Fred Shellabarger

To Each is Given: Discovering the Charismatic Gifts

December 6th, 2023  |  43 mins 5 secs

charismatic, charisms

"To Each is Given a manifestation of the Spirit" (1 Cor 12:7). We are all given supernatural gifts, or "charisms," for the common good of the Church. Each person has a purpose in the renewal and building up of the Body of Christ. Where can you begin in your process of discerning?

My Baptist Friends Led Me to Priesthood (MLMG Ep 10)

December 1st, 2023  |  29 mins 48 secs

encounter, eucharist, fr travis crotty, my lord and my god, outcast catholic, testimony, vocation

In this episode we are joined by the co-host of the Outcast Catholic podcast, Fr Travis Crotty. In this "testimony" episode, we root our discussion in one of the foundational questions for our show: How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? Of course, this is not merely a once in a life time encounter, because the Lord is always seeking to encounter us and pour out his love into our hearts; and inviting us to go deeper in that same love.

This invitation, found in the Eucharist, celebrated at every Mass, is the very source of stability that helped Fr Travis to overcome difficulty and suffering during his teenage years.

So what was it then that made him take up the call to the priesthood? To dedicate his life to helping others to encounter Christ in the Eucharist? It all began with some Baptist friends challenging him for his Catholic faith. This pressure was actually a catalyst for conversion to a deeper faith rooted in, the Eucharist. So many can give in to the temptation to slip away from the Catholic faith when challenged. Fr Travis provides a great example of how to respond in these situations.

How does one maintain a fervor and love for the Eucharist? How should understanding the reality of the Christ being present in the Eucharist shape the way we live our lives and approach the world around us? Listen to find out!

Lord, I am Not Worthy (MLMG Ep 9)

November 24th, 2023  |  26 mins 12 secs

eucharist, humility, kenosis, life in christ, padre pio, pride

In this episode, we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 6:25 - 70, and build on the foundation of God's own example of humility demonstrated in the Person of Jesus Christ (discussed in the previous episode). St Paul reminds us, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." With that, he roots this encouragement in the example of the Lord's own humility. What does humility have to do with the Eucharist? How do we become one with Christ in the Eucharist? How do we live a Eucharistic life of humility? What should this "Eucharistic life of humility" look like? Listen to find out!

God Humbled Himself (MLMG Ep 8)

November 24th, 2023  |  26 mins 31 secs

eucharist, humility, life of christ, my lord and my god, podcast

"Who am I that you are mindful of me?" These are the words of Scripture reflecting on the human experience in relationship to God and his great love for, and His mindfulness of, each one of us. His Love is what holds us together. He is Creator of all the universe and yet he chooses to come and dwell among us in the Incarnation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he becomes present in the Eucharist. Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity: He further humbles Himself that he may dwell in us in the form of bread and wine.

What can we learn about God's humility in reflecting on the "kenosis" (self-emptying) of God found in Phillipians 2? What can we learn from the examples of humility we find in the life of Christ? And how about the examples of humility in His Passion, Death and Resurrection? What is "true humility?" Finally, what does all of this have to do with the Eucharist? Listen to find out!

Dad Joke Rematch

November 22nd, 2023  |  33 mins 40 secs

dad joke challenge

Back by popular demand, enjoy Draw Near's "dad joke" challenge. We have a rematch between Fred Shellabarger and Phillip Grothus, with Kara as the judge. Who do you think will take the title this time?

The God Who Sees: Lectio of Genesis 16

November 15th, 2023  |  45 mins 39 secs

encouragement, hard times, promises of god

We are back! (Again)! We are back in the studio TOGETHER with a new episode! Here we share some updates on our lives, where we are and what God has been doing in our hearts and in our lives over the last month and a half. Very much the fruit of prayer, in this episode, we return to our Lectio Divina series and reflect on Genesis 16, the story of Hagar, and what we can be sure of in our relationship with God during dark, difficult and dry seasons.

One thing we are sure of... We don't know who needs to hear this, but if you are finding yourself in a place of feeling like life has just happened to you, maybe right now circumstances have presented themselves that leave you feeling bruised and broken, maybe even through no fault of your own, feeling like it's hard to get up, maybe you are tired, things seem too hard to fix, you are losing hope... If that is you, take courage! Take comfort. THERE IS A GOD WHO SEES!

