Author Archives: Christina Mead

LifeTeen.com Blog

Catholic Advice for Every Girl

By | February 28, 2012

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It’s such an honor to be able to write just for you girls this time. I love being able to share with you some of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the past couple years about being a woman and being a Catholic. It took me a long time to learn these things! I hope you can put this advice to good use in your own life.

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10 Ways to Get the Right Guy to Like You [Video]

By | February 27, 2012

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Hey girls, have you ever wondered if there’s a secret to getting a guy to like you? Well . . . there’s not just one, there’s 10!

They’re an easy 10, but there is a catch. This list isn’t just to get any guy to like you; it’s a list to get the right guy to like you. Why? Because you are awesome and beautiful and that’s what you deserve. You don’t deserve just anyone who’s going to take you for granted and mistreat you. You deserve the best.

I hope and pray you believe that too.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Don’t Sit So Close to Me

By | February 7, 2012

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One of the things I hate about flying is the discomfort and awkwardness of sitting very close to a stranger for 4 or more hours (the typical length of one of my flights).

I’m an introvert, but I’m not anti-social. I like talking, but I hate small talk – which is what plane conversations often are. (For me, at least)

It’s my luck to always get stuck next to: the creepy, flirty man, the smoker or perfume over-doser who gives me a headache, chatty Cathy who ignores the book in my lap, and many others who have left me with the opinion that I’d rather sit alone.

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It Still Hurts

By | February 1, 2012

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I want to share a video that has an powerful message of hope for those who’ve suffered through an abortion.

This is a video of a woman named Lisa who dealt with abuse, divorce, and had three abortions. She has an incredible witness about the healing she received. The beauty of being Catholic is that besides counseling, we have the Sacrament of Confession where Christ Himself forgives us. Lisa experiences peace when she stopped hiding her abortions in the dark. Her shame was wiped away.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Men and Abortion

By | January 30, 2012

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I asked a handful of men some questions about abortion and I was deeply moved by their answers. It convinced me that it’s not just women who are hurt by abortion. Men have strong feelings about it and want to stand up for life. They are affected too.

Read for yourself.

“11 years ago my girlfriend at the time told me she was pregnant, but because she already had one fatherless child and I was a drunk and an addict she told me she was going to abort the baby. I was not practicing my faith back then but I knew it was wrong. I fought for her to keep the baby but in the end I gave up . . . “

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Why Am I Alive?: And Other Thoughts on My Birthday

By | January 24, 2012

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I’ve been thinking about life a lot lately. Mostly my own, really. This past weekend I celebrated my birthday.

It was an awesome day. How could it not be great? There was a Boston Cream Pie cake, calls from all my favorite people, and Facebook notifications endlessly popping up on my phone from wall posts.

I can’t help but thank God over and over again for the gift of my life, especially at this time of year with so much talk about abortion. A lot of our generation never made it out of the womb, let alone into their 20’s. Why me?

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Torn Up Inside: The Truth About Abortion

By | January 10, 2012

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I think we can agree on a lot of things that are wrong. No one is going to say that abuse of any kind is okay. Or that starving children in third world countries should remain hungry. We can all agree that school shootings are terrible. And that no person, young or old, should have to deal with the pain of cancer.

But what about abortion?

It’s confusing. Especially when you hear so many conflicting voices. It can be hard to see clearly whether it’s right or wrong. I understand it’s difficult to make that judgment. In my own mind, I know that a woman, especially in a crisis situation, deserves what is best for her. She deserves to be cared for.

But when I think about the baby, I want the baby to be loved and cared for too. What is best for both of them? Is it the same in every circumstance?

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Fear Factor: Will You Eat Beetles in the New Year?

By | January 4, 2012

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What if during this new year we tried to accomplish just one or two things we’re afraid of? And not slightly meaningless things like sky-diving or beetle consumption. I mean things that have a ripple effect into eternity.

I’m afraid of wearing bright red lipstick. But I’m also afraid of seriously praying about a vocation to the religious life. I’m afraid of sushi. And I’m afraid to let go of resentment and love my enemies.

I think you can tell which ones are under the “slightly meaningless” category.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

A Love Letter From a Martyr to His Girlfriend

By | December 27, 2011

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Yesterday, December 26th, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen. He was the first martyr. Isn’t it interesting how the Church has placed the feast of Christmas and the feast of this saint right after one another? I feel like we’re supposed to learn something here . . .

Accepting Jesus as our Savior and following Him costs a lot. Blessed Bartolome knew that and wasn’t afraid of death even though it meant leaving his beloved behind.

