovan life's testimony is his influence. Please pray for him!

FYI!!! We will be accepting three new students (ages 18 - 25) into our Discover Life School of Ministry Preparation in the fall of 2016. For more information CONTACT US!!! This is a great opportunity for young men who have chosen Christ and feel compelled to be prepared for ministry to be thoroughly equipped both theologically and practically and ... there is no cost! We serve as a resource of support to the church!

We invite you to consider HELPING US AS WE HELP OTHERS!!! Please check out our needs list! The kingdom of God is the best place to invest your resources. Discover Life is a great investment into the lives of people and we are making a difference ... you are making a difference!

LESSONS FROM THE SAW MILL: All Things In Their Season

This winter has been a mess concerning weather! The freeze came like it should ... we had our first freeze in later October but then we began to experience the hard freezes in November. The crops died, as they should ... and we began to prepare for the long winter ... except ... it didn't come.

In fact, in mid-December we had a very warm spell ... unseasonably warm ... and the trees and flowers began to bud. My cherry tree was fully red and flowering. Oh it was a beautiful sight ... except ... it was the wrong season. It was still winter but the tree was fooled by the temperature and the climate. Sure enough, late December and January brought the hard freezes that this region is used to experience, but instead of finding the trees and plants stripped bare and prepared for winter, they were full and blossoming and they consequently died with fruit growing in the flower! This didn't just destroy the life that was in full swing, it most likely killed the harvest this year.

You see, the seed looks for winter ... it expects it. When it experiences a thaw after a freeze, it does not know time, it expects that it is spring and begins to germinate. In the warmer climates that experience no real winter freeze, farmers often have to put their seeds in a freezer for a period to get them to germinate!

To understand the severity of the issue here, we must first remember what fruit does: fruit provides nourishment (the meat), replenishment (the nutrient matter), and reproduction (the seed). All three functions are vital for the environmental ecosystem and the agricultural economy. Without any of the three, the system crashes. One year is only successful if it makes way for a new year to come.

So here, as we noticed the beauty of the flowering plants, we all could not celebrate it ... in fact, for many whose livelihood is based on the produce of the trees and perennial vegetation and fruits, they are expecting hard times ahead ... because the fruit is being prepared out of its natural season. The seeds within the fruit were destroyed. The fruit itself was destroyed. The outlook causes many concerns for the coming harvest.

So what's the point?

King Solomon told us that there was a time and a season for every thing (Ecclesiastes 3). Yet Jesus expected fruit from a fig tree knowing it was out of its season. I challenge you to consider doing a word-study of the word "season" and read the scriptures in their context.

God has ordained seasons of our lives for rain, for drought, for produce, for lack, for gain, for loss, for triumph, and for failure all to bring about in and through us His will ... His perfect will. We spend so much energy deriving from people, and ultimately ourselves, fruit out of its season because we like the look of it on the tree. We formulate doctrines that demand the Christian walk be one of continual material and spiritual blessing and define blessing according to our expectations of it, yet God disagrees and performs His will regardless.

We rush to show and measure fruit in seasons where God has ordained winter ... that fruit yields only death, and not just for the plant, but for those who are to be nourished by it.

One of the attributes of God I am in awe of (and find the end of myself quickly as I try to understand) is His sovereignty. We are encouraged by Paul in Scripture to continue being faithful in service even when we don't see the desired result promising that God will perform His will and we will reap the reward of our faithfulness and trust in Him in due season.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galations 6:7-9

He makes no promise here of what the reward will look like, so we must set ourselves to the task of not predicting that either. Instead, we are to commit ourselves to doing what lies before us in a manner that brings Him honor denying our own desire to know and predict the successful end of the thing ... because we will always work in that direction. In that end, there will be fruit. People will compliment us on our accomplishments ... but the fruit will be out of season ... it will die ... and the people, who needed the harvest, will go lacking.

Fortunately, God's sovereignty also includes His willingness to intervene and be sure His end and purpose will come about. We can't ruin it. We can't dilute it. We can't profane it. We can't contaminate it.

My only end then is to trust Him without restraint. Yes, I used that phrase: trust without restraint. I must be honest about my agenda, my self-protective slant, my selfishness even concerning the things of God ... and instead delight myself in His goodness and surrender myself to the resolve of simply living in the moment enjoying His joy, His peace, His love and being a vessel of it. Then and only then can I trust that whatever the result is truly His will and be at peace to accept it. Because here's the brutal reality, His will also includes teaching me hard lessons at my loss and the loss of those around me because my own heart is deceived and either I am veiled from it (and He is revealing it) or I have hardened my heart (and He is cracking it). It's His goodness that causes Him to bust up our flawed and foolish plans (Psalms 146:9b). It's His goodness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

I have committed myself to staying faithful in season and out of season and enjoying the fruit of it. I encourage you to set yourself to the same task.

That's my take anyways. Thanks for reading!

Discover Life: Exciting Update!!!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 04:11:00 +0000

Discover Life: Exciting Update!!!:

Hey everybody! I just wanted to give you something to be excited about as we bring in the New Year! I released our end of year update a couple of days ago and asked for you to join me in praying for Rob, a new inductee who was accepted into the discipleship ministry. He knew some things about the Bible but had never accepted, confessed, or even considered the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I am ok with that ... in fact, as far as discipling goes, I am excited about it. I've met a lot of guys who think they are Christians, but only serve themselves as lord ... and it is hard to get them to see it. This guy knows he is not a Christian but, after trying everything else, was willing to listen and decide for himself. After almost two weeks of time well spent, he decided tonight, while enjoying some laughs at my house after dinner (Michael Jr - The Man With a Limp ...) that he needed to surrender.

We went into the sanctuary (next door) and talked through some things ... and ... well ... all of heaven is rejoicing. It doesn't take coercion! If it worked, I would do it all of the time ... but it doesn't take that ... neither does it take well thought out speeches or sermons ... but it does take prayer! If you prayed for this man, I thank you. I ask that you would continue to pray. Pray that his heart remains soft as the process of sanctification and transformation continues!

God is faithful! Prayer works! Happy New Year!!!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up 2015! Looking Forward to 2016! Should You Check That Again?

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 04:45:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up 2015! Looking Forward to 2016!

Woohoo!!! 2015 is in the books! What a wonderful year! We had near twenty men come through our doors here at Discover Life. We have seen some impressive break through, healing, and freedom. It is a blessing to be a part of discipling God's wounded people. We had several decisions to follow Christ, even in baptism! We experienced the thrill of seeing people find healing and freedom from past pains, addictions, failures, and wounds! It hasn't been perfect, but God's perfect love has been prevalent! Please pray for Rob, a man who joined the ministry up here a week ago. Please pray that God will be intrusive ... that His light will penetrate ... and that Rob will respond to the love of God in Christ Jesus and repent!

We also saw some major strives forward in the ministry of Discover Life. We completed our first year of community, midweek ministry using the Celebrate Recovery material. We experienced countless testimonies of God's faithfulness! We saw the continued maturity of relationships across multi-church communities. How awesome it is to experience true fellowship with believers from other congregations who don't see ourselves as part of our individual churches but instead recognize with joy the fact that we are part of one collective church ... and operate in that capacity! We look with anticipation to the upcoming years to see these relationships spread and continue to mature.

