Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara KardellReligion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality

Draw Near episodes

December 06, 2021Until the King Returns
In this Scriptural shorty, Kara takes on the topic of the Papacy. Have you ever wondered why the Catholic Church has a Pope? Where is that in the Bible? What is the purpose of the Pope?
Study of Scripture and the teachings of the Church should always point us to the love of Christ! The papacy does this; it points to the love of Christ! How?
Mentioned in this episode:
Matthew 16: 13-20
2 Samuel 7: 11-14; 16
Isaiah 22: 15; 19-23
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30 min
November 24, 2021 God's Ways are Desert Ways: An interview with Sonja Corbitt on her book "Just Rest"
In this episode, we speak with guest, Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Sonja Corbitt! You won't want to miss it!!
Sonja is known as the "Bible Evangelista" and that she is! Her knowledge and incorporation of the Scriptures is exactly what we need more of in the Church! Our spiritual growth and knowledge of the faith should not be based on opinion, but rooted in the Word of God! Sonja does this.
This episode unpacks some content in her book, "Just Rest." God's ways are ALWAYS desert ways. He shows us this reality throughout the Scriptures, specifically through the Exodus. We will undergo trials and struggles, but God is working within us in the midst of the deserts!
God wants to bring us to the promised land! But, as seen with the Israelites, before the Promised Land comes the desert. There are lessons to be learned and "dew" to be given within these deserts. 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.
*Included in this episode: *
"Just Rest" by Sonja Corbitt
Sonja's Lectio Method
"How to Pray Like Mary" by Sonja Corbitt
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach our goal TODAY, Kara will shave Fred’s beard off live on our Draw Near Facebook page.
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button! 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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56 min
November 12, 2021 Join Our Book Study?
We have some awesome news! We want to lead a book study... with you!!
We have mentioned our favorite book in almost every episode, "I Believe in Love," a personal retreat based on St. Therese of Lisieux. This book study, with Fred and Kara, will be open to all patrons of the podcast! Please consider praying about supporting the mission of Draw Near as a patron and joining this book study. Hear more in this shorty!
With the BeardRazer (the fundraiser to shave Fred's beard off) still under-way, we want to encourage listeners to prayerfully consider becoming a patron of the Draw Near mission. It goes beyond simply a podcast with two people talking... the goal of it is to be a community. We want you to know us, but we also want to get to know all of you! Draw Near to God and one another.
We appreciate all those who listen and want to support this!
The BeardRazer will end the week of Thanksgiving. Please help us reach our goal!
Click to become a Patron of Draw Near and support the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal of Patrons, Kara will shave Fred’s beard off live on our Draw Near Facebook page!
Mentioned this episode: I See a Movement Blog
10 min
November 10, 2021 What Am I Supposed to Do?
In this episode, we talk about living holiness in our every day lives with special friend and guest, Sister Fidelis Marie of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters.
It's easy to get bogged down discerning the future options, vocations, or the many small choices placed in front of us.
How do we know what we are supposed to do? What happens if we get off the path God wants for us? What if I'm not living in my big "V" Vocation, yet?
Sister Fidelis gives wonderful, spiritually balanced, guidance on discerning where God calls us... DAILY! 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.
We will be leading a book study of "I Believe in Love" with our patrons/supporters! Interested? Pray about supporting the mission of Draw Near.
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal of Patrons, Kara will shave Fred’s beard off live on our Draw Near Facebook page!
Support Draw Near
55 min
October 27, 2021 St. Therese of Lisieux: Living the Heart of the Gospel
In this episode, we again take up the theme of “life lessons” from the Saints. We share our encounters with St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” and share some deeply personal experiences of how her words, and no doubt her intercession, helped us draw near to the Lord during very difficult times. We consider St. Therese a very dear friend and we hope that this episode will help you to also discover just how relatable she is; and how her “Little Way” can help you also find joy and fulfillment even in the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments.
Referenced in this episode:
I Believe in Love
Story of a Soul
I See a Movement blog
Story of a Soul (audiobook)
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach our goal by November 24, Kara will shave Fred’s beard off live on our Draw Near Facebook page that evening!
