With all the contentiousness in politics today, it’s hard to imagine anyone with any integrity and a sense of wanting to safeguard their family running for political office. Yet, some people feel a call to try to make a difference in this sphere. Would you allow your family to be dragged through the mud of a political campaign? Would you expose yourself and your loved ones to the red-hot scrutiny of the media? Not to mention the lies? As a devout believer, do you think you could make a difference? Share your insightful take on Friday’s show!

There may have been one marriage in the history of humanity where there were no arguments or disagreements (the Holy Family). In all others, there is bound to be strife. The beautiful side of that is that it provides opportunities for husband and wife to grow closer together through apologies and reconciliation. The opposite side leaves the door open for either spouse waiting for the other to “make the first move” when it comes to apologizing, forgiving, etc. In your marriage, do you believe that you or your spouse is more eager to make up and move on? Maybe it’s a fifty-fifty split? What has been the fruit of you humbling yourself before your wife or husband and, if necessary, even “falling on your sword” in order to keep peace in the marriage and family? Share your experience with Jerry and Debbie – and the world – on Thursday!

The Christian life means nothing if it doesn’t mean putting others before ourselves. St. Paul writes in Romans 12:10 that we should “outdo one another in showing honor.” Unfortunately, in every age there are people who are looking out for themselves before they look out for the welfare of others. So, when we defer to others, and do our best to put them above ourselves, they can take advantage of us. Have you had this experience? Maybe it’s happened to you over and over again. A co-worker who asks you to handle their appointed tasks. An irresponsible family member who turns to you for financial help all the time. A friend who asks to borrow your car all the time instead of taking public transportation. It’s great to help all of these people. But how much is too much? Do you ever get the sense that others are using you? That you’re letting yourself be used? It’s important to establish boundaries that are appropriate in all of your interpersonal relationships. Have you managed to do that successfully, while still being generous to those in need? Share your take on this topic on Wednesday.

As we go through life, we are influenced by so very many people. A lot of them go unnoticed. Others, we are very aware of. Maybe it was your mom or dad. Perhaps an educator. Perhaps a coach or a neighbor. Has there been someone – maybe more than one person – in your life who said or did something that you now look back on and realize that his or her “fingerprints” are on everything you accomplish? It’s like tossing a pebble on a pond. The “ripple effect” is noticeable. Virtually every human interaction we have makes its mark on who we become and the influence we have in the world. So, again, here’s the question: Whose fingerprints are on the legacy you’re leaving as you live your life?

The days seem to be long gone when mom or dad sat down each child and had “that talk” about the birds and bees. As the first and primary educators of your children, you have to be sensitive to presenting them with age-appropriate information about human sexuality. Do you do that? Or do your own past mistakes make you feel unequipped to impart to your children lessons about chastity and purity? Or, worse yet, do you learn the things they’re involved in and cringe at the thought that you never would have done that when you were young? We have to maintain a grip on this most crucial and sensitive area of our children’s development. If we don’t, guess who will? Their peers. Their social media contacts. Magazines like Teen Vogue. As a parent, it’s unimaginable that you would want that to happen. Share your take Monday on how and when you guide your children in the proper ways of understanding and appreciating God’s plan for human sexuality. 

Friday’s

Life moves on for all of us. We’re born, we grow up and we enter into careers. Before we know it, we’re staring at the end of our working lives. For some, that comes earlier and easier than it does for others. But for all people, there is no substitute for planning and preparation. It can be a form of stewardship to have a reliable plan in place for your retirement years. Depending on your field and your earning abilities, your retirement can take a variety of different forms. How have you prepared for yours? Have you embraced a somewhat frugal lifestyle in order to have enough resources when you stop working? When did you get started saving for retirement? Was it early enough that you are in good shape? Maybe you got a late start and are faced with the prospect of working later in your life than you would like. What advice were you given by your parents or others about this? Did you follow that advice? What types of investments did you make to set yourself up for retirement? Some people see their investments collapse and it jeopardizes their retirement. If that’s happened to you, what are your plans now? As always, your take on Friday’s show could have a far-reaching impact on many who are still in the workforce.

There are as many reasons why people leave the Church as there are people who leave her. It’s nothing new. Jesus faced this during his earthly ministry. If he experienced it, why should we be surprised or scandalized when people today walk away from the fullness of the Christian faith and the means of salvation? Of course, we can never judge motives or hearts. Only God can determine the spiritual state of one who chooses to leave the Church. Our role is to pray for them, that they will one day soon find their way back. On Thursday, Jerry and Debbie will field your takes on what you believe may have been a reason why someone you know or love has left an active practice of the faith.

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