Draw Near
“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
Episodes
April 24, 2024 • 45 mins
The desire for meaningful friendship is a beautiful and very human want. We were made for relationship and both the desire for and friendship itself, are gifts from God. Yet, so many of us often feel alone; or, lost in a sea of acquaintances, we feel like we don't have any "real" friends. We feel alone. We find ourselves focussing more on "fitting in" than belonging; of allowing ourselves to be known by different "versions" of ours...
Mark as Played
April 19, 2024 • 31 mins
In this final episode of My Lord and My God, we explore the meaning of the phrase, drawn from Church teaching, "The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Faith." Why is it important? In Scripture, Christ wants to abide in us; to cast our anxieties upon Him. We are reminded that it is only in Him that we have life in the fullest and truest sense.
We also read that He will be with us even until the "close of the age"; He invites...
Mark as Played
April 17, 2024 • 55 mins
Despite the world being so "connected," many of us find ourselves struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness. We have many "friends," or more accurately, "best acquaintances," but we often lack the meaningful relationships; the friendships we long for that are characterized by love, vulnerability, mutual encouragement and accountability. What can Scripture teach us about friendship? How do we find and maintain these frien...
Mark as Played
April 12, 2024 • 34 mins
What's with all the sitting, standing, and kneeling at a Catholic mass? What is the meaning behind the different postures, because there IS meaning. There is a reason, and that reason brings us deeper into prayer!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co (https://community.suscipe.co/share/M1CQceCQ6cMeBTIB?utm_source=manual)
Click here ...
Mark as Played
April 5, 2024 • 28 mins
Fred's struggle with the protestant teaching on "communion" actually led him to believe the Catholic understanding! Kara grew up not knowing that, as a Catholic, she shouldn't receive "communion" in other Churches. And why can't non-Catholics receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church?
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co (https:/...
Mark as Played
April 3, 2024 • 57 mins
-
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 K...
Mark as Played
March 28, 2024 • 41 mins
Going back to one of our earliest episodes, we pull this discussion of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ from the vault. We pray that it will be a blessing to you as you prepare your hearts for the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter).
["I Thirst" reflection ](https://avemariaradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jesus-I-Thirst.pdf)
Prayer at the end of episode: “To Be A Disciple of Christ” by Fr. Mi...
Mark as Played
March 27, 2024 • 57 mins
In this episode, taken from the third season of the I See a Movement podcast, we are joined by Eric Gallagher as we discuss our own personal victories through struggles and crosses. We take a look at how suffering and trials give way to resurrection! We also reflect on the necessity of embracing our own brokenness and weaknesses, and how, by grace, this helps us to trust the Lord more and become better instruments of healing in the...
Mark as Played
March 22, 2024 • 24 mins
Did you know the Road to Emmaus reveals a lot about our encounter with Christ in the Mass? This is one of Fred and Kara's favorite passages!
Checkout our new endeavor: I See a Movement (www.iseeamovement.com) today! It has videos of us, blogs, and resources for growing in your faith!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co (https://co...
Mark as Played
March 15, 2024 • 30 mins
In this testimony episode of MyLord and My God, with EmmaLee Miklosovic, she shares how God has called her out of perfectionism and loved her in her mess. That translates to her relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist: where he has pursued her heart as a romance. As LOVE himself.
Read EmmaLee's blog "Joyfully His (https://everydaywithjoy12.wixsite.com/joyfullyhis)."
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (h...
Mark as Played
March 13, 2024 • 55 mins
In this third episode taken from the I See a Movement series on the apostolate, we discuss the reality of struggles and obstacles we face in the interior life. Why do these obstacles exist? How do we overcome them? Listen to find out!
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 "s...
Mark as Played
March 6, 2024 • 57 mins
In this second episode taken from the I See a Movement series on the apostolate, we discuss the interior life and it's place within the apostolate of every believer. What is the interior life? What are some of the struggles we face as we strive to grow in the interior life? Listen to find out!
Learn more about I See a Movement at: https://www.iseeamovement.com
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking pa...
Mark as Played
March 1, 2024 • 33 mins
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
In this episode, by looking at the Scriptural meaning and themes of "the lamb," we can better understand the gravity of the words we hear every mass... but perhaps have never truly heard.
These words, spoken by John the Baptist (John 1:29), are familiar to us, as Catholics. We hear them at each mass as the priest raises the consecrated bread and wine high to the Heav...
Mark as Played
February 23, 2024 • 28 mins
The Institution of the Eucharist (Catholic Mass) comes at the Last Supper. In this episode, we bring all of the episodes that come before together to show how Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant, institutes the New, and gives us the "thank" offering that will continue for all of time in the Eucharist.
*Scriptures mentioned: *
Ex 19: 3-6
Ex 24: 7-8, 11
Jer 31: 31-33
Lk 22: 19-20
Mt 26: 26-28
Scripture showing expectation of a new worsh...
Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 55 mins
We are joined by our good friend Eric Gallagher over the next five epsiodes on the apostolate and the interior life! This episode originally posted as part of the Substack platform/podcast we share with Eric, called I See a Movement! We thought this series would be a blessing to all of our Draw Near listeners on your Lenten journey. And of course... we also want you to check out https://www.iseeamovement.com/
In this episdoe, we b...
Mark as Played
February 16, 2024 • 28 mins
In this episode we are joined by our friend, catholic speaker, author, filmmaker, founder of the Science of Sainthood, and host of the Art of Catholic podcast, Matthew Leonard. What was the journey from being a Protestant pastor's kid to receiving Christ in the Eucharist like for Matthew? How did meeting one Catholic family who did "relational evangelization" well set him on a new path?
Matthew and Fred share what it is like to di...
Mark as Played
February 14, 2024 • 64 mins
Reaching back into "the vault" from a couple of years ago, we share one of our most popular Lenten episodes. If you think you are good at Lent… You are not. No one is good at Lent. But there is a good reason for this. Lent is often a challenge because it requires letting go of things that hinder us in following the Lord. It requires taking up the cross and denying ourselves for something much greater and more beautiful: a deeper en...
Mark as Played
February 9, 2024 • 25 mins
In this episode we are joined by one of the people that makes My Lord and My God (and the Draw Near apostolate) possible: John Fitzsimmons! In his testimony we hear how the legacy of faith has been handed down from one generation to the next; how encountering Christ in the Eucharist shaped his childhood and fostered in him a desire for more as a new father. We also hear how prioritizing that encounter with Christ in the Eucharist h...
Mark as Played
February 7, 2024 • 37 mins
In this episode we dive deep into one of the most perplexing passages in Scripture and reflect on its meaning and the implications for our own lives. What is this passage? Genesis 32:22-32, in which Jacob wrestles with God. In what ways is this passage an invitation for all of us? In what we ways do (and perhaps must) we also wrestle with God? How does this wrestling leave us changed? Listen to find out!
Listen to the episode, I S...
Mark as Played
February 2, 2024 • 44 mins
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 Cathol...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.