Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara KardellReligion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality

Draw Near episodes

September 15, 2021 Virtuous Friendship
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 friendships? What can the saints teach us? What does Aristotle have to do with this?
Find out on this episode of Draw Near as Fred and Kara discuss all of this and share from their own close friendship!
Scripture Passage to pray with:
Sirach 6:14-17
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he that has found one has found a treasure. There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence. A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him. Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also."
Referenced in the episode:
What is Project Timothy video
Project Timothy Testimonials
4 People you need in your life
Male and Female friendships:
Opposite Sex Friendships
Holy Friendship in a hypersexualized world
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!
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56 min
July 12, 2021 Ask a Priest
On this week’s episode of Draw Near, we are joined by our good friend Fr. Patrick Behm. We explore a variety of topics as we discuss what greatness looks like TODAY, how the past year has impacted Father, a trend toward new age spirituality, and more.
(It's a hodge podge of riveting questions!) You will want to tune in!
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 © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
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1 hr 4 min
May 26, 2021 Episode 19: Chit Chat and Banter
In this episode of Draw Near, we step away from being hosts and turn the microphone over to our friend John Paul, as he asks us questions from listeners. In this fun, light hearted discussion, you will learn more about us, our favorite movies, why we always joke about "chit chat and banter," how our families help us to draw near to Christ, and more questions from listeners!

Just for fun... Fred's Top Ten Family Board Games
1) Wingspan
2) Everdell
3) Calico
4) Isle of Cats
5) Cottage Garden
6) Azul
7) Gingerbread House
8) Machi Koro
9) Alhambra
10) Splendor

Episodes referenced:
Why are you Catholic?
4 People you need in your life
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 © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
44 min
April 28, 2021 Most Humble
For all of time God had a beautiful and perfect plan for salvation. And St. Joseph was always a part of that plan! That is something to be particularly proud of, and yet he is one of the greatest examples of humility.
May 1st is the Feast of St. Joseph the worker. This year is dedicated as the Year of St. Joseph. We invite you to spend time learning about this amazing Saint—a model for each of us in humility and holiness!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
**To submit a question to us for the upcoming question/answer episode email: [email protected]
Topics covered: St. Joseph, Scriptural summary of Israel’s history, King David, humility, holiness.
Made for greatness (latest episode on holiness)
Small Group Discussion questions:
Describe your knowledge of and relationship with St. Joseph.
What stands out to you about Joseph, the father of Jesus? Why?
Why do you think God chose St. Joseph to be his earthly Father?
How might God be calling you to grow closer to his chosen earthly father?
How did Christ draw you closer to him through this episode?
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16 min
April 14, 2021 Made For Greatness
St. Francis of Assisi, in hearing God say "rebuild my Church," began rebuilding himself in holiness... the people are the Church! The people are called to be rebuilt. St. Francis gave up worldly greatness to be great in the eyes of the Lord. He gave his whole self to God.
In this episode we discuss how the pursuit of holiness begins with our conversion; the loving, humble, response we make to God who has demonstrated his great love for us on the Cross. We also discuss how we live out this call to holiness in the face of many obstacles that work against us. Regardless of any circumstances, growth in holiness and perfection is a pursuit aimed towards heaven but a pursuit that will never end this side of heaven.
Mentioned in this episode:
For You
How to Do Lectio Divina
How to Win the Culture War
The Scourging at the Pillar
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41 min
March 31, 2021 For You
Holy Week is a time to celebrate and remember all Christ has done FOR YOU! His deep and endless love is shown in his willing sacrifice upon the cross. He did this all for you.
"I Thirst" reflection link
Prayer at the end of episode: “To Be A Disciple of Christ” by Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR
Lord God, you who provide the fire for a transformed life, I come before you this day and beg for the fire of your love and mercy to forgive my sins and free me from my self-imposed bondages.
I pray for the fire of your Spirit to lead me in repentance and conversion so I may be faithful in following you.
I pray for the fire of your love to ignite my heart with love for my brothers and sisters and lead me to intercede in faith for them.
I pray for the fire of faith to be committed to you and your teaching as a servant to His Master.
I pray for the fire of your desire to save all mankind to inflame me so that I can witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ and be a channel for the salvation of mankind.
Lord, I want to burn for you before all peoples.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Amen.
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42 min
March 03, 2021Discernment and Decision Making
If we are trying to love and serve the Lord, and interested in growing in holiness, we always want to make sure to make decisions according to the will of God. However, it is not always easy for us to make decisions. We can be tempted to become anxious and fearful when faced with making an important decision. In this episode Kara and Fred share some thoughts from the treasury of the Church’s teaching as well as their own experience in striving to follow the will of God in their own lives.
Small Group Discussion Questions:
What is your current process of discerning the Lord’s will for your life? In what ways has it worked for you?
What is one thing you learned about yourself through your journey of discernment?
What is one way your relationship with the Lord changed/grew/struggled in moments of decision-making?
Look back on an important decision in your life. How can you see connections to that choice and how God worked in it to bring you here? How might things be different had you chosen the different path?
How did Christ draw you closer to him through this episode?