We are so excited about the further development of the Discover Life School of Ministry preparation! We began a system of semester-based classes in the fall! Our midweek services are continuing to that effect by making available to all people great opportunities to be, as Paul taught, "thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim 3:17). We look with great anticipation to seeing more students coming to join our residency here with the specific intent to be prepared for ministry. We hope to see doors opening at churches across America to share the great news of this ministry. We offer a completely free opportunity for students to be equipped not just theologically, but also practically and financially for a life of effective and powerful ministry! What starts in here will reach the world!

What we do here churches all across America need as an option in the resource tool bag. Our ability to disciple people is enhanced by our unique facility and the environment here. Churches across the world have their own discipleship ministries. We offer resources to help ... but more importantly ... we offer a place to send those who desire to be discipled in Christ but need more than weekly services ... they need an escape for a duration. Our ability to prepare young people feeling called to serve in ministry also provides an excellent option for churches. First off, we do not charge. That alone sets us apart for a specific group of people. We seriously want people who have been ordained here to leave, not just debt free, but financially equipped to get into society and be able to serve the church without being a financial burden to it. We teach the students highly competitive job skills such as carpentry, roofing, framing, electric, office administration, site inspection, hospitality, management, etc. We also prepare the students with missions work in mind: gardening, farming, cattle, mucking. Our graduates are able to be a great contribution to wherever they are received!

How can you help???

I know that is what you are thinking so I will cut to the quick!

We are praying for more open doors! We have one resident student right now. We would like to bring a few more in over the summer to begin their ministry preparation process. If you, as a referring minister or parent will EMAIL us we would love to share personally with you. It is a great entrustment to consider sending your people to us. We do not take that lightly.

We are always willing to except men who need intense, resident-based, discipleship here at Discover Life. It is the essence of what we do. We disciple people in the discovery of their identity, passion, and purpose (all in Christ). Please check out our handbook (click here). I cannot encourage you enough to look into what we are doing here. We meet a specific need that is found in every church, all across the America. Check our our website here!

I personally also ask you to consider our needs list (click here)! Our budget is around $2000/man/month. We do not charge the men. We do not charge anyone. We do ask those who can contribute to their own finances here to do so ... but that is a rare thing. God has provided for the men ... and will provide. If you are looking to be a part of that, here are some options.

Schedule your church or ministry retreat with us. Discover Life is housed at Huntersfield Christian Training and Retreat Center (HCTC). The money that comes in from retreats is currently the main financial source for Discover Life. Our ministry retreat center is second to none in beauty, environment, grounds, facilities, lodging, and hospitality. We even have multiple audio/visual options and capabilities. The environment here is conducive for spiritually rich atmospheres where the presence of God is being sought collectively by your group. HCTC's motto is "Instruction in the Word, Inspiration in Fellowship." Come find your rest!
Refer your cooperative ministries to us (for the same reasons)
While you are here, shop at our store!
Order your firewood from us! The men cut the wood.
Consider us for your specialty wood needs! Our sawmill is able to cut custom boards up to 20 feet in length!
Consider becoming a monthly support of the ministry of Discover Life! Your investment of $10, $20, $30, or whatever you decide (you can give as much as you like ... we're ok with that) will go into the lives of men who are already here! The needs are real. The costs are real!
Consider us for a one time gift.
Consider us for spontaneous giving.
Consider us for end of year charitable donations.

You financial investment into Discover Life is a charitable donation. DL is a ministry of HCTC, a 501-C3 charitable organization.

Help us as we help others!

LESSON FROM THE SAWMILL: Should You Check That Again?

We had a situation up here some time back where one of our guys was sent to do some routine maintenance work around a water trough in one of our cattle fields. The guy came back with a report that as he worked, he stepped on the ground rod for one of our electric fence systems and was jolted with a pretty serious shock. That's not supposed to happen.

The man that hooked it up went to school and worked for many years as an electrical technician. I asked him if he installed it correctly. His response was that he was sure ... it, after all, is a simple two wire system. I had one of the men go look at it and tell me what he saw and he sent me a message only containing the picture of what he found. I, in turn, simply showed the picture to my wife and asked her if she noticed anything wrong (she is no electrician but has good sense about how stuff works) and she recognized it instantly ... it was so obvious ... too obvious for words or for any explanation.

There are only two lines that connect ... one is hot (black insulation) and one is the ground (copper - no insulation). The posts to connect to are marked clearly with a (+) for positive (black) ... the other is marked (-) for negative (bare). The man who applied the instructions and knowledge had all of the pieces ... all of the ingredients ... and justifiably did plenty of work to run and connect the line. But ... he didn't have things done in the right order. You see he ran the wire, installed the ground rod, properly placed the connectors, even made sure there was plenty of contact. The only mistake he made was that he connected that hot to the ground rod while connecting the ground to the fence.

When the student stepped on the ground rod, he received a jolt of electricity that is supposed to be distributed across thousands of feet of fence. In other words, what was designed to be a means of protecting our investments from walking off or from being preyed upon left them vulnerable and unprotected while wounding (and could have possibly cause a much more serious injury to) a person who was just trying to help simply because of getting out of order.

So what the point? When we get things out of order, even though we have all of the ingredients for success and have done the work that justifies our right to fold our hands and sit back to relax and feel accomplished, we cause unintentional yet possible catastrophic collateral damage. This is what Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthians 13!

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

So we can have wonderful talents, do incredible work, risk even our lives but ... if we are not doing it out of love for God and love for people through Jesus Christ ... all of our effort, all of our resources, all of our skills are at work and being expended not to build the Kingdom of God but to wound it. That is pretty serious.

Have you ever grown frustrated in serving people? Have you ever entertained the thought that you, after being taken advantage of for the last time, will never allow yourself to be vulnerable to other people? I know wounds hurt. But I encourage you to check your order again. Anything that is born out of love through Jesus Christ is service to God which He promises to repay! Anything that is done with the hope of any form of repayment (not just financial but also ... being appreciated, loved in return, seeing a viewable change in response, etc) is simply the working of a chore ... and we demand payment for the chores we do. Take a good look at it ... be sure in your evaluation. There is nothing you give, spend, or lose it serving God that is wasted no matter how it seems. There is no time, resource, energy, etc that is wasted or lost in serving God! Check your lines! If they are crossed ... if you are angry and frustrated with people for acting lost ... disconnect the heat, and plug back into God! Take time to get your bearings ... realize His love for you and His ability to keep you, your heart, your mind, and your mouth!

Have you been wounded under the guise of ministry? Let me encourage you too! There is no foundation for purposely wounding another person in the name of Christ! While there is a charge to hold each other accountable, it is clear that it should be out of an obvious love for that person. If you have been subjected to ministry abuse, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. God is not ok with what has happened and He will reward and repay each person for their works! Find a community of Christians that will encourage you and support you and pray with you! Seek the Lord.

I will tell you boldly without hesitation that if, in any contact with God, the things of God, His presence, or His work among His people, you are left grieved and wounded, there is something crossed somewhere ... and the whole thing needs to be taken apart and put back together piece by piece. We need to thoroughly examine our own selves too. If we are not working from a base of genuine love for others, the product is wrong. The results are wrong. We ... are wrong.

Jesus gave us a specific characteristic of what discipleship should produce within ourselves ... and that means if we claim to be His disciple, then this should be a recognizable characteristic of all we do.

John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Be encouraged. Base on love. Be grounded in it. Be so saturated with it that it pours out of you into the lives of other people. Good speeches, teachings, programs, services, etc won't produce any change
in this world ... but love ... the love of God through Christ Jesus will cause a revolution! I want to be a part of that!!!

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up November 2015: You're Holding That Wro...