Below is a letter that Bartolomé Blanco Márquez wrote to his girlfriend from prison the day before he was executed during religious persecution in Spain in the 1930′s.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

That Awkward Moment When You Say “And also with you”

By | December 8, 2011

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Have you had that awkward moment yet? I have. Actually, a couple times. Everyone around me remembered to grab their instructional pew cards. But no, I haven’t mastered that necessary skill I need to remember not to say “And also with you.” So there I stand, awkwardly sputtering the words my mind automatically supplies.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen’s Advent Calendar (Sort Of)

By | December 4, 2011

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You know those Advent Calendars your mom would buy when you were little? You would open the little paper door everyday and find a stale chocolate or prayer? (Perhaps for some a Lego.) Well here’s our cooler, fun-er, more Catholic-y version! Everyday you can come back to see a new video with Kemi Ndolo, bassist for Matt Maher, and Derek Natzke, Life Teen’s video producer! There will be present suggestions, Christmas song singing, silly Christmas facts, suggestions to make your Advent holier, Read more [...]

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Why Should I Care?: The New Roman Missal

By | November 22, 2011

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I hope by now you’ve heard that some of the words we say at Mass are going to be changing. The english-speaking world is getting a new translation of the Roman Missal – the book of prayers at Mass.

For the past couple weeks at my parish in place of the homily we’ve been listening to a teaching on the new words. Honestly, as I sit there on the hard pew with my eyelids getting heavier by the minute, I can’t help but ask myself, “Why should I care?”

The answer is simple: words matter.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen Staff Picks: Breaking Dawn

By | November 18, 2011

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I just want to be sure we’re clear – I’m not on “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” But because Breaking Dawn is coming out today, here’s a hilarious spoof that SNL did. I thought you might enjoy this. If you don’t get it – maybe it’s time to read some classics.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

"Dear Jesus": On Mass and Adoration

By | November 2, 2011

You hide all your glorious splendor in order to be close to me – who can’t handle seeing or holding all that glory. I can’t believe I mean that much to you. When I receive you in the Eucharist my whole body and soul feels more peaceful. I can tell as I consume you, that your love is consuming me. I’ve never felt so close to anyone as I do to you in the Eucharist. And the best part is that it never gets old. You constantly are able to love me like I need, strengthen me for my day and speak personally to my heart. All I have to do is get out of bed and show up.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

What I Learned About the Spiritual Life From Tiny Wings

By | October 18, 2011

When someone introduced me to Tiny Wings, I was instantly hooked. I was thinking the other day about the game and I wondered if the creator was thinking of the spiritual life when he made it! Ok, maybe he wasn’t. But here’s what I was reminded of when I thought about Tiny Wings in light of every Christian’s spiritual journey.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Go Ahead, Shatter Me

By | October 11, 2011

… I felt it slipping but didn’t know what to do. The ornate, china plate fell to the tile floor.

You know that split second of silence after something shatters on the ground? It’s in that split second that I caught my breath in shock waiting for the reprimand, gasp or look of disapproval. And in that moment, my grandma had a choice.

She would always, no matter what was broken, say something to the effect of: “That’s ok! Don’t worry!” Immediately, that’s what she said to me. No hesitation. I remember asking her about it later and having her tell me, “What’s done is done and it’s no use being upset over.”

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LifeTeen.com Blog

"Without You": What David Guetta Says About Jesus

By | October 4, 2011

I have a really hard time picking favorites. I can never narrow it down to one thing – favorite musician, favorite movie, favorite food. I just can’t do it. It’s too limiting and honestly, it will probably change next week so why bother?

However …

I have a (current) favorite song. I blast it every time it comes on the radio. Sometimes I sing, but often I just listen. It’s beautiful, prayerful, sacramental and on the iTunes top ten singles chart.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen Staff Picks: Musician Erin Gauvin

By | September 30, 2011

I had to share this musician with you all! I love her music and I think you will too. Erin has been playing with Ike Ndolo and mentored by Audrey Assad. The first result of this being “I’ve a Seat,” a song about addiction and reconciliation that’s as confiding as it is catchy. Erin is currently working on music for her first EP which she is hoping to release by the spring.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Guess What?! I'm Praying For You.

By | September 27, 2011

This past Sunday my day started with a run. I don’t know if you’ve ever gone for a run or not, but you kind of get in this “zone.” It was just me, the sun, the pavement … my gasping breath (but that’s embarrassing to talk about) and my thoughts. I didn’t want to miss this quiet opportunity to chat with God, so I let Him know I was listening to whatever He wanted to tell me.

I began praying about what I should write this week and the simplest thing came to me. I felt like God was telling me to let you know that I’m praying for you. I honestly thought the idea was kind of lame (sorry, God). It seemed too basic.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Will Kickball Make You a Saint?

By | September 20, 2011

Kickball was a huge deal in my neighborhood. My house was the one with the large, nicely mowed field (thanks dad) and so the kickball games always happened there. We would play until it was too dark to see the ball and the mosquitoes too unbearable. It was really fun but kind of stressful too.

I remember when all that mattered to me was being able to kick that yellow rubber ball past the tree line and be the fastest to sprint around the bases. It sounds bad, but I didn’t care about the important things like getting to heaven and becoming a saint. All I wanted was to be the best at kickball and I felt like if I wasn’t, my friends would think less of me or not want me around.

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