Where are you, Christmas?

WHERE IS THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?! Like no joke, today I was listening to Air1, and NO Christmas music! I literally could play 5 days worth of Christian Christmas music on my ipod, but nope, nothing!! There also isn't a lot of Christmas movies either :/ I mean, right now on abcfamily, they are playing Toy Story. Toy Story?? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love Toy Story, but I could watch that any time during the year. They have been playing Christmas movies since wednesday!!

Where has Christmas gone? Do people just think of it as a day of gifts? I mean, is Christmas coming so fast, that people are so slow, that they can't catch up? It feels like people are now like the Who's of Christmas, being blinded for what is right in front of them (speaking of the Grinch, that is pretty much the only movie they play over and over again on abcfamily.) I remember last year it being MUCH better than this.. :/

I mean, I haven't even seen advertisements for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. That's one of my favorites (on tv, without the language) and nothing! Hey, lets watch Santa buddies instead where dogs can talk AND fly! Oh wow! abcfamily really needs to change their choice of Christmas movies this year..

If things are worse than that, I feel like Charlie Brown because I'm just depressed and I don't know why. People have Christmas all wrong.. I'm sorry that this is going from one subject to another, but I have two things on my mind. What is wrong with Christmas this year, and what is wrong with the spirit of Christmas this year..

What's wrong with Christmas this year is that it is just coming so fast, and it just seems like people are just making it another holiday to get through. They have it all wrong.. In December, I think it's literally impossible for someone to go and not spend 100 dollars at Wal-mart. It's depressing! Sure gifts are great and all, to see people's faces when them get them, but it just seems like that's what it's always about nowadays.. :(

What to do? I have no clue! I'm writing a song right now, here are the words so far:

"What's wrong with Christmas?
It's finally here, at last
It gets worse every year
It feels like Christmas, yet again, has passed"

Time is of the essence?

Time. That's what a day consists of! 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds, whatever you prefer. How do you spend this so called "time" in your day? Facebooking until there is no tomorrow? Texting or talking on the phone (or both at the same time!)? It seems like the more things come out in today's world, and what the world has to offer, the less time people have for God every day of their lives. I find it very hard to read the Word lately, and to pray. I dislike saying it, I really really do, but for some reason, even if I have absolutely nothing to do on this earth, I still try to find something to do, when I could be reading God's word! I think a main reason why a lot of people would have trouble, is because of God's voice and presence in his or her life. I mean, on Facebook, you can pretty much talk to hundreds and hundreds of friends, just by clicking one single button. It is all fast and quick, and people just live on their days without even spending five minutes alone with God.

People may wonder "What does God's voice sound like" or "How can I know that He is actually there?" Well, I know it can be tough talking to God, especially if you don't get an answer. You wait and wait, and nothing at all! You might just want to give up, but let me tell you, NEVER give up hope. God's voice is very troubling, because you don't know if it is your own voice telling you, or what? Well, let me tell you that God's voice is kind of like your own voice, or a best friend's voice. It's right there, and always will be! God wants to hear from you, all the time! Even though He knows what you're going to say, He is always waiting. He definantly wins the "Bestest Friend in the Whole Galaxy" award. Now, another way to hear His voice, is by, funny enough, listening! It might sound dumb, but with technology and everything nowadays, it's always "Now! *poof!* now! *poof*" and people get things like *snap* <-- that! People are quickly losing their patience. Maybe try this one day: Go in your room one day.. turn off your phone.. close the laptop.. read His Word.. and just listen.. Listen to what He has to say, and apply it to your every day life. Then, God's voice seems to be easier to hear! Am I right?

Now, knowing that God is actually there, is like pretty much what frogs do every day (except for the handicapped, paralyzed, or disected ones) taking a leap! Except for this step, any person (or frog) can do: A leap of faith! You have got to believe that God's word is true, and that He created the earth, He sent His son to die on our ugly, broken, shattered world, and save our sins. People nowadays don't care! This world is full of sin, like in Noah's time, where people don't care about God, it's me, me, me! Well, I guess when they get to heaven, they will be judged for what they have (and have not) done.

