Living Hazzardously

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its a dogs life

July 13, 2025 by Charlie

As I open the door, I am met with the overwhelming scent of a fire. Again today, we have Canadian fires destroying our comfort and my ability to breathe. The dogs bound out the newly opened door and tear across the grass. I watch the dew drops disintegrating one by one from the fierce contact of Groots’ legs… Just minutes ago, he and the other two (Maggie and Drax), would be seen devouring the breakfast like they are eating for the first time in months. Maggie slips out after Groot and is on his heels until she decides to turn sharp to the right to do her “lady business”. Drax slowly moves towards the open door, cautiously looking out the door, pausing, continuing at his slow methodical pace, he steps out the door as if we are watching a rock and roll legend emerge onto the stage for his final performance in his life. “BARK’ the silence was broken by the majestic, deep and commanding sound… “BARK” again, as if to say “OK,  YOU DOGS, THE KING IS HERE, ALL BOW!!!!!!”

Life is always exciting here in the north woods, that smell like of fire but nothing here is burning. Yesterday my throat was burning, eyes watering and boogers accumulated from the soot induced snot I was breathing. Today is starting the same way.

I was looking into this “smoke thing” and some say it’s natural, Others say it’s because Canada has mismanaged the forests, some say “it’s global warming” but most just go to work and tolerate the situation… Whatever the cause, I want to file a class action against Canada for not managing the situation better… who is with me? Am I out of line?

It stops and makes me think, each of us at some point disturbs our neighbors, I just happened to have very few and not very close either, but I am sure there is somebody that drives by and has something to say about how I don’t manage the hay fields right or the rocks from my driveway are not perfectly contained… it’s easy to find fault in others, it’s hard to find fault in self, why? I guess it’s because we always see ourselves as being in the right… the thief can say “I shouldn’t have to pay my rent because I won’t have enough for what I want to do!” The speeder may say “I shouldn’t have to drive that slow because it’s a stupid speed limit” or the hunter may say ”it’s only one deer, and I didn’t bag one last year so this makes up for it!” we can all “JUSTIFY” ourselves…

I like dogs, they always think the best of me, they never question my intentions or assume the worst of me… This reminds me of a joke I heard once (it’s not funny but it is a good display of this point) here we go… “If you ever want to know if your wife or your dog loves you more, lock them both in the trunk of your car for 15 minutes and when you let them out, see which one is glad to see you!” see, that’s not funny at all!!!! 

Lets be like Dogs today, just be happy whenever we get to see “OUR PERSON” be excited to see them, let them know how much we love them, but maybe not roll onto our backs and lose control of our bladders, ya, lets not go that far.

Anyway, see you in court for our class action lawsuit against Canada for making our lives miserable. Stay inside, relax a bit and remember, the only one that loves you more than your dog, is “doG” spelled backwards.

C

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Filed Under: Faith, hope Tagged With: Christian Living, faith, God, God is good, Jesus, trust god

The despair that comes from strength.

June 1, 2025 by Charlie

When I am strong, I fail, when I am weak, I am strong!

God gave me a strong body, that body is definitely breaking down and starting to fail… The morning pains associated with waking up. The knee that needs injections. The hands that once turned oil filters. The shoulders that pop and crackle. The eyes that once saw clearly. It’s no lie that youth is wasted on the young.

 If I knew then, what I know now, I would not be the man I am. Instead, I would be a different man that does not know what I know now.

One life lesson I am still learning is trusting God to always do what is good and right! 

About two weeks ago Jess and I hit a bump in the road with a situation at Sam’s Place. I wont get into the details, but it discouraged us greatly… We started to question the WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and HOW… Looking into all our alternatives, questioning God himself, asking God… are we hearing your voice? Is this still what you are asking of us? And then, three days ago… I sent Jess this text:

 “Do you think our discouragement about Sam’s Place is because it’s a satanic attack?”

Low and behold, My asking that question has changed our hearts almost overnight. The situation changed dramatically, we got some news that helped us to realize God is still bigger than our issues… God let us know we had been operating in our own strength and we needed to pray more and lean on him more, and so… reclining back, into his arms, we now step forward with his strength.

I am indestructible, unstoppable and in control! Until God destroys my plans, stops me in my tracks and removes me from the operators panel of my life… Jesus regains the lead and I once again, I get out of the driver’s seat, taking my proper place as the tour guide, on the bus that Jesus is driving.  Jesus determines why, where, when and how that bus is operated and I simply tell others about what is outside the  windows of that wonderful tour bus. 

