When a family member or friend abandons the practice of the Catholic faith, it can be a real blow to those who know and love them, especially those whose faith and devotion are strong. While God alone can judge the disposition of such a person’s heart, there remains the objective concern we have for the destiny of their immortal soul. Undoubtedly, we’ve all known someone who walked away from the Church. How did you respond? Did you try all sorts of intellectual or theological arguments to get them to return? When that didn’t work, did you resort to simply loving them with all your heart and living your faith in such a way that it helped to bring them back to the Church? Share your take on this crucial topic, as it will surely help many others who are experiencing the pain and heartache of someone dear to them who has left the faith behind.

AUDIO ARCHIVE:: 

The history of mankind is one of creation and invention. Quite understandably, we’re always looking for ways to get things done more quickly and more efficiently. Today, our homes and lives are filled with tools, gadgets, appliances, furniture – you name it. It’s easy to become very attached to all of these things. Not so much in a “possessive” way, but more along the lines of depending on them on a frequent, perhaps even daily basis. On Friday, Jerry and Debbie will ask you to share what you would have difficulty living without. Debbie has established one rule: you can’t say your cell phone 🙂

Marriage is the most intimate relationship on the planet. Husbands and wives truly become “one flesh,” as the Bible says, when they are joined in holy matrimony. Does that mean they have to morph all of their likes, interests, hobbies, etc., into things they share in common? Of course not. Diversity in this regard can be a very good thing. But there are some couples who, while perhaps still loving and honoring one another, get to a place where their lives are so divergent that they’re essentially living as singles. Things like watching TV in separate rooms of the house, eating meals at different times, taking vacations by themselves and so on. Let’s discuss this and hear your experience if this describes your marriage.

It doesn’t happen every day. In fact, for most of us it will never happen. We’ll likely never be on the scene of a life-threatening emergency, let alone find ourselves thrust into action to help save someone’s life. Of course, first responders deal with this on a regular basis. But not the average citizen. If you are a first responder, or have otherwise figured into the saving of someone’s life, call and share your experience on Wednesday’s show.

Interpersonal communication has changed drastically in recent decades. Many of us remember the days when we had a “party line” for our home telephone, corresponded exclusively by writing and mailing letters, and so forth. Today, with all the different means of communicating with each other, should we consider there to be a sort of “hierarchy” of importance attached to these different forms of correspondence? For example, if you call someone, that can give the impression that your interest in talking with them is more serious or urgent than if you send them an e-mail. And texting may be a way that you communicate with someone when it’s less urgent than calling, but still more important than e-mailing someone. How do you view this phenomenon? How do you approach these different forms of communication? Let’s talk about it on Tuesday.

As we go through life, just about everything can seem routine. Every now and then, it’s nice to be jolted by something that takes our breath away. Of course, that can happen because of so many things. On Friday, as we wrap up another week of Take 2 With Jerry and Debbie, call and share an experience you’ve had where you simply stopped, soaked it all in, marveled at what you were seeing or doing, and gave thanks to God for such a gift.

As promised on the show today, here are some pics of a few of my breathtaking experiences:

Rainbow arching over my late sister’s house as her husband and I drove home from making funeral arrangements (notice there are some hazy clouds, but not the typical conditions for a rainbow):

The sky to the west of my home several months ago that looks like it’s on fire:

The sun that looked like a Eucharistic monstrance in Sioux Falls, South Dakota:

The social media serve many positive purposes. They can keep us connected to family and friends, enable us to spread the gospel and so much more. But they can also be the source of considerable trouble for a variety of reasons. It’s easy to regret posting something on one or more of your social media accounts. And it’s not uncommon to hear of marital problems arising out of the use of social media. For example, a husband or wife “connects” with a former girlfriend or boyfriend from high school thirty years ago, and the other spouse feels uncomfortable or even threatened by the new development. Is that a reasonable reaction? It likely depends on the nature of the correspondence between the two of them. Should spouses have access to each other’s social media accounts? Is that being accountable or snooping? Let us have your life experiences on Tuesday’s show.

With the new movie out about St. Paul, many people are asking the question, “Why can’t we have more films like this?” Surprisingly, upon opening it was not well attended by moviegoers. So what’s the deal? Are we just used to garbage on the big screen and something wholesome just doesn’t interest us? Or are there just not very many people who really care about cultivating their relationship with God by paying to see faith-based movies? Let’s have a frank discussion of this on Friday.

In each of our lives, we have people who help us along the way. Every one of us has someone or something that we can say, “I would’t be here without…” It could be a teacher, a coach, a parent. Maybe it’s your daily prayer time. Perhaps staying in good physical condition. If you could point to someone or something that helps keep you on the right track, or has assisted you in getting where you are now, what would it be? Share your take on this topic on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, Jerry and Debbie want to hear from anyone who is serving, or has served, in the military. Did you grow up wanting to serve our country in that way? Are you the son or daughter of military personnel? Did you join because a friend did? What was your recruitment experience like? Where in the world did you serve? Did you re-enlist and/or make a career of it? What was it like when you were discharged or retired? Have you felt appreciated by your nation? These are just a few of the things you can call and talk about. Should be another enlightening broadcast!