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.

On Bigotry and Racism

Let me begin by stating one thing without reservation: I hate bigotry and racism with a deep passion. I don't care who the object of the hatred is whether black, white, latino, jew, Italians, Irish, or any other race or ethnicity. To hate an entire group because of their country of origin, skin color, or ethnicity is irrational and evil. I believe in Dr. King's dream that we would be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. I wish that his work had not been undone.

I have the fruit on the tree, if you will. For several years, I served in a number of ministries working towards racial and denominational reconciliation, most of whom lead by black pastors. My lovely bride and I spent fifteen years in inner city ministry. During that time, I served as teaching and administrative pastor in a mixed race congregation and community outreach center. We lived in a mixed race neighborhood for thirteen years that became a predominantly black neighborhood. I'm not saying all this to brag but more as a pedigree so that my credibility might be established.

It's so easy to stand against the obvious hate. The KKK and other white supremacist groups are overt and blatant in their hatred of other races especially blacks and jews. Since many people I care about fall into both of these groups, the idea that anyone would want to hurt them for no reason other than the color of their skin fills me with a rage that only time and prayer can calm. Opposing their filthy ideology is the only rational thing to do but not with violence. As the Scriptures say:

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore 

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 

If he is thirsty, give him a drink; 

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:14-21

I have seen this type of overt racism on display all my life but not always from whites who hate blacks. I've heard it from blacks who hate whites and jews, blacks and whites who both hate Mexicans, Mexicans who hate everybody. Hatred and bigotry are universal. Anyone can be filled with this vile poison. The reason we left the neighborhood was because my two sons were jumped because they were white. They were kids who dared to walk down the street. Speed was their only salvation. Most of the people living there at the time and, I assume, to this day are decent people who harbor no ill will towards anyone. In all cases, it is the vocal and often violent minority that are the problem.

These are the easy ones to spot. Most of the racism I see today is not quite so obvious. The blatant ones are the people denying jobs or homes to people based on race. The far more devious beliefs are often masked behind seemingly good intentions. They're so deep and hidden that the people who hold them don't believe that they're are racist. Most believe that they're fighting racism.

I'm talking about the soft bigotry of low expectations. This takes the form of beliefs such as the idea that minorities aren't able to get IDs on their own so shouldn't be expected to have them to vote. Perhaps it's seen in demanding lower requirements for admission into colleges or job advancement. Although these seem like the right thing to do, in reality they are, along with anything else in this line of thought, the message is clear that those who believe them are a different form of white supremacist. They feel guilty about their beliefs but act and speak in ways that confirm that they believe that racial and ethnic minorities are inferior and can only succeed with the help of their superiors.

This type of bigotry is the root of the need to keep minorities feeling like victims. Anger and the assumption of racism are the result. Proponents of this racism teach minorities to assume racial motivations behind everything. This, in and of itself, is a form of bigotry and racism.

I dream of the day when we can actually come back together as one American people. Our currency reads the Latin motto, "E Pluribus Unim." This means from many, one. There will always be disagreements and there will always be hatred and bigotry. It's up to us, the Body of Christ, to be instruments of peace and reconciliation. We must reject all forms of racism and see everyone as individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. The love of God must flow through us to break through and bring unity wherever we can. Hearts and minds are changed one at a time.

Reject hate. Reject violence. Embrace love and mercy.

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

Friends, we are at an impasse. Jesus' Outsider Ministries has been called to be an equipping ministry. The mission the Lord has given us is to help the Body of Christ take on the more challenging issues including pornography, mental illness, and more. (A complete list can be found here.) To accomplish this mission, we need to be able to produce media. The plan includes videos from seminars, webisodes, and other video and audio resources. However, we can't do that. We have had a massive and permanent failure of our studio computer system.

We have tried to move forward with the extremely limited capacity that we have. We have been able to produce our weekly podcast but not much more than that. We have video footage from our first conference that we would release but we can't process it. Anything beyond the most rudimentary audio production is beyond the ability of the older model computer that was given to us after the crash first happened. Video work is completely impossible.

We need your help. We are starting a fundraiser to replace our tower and a few key components that are beginning to fail. We will be using a multifaceted approach as our limitations allow. The essentials of the need can be found on an Amazon wishlist created just for that purpose. The tower and monitor on the list are included for specs only as a guideline for anyone who chooses to help.

