Draw Near Sun, 24 May 2026 00:27:31 -0400 https://drawnear.fireside.fm en © 2026 Draw Near yes ede7d985-c99c-57fc-9245-275c6df76009 Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell https://storage.buzzsprout.com/jqstdhlu5cg7j7wb934pj04l1nc3?.jpg Draw Near https://drawnear.fireside.fm Encountering the Lord in Scripture: Listening with Your Heart, May 13, 2026 Encountering the Lord in Scripture: Listening with Your Heart, May 13, 2026 In this episode of Draw Near, we explore how Scripture becomes a living encounter with the voice of God. We talk about how to prepare our hearts to hear him, the power of knowing the full story of salvation, and how God speaks uniquely and personally through his Word. With personal stories, practical tips, and favorite passages that have carried us through suffering and joy, we hope to inspire you to trust that God is speaking to you.

Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or longing to go deeper, this conversation will help you move from simply reading the Bible to truly encountering the God who loves you.

On demand link: https://drawnear.fireside.fm/221

]]> In this episode of Draw Near, we explore how Scripture becomes a living encounter with the voice of God. We talk about how to prepare our hearts to hear him, the power of knowing the full story of salvation, and how God speaks uniquely and personally through his Word. With personal stories, practical tips, and favorite passages that have carried us through suffering and joy, we hope to inspire you to trust that God is speaking to you.

Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or longing to go deeper, this conversation will help you move from simply reading the Bible to truly encountering the God who loves you.

On demand link: https://drawnear.fireside.fm/221

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-19178311 Mon, 18 May 2026 14:00:00 -0500 2320 full false Overcoming Feelings of Failure Overcoming Feelings of Failure We all face discouragement—when our efforts fall short and God's presence feels distant. But even in the storm, even when it feels like Jesus is asleep in the boat, he is still with us and can turn our failures into something beautiful.

In this episode, Fred and Kara get real about fear, failure, and the temptation to give up. They share personal stories, what St. Paul teaches us about weakness, and why Fred says, “I’m a sinner falling up on my way to sainthood.” If you’ve ever wrestled with discouragement, this conversation is for you.



]]> We all face discouragement—when our efforts fall short and God's presence feels distant. But even in the storm, even when it feels like Jesus is asleep in the boat, he is still with us and can turn our failures into something beautiful.

In this episode, Fred and Kara get real about fear, failure, and the temptation to give up. They share personal stories, what St. Paul teaches us about weakness, and why Fred says, “I’m a sinner falling up on my way to sainthood.” If you’ve ever wrestled with discouragement, this conversation is for you.



]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-19058570 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500 2839 full false Life's Interruptions or Divine Invitations Life's Interruptions or Divine Invitations What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations? In this short reflective episode, Kara shares a personal insight drawn from her own life and the life of Christ in Scripture. Jesus never pushed people away because they weren’t part of “the plan.” He embraced them as the plan.


This episode invites you to rethink the way you see the unexpected moments in your own life—those small or inconvenient interruptions—as potential encounters with God’s grace. 


This week, when you’re interrupted: Stop. Breathe. Reflect: “Lord, is this an invitation from you? Help me to embrace this moment and invite grace.”


The show is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech



]]> What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations? In this short reflective episode, Kara shares a personal insight drawn from her own life and the life of Christ in Scripture. Jesus never pushed people away because they weren’t part of “the plan.” He embraced them as the plan.


This episode invites you to rethink the way you see the unexpected moments in your own life—those small or inconvenient interruptions—as potential encounters with God’s grace. 


This week, when you’re interrupted: Stop. Breathe. Reflect: “Lord, is this an invitation from you? Help me to embrace this moment and invite grace.”


The show is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech



]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18982153 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1094 full false April 1 episode April 1 episode Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18944116 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1591 full false Draw Near - March 25 Draw Near - March 25 Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18905753 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1551 full false Draw Near March 11 Draw Near March 11 Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18828511 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500 2580 full false Clear answers to common misconceptions about Catholicism Clear answers to common misconceptions about Catholicism Clear answers to common misconceptions about Catholicism...

In this episode of Draw Near, we begin clearing up some of the most common Catholic misunderstandings or assumptions.


