“It’s a jungle out there. Disorder and confusion everywhere. No one seems to care.” Well, WE do! That’s why we started this column… Advice Paradise!
ADVICE:
Personalized
Answers
Regarding
All
Different
Inquiries
Simply
Explained
We’re not psychologists, counselors, therapists, or experts – we’re just fellow homeschoolers who are willing to offer a little friendly advice. Sometimes it helps to have a second opinion, and we’re here for you. The Advice Paradise team will answer questions on homeschooling, relationships, religion, and life in general. No question is too trivial. Just ask about anything you want to know! We promise to keep it simple and get straight to the point. In some cases, a bit of wit or sarcasm also does the trick.
Check out the following questions and see if any of them apply to you, or maybe you’ve been in the same situation and have some helpful advice to give someone else. Post a comment if you think you have a better answer! For this month’s column we chose some questions of a spookier nature just in time for Halloween. 🙂
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Q1. Why did Jesus always tell people to “fear not” and “do not be afraid”?
He was always saying and doing scary things. If someone was dead and decomposing, and Jesus said to the corpse “get up,” that would be scary enough. If the corpse actually did get up, that would be terrifying! Jesus had to say “don’t be scared” to the Apostles many times. It’s good to have a healthy fear of an all-powerful God. Proverbs 1:7 says ″the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.″
Q2. How can you tell when you’re in the presence of evil?
The Bible warns against getting involved in the occult and being around sinful people. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (Psalm 1:1-4). “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 21:8). Nevertheless, even if we let our conscience guide us, sometimes we may find ourselves in the presence of evil by mistake, like at a wild party or taking a wrong turn in a strange city or hanging out with a bad crowd. When you are surrounded by evil you feel a heavy, oppressive feeling. The hair on the back of your neck bristles and there is a rushing sound in your ears. At least that’s what happens to me. It’s a strong warning to pray in the name of Jesus and get out of there quick! This is why you need to keep your wits about you and be alert at all times; don’t dull your senses with drugs or drink.
Q3. What are some reasons why you think the supernatural/paranormal exists?
The supernatural is something beyond scientific understanding or above the laws of nature. The universe did not exist; then all of a sudden it did. Something was there before the universe. This something has existed forever because if at first nothing existed then nothing would continue forever. This something is not subject to entropy, i.e. the second law of thermodynamics. All things in the universe eventually wind down. This something does not wind down. God is over nature, not of it. He is supernatural. “Paranormal” is a term that is often used interchangeably with “supernatural,” referring to things that we don’t understand or that can’t be explained by current scientific methods.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Do you have a question? Send it to mail@homeschoolingteen.com and we will share it with the Advice Paradise team to be posted (anonymously, of course) in the next issue of Homeschooling Teen.
Think you have a better answer or would you like to offer some more advice? Please leave a comment below with the question number for reference. Thanks for helping!