Author Archives: Matt Smith

LifeTeen.com Blog

Epic Quotes from JP2: Fantasy Worlds of Alcohol, Drugs, and Shortlived Sexual Relationships

By Matt Smith | May 6, 2011

“Some of you may be tempted to take flight from responsibility: in the fantasy worlds of alcohol and drugs, in shortlived sexual relationships without commitment to marriage and family, in indifference, in cynicism and even in violence. Put yourselves on guard against the fraud of a world that wants to exploit or misdirect your energetic and powerful search for happiness and meaning. But do not avoid the search for the true answers to the questions that confront you. Do not be afraid!” – John Paul II, January 1, 1985 for the World Day of Peace Read More: Peace and Youth [...]

Epic Quotes from JP2: Consumerism

By Matt Smith | May 5, 2011

“Dear young people, you are under threat from the bad use of advertising techniques, which plays upon the natural tendency to avoid effort and promises the immediate satisfaction of every desire, while the consumerism that goes with it suggests that man should seek self-fulfillment especially in the enjoyment of material goods.” – John Paul II, March 31, 1984 Read More: Apostolic Letter Dilecti Amici Questions for Your Journal Do I think about “things” more than I think about God? (For example: cars, clothing, phones, video games) Do I try to avoid homework or responsibilities? Is being entertained a higher priority than [...]

Epic Quotes from JP2: Falling in Love with Jesus Christ

By Matt Smith | May 4, 2011

“Let yourselves be charmed by Christ, the Infinite who appeared among you in visible and imitable form. Let yourselves be attracted by his example, which has changed the history of the world and directed it toward an exhilarating goal. Let yourselves be loved by the love of the Holy Spirit, who wishes to turn you away from worldly things to begin in you the life of the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and true holiness (cf. Eph 4:24). Fall in love with Jesus Christ, to live his very life, so that our world may have life in [...]

Epic Quotes from JP2: Seeking Happiness

By Matt Smith | May 3, 2011

“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your [...]

Video: Matt Maher and Friends Cover the Beatles

By Matt Smith | March 18, 2011

Our friend Matt Maher is on tour with some pretty talented people: MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Lecrae, and Thousand Foot Crutch to name a few. Take a minute to watch the video to find out what really happens backstage.

From Editor's Desk: March is (Mostly) About Lent

By Matt Smith | March 1, 2011

I hope everyone is having a good 2011. It’s been a busy year so far here behind LifeTeen.com. In January we covered what it means to be pro-life, then in February we got hyper and considered the difference between LUV and LOVE… …We’re going to do things a little differently over the next two months. Rather than sticking to a single theme, we’re going to mix things up a little bit: March: Luv vs. Love, Lent. April: Lent, Holy Week, Pope John Paul II. Why so many themes?

5 Counterfeits of Love (and why people accept them) Part V: Abuse and Manipulation

By Matt Smith | February 25, 2011

What it is. Someone can be abusive with words (insulting you), actions (hitting you), or with emotions (manipulation). Where you see it. Most abusive behavior in a teen relationship is learned at home. A teenage boy who sees his father hit his mother is more likely to hit his own girlfriend. A teen girl who is emotionally manipulated at home is more likely to accept that behavior in a boyfriend. Why people accept manipulation and abuse. An abusive relationship is very dramatic, and for some young people, they like the excitement and the attention they get because their relationship is [...]

5 Counterfeits of Love (and why people accept them) Part IV: Co-dependence

By Matt Smith | February 24, 2011

What it is. You rely on the person whom you are dating for everything. This person gives you a sense of worth. This person is the reason for waking up. Where you see it. Some high school relationships begin fine and then after a couple of months the two fall into co-dependence. You know it when you see it because the couple tends to leave behind their friends and family. Why people accept co-dependence. Co-dependence is very deceptive because it pretends to be a mature relationship that it is not. Why co-dependence is the counterfeit of love. Let’s get this straight. In [...]