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 03:45:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up November 2015: You're Holding That Wrong...:

I do appreciate the opportunity to share month after month what God is doing here at Discover Life. God has been so good. We, as a church, pray consistently for God's wisdom to reach the lost, strengthen the weak, support the hurting and wounded in their healing and recovery, and equip and encourage those who are ready; thoroughly equipping them for every good work (or at least we should). Many fellowships just don't have the resources to meet all of the needs of their congregations specifically in the area of intimate, intensive and intentional discipleship at the personal level. Here at Discover Life, we get to be a part of God's meeting of that need. I am convinced that we can serve the collective church as a tool for that purpose.

We have had no shortage of men come through the ministry up here over the last year and a half. We have been privileged to see life changing experiences in almost all of the men who have come to Discover Life. As each new man comes our way, our ministry adjusts, grows, and sharpens. I tend to cringe when I hear the word "program" because that is not at all what is developing here. If we had a single program, no one would qualify and no one would benefit. Instead we have a ministry full of different "programs" that are dynamic in nature, adjusting to the individual needs of each person. They are dynamic in nature because the people themselves change while they are here. While we have a structured day, there is a lot of movement within that structure to handle what each day brings here up on The Hill. That is not a shun towards program-based ministries in any way. They are vital and necessary. It is only that this is where we meet a specific need that is otherwise not met ... and so help fulfill the calling to be many parts of one body (Romans 12:3-8).

As of now we are serving the community, region, and nation in areas of discipleship by offering the following services in ministry at no charge

Discover Life School of Ministry(Residency and Non-residency) preparation for individuals who are desiring to be specifically prepared for a life of ministry.
Discover Life School of Discipleship (Residency) - an intense discipleship ministry for individuals who need to get away from their homes in order to be introduced, strengthened, and sent forward in Christ.
Discover Life Discipleship Ministry (Non-Residency) - a diverse set of class options, weekly services, and retreats for those who are able to live at home and function in their churches that affords leadership, fellowship, and discipleship opportunities that may be unavailable otherwise due to logistical and area-based restrictions.

I am very pleased to report to you the going-ons up here. This month we had a wonderful retreat for the men led by Drew Crowell, a Bible teacher from Colorado who gives of himself to come here and spend time teaching our men and our staff. This month we did an in-depth study on the 1st chapter of James and on the Miracles of Jesus in Mark. I will have them posted soon HERE! We were able to collaborate with the Capital City Mission in Albany, NY for the teaching on James. They sent a group of men from one of their programs to fellowship and learn with us. It was very enjoyable. We were able to serve both a men's retreat and a family retreat as well in service and hospitality. This month we saw the departure of Ken from the residency here to living back at home. Pray that as Ken stays in fellowship, the Lord continues the miraculous work he has began. We are continuing to see Joe grow in the Lord. I also ask that you continue to pray for Nick as we seek the Lord for direction for him. (Nick returned to the residency ministry of Discover Life.) Donovan is continuing in fellowship and growing tremendously in the Lord. Stephen is now balancing a work schedule to prepare for his future life financially while continuing in his commitment here to be prepared for ministry. It is a honor to watch him develop and grow. Please continue to pray for Alan as he continues to "work out" this walk.

I am elated by the fact that we have been able to forge trusting and meaningful relationships with local churches. It takes a lifetime to earn trust. I value and protect the trust offered to Discover Life that we haven't earned, but that we've been given; and we are seeing life emerge here in all aspects of what we are doing. Please continue to pray for the ministry of Discover Life. Please consider how you or your church or ministry may be able to come along side of us in prayer and support. If you would, take a minute to look at our NEEDS LIST.

LESSONS FROM THE SAW MILL: You're Holding That Wrong!

Hay ... not hey ... not a greeting ... just a substance. We are up to our ears in it. The cows we raise up here (for meat ... grass fed meat ... GRASS FED MEAT ... in case you didn't catch that) need a lot of it. This fall we were able to build a better hay feeder that allows 5 bails (square) to be packed in twice a day to feed the cows (it gets cold). But the men have to carry the bails from the barn through the muck to the feeder. It can be a daunting task. The muck is slippery and the lane is narrow in the barn. The men want to grab the hay nearest to the feeder but are instructed to carry it from the back to the front. Our reasoning is to clear out an area to be able to bring the tractor in (the sliding barn door is on the far side of the feeder area.

The bails are stacked about 16 feet in the air so we have a little climbing to do to get bails down. If you have ever carried a square bail, then you know that there are two strands, tightly bound, running long ways with the bail. If you grab them together and carry from the center, it's and easy bail. But often, the new men, just wanting to hurry up and "get done" grab one strand, which causes the bail to come undone. A tight square bail runs about 2x2 on the end running about 4ft in length. When that bail comes undone, it turns into chaos. You'd be surprised how much hay is packed into that bail ... which is the point of bailing to begin with.

So the men, especially the new men, in their impatience ... in their attempts to keep from getting dirty ... in their attempts to just do what they think is best (so many come up here and initially see the farm as an amusement park) make an absolute mess and get pretty frustrated. It is quite humorous. Keep in mind we do everything up here ... every chore is strategic to produce (or at least expose) character with the specific intent to develop Christlike character. So, that being said, the guys get worked up ... and it is pretty humorous. They were taught what to do, how to do it, when to do it, where to do it, and even the consequences of failing to do it right ... yet still go and do their own thing and ... well ... IT happens. Guess who get's blamed (or at least the brunt of their frustration)? The cows. It's quite interesting. The very aim of their service gets the blame for their own failures to do as they were taught ... and they carry on as if there was some strategic mutiny drawn up by the cows themselves. Now they know it's their own fault ... they know that they were given the right instructions. They just didn't believe they were that necessary. One of our sayings up here is "Be careful what you think." Another is "You never have time to do it right but you always have time to fix it." I thing both relate well here. Because the men are led astray by what they perceive is correct totally disregarding the instructions clearly provided ... and it results in a confusing mess scattered everywhere. Then suddenly, they find the ability to gather all of that up and get it somehow to the feeder getting themselves much more dirty than before ... and become frustrated with the receiver of their service.

What's the point?

This is us! Every miracle in the Bible that Jesus performs is a lesson (or a bundle of them) to us for us to be applied in our lives right now. There is so much clear instruction in the Bible about how we are to operate in every area possible within our lives including but not limited to: home, family, career, ministry, fellowship, society, finances, relationships, parenting, community, education.

We can often be so determined and clear in our instruction to others but when it is time to hold ourselves to the instructions of others, we falter, often because we know better (or at least we think we do). Interestingly enough, and not by coincidence, we have that same struggle with God and following His instructions found throughout His Word given to us through Scripture. We always bring our relationship with God into our relationships with people, and our relationships with people into our relationship with God ... because the constant is us. We share the same character (strengths and weaknesses) in all of our relationships.

1 Timothy 4:6-16

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness... 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

It is quite clear ... stick to the instructions ... yet we fail; and just like the men here, we often focus the majority of our frustration on the very object our our service.

So how do we fix it? The same way the men do. In the presence of those cows, they learn quickly how to do it right because the cows are the constant .. the men are the variables. The cows aren't moving ... they're not going to change the way they do things. If the men want an easier time when working with them, then they will adjust to the teaching. It's in the continual presence of the cows they experience the greatest change. All of the class preparation in the world doesn't hold a stick to one hour alone with the cows.

