Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara KardellReligion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality

Draw Near episodes

May 03, 2023 Lectio Reflection of Phil 4: How to follow Christ
Continuing our series of lectio discussions, in this episode we look at one of Fred's favorite passages in all of Scripture: Phil 4:4-9. Paul's words to the Philippians are packed full of encouragement and guidance in how we are to follow Christ. Can we rejoice? More importantly, can we rejoice... always? Even in the midst of difficult circumstances? St Paul wrote to Timothy, "Follow me as I follow Christ." In many ways, those words are for us too! But what does that look like? How do we balance the "being" with the "doing"? Furthermore, in the face of negativity, discouragement, division, and so much in the world that can be troubling to our minds and hearts, how do we maintain our hope? How do we guard our hearts and minds to avoid temptation, fear, anxiety, and despair? The answers to these questions all form the core of our lectio discussion this week!
I See a Movement (previous episode we mentioned)
Buy I Believe in Love here!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
*Click here to become a supporter/patron! *"Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
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30 min
April 19, 2023 I See a Movement
In what is likely the most deeply personal, vulnerable, and passionate Draw Near discussion we have ever offered listeners, we decided to share exactly what is at the heart of what we do. What has the Lord put on our hearts? How does it shape our ministry together? The lives of our families? What do we see as our vision and goals? For the past three years we have talked about these things in passing, but never in a meaningful way. We decided its time to do just that!
It is our deepest prayer and desire that this episode, more than anything else, would inspire you to allow the Holy Spirit to move upon the waters of your heart, to enkindle the fire of God's love in your heart, so that you would be moved to renew the world around you through the joy of the Gospel! Even the greatest fire begins with but a spark!
Visit the [Project Timothy website here](www.projecttimothy.me)!
Mentioned in this episode:
Four People You Need in Your Life
I See a Movement
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
*Click here to become a supporter/patron! *"Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
44 min
March 29, 2023 Crippled Beggars: A Reflection of Acts 3
In this episode we continue our Lenten lectio divina Scripture reflections by taking a look at the account of the Lame Beggar at the Beautiful Gate. Here we see Peter and John look at him intently, though they could not offer him the money he was asking for, it did not prevent their fixed and loving attention on him. What they offer the man was something even greater than he asked for. Prayer. Jesus Christ. Healing! The man asked with expectancy; that his needs would be met. But the Lord provided even greater things. Peter and John offered prayer, and expected that that prayer would bear fruit. What are the many things we can learn from this passage? In what ways can we relate to this beggar? In what ways are we called to follow the example of Peter and John? What does all of this have to do with hope? Listen to find out!
Acts 3:1-10
"Now Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the three o’clock hour of prayer. And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him."
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
*Click here to become a supporter/patron! *"Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
39 min
March 15, 2023 I Will Give You Rest
In this episode, we take a different approach than usual, by doing a Lectio Divina together on Matthew 11:28-30. What we offer in this episode is a much deeper, personal and more vulnerable reflection on our walk with Christ and how He is working in our lives during this season; in and through the launch of our full time apostolate work, and especially during Lent. We discuss the things that are weighing on our hearts as well how the Lord is calling us to rest and trust in Him. We pray this conversation will be a blessing in your own lenten journey.
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Bar 3:9; 37-41
Hear the commandments of life, O Israel;
give ear, and learn wisdom!
Afterward she appeared upon earth
and lived among men.
She is the book of the commandments of God,
and the law that endures for ever.
All who hold her fast will live,
and those who forsake her will die.
Acts 15:10
Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Gal 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Mat 5:48
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever...
Phil 2:1-8
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
1 Cor 13:4-8
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends...
*Come, Follow Me: *
https://drawnear.fireside.fm/8
Virtuous Friendships:
https://drawnear.fireside.fm/21
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
37 min
March 01, 2023 Lectio the Liturgy
In this episode we are joined by our friend Julie Storr, from Lectio the Liturgy! We discuss lectio devina, meditative prayer and especially the Mass! Catholics recognize the Mass as the highest form of public prayer in the Church, the Roman Missal as our official prayerbook. The liturgy that we celebrate and the words that we hear, and pray in the Liturgy, even the simplest of words, are packed with meaning that can help us grow in our relationship with Christ and His Church. What better time than this Lent! Julie Storr offers us some guidance in how to prepare our hearts to encounter Christ in the Liturgy.
