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

  • 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

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    Your Heart is a Heaven For Him (MLMG Ep 12)

    December 15th, 2023  |  26 mins 10 secs
    book study, catholic, heart is a heaven, i believe in love, the eucharist

    In this episode, we share with listeners one of our "I Believe in Love" Book Study discussions, centered on the Eucharist! We regularly lead studies on this book and in many ways, its a book that changed our lives. We believe that the words of Fr d'Elbee, rooted in the spirituality of St Therese of Lisieux, will be a blessing to you! We begin my looking at the words of Fr d'Elbee, "Give Him the joy of descending upon your heart, which is a heaven for Him!"

    In our show, we focus a lot on OUR encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Yet, in communion, God desires not only that we encounter Him, but He also desires to encounter us! Not only does He dwell in us, but in the Eucharist, Christ becomes one with us! What are the implications of this profound mystery? How should it shape the way we live our lives and how we prepare our hearts for Mass? What does it reveal about God's great love for us? Listen to find out!

  • DN Classics: There's Something About Mary

    December 8th, 2023  |  1 hr 1 min

    Reposting one of our most popular episodes ever in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her feast day (December 8). 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. Christ, while bleeding out and dying on the Cross, said to his Mother, “Behold your son;” and to his beloved disciple, “Behold your Mother.” Scripture then affirms that from that day, this beloved disciple “took her into his home.” We to, as beloved disciples must take her into our homes, and allow the love of the Mother of God to penetrate our hearts as only that of a faithful mother can. Her heart is to draw us near to the source of peace that surpasses all understanding: her son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    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.

  • To Each is Given: Discovering the Charismatic Gifts

    December 6th, 2023  |  43 mins 5 secs
    charismatic, charisms

    "To Each is Given a manifestation of the Spirit" (1 Cor 12:7). We are all given supernatural gifts, or "charisms," for the common good of the Church. Each person has a purpose in the renewal and building up of the Body of Christ. Where can you begin in your process of discerning?

  • Death Does Not Have the Final Say - Homily by Fr Patrick Behm

    December 4th, 2023  |  16 mins 30 secs

    Funeral for Jeffry Michael Behm - Homily by Fr Patrick Behm

    As many of our listeners are aware, the Behm family has fought a great battle over the last year as the result of a cancer diagnosis for Jeffry Behm, the beloved husband of Julia, and father of Fr Patrick and Tom Behm. Throughout that battle the witness of the great faith the family has demonstrated has been nothing short of inspiring. In this homily, Fr Behm reflects on death, suffering, and the confidence the faithful should have in the face of similar trials: we do not grieve as those without hope.

    Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!

    Amen

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    My Baptist Friends Led Me to Priesthood (MLMG Ep 10)

    December 1st, 2023  |  29 mins 48 secs
    encounter, eucharist, fr travis crotty, my lord and my god, outcast catholic, testimony, vocation

    In this episode we are joined by the co-host of the Outcast Catholic podcast, Fr Travis Crotty. In this "testimony" episode, we root our discussion in one of the foundational questions for our show: How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? Of course, this is not merely a once in a life time encounter, because the Lord is always seeking to encounter us and pour out his love into our hearts; and inviting us to go deeper in that same love.

    This invitation, found in the Eucharist, celebrated at every Mass, is the very source of stability that helped Fr Travis to overcome difficulty and suffering during his teenage years.

    So what was it then that made him take up the call to the priesthood? To dedicate his life to helping others to encounter Christ in the Eucharist? It all began with some Baptist friends challenging him for his Catholic faith. This pressure was actually a catalyst for conversion to a deeper faith rooted in, the Eucharist. So many can give in to the temptation to slip away from the Catholic faith when challenged. Fr Travis provides a great example of how to respond in these situations.

    How does one maintain a fervor and love for the Eucharist? How should understanding the reality of the Christ being present in the Eucharist shape the way we live our lives and approach the world around us? Listen to find out!