This is not a show about socialism or the re-distribution of wealth. If someone has worked hard and earned his money, more power to him. But it still remains a glaring scandal that there are individuals in the world today who could fund the needs of small nations in perpetuity, yet often choose to channel their wealth toward oppression and objective causes. And in some states and countries, people live in abject poverty directly across the street (this is no joke) from those who live in large and expensive mansions. Something’s wrong here. How can we as a race allow some to literally die for lack of basic needs like food and water, when others occupy homes that have hallways and rooms that they will likely never visit? Share your take with the world on Monday.

Post your special intentions on the prayer wall at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. And there are still some once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosaries available there. They are handmade of olive wood and were taken to sites like the Church of the Nativity (the site where Jesus was born) and the Church of the Resurrection (where his actual tomb is today). Get one for yourself and another for someone you love!

Prayers courtesy of http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com….

Dear Lord,
Help me find firm ground in this shaky economy.
As I seek work and assistance,
Give me strength not to be anxious when I seem to be going nowhere;
Give me patience not to despair when things look bleak;
Give me serenity to know you are here with me, helping me to carry my crosses each day;
So that I may do Your will,
For the salvation of souls
And my Eternal Life.

This one is slightly longer, but expresses a similar sentiment:

Dear Lord,
In this time of uncertainty,
Be my rock in a world built on sand;
Be my oasis of grace and peace in a world of tension and turmoil;
Help me to carry my cross gracefully, as you did in Your Passion;
Help me to follow Your beam of light in the midst of this darkness;
Help me to see Your will in all things
And show others Your comfort and strength.

Keep me calm when tempers flare up;
Keep me sane in a crazy world;
Keep me focused on the houses in Heaven
rather than the houses of cards collapsing around me;
Keep my eyes focused on the prize of Heaven
and not lose hope in You in this world or in the world to come;
Make me compassionate in dealing with others;
Let me see my travails as carrying my cross and sharing in Your Passion, for the love of You and for the salvation of souls, including mine.
And may all my difficulties be ultimately for my good and Your glory. Amen.

Father’s Day is Sunday. So many of us never knew (or don’t know) our biological fathers. They’re supposed to be a reflection of our Heavenly Father, whose love is limitless and unconditional. But sometimes we have trouble seeing God the Father that way because of the failings of our earthly fathers or other factors. How do we overcome this deficiency in our understanding of a father’s love, to the point where we know God as our “Abba,” our “Daddy,” in whose lap we can recline and know that our every need will be taken care of? Share your take on this very important topic on Friday!

Don’t forget to post your intentions on our prayer wall at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. While you’re there, get your own once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosary and pray along with Jerry and Debbie and the Take 2 family every day!

Anniversary week continues on Take 2 With Jerry and Debbie. On Wednesday, the third of three “look back” shows will air as we hear takes from those of you who are raising someone else’s child (or children). It could be that you’ve adopted children. Or that you’re raising a grandchild in your home. Or a foster child. All children deserve a loving home environment, and God bless those who go above and beyond the call to help provide that for them. Join us at Noon ET (with a re-airing at Midnight ET) on EWTN Radio.

Be sure to check out Jerry and Debbie’s new website at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. As part of the anniversary celebration for Take 2, you can get Rosaries from the Holy Land that were taken to many important sites, including the birth place and burial place of Jesus. And be sure to post your intentions on our prayer wall!

You come to faith in Jesus. You start to grow closer to Him. You set out to serve Him in ways that you believe He is calling you to. Then comes this obstacle, that challenge. You wonder, “Am I really supposed to be doing this?” “Can it be that it’s God who’s trying to show me that I’m wrong?” “Could it be the devil trying to dissuade me from doing God’s will?” These are all valid questions that require careful prayer and discernment – not to mention perseverance. On Tuesday, Jerry and Debbie continue to celebrate the first anniversary of Take 2 with your participation on this topic. Join us!

Are you comfortable with others knowing – perhaps at first glance – that you are a Christian? This can be in the way we dress, religious articles we display, praying in public, giving thanks to God for your blessings, and many others. This is not to be confused with making a “show” of our faith like the Pharisees did. And there can be a fine line between the two. What Jerry and Debbie will be talking about on Tuesday is simply living your faith publicly, and not dressing or acting differently because you’re ashamed to be counted among the followers of Jesus. Call early to be sure you get on the show with your take!

RESOURCES:

Wearing the Rosary as a Necklace

Just because marijuana is being legalized in one state after another does that mean it’s a good thing? Should it be used for medial purposes? What are the dangers of marijuana use? Can it lead to harder drugs? Why is it being legalized? For the tax money? To drug up the population? What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about smoking pot? Moral theologian Christian Brugger joins Jerry and Debbie to discuss this important topic – with your takes, too! – on Monday.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/to-puff-or-not-to-puff/

There is such a fine line between talking about people objectively and gossiping about them. What can start out as an innocent, “Hey, have you heard from Joe and Sandy lately?” can turn into, “Yeah, and did you hear that Joe is cheating on her?” It doesn’t even have to be that dramatic. A lot of us will say about someone we know (and even love), “God bless him, but you do know that he got fired from his job because…” Many have alluded to the connection between gossip and the fifth commandment: Thou Shall Not Kill. As Pope Francis has pointed out – http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/gossip-is-poisonous-insists-pope/ – even our words can “kill” the reputation and character of others. Let’s talk about this on Friday. Share if you’ve battled the sin of gossip, or if you’ve found a gracious way to exit conversations that turn in that direction. What you share may make all the difference to someone who’s listening!

RESOURCES:
Gossip is poisonous, insists Pope

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

A lot of companies put stickers on their corporate vehicles advising people to all a phone number if the driver is acting up. The stickers usually say, “How’s My Driving? Call 1-800-BLAH-YADDA.” This show will be about what each of us feels we’re like behind the wheel. Are we impatient? Are we kind? Do we hate it when other drivers do to us what we do to other drivers? A lot can be learned through a discussion like this. Call and share your take with Jerry and Debbie and the world!

Audio Archive:

You’re going to love Tuesday’s show. Gone are things like the handwritten letter, the Sunday visit to the grandparents’ house, playing hide-and-seek or building a tree fort with your friends, etc. The world has changed so much in the last few decades. Yet, most of  us are old enough to remember when life was simpler, not as filled with distractions and deadlines, and even better because we had to work a little harder to communicate with someone, travel somewhere, and so forth. It’s not so much that things are worse now than they were back then. The question is what have we lost because of the advancements, and what would we like to see return if we were able to make it happen? Share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Tuesday!

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

SHORT TAKE:

Monday is Memorial Day. Its primary purpose is to recognize those who have given their lives in defense of the United States through their military service. Since it’s a day off for our show team – we’ll miss you! – we have an encore broadcast that we know you’ll appreciate. Obviously, men and women who serve in the military don’t leave their faith behind at home when they enlist. In fact, as the saying goes, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” Military personnel are often the most faithful, prayerful and trusting in God’s grace and protection. The Church is diligently attentive to their spiritual needs through the ministry of our chaplains. One of them, Fr. Martin King (a former seminary classmate of Jerry’s), will be our guest on Monday as we talk about “Faith in Foxholes.” If you or someone you know is serving, or has served, in the military, don’t miss this show!