The Worst Advice

We say it all the time. Books with this advice sell millions of copies. Speakers and preachers proclaim it all the time. We tell it to our children. The truth is, it might just be the worst advice we can give someone. There is something better. ©2018 Mike Kerby & Jesus' Outsider Ministries

Check out this episode!

This episode was very challenging. I knew that by taking on the whole "chase your dreams" mentality that permeates our culture and the church that I was doing something unpopular. Given the number of messes that our team has cleaned up in the wake of a conference, book, or what passes for revival in some churches, I couldn't keep silent.

The longer I follow Christ, the more that closer adherence to what the Word of God actually says becomes important. Fast and loose interpretations or subtle worldly influences drop away in the light of His real truth. Finding who we are called to be and the good works prepared for us ahead of time is far more important than dreaming big dreams and chasing them. Like it or not, most of us are not called to do what we would consider large and important. However, God is often in the things we see of little impact in our fleshly mind but are huge in His Kingdom.

All In! (Albeit a Little Earlier Than Planned)

Well, here we sit at a crossroads. It's not one that we expected to approach this soon but the Lord used circumstances to give us a much needed push. We are completely in the hands of God and His faithfulness.

What do we mean by all in? All we have left is Jesus' Outsider Ministries and the Deep Mystery Studio. Challenges with my now former part time income have left us with no other potential sources of income. No, there is not a possibility of unemployment since I have worked as an independent contractor for the last several years. Plans that we had been working on that were meant to gradually replace that income have to be put into effect now with no time for buildup. So, we are all in with ministry and, as we can find opportunity, freelance media production and writing.

Nothing in the current ministry schedule is going to change. Events already on the docket will go forward as planned. However, some changes are going to happen out of shear necessity and we will be looking for additions to it.

Plans were already in place to make this transition. Part of those plans included a conviction that we weren't doing enough ministry in Central Illinois. As we prayed about it, we knew that it wasn't to do more in our church homebase. Rather, I need to get out and start preaching, teaching, and supporting local ministries. It's a bit of a daunting task since I've been working primarily online and out of the area for several years. The only local event we've done was the Sex, Porn, and Freedom conference held back in June of 2016. We need to change that. Not only are we going to organize local events (including one already scheduled), we are going to do more to support and teach at others events.

We have a message. We have a mission. Now, we need to fulfill it. While the lovely bride is still working on her speaking skills and comfort level (it's not natural to her), I will be putting myself out there for pulpit supply, guest speaking, and teaching on our main topics in various events. Of course, with six years of podcast archives available to listen to, my doctrine and views are well known. Whether in person or online, I strive to faithfully preach the Word of God and give glory to our Lord Christ Jesus.

Before you ask, no, the effort to preach locally isn't a financial decision. Making a living from honorariums is pretty far fetched for a local preacher. Sure, there are some big names that can command large fees just to show up and speak a few words. I have no such illusions that I am one of them. Over the years, I've preached for free and I've received some very generous gifts for proclaiming the Word. It's time to proclaim God's Word to all that will listen and trust the Lord for His provision.

We will also be starting fundraising efforts for the upcoming Out of The Shadows Conference. The YouCaring page is already set up but needs some tweaking to be more effective. Look for it to be ready the first of the year. Our current situation means that we will have to raise more money than we had originally planned but not a lot.

If you want more information, drop me an email at mike@jesusoutsider.com.

Fractious Times

I recently announced on my personal page that I would no longer watch my beloved NFL. That simple announcement with a short accompanying reason got more response than posts that actually matter. I have friends on both sides of the issue. The truth for me is deeper than some form of entertainment. I am choosing not to support anything that contributes to the fragmentation and tribalism that divides us.

In the long run, my decision isn't about who's right and who's wrong. It's about not wanting to see everything I enjoy or watch mired in politics and division. There was a time when playing the National Anthem wasn't considered political but part of the unifying factor that no matter your race, political views, gender, or any other distinction, we were still bound by the commonality of being Americans. It was nothing more than that. When even something so time honored has been turned into something divisive, I can't participate. That's true whether it's a sport, movie, or television program. Propagandize in the guise of entertainment and I don't watch. If I want to watch political programming, then I'll turn it on although that almost never happens. My life isn't made richer by watching people argue and I'm certainly not drawn closer to Jesus by it.