So what is time? Something that we should thank the Lord for. He has given us time to live, time to reach out to others, and time to fellowship with other believers, but God did not give us time, to waste! Time is of the essence! :D

Sincerely,
Canaan

Temptations and Addictions.. Enough said!

So as it is 1:31 in the morning, I am trying to go to bed. Ahh yes, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my cousin's and might I say, it was a fun time!

Now that we got out of the way, I need to talk about some things that not a lot of people like to talk about, because they might feel uncomfortable in these situations: Temptations and addictions. Lots of questions like: "How can I get away from temptation?", "I need help with this addiction, what do I do?" or even "Is temptation something that can lead to an addiction?" Well first, let's cover on temptation. Even since the beginning of creation, man (and woman) has been tempted by the one and only Satan.

“For God knows that when you eat from it (the fruit) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." - Genesis 3:5-6

Even Jesus was tempted!
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." - Matthew 4:1

Temptations come from Satan, and the only way Satan can bring temptations in by:

• A. Knowing where your weak points are (Mentally and even physically!)
• B. Knowing that every human has a sinful nature.

      and last, but not least

• C. You letting Satan get a foothold.

It is very hard, even nowadays with how the world is, to give in to temptation. Playboy magazines are in pretty much all the gas stations, including Sheetz! (I love Sheetz a lot for their food, and their coffee, yumm)

It is very difficult for your eyes to not look at it, they might as well have a big bright arrow that points to that section and say "Stuff that is going to ruin your life, your walk with God, and your relationships is right here!"

I know it sounds corny, but it's kind of true! I mean, the devil will use anything that you know that is wrong, and get to you. It is your choice to listen to him or not, that's what it all comes down to! If you continue to let Satan have control in your life, and you can't stop this sin, then it becomes (wait for it!...) an addiction!

Addictions come in different varieties (more than even Heinz's 57 varieties!), whether it be from drugs, pornography, alcohol, or even video games, when it's stuck, it's stuck! Whenever you have these addictions (not saying all, but if you even have one), it's hard to get out of it. When you have an addiction, you might feel as if you are letting God down, and you feel convicted. Well that is good! (not the addiction or letting God down, the conviction part haha) If you are addicted to drugs, or even smoking (which I have never done, for the record!) you might say to yourself, and to God "I'm going to quit right now, I'm going to quit right now" and then the next minute, hour, or day, you find yourself doing it again, and you feel like crap! (literally too!)

When you have addictions too, you might be afraid to admit it or tell your friends, because they might think about it and be different around you. Well if they are your true, real friends, I'm sure they would understand, and they would help you out any way possible and still love you, and adore you for who you are!

It's also depressing when you are addicted, because you might feel as if you can never get out, well let me tell you something: With God, ALL things are possible. Pray for God to guide you out of that addiction, and it might not take a day and then it stops (I'm not saying that it can't happen, it totally could!), but God can help you through every step of the way. 

So, as I conclude, I want you to know that no matter if you are tempted or have an addiction, God loves you, and still cares for you, as do I, and if you ever need to talk about anything (doesn't have to be temptations or addictions, even just to talk!), let me know! I would be glad to talk with you :)

Until next time,

Canaan 

P.S. (I noticed that I used a lot of parenthesis in this blog post, what's with that?! haha)

Secular Music (duh duh... DUH!!!!!!)

Okay, so I have been asking around a lot about this one subject in particular, and I have gotten many different answers. I have been agreeing with people because they are right. This subject? You guessed it: Secular music. What's wrong with it? What's right with it? Should Christians listen to secular music? Lots of people have given their opinions, and from what I have gathered. I have come to this conclusion: If it has meaningful lyrics, and it is uplifting, and it doesn't use profane words, then it is okay. There is a "line" that needs to be drawn between good secular music and bad secular music. Where is this "line" stop though? I agree with that facct, but you see, I have a dilemma. I used to listen to secular music all the time (good and bad) for the longest time about two years ago. Well two years ago, I committed my life to Christ. Ever since that day, I have avoided the whole secular music industry.