We also share some exciting news! Lectio the Liturgy is launching as a podcast! That's right! Julie Storr is joining the #drawnearfam #podcastnetwork
You can find her podcast on our website, on your favorite podcast platform, and by visiting her site linked below.
Lectio the Liturgy website
Sacrosanctum concilium
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
49 min
February 22, 2023 Return to Me With Your Whole Heart
It's Ash Wednesday! Our Lenten journey has begun. In this "shortie" episode, Fred offers a reflection on the readings for the day: in particular, the words, “Return to me with your whole heart…” What do these words mean? What is the Lord calling us to and reminding us of? What can we learn from our tendencies in our human relationships? How do we avoid growing cold in our love and taking our beloved for granted? The answers to these questions are found in this reflection. As you begin your Lenten journey, we encourage you to listen and take up the challenge that Fred offers here: "This Lent, may we return to the Lord with our whole heart, so that the fire of his love may be enkindled in our hearts. May we be filled by that fire with the warmth of his grace; and may we inspire others to do the same."
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
9 min
February 15, 2023 Sports and Sainthood
At times the world of sports can seem to run headlong into conflict with the world of faith. Studies and lived world experience seem to reveal that at least in the hearts and minds of many, participation in and consumption of sports entertainment take the priority over matters of faith and worship on any given Sunday. This can be found even in the pressures placed upon young people. What is this the cause of this seeming divide? What does the Church (and Scripture) have to say about the relationship between faith and sports? What value is there in athletics in terms of informing our faith and helping us to grow in virtue? In this episode we are joined by coach and teacher, Kelley Grothus and Fr Patrick Behm as we discuss the answers to these questions and more.
Scripture referenced:
1 Cor 9:22-27; 1 Tim 4:78; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Phil 3:12-15
Read the document Giving the Best of Yourself here: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/06/01/180601b.pdf
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
58 min
February 01, 2023 One Hour with Our Son
Trigger Warning: Infant Loss and Miscarriage
In this episode we are joined by our friends Danny and Ashley Swalve as we discuss their journey of coming to a deeper faith in Christ and how that has shaped their marriage and helped them to find great hope even through otherwise overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. At the heart of their testimony is their story of surrender and trust in God's will for their lives; a desire to be used by Him to help bring healing to others who have faced similar challenges.
*Looking for resources on infant loss? Here are some that we recommend: *
This article helped Fred and his wife, Krystal, in the immediate days and weeks following their own miscarriage
[Elizabeth Ministry](www.elizabethministry.org)
[Springs in the Desert](www.springsinthedesert.org)
Rachel's Vineyard (a ministry for those needing healing from abortion)
Learn more about Danny's Podcast: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2115328.rss
The book Ashley mentions, "Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: https://amzn.to/3X5Z0Lg
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
53 min
January 25, 2023Jesus, Mary, and the Saints: Ch. 10 - I Believe in Love
Week 10 discussion on "Jesus, Mary, and the Saints" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the [Draw Near](drawnear.me) podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee
Read Conference 10 (pgs. 257-280)
Listen to this discussion of Conference 10 between Fred and Kara.
Discuss the discussion questions with a friend OR in the "discussion" feed within the book study on Suscipe
*Be sure to share all God is speaking to your during this study. We want to hear from you in the discussions!
Blog post mentioned in the episode: Mary is Relateable
Click to Donate to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near Facebook page. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 (and related music that is featured on this podcast) © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell, unless otherwise specified.
Support Draw Near
24 min
January 24, 2023 PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 5: Fred's Testimony
We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!
Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of our fourth episode. "How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? What difference has it made?" We love to ask people these questions and hear their response. While in reality, this profound mystery of encounter with Christ should be more than just one single experience, we still have those moments that seem altogether unique, impactful, life changing. Like the apostle John, we can find that we even remember the time of day (John 1:39). In this episode, Fred shares his "Thomas" moment. That first encounter with Christ in the Eucharist that really led to him proclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" The full episode will post on Tuesday, February 21.
My Lord & My God website
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! You can even find us on Twitter. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
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 & Kara Kardell
My Lord & My God Theme: Original Music © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell; Arranged and Performed by Paul Ching
Support Draw Near
5 min

About Draw Near

From the publisher's feed

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…