Death

Death.

I never really took that much time to think about that word. When I think of death, it's not an extreme image in my mind. But as it's the end of September 11th, 2011, I decided to watch videos on YouTube. I wish I didn't.

People leaping from buildings: I wonder what they were thinking as they plummeted to their deaths.

The man on the phone: There was a man who called 911 while he was inside the building, when it was on fire. The lady who was talking with him was telling him "Everything is going to be okay" and she knew that it wasn't going to be. Later on, the man was describing what he was looking at, then you hear a boom, and a loud yell,

Then silence........

Another video that I shouldn't have clicked was this guy playing professional soccer. It was a long soccer game, and then he scored a goal. It was the only goal in that game. After he scored, he smiled, then bent over to get a breath. Then, while his back is facing the video camera, he falls backwards, and hits the ground. Dead. Just like *snap* that.

I wasn't really afraid of death until I got an understanding as to what it really looked like. I'm not afraid to die, it's how I'm going to die that scares me ha. Will it he quick? Will it be slow? Will the Lord come back, and I won't even have to worry? It's all in the Lord's will! The point I'm trying to get here is that death is something that will eventually happen to each and every one of us. When that day comes, where will I see you? Will I see that you went to hell, or will you be chilling with me and Jesus? The choice is literally and entirely up to you :)

Don't be afraid of death; let death be afraid of you. Tell death "I don't care if you take me away by a big nuclear bomb, or by a paper-cut! I'll be with my father, and I'll be the one who smiles in the end" :)

Woo!
Canaan

10 Years Later: Remembering 9/11/2001

I know that it's two days early, but I figured that I would just post this now. It's also 2:22 when I finally finish this in the morning, so remember that as well.

Wow, ten years it has been.. Time flies.. Tonight, I looked at over 200 pictures of that fateful day, and I see all the hurt that was there. All the death, pain, and sorrow that was afflicted into everyone's hearts. I remember I was 7 years old, second grade, and it was around lunch time when got the news. We were all sent home early. For me, my mom worked, so I went to my grandparent's house that doesn't live that far away from me. I was by myself in their living room, watching all of this happen. I just remember being so speechless. I have never seen anything tragic in the world before (anything I could comprehend anyway.) I feel horrible for all the people who had lost loved ones that day. The whole world had just stopped. People just in awe of what they are experiencing. I saw some photos tonight, and some people had signs like "Keep the Faith", "Hang In There", and one that really stuck out to me was "We Will Prevail" Hmm.. I'll tell you something, and hear me when I say this:

If more people in America would love more, America could do things that you couldn't even believe. 

I saw pictures of people at a college in Utah, and there were 10,000 people in one room praying for the people who were deeply effected by this catastrophic event. 10,000!! While that we being held, people were lining up outside the Red Cross, ready to donate their blood to those who were injured that day. MASS amounts of people praying, hugging, and showing compassion and love to other people. Who they didn't even know! I wish more people would have that kind of love today. I'm not saying "You guys need to love more, or else!" and I'm not being holier-than-thou. I know, sometimes even for me it's hard to show love towards people, who I don't necessarily like. I'm just saying (myself included) that we, as a church, need to reach out to those in need. Love one another, make amends with your enemies. John 15:12-14 (MSG) says this:

"This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you."

Food for thought as we near the 10th anniversary of September 11th.
Until next time,
Canaan

Woah, where has the time gone?!

Wow, wow, wow! I forgot I had this haha. So much has happened! Where to start?!  Well, I'm obviously older now. I'm 17 (soon to be 18) and God has just blessed me so much! This summer has just been amazing, especially one event. That event was NYC. NYC (not New York City ;) ) is a national youth convention where teens hang out, worship God, do projects, and listen to great speakers! It really opened my eyes, and my life has just been changed since. I feel as if God has just blessed me. I know I'm supposed to be involved in music, and also to reach out to the broken (maybe both at the same time!) And the Lord has convicted me of some things. At the last night of NYC, the leaders of our group washed our hands. This symbolized that the hands we have will be used for God, and to fulfill and further His kingdom. I still think about NYC to this day, and how I miss it. I will forever continue to think about that week.

