EC Week 47-Making Disciples-Connection

Ever Closer Episode 277: Close the Gap

The overall theme of the last few weeks has been extending mercy to others so they might come to receive God’s mercy as we have. In this final week of the unit, we embrace the powerful combination of confession, prayer, and fasting as described in James 5:16, recognizing that effective, fervent prayer brings healing and transformation, especially in our relationships. We can’t change people, but God can and does in a blessed way from the inside out. Our compassionate King calls us to slow down from our busyness, close the gap between knowing and doing, and create harmony in our relationships by aligning first with God. Through fasting and prayer, we move toward mending the sails of broken relationships and deepening our connections with both God and others, understanding that like sun tea, meaningful discipleship requires time, patience, and intentional cultivation.

Here is today’s song:

Close the Gap
It is important to eliminate any dissonance between knowing something and doing something about it, first in your relationship with God then with others. Ask for God’s wisdom to see life and relationships through his eyes. Then follow through with what he shows you to do.

(Verse 1)
Deep within, a truth takes hold.
A knowledge that warms, but leaves us cold.
We know what’s right, but fail to do
Letting dissonance reign, a silent coup.

(Verse 2)
Hearing is noble, but listening is king.
Growth leverages learning, gives it wings.
Wisdom takes knowledge, and applies to excel.
Don’t just have a friend, but be one as well.

(Verse 3)
In the words I speak, can you find the truth?
Don’t just learn, but put it to use.
Opportunities will follow, and you will grow.
Life is better if you act on what you know.

(Chorus)
Look to the cross, where heaven meets earth.
Jesus died and rose to give new birth.
God’s amazing grace, our utmost need.
By faith close the gap. In Jesus be freed.

(Bridge)
Let the truth of God’s love and presence
Move from head to heart, then to your hands
Change from the inside out, a work divine
Surrender to God, to him align.

(Chorus)
Look to the cross, where heaven meets earth.
Jesus died and rose to give new birth.
God’s amazing grace, our utmost need.
By faith close the gap. In Jesus be freed.

(Outro)
The gap is bridged, the cross has called.
Lay down your life, once and for all.
Know him not just of him, and you will see.
He’ll impart his life, abundant and free.

Ever Closer Episode 278: Slow Down

If you have drifted from spending regular quiet time with God praying and studying his word, you need to adjust your schedule so that you can. It’s vital. Here’s inspiration from today’s song.

Slow Down
Make room in your busyness to think. Take time to observe. Quietly reflect on where you’ve been to see where you are going. Spend time with people rather than just completing tasks.

(Verse 1)
Slow it down, take a moment to breathe
Life’s a blur, rushing by like a speeding train
Caught up in the chaos, lost in the race
But there’s beauty in the stillness, if we just embrace.

(Verse 2)
Step outside, feel the sun upon your face
Leave your worries behind, let them all dissipate
Take a walk, notice every little thing
The colors of the flowers, the songs the birds sing.

(Chorus)
Decide to slow down, take your time
Give yourself room to think and unwind
Observe, reflect, and understand
In the calm and quiet your soul can expand.

(Verse 3)
Think long about your journey,
Where you’ve been and where you’re bound,
And cherish your many blessings
Rising above what tears you down.

(Bridge)
Put your tasks aside, gather round friends at firelight
Where laughter fills the air, and worries take their flight
For life is more than checklists, it’s about the love you share,
In these moments of reflection, you find renewal there.

(Chorus)
So do slow it down, take your time
Give yourself room to think and unwind
Observe, reflect, and find release
In the pause gain strength, vision, and peace.

Ever Closer Episode 279: Harmony

When your relationships are strained align with God first and let him help you straighten everything else out.

(Verse 1)
It’s been quite awhile, since we’ve been in tune.
You’re the rising sun, I’m the waning moon.
Our rhythms are clashing, like a discordant song
Where notes are broken and tacets are long.

(Verse 2)
In the same space, yet we’re worlds apart
Our minds are scattered, like leaves in the park.
I yearn for kinship, your engaging grace
But the quiet consumes us, in this lonely place.