Misconceptions explained in this episode:

1. Catholicism is about rules and rituals, not a personal relationship with Jesus.

2. Catholics don’t read the Bible and rely on tradition instead of Scripture.

3. Catholics believe you earn salvation by works instead of being saved by grace.


Throughout the episode, we look at key biblical passages and show how the Catholic Church has faithfully taught the fullness of Christ’s message.


This episode isn’t a deep dive into every question; it is an invitation to understand what the Catholic Church truly teaches, where those teachings come from, and why they matter.



]]> Clear answers to common misconceptions about Catholicism...

In this episode of Draw Near, we begin clearing up some of the most common Catholic misunderstandings or assumptions.


Misconceptions explained in this episode:

1. Catholicism is about rules and rituals, not a personal relationship with Jesus.

2. Catholics don’t read the Bible and rely on tradition instead of Scripture.

3. Catholics believe you earn salvation by works instead of being saved by grace.


Throughout the episode, we look at key biblical passages and show how the Catholic Church has faithfully taught the fullness of Christ’s message.


This episode isn’t a deep dive into every question; it is an invitation to understand what the Catholic Church truly teaches, where those teachings come from, and why they matter.



]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18705349 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600 2433 full false Our Journey Through the Our Father - Last two petitions Our Journey Through the Our Father - Last two petitions Concluding our series on the Our Father, we look at the last two petitions in this prayer. Every human person faces trials and temptations. Scripture refers to a battle between flesh and spirit. What does this mean? What does this petition have to do with it? What value is there in temptation? What do these two petitions teach us about the battle between good and evil. In this episode we will answer all of these questions!  Kara will also explore the Our Father as its presented in the Gospel of Luke. How can Luke’s Gospel help us to understand this “most perfect prayer” even better? Listen to find out! 

Draw Near is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Concluding our series on the Our Father, we look at the last two petitions in this prayer. Every human person faces trials and temptations. Scripture refers to a battle between flesh and spirit. What does this mean? What does this petition have to do with it? What value is there in temptation? What do these two petitions teach us about the battle between good and evil. In this episode we will answer all of these questions!  Kara will also explore the Our Father as its presented in the Gospel of Luke. How can Luke’s Gospel help us to understand this “most perfect prayer” even better? Listen to find out! 

Draw Near is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18623868 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0600 1833 full false A Journey Through the Our Father - Parts 4 and 5 A Journey Through the Our Father - Parts 4 and 5 In this episode, we continue walking through the Our Father by reflecting on “Give us this day our daily bread” and “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We explore how these petitions invite us into deeper trust in God’s daily provision and greater awareness of our responsibility to care for others, and reflect on the spiritual hunger of each person. Fred also reflects on the challenging but freeing call to forgiveness and what it looks like to live that prayer in daily life.

Draw Near is brought to you by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> In this episode, we continue walking through the Our Father by reflecting on “Give us this day our daily bread” and “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We explore how these petitions invite us into deeper trust in God’s daily provision and greater awareness of our responsibility to care for others, and reflect on the spiritual hunger of each person. Fred also reflects on the challenging but freeing call to forgiveness and what it looks like to live that prayer in daily life.

Draw Near is brought to you by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18583672 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600 1252 full false A Journey to the Our Father - part 2 and 3, January 21, 2026 A Journey to the Our Father - part 2 and 3, January 21, 2026 Tune in today at 4pm on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM.

To grow in the life of prayer, it matters that we pause and reflect on the words we pray and the posture of heart they form within us. In this episode of Draw Near, Fred continues the journey through the Our Father, exploring the petitions “Hallowed be thy name,” “Thy Kingdom come,” and “Thy will be done.” Together, these lines reorient our hearts toward God, teach us how to desire what God desires, and shape how we live, love, and engage the world each day.


Draw Near is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Tune in today at 4pm on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM.

To grow in the life of prayer, it matters that we pause and reflect on the words we pray and the posture of heart they form within us. In this episode of Draw Near, Fred continues the journey through the Our Father, exploring the petitions “Hallowed be thy name,” “Thy Kingdom come,” and “Thy will be done.” Together, these lines reorient our hearts toward God, teach us how to desire what God desires, and shape how we live, love, and engage the world each day.