The same is with God. If we want to experience true change in our lives in our ability to hold on to an stick to His Word, we've got to get in His presence. All of the classes on "How to Be A Strong and Devout Christian" don't compare to 30 minutes in His presence, better yet, a lifetime devoted to seeking Him. It is impossible for any human, or created thing, to enter into the presence of God and leave unchanged.

Do you, like me, and everyone else, fail at following the detail of God's Word replacing His instruction with your own "better version"? The answer is not more training, classes, etc. The answer is getting into the presence of God as He has instructed through His Word. There we will find fullness of joy. There we will find the peace that passes all understanding. There we will find healing for our souls. (Matthew 11:28) Otherwise, we ... are handling the Bible wrong ... and will end up hostile towards its Writer.

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!

Wrapping Up October 2015: I Think You're Missing Something

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 04:05:00 +0000

One of our trucks was rusting through the cab and desperately need to be repaired before the damage was irreversible. Since I consider myself to be a decent shade-tree mechanic/body guy, I took it upon myself to fix the damage and reseal the truck. I am not sure why they don't just fiberglass everything with all of the salt and corrosion. My strategy was to grind down all of the rust-contaminated areas using a grinder brush, treat the remaining surface rust, then fiberglass the bottom of the truck (all of it up 6 inches on the door, and finally cover the fiberglass with truck bed liner. I expected all of this to take about 2 weeks. In Louisiana, I would have been successful. You have about 12 minutes to use fiberglass before it cures, so you only use a little at a time and just kind of work your way around the truck. I expected to go through a few cheap brushes (they are destroyed by the hardening fiberglass). I had all of the pieces of the plan together and in place. I had prepared for contingencies. I had all of my materials ready. With this level of preparation and my experience and skill set, what could go wrong?

It started bad. As I began to work on this golf-ball sized hole, the entire sub-surface began to fall apart. The paint was truly holding it together. My golf-ball sized hole grew to the size of a parking garage. Both sides were falling apart all the way up the doors behind the wheel and door trims. No problem, I had plenty of bondo, fiberglass, and plenty of the matting. I was grateful to discover it and to be able to treat it before the winter got it. I am confident it would have been beyond any help with one more winter.

I made the decision to do a complete strip and just fiberglass everything. As I began to work with the fiberglass, I noticed it wasn't tacking up. I mixed the hardener catalyst properly ... it just wasn't hardening. I at first thought that, due to the cold weather, it just took longer, so I continued to fiberglass the rest of the truck. I was actually pleased that I was able to use one brush and not destroy so many. I had expected to be able to come back after lunch and apply the bed liner. When I came back from lunch, it was all still very wet. I figured I would come back the next day and finish it all still way ahead of schedule. A week, later, it was still as if I had just applied it ... wet and totally unworkable. I was stuck and behind schedule ... so I began to ask the experts because obviously I had just been removed from that category. Guess what I discovered.

Did you know that fiberglass doesn't cure when applying it in temperatures under 60 degrees? I didn't know that. But now I do. I can take from days to weeks to cure ... it will cure, but in needs something ... it needs HEAT!!! I hooked up a space heater and employed the use of a heat gun on low heat with high air volume and wouldn't you know!?! As I carefully focused the heat on the fiberglass resin, I could see it hardening. I watched it cure! Wow!!

So what's the point? Let it sink in. I had all of the pieces in place. I had all of the skills, materials, plans, processes, etc ... but I was missing heat. Isn't that our lives. We have all of the things we can control in place for the plan to work and it doesn't because it's missing the one substance that is not natural to us or it ... so we can do all of the things correctly, have the discipline to do all things right and with excellence, and they still don't work out.

Have you ever obeyed God to the minute detail and the thing didn't work out? That's hard to deal with isn't it? Have you ever stepped out using a solid and well laid out plan that just didn't work out? That's hard to deal with isn't it? We question God's faithfulness. We question whether or not we can actually hear His voice. We question our commitment to Him and His commitment to us! Yet in all of these things we must remember that somethings just don't work out because they are missing something we are not responsible to provide! In those cases, the assessment of success must be on the grounds of obedience and not on results! Did you obey God and do what He asked? Then you are successful. Remember, as with King Asa, just because you get the results you want does not mean that God is behind it either. In all things, we must remember this key verse:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they that labor do so in vain." (Psalms 127:1)

Heat can be a killer ... it can be destructive. It is merely a chemical reaction ... a transfer of energy - atomic collisions. We ask God to do a thing. We make the arrangements. We go through the preparations. We may even go to a few seminars. But when conflict comes we go through tirades to avoid it. Yet it may be that very conflict that God is bringing to serve as the missing ingredient that will cause all of the other parts to work.

The Bible speaks of love the same way (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4). "Let me get this straight! I can do all things necessary but, without love, none of it will matter?" Yes! That's exactly what it says. Jesus says (paraphrased) that I can perform the greatest miracles, most powerful services, etc ... but if I don't have an obvious and noticeable love for others, my discipleship is void and invisible ... therefore they can't see Him working through me ... therefore through me they can't see Him. That's something to think about!

When we move to obey the leading of the Lord we must get out of our head the thought or predictions of what that success will look like, or else we will adjust all that we do to cater to that thought. Instead, we must be content with assessing our success based on the merits of pure obedience. If He provides the ingredients we can't, the thing will work. But if in His perfect design He has decided that failure is the needed thing, we have to be ok with that ... even ready for it.

I can tell you, that when working on another man's truck who needs it back, who can't just go buy a new one, who has entrusted me with his valuable possession with the idea that I was going to make it better, and I can't either make it work or replace it ... that finding contentment is easier than it sounds ... and thank goodness for a heat gun. But I have seen plans in Christ fail ... and have seen Him right behind it all ... He always is ... and the result of the thing, whether success or failure, is always survivable and contentment is always attainable throughout the process.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus.

That's my take anyways, thanks for reading!!!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up September of 2015: There are Rocks in ...

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:37:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up September of 2015:

Discipleship is messy. It just is. This month we saw truth come to light in the lives of some of the guys up here, and it wasn't pretty. I wish I could tell you that what we are doing is 100% effective, but God expects me to tell the truth ... so ... but I can tell you that what we are doing here is 100% Biblical, and so are the results. He promises that what is stated in the shadows will be screamed from the rooftops, that all things hidden will be come known (Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17). Up here we say, "the bubbles will rise."

Men come here for two reasons. The first is to be discipled in ministry preparation. We have a wonderful opportunity up here to disciple young men desiring formal ministry preparation. Students who follow their calling into ministry by choosing to study here will not just be thoroughly prepared theologically, but also practically. Students are taught life and job skills here. It is impossible to continue successfully here without forming and using a good work-ethic that is pleasing to God. The sawmill has a way of quickly getting past false pretenses. Character is always on the hot-seat here, and that is exactly the point. It is our goal to bring those out and have them sharpened in the security of this place, instead of later in life on the backs of the people they are trying to serve in ministry. We also desire ministers who leave here to be financially free, so while we do ask students who can financially provide for themselves to do so, we do not charge. We want the missions and ministries they serve to be freed from the pressure of paying their schooling debts. We began our semester-based classes this month for those students and are excited about the future growth of this preparation process! We have six students!!! We are believing God for more!

