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

  • Full of Grace

    December 8th, 2021  |  29 mins 1 sec
    draw near, full of grace, immaculate conception, kara kardell, mary, scripture, shorty

    December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Listen to this Draw Near podcast "shorty" to learn more about this feast. Mary was set apart for all of time! Scripture shows this. The Blessed Mother was preserved from original sin from the moment of her creation. Listen to Kara teach a Scriptural study on Mary and the Catholic dogma of her Immaculate Conception.
    Tags: Full of Grace, Annunciation, Mary, Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception, Marian Dogma, Draw Near podcast, Kara Kardell, Original Sin

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    Until the King Returns

    December 6th, 2021  |  29 mins 4 secs
    catholic church, draw near, kara kardell, papacy, podcast, popes, shorty

    In this shorty, Kara gives an in-depth teaching on the Catholic Church and the Papacy (Popes). Why does the Church have a Pope? Where is the idea of a Pope in the Bible?

  • God's Ways are Desert Ways

    November 24th, 2021  |  55 mins 59 secs
    book just rest, draw near podcast, exodus bible study, fred and kara, just rest, sonja corbitt

    Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell speak with guest, Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Sonja Corbitt! Sonja is the Bible Evangelista! This episode unpacks some content in her book, "Just Rest." What does the Exodus teach us? How are God's ways desert ways? God's ways are ALWAYS desert ways. He shows us this throughout the Scriptures, specifically through the Exodus.
    God wants to bring us to the promised land! But before the promised land comes the desert. There are lessons to be learned and "dew" to be given within the desert. Listen to this episode to hear this in depth discussion of "Just Rest" and some profound experiences of Fred and Kara in reading this book.

  • What Am I Supposed to Do?

    November 10th, 2021  |  54 mins 26 secs
    catholic, discernment, draw near podcast, fred and kara, guest, holiness, sister fidelis marie, vocations

    Fred Shellabarger, Kara Kardell, and guest-Sister Fidelis Marie talk about living holiness in our every day lives on this episode of the Draw Near podcast. It's easy to get bogged down discerning the future options, vocations, or the many choices placed in front of us. Sister Fidelis gives wonderful, spiritually balanced, guidance on discerning where God calls us. We also talk about making decisions in life, consolation and desolation, wounds, and the importance of living out the call to holiness each day. We shouldn't wait until a future date to become who God created us to be! Simply say yes to God.

  • St. Therese of Lisieux: Living the Heart of the Gospel

    October 27th, 2021  |  52 mins 47 secs
    lessons from therese, life lessons, small things with great love, st. therese, the hidden way, the little flower

    In this episode, we take up the theme of “life lessons” from the Saints. We share our encounters with St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” and share some deeply personal experiences of how her words, and no doubt her intercession, helped us draw near to the Lord during very difficult times. We consider St. Therese a very dear friend and we hope that this episode will help you to also discover just how relatable she is; and how her “Little Way” can help you also find joy and fulfillment even in the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments.
    Draw Near podcast, Fred Shellabarger, and Kara Kardell, drawnear.me, St. Therese, Catholic

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    Coping with Feelings of Failure

    October 13th, 2021  |  48 mins 58 secs
    calming the storm, failure, feelings or failure, gospels, overcoming failure, prayer, scripture

    We have all wrestled with discouragement, thoughts of our own failures and shortcomings. Where is God in the midst of our failures? How do we overcome these feelings. Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell cover the topic of failure in this episode of the Draw Near podcast.

  • Praying the Catechism and God's Incredible Love for You

    October 9th, 2021  |  7 mins 40 secs
    catechism of the catholic church, draw near podcast, fred and kara, prayer, reflection, scripture

    In this Shorty, Fred Shellabarger shows us how to not only pray with Scripture, but also how to pray with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is itself filled with Scripture. This book, a summation of the Catholic faith, is not merely a reference book. The Church teaches Truth, and we are invited to not simply learn this truth, but pray with it! Fred presents a method for praying the Catechism, and reflects on the profound truth and beauty that is revealed in the process.

  • The Word is Alive

    October 7th, 2021  |  28 mins 30 secs
    bible study, draw near podcast, fred and kara, jesus in the bible, prayer, scripture, word of god

    Scripture is the Living Word of God. It is there, in Scripture, that we encounter Christ. It is through study and prayer of the Word that we walk with God and speak with Him.

  • Mary: Ark of the New Covenant

    October 5th, 2021  |  16 mins 34 secs
    ark of the covenant, assumption, blessed mother, catholic, draw near, fred and kara, mary

    It isn’t uncommon for Catholics to hear that we put too much emphasis on Mary... or, “She’s not that important…She’s barely even in scripture.” Well… Mary is ALL over scripture.
    This "shorty" teaches on Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant.
    What is the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament? How does Luke's Gospel present Mary as the New Ark? What does this have to do with the Assumption? Find out in this shorty!

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    Life Lessons from Assisi

    September 29th, 2021  |  52 mins 50 secs
    catholic, francis and clare, life lessons, saints

    St. Francis and St. Clare have become profound intercessors in our lives who have turned into great friends!
    There are many assumptions or misconceptions out there about these Saints... This episode shares the lives of Sts. Francis and Clare, while pulling five life lessons we can all learn from them! We hope by the end of this episode, they may hold a place in your heart and become friends of yours, too!

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    Virtuous Friendship

    September 15th, 2021  |  55 mins 3 secs
    friends, friendship, holiness, virtue

    We have many "friends," or more accurately, "best acquaintances," but we often lack the meaningful relationships; the friendships we long for that are characterized by love, vulnerability, mutual encouragement and accountability. What does friendship look like? Find out on this episode of Draw Near as Fred and Kara discuss all of this and share from their own close friendship!

  • Ask a Priest

    July 12th, 2021  |  1 hr 3 mins

    On this week’s episode of Draw Near, we are joined by our good friend Fr. Patrick Behm. We explore a variety of topics as we discuss what greatness looks like TODAY, how the past year has impacted Father, a trend toward new age spirituality, and more. 
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