Well then about a month ago, my one sister Harmony let me listen to this song called "The Criminal" by the After Midnight Project. Now I usually don't listen to any of my sister's music, because I know what they listen to, and it's not good. Harmony listens to a lot of screamo music (I can handle some screamo, but not the kind that has pigs being embarrassed because they can't squeal as good.) and Karamie listens to pop, and rap, and whatever genre out there. Nonetheless, I heard this song, and it was really interesting, I liked the music, but not the lyrics, but I still felt weird listening to it. I liked it, but I didn't want my sister to know, because then she would convict me because I'm a Christian and I am listening to her kind of music.

The thing is, I want to be a leader to people. I want people to look up to me, and the ones who know that I'm a Christian, who live by the world, watch my every move. If I am listening to that kind of music, I know that they will convict me for it. For example, there is this song I heard called "Bowlin'" and Chris Tomlin is featured in it and it is hilarious! It is about these guys who get picked on all the time and they get pranked and then they get a bowl cut, and then they become popular, and then Chris Tomlin sings the chorus's and it is so funny. Then today Karamie came home and then I played that song for mom, and she laughed. Karamie listened from her room, and it was quiet. Well later on, Karamie wanted me to listen to this Kesha song (sp?) and it was called "My First Kiss"" I didn't even want to bother to listen to it, because I don't listen to that kind of music. Well I told Karamie that I didn't want to. She questioned me about why, and I answered "Well I just don't want to listen to it, because it really isn't what I listen to" She then told me that "Well, I listen to your music all of the time, and I have to put up with it" I told her that my music was good though, and it has meaningful lyrics, and it glorifies God. She then said something that hurt inside. She said "So that song you played earlier about the bowl cuts, was that meaningful? Does that have a glorifying message?" and I was just appauled. I didn't know what to say..

I mean, I want to be a good leader for my family, but secular music, or things of the world, I can't even parttake in, because I will be convicted and they will say that I'm not really a Christian. I think that secular music is okay, I mean with meaningful lyrics, but I don't want it to draw me away from Christ. I think it is different in people's lives, because they live in different environments, different families (who probably were raised Christians) I am glad for the people who were raised in a Christian home. I wish that I had that growing up. My sisters live way differently than me, and I think that I need to be a Godly influence to them, and I just think that secular music doesn't help me at all.
So in conclusion:
Secular music is okay, if it is uplifting. Bad secular is not okay, because it doesn't glorify God. 
I'll listen to some, but not a lot, because of conviction, and I would just feel weird listening to a lot of it.

An early gift

I woke up this morning doing my usual routine of waking up and taking a shower, and today I was getting ready for church. After finishing my shower, I got dressed, and then as I was about to put my socks on, my mom randomly walks downstairs and says "Canaan, would you like to open one of your birthday gifts early?" and being weirded out by the question, even though I didn't mind it at all, I said "Sure!" So my mom went upstairs to her room to get the gift, and at the time I was tying my converses thinking "I wonder why she asked me that randomly.. oh well!" I tied my shoes, and I looked up and she had a bag. inside this bag was something soo significant to me: a Bible. I was in awe and in shock, because I had never been given a gift like this for my birthday before. I opened the cool plaid case that she got for it too, and there was a box of the Bible inside. I opened the box, and there behold, lay a black leather Bible. I was so excited! Then, I turn the back of the Bible to the front, and at the bottom right corner, there it was, written in silver "Canaan." 

Tears started to fill up inside me, and the reason why is because ever since I was younger, I always wanted a Bible with my name on it, something significant, like it belonged to me, and was for me.. I didn't show any tears on the outside because I didn't want my mom to see me emotional, because she would cry too (which she ended up doing anyway haha.) I loved this gift so much, I mean, I felt as if this was a bigger step for me. Like a child maturing into an adult and getting more privileges, I felt like I have matured in Christ, and have gotten this privilege of getting a Bible for me. 

So I opened the Bible, and on the inside, it had some words from my mom, and a Bible verse from Ephesians 3:14-15, and my mom read it to me, and you could hear her crying voice start to come in, and I felt overwhelmed!  I just want to say thank you mom for giving me this awesome gift, and I will use it forever more!

