Cher Kwang February 2nd, 2013

Dear producers of Steve Brown Etc, i could not download your audio file completely. I could not listen to any further recording after the first commercial break. Could you upload a fresh new file? I think the file you uploaded may be corrupted because I'm unable to download the file completely. Not sure about others.Thanks.

Erik Guzman February 2nd, 2013

Just found out about this. I'll fix it ASAP.

Erik Guzman February 2nd, 2013

The file has been reloaded. The complete program is now available. Sorry about the hassle.

Charis Varnadore February 3rd, 2013

Thankfully, living here on the coast of SC,on the edge of the Bible Belt,I found your broadcast last week, and I will continue listening weekly as well as searching out your archive. As to today's program, I have "laid my smoking addiction at the feet of Jesus"for forty years and he refuses to accept it. And yes, I have attempted all the cessation techniques…
One thing that puzzles me about your site and program is this: What's up with these cruises? Reminds me a little of Jim and Tammy Faye. Charis

Judy Gale February 3rd, 2013

In the first 15 minutes I heard antithical contrasts with Islam & Buddhism, and "the gathering in Atlanta." Is it not possible to share your message (of Holiness) without throwing in these negative contrasts? I have friends and colleagues who are both (Muslim and Buddhist) and my nephew was there in Atlanta … he happens to have an "intimate relationship with Christ," by the way.
I grow weary of folks who cannot seem to communicate their message without namecalling or pitting the "us vs them." (sigh)

Jim Gott February 3rd, 2013

Great program. Brother John has a lot of wisdom. The "Berean" in me took issue with his statement, "I mean beautiful women literally throw themselves at His feet." Chapter and verse? John 8:3 says a woman caught in adultery was "brought in" by some teachers and Pharisees. It doesn't say she threw herself at His feet.

Ted February 3rd, 2013

Holiness can only be found in the vast ocean of God's unconditional grace. Holiness can't be found in the land of achievement. Judy makes a good point about "us vs them". I believe God's grace takes away the rocks that we throw at other people and brings about a humility to let go and let God. His grace reaches the people in the self-help movement, the muslims and buddhists, the people in Atlanta, as well as to those at RansomedHeart.

To be honest: I found more grace and the smell of Jesus listening to the previous and quite challenging episode of SBE with Peter Rollins.

Steve Robinson February 4th, 2013

Judy, you mention the Christian's relationships with Islam and Buddha and that we should not take an "us vs. them" approach. Islam, in fact, takes an "us vs. them" mentality to the world. In fact, Islam is an "us conquering and having them submit to us" religion. Your friends who are Buddhist and Muslim, question them about who Jesus is. If they are true Muslims or Buddhist, you'll hear things such as "prophet," "nice guy," "a great philosopher." But you won't hear God, Jesus the Savior. Unless they have been saved, of course. Either a person is a Buddhist or Muslim, OR has a personal relationship with the living Christ, and is, therefore, a Christian. I used to be Catholic. Though I sometimes refer to myself as being a "cradle Catholic," I no longer worship in the Catholic tradition, nor do I even consider myself Catholic. When I changed my heart to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but worshiped at Catholic churches, I told people that I was a Christian who chooses to worship in the Catholic tradition. The moment my heart was changed on September 11, 1993, I threw away all associations with religion (and its members) and started to turn my eyes toward Jesus. I no longer worship as a Catholic, by the way.

If you wish to see one of the largest Christian outreaches to Muslims in the world, please go to frontiers.org.

Annette Hunt February 6th, 2013

I am a great fan of John and Stacy Eldredge and their ministry. Their books were some of the first I encountered when I broke out of the religious cult of my growing up years,and are still some of my favorite writings.
Something struck me as I listened to the exchange about Lance Armstrong. I don't know much about the story, a deliberate choice on my part. Sexual scandals by celebrities are really a dime a dozen, and I have better things to do with my day.
But.
Please don't write a man off because he doesn't show remorse, Can't every one of us say that we wouldn't have ever sought God if God had not sought us, guided our steps down to minute details, brought both despair and hope to us at just the right moments?
I have to say there have been times in my own journey through mind-bending religious abuse, to skepticism, to angnositicim, to my current belief in God that would have looked hopeless to anyone observing me. Heck, at times it looked hopeless to me.
My current belief stems from a deliberate choice NOT to be a conformer to the rigid straightjackets embraced implicitly or explicitly in every church's rulebooks, but to open my heart to my greatest Lover, to encounter Him while I change diapers, do dishes – just everyday stuff. I have invited Him into every facet of my life, into my failures, my habitual sins, and my few triumphs. And I love my life.
But I didn't get here on my own. I was romanced, pursued, sometimes dragged by the unrelenting love of Christ to encounter Him, to trust Him. Despite my many failures, tantrums, and pity parties, He has pursued my without falter every day of my life. The last word I will ever use to describe myself is "holy", but I have something by the tail that the world should know about.
And if Abba can love me, He can love Lance Armstrong too. Give God a chance to have the final word.

Judy Gale February 7th, 2013

Hi, Steve Robinson. I think the point of my comment was hoping we all could communicate whatever our passion is … without setting up anti-thetical or partisan scenarios … i.e. creating "us vs them" gridlocks. Re: your comments on my colleagues, I'm not looking to evangelize them, per se, but to be more 'incarnational' in my friendships with them. Of course I want them to "know Jesus, " no doubt about it!
Brian McLaren's approach reasonates with where I am in my faith journey:
http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V01124
Thanks again for your response!

Rob Vandiver February 7th, 2013

Annette. I don't think John is "writing him off." He was just making an observation about where he very much appears to be. He doesn't seem the least bit repentant. He's been more or less backed into a corner, but his coming clean seems more of a strategic move at the present to avoid some real repurcussions, like jail time. (also, it wasn't sexual scandal. He's denied for years he took banned substances to win the tour de france like 6 times, or something. Unrelentingly he has been accused and he has not only denied the allegations, but gone on the attack against those who accused him). Yes, I think John would admit that the door is still open to him, …. if he wants to step through. John's point is that as long as he stays in what pretty much appears to be an unrepentant state, he'll never change. No will I or anyone else who lacks the "heart" to repent, regardless of what they say. And great story of your journey. The Lord did the same to me, pursued me, was patient. He really is loving and kind.