Draw Near

I Never Thought I'd Be a Yelling Mom

November 9th, 2022  |  45 mins 38 secs

catholic, draw near podcast, faith at home, fred and kara, guilt, healing, marriage, miscarriage, motherhood, noelle garcia, wives

"They never told you in marriage preparation that some days, you won't like each other very much." Continuing our series on marriage and family life, Kara is joined by speaker, musician, podcaster, wife and mom, Noelle Garcia! Sharing from the heart and the "realness" of daily life as Catholic wives and moms, Kara and Noelle discuss the hardest and the greatest things about marriage and motherhood. What advice is there for those who struggle with mom guilt (or guilt in general)? How do you handle different parenting styles and different approaches to home life between spouses? What are the biggest challenges and joys of motherhood and how do we approach these and maintain joy? All of these questions are answered in this episode!

Trigger Warning: Noelle also shares her testimony of faith in the midst of the grief of a miscarriage.

Wives and Wine

October 12th, 2022  |  45 mins 39 secs

catholic, draw near podcast, fred and kara, marriage, motherhood, recipes, wives

The ladies had to get their 2 cents in on this family series! If you enjoyed the husband/dad episodes, you'll love this one more. Tune in to hear Kara chat with her good friend (and Fred's wife) Krystal Shellabarger about marriage and motherhood.

COVER SONG: "Amazing Grace"

January 19th, 2022  |  6 mins 26 secs

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We LOVE recording and playing music. Please enjoy our cover (with all original verses added) of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

No Longer Slaves

January 5th, 2022  |  3 mins 22 secs

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We LOVE recording and playing music. Please enjoy this cover of "No Longer Slaves" by Bethel Music that Fred and Kara recorded.

God's Ways are Desert Ways: An interview with Sonja Corbitt on her book "Just Rest"

November 24th, 2021  |  55 mins 59 secs

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Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell speak with guest, Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Sonja Corbitt! Sonja is the Bible Evangelista! This episode unpacks some content in her book, "Just Rest." What does the Exodus teach us? How are God's ways desert ways? God's ways are ALWAYS desert ways. He shows us this throughout the Scriptures, specifically through the Exodus.
God wants to bring us to the promised land! But before the promised land comes the desert. There are lessons to be learned and "dew" to be given within the desert. Listen to this episode to hear this in depth discussion of "Just Rest" and some profound experiences of Fred and Kara in reading this book.

What Am I Supposed to Do?

November 10th, 2021  |  54 mins 26 secs

catholic, discernment, draw near podcast, fred and kara, guest, holiness, sister fidelis marie, vocations

Fred Shellabarger, Kara Kardell, and guest-Sister Fidelis Marie talk about living holiness in our every day lives on this episode of the Draw Near podcast. It's easy to get bogged down discerning the future options, vocations, or the many choices placed in front of us. Sister Fidelis gives wonderful, spiritually balanced, guidance on discerning where God calls us. We also talk about making decisions in life, consolation and desolation, wounds, and the importance of living out the call to holiness each day. We shouldn't wait until a future date to become who God created us to be! Simply say yes to God.

Praying the Catechism and God's Incredible Love for You

October 9th, 2021  |  7 mins 40 secs

catechism of the catholic church, draw near podcast, fred and kara, prayer, reflection, scripture

In this Shorty, Fred Shellabarger shows us how to not only pray with Scripture, but also how to pray with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is itself filled with Scripture. This book, a summation of the Catholic faith, is not merely a reference book. The Church teaches Truth, and we are invited to not simply learn this truth, but pray with it! Fred presents a method for praying the Catechism, and reflects on the profound truth and beauty that is revealed in the process.

The Word is Alive

October 7th, 2021  |  28 mins 30 secs

bible study, draw near podcast, fred and kara, jesus in the bible, prayer, scripture, word of god

Scripture is the Living Word of God. It is there, in Scripture, that we encounter Christ. It is through study and prayer of the Word that we walk with God and speak with Him.

Mary: Ark of the New Covenant

October 5th, 2021  |  16 mins 34 secs

ark of the covenant, assumption, blessed mother, catholic, draw near, fred and kara, mary

It isn’t uncommon for Catholics to hear that we put too much emphasis on Mary... or, “She’s not that important…She’s barely even in scripture.” Well… Mary is ALL over scripture.
This "shorty" teaches on Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant.
What is the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament? How does Luke's Gospel present Mary as the New Ark? What does this have to do with the Assumption? Find out in this shorty!