As I've discussed on a number of episodes of the Jesus' Outsider Podcast, we are growing more and more fractured and divided not only as a nation but as a church. We are separating ourselves into ever more narrowly defined tribes. Political affiliations, denominations, minor issues of doctrine, and even sport team fandoms are just a few of the growing camps of us versus them. We are wrathful and wrangling over words and concepts that mean little to our purpose in Christ. In fact, these divisions, protests, counter protests and all the rest of the nonsense happening are huge hindrances to the fulfillment of The Great Commission. That was the point of the episode, Stay Focused.

Consider this quote from C.S. Lewis and his groundbreaking book, The Screwtape Letters:

My Dear Wormwood,
Be sure that the patient remains completely fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people they have never met serves as an excellent distraction from advancing in personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration, and general disdain towards the rest of the human race in order to to avoid any kind of charity or inner peace from further developing. Ensure teh patient continues to believe that the problem is "out there" in the "broken system" rather than recognizing there is a problem with himself.
Keep up the good work,
Uncle Screwtape

What better way to keep the Church from being effective than to keep us angry and divided? Jesus himself prayed that we would be one just and He and the Father are one (John 17). The greatest times of church growth and power was when we were united and our good works were visible to all men. Even a cursory reading of Acts reveal how when the church was united and devoted their lives to living the Gospel, their number was added to daily. Can any of us say that anymore?

To put is simply, the enemy is doing a great job of keeping the Body of Christ divided and focused on the wrong things. I know that all of us have a specific part to play in His church and in advancing the Kingdom of God. If we are spending all of our time on these useless distractions, can we actually achieve them? Paul warns Timothy to avoid foolish and arrogant arguments. (2 Tim 2:23-26) as well as in Romans and Titus. There's a reason for these and all the other warnings throughout Scripture.

We're not here to change the world through political action, protests, or arguments. That's not why Jesus came. He came to seek and save that which is lost. How far can we deviate from that purpose because an entertainer expresses an opinion or because we support an earthly political party or agenda? Nothing is worth more than living Jesus in front of a lost and dying world. Consider that when you post on Facebook or take a stand.

If you want to make a real difference, be Jesus to someone. Examine your own heart for hatred and sin. Or, if you're willing to take a greater risk, do what David did and ask the Lord to examine your heart and see if there be any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139:23-24) Pursuing the Lord diligently and letting your good works speak for themselves to bring glory not to you but to God is what we're here for and nothing else. Listen to the episode Purpose in Victory for more details. You're here for a reason. Don't let this world's nonsense, anger, and sin distract you and draw you in. You can choose the higher road and just not participate.

But...

Sometimes, keeping my mouth shut isn't easy. There are times when I hear something said that makes my eye twitch but the situation demands that I hold my tongue. One such incident sparked this blog.

The other night, a man who calls himself a pastor made a statement that made my blood boil. In the midst of a conversation, he said, "I know what the Scriptures say, but I believe this" and then proceeded to explain his view on the topic. I was a common view in the church and almost Biblical but not quite. Just a hint, if you have to express your belief with the statement, "I know what the Scriptures say but," you've probably believed something that isn't true.

Of course, this idea isn't new. People and teachers have crafted their own beliefs for centuries. Ignoring or using the Word out of context are the oldest deceptions the enemy has in his arsenal. If he can get us to live our lives based upon lies and spread them, he wins. Eventually, he can convince us of anything the further we get from the grounding of the Word.

Remember, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Tim 3:16,17) That's pretty clear. Ignore the Scriptures at your own peril. Teach others to do likewise, the peril increases. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." (James 3:1) That verse gives me chills every time I read it. Each time I get behind a mic or take the platform, I remember that verse and focus on what the Word says. Those who would disregard any part of the Bible would do well to remember the same.

