As Christians we’re called to make a difference in the temporal order. That means taking Jesus into all areas of life, including the workplace. For today’s young adults that can be a real challenge. The forces acting against them are enormous and intimidating. They are often shouted down by the enemies of faith and virtue. So, how are they supposed to influence their peers for good? Are you a young adult Catholic just getting started in your career? How is it going so far? Are you in a working environment that allows you to freely be who you are as a Catholic Christian? Do you have to guard your faith so as to not “rock the boat?” Worse, if you speak up are you subject to reprisals from your peers or bosses? Have you been able to turn the hearts of your co-workers toward Jesus and the faith? Do you have support in your faith as a young Catholic professional? Call Monday and make a difference in the life of a fellow young Catholic professional who may be in a difficult position. Our guest will be Jennifer Baugh, founder and executive director of Young Catholic Professionals. 

If Jesus were alive today would He use marketing and advertising to spread His message of love and salvation? Regardless of the answer to that question, we, His followers, do use those means in our work of evangelization. In essence, there’s nothing wrong with trying to get people to know of your existence and what you have to offer. But with the proliferation of so many forms of media, does it feel to you like everytime you blink you’re being bombarded with another ad? Billboards. Magazines (some of which exist almost solely to sell ad space). Blogs and websites that blitz you with pop-up and banner ads. YouTube actually allowing you to pay so you don’t have to watch ads. Even gas pumps now have video monitors trying to sell you things you don’t want or need. How do you feel about all of this? Does it bother you? Maybe it doesn’t. Perhaps you let it roll off your back quite easily. In either case, let’s have a frank discussion of whether or not it’s gotten out of hand. Share your take on Tuesday’s show.

God deserves nothing less than everything from each of us. But often our wounds, experiences, setbacks, etc., can cause us to guard various areas of our lives. For some it may be having the best intentions to spend time in daily prayer but they never get around to it out of a fear of what God might say or do in their lives. Others may be holding onto impurity of some sort. Still others may be putting in less than an honest day’s work thinking they can get away with it. For others it may be that they are faithful to their spouses in most everything, but they hold onto the “right” to go out for beers with the boys on a regular basis. Virtually everyone reserves at least a tiny area of their life to “control” themselves. Call on Friday and share how you do your best to give God all of you!

In the Bible there’s the story in Mark chapter 9 of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son who had been afflicted by a demon. He says something curious: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Well, which is it? Did he believe that Jesus could heal his son? He said that he did. Then why the statement after that: “Help my unbelief.” Could it have been that he knew enough about Jesus to know that He could heal his son, but had at least a tiny lingering doubt that He would? We even have the example of the apostles themselves. At the end of Matthew’s gospel we read that they worshiped Jesus, “but some doubted.” In our own lives we sometimes experience doubts of various types. Even those whose faith is the strongest at times see a little doubt creep into their minds or hearts. What’s been your experience with this? Share your take Wednesday with Jerry and Debbie.

Some people seem as though bad circumstances and relationships follow them throughout life. Those who are prone to giving negativity can often spot others who make themselves too vulnerable when it comes to receiving it. Have you had an experience like this? Maybe you’ve had to work on not being the giver of negativity. Are you the arrow or the target? That’s Tuesday with Jerry and Debbie.

Health care has been in the news a little bit lately. OK, we’re being tongue-in-cheek. It has dominated the headlines for weeks, even months, since President Trump made his promise to repeal  and replace Obamacare. Of course, the U.S. bishops have weighed in on the debate, and most people are keeping a close eye on what transpires. But setting aside partisan politics, Jerry and Debbie on Monday will be joined by Dr. Tom McGovern, a Ft. Wayne-area dermatologist, to look at the overall state of health care in our country, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we seem to be going. Rising premiums. Difficulty getting appointments. Impersonal treatment from many medical practitioners. The role of large pharmaceutical companies in the proliferation of drugs and prescriptions. The inclusion in health care of so-called “reproductive rights,” including contraception and abortion. Be sure to tune in and call with your takes or questions at 800-585-9396. It’s going to be another impactful broadcast.

A Catholic physicians commentary on the proposed repeal of Obamacare – https://www.catholicvote.org/a-catholic-physicians-perspective-on-repealing-obamacare/

Once a month, Jerry and Debbie invite you to decide the topics we discuss on the show. That’s the case again on Friday. You’re welcome to call and ask a question, comment on a previous episode, suggest topics for future broadcasts, or offer some thoughts on anything in your mind or on your heart. Call early to make sure you get on this show!

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On Wednesday, Jerry and Debbie welcome your takes on the unfortunate issue of miscarriage. It has impacted so many lives and families. After weeks or months of joy and anticipation, parents’ expectations can be shattered by the sudden news that their unborn child has died. Why does God permit this? What kinds of questions does it raise in the minds and hearts of parents? Does blame sometimes start to creep in once the realization of the loss becomes apparent? Or did it bring you and your spouse closer together? Were you apprehensive about getting pregnant again? If you did get pregnant again, were there fears that accompanied you along that journey that it might happen again? Ultimately, what is God’s greater purpose when this happens? If any of this has been your experience, be sure to call and inspire and educate us all on how you worked through it and became stronger from it.

Great article on the fate of infants who die without the Sacrament of Baptism –www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/let-the-children-come-to-me

OTHERS RESOURCES:
MISCARRIAGE PRAYER By Mother Angelica 

Watch the show: 

Many people who call Take 2 With Jerry and Debbie get emotional when sharing their takes. They often apologize for doing so, though we assure them that it’s perfectly fine. This leads to the bigger question of how comfortable we all are sharing our emotions in daily life. Let’s face it. Emotions are inescapable. Yet we attempt to hide them when we think it will make us look vulnerable, or will make those around us uncomfortable. Are you OK with letting your emotions show in appropriate situations? Share your take on Monday with Jerry and Debbie.

OK, so that’s an easy question to answer in general. Of course trash bothers you. It should annoy everyone. But everywhere we look there is litter. Lots of it. People use the sidewalk, the shoulder of the highway, the floor in the airport – pretty much everything but a trash can to dispose of their garbage. Have we become desensitized to this reality? What can be done about it? There are advertising campaigns that discourage littering. Are they working? Should we say something to someone who tosses their empty soda cup on the ground before jumping in their car? Let’s discuss the important topic of being good stewards of creation on Friday’s show.

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