Interest in the paranormal—that which is beyond the normal human realm—has exploded in recent years. These days our culture is filled with references to supernatural beings and supernormal powers. From horror movies dealing with exorcisms (casting evil spirits out of people), demonic possession (where evil spirits control people) or eerie mass murderers, to television programs about both good and bad spirits, to books and movies such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series that glorify certain aspects of the occult, to Gothic influences in music and dress—our culture is saturated with references to the spirit world.

What many don't realize is that the spirit world has been around for a long time. Our ancestors first encountered the paranormal approximately 6,000 years ago in the Garden of Eden when the chief of evil spirits, Satan the devil, appeared as a serpent to deceive Eve (Genesis 3). Sadly, after doing his evil deed, the serpent didn't crawl off in the grass and hibernate. Nor did Adam hunt him down and kill him. Satan is still alive today doing what he does best—deceiving "the whole world" (Revelation 12:9).

As you will see in this issue of Vertical Thought, the evil spirit world is out to destroy us! But we don't have to be afraid because we can have help from our loving Creator who is far more powerful than all the evil spirits combined. Knowledge is power. And that's what this issue is all about—giving you knowledge to understand what is going on in the spirit world undetected by human senses. Armed with this knowledge, it is our hope that you will make choices that will protect you and allow you to live a better life.

Our lead article for this issue, "Is the Spirit World Real?," explains the basics that we all need to understand. Next comes "Who's Getting Tricked by Halloween?" which gives the background to one of Satan's favorite holidays. This is followed by "To See or Not to See: That New Horror Film"—a personal account by a young person who has faced peer pressure over this decision. To round out this issue's main theme of the spirit world, "The Battle for Your Mind" explores five fronts on which young people are involved in mental warfare.

Knowing that it is challenging to explain our beliefs to others who don't share our perspective, we next offer "How to Explain Your Beliefs Without Losing Friends." Since so many of us move each year, some of you may be attending new schools and need to find new friends. "Without Friends" gives some practical advice about making new ones.

This is followed by "'You Don't Keep Christmas?' Experiences"—personal stories of young people in the United Church of God explaining their convictions to classmates and friends. Of course you'll find questions and answers throughout the issue as well as a health tip and our regular feature, "In the News," which focuses on items of special interest to young people.

The Bible records a time when the king of Syria surrounded the prophet Elisha and his servant in the city of Dothan. The king was frustrated with Elisha because he, with God's help, had been successfully advising the king of Israel on how to avoid capture by the king of Syria. Elisha's servant awoke one morning, surprised and probably quite afraid when he saw Syrian troops surrounding the city.

In prayer, Elisha asked God to open his servant's eyes "'that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17). Elisha's servant miraculously saw the spirit world that was there to deliver them. We hope this issue of Vertical Thought will likewise open your eyes to the reality of the spirit world. VT