The rest of the summer went great! I was barely home at all, which was nice :) I went to family camp, and that was awesome! After family camp, I went straight to New York for two weeks. I had an incredible time with Colleen, Bill, and (yes, even her) Amya. I played in the praise band at her church the two weekends I was there! Immediately after New York, I went to kids camp as a counselor. During kids camp, I hung out with Kayla, John, and Tucker at Eat 'n Park. It was aaaaaaaawesome! After that, I finally went home for a day, then left to hang out with Maddie Lytle for the weekend! She had her 16th birthday party, and it was INCREDIBLE! She had a tea party, and it was so rad! I have never been to a tea party before. And then on Sunday, I went to Maddie's church, and then went to a baptism at a person's house. It was so awesome to see people being baptized in a pool :) Then went mini golfing with her and her sister Julie, who is an amazing individual! She is so funny haha :D

But yeah, my summer has been great! I still have a little bit of summer left, but for the most part, it's over. I'm a senior this year! I am so excited to see what God is going to do through me this year, and for the rest of my life here on earth :)

Until next time,
Canaan

P.S. Hey Aurielle and Anjoli, text me sometime.

Do I really matter? (to some people) and some other things!

I haven't written a blog in a long time, and I have a lot to write about..

I have been thinking a lot, and I have been struggling with this thought in my head "Do I really matter to some of my friends?" I mean, it might seem a little farfeched, but it seems the older I get, the more I lose friends along the way.. I mean, some of my friends are busy, and I most definantly understand that, but sometimes, I just feel lonely. My greatest friends are either in college, or are far away (or in some cases, both!) I miss people, but do they miss me? I am not trying to make this blog a pity party for me, or anything, or trying to make people sorry for me. I just wish that I could do things so that I could see them. Things such as: Getting a job, getting a car, being able to get paid, and being able to visit the friends I always miss every day. I want to give them a hug, I want to tell them how my life is (Sometimes Facebook chat isn't the best for those kinds of conversations,) and I just want to spend time with them..

But I have noticed.. Does God ever feel the same way about me? Does he miss me, even though I am close to Him, but I, myself, am far away? I have indeed felt distant from God. I am not sure why, and it is very depressing. I'm having trouble praying and more than praying, reading the Bible. I wish I had a friend to talk to and them help me out, but to me, it feels like no one listens. That's how I feel sometimes.. Just a voice in the distance that people can hear, but they just ignore it.. Every time I update my Facebook status, it just feels like it's not that important, and very quickly, it is replaced by someone else's status, and before you know it, it is at the bottom of the page, just passed along, like another status. I want to feel closer to God. I know I love him soo much, but for some reason, Satan has been getting to me more and more. Every day I don't read the Bible, is an opportunity for Satan to get me not to read the Bible. Before you know it, bam. You haven't read the Bible for like a week, you feel distant from God, and you tell yourself that it's not a good ministry if you aren't practicing what you are professing..

I mean, there are some things that I even want to write on this blog, but I can't because I don't want people to be offended in any way (which I never mean to be!) I don't want anybody upset with me. You know what I mean? And yes, this is, yet again a long blog, which no one will probably read anyways, but it's a good way of getting my emotions out I guess.. I need help.. I need renewed. My heart, my spirit, my life.. I need someone to hold me and say "It will all be okay", but I feel like that's God's job haha

I also don't know who I am anymore. I remember last year, I was this nice guy who smiled and was crazy, but right now, I just don't feel the same. I am still nice, but I just feel like blah.. I also have been following the wrong example for a while. Ever since last year, a friend of mine has been portrayed to me as this cool cat who loved music, and he is, don't get me wrong, but I started hanging out with him, and I took after his example. That's where I messed up right there. You see, I should, and forever more will take after CHRIST'S example. When you take someone's example, who isn't Christ's, it gets tough. The reason being is because you think this friend of yours is really cool, and you believe in the same things, and it's all awesome, and then you learn something about them that you don't really understand, and you don't agree with it, you get this bitter taste in your mouth.. and then you try to get out of there, but it's too late. You crumble, and it's hard to get out of the friend's example, and start following Jesus's. Here is some advice: Follow Christ's example, He will always be there for you, and never let you down, ever!

To end this blog, I just need prayer, I need it a lot. I mean it.. If you want to talk to me, let me know.. I'll listen..

I think I should write a book with how long these blogs are,
Canaan

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)