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This book helps teenagers understand how to think clearly and biblically about supernatural events. Every day we hear of supernatural phenomenon---from Ouija boards to crop circles to psychics on TV---and it's difficult for teens to know how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit occurrences. Author Mark Matlock, who has conducted a research project with Barna Research on Teens and the Supernatural and is a member of the international community of illusionists, presents clear principles and intriguing examples that teach teens how to respond to the supernatural with wisdom, discernment, and without being duped. Using the Acts community at Berea as a model, Matlock identifies 'thinking traps' that lead to deception, such as not balancing the mind and emotions, mixing truth with lies, and making false association. With clarity, he shows readers how to find Christ, and provides biblical answers to frequently asked questions about such things as Ouija boards, psychics, angels, and demons. Upside-down. Turned around. Sound like a typical day for you? invert books meet you where you are---in the twisted, flipped around places in your life. You've got so many relationships to focus on---God, others, and even yourself---invert books will help you figure out how to give yourself fully to all of them. invert tackles the difficult topics that are important to you---and will help you turn to focus on God more clearly.
List of contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: In the Dark 11
Chapter 2: The Berean Principle 21
Chapter 3: The Ultimate Supernatural Being 30
Chapter 4: The Truth about Angels 41
Chapter 5: Lies from the Darkness 56
Chapter 6: Standing Against the Darkness 66
Chapter 7: Emotions, Psychics, and Ghosts 80
Chapter 8: Fears, Half-Truths, and Partial Perspectives 90
Chapter 9: Wishes, Facts, and False Associations 101
Chapter 10: The Most Common Supernatural Being 110
Chapter 11: Hell Is...Hell 120
Chapter 12: Home 130
Afterword: Living Supernaturally 141
Questions and Answers 148
About the author
Mark Matlock has been working with youth pastors, students, and parents for more than two decades. He’s the Executive director of Youth Specialties and founder of WisdomWorks Ministries and PlanetWisdom. He’s the author of several books including The Wisdom On series, Living a Life That Matters, Don’t Buy the Lie, and Raising Wise Children. Mark lives in Texas with his wife, Jade, and their two teenage children.
Summary
Can psychics really see our futures? Do angels really float among us on earth? What about demons? And could the supernatural things that happen on TV and in the movies really occur? Using Barna research and biblical truths, Mark Matlock separates the truths from the lies we are told and helps teens like you avoid the traps that can lead to deception.
We all know demogorgons aren’t real, and that evil dolls can’t come to life … but are there elements of the paranormal that are really around us on earth? And if so, what does that mean? In Don’t Buy the Lie, Mark Matlock uses the knowledge he’s gained in his role as a special project analyst and presenter for the Barna Group to present clear principles and intriguing examples that show you how to respond to the supernatural with wisdom, and without being duped. He identifies “thinking traps” that lead to deception, such as letting your emotions take over and convincing yourself something could be real until it seemingly is. And with clarity, he provides biblical answers to frequently asked questions about such things as miracles, angels, demons, and psychic abilities.
Don’t Buy the Lie:
- looks at both the spiritual and “secular” sides of the supernatural to show what is real and what is false
- helps develop discernment when it comes to things you might encounter
- compares the supernatural claims in our world today with what was happening in the early church to present a biblical perspective
- contains real research and feedback from teens on each topic