Its difficult to be given the role of “leader” in the Hazzard family tree… Hazzard men are strong, fearless, determined and focused, that leads to being the most important person on the planet! Imagine being so strong that you become blind to restraint! I was once told… “Manly strength is the power to do so much, yet restraining that power for the good of everyone but yourself”… self sacrifice for the good of others? BUT I LIKE TO TAKE CARE OF ME! Like the great words of agent Smith…

ME, ME, and also ME!

How easily I can turn from God and lean on my own understanding, forsaking the words of Jesus “I will never leave you or forsake you” 

How quickly I forget that Jesus has mended my broken heart, held tight the ropes of unbelief, lifted me out of the sewage in my very own Kidron Valley. 

Jess and I are on track again, the unstoppable team with the unstoppable dream. Now, I start playing in a new arena… FUNDRAISING. I know, this is the part that makes you want to avoid me. Do you remember playing “hide and seek”? I was excellent at finding others, not so good at hiding, so, with no further ado… “ready or not, here I come” I am coming in strong. Like it or not, I’m comin in hot. I am asking for donations, and I have God on my side! Or should I say, I am on GOD’S side? 

Today I officially started the unofficial fundraising at Sam’s Place! What are the goals we have to achieve:

Adding Air conditioning for our residents’ comfort during the hot times of the year.

Adding an elevator

Replacing the ramp that meets ADA for our residents safety. 

Updating the kitchen.

Exterior upgrades like paint & awnings.

A van to help residents get to appointments. 

Pavilion for smoking. Away from the building. 

Operational costs of programs that integrate community involvement.

Upgrade our security system.

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Visit us today on the web and contact us. Help us make a home for someone in need.

Welcome to the Sam’s Place family located in the great north woods of Minnesota:

Sam’s Place

200 Huskie Blvd

c/o PO Box 313

Bigfork, MN 56628

218-256-9154

samsplacebf@gmail.com

https://www.samsplacenorth.com

https://www.facebook.com/p/Sams-Place-61559249289857

Thank you, Charlie.

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Filed Under: Christian Living, Faith, hope, Sam's Place, Truth Tagged With: anxiety, Christian Living, faith, God, God is good, Jesus, trust god

The painful start.

May 11, 2025 by Charlie

Many years ago a man and wife along with two daughters showed me care, or maybe I should just call it what it is… they loved me… but why? I was a problem child! Drugs, drinking  and all that comes with being a troubled abused child. The love they showed never left my side and in fact, The love they showed has influenced my every decision, never knowing when they would reappear from my memories and reminding me I am worth loving. 

Today I remember the day I went to visit them in the great north woods at the vacation spot, years away and never talking but I never forgot. The day I stopped was the day I picked up a new puppy in Bemidji, me, my boys and a  new puppy… but no wife, I had entered into a chapter of pain. I remember sitting, and crying as my boys were distracted outside by the same girls from my adolescent neighborhood… it was my first weekend of a new glorious life. Eventually my life would be blessed by my dream girl, Jess. They breathed hope and love back into a lifeless corpse of a man, again, taking from the pot of love that overflowed and dipping a portion of hope from the lifelong experiences of walking in God’s guidance. 

That night… one broken man, three young boys, a guitar and a small white German Shepherd pup quietly wept in a tent. Camping was always our go to for fun, and the small state park south of Deer River now holds a private place in my heart as the beginning of my new life. Ironically, this is near the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi river, two separate journeys, one to the golf of America and the other? well its only a few miles from that vacation spot where I found hope in life, from a couple, a second time. 

Today I remember Dan, as he went to be with the Lord yesterday. I recognize his time, compassion and his quiet hope… his love for his girls and the wife he adored. One hand on the shifter of his van, one hand held a newspaper and a heart that was held by Jesus.

Today your fight is over and you get to meet our creator face to face, your legacy lives on in my life as I give back that which was given to me. Your love and concern for a dirtbag, drunk, pill popping, loser of a boy. Your belief in me has always been a light in my dark hard heart, a light that I can not contain, a light so bright that I need to give it to those who can not appreciate what you did, what God did in your life and what you gave to me. If I had one wish in my short life, it would be to change one boy like me. To help change one life, to help another love God and serve others. 

Rest in peace my mentor and friend. See you soon! Say hi to my sister, mother and all those that are waiting for us to come home.

C.

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Filed Under: Christian Living, Faith, hope Tagged With: Christian Living, faith, God, God is good, Jesus, trust god

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