Heart Touchers - teen100505

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{Heart4Teens.com} *The Light And Dark of the Spiritual Realm*

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The Light And Dark of the Spiritual Realm

by Mark Matlock

Spiritual = Cool Again

Over the last couple of decades, interest in the spiritual and supernatural in has been growing. For most of the twentieth century, "modern" people ignored that world. After all, everything that existed could be explained by science.

But the supernatural is back in a big way. As a society, we got frustrated with the limits of what science could tell us about life, including life after death and life's deeper meaning. Today, millions are looking for truth--and power--in the spiritual world. Books, TV shows, and movies about supernatural and spiritual things crowd the tops of the bestseller lists and box office reports.

As Christians who believe the Bible, we are convinced something specific is out there. We know that a supernatural world does exist. We believe in an invisible Creator God who raised his own son from the dead and will give us an eternal life after death through that son.

But what about all this other supernatural stuff? What about ghosts and horoscopes and angels and demons and Satan and vampires? How are Christians who take the Bible as God's Word supposed to sort all that out and decide what's true and what's just really creative imagination or--worse--really powerful deception?

Every supernatural experience or idea we come across has one of four possible explanations:

1. Spiritual activity from God. This would include events involving actual angels or godly intervention into the natural world.

2. Supernatural activity from Satan/demons. Events in this category would include actual demonic possession, demonic revelation, or other Satanic/demonic influence on the natural world.

3. Hoax. Very often, experiences that appear to be supernatural--especially those involving someone on stage or otherwise making money from such event--are just cheap illusions. As an illusionist myself, I know how easy these are to pull off in highly believable ways.

4. Unexplained natural phenomena. We may mistake a natural experience for something supernatural. For instance, a person could believe that lights in the sky are from a UFO when, in fact, they are generated by an airplane or other human-created aircraft.

It's difficult to verify for sure what happened while someone was alone. However, we don't have to settle for just wondering what's possible in the supernatural world. The Bible teaches that we can use discernment to figure out what's real and what's fake in our lives.

The dictionary defines discernment as "keen insight" or "good judgment." The Bible usually uses the word when describing the ability to tell right from wrong or truth from lies. In Deuteronomy 32:28, an entire nations is described as being "without sense" because they don't have the discernment to make good choices about right and wrong or good and evil.

People without discernment are the most likely to believe lies about the supernatural world. They're the ones who either swallow every idea and experience that comes along--or reject God because he can't be experienced with their senses. You and I need discernment to figure out the truth about supernatural things.

This week take some time to think about all the supernatural stuff you see in the world around you. Pay attention to movies, television shows, and ideas people in your life or work have about such things (Do they believe in ghosts, vampires, the ability to communicate with the dead? Ask them!). What do you think of it all? Is it from God, Satan, science, or is it even real at all?

In the weeks to come we'll explore these issues more completely.

Next week: Angels and Demons

Mark Matlock, founder of PlanetWisdom.com, is the author of Don't Buy the Lie and Living a Life That Matters. Used by permission. See Mark's books online at the YS store: http://shop2.gospelcom.net/epages/YouthSpecialties.storefront/en/searchmask?allByAuthor=Matlock

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Let's Go Surfing Dude!

~ Christian Students
Music, events, devos, games, and more.

http://www.christianstudents.com

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Thought For The Day:

"Every tomorrow has two handles. You can take hold of the handle of anxiety
or the handle of enthusiasm. Upon your choice so will be the day."

Verse for the Day:

"In morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before
you and wait in expectation." - Psalm 5:3

Teen's Thought For The Day:

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

"We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coach's Thought For The Day:

And success is peace of mind, a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that
you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming, and not
just in a physical way: 'Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness and all
these things will be yours as well." - John Wooden

Deep Thought For The Day:

Two vultures board an airplane, each carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess
looks at them and says "I'm sorry, gentlemen, only one carrion allowed per passenger".

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IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT?
What gives life meaning? Is it money, sex, power, knowledge, love? Ecclesiastes is about a king who tried all of the above and came to a radical conclusion about how life should be lived. "Living a Life That Matters" helps you make sense of Solomon's experiences, leads you to meaning in your own life, and gives you the tools to help your friends do the same. http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/258162

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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 24 other inspirational books.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

All-Stars: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights! Open to all youth grades 9-12.

The Outlet: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights in the Multi-Purpose Room! Open to all youth grades 6-8.

Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.

Join us these next six weeks as we start the 40 Days of Purpose!

October 9 -- You Were Shaped For Serving God

October 16 -- You Were Made For a Mission

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Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (September though May)

These groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Xtreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Jr. High age meets at Kent and Rachel Martin's house: 1324 E. Racine St. (Call 373-0886 if you have any questions!)

High School age meets at Matt and Kristi Kauffman's house: 4339 Fox Hills (Call 758-1243 if you have any questions!)

Xtreme Teens

Xtreme Teens meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM all year round at the Powers' house. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. Admission into Xtreme Teens is on a case by case basis. Contact Pastor Michael for more details!