Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:13:00 -0400 https://closer.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Closer yes 43c780c9-406d-5e58-872f-98f12cecf392 Billy Draper episodic false What do you think of when you hear the words faith, God, Jesus, the Bible, church or any word affiliated with religion? For some hands are thrown into the air and "hallelujahs" are immediately declared. For others, questions, skepticism and curiosity follow, and some flat out shake their heads "no" and turn to run the other direction. Closer is a podcast that allows me to share my first-hand experience as a Jesus follower exploring God and faith. My hope is that by sharing my experience I not only expose listeners to truth, misconceptions, ideas, questions, and concepts regarding God and faith, but by doing so I better understand and draw closer to God. PS - This show isn't produced by a church, pastor or religious organization. It is hosted by a guy on a quest to get closer to God each and every day. Tune in. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Billy Draper https://storage.buzzsprout.com/tv3bnbqh87tehg8thmy9uev8hoi4?.jpg https://closer.buzzsprout.com EP5: Transforming Your Heart Becoming closer to God, acting in the ways of Jesus, or simply being a better person each and every day is not easy. It takes practice. And when you practice you have a much better chance to transform those parts of you that you just don't like. 

In this episode I talk about the concept of metanoia - a transformative change of heart - and how through my spiritual practice God has provided me with a much needed new direction for me. 

Copyright © 2021 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Becoming closer to God, acting in the ways of Jesus, or simply being a better person each and every day is not easy. It takes practice. And when you practice you have a much better chance to transform those parts of you that you just don't like. 

In this episode I talk about the concept of metanoia - a transformative change of heart - and how through my spiritual practice God has provided me with a much needed new direction for me. 

Copyright © 2021 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Billy Draper Buzzsprout-9685349 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0700 1142 1 5 full false EP4: Connecting to God Goes Beyond Church and Prayer Go to church, pray and study your Bible. For the majority of my Christian life I have been led to believe that these three ways were the only ways to connect with God. However, important as they are, there are more ways to connect with God than we may realize.  

Copyright © 2021 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Go to church, pray and study your Bible. For the majority of my Christian life I have been led to believe that these three ways were the only ways to connect with God. However, important as they are, there are more ways to connect with God than we may realize.  

Copyright © 2021 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Billy Draper Buzzsprout-8215805 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0600 585 1 4 full false EP 3: Part 2 How Does One Fear God? If God is love then why should we fear him? It's a concept many struggle to understand. Better understanding what it means to fear might not be as scary as it sounds. 

Copyright © 2020 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> If God is love then why should we fear him? It's a concept many struggle to understand. Better understanding what it means to fear might not be as scary as it sounds. 

Copyright © 2020 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Billy Draper Buzzsprout-3997814 Mon, 01 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0600 1071 1 3 full false EP 3: Part 1 How Does One Fear God? If God is love then why should we fear him? It's a concept many struggle to understand. Better understanding what it means to fear might not be as scary as it sounds. 

Copyright © 2020 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> If God is love then why should we fear him? It's a concept many struggle to understand. Better understanding what it means to fear might not be as scary as it sounds. 

Copyright © 2020 Closer | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Billy Draper Buzzsprout-3709622 Mon, 11 May 2020 06:00:00 -0600 894 1 3 full false EP1: Is God Really Good? You may have heard someone say, "God is Good?" But depending on your experience, your point of view and what you understand and believe about God you may not necessarily agree. Closer explores this idea in a bit more detail. 

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]]> You may have heard someone say, "God is Good?" But depending on your experience, your point of view and what you understand and believe about God you may not necessarily agree. Closer explores this idea in a bit more detail. 

Copyright © 2020 | All Rights Reserved.

]]> Billy Draper Buzzsprout-3432940 Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0600 1477 1 1 full false