The second reason for coming here is to find freedom. The men who come here from this track have lives marked with addiction and chaos often quickly find peace in the serenity of the place. They begin to grow in their understanding of the things of God. In fact, sometimes they grow so quickly in the things of God they skip right over the need to grow in their relationship with Him. Their minds are working, their bodies feel good, and they are sober ... and they confuse that sobriety with spirituality. This comes to a head when conflict comes. Still yet, God's Word is true. We can teach 'til we turn blue in the face about the grace of God that brings forgiveness and restoration upon repentance and confession but until we model it within ourselves, we are merely presenting hypothetical situations. We boast here at Discover Life about the opportunity we have been afforded here in Christ where our textbooks are our lives: "We are all epistles written for others to read." This month we received a new student, Joe. Please pray for Joe that he finds his identity solely in Christ Jesus and builds his life on that Rock.

Jesus said that we are His disciples if we obey His teachings. It's easy to confuse obedience with entertainment. We are entertained when what we are asked to do, we are doing because we want to do. Our obedience is not tested until we are asked to do that which goes against our very nature. What then? The men are always best friends for the first few weeks ... but then IT comes; the moment of their decision. That is the nature of obedience. We boast to God Himself about our riches and He asks us to sell them all and give them to those who have not earned them ... and we walk away in disappointment and frustration. Yet for those who surrender, the burdens are lifted! It is that easy ... yet it is that hard. We hope to see the men who join on this track of the train of discipleship pass through to the other side (ministry preparation).

It is vital for people being prepared for ministry to see the importance of paying attention to detail ... for not just plowing ahead blindly. They see firsthand the failures of partial surrender. The hope is that they recognize it within themselves ... as we all must if we are going to be honest with ourselves. But it is that very same honesty that drives us to grace; and if we stay there it will keep us until we are home. It is also vitally important for the students of discipleship. Rebellion is contagious. People who act on sinful impulses often feel they have found a loophole ... a way of having their cake and eating it too. But in reality, they have only found a pit ... a place of death. They have their cake, but it eats them! This is a vital observation for the healing believer caught in the pendulum swing of obedience and rebellion. There is no such thing as partial surrender ... and there is no salvation offer that doesn't come with Jesus' work of sanctification. That is why they get caught ... that is why we get caught. God won't allow His children to walk in disobedience. He won't! It's His grace!

So pray for us, because it can be messy, as I stated at the beginning of this message. Pray for us, the students of ministry preparation, and the students of discipleship. Please pray for our families, we need the protection.

Giving Opportunity!!!

I do ask you to consider financially supporting the ministry here on The Hill. We have had some vehicle issues. We have six vehicles that need repair work, some major. We also have a wood burner that will allow us to save thousands of dollars yearly but we have to install it. The installation is $6000. The cost for vehicle repairs in all is about the same. We trust God to provide but encourage you to consider helping us as we help others. Your one time donation, or your monthly contribution of $10, $20, $50, $100, or any more 0's you'd like to add in there will help significantly. As for us, we will continue. But you have a great opportunity here to invest in a ministry that is making a real difference!

Lessons From the Sawmill: There are Rocks in the Garden!

I've often talked about the rocks that keep surfacing from the mountain substrate. It is quite impressive. But this month, we saw another reality. We planted four gardens this year between the leadership up here on The Hill. One was in a greenhouse, one on the farm. On was down behind my house, and the last behind the church.

The garden planted in the greenhouse was planted during the frost but protected from it. The plants were rooted in fertile soil and raised in a controlled environment. When the climate was right, the protection was removed and the garden thrived in the open air producing a great abundance.

The garden planted on the farm was well tilled and fertilized. But an unexpected frost got it even though the plants were wrapped and covered. The surviving plants fell to the weeds that were not adequately removed because of our schedule demands ... and the garden produced little.

The garden behind my house was dug into rocky soil. But I dug 2 feet deep and built rows 2 feet high from dirt that was well fertilized by our cows and collected over the winter. That garden thrived!

But the garden behind the church... It was planted in the same rocky soil, but I didn't prepare the ground as thoroughly. I planted both cucumbers and pumpkins. They sprung up well but, after the first rain, the ground resettled like concrete and choked the life out of the cucumbers. The ground was fertilized and weeded, but the rocks killed the roots of some of the plants and the water sitting scorched them. The sun literally killed the cucumber at the roots. Yet the pumpkins are flourishing! It's almost straight out of Jesus' teaching about the Parable of the Seed Sower (Luke 8:4-15)! There are four types of soil Jesus speaks of: the wayside, the rocky soil, the thorny ground, and fertile soil.

What's the point? We often like to view ourselves as one of the four, yet in reality, just like my garden, we are a mix of all four! There may be parts of us that are flourishing! Those places may even be life-giving. But does it come at the turning of a blind eye to another part of our life that needs cultivating? If so, then we are the rich man!!! We assume our ability to "earn heaven" by relying on our successes (if they are even such) yet Jesus points to the infected wound.

Those cucumbers came up fast! I had fruit quickly! I was excited for the produce .. and it all died, at a very inconvenient time too!! The rocks weren't properly removed and with water, they morphed into a wall of death. That is what happens in us when we don't allow God's cultivating work done by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We think there is adequate space between them and believe the lie that they are removable once convenient. But then comes the rain ... and ironically, it's the rain we need to give life ... and that very rain causes the rocks to be revealed for what they are ... and it's too late.

I tried to rescue that garden, but that sitting water rotted the vines, killing them, scorching the fruit, killing it, and the rocks destroyed the roots. It was a total loss. And while people point at the pumpkins, I am anguishing over the cucumbers. I was going to jar pickles this year!

That is us! Even in failure, people, not knowing what they see, applaud us for our successes while we die inside because we know our failures ... and so does God ... and so do the people that matter eventually.

So what do we do? It's really quite simple:

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time...

We can only boast on what we see as accomplished. If I feel that I am something, I set myself up for falling to pride. If my boast is Christ, then I accept my weakness and need, and am in a much better place ... at His feet. If that is my mindset, then I am constantly allowing God to cultivate me ... to transform me ... and the rocks are removed, the fruit is nourishing, and the garden is dependable.

In that we are living out Romans 12:1-3:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

That's my take anyways! Thanks for reading!!!

Discover Life: Wrapping Up August 2015: Don't Feed The Horses!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:41:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up August 2015: Don't Feed The Horses!:

Well folks, it's been a year since we left Louisiana and arrived here in upstate NY. We left on August 13th and arrived August 16th ... and it has been an adventure with twists and turns since our boots hit the ground. Allow my to provide a simple bullet - form recap.

August 2014:

We designed the discipleship ministry of Discover Life to meet specific discipleship needs without competing with ministries who are in the region already at work based on the vision of Roger and Yvonne Shafer (founders of Huntersfield Christian Training Center), Charlie Gockel (Executive Director of HCTC), and the members of the HCTC board.
We saw the need and founded both the Discover Life School of Ministry Preparation (for prospective ministers who desire to be thoroughly equipped for a life of ministry) and the Discover Life School of Discipleship (for people who desire to fully understand what it means to follow Christ and be equipped to do so.)
We began the development of curriculum, goals, and assessments as well as a detailed intake process and student handbook.
We welcomed our first students.

September - November 2014:

We saw the addition of several students and further detailed the intake process.
We introduced the students to a rigid daily schedule including physical training, proper nutrition and hygiene, a class schedule, job site instruction and applications, community involvement, service schedules, and morning and evening devotions.
We attended off-site ministry events.
We saw lives being transformed by the miraculous grace of Jesus Christ.
We began the planning of and training for a mid-week regional mountain top discipleship ministry service.
We moved the men into the Hope House.
We prepared the men, cattle, equipment, and facilities for winter.
The students of Discover Life took the opportunity to serve HCTC by helping during retreats where their service is needed and appropriate.

