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

  • 4 People You Need in Your Life

    February 4th, 2021  |  42 mins 20 secs

    We are made for relationship... and yet it seems so hard to find those intimate Catholic friendships. You know... the kind where you don't have to pretend to have it all together. The kind where you feel guided, supported, and loved! The friendships wher...

  • As We Forgive

    January 20th, 2021  |  41 mins 25 secs

    The Our Father prayer says, "Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us." Mt 6:12, 14-15. Each time we pray this, we acknowledge that we are forgiven to the measure we forgive. Listen to this episode to deepen your spiritual un...

  • Life of Prayer

    January 6th, 2021  |  25 mins 13 secs

    In a follow-up episode to Prayer: Intimate Friendship with God, we continue the conversation on prayer with friend and speaker Matthew Leonard. No matter where we are in our relationship with God, He is always calling us to grow in the spiritual life... ...

  • Prayer: Intimate Friendship with God

    December 23rd, 2020  |  47 mins 38 secs

    The spiritual IS the practical. Nothing in our spiritual lives (or lives in general) is more integral than a prayer life. This is where we grow in friendship with God! Listen for more on this topic, biblical examples and teachings, and tips to overcoming...

  • Why are you Catholic?

    December 9th, 2020  |  38 mins 42 secs

    There are many questions that we often may never intentionally reflect on. In this episode, we ask each other a couple of these questions and share parts of our testimonies. What led Fred to convert to Catholicism? What impacted Kara's faith in a dramati...

  • Come Follow Me

    November 25th, 2020  |  38 mins 6 secs

    "'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." Mt 4:19-20
    We discuss the impact of this scripture passage and the practical applications for our lives. 

  • Redemptive Suffering

    November 18th, 2020  |  9 mins 57 secs

    In this short episode, we welcome a friend and well-known Catholic speaker, Matthew Leonard. We had a great conversation with him about love, prayer, the interior life, and suffering. As a follow-up to our "Willingness to Suffer" episode, we wanted to sh...

  • Willingness to Suffer

    November 11th, 2020  |  54 mins 27 secs

    Jesus tells us narrow and difficult is the path that leads to life. Does this mean we will naturally experience hardships and suffering? 
    What is the cause of suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people? Does God even ASK us to suffering? Find out...

  • The Invisible World: Spiritual Warfare

    October 30th, 2020  |  25 mins 16 secs

    The devil and his evil ones tempt us and try to do all they can to draw us away from God... to steal our lives. Listen to find out how to combat spiritual warfare!
    St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us. 

  • The Invisible World: Demons

    October 26th, 2020  |  29 mins 5 secs

    Continuing the series on the Invisible World, demons are quite real. Evil wants to remain hidden, because it can do so much more damage in the dark. Listen to this episode to bring evil and the attempts to drag you away from God into the light! 
    (Note: G...

  • Episode 3: The Invisible World: Angels part 2

    October 23rd, 2020  |  30 mins 1 sec

    Continuing the "Invisible World" series, Fred and Kara provide practical tips to increase devotion to guardian angels and allow them to work more in our lives. The invisible world works in the visible world... in your life! 

  • The Invisible World: Angels Part 1

    October 20th, 2020  |  23 mins 15 secs

    90% of God's creation is INVISIBLE! In this "Invisible World" series, Fred and Kara talk about angels and demons. This first episode will answer the questions: What are angels? How do they interact in the visible world? How can we invite them into our li...