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    <title>Draw Near - Episodes Tagged with “Compassion”</title>
    <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/tags/compassion</link>
    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -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.
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    <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.
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    <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>
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  <itunes:category text="Christianity"/>
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  <title>Surprised by Mercy</title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/214</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
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  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>What is mercy, really—and why does it matter so much today? In this episode, Fred and Kara dive into the heart of Divine Mercy, exploring how God’s mercy heals, transforms, and calls us to do the same for others. With stories, Scripture, and personal reflections, they unpack mercy as more than forgiveness—it’s compassion in action. You’ll walk away inspired to receive mercy and live it out in your relationships and daily life.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>39:06</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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  <description>In this full-length episode of Draw Near, we return to the mic for a heartfelt conversation on one of the most essential themes of our faith—mercy.
What does it really mean to be merciful? Is mercy just forgiveness, or something more? And in a world full of division, anxiety, and wounds, how can God’s mercy truly heal us and flow through us to others?
Together, we explore:
How Scripture and the Catechism define mercy
The surprising ways we’ve experienced God’s mercy in our lives
Why mercy is essential to healing broken relationships—and how to live it
Practical ways to grow in compassion, patience, and forgiveness (including with ourselves)
Why mercy and truth must go hand-in-hand in today’s Church and culture
A powerful story about St. Francis and rebuilding the Church with love and mercy
What it means to show mercy without compromising truth
We also share personal stories of struggle, healing, and God’s never-ending patience, including a time of wrestling with anger toward God—and how mercy transformed it.
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 
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  <itunes:keywords>divine mercy, God's mercy, forgiveness, healing relationships, mercy in Scripture, compassion, spiritual growth, Matthew 25, how to forgive, live mercifully, Christian life</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>In this full-length episode of Draw Near, we return to the mic for a heartfelt conversation on one of the most essential themes of our faith—mercy.</p>

<p>What does it really mean to be merciful? Is mercy just forgiveness, or something more? And in a world full of division, anxiety, and wounds, how can God’s mercy truly heal us and flow through us to others?</p>

<p>Together, we explore:</p>

<ul>
<li>How Scripture and the Catechism define mercy</li>
<li>The surprising ways we’ve experienced God’s mercy in our lives</li>
<li>Why mercy is essential to healing broken relationships—and how to live it</li>
<li>Practical ways to grow in compassion, patience, and forgiveness (including with ourselves)</li>
<li>Why mercy and truth must go hand-in-hand in today’s Church and culture</li>
<li>A powerful story about St. Francis and rebuilding the Church with love and mercy</li>
<li>What it means to show mercy without compromising truth</li>
</ul>

<p>We also share personal stories of struggle, healing, and God’s never-ending patience, including a time of wrestling with anger toward God—and how mercy transformed it.<br>
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 full-length episode of Draw Near, we return to the mic for a heartfelt conversation on one of the most essential themes of our faith—mercy.</p>

<p>What does it really mean to be merciful? Is mercy just forgiveness, or something more? And in a world full of division, anxiety, and wounds, how can God’s mercy truly heal us and flow through us to others?</p>

<p>Together, we explore:</p>

<ul>
<li>How Scripture and the Catechism define mercy</li>
<li>The surprising ways we’ve experienced God’s mercy in our lives</li>
<li>Why mercy is essential to healing broken relationships—and how to live it</li>
<li>Practical ways to grow in compassion, patience, and forgiveness (including with ourselves)</li>
<li>Why mercy and truth must go hand-in-hand in today’s Church and culture</li>
<li>A powerful story about St. Francis and rebuilding the Church with love and mercy</li>
<li>What it means to show mercy without compromising truth</li>
</ul>

<p>We also share personal stories of struggle, healing, and God’s never-ending patience, including a time of wrestling with anger toward God—and how mercy transformed it.<br>
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>
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