However, there are times that someone could say "I know what the Scriptures say but..." and it be perfectly acceptable. It all depends on what follows. Obviously, the previous and all too common use leading to false teachings and justification of sin isn't one that works well. In contrast, consider the following: 

• I know what the Scriptures say but I'm having a hard time understanding it. 
• I know what the Scriptures say but I don't know how to live it out. 
• I know what the Scriptures say but I have questions. 

Do you see the difference? The first use justifies the flesh but these come from a place of humility and a desire to grow. Asking questions seeking understanding is essential to anyone who follows Christ. No matter how long someone has served the Lord, no matter how well one knows the Word, there is still more to learn. We can grow only when we are seeking knowledge and how to gain true Godly wisdom from that knowledge.

If the latter is how you approach the "but," you're in good company. Seek the Lord diligently, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Tim 2:15) That comes from seeking understanding and wisdom.

Moving Forward

As of right now, we are up and running at about 50% capacity. We have the use of an older machine that allows some of the older versions of software to run but videos are still out of the question. Producing new episodes of Jesus' Outsider may be possible but we haven't had time to test it yet. We're putting everything we have into laying the groundwork for the Sex, Porn, and Freedom Conference so we can get that ball rolling.

We have been able to make several key updates to the Jesus' Outsider website reflecting the shift from being a podcast page to a full media, evangelistic, and conference ministry. Preliminary team bios are on the page for the start of our core leadership team with more to be added soon. As soon as time allows, we will also be adding a resource page with an Amazon store and a separate store for apparel. Big things are coming but they take time.

The SP&F conference must go forward. The need is huge. We have dedicated an entire page of the new Jesus' Outsider Ministries site to the conference with more content to come. We've been teasing a little of what we intend but it's time to go farther. Even at our reduced capacity, we know we must do everything we can to make this happen.

That means we need your help. In order to book a venue, musical talent, and cover other starting expenses, we need some resources. There are a number of ways you can get involved in helping us get the initial boost in bringing this much needed conference to Peoria and, as the Lord allows, beyond.

1. Individual Donation: Any amount helps, even as little as $5. There is a special PayPal link on the SP&F page on the Jesus' Outsider site.
2. Business/Ministry Sponsorship: We are looking for ministries and businesses who understand the scourge of sexual sin in our community to sponsor the event. A rate sheet is available for anyone interested.
3. Church Offerings: Allow us to come and share the vision for the conference and overall ministry with your congregation or appropriate committee. We also can bring a straightforward Gospel message for an evangelistic event.
4. Spread The Word: If you are not in a position to make a financial contribution, help us to spread the word about the conference and ministry. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Share as many of our posts as possible with as many people as possible. In many ways, this is at least as important as direct financial assistance.

We need your help to make this happen. Please email Pastor Mike with any additional questions.

Time For A Little Retooling

I've been podcasting for seven and a half years. During that time I've reinvented the program several times. It started out as the Wicket Gate Podcast (Yes, that's a Pilgrim's Progress reference), became Foundational Truth, Foundations when it briefly went into syndication, Madman in Crazytown for politics, and finally Jesus' Outsider.

The current program is by far the best listened to of the entire run. In many ways, it's also the best. However, it's still been primarily a hobby ministry, a way for me to keep my chops up while I've been taking a break from pastoring a local church. That's partly why there have been times when the broadcast has been a little hit or miss. It's also why there hasn't been a set time signature since the Madman days.

I do put a lot into each episode, at least the content. I've done a some episodes that I have really been proud of over the last four years. A few have garnered a lot of attention and a lot of listeners while some of my best had below average hits. When I don't have time to prepare, I just don't do one. I too often let the affairs of daily life get in the way. But, as a hobby, it really didn't matter. I take the content very seriously but didn't sweat it too much if I missed one. Quality over quantity has been the motto.

The truth is, my listeners deserve better. The Lord deserves better. In our media-obsessed culture, the more voices crying out with the truth, the better. I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that I need to take this platform He gave me more seriously. The content is not going to change much but I'm going to put more into the production and into building an audience.

To date, the only money spent every on the program (apart from the equipment) has been the monthly hosting fees and cost of the site. I haven't put anything into finding people to listen or read any of my assorted blogs. With the Lord making some updates to my calling and occupation, I need to do more with the program and blogs than I have for the past few years and that includes putting some money to promoting both. I have a good start but I need to do more to fulfill what I've been called to do.

