[jaymeap]

i had to say something about this post.
i have been bi-sexual as far back as my first sexual experience.
next month i'll be married to the greatest man that ever lived. i never thought i could do that...
i met him at the international house of prayer in KC, MO. it was definitely a God thing how i ended up there. no doubt about that.
and NOT ONE PERSON said a word to me about my lifestyle (Drugs, drinking, smoking, sex, bi-sexuality, violence, hatred.)
it was like that place literally, and truly, opened me up for some deeper relationship with God than i've ever had. it was a PERSONAL & PRIVATE encounter with the Holy Spirit. i left there a completely different person - a happier, more joyful, peaceful, loving, forgiving person. maybe your friend had the same encounter. maybe it wasn't anyone's words or sermon, maybe he just came to that decision on his own! you would be supportive if a straight friend turned gay, why wouldn't you be supportive or willing to believe a gay friend turned straight on his own? maybe that place did something to his heart, maybe it wasn't the people. if it's GUILT OR SHAME he's feeling, that is NOT GOD. but the WORLD or the devil's tactics. Jesus forgives, and forgets. he sometimes, convicts people for things, but it never feels like guilt or shame. i assure you.
this is the friendliest, least judgemental Church or Christian Organization i have ever been involved in. honestly. they actually discourage "RELIGIOUS SPIRIT'S" which are people who are ritualistic, religious, about ways of life, ideals, behaviors, and actions towards others. it's supposed to be SPIRITUAL. not RELIGIOUS.
i actually believed in Jesus for a few months before that, but hated being called a Christian until i went there -- because of what i had seen other Christians do. that place is doing a lot that other churches aren't. like practicing what the Bible Teaches, in it's entirity, instead of picking & choosing what's convenient to Believe at any given time.
hating someone is murder. 1st John 3 v 15.
no one at the International House of Prayer hates anyone. i can assure you of that. i have never felt so much love or acceptance or grace or forgiveness. strangers, with children! let me live in their home without asking a single question- after knowing me for only a second. (i was homeless & hitch-hiked there.)i have heard them preach about how God can use ANYONE. everyone has a different testimony for that very reason. they do have opinions, and pray publicly for things they feel strongly about, and want God's help with. but PEOPLE - they do not condemn or treat differently. there is 24 hour music and prayer. and one of the singers that was there a couple of months ago - was a young man who regularly dressed as a woman. how is that condemnation? Mike Bickle doesn't claim to be anything but a servant of God.

the only reason people think IHOP is a cult, is because people cannot seem to fathom that God should come first, that their Creator deserves constant love and praise and affection and adoration. so many are used to Jesus only on Sunday Morning, and can't accept ihop's ways.
it's called IHOP because Jesus said "It is written, my House shall by called of all nations the house of prayer" mark 11v17. not after the pancake place.
there's free-will in everyone - so there is NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST. check Romans 8 v1. use that verse if anyone that says they love Jesus is trying to be mean to you. also remind them, that they can't clearly see to help you remove the splinter from your eye, when they have a LOG in their own.
by the way, i know first hand, that i experienced a TON more condemnation when i became a Christian, especially a member of IHOP -- than when i was addicted to drugs & having sex with everyone i met. more people seem to be okay with that lifestyle than the Spiritual one.
please keep in mind that you are not the only ones being condemned or judged or mis-treated or discriminated against. and try not to discriminate against those that are different from you.