Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara KardellReligion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality

Draw Near episodes

June 26, 2024Apologetics PART 3: the Pope, Bible ALONE, Rapture, & Resurrection
What do Catholics ACTUALLY believe? Enjoy part 3 where Fred & Kara continue to defend the Catholic Church and correct any misconceptions or misunderstandings!! (We hope you're loving these Catholic teaching episodes as much as we are.)
REGISTER for the Draw Near Retreat HERE
Questions addressed in this episode:
Where is the papacy in Scripture? How does he have authority?
The bible is all you need, so why don't Catholics believe in Sola Scripture (the bible alone)?
What is the rapture? Will it happen? Do Catholics believe in it?
How can anyone believe Jesus actually rose from the dead?
This Apologetics series will conclude with Part 4 where we share "HOW TO" defend your own faith and best practices when you go out in the world as a witness of Christ's love and the Truth of his teaching.
Did you miss Parts 1 or 2? Find them here!
Part 1 Apologetics (answering common Catholic Misconceptions —Mary and Salvation)
Part 2 Apologetics (Creation, Aliens, Eucharist, Purgatory, and Confession)
Past episodes mentioned in this episode:
Papacy episode: "Until the King Returns"
Priesthood Episode: "Giving the Vineyard to Others"
Episode on Authority, Magisterium, & Sola Scriptural: "By Whose Authroity"
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them.
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Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
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57 min
June 12, 2024Apologetics PART 2: Creation, Aliens, & Purgatory
In PART 2 of this 4-part apologetics series, Fred and Kara take up more difficult Catholic questions like: creation, aliens, the Eucharist, Confession, and Purgatory.
REGISTER for the Draw Near Retreat HERE
Questions answered in this episode:
What do Catholic (have to) believe about Creation? Evolution? 7-literal days?
Aliens
Where is the Eucharist in the Bible?
Why do you confess your sins to a priest?
Where is Purgatory in the Bible?
Episodes/Links mentioned in this episode:
Bible Basics for Catholics (book)
"Giving the Vineyard to Others" -- episode on priesthood
My Lord and My God episodes about Eucharist:
"Bread from Heaven"
"Feeding the 5000"
"I am the Bread of Life" --John 6
"As you did in Egypt" -- Passover
"The Last Supper"
Spelling correction: "phagate"--eat as though to eat a meal. "tropien" -- gnaw
Questions to come in this series (Part 3):
The bible is all you need; why don't Catholic believe in Sola Scripture (the bible alone)?
Where is the papacy in Scripture? How does he have authority?
What is the rapture? Will it happen? Do Catholics believe in it?
How can anyone believe Jesus actually rose from the dead?
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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
1 hr 18 min
May 29, 2024Apologetics PART 1: Mary & Salvation
Who loves Q&A? We do! Fred and Kara answer common Catholic questions, among Catholics, Protestants, or even atheists. Enjoy part 1 of this extended series.
REGISTER for the Draw Near Retreat HERE
*Questions in this episode: *
Why do Catholic Worship Mary? What's the deal with Mary?
Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints?
What do Catholics believe about salvation? How are you saved?
Questions to come in this series (upcoming episodes):
What do Catholic have to believe about Creation? Evolution? 7-literal days?
Aliens
Where is the Eucharist in the Bible?
Why do you confess your sins to a priest?
Where is Purgatory in the Bible?
The bible is all you need; why don't Catholic believe in Sola Scripture (the bible alone)?
Where is the papacy in Scripture? How does he have authority?
What is the rapture? Will it happen? Do Catholics believe in it?
How can anyone believe Jesus actually rose from the dead?
Links referenced:
Full of Grace
There's Something about Mary
Mary: Ark of the New Covenant
On the Reciprocity of Gifts: John M.G. Barclay "Under Grace"
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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
1 hr 7 min
May 25, 2024 COVER SONG: "I Am Not Alone"
Enjoy this Draw Near Cover of "I Am Not Alone" by Kara Kardell and Fred Shellabarger (originally by Kari Jobe)
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak/lead worship by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without you.
"Like" and follow us on Facebook!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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!
COVER © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell
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5 min
May 08, 2024 Ask and I Will Do It: A Lectio Divina Reflection on John 14
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it." Just like that... no questions asked? Does he need anything from us? In this episode, we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 14:12-14 as we look for answers to these questions.
Scriptures Mentioned In This Episode
John 14:12-14
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; f you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Mark 11:22-26
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
John 15:15-17
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.
Matthew 21:21-22
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Luke 18:1-8 (Parable of the Unjust Judge)
And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’ For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Mark 9:14-24
And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd about them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus[d] asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out[e] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Par. 2609
Once committed to conversion, the heart learns to pray in faith. Faith is a filial adherence to God beyond what we feel and understand. It is possible because the beloved Son gives us access to the Father. He can ask us to "seek" and to "knock," since he himself is the door and the way.
Episodes Mentioned/Related Episodes
Willingness to Suffer
Redemptive Suffering
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy WIll Be Done
God's Ways Are Desert Ways
Her Answered Prayer
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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
31 min
April 24, 2024 Christian tips on "How to Friend" in today's changing world
We were made for relationship and friendship. Yet, so many of us often feel alone; lost in a sea of acquaintances, with few "real" friends. We feel alone. How are we to overcome this? How are we to actually "Add Friend" in real life? Why is it more important to "belong" in a friendship, rather than to simply "fit in?" What can we learn from Jesus about what true friendship looks like?
These are some of the questions we set out to answer as we reflect on Scripture, our own experiences, and of course, our own friendship.
*Scriptures we mention in this episode: *
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
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.
Pov 18:24
There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
John 15:12-13
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
1 thes 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Col 3:13
forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Gal 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Eph 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
Heb 3:12-13 Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 10:23-24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Eph 5:15-20 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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
46 min
April 19, 2024 Source and Summit (MLMG Ep 27)
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 us to that great heavenly wedding feast as the true and final SUMMIT!
What does this all have to do with the Eucharist or your life? ...Everything!
Scriptures referenced in this episode
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Matthew 26:26
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
1 Corinthians 11:24
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
John 6:56
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
John 6:63
It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Revelation 19:6-9
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
*Catechism of the Catholic Church References: *
1324: The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.
1407: The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church.
Episodes Referenced in This Episode:
Four Peope You Need in Your Life
Please consider continuing to listen and journey with us by checking out our main podcast, Draw Near!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here to become a supporter/patron or access the patron book study!
"Like" and follow us on Facebook!. Follow us on Instagram!
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!
My Lord & My God Theme: Original Music © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell; Arranged and Performed by Paul Ching
Support Draw Near
32 min
April 17, 2024 DN Classics: 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:
4 People you need in your life
Male and Female friendships:
Opposite Sex Friendships
Holy Friendship in a hypersexualized world
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home 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
56 min
April 12, 2024 Catholic Calisthenics (MLMG Ep 26)
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. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron or access the patron book study! "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!
My Lord & My God Theme: Original Music © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell; Arranged and Performed by Paul Ching
Support Draw Near
35 min
April 05, 2024 Why Can't non-Catholics Receive the Eucharist? (MLMG Ep 25)
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. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co
Click here to become a supporter/patron or access the patron book study! "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!
My Lord & My God Theme: Original Music © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell; Arranged and Performed by Paul Ching
Support Draw Near
29 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…