Draw Near

In this final episode of the Draw Near "Apologetics series," Fred and Kara share practical tips to defending your Catholic faith and sharing Truth with Love! "Defending" the faith doesn't have to be defensive or offensive. Here are best-practices to "always be ready" to witness when God presents you the opportunity. REGISTER for the Draw Near Retreat HERE Did you miss Parts 1, 2, or 3? Find them h...

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...

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 p...

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? Ques...

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...

"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,...

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 so...

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...

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...

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! "Li...

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 C...

- 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 b...

Going back to one of our earliest episodes, we pull this discussion of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ from the vault. We pray that it will be a blessing to you as you prepare your hearts for the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter). ["I Thirst" reflection ] ( https://avemariaradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jesus-I-Thirst.pdf ) Prayer at the end of episode: “...

In this episode, taken from the third season of the I See a Movement podcast, we are joined by Eric Gallagher as we discuss our own personal victories through struggles and crosses. We take a look at how suffering and trials give way to resurrection! We also reflect on the necessity of embracing our own brokenness and weaknesses, and how, by grace, this helps us to trust the Lord more and become b...

Did you know the Road to Emmaus reveals a lot about our encounter with Christ in the Mass? This is one of Fred and Kara's favorite passages! Checkout our new endeavor:[ I See a Movement]( www.iseeamovement.com ) today! It has videos of us, blogs, and resources for growing in your faith! Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co Cl...

In this testimony episode of MyLord and My God, with EmmaLee Miklosovic, she shares how God has called her out of perfectionism and loved her in her mess. That translates to her relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist: where he has pursued her heart as a romance. As LOVE himself. Read EmmaLee's blog " Joyfully His ." Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Join the Draw Near...

In this third episode taken from the I See a Movement series on the apostolate, we discuss the reality of struggles and obstacles we face in the interior life. Why do these obstacles exist? How do we overcome them? Listen to find out! 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...

In this second episode taken from the I See a Movement series on the apostolate, we discuss the interior life and it's place within the apostolate of every believer. What is the interior life? What are some of the struggles we face as we strive to grow in the interior life? Listen to find out! Learn more about I See a Movement at: https://www.iseeamovement.com Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by vis...

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" In this episode, by looking at the Scriptural meaning and themes of "the lamb," we can better understand the gravity of the words we hear every mass... but perhaps have never truly heard. These words, spoken by John the Baptist (John 1:29), are familiar to us, as Catholics. We hear them at each mass as the priest raises the consecrate...

The Institution of the Eucharist (Catholic Mass) comes at the Last Supper. In this episode, we bring all of the episodes that come before together to show how Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant, institutes the New, and gives us the "thank" offering that will continue for all of time in the Eucharist. * Scriptures mentioned: * Ex 19: 3-6 Ex 24: 7-8, 11 Jer 31: 31-33 Lk 22: 19-20 Mt 26: 26-28 Scripture...

We are joined by our good friend Eric Gallagher over the next five epsiodes on the apostolate and the interior life! This episode originally posted as part of the Substack platform/podcast we share with Eric, called I See a Movement! We thought this series would be a blessing to all of our Draw Near listeners on your Lenten journey. And of course... we also want you to check out https://www.iseeam...

In this episode we are joined by our friend, catholic speaker, author, filmmaker, founder of the Science of Sainthood, and host of the Art of Catholic podcast, Matthew Leonard. What was the journey from being a Protestant pastor's kid to receiving Christ in the Eucharist like for Matthew? How did meeting one Catholic family who did "relational evangelization" well set him on a new path? Matthew an...

Reaching back into "the vault" from a couple of years ago, we share one of our most popular Lenten episodes. If you think you are good at Lent… You are not. No one is good at Lent. But there is a good reason for this. Lent is often a challenge because it requires letting go of things that hinder us in following the Lord. It requires taking up the cross and denying ourselves for something much grea...

In this episode we are joined by one of the people that makes My Lord and My God (and the Draw Near apostolate) possible: John Fitzsimmons! In his testimony we hear how the legacy of faith has been handed down from one generation to the next; how encountering Christ in the Eucharist shaped his childhood and fostered in him a desire for more as a new father. We also hear how prioritizing that encou...

In this episode we dive deep into one of the most perplexing passages in Scripture and reflect on its meaning and the implications for our own lives. What is this passage? Genesis 32:22-32, in which Jacob wrestles with God. In what ways is this passage an invitation for all of us? In what we ways do (and perhaps must) we also wrestle with God? How does this wrestling leave us changed? Listen to fi...