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

  • Our Father Part 6: Lead Us Not Into Temptation & Deliver Us From Evil

    August 17th, 2022  |  13 mins 19 secs
    deliver us from evil, lead us not into temptation, our father, series, small group, spiritual warfare, study

    Concluding our series on the Our Father, we look at the last two petitions in this prayer. Every human person faces trials and temptations. Scripture refers to a battle between flesh and spirit. What does this mean? What does this petition have to do with it? What value is there in temptation? What does these two petitions teach us about the battle between good and evil. In this episode we will answer all of these questions!

  • Our Father Part 5: Forgive Us Our Trespasses

    August 9th, 2022  |  10 mins 13 secs
    forgiveness, our father

    "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." This petition in the Our Father offers us both a challenge and an invitation. Each time we pray this, we acknowledge that we are forgiven and so we too must extend forgiveness. But how do we live this? In this episode Fred reflects on this petition and offers some advice from his own experience of finding forgiveness.

  • Our Father Part 4: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

    August 7th, 2022  |  12 mins 40 secs
    daily bread, eucharist, give us this day, our father, part 4, shortie

    This petition of the Our Father carries with it great meaning and depth. On one hand it is pointing toward the practical daily needs we all have and our dependence upon God. On the other hand, we also see great spiritual truths that should shape our relationship with God and with one another, as well as our role in helping to provide for the needs of others. What are these truths? What are we praying in this petition? What difference does it make? In this episode we will find out!

  • Our Father Part 3: Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

    June 26th, 2022  |  13 mins 5 secs
    our father, part 3, shorty, thy kingdom come, thy will be done

    Continuing to dive deep into the Our Father, in this episode Fred takes a look at the petitions, "Thy Kingdom Come" and "Thy Will Be Done." How can the Our Father help us to direct our hearts toward him and better understand his will? How should these two sentences shape our daily lives, our relationships, and the way we approach the world in which we live? Find out on this episode!

  • Our Father Part 2: Hallowed be Thy Name

    June 15th, 2022  |  11 mins 49 secs
    hallowed be thy name, our father, part 2, shorty

    To both grow in the life of prayer, and pray more fruitfully, it is important that we take the time to reflect on what we are praying, and what those words mean. This helps our prayers to be offered to God with greater devotion and fervency. That said, in this episode we continue our discussion on the Our Father. This week we will look at the line, “Hallowed be thy name."

  •

    Our Father: Part 1

    June 8th, 2022  |  14 mins 35 secs
    our father, part 1, shorty

    Many know this prayer and say it often. But what does it mean? What is happening in this prayer? What is Jesus teaching us in and through this prayer? In this first part of a series on the "Our Father" Fred begins to unpack, line by line, the profound meaning of this "most perfect prayer;" the Gospel in the form of prayer. How can a better understanding of the Our Father help you as you seek to draw near to the Lord? Join Fred in this series to find out!

  • Be a Saint or go to Hell (Pt 1)

    May 25th, 2022  |  43 mins 11 secs
    4 last things, death, eternal life, heaven, hell, judgement

    Despite the title, this episode (and part two that will follow next time) really is a LIGHTHEARTED discussion on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
    Drawing on our desire to become saints (strive to be a saint and to hell with everything else), as well as our desire to help others become saints, this episode takes a different direction than listeners may expect. Reflecting on the Four Last Things and our own eventual death lead us to a greater intimacy with Christ, and it could do the same in your life!

  • Why do THEY have a podcast?

    May 11th, 2022  |  44 mins 22 secs

    We recently heard a question about us. Someone asked another friend, "why do THEY have a podcast?" Instead of assuming their intentions behind the question, we prayed with the question. "Why?" In this episode we share why 2 nobodies, sinners, introverts, friends... felt led to begin a podcast. What are we trying to accomplish? What is the future of Draw Near? We also wanted to welcome our hundreds of new listeners, share more of our lives with everyone and answer a couple of common questions we hear.

  • Fr. Stu: A Story of Mercy

    April 27th, 2022  |  40 mins 17 secs
    catholic, father stu, movie, podcast, review

    Yay of nay on Father Stu? With a recent Catholic movie hitting theaters, we thought we would throw our voices in the mix on whether it is worth watching.

  • Saints, Karate and Holy Week

    April 13th, 2022  |  36 mins
    cobra kai, easter, holy week, lent, reflection

    In this episode, we spend some time reflecting on the past few weeks and what the Lord has been speaking to our hearts and doing in our lives as we have moved through the end of Lent and into Holy Week. We also discuss the Netflix series, Cobra Kai, and examine some lessons we can draw from it in light of our faith. Finally, Kara ends the episode with a prayerful meditation on the Sorrowful Mysteries as we prepare for Good Friday.

  • Spiritual Direction

    March 30th, 2022  |  54 mins 40 secs
    sister fidelis marie, special guests, spiritual direction

    Having a spiritual director can be “trendy.” Nevertheless, there is great value in spiritual direction! We often need help in making decisions for ourselves in the light of faith and going deeper in our spiritual lives; in hearing the voice of the Lord and being accountable for what is or is not happening in prayer. So, who needs a spiritual director? When do we need one most? What can we do if we do not have one? In this episode we are joined by Sr. Fidelis Marie as we discuss the answers to all of these questions and share from our own experiences with spiritual direction.

  • Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World

    March 16th, 2022  |  52 mins 34 secs
    culture, heaven, vice and virtue, world