Here's Your Sign

“The truth is only uncomfortable for those who are not living by the truth.” 

This is a direct quote from an email I received in response to my blog entitled, “Love is Our Savior;Our Savior is Love.”

The implication of the email as a whole was that, based on what I wrote in my blog, I am not living by God's truth.  For some Christians, living by the truth means they must outwardly and actively pursue what they believe to be God’s agenda.  Whether it is His agenda or not, the manner in which they take action is often quite un-godly.  Let me give you some examples:

If I stand on a street corner and quietly hand out a pamphlet which shares the story of God’s love for humanity in sending His son, Jesus, to die upon the cross for our salvation and redemption… is that un-godly?  No.

If I cook a meal and take it to a sick friend, is that un-godly?  No.

If I take food and clothing to city shelters in need of supplies, is that un-godly?  No.

If I quietly observe the people around me and reach out to anyone who has a need, praying for them and doing whatever I can to help, is that un-godly?  No.

These are all actions of love.  They are not done to gain exposure to oneself.  They are not done to increase one’s income.  They are not done to build one’s ego.  They are done simply as an extension of God’s love.  They carry a message of love through an action of love.

Now, if I plaster red tape across my face and write the word “Life” on it and then adorn myself with signs that say, “God Hates Abortion,” is that un-godly?  Yes.

Before you send me an email stating that abortion is murder and murder is wrong, let me explain.  Abortion IS murder and murder IS wrong, but that isn’t what I’