God Knows What It's Like to be a Teenager [Paperback]

Mark Marshall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2001

God Knows uses all the psalms with their ups and downs to look at teen lide with its up and downs. This creative yet very practical book includes a foreword from Five Iron Frenzy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mark's book reflects God's heart for teenagers -- and his own heart for God and teens." -- Tommy Nelson, pastor Denton Bible Church, author The Book of Romance

"Mark's one book digs deep into the Psalms' reflections on life, especially teen life." -- Leanor "Jeff the Girl" Ortega, Five Iron Frenzy, from the Foreword

"This book is extremely cool. . . . an excellent book that's great for teenagers and youth leaders alike." -- Youthworker, September/October 2002

From the Author

God Knows began as a talk I gave to my Junior High group. I felt it was important for them to know God understood them and knew what they were going through as teens. Though I didn't know it at the time, that talk eventually became the title piece of God Knows What It's Like to be a Teenager.

As the months and years passed, my thoughts came back to how God relates to teens and to the dignity He gives them. And this book slowly came together in my mind.

It took me three years to write it, even though the first draft took less than a year. Rewriting really can be harder than writing! Plus I didn't want to rush ahead before getting input from teens.

I used Psalms because the wide range of emotions and experiences in them fit teen life well. And Psalms impacted me a lot as a teen. When I was stressed about life, I would throw myself on my bed, open my Bible to Psalms, and I would find one that related to where I was at -- every time.

God Knows is not a "happy, happy" book although it definitely has it's joyous, crazy moments, just like teenagers. But even in the dark passages there's always the light of the hope God gives -- just like in the Psalms.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: 139 Press (July 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964755254
• ISBN-13: 978-0964755253
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,969,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Knows for real!, September 17, 2001

By 

Daniel Hathaway (Denton, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God Knows What It's Like to be a Teenager (Paperback)

I bought and read this book in good faith that it would be an amazing journey into the psalms. Boy was i not dissapointed. Mark is a very talented and wise man. He touched me deeply. This book is very highly recommended by me, a 17 year old troubled teenager. Thank you mark for this amazing and well-written book. Now, time to get that novel out!!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Second greatest book ever written!, December 12, 2001

By 

Lucas (Denton, tx United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God Knows What It's Like to be a Teenager (Paperback)

In reading and looking at this book I have to say Mark Marshall has got all the qualities of a great Christian book writer! I have known Mark for a long time and he is true to his words. The book goes deep into the Psalms and from his heart. He is a firm believer in Christ the Alimighty God and has been a Christian all his life. His book writing skill are tremendous and to say this is one of those books that is hard to put down is true. I have known Mark for a very long time and if you want a book to lift you up heres the one for you!
My Name is Coolhand Luke Brady and thats my thoughts but you don't have to take my word for it!

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars More Guessing Than Research, April 26, 2002

By 

C. Erin Shatner (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God Knows What It's Like to be a Teenager (Paperback)

'Have you ever had a zit? Well, Jesus probably did, too. He knows what that's like.'

Marshall's book is extremely weak in regards to theology. The Bible does not discuss enough of Jesus' 'teen years' to fill 300 something pages of a slow witted and poorly written devotional.

The above statement is the kind of thing you will find with every page turn, speculation and lose theology.

The message is far too 'feel-good' and almost seems as more of a hiderance than help to any struggling teen.