December 2014:

We saw our first student successfully transition forward into life.
We continued receiving more men and adjusting our ministry policies and procedures to best accommodate their discipleship needs.
We had several opportunities to minister to our community due to the freezes and the water damages that can surface during them (specifically pipes busting).
The students of Discover Life completed the last house repair from the storm (Hurricane Irene).
The students continued in serving the retreat center in both cleaning and maintenance.
The students assisted in the renovation of the Huntersfield Lodge.

January 2015:

We opened our website (www.discoverlifeministry.com) in order to provide a better service for the ministries who may need what discipleship services we can provide and for individuals who desire to be discipled in Christ.
We began the mid-week regional mountaintop discipleship ministry service.
We took the opportunity to open up our weekly classes to individuals who do not reside on the mountain but can benefit from the discipleship.
We continued receiving inductees into Discover Life.
We began the Discover Life Newsletter.
The students served the regional ministers who attended HCTC's yearly Minister's Retreat and were ministered to themselves in the process.
Were blessed to see the students continue to grow in their transformation.
We formalized our first projected budget based on the financial needs and actions from August - December 2014.

February 2015

We continued in the ministry of discipling the students and inductees of Discover Life.
We met several emergency cold weather needs.
We continued in serving the retreat center and the ministries using it.
We thrived in ministry during the extreme cold.
We maneuvered through the mechanical failure of several of our vehicles due to the extreme cold.
We began the journey of (our son) Dayson's decline in health and watched him suffering through horrible pain and the loss of his ability to walk. The Lord was very close to us during the next few months. People were very kind to help where they could. Dayson was under absolute attack and God was very close to him, us, and the team up here. (A testimony I will share in full soon).

March 2015

March was a month for strong growth in our mountaintop service. When people here of words like "recovery" and "freedom" they think of addiction. Few consider that recovery is the process of being fully healed and restored from a wound, sickness, disease, injury, etc. Many people will first respond with "I don't have an addiction" ... but all people deal with hurts, habits, and hang-ups .. and truthfully many people will testify that they hurts, habits, and hang-ups really deal with them.
We were able to begin collaborating with local ministries.
We released a needs list for people who desire to invest in God's kingdom!

April 2015

We continued receiving inductees from various locations around the US.
We continued to witness the transformation of the students who are truthfully seeking discipleship in Jesus Christ.
We continued to tighten our induction process and intake requirements.
We hosted and participated in our first combined Discover Life retreat with the Discover Life ministry of Washingtonville and Newburgh, NY.
The men were ministered to individually by Drew Crowell, a bible teacher who taught on both the Exodus and the Beatitudes in two separate back-to-back retreats.

May 2015

We welcomed the warmth of spring - meaning the weather was just warm enough for the snow to begin melting!
We finalized the development of plans for students who begin the higher approaches here at Discover Life and began implementing them.
We continued in the design of the school of ministry preparation here.
We welcomed the teaching ministry of Larry Poston, professor at Nyack College.

June 2015

We transitioned Taylor in his discipleship off The Hill during the day by having and helping him find employment. We desire for the students to leave here thoroughly equipped for every good work. There are lessons that only time and experience can teach us about others, and ourselves.
We positioned Nick to run the daily operations of the Saw Mill for the same reasons.
We baptized our first students!
We continued to witness the transformation of the students who are seeking Jesus in truth.
We began the process of renovating the Farm House in order to be able to bring in more students.
The students worked on their character issues by serving to meet the needs of the Saw Mill, cattle farm, hay, etc.

July 2015

We welcomed in a new student, Ken.
We designed a term/semester class system for students of ministry preparation.
The students continued in their efforts to prepare enough wood, hay, etc for winter.
The students worked on fence for more grazing for the cows.
The ministries of Discover Life continued to grow and the results of the growth began to show itself more clear as time as begun to offer up reliable results.
The students of Discover Life continued in their growth and determination to be self-disciplined witnessing the results of those who have fallen away from the task.

August 2015

We're here and growing! We brought in two new inductees, Miguel (3 weeks ago) and Billy (over the weekend). Please pray for them as we minister to them and disciple them in Jesus Christ. Miguel is already showing his desire for Christ. He has repented of his life of sin and has asked to be baptized! Praise God for His faithfulness! Please pray that God will continue to lead and draw Miguel and that Billy's mind would be settled to serve Jesus as His disciple fully submitting to this ministry of discipleship!
We have finally been set up for online giving for people who desire to invest into good work that is truly building the kingdom of God!
We continued in collaborating with regional ministries and ministers to make our services available to the church!
We have also begun recording our Q&A sessions (Wednesday AM) and will soon be releasing them through www.askthehaz.com

Lesson From the Saw Mill: "Don't Feed the Horses!"

We have two horses, Whiskey and Lilly, that make their residence on our farm with our cows. Whiskey is a very healthy mixed breed horse that needs no supplement in his diet. Lilly is a thoroughbred mare who is recovering from a terrible allergic reaction. We weren't sure she was going to pull through. We have here on a protein-rich feed that is a nutritional supplement to her normal diet to help her recover and build up. If Whiskey eats this, he will just get fat. So we have to feed Lilly from a bucket to keep her from letting Whiskey take it, which he will if allowed.

Recently, we had a new inductee decide to take it upon himself to feed the horses. He was asked not to but decided for himself that it was necessary. When it was brought to my attention, I questioned the inductee and his response was that the horses need to be fed, that he will soon be asked to feed them, and that it was his obligation to feed the horses implying that the people who own the horse are not able to best determine what the horses need ... that he has a superior knowledge and because of that is mandated to act on behalf of the horses against what he has agreed to do ... well then ...

I really try to shape our induction process to filter out the people who are merely trying to come here to escape their current reality and attempt some crash rehab while camping out in some imagined cowboy life where they are here to live out their camping fantasies. While that may seem extreme to some, it is very dangerous to us. Our tractors are real ... the danger is serious. Our cattle and horses are real ... and catastrophic danger is imminent. I'm not too worried about the animals attacking ... though it's a possible, but extremely unlikely scenario. It's the danger inexperienced people can be to the animals (and our facilities and equipment) that I feel is the real and immediate problem.

God has entrusted all of this to us and I take that very seriously. I also take seriously our dependence on the cattle for meat to sell and the finances that brings in to meet the extreme financial needs of ministering to the students and inductees of Discover Life. People who come up here to be their own imagined hero hiding under the guise of accepting discipleship usually last about 3 days. The saws are real. The muck is real. The splinters are real. The consequences are real. The leadership is consistent. The procedures and policies are expected to be kept without compromise or apology. The living quarters are tight. The scheduling is demanding.

All of this can lead to volatile conflict involving people who come here for the wrong reason and this ministry was not designed for that. Therefore we try to weed that out in our intake procedure and are mostly successful in that. The inductees who arrive here are thoroughly interviewed and prepared for what life will look like up here. Usually people looking for an escape don't come or don't impress me that this is where they need to be, and either withdraw their application or are denied. But even for the students who come here for the right reason, there is the opportunity for curiosity-based errors of judgment and action that ultimately result in damage, destruction, danger, disease, or possibly death. We have been very careful to make our rules, policies, and procedures simple, detailed, and clear. We have an in-depth orientation for each new inductee. Yet every student will eventually come to a place where either his curiosity gets the best of him or he feels he knows something that "forces" him to make the decision to act against or outside of what he has agreed to do.