5 Counterfeits of Love (and why people accept them) Part III: Obsession

By Matt Smith | February 23, 2011

What it is. If infatuation is all about the heart, then obsession is all about the head. Obsession is the domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent fantasy. Where you see it. Teen girls have always enjoyed obsessing over celebrities and entertainers. Right now it’s Justin Bieber, soon it will be someone else. Regardless of who is at the center of the obsession, it’s always the same thing: buying all of his stuff, going to all the concerts, talking about him with friends. And of course, believing in your head that the two of you will end up together. Guys can also obsess over girls in [...]

5 Counterfeits of Love (and why people accept them) Part II: Infatuation

By Matt Smith | February 22, 2011

What it is. Infatuation is temporary, all-absorbing crush or passion. Where you see it. Most chick flicks are about infatuation because it’s packed with emotion and romance without any of the “ordinary” parts of life to slow down the plot. Many websites and magazines for teen girls routinely talk about “love” when they’re really talking about “infatuation.”

5 Counterfeits of Love (and why people accept them) Part I: Lust

By Matt Smith | February 21, 2011

Introduction This month on LifeTeen.com we’re writing all about love. We want to figure out the difference between luv, something that’s shallow, and love, the thing that is deep and profound. So in this 5-part blog series, I’m going to talk about the things that at times might look and feel like love, but are in fact just a counterfeit. Here’s what I’ll cover: Part I: Lust Part II: Infatuation Part III: Obsession Part IV: Co-dependence Part V: Abuse and Manipulation You’ll want to read this series because you owe it to yourself to only accept the real deal. Today, let’s [...]

20 Timeless Quotes on Love

By Matt Smith | February 16, 2011

I asked all of Life Teen’s friends on Facebook to share their favorite quotes on love. You shared insight from saints, poets, authors, and from Scripture. This is definitely a blog you will want to print and hang on your wall. “The greatest romance one can find, is to fall in love with God. The greatest journey one could embark on, is to seek Him. The greatest achievement one can obtain, is to find Him.”~ St. Augustine “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” ~ Mother Teresa “Fall in love with the [...]

Love Life Podcast - 2.07 – Why Are My Friends So Scandalous?

By Matt Smith | January 4, 2011

This episode’s question is a toughie: “My friends and I used to all hang out, but now they’re into dressing and acting scandalous. What do I do?”

Joining host Matt Smith are Alissa Roberts, Nick Chavez, and Maria Raus.

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Make 2011 Better. A Teenager’s Guide to Crafting a New Year’s Resolution

By Matt Smith | December 28, 2010

First of all, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I know that the rest of the world is done with Christmas after December 25th, but we as Christians are just getting started. Now that all the gifting is finished, we are left to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas with no distractions.

This is the perfect setting to ask yourself questions about where you’ve been and where you’re going. After all, 2011 is just around the corner and everyone will be talking about their New Year’s resolutions. But did you know there is a right and a wrong way to craft a New Year’s resolution? It’s all about being S.M.A.R.T. Let me explain…

2010: Life Teen, a Year in Photos

By Matt Smith | December 22, 2010

2010 was a wonderful year for the Movement of Life Teen, and not just because this year marked our 25th anniversary. We had an powerful year at summer camps, conferences, missions, and parishes. I sifted through 100s of photos from 2010 and picked out my favorites. Can you find yourself?

Love Life Podcast - 2.06 – The Dirt on The Flirt

By Matt Smith | December 21, 2010

This episode, the gang gives the low down on what makes for good flirting – and what doesn’t.

This episode’s panel includes host Matt Smith joined by Kemi Ndolo, Alissa Roberts, and Maria Raus.

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A Catholic's Perspective on iTunes 2010 Top 10 Hits

By Matt Smith | December 20, 2010

Was 2010 a good year for music? There are bright spots for sure, like Bruno Mars’ “Just they Way You Are” or Kris Allen’s “Live Like You’re Dying.” But neither of those upbeat songs made the top ten on iTunes’s year end chart. So I listened to the top 10 songs this year on iTunes to discovered good, bad, and ugly.