Draw Near is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18546280 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600 1533 full false A Journey through the Our Father - Part one A Journey through the Our Father - Part one Many people know how to say the Our Father and learn it from an early age. We can recite it almost without thinking about it. But what do the words of this prayer really mean? Could it be that there is more significance in these words? Jesus Christ gave us this prayer. What is He teaching us in and through this prayer? What can reflection on the words we say so often in this prayer reveal about our relationship with God and how we are to draw near to Him? In this first part of a series on the "Our Father,” Fred begins to unpack, line by line, the profound meaning of this "most perfect prayer" - as St Thomas Aquinas called it - and answers some of these very questions. 

The program is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Many people know how to say the Our Father and learn it from an early age. We can recite it almost without thinking about it. But what do the words of this prayer really mean? Could it be that there is more significance in these words? Jesus Christ gave us this prayer. What is He teaching us in and through this prayer? What can reflection on the words we say so often in this prayer reveal about our relationship with God and how we are to draw near to Him? In this first part of a series on the "Our Father,” Fred begins to unpack, line by line, the profound meaning of this "most perfect prayer" - as St Thomas Aquinas called it - and answers some of these very questions. 

The program is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18506673 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0600 847 full false Draw Near - January 7th episide Draw Near - January 7th episide n this episode, we reflect on New Year's Resolutions... Or, more accurately, "New Day's Resolutions" and the idea that the Lord's mercies are new every morning. While there is great value in in resolutions for a new year, should we also place an emphasis on the hope of a new day, every day? How do we evaluate the "success" of our resolutions? How do we avoid the temptation to be overly hard on our selves when we believe we fall short? Listen to find out! 


Tune in Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM.


The show is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech



]]> n this episode, we reflect on New Year's Resolutions... Or, more accurately, "New Day's Resolutions" and the idea that the Lord's mercies are new every morning. While there is great value in in resolutions for a new year, should we also place an emphasis on the hope of a new day, every day? How do we evaluate the "success" of our resolutions? How do we avoid the temptation to be overly hard on our selves when we believe we fall short? Listen to find out! 


Tune in Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM.


The show is sponsored by CyberCloak.Tech



]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18474500 Thu, 08 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0600 1662 full false You Talkin' to Me - Sister Fidelis Marie You Talkin' to Me - Sister Fidelis Marie In this classic Draw Near episode, we revisit a heartfelt conversation with our friend Sr. Fidelis Marie about what it really means to love one another well — not in theory, but in the daily decisions that shape our relationships and communities. If you’ve ever wrestled with empathy, boundaries, or how to grow in authentic charity, this episode will encourage and challenge you in all the right ways.

]]> In this classic Draw Near episode, we revisit a heartfelt conversation with our friend Sr. Fidelis Marie about what it really means to love one another well — not in theory, but in the daily decisions that shape our relationships and communities. If you’ve ever wrestled with empathy, boundaries, or how to grow in authentic charity, this episode will encourage and challenge you in all the right ways.

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell Buzzsprout-18292038 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600 2761 full false If Jesus Is Lord, Life Looks Different If Jesus Is Lord, Life Looks Different Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell 4ff6e162-b80b-49e8-96fc-e409520f4796 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600 2203 Catholic podcast, Draw Near, Fred and Kara, Jesus is Lord, Luke 6:46, Christian discipleship, living your faith, obedience to God, following Jesus, Holy Spirit guidance, promptings of the Spirit, grace to follow Jesus, Catholic spirituality, Scripture ref false Why Draw Near? Why Draw Near? Thank you for listening to Draw Near. Before beginning, start with this short "trailer" of what Draw Near is about, why Fred and Kara chose this name, and the goal of this podcast.

Let's grow together. 

]]> Thank you for listening to Draw Near. Before beginning, start with this short "trailer" of what Draw Near is about, why Fred and Kara chose this name, and the goal of this podcast.

Let's grow together. 

]]> Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell drawnear.podbean.com/1119575a-4ff5-3d63-81c2-44473f1453f4 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0500 204 false