I refer to this as choosing the "noble right and responsibility" against policy which has been understood and agreed. This "noble right and responsibility" causes them to elevate themselves above and outside of policies and rules because they have found something we were not prepared for or have flawed information about. This always ends up bad for them. Fellowship is always first destroyed because rarely is it first asked about and then usually always attaches itself with deceitful actions. That should make sense because a person has to first lie to him or herself in order to just accept the idea that "though I agreed with you to do A, I now have the noble right and responsibility to do B ... without clearing it with you because you don't understand what I know."

In every circumstance of this, it ends in failure. These failures can range from simple obvious failed assignments to damaged or destroyed equipment. Regardless of the outcome, it always involves a break and breech of fellowship.

What's the Point?? Well look at the pendulum swing Peter experiences with Jesus in Matthew 16:13-23 (yes, the same reference from last month ... bear with me).

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

So one minute, Jesus is telling Peter "well done" and the next he refers to him as Satan himself! That's got to be a "wait, what?" minute for everybody. I mean, what could Peter have done so wrong that Jesus would respond like that?

1 John talks about walking in fellowship ... the pre-requisite to that is walking in light in obedience ... in truth! Peter decided for himself to rebuke Jesus ... as His disciple. It was a "wait I know more than you on this one" moment for Peter and he did what we all do: he ascended his throne above Jesus and gave Him rebuke and instruction. Sounds very familiar to another situation in the Bible where someone Jesus allowed to be very close to Him decided he would ascend his throne (Isaiah 14:12-14 - read the whole chapter though...). Yes, that's the very thing Lucifer did and when we decide to "feed the horses" we take on that mindset.

Read Adam's defense for his actions in Genesis 3:9-12. "The woman You gave me to be with ..." He is saying "I had to do this Lord, it was the noble and responsible thing to do. After all, You gave her to me and we are supposed to be together and in unity." He also threw a very clear "this is Your fault" in there too. This is what we do! This is what we have always done! The pride of life will always lead us to validate doing what we know is wrong and justifying it with some twisted higher calling ... and God is never fooled. It will always darken our heart and lead to broken fellowship.

We will go as far as to despise the people we convince ourselves we are trying to "save" through our rebellious action(s). And God always responds the same ... "get behind me Satan." Let's look at a simple short-list of things we are given specifically instruction about:

Submit to authority (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Submit to each other (1 Peter 5:5)
Don't be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Do not fellowship with believers who are openly sinning (1 Corinthians 5:11)
Honor your parents in their older years (Matthew 15:3-9)
Flee lust (2 Timothy 2:22)
Confess our failures to each other (James 5:16)
Pray for each other (James 5:16)
Make disciples (Matthew 28:19)
Love your neighbor (Luke 10:25-37)
Meet needs (Matthew 25:31-46)
Be honest in all you do (1 Corinthians 10:31)
10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)

There, of course, is much more instruction but ... how do we measure up with the short list. How many things to we read but immediate follow it with "but ..." and then the excuse. In other words, "I know I'm not supposed to feed the horses and I agreed to do what was asked of me, but I have found a noble and responsible reason to decide I know better and more so I am now obligated to feed the horses" and we attempt to ascend our throne. Thank God for grace.

So what do we do then? Well I think the hymn "Trust and Obey" fits well. I often ask my students the question "why do we sin?" The inexperienced student (who hasn't yet heard the answer) will bring out different reasons based from their own personal lives but the answer is simple and is true for all of us: we sin because we don't trust God. That's it. We feel we have found a place where He is not prepped for and we must help Him ... or we feel there is some temptation that He in us is not sufficient in itself, so we indulge. We don't trust Him. Well, I implore you (and myself) to "get a bigger God." Realize that the image you have created of who God is and His ability to keep you ... is extremely limited and let Him explode. You want to see miracles? Trust Him! And for goodness sake, don't feed the horses!

That's my take anyways! Thanks for reading!

Trust and Obey John H. Sammis, Daniel B Towner 1887, Public Domain

Verse 1

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way; while we do His good will,

He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Verse 2

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Verse 3

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

Verse 4

But we never can prove the delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, and the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Verse 5

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do; where He sends, we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Chorus:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Discover Life: Wrapping Up June/July 2015: Plan Your Garden!

patrick@patrickhazard.com (The HAZ is Patrick Hazard) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 02:57:00 +0000

Discover Life: Wrapping Up June/July 2015: Plan Your Garden!:

Where does the time go? June felt like it was only 10 days long and it was mid July before I realized it! There is so much to do around here during the warm months to prepare for the long winters that we could easily fill every sunlit moment of every day with work and still have things left undone. Yet we press ourselves to keep the task of making sure that the people ministered through Discover Life are "thoroughly prepared for every good work." This means that we have to continually view the person as the focus of the ministry, and not as a resource for getting ministry done. These two months we saw some good transition within some of the men who have come to a place in their transformation where they need real world environments to properly apply what they've learned and what they must continue to learn in their discipleship. Transition is part of the nature of this type of discipleship, and this month we said farewell to Justin as he moves forward with his life in his walk and welcomed Ken into the ministry here. I ask that you pray for both.

We are so pleased and proud to see the men growing in the Lord and the outworkings of that maturity. Nick is serving as an usher. Taylor and John have served faithfully and dutifully in the sound booth. John has accepted the responsibility of planning and implementing the morning physical fitness sessions. Justin and Stephen are both part of the music ministry teams as well as the youth and children's ministries of the church, along with Taylor. All of the students also continuously and faithfully serve the church in supportive roles.

Stephen has successfully carried the weight of the responsibility for the spiritual well being of the men at the Hope House as well as oversight of the retreat center. It should be a natural part of the development of the disciple to recognize needs and be willing to adjust one's self to meet them. Meeting needs is part of the essence of who Christ was and who He calls us to be.

Both Nick and Taylor have begun the process of being reintroduced back into society continueing the pursuit of being "thoroughly equipped for every good work." Nick has been responsible for scheduling the daily tasks as well as ensuring jobsite success for the men of Discover Life. Taylor has begun working at a local hardware store as an integral part of the process of discipling students into thriving in their purpose. This level of exposure is necessary for successful discipleship. We can fill a mind with hypothetical situations and use paper assessments in determining if they know the right answer but it weighs little as compared to real life scenarios. Knowing the thing takes a distant second seat to doing the thing. It is "doing" that determines whether we have chosen to obey. Pray for Nick and Taylor as they continue this journey of testing and proving their self-discipline.

Our goal is not to simply impart Biblical knowledge of who Christ is and what He wants from us but to foster an environment that challenges growth in the spirit, soul, and body of every person we minister to. At some point the plant must be removed from the green house and planted in the world where it can grow. One of the characteristics of discipleship is to "bear fruit." Bearing fruit has two purposes. The first is to provide nourishment for others. We should be influencing the people around us and that influence should cause them to grow in their walks being nourished in Christ by our ministering to and among them. The second purpose is to multiply. A lonely tree growing in a field will soon be surrounded by saplings. The purpose of bearing fruit in this case is to reproduce. Our lives as disciples should be marked with multiplication, or at least the constant attempt of it.

