One of the most beautiful things that can happen to someone is to be adopted by a loving family. It can also be one of the most conflicting realities that he or she has to deal with throughout life. It’s beautiful because of the fact that parents are more than willing to step in when it appears that giving a child up to adoption is the best thing for the baby and his or her future. It can be conflicting because the one who was adopted may never know the reasons why the mother decided she could not care for and raise the child. Adoption touches more lives than we might know. On Tuesday, call with your take about being part of an adoption – whether you were the one adopted, the mother giving up her child, the parents who took the little one into your home or the siblings who helped to welcome a new member of the family.

In order to grow spiritually, we have to be open to giving and receiving feedback – even constructive criticism – to one another. Does this offend you? Do you welcome input from others? Are you grateful that others would take the time to help make you better, even if they are not as gifted or as talented as you? Does it make you nervous when you realize you must offer some corrective words to another? Share your take on Monday with Jerry and Debbie.

Many people go to college to study something, but end up working in a completely different field. It’s actually quite common. If you fall into this category, call on Friday and share your take on how you are using the education you received to fulfill your present professional obligations. Maybe you’re deeply disappointed that you didn’t find work in your educational field. Perhaps you had no clue what you wanted to study when you went to college, only to discover your passion after you graduated. You may have entered the workforce in your chosen field only to realize that it wasn’t fulfilling after all. God leads us all in mysterious ways (He “writes straight with crooked lines,” as they say). What has been your experience? Talk to you on Friday!

In today’s world, there are more ways than ever to ignore God, to run from Him, to avoid hearing His voice. Gadgets, media, technology, and all sorts of “busy-ness.” The irony is that we pay immense amounts of money to keep God at arm’s length. How much does it cost in dollars to keep ourselves “connected” to the rest of the world, but to avoid hearing God’s voice? Not to mention the “cost” in spiritual graces, and, sadly, in possible souls being lost. Share your take on this important topic Tuesday with Jerry and Debbie.

When we’re young we give almost no thought to the fact that one day we will die. In fact, we give little thought to the time fast approaching when we will begin living day to day with physical limitations and all sorts of aches and pains. As these years unfold, how does your thinking change about life in general? Are we able to embrace the reality that we can no longer do many of the things we used to do? Do we resist those changes by trying all sorts of things to “stay young” at virtually any cost? What do our years of declining physical health and abilities do to help us better focus on the ultimate end of our lives?

This is the month of Mary. It also marks the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearances to three young children at Fatima, Portugal. Her message remains as relevant today as it was when it was first delivered. On Thursday, Jerry and Debbie will be joined by Annie Karto, a Catholic singer and songwriter, whose most recent album is a tribute to Our Lady of Fatima. We’ll discuss the characters and the message of Fatima. Hope you can join us!

We all have a number of important gifts and skills. They have often been imparted to us by others. On Wednesday, Jerry and Debbie will be looking for your take on what you could teach to others if the need were to arise. You may not be a “teacher” per se, but do you feel you have an expertise that you would be comfortable and effective teaching to others? Maybe you have done just this at some point in your life. Let us hear from you!

We all know people who struggle with various things, including addictions and other things that bring upon them physical and spiritual harm. It’s a very delicate thing knowing when to offer help and when to stand back. Some people don’t realize their problem. Others do, but simply refuse any help that is offered. What is one to do in situations like these? Share your take on Tuesday with Jerry and Debbie.

We all are asked by people to pray for them. It happens all the time on Take 2. Some choose to keep a written list and verbalize those names every day. Others make a mental intention at the time they’re asked to pray for someone, trusting that God will include those intentions in all of their prayers. Still others just lift up those who come to mind when they’re in prayer. How do you keep track of and pray for all those who ask you for your prayers? Share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Monday’s show.

There are types of shame that serve good purposes, especially those we experience when we have done something we know we shouldn’t have done. But there are also unhealthy forms of shame, like the kind that we carry around when we feel guilty for something that was done to us, and for which we should realistically feel no responsibility. Are you conscious of anything you’re carrying around that you’d like Jesus to lift from you? Call and share your take – and if you’ve already been released of unwarranted shame – on Thursday’s show.