I am also going to put more into the production of each episode. That includes better a intro and outro. I'm not changing the music, especially the intro. They're instrumental rock music from a close friend and easily one of the best all-around guitarists I've ever come across. (Check out all of his stuff here.) I am going to recruit someone else for the introduction and tagline at the end. I'm not sure who yet, but I have some thoughts.

In order to make the show more radio friendly, I'm also implementing a set duration time for the program like I did when I broadcast the previous incarnations. I haven't fully figured out what that time needs to be but it will most likely be between twenty-five and twenty-seven minutes.

The website is also going to be upgraded and integrated with the other sites (MikeKerby.com (currently a blog while the main site is being rebuilt), Freedom Church, and Deep Mystery Studio) that are a big part of this change. I am building something I've never had before.

The changes I'm planning will go into effect the first of the year along with several others that will be announced here and other outlets. This is just one part of a much larger picture as the Lord integrates all of the areas of my life for His glory.

The Towers Fell & My Life Changed

I remember very well what I was doing the morning of September 11th, 2001. I will probably never forget that dark day and the aftermath as long as I live. Even today, my emotions still get the better of me when I think of the lives lost for no more reason than they didn't share the terrorists' religion. That day, my thinking changed.

It wasn't politics that changed. How I saw and now see my mission changed. Given the statistics, most of the people who died that day found themselves facing judgment and Hell. The pain of that truth burns in me to this day. This truth strikes me over and over again. I'm hard pressed to look at a large crowd of people and not feel the pang of sorrow for the lost. I was grateful for my sunglasses when I was attending a game at Dozer Field, our local farm team baseball stadium. Looking at the gathered fans, I couldn't help but wonder how many would be in Hell if terrorists attacked the game. My eyes reddened with tears and I kept my thoughts to myself to keep those tears from flowing.

In this ever darkening world, our opportunities to share Jesus and help our friends and neighbors escape from this fate are growing fewer and fewer. On that day thirteen years ago, my whole perspective changed. I felt the pain that the Lord feels when one of his creations goes to Hell when He offers the free gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus. Those pains, both the memory and their reoccurrence inform everything I do for the Kingdom. No matter what I preach, I strive to work a salvation message into it. If anyone there has never met Jesus and received His gift, they need the opportunity.

I stopped being bashful about sharing my faith at work. It's more than just people I work with knowing I'm a Christian, I sprinkle as much of the Word as possible into conversations (usually without a Scripture reference) and be as kind and loving as possible to everyone. It's not always easy and I've been ridiculed for it and even faced some (albeit minor) persecution.

I'm not trying to make myself somehow better than anyone else. I'm only relating my response to the attacks and how it's changed my life and my drive to see as many people hear about Jesus as I can while they're still able and I'm still able to share.

I have also paid a lot of attention to what has happened to the church in the aftermath. Immediately after the attack, church attendance swelled to more than double what it was beforehand. Unfortunately, it didn't last. I could list a lot of possible reasons for the dropoff to less than it was prior but most of them would be speculation. All I can think is that whatever those people were seeking, they didn't find.

The times today are even more perilous than they were back then. As the Body of Christ, we need to be ready when this type of attack happens again as it likely will. It may even be worse than the first with more lives lost and more damage to the property. We need to be ready for the sea of people that will turn to us like they only do in a crisis.

What will they need? That hasn't changed. It's the same thing that people have always needed in dark times; hope, compassion, and some answers. The Church of Jesus Christ is uniquely positioned to share the truth in love in such circumstances. We have the hope that is in Him alone, the love of God made manifest, and real answers from the Word of God as to why people do what they do. We can offer it. We have the Holy Spirit available to us to give us the words to say if we only seek Him. He will guide us and empower us to touch lives and bring healing to their pain.

Honor the heroes of that dark day, remember the slain. Mourn for the loss. Remember, it can happen again and remember that Jesus is the answer to the pain. He came to heal, to free, and to bind the wounds of the broken hearted. He comforts the grieving.