More importantly, your generous support will help us to accomplish some of the very things we mention in this episode. We are also making some plans for our patrons! More on that soon!
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
A Song for St Therese © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
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53 min
October 13, 2021 Coping with Feelings of Failure
No doubt we have all wrestled with discouragement. Thoughts of our own failures and shortcomings, whether real or only perceived, can often surround us like a heavy storm. We can feel like we have given it our all, but our efforts still seem to fall short of our expectations. It can be difficult to hear the voice of the Lord, much less to see him in the midst of the storm. BUT even if he is asleep in the boat, he is always present in moments of failure... in the storms. And the best part is, he wants to use our shortcomings to bring about something beautiful!
You'll also hear: What can we learn from Paul? How can we see things through the lens of the Gospel and the love of Christ? How do we cope and respond when we are tempted with discouragement, fear, and feelings of failure? What does Fred mean by, "I am a sinner falling up on my way to sainthood"? In this episode Kara and Fred share personal stories from their own lives, and how they cope during moments such as these.
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal of Patrons, Kara will shave Fred’s beard off live on our Draw Near Facebook page!
Support Draw Near
49 min
October 09, 2021 Praying the Catechism and God's Incredible Love for You
In this "shorty," in honor of our [website](www.drawnear.me) launch week, Fred builds on the previous discussion about the importance of Scripture study, and the how praying the Scriptures helps us to walk and talk with God.
In this segment, Fred explores 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. One can explore its rich depths in a variety of ways. Here, Fred presents a method for praying the Catechism, and reflects on the profound truth and beauty that is revealed in the process.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Paragraph 1
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.
How might we pray this passage? Like this:** Insert your name in the blanks**
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created _____________ share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to ______________. He calls ______________ [and all men] to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls ____________ [and] together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites ____________ [and all] men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.
Click to Donate on Patreon to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal of $1,000 in monthy support, Fred will shave his beard live on our Draw Near Facebook page! Thank you!
Support Draw Near
8 min
October 07, 2021 The Word is Alive
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. God is alive in the Word!
We might struggle to hear God's voice. Maybe it's hard to grow in holiness. But the one thing that is absolutely essential to grow closer to God is time with Scripture!
In this "shorty," Fred and Kara talk about the importance of Scripture. They share life-changing passages in their own lives, give tips to study Scripture, and teach how to pray with Scripture. It truly is a MUST!
How to pray Lectio Divina
Click to Donate on Patreon to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal of $1,000 in monthy support, Fred will shave his beard live on our Draw Near Facebook page! Thank you!
Support Draw Near
29 min
October 05, 2021Mary: Ark of the New Covenant
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" (The name we have decided to call short bonus episodes) 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!
Passages referenced:
2 Samuel 6:2–3; 6–12, 16, 18
2 Maccabees 2:4-8
Luke 1:39–46, 56
Hebrew 9:4
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal Fred will shave his beard live on our Draw Near Facebook page! Or simply to become a patron and support us. Thank you!
Support Draw Near
17 min
September 29, 2021Life Lessons from Assisi
St. Francis and St. Clare have become profound intercessors in our lives who have turned into great friends!
There are many assumptions or misconceptions out there about these Saints...
This Monday, October 4th, is the Feast of St. Francis. Over 800 years beyond his death, he are still "rebuilding the Church!" WHY? HOW?
To honor Francis near his Feast, we wanted to share the amazing lives of Francis and his dear friend, Clare, with listeners! This episode teaches on their lives, while pulling five life lessons we can all learn from their witness of love and holiness!
We hope by the end of this episode, they may hold a place in your heart and become friends of yours, too!
Referenced in this episode:
St. Clare of Assisi Book
St. Francis of Assisi Book
Francis's 5 Elements of Penance:
Love for God
Love for Neighbor
Hatred of Sin
Reception of the Sacraments
Produce worthy fruits of penance
Click to Donate to the BeardRazer! If we reach the goal Fred will shave his beard live on our Draw Near Facebook page! Or simply become a patron to support us if you like our episodes. Thank you and God Bless!
Support Draw Near
53 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…