Draw Near

Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another.

About the show

“Jesus himself drew near.” (Lk 24:15)
God takes the initiative to draw near to us out of a deep and personal love for each one of us. This movement asks each of us for a response. There are so many beautiful ways we can respond to the work of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. This is a journey we share together, drawing near to Christ as we draw near to one another. This shared journey toward Christ, rooted in the Catholic faith, is the focus of our podcast. Our goal is to be authentic, honest, humble, faithful, loving, passionate, real and vulnerable in each episode. We also like to keep it lighthearted. We are two best friends, sharing life together with our families. We invite you to join us as we Draw Near. Let's grow towards sainthood together!

Hosts: Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell
Learn more at: www.drawnear.me

Draw Near on social media

Episodes

  • Fraternal Charity: Ch. 6 - I Believe in Love

    December 26th, 2022  |  29 mins 37 secs
    book study, catholic, conference 6, fraternal charity, i believe in love

    Week 6 discussion on "Fraternal Charity" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the [Draw Near](drawnear.me) podcast!!
    This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee

  •

    BONUS: The Gift of the Magi

    December 22nd, 2022  |  10 mins 57 secs
    christmas, stories, the gift of the magi

    Continuing to share some of our favorite Christmas stories this holiday season, here is a a classic that may just bring you to tears: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. For this reading, Fred is joined by Siouxland Catholic Radio's, Joanne Fox, who narrates. He is also joined by his wife, Krystal, in the role of Della and his daughter who plays the part of Mrs. Sofronie.
    We both love inviting listeners into our homes and into our families as we celebrate this year by sharing some of our favorite Christmas stories. This is a purely "sit back and relax," "story time" sort of "shorty" episode. We hope this reading will be a blessing to you this Christmas season. Thank you for listening and allowing us to be a part of your lives this year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  • Great Desires, Humility, and Peace: Ch 5 - I Believe in Love

    December 21st, 2022  |  23 mins 4 secs

    For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the fifth chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss the desires of our hearts, how are we to follow and discern those desires, and how the Lord has given us gifts to build the kingdom. Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

  • Abandonment to Jesus: Ch 4 - I Believe in Love

    December 21st, 2022  |  24 mins 8 secs

    For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the fourth chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss what it means to abandon one's self to Jesus; to live the prayer, "Thy will be done." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

  • Unshakeable Confidence: Ch 3 - I Believe in Love

    December 21st, 2022  |  27 mins 5 secs

    For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the third chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss the danger in becoming too dependent upon ourselves, how our weaknesses are actually opportunities to encounter the Lord and why we must "become like little children." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

  • Humble Confidence: Ch 2 - I Believe in Love

    December 21st, 2022  |  26 mins 19 secs

    For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the second chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss times in our lives when we have needed his mercy, when we have felt alone and afraid and like God is far from us, and what it means to have a "living faith." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

  • Love for Love: Ch 1 - I Believe in Love

    December 21st, 2022  |  24 mins 3 secs

    For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the first chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss our relationship with Christ, whether or not we see ourselves as a "joy" for Jesus, and what it means to "abide" in Him. Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

  • Exciting Stuff

    December 21st, 2022  |  12 mins 29 secs
    big stuff, book study discussions, teaser

    We have some exciting things available to you!
    Listen to the "I Believe in Love" chapter discussions from the first half of the book. Normally these discussions are exclusive on Suscipe.co, but they will be available December 21-January 6!
    January 24th, exciting things coming!!
    Dad Joke challenge episode coming before the end of the year.
    Thank you to all supporters.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  • BONUS: The Christmas Story

    December 13th, 2022  |  5 mins 42 secs
    christmas story, draw near, fred and kara, gospel, jesus, nativity, scripture

    Following up on the surprising popularity of our reading of "Yes, Virginia There is A Santa Claus" last year, we decided to share some more Christmas stories this holiday season. We both will be inviting listeners into our homes and into our families as we celebrate this year by sharing some of our favorite Christmas stories. We invite you (and your family) to enjoy... in the words of Linus from the Peanuts, what Christmas is all about. This is a purely "sit back and relax," "story time" sort of "shorty" episode. We hope this reading will be a blessing to you this Christmas season. Thank you for listening and allowing us to be a part of your lives this year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  • BONUS: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

    December 13th, 2022  |  3 mins 56 secs
    christmas, draw near, fred and kara, reading, story, twas the night before christmas

    Following up on the surprising popularity of our reading of "Yes, Virginia There is A Santa Claus" last year, we decided to share some more Christmas stories this holiday season. We both will be inviting listeners into our homes and into our families as we celebrate this year by sharing some of our favorite Christmas stories. We invite you (and your family) to enjoy this timeless story that Fred reads to his children every year! This is a purely "sit back and relax," "story time" sort of "shorty" episode. We hope this reading will be a blessing to you this Christmas season. Thank you for listening and allowing us to be a part of your lives this year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  • There's Something About Mary

    December 7th, 2022  |  1 hr 1 min
    blessed mother, catholic, catholic teaching, conversion, december 8, encouragement, full of grace, healing, identity, immaculate conception, mary, scripture, trauma

    In the deeply personal first half of this episode, Fred and Kara reflect on their relationship with Mary, and how that has changed and grown over the years. Fred shares more of his testimony about converting to Catholicism and the role Mary played in that process. He also reflects on issues such as identity, childhood trauma, mistrust, and difficult family experiences and how these can effect our relationship with God; as well as with Mary. He shares the story of his relationship with Mary, and how she has helped him to find healing. In the second half, we return to Kara's teaching on the Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on December 8. Kara dives into a scriptural study of key texts that point to Mary’s Immaculate Conception with hopes that each listener would be drawn deeper into the celebration of this Holy Day of Obligation.

  • BONUS: Hearing God's Voice in the Liturgy

    November 26th, 2022  |  30 mins 12 secs

    In this BONUS episode of Draw Near, Fred is joined by Catholic convert, speaker, and creator of Lectio the Liturgy, Julie Storr. They talk about being a convert, the purpose and meaning of the Liturgy, hearing God's voice and how we can prepare our hearts and minds more fruitfully for Mass. Finally, we close with Julie's reflection for this first Sunday of Advent.