(Verse 3)
You have your goals, and I have my dreams.
Once woven together we’re splitting at the seams.
I miss walking hand-in-hand down life’s road.
Now we’re just going through motions, playing our roles.

(Bridge)
What can we do, to find our way home?
Aligned as one, not estranged and alone.
Life may steer us off course, but my heart’s forever here
I’ll fight for our love, for you are so dear.

(Chorus)
Though we’re out of sync, and the journey is long
I’ll love through the struggle, to rebuild our union.
I want to be your partner, your kindred spirit again
For there’s more to our story, chapters yet to be written.

(Outro)
I believe in you and I am committed to us.
I’ll work to meet your needs, to lift you up.
Today take my hand, one with God let’s be.
Trusting in him to compose our symphony.

Ever Closer Episode 280: Mended Sails

Like a ship getting off-course and headed for danger, friendships can start to deteriorate. Both can be saved by addressing difficulties when they arise.

(Verse 1)
Sun-dappled waters, laughter in the air
Two souls in rhythm, without a care
Trading secrets under starlit skies
A friendship sailing smooth, faithful allies

(Verse 2)
Then clouds gathered, we didn’t see them form
Silent tensions brewing into storm
Words like lightning striking without aim
Our vessel trembling, nothing quite the same

(Chorus)
We’re off course now, drifting toward the rocks
The hull is creaking, water through the cracks
Can we turn this ship around before we sink?
The lighthouse calls us back from the brink

(Bridge)
It takes two hands to hold the wheel steady
It takes humble hearts to avoid what’s petty
We must choose to weather this together
Patch these broken boards with something better

(Verse 3)
Sacrifice the cargo of our pride
Forge forgiveness on the rising tide
By kindness like stars we chart our course
Renewed trust is our current’s force

(Verse 4)
This vessel scarred, but stronger than before
Sailing farther than we dared explore
What nearly broke us made our friendship true
These mended sails will carry me and you

(Outro)
We turned course now, steering from the rocks
Sealed the leaks and reinforced the cracks
Smooth waters ahead and a sky so blue
I’m blessed to journey this life with you.

Ever Closer Episode 281: Sun Tea

Like sun-brewed tea, connecting with people on a deeper level takes time, but it’s worth it.

(Verse 1)
The sun dips low, a golden glow,
As we sit and sip our sun-brewed tea.
The gentle breeze, a whisper’s ease,
Caresses us so peacefully.

(Verse 2)
The fireflies dance, in nature’s trance,
Their lights twinkling all around.
A symphony of summer’s song,
A soothing, calming sound.

(Chorus)
In this moment, I find such joy,
Conversing with you, my friend.
We delve deep below the surface.
Sharing heartfelt thoughts that transcend.

(Bridge)
Just as sun tea takes its time to steep,
Allowing flavors to unfold,
Our dreams and feelings—a treasure.
A story waiting to be told.

(Verse 3)
The process may be slow, but it’s worth gold,
The reward of friendship true.
Nourishing our souls with each exchange,
A bond that sees us through.

(Chorus)
In this moment, I find such joy,
Conversing with you, my friend.
We delve deep below the surface.
Sharing heartfelt thoughts that transcend.

(Outro)
So I’ll savor every second of this lazy summer night,
Watching the sun dip low, the fireflies take flight.
Grateful for this simple pleasure, this time to connect and share,
A moment of pure bliss, free from life’s daily care.

Ever Closer Episode 282: Reflection for Week 47

When we focus on ourselves instead of God it distances us from Him and consequently strains our relationships with people. The practical instruction from this week’s scripture helps rectify that. It’s found in James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man is of great power.”

Here are three application questions:

1. How does confession and receiving forgiveness prepare our hearts for deeper fellowship with God and others? What barriers to confession might you need to overcome?

2. “Slow Down” reminds us to make room for reflection in our busy lives. How might intentional fasting from activities, food, or media create space for deeper prayer? What specific fast might God be calling you to undertake for the sake of someone who needs discipleship?

3. The songs “Harmony” and “Mended Sails” speak of aligning with God to straighten relationships. How might regular practices of confession, forgiveness, prayer, and fasting serve as preventative maintenance and for restoration in your relationships? What relationship might need this kind of attention in your life right now?