He sees. He is with you. You may think He is far, but He has never been closer. Call out to Him!

Pray this prayer with us:
"Heavenly Father, I know you see. You see my hurts, my scars, my falls. Help me to know and believe that you are with me. Help me to know your love. That I am your beloved child and you see me. Lord, you say, "Come to me all who are burdened and heavy ladened and I will give you rest." Lord, I give you all my burdens. I lay them at your feet. You see it all. You know me. Lord, stay with me. Fill me with your love and help me to know your peace."

Is Mass Boring A Priest Responds (MLMG Ep 7)

November 10th, 2023  |  28 mins 31 secs

boring, catholic, mass, my lord and my god

Continuing the discussion from the previous episode on the often heard statement, "Mass is boring," we thought it would be good to hear from a priest who celebrates Mass daily. What is his experience of the Holy Mass? What is his perspective on this? What potential obstacles to our participation in the Mass does he see and how might they be overcome? How might we enter into the sacred mystery of the Mass more fully engaged? Hear from our good friend, Fr Patrick Behm on this most important topic.

Is Mass Boring? (MLMG Ep 6)

November 10th, 2023  |  25 mins 29 secs

boring, catholic, mass, my lord and my god

Catholic Mass is beautiful! Absolutely. Heaven meeting earth. The angels join us in offering praise to the Lord. God Himself, our savior and Lord Jesus Christ is fully present. In the Scriptures, in each one of us gathered together, and even more profoundly, in the Eucharist. But... as many of us have heard... or even thought... it can also be boring. Is there shame in admitting that? Have you ever had that thought? As humans, we experience the world through our senses. But what if what we see, hear, and smell at Mass bores us? How can we enter into the Mass more fully? This is the topic we take up in this first episode of a two part series on, "Is Mass Boring?" 

Fred's Testimony: From Heathen to Heaven (MLMG Ep 5)

October 27th, 2023  |  25 mins 12 secs

convert, fred shellabarger, testimony

What led a "professional heathen" to an encounter with Jesus Christ? How did merely "looking for a church to get married in" lead to a radical conversion that gave way to a quest for the fullness of faith and desire for truth? In this episode Fred tells the story of his "tale of two conversions" and recounts how a desire for a deeper encounter with Christ led him into the Catholic Church. Fred also recounts his First Communion and how that has shaped his reception of Communion ever since that first moment. He also recounts the challenges he faced coming into the Catholic Church and why he would do it all over again. As he states, "For me, receiving Christ in the Eucharist was the end of a lifelong journey; I found what I had been looking for my whole life. But, it was also more than that. It was also the commissioning for a new journey. A mission; sharing the love of Christ that I have found in the Eucharist with others."

Kara's Testimony: "I Am Here" (MLMG Ep 4)

October 27th, 2023  |  25 mins 52 secs

adoration, kara kardell, testimony

God deeply desires our love, just as he gives his love to us. He draws us to a deeper encounter with Christ through the Eucharist. This is exactly what happened in Kara Kardell's life. From a lukewarm Catholic with every opportunity to leave the Faith to a Catholic in love with God and the Church, tune in to this episode to hear her testimony of how her life was changed one night in Adoration.

Greatness Is... What you were made for

October 24th, 2023  |  22 mins 1 sec

encouragement, greatness, holiness, mission, purpose, reflection

Once again, Fred invites you into his morning routine. The obligatory coffee and a reflection on the call to holiness and mission, the purpose for which we were created, and how God desires to work in our lives. Drawing on the words of Pope Benedict XVI, Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives and teachings of the saints, we pray this reflection will help you to begin your day, the right way! Listen to find out what that means! :)

BONUS: The Book of Philippians

October 20th, 2023  |  16 mins 3 secs

encouragement, philippians, reading, scripture

As we have mentioned in the past, Fred's favorite Scripture passage... Literally, the Book of Philippians. We have teased posting a simple recording, reading the Philippians. So, as he sipped his coffee this morning, and prepared for the day, Fred thought, "Why not today!" So, we hope you enjoy!

Take some time to reflect on the wisdom the Lord offers us through St Paul; four simple chapters on living the Christian life well. And a great way to start the day.