We do not have the resources to replace the lost equipment. Our ministry and personal budget run razor thin. Up to this point, we have been mostly self funded save for ticket sales to the Sex, Porn, & Freedom Conference and a few timely contributions. In order to fulfill the mission the Lord has given us, we can't operate that way anymore. This initial fundraiser gets us moving in the right direction. A follow up for the next phase is coming down the road.

Please, prayerfully consider how you can help. Give if you are able and if not, please share this as wide as you can on social media and in person. We trust the Lord that He will move on the hearts of enough of his people that we will accomplish that which has been entrusted to us.

The complete list can be found on Amazon following this link. If you would like to give financially, visit the Support page of our website.

Big Announcements!

For the last several days, we have been wrestling with a couple of decisions. One of them is fairly large the other more operational but still significant.

Okay, the small one first. As we prepare for the Sex, Porn, and Freedom Conference, time has become more critical and short. We also have a number of ministry opportunities on the horizon that will require a lot of prep time and travel. To prevent the quality of the podcast from suffering, we have decided to drop to one episode a week. It will be uploaded Monday mornings at 6:30. The advantage for us and yours truly the host is that it can be recorded any night of the week and preloaded. We can then travel and minister as needed and have fresh, new content every week. This change goes into effect April 17th.

The big decision is one that we had to seek a lot of counsel on before coming to a conclusion. Most ministries incorporate as a not-for-profit corporation and file for a 501c3 tax exempt status. We have decided to go another direction.

There were a number of factors leading to this point. Since the last time we filed for a 501 several years ago, a lot of changes have occurred within the IRS and to the tax code and more on the way. More than one person, including an attorney, our banker,  and other ministry leaders warned that the IRS doesn't like parachurch organizations. They don't grasp them and their purpose. More, it is likely that the free speech restrictions placed on not-for-profits are going to become even more draconian. Since we are unwilling to compromise one pen stroke of the Word, we would lose that status before allowing the government to silence us in the name of political correctness.

There are also more practical reasons. The bookkeeping is much simpler. We will practice financial accountability but we don't have to worry about the federal and state filings or restrictions. We will have to charge sales tax on any merchandise we sell at events but that isn't a big deal.

Since we are not a donation based ministry, there isn't a benefit to the status. The majority of the revenue we receive is from ticket sales, speaker fees, and merchandise sales. Sponsorships and table fees are conferences are still tax deductible for businesses as advertising expenses just like for any other trade show or conference. If someone wants to donate, we obviously won't stop them but there will not be a tax benefit for the contribution.

This was a tough decision but the right one. If things change down the road, we will revisit it. For us, it means that Jesus' Outsider and Deep Mystery Studio are essentially one and the same. The studio has always been linked to the show as the site of recording and as the vision shifts, they will be more integrated. Once the equipment we lost is replaced, we will be producing more media aimed at proclaiming freedom in Christ.

God is moving and there's a lot of great stuff happening now and in the near future.

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.

Sex, Porn, and Freedom

What's so important that we need to be fully functional again? Sure, the podcast has listeners who will miss it, but there needs to be something more that's worth the work and supporting.

There is. We are planning our first conference and it's going to be a big one. (Go big or go home, right?) A few have already been briefed on what we're planning but, in light of current situations, we going public now. To catch anyone who missed the last few posts, we had been working on planting a church but the Lord hit us on the side of the head and asked us why we were doing that when He had already given us a part to play in His kingdom that we had been neglecting. That word, along with a reignition of passion at a Josh McDowell conference, put us where we are today.

Our first conference is Sex, Porn, and Freedom: Breaking the Bondage of Sexual Sin. I told you it was a big one. In the years of broadcasting Jesus' Outsider, this topic is one we hit often especially since it seems that few are actually addressing it. It's the giant elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about yet it's destroying the Body of Christ and our nation. Oh, and it's not just a men's problem.

We're building a great lineup that will be announced soon. We'll be sharing statistics, tips on web and mobile device safety, and a lot of what you'd expect in something like this. However, we're going a lot further than that. We'll give you the science of porn, how the industry has changed and its impact on the greater culture, how to break the chains, and a dose of prevention.

One piece will be of great interest. My lovely bride will be sharing her testimony publicly for the first time. It's not a pretty story. She lived the BDSM lifestyle that millions of women were introduced to in Fifty Shades of Grey. Despite the growing acceptance of this lifestyle, it has consequences. Come and hear some truth about how people get into it, how BDSM affects those involved, and how hard it is to get out. During the story, we'll use the words and writings of the advocates to demonstrate the reality of what she shares. It will be challenging for her, but you won't want to miss it.

