<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" encoding="UTF-8" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom/" xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:fireside="http://fireside.fm/modules/rss/fireside">
  <channel>
    <fireside:hostname>web01.fireside.fm</fireside:hostname>
    <fireside:genDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:43:32 -0500</fireside:genDate>
    <generator>Fireside (https://fireside.fm)</generator>
    <title>Draw Near - Episodes Tagged with “Christian Spirituality”</title>
    <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/tags/christian%20spirituality</link>
    <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
    <description>At Draw Near, we explore the beautiful truth that God, out of His deep and personal love for each of us, takes the first step to draw near. But this divine movement calls for a response—a response that shapes our lives and transforms our hearts. Together, we embark on this journey of faith, discovering the many ways God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit work within us.
Rooted in the Catholic faith, our podcast is a space where authenticity meets joy. We’re two best friends navigating life, family, and faith with honesty, humility, and a lot of love. Each episode is a heartfelt conversation—sometimes deep, sometimes lighthearted, but always real. We strive to be vulnerable, faithful, and passionate, sharing insights and stories to inspire you on your path toward Christ.
This is more than a podcast; it’s a shared journey toward sainthood. So come laugh with us, reflect with us, and grow with us as we Draw Near to God and one another. Let’s set out together on this adventure of faith, friendship, and grace.
</description>
    <language>en</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another. </itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>At Draw Near, we explore the beautiful truth that God, out of His deep and personal love for each of us, takes the first step to draw near. But this divine movement calls for a response—a response that shapes our lives and transforms our hearts. Together, we embark on this journey of faith, discovering the many ways God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit work within us.
Rooted in the Catholic faith, our podcast is a space where authenticity meets joy. We’re two best friends navigating life, family, and faith with honesty, humility, and a lot of love. Each episode is a heartfelt conversation—sometimes deep, sometimes lighthearted, but always real. We strive to be vulnerable, faithful, and passionate, sharing insights and stories to inspire you on your path toward Christ.
This is more than a podcast; it’s a shared journey toward sainthood. So come laugh with us, reflect with us, and grow with us as we Draw Near to God and one another. Let’s set out together on this adventure of faith, friendship, and grace.
</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/cover.jpg?v=2"/>
    <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>Faith; Christ; Podcast; Catholic; Friends; Draw Near</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>drawnear.me@gmail.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
  <itunes:category text="Spirituality"/>
</itunes:category>
<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
  <itunes:category text="Christianity"/>
</itunes:category>
<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"/>
<item>
  <title>Life's Interruptions or Divine Invitations?  </title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/219</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b6e70add-f0f1-4ec5-b3e6-0cdfdc2ff1ff</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/b6e70add-f0f1-4ec5-b3e6-0cdfdc2ff1ff.mp3" length="25976884" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations?
When Jesus was interrupted, he didn’t push people away—he welcomed them. In this short podcast episode of Draw Near, Kara reflects on how embracing life’s interruptions can lead us to unexpected grace. What if the distractions are actually divine invitations?

</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>18:02</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/episodes/b/b6e70add-f0f1-4ec5-b3e6-0cdfdc2ff1ff/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations? In this reflective "shorty," Kara shares a personal insight drawn from her own life and the life of Christ in Scripture. Jesus never pushed people away because they weren’t part of “the plan.” He embraced them as the plan.
This episode invites you to rethink the way you see the unexpected moments in your own life—those small or inconvenient interruptions—as potential encounters with God’s grace. 
This week, when you’re interrupted: Stop. Breathe. Reflect: “Lord, is this an invitation from you? Help me to embrace this moment and invite grace.”
Click to REGISTER  (https://www.drawnear.me/)for the Draw Near Retreat Aug. 9th
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Click here (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. 
"Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/)! 
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.  (https://www.drawnear.me/)
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>Jesus, Interruptions, Christian reflections, divine invitations, podcast, Catholic, Christian, Draw Near podcast, Kara Kardell, God's plan, How Jesus responds to People, Grace, Christian Encouragement, everyday faith, living the faith, holiness</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations? In this reflective &quot;shorty,&quot; Kara shares a personal insight drawn from her own life and the life of Christ in Scripture. Jesus never pushed people away because they weren’t part of “the plan.” He embraced them as the plan.</p>