St Ignatius of Loyola’s key to making a good decision:
“To make a good choice our intentions ought to be simple: only looking at what we were created for; namely the praise of God, our Lord, and the salvation of our souls. So, I ought to choose, in whatever I may do, that which may help me fulfill that end for which I am created.”

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 Savior. 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."

Recommended questions to consider when making decisions, especially those of greater importance:
“How am I called to serve God?”
“How am I to most fully, and faithfully, live according to my state in life?”
“What does it look like for me to know him, love him, and serve him in my daily life?”
“How does this help me get to heaven?”
“How does it help to get others to heaven?”

Past Episodes Mentioned in the Show:
Four People You Need in Your Life: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-people-you-need-in-your-life/id1536166779?i=1000507731144

Why Are You Catholic?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-are-you-catholic/id1536166779?i=1000501933075

The Invisible World – Spiritual Warfare: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-world-spiritual-warfare/id1536166779?i=1000496584028

The Invisible World – Angels Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-world-angels-part-2/id1536166779?i=1000495880373

Recommended Reading from This Episode:
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Divorce-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Great+Divorce+by+C.S.+Lewis&qid=1614749091&sr=8-1

A Method for Making Decisions from St. Ignatius of Loyola:
Place problem before us (especially before the Blessed Sacrament)
Keep in mind that we are created for glory of God and the salvation of our soul.
Pray for God to move your will and make it clear what HE wants!
Weigh the pros and cons; advantages and disadvantages, particularly in light of the purpose for which we were created.
Choose according to the greater inclination of REASON.
Place choice before God in prayer and ask him to affirm it if it’s for his glory
4 Helpful Rules for Discernment by Fr Mike Schmitz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne8n-1ATd1s
If God has not said clearly, do this or don’t do that, you have to ask yourselves four questions:
Is this a good door?
Is this an open door?
Is this a wise door? Knowing who I am, where I’ve been and who I want to be, is this a wise decision?
Is this a door that I want? If its all those things… Do you want to go through this door?

Song Mentioned in This Episode:
Scars by I Am They: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqjGT9BSyJA
Draw Near intro/outro music © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
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43 min
February 17, 2021WHY Give Up?
In this Ash Wednesday episode, we explore the "why" behind our Lenten sacrifices and devotion; as well as some tips on dealing with discouragement during Lent. We also offer some tips and suggestions from our own experience, on how to draw near to Christ during Lent.
Lent is a time in which God provides us an opportunity to say, like Peter, “Yes, Lord, I love you more than these.” To put our focus on what matters most and to encounter him in a deeper way. An encounter with Christ that will help to set us on the right path, to think like him, to love like him.
Small Group Discussion Questions:
Why would you intentionally enter into moments of sacrifice in life?
How does making sacrifices in your own life relate to the life of Christ? How can we grow in understanding Jesus better by uniting our sacrifices to his?
Think of past Lenten sacrifices. What was something you gave up? What was your intention behind giving that up? Did it bring you closer to Christ?
How did Christ draw you closer to him through this episode?
Mentioned During this episode:
Come, Follow Me: https://drawnear.podbean.com/e/come-follow-me-1606269394/
Life Weeds: https://nosidebar.com/life-weeds/

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30 min
February 04, 20214 People You Need in Your Life
We are made for relationships... and yet it seems so hard to find those intimate Catholic friendships. You know... the kind where you don't have to pretend to have it all together. The kind where you feel guided, supported, and loved! The friendships where at different times you are being led and then leading and then walking side by side through life. Listen to this episode to hear the 4 roles we need in our lives when it comes to friendships. What does it mean to have a Paul? A Timothy? Barnabas and Silas?
Small Group Discussion Questions:
Everyone needs a Paul, a Timothy and a Barnabas. What has been your experience with these relationships?
How has a Paul, a Timothy, and/or a Barnabas helped you to grow in your own relationship with Christ?
In what ways are you helping draw others closer to Christ as a Paul? As a Barnabas?
How did Christ draw you closer to him through this episode?
Topics: friendship, mentoring/accompaniment, Pauline Scripture, made for relationship.
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43 min
January 20, 2021 As We Forgive
The Our Father prayer says, "Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us." Mt 6:12, 14-15. Each time we pray this, we acknowledge that we are forgiven to the measure we forgive. Listen to this episode to deepen your spiritual understanding of this call to forgive others and ourselves, which is accomplished through Christ.
Included topics: forgiveness, grace, confession, love, Our Father, Sermon on the Mount.
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42 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…