LifeTeen.com Blog

Waiting for Joy: Christmas With a Heavy Heart

By | December 22, 2011

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The bus exploded. The rim of the left, rear tire flew off while we were speeding down the highway. First I heard the pop. And then I smelled smoke. The bus driver pulled over. He didn’t know it was on fire, but he had felt something. We evacuated quickly, and everyone got off safely. We tried to put out the flames, but they grew too rapidly. A loud explosion ripped through the air, and sent most of us running farther down the highway. We watched at a distance as the flames consumed the entire bus. We were crying and praying [...]

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“I Boldly Beg You to Pray for Our Service Men and Women”

By | December 21, 2011

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I boldly beg you to pray for our servicemen and women, veterans and all their families. Christmas is the occasion when we remember the Gift of the Father to us. Each of us tries to respond by giving something we have received to those in need. Those who serve our country in uniform need and deserve our prayers.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

To God be the Glory: Results from our Matching Gift Challenge

By | December 20, 2011

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For the past two days, thousands of you from around the world collaborated toward a goal of raising $10,000 in 36 hours during our Matching Gift Challenge. Many of you decided to participate, whether it be in the form of a financial gift or prayer. We were amazed to see how everyone used their own stories of how God has worked in your own life through the movement of Life Teen. Many of you were on Facebook and Twitter posting stories and asking people to donate. Our family mission at Camp Covecrest over the weekend saw new families drawn into [...]

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LifeTeen.com Blog

There’s No Such Thing as “Impossible” for God

By | December 20, 2011

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We have a God who deals in the impossible. This is huge, life-changing, and has everything to do with Christmas. I think we’re so used to the story of “Christmas” that we can easily forget to spend time just letting ourselves be amazed by the story.

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LifeTeen.com Podcast

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 12/25/2011 – The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord

By | December 19, 2011

It’s Christmas! Readings for Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 Readings for the Day of the Nativity of Our Lord: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“Under the Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber [Review]

By | December 19, 2011

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I’m not ashamed to say it: selections from Justin Bieber’s latest album, Under the Mistletoe, have definitely been creeping their way up on my iTunes’ most played list. As a lover of music and all things Christmas, I thought I’d share my reflections on one the year’s hottest Christmas albums.

Under the Mistletoe is Justin’s first Christmas album. In it, the 17-year-old pop star comes together with some of the biggest names in music, including: Usher, The Band Perry, and Boyz II Men. Aside from the classics like Silent Night, and The Christmas Song, I’d have to say my favorite songs on the album are Mistletoe, Drummer Boy, and Pray.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Jesus Wasn’t Born on Christmas?

By | December 19, 2011

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I’ll never forget when I learned Jesus wasn’t really born on December 25th. It shocked me. I felt cheated – like somehow my adolescent life had just lost some of its innocence. Thank God, I thought, Santa was still real – that would have really shattered my holiday season.

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Video

Beyond Words: 12/18/2011

By | December 16, 2011

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Why Do Catholics Pray to Statues?

By | December 15, 2011

Statues

Catholics do not pray to statues.

That would be idolatry and therefore, a violation of the First Commandment. If a person prays to a statue out of superstition, believes that the statue has special powers or is even God – that is idolatry.

However, this is not what Catholics do when they pray in front of a statue. Catholics worship with their whole person and all of the senses. A statue, or any other piece of religious art, is intended to draw the soul deeper into prayer by helping the senses to recall the mystery that it represents.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

An Update on Life Teen’s Web Ministry

By | December 14, 2011

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Advent is usually a season of waiting for Christmas and not waiting for websites to work, but many of you have been patiently waiting and hoping that our websites would be back to normal. Thankfully, I’m happy to say that the sites are back up to speed (mostly).

With that in mind, this might be a good time to look back at what happened over the past month with our sites as well as take a look at all of 2011, and give you a glimpse of what the future holds for Life Teen’s websites.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Fun Activities for Your Christmas Break

By | December 14, 2011

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! (Or so I’ve heard about 1000 times a day on my radio.) But seriously, who doesn’t love this time of year? Advent calendars are up, Christmas decorations are all over and the first semester of school is winding down. While that means finals are coming up, it also means that Christmas Break is right around the corner. Whether you’re going on vacation or staying home this Christmas, grab a delicious cup of eggnog and read on as I break down my top 5 favorite Christmas break activities.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Do I Want Jesus or an iPad This Christmas?

By | December 13, 2011

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The irony of the materialism during the time of Christmas is that materialism (as well as other sins) is exactly what Christ came into the world to free us from! He came to take us away from our idols, our “false gods” in this world and long only for Him. This Christmas, let’s re-examine our “Dear Santa” list and look to Jesus. Ask yourself what you really need this Christmas.

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LifeTeen.com Podcast

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 12/18/2011 (4th Sunday in Advent)

By | December 12, 2011

Readings for the 4th Sunday in Advent: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

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LifeTeen.com Blog

The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe

By | December 12, 2011

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Check out the story behind the famous apparition.

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Video

Beyond Words: 12/11/2011

By | December 10, 2011

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen Staff Picks: Christmas Edition

By | December 9, 2011

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We want to share with you some fun and occasionally outrageous Christmas stuff during this Advent and Christmas season! And to kick it off, check out this video of the David Crowder Band – turned into nutcrackers! Though they don’t do any nut cracking, they do play their instruments very skillfully considering their hands are wooden knobs.

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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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The Immaculate Conception: It’s About Mary.

By | December 8, 2011

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First, we need to be clear here. The Immaculate Conception is not about the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb. It’s about the conception of Mary in her mother’s womb years before. While Mary was conceived in the normal, human way through her parents (Joachim and Anne), the Immaculate Conception speaks to the fact that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin.

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Consubstantial: What Does That Mean?

By | December 8, 2011

Consubstantial Meaning

But when we talk about the union of God the Father with God the Son, it is not enough to just say that they are the same. They are both God – one God in three unique Persons. By asking us to now use the word consubstantial when we pray the Creed (remember, the Creed is a statement of what we believe as Catholics) the Church is reminding us of the importance of professing that the Father and the Son are the exact same substance.

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Happy Feast of Saint Ambrose: The Sweet-Tongued Saint?

By | December 7, 2011

Saint Ambrose Bishop of Milan Dropping Truth Bombs

If you find yourself under attack for your faith, Saint Ambrose is a great intercessor to have in your corner. When you stand for truth, not only do you defend the faith, but you will also help others to abandon the world’s lies in favor of the freedom only found in Jesus Christ. Ambrose brought many souls to Christ, and he baptized one person you’ll probably recognize: a certain guy by the name of Augustine. Wherever he went, Ambrose preached the truth – something it seems he had been born to do.

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