Love to not love?

"They do not love that do not show their love." - William Shakespeare 


I read this quote, and I thought to myself, this is kind of true! I mean, if I don't show God's love towards others, then do I really love at all? I was given a devotional at teen camp and a couple days ago, and one thing stuck out to me. The passage was from Matthew 25: 35-45. The passage talked about the disciples talking with Jesus, and He said to the disciples in verse 40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." That really got out to me because I never thought of it that way ever! Whatever things I have done to people, it is like doing it to Jesus! So of course if you don't show people love, then you can't really show Jesus love either. I always love helping people out if they have any problems, but now I will be even more excited to help out because it's like I'm helping Jesus! :D

Love?

 I think that love is such a non-word nowadays. I hear people say "I love you" and also an "I love you too." I think that first of all, there are different kinds of love. First, a friend kind of love. When I hear a friend say "I love you" to me, it makes my day soo much better. The reason why is because I feel that they care for me, and they appreciate me. It also makes you feel so much better! Now, when you yourself hear those words, do you feel the same way? 


Now, for the second type of love. When a person who is in a relationship with the other, they really shouldn't be saying the "L" word until they truly know that they are truly in love. How do you know if you are truly in love, you might ask? You might need to look for the definition first. This kind of love I am talking about is a more passionate feel than what friends would have. A love that makes you feel even greater than when a friend would say it to you! You would also know if it was true love, not just a feeling inside. The only way that I have ever felt that way though, is with Jesus Christ. I know that His love for me is not changing, and He will always be with me when the going gets tough. Sure, I might have some friends that might be there for me. They will sacrifice everything, but I think that Jesus has got them beat by a long run. Jesus loved me so much that He gave His life, His flesh and blood, so that I will be a living testimony of His love, and share it throughout the world, and further His kingdom. Now doesn't that seem like a love that is meaningful and true? I think so! 

*Last day of summer 2010*

              As this summer reaches its' end, I just want to think about how well my summer has been. This summer, I think, has been the best summer of my life so far! I have met new people, worked, and did lots of other things along the way! I enjoyed every bit of it! I loved teen camp, family camp, and even kidz camp! It was such a blast hanging out with other believers and just worshiping the Lord. I also loved my vacation to Ocean City, and seeing Aurielle and Anjoli at Sheetz on the way there! Oh boy I hope I can see them again soon! Really soon! I miss them bunches! Also, I hung out with the Moore's a bunch, and had a blast every minute!

              Now, I want to tell you of a person named Kristin Diegan. She is a really amazing person who loves the Lord, and she is fun to be around. I met her at teen camp this year because she was on my team (go team Swines! :D,) and I just felt something, I don't know what, but something... But nonetheless I really got to know her more after that and I enjoy every minute when I am with her. I hope that all the struggles she has right now will go away soon. After Kidz Camp, I got to hang out with Kristin and her family for about 4 days, and I got to know them better too! Sherri (Kristin's mom), Brian (Kristin's dad), John (Kristin's brother) Nikki (Nicole, Kristin's sister) Shelly (Michelle, Kristin's sister who I am going to write about now), Shelly was reeeeeally fun! Kristin tells her everything, so she was excited to see me. We got to have one-on-one conversations like everyday and we went to Starbucks, and did lots of stuff! Haha but anyways, (Changing the subject) at the end of family camp, Kristin and I decided that we should just be friends, which I'm okay with! I hope that nothing changes though (even though some has since school started for her :/ ) and I can't wait to see what God does in my life!

             So as this post is almost over, I want to thank the Moore's, John, the Diegan's, my family, teen camp teens, family camp families, kidz camp kids, *Aurielle and Anjoli* :), and most importantly God for letting me have an awesome summer! So again, thank you!!

                                                                                                               Canaan :)
                          
* = Awesome people

Hello!

Hey my name is Canaan, I'm 16, I love the Lord, and I'm pretty much insane haha :) Here is where I will put my ideas and such