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

  • Her Answered Prayer (MLMG Ep 18)

    February 2nd, 2024  |  44 mins 2 secs
    catholic faith, coming home, conversion, eucharist, sonja corbitt, testimony

    In this episode, we are so grateful to be joined by our good friend, Sonja Corbitt! Here, Sonja shares with us her powerfully stirring testimony about how God led her to the answer to her prayer, and the longing of her heart: "Lord, I want to be closer to you!"

    As always, Sonja shares from the heart with passion. She shares her journey of falling in love with Jesus in and through the Scriptures and how that led her into the Catholic Church.

    Fred and Sonja also discuss the challenges and struggles they faced in making that journey toward the Eucharist; but, also how the sacrifice is worth it! Because in Christ, the deepest longing of our hearts can be found.

  • As You Did in Egypt (MLMG Ep 17)

    January 26th, 2024  |  20 mins 59 secs
    eucharist, exodus, jewish, old testament, passover

    St Augustine famously said, that in the Old Testament, the New Testament is concealed. And in the New Testament, the meaning of the Old Testament is revealed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that, "All sacred Scripture is but one book, and this one book is Christ (CCC 134). We hear the St John the Baptist and other New Testament writers refer to Christ as the "Lamb of God." But what does this mean? St Paul refers to Christ as our new Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). but again, what is the significance of this passage? What profound truth was the apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, desiring to reveal to us? In this episode we look at the Passover (when Israel was freed from Egyptian bondage) found in Exodus 12, and what it reveals to us about our reception of Christ in the Eucharist.

  • Jesus, I Trust In You

    January 24th, 2024  |  45 mins 8 secs
    jesus i trust in you, litany of trust

    In this episode, we share some exciting news! We also spend some time reflecting on one of our favorite prayers, the Litany of Trust. Continuing our "Lectio Series" by reflecting on the prayer itself, we look at what it means to "trust" in the Lord. How can we trust in hard times? How does God forge our trust and hope in Him in the midst of our day to day lives? Listen to find out!

  • I AM the Bread of Life (MLMG Ep 16)

    January 19th, 2024  |  36 mins 48 secs
    apologetics, bread of life, eucharist, john 6

    Continuing our discussion from the episodes, Bread from Heaven and Feeding of the 5,000, in this episode we discuss the meaning of John 6 (particularly, the Bread of Life discourse). In this passage, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." What does Jesus mean? Is this a metaphor? Does he mean to be taken literally? If so... what does it mean for us?

  • I Was Made to Be A Priest (MLMG Ep 15)

    January 12th, 2024  |  35 mins 45 secs
    father andrew auer, mass, priesthood, st. louis, testimony

    When God calls your heart, you answer. Fr. Andrew Auer of St. Louis shares how through an invitation to attend weekly mass, God changed his heart. Father's encounter with Christ in the mass at 16 years old led him to leave sin and desire holiness, and it ultimately led him to the priesthood.
    In this episode Fred, Kara, and Father Auer also discuss God's desire for us to approach him with the security and reliance of that like a child to a parent.

  • New Day's Resolution

    January 10th, 2024  |  27 mins 21 secs
    encouragement, goals, new year's resolutions

    In this episode, we reflect on New Year's Resolutions... Or, more accurately, "New Day's Resolutions" and the idea that the Lord's mercies are new every morning. While there is great value in in resolutions for a new year, should we also place an emphasis on the hope of a new day, every day? How do we evaluate the "success" of our resolutions? How do we avoid the temptation to be overly hard on our selves when we believe we fall short? Listen to find out!

  • Feeding the 5000 (MLMG Ep 14)

    January 5th, 2024  |  27 mins 58 secs
    bible, feeding 5000, proof, scripture, teaching

    Serving as a "bridge" between our last episode, Bread from Heaven, and our discussion on the Bread of Life discourse (John 6); this week we take up the topic of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. From the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, Jesus multiplied the available food such that the crowd that was following him could "eat their fill." Yet, 12 baskets remained leftover. How is this possible? What was John trying to reveal to us about Jesus Christ? What is significant about the language the Gospel writer uses and what are the parallels that can be drawn? How does this miracle point ultimately to the Eucharist? Listen to find out!

  • Bread from Heaven (MLMG Ep 13)

    December 29th, 2023  |  29 mins 8 secs
    bread of life, eucharist, exodus, manna, wilderness

    Being a podcast on the Eucharist, we wanted to take up the OT account of the manna in the desert (Exodus 16). Referenced in the New Testament several times (especially in John 6). We will be devoting a few episodes to the "Bread of Life Discourse (John 6), but we wanted to first lay a good foundation and highlight some key passages in the book of Exodus, as well as the parallels that can be drawn in the New Testament and the way the reception of the "Bread from Heaven" should shape the way we live our lives.

  • Giving the Vineyard to "Others"-priesthood (MLMG Ep 11)

    December 22nd, 2023  |  26 mins 25 secs
    authority, priesthood, scripture, teaching

    Priests have been given authority by God to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ through His Church -- the Catholic Church.
    There are often questions about why there is a priesthood. Why are priests needed instead of a simple preacher or pastor? And by whose authority do priests change bread and wine in Jesus' body and blood?
    While there is Tradition for this, the priesthood is instituted in Scripture! It is not a made up construct by the Catholic Church but, rather, given by Jesus Christ.
    Listen to this episode of the My Lord & My God podcast to hear where the priesthood is found in Scripture or biblical teaching.

  • Love Builds the Church: a Lectio of 1 Cor 13

    December 20th, 2023  |  34 mins 33 secs
    draw near podcast, lectio divina, love, scripture

    LOVE is the root of renewal of heart, renewal in the Church, and renewal in the world. "Love" builds the Church. This is a topic Fred and Kara have wanted to take up for a LONG time on the Draw Near podcast. We share personal reflections or this passage and how God has been moving in our hearts and lives recently.

  • Christmas Classic: Xmas and Advent Traditions

    December 18th, 2023  |  52 mins
    advent, christmas, classics

    Pulling from the Draw Near archive for this one, please enjoy this classic "Draw Near Christmas Spectacular" where we talk about our favorite Christmas memories and share some of our families' traditions. BONUS: hear all new year-end updates from Fred and Kara.

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    "Gratitude" COVER by Fred and Kara

    December 15th, 2023  |  5 mins 58 secs
    cover, gratitude, music

    Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell share an acoustic cover of "Gratitude," by Bethel Worship.

    Song written by: Benjamin Hastings, Brandon Lake, and Dante Bowe