Our purpose in doing this conference is more than just providing information. We are going to demonstrate how widespread the problem really is within the church with both genders. That's just the beginning. Our goal is to break the silence surrounding sexual sin so that the light of the Gospel can shine into the dark corners of all of our hearts. We want to see people set free from these chains. We're doing this for anyone who wants to be free, desires to minister to people trapped in these sins, or just wants the information.

Oh, there's much more. This is just a teaser. We are tentatively planning for May but that will be dependant upon fundraising efforts and how fast the response comes through. As soon as the studio is fully functional, the Jesus' Outsider site and our Facebook Page will have all the details as they develop and when tickets go on sale. We'll be posting here as well as the full speaker lineup is confirmed along with the music (courtesy of Be Loud Promotions). It's going to be a day you'll not soon forget.

Update on Getting Us Back on The Air

Thanks to all who have made offers and have given aid so far. We do have a long way to go to get there.

For those of you who may be unaware, the studio computer system is completely inoperable. It is beyond repair. This has taken us completely out of commission including knocking Jesus' Outsider off the air.

Just before the failure, we were in the final stages of preparation to greatly expand our ministry into more than just podcasts. We had been working in planting a church but discovered that the Lord's will was in developing what He had already given us rather than adding new. We are doing conferences, more media work including expanding the reach of our current program and doing more ministry videos on the hard subjects we've been called to tackle. There's more to the vision but that's a tiny little snapshot. Unfortunately, we are dead in the water without a fully functional studio computer.

When I first posted, I estimated the total financial cost at around $2500. I deliberately figured a little high to set a good target. My experience with fundraising has been to set the goal higher than what's actually needed to increase the odds of getting the real need met. I didn't pad much (only a couple hundred dollars) but there is some wiggle room in the amount. The original basis was a built around a projected price of $1300-$1500 for the tower.

In doing some price checking, I found a tower hundreds of dollars less than the least expensive one I speced out originally that is ideal for our purposes. It meets and exceeds the minimum requirements for the most demanding software we use. It's on Newegg and can be found here. Please take a look at it and prayerfully consider how you can help us get this system before the sale expires.

I have been asked how I came up with the amount for the fundraising effort to get us back on the air and expanding. $2500 seems like a lot of money for a computer and it is. However, the need is based upon making the tower fully operational and that requires more than just the hardware.

Because the old system had been pushed well beyond its normal useful life, the programs I used everyday on it were out of date but still worked on the older computer. However, while the age and reduced system requirements allowed us to keep going on the old system, it does mean that they will not work on a new one. Our versions of Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Quickbooks are so old that the manufacturers no longer support their installation. We will need to replace them and their price is included in what we are asking for in the campaign. For the Adobe Suite, I figured in three months of subscription to their cloud service which gives access to their entire product line. Considering the cost to purchase the entire suite freestanding was close to $3500, a monthly fee of $60 for a business or ministry is very reasonable.

We do have some additional hardware needs in the request but we should be able to get by with what we have until we can afford them. We do need to upgrade our printer to a higher capacity office model for quick print fliers, invitation cards, and other low quantity print jobs. The studio sound board works but, like the tower, has been pushed beyond its capacity and has a couple of dead channels. It does however, meet our requirements for now.

This is a serious attack from the enemy. Just as Jesus' Outsider Ministries and the related Deep Mystery Studio are about to break out and have a massive Kingdom impact, we're knocked out of the fight. I cannot believe that the Lord is opening up all these opportunities to make a monstrous difference and let us drop. The interest in the Sex, Porn, and Freedom Conference alone is even more that we ever could have anticipated. Without meeting this need, we cannot pull off this much needed seminar.

If you are able to help, please use the PayPal link on this page or on the Support tab on the Jesus' Outsider main page. If you prefer to mail us a check, please send us an email (mike@jesusoutsider.com) for the address and who to make the check out to in order for us to get back on the air and fulfill the vision the Lord has for us.

I am going of faith and am going to continue to work in the limited capacity I can under the assumption that the Lord is going to come through for us. There's not a lot I can do other than writing content until we have what we need to put it all together.

As a side note, some of our income was tied to this computer and we have lost that as well until we're back online. Please, share this need with as many people as you can. Pray for us while we see what the Lord has in mind as well as how you can help.

Blessings,
Pastor Mike