<p>This episode invites you to rethink the way you see the unexpected moments in your own life—those small or inconvenient interruptions—as potential encounters with God’s grace. </p>

<p>This week, when you’re interrupted: Stop. Breathe. Reflect: “Lord, is this an invitation from you? Help me to embrace this moment and invite grace.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Click to REGISTER </a>for the Draw Near Retreat Aug. 9th</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations? In this reflective &quot;shorty,&quot; Kara shares a personal insight drawn from her own life and the life of Christ in Scripture. Jesus never pushed people away because they weren’t part of “the plan.” He embraced them as the plan.</p>

<p>This episode invites you to rethink the way you see the unexpected moments in your own life—those small or inconvenient interruptions—as potential encounters with God’s grace. </p>

<p>This week, when you’re interrupted: Stop. Breathe. Reflect: “Lord, is this an invitation from you? Help me to embrace this moment and invite grace.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Click to REGISTER </a>for the Draw Near Retreat Aug. 9th</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>Washed and Chosen: Living Out Our Baptismal Call</title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/207</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d57d823-28b1-4ab4-9d43-ccf8e3a0a849</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/8d57d823-28b1-4ab4-9d43-ccf8e3a0a849.mp3" length="54240847" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ. Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy. This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>55:00</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/episodes/8/8d57d823-28b1-4ab4-9d43-ccf8e3a0a849/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ.
*Theme: *Renewing Our Identity in Christ
Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy.
Key Questions Answered:
How can we understand and embrace our identity as beloved children of God?
* Discover how God’s unconditional love defines our worth, sets us free, and calls us to a life rooted in hope and purpose.
What role does baptism play in forming our mission and vocation?
* Learn how baptism commissions us as missionary disciples, equipping us to live our faith in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.
In a busy world, how can we renew our commitment to living as disciples?
Gain practical steps to cultivate prayer, prioritize the Eucharist, and reflect Christ’s love in everyday actions.
Why Listen?
This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Click here (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. 
"Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/)! 
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.  (https://www.drawnear.me/)
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>Baptismal call, Catholic discipleship, identity in Christ, living your faith, Catholic podcast, Christian spirituality, renewing faith, mission and vocation, beloved child of God, practical discipleship tips. pokemon </itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ.</p>

<p>**Theme: **Renewing Our Identity in Christ<br>
Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy.</p>

<p><strong>Key Questions Answered:</strong></p>

<p><em><strong>How can we understand and embrace our identity as beloved children of God?</strong></em></p>

<ul>
<li>Discover how God’s unconditional love defines our worth, sets us free, and calls us to a life rooted in hope and purpose.</li>
</ul>

<p><em><strong>What role does baptism play in forming our mission and vocation?</strong></em></p>

<ul>
<li>Learn how baptism commissions us as missionary disciples, equipping us to live our faith in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.
<em><strong>In a busy world, how can we renew our commitment to living as disciples?</strong></em>
Gain practical steps to cultivate prayer, prioritize the Eucharist, and reflect Christ’s love in everyday actions.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Why Listen?</strong><br>
This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ.</p>

<p>**Theme: **Renewing Our Identity in Christ<br>
Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy.</p>

<p><strong>Key Questions Answered:</strong></p>

<p><em><strong>How can we understand and embrace our identity as beloved children of God?</strong></em></p>

<ul>
<li>Discover how God’s unconditional love defines our worth, sets us free, and calls us to a life rooted in hope and purpose.</li>
</ul>

<p><em><strong>What role does baptism play in forming our mission and vocation?</strong></em></p>

<ul>
<li>Learn how baptism commissions us as missionary disciples, equipping us to live our faith in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.
<em><strong>In a busy world, how can we renew our commitment to living as disciples?</strong></em>
Gain practical steps to cultivate prayer, prioritize the Eucharist, and reflect Christ’s love in everyday actions.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Why Listen?</strong><br>
This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
  </channel>
</rss>