During these two months the students had several opportunities to help serve the people of our community here. They provided help in the planning and labor involved with replacing a roof and deck for a family in need. They cut plenty of firewood and helped pen up more than a few loose cows. It may be difficult to understand how this type of working can be associated with bearing fruit but our works should be an outworking of who we are inside and what specifically Christ is doing within us. While chasing a cow may seem fun to the inexperienced, it is no joy to those responsible for the cow. The stress involved in returning it to its pen brings much to light about what is going in inside of that person ... we refer to that as bubbles rising to the top. It is reassuring to see the students respond appropriately to events and situations that are distractions to the day. If they respond well, it shows growth and maturity but if they respond poorly, it shows an area where growth is needed ... bubbles rising so to speak showing life existing where we don't want it; in either way, we win ... because that's a major part of why they are here.

In order to thoroughly provide opportunity for the students of Discover Life to establish themselves in the faith, we press those who plan to reenter society to find work once they have finished the first two approaches: the School of Discipleship. This allows them to start making money which leads us to teaching budget and financial responsibility and ultimately affords them the opportunity to begin to save money allowing them some cushion when they move forward with their lives. But more importantly, it allows them to continue in their discipleship in a real world environment bringing to the surface many issues that could easily remain dormant concerning interacting with peers, employers, customers, and society in general. This opens the door for a lot of teaching opportunities that remain hypothetical situations in books but are of an eternal value in real life and real time.

We were also able to take advantage of some community events this month including local Independence Day festivities and parades. It is important that the students of Discover Life get off of the Hill and spend time in community with their neighbors. Life in seclusion can give a false sense of reality and a poorly rooted strength. Here at Discover Life we concern ourselves with the total health of the individual, spirit, soul, and body. They are taught that a healthy and responsible social life is part of being physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. We are called to be lights to our communities and here they must work in that capacity both in and out of the church. While we take advantage of opportunities to fellowship with other churches, we also take advantage of community entertainment resources such as trips to malls, movies, and restaurants. This month we were also able to hike up the Kaaterskill Falls (see pictures HERE).

We strongly encourage the people of our church to invest time into the students and enjoy seeing the fruit that is a direct response to those relationships. A major part of the discipleship process is for the disciple to see him or herself as part of the church as a whole ... the body of believers ... able to thrive outside of the local church. Life brings movement and change. So many believers struggle with fellowshipping with a body of believers outside of a single group, which causes so much strain and competition within the church and greatly prohibits growth while encouraging conflict. The students had several opportunities to have some great times on hikes with a concerned leader in our church. They learned how to select edible mushrooms, roots, plants, etc. The mushrooms were a great addition to our Wednesday breakfasts. The students also enjoy frequent investments of time and energy from men and women of the local community.

As we prepare for fall, we look with expectation to the future of the School of Ministry up here. We are excited about our ministry preparation and credentialing process that provides real time opportunity for prospective minister candidates that desire to be discipled in ministry in an environment where classes are taught and lessons are learned in real life rather than the normal textbook hypothetical situations that do not afford immediate and assessable consequences that are vital for shaping skills. Though the textbook questions offer time for debate and argument, life rarely offers a "pause" button. It is our desire that the students here learn to make decisions in real time where the skill of weighing and considering consequences, good and bad, previous to making decisions is learned and mastered prior to entering life. This skill alone is vital for the ability to be content in life and will minimize so much pain that could be avoided through simply learning to think things through.

In conclusion, I ask that you continue to pray for the men and consider becoming one that helps us as we help others. CLICK HERE to see our updated needs list. Thank you for reading and keeping up with us here at Discover Life. Share this ministry with your friends and associates ... we exist to serve the specific needs for discipleship of people desire to be thoroughly prepared for ministry and also for people who need to be removed from their environments in order to strengthen their walk in Christ.

Lesson From The Saw Mill: "Plan Your Garden!"

You may or may not know that I have been away from NY for many years. My return to NY filled me with great anticipation for what life would be like for myself and my family as we assimilated into living up north. One of the adjustments I was concerned about was the ability of my wife and children to adjust to the winter weather ... and we had a cold one. But one of the unique differences I was not prepared for was the complete change of strategy I was going to have to experience concerning the designing and planting of a garden. I was raised in the city of Newburgh, NY but had not seen a real winter since serving in Bosnia in 1997-1998. Since then, we've spent most of our time living between Lake Charles and New Orleans, LA and working and ministering among the Gulf Coast states. Winters have been warm and short while summers and hot and long. We plant our gardens in February and they continue to bear fruit through November (even sometimes into December). Up here in the mountains, the open air gardens must wait to be planted until May! Some of the experienced gardeners even advised me that, without a greenhouse, it is advisable to wait until after Memorial Day (last Monday of May)!

I was not prepared for that. We (the Discover Life team) knew we would need a garden to supplement our food needs as well as develop a healthy and usable skill in the students, but we planted in the beginning of May and lost quite a bit of our garden to frost even though we had it covered! That's crazy! We planted good seed in good soil using responsible techniques and preventative measures. We invested intelligently cultivating the ground planting crops that have the best chance of success in our climate and condition. That should have produced a good crop but due to the risk of the timing we lost nearly everything. Was it neglectful? Was it a poor risk analysis? Not at all. In truth, it was it just an unpreventable reality that the need to harvest in increments will require the need to plant knowing that though there is a risk of losing the crops, the chance and profit of success is worth the eventually unavoidable loss of it. What they should our response to the loss be? Common sense would dictate to keep planting knowing that the results will come, just not in the time we hoped for. When it comes to any form of agricultural industry, there is a looming certainty of crop failure or loss of meat due to unpredictable weather anomalies, disease, water shortage, water over saturation, storm damage, etc. But it doesn't stop us from planting ... it can't. The reward is well worth the risk. Now when I walk to my garden, I don't leave without bringing back a bounty of veggies and joy myself in the sight of the life thriving within it.

What's the point? In ministry, often times, we quit on the garden because of crop failure as if we were ever responsible for what comes out of the ground! While it is vital that we hold ourselves to the specific task of only doing what God has called us to and true that we should consider the timing in the obedience what we feel God has called us to do, we must still acknowledge that God can lead us to plant gardens that for no reason just seem to die. There is always so much more going on that we can see or understand. It is ours only to obey and do faithfully what He has laid before us to do. He promises that His Word will produce fruit (Isaiah 55:11) whether we get to see it or not. Paul encourages us to continue doing what He has called us to remembering He will reward us for our faithfulness.

Galations 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Have you stepped out in faith obeying what you feel strongly led to do and it failed? Did you quit? I encourage you to get back to it. Are you still at it but frustrated and doubting God? I encourage you to continue and change your perspective. I ensure you that He is much more interested in what comes out of the ground [the salvation and deliverance of His creation] than we are (Jonah 4:11). Have you felt led to share the gospel and minister to your neighbors or coworkers but are not sure what exactly to do? I feel strongly led to share these two scriptures as an encouragement to you:

Proverbs 16:3-9 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. 4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. 5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. 6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. 9 A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

It has been a huge weight lifted for me to know that all God asks of me is to do the best I can do in knowing what I know of Him and making my decisions for whatever I will do in that light knowing that He will be pleased by my intention and agenda and will guide and direct me even if it is going in a way I did not plan to go because I am His and I want to do what He wants even if I can't recognize what He desires for me to do ... I will just end up doing it. That is a huge relief for me now. I am freed to decide. But the only way I can do that is if I am willing to experience crop failure in my life (sometimes repeatedly) and keep it in the perspective of all being His. In other words, I cannot have my ego invested in the successful outcome of what I put my hand to do. That is the secret for walking this life with purpose in His joy and His peace. Trust Him and remember that He is so much more invested in the salvation and deliverance of humanity than we will ever know. Plan your garden and get after it!

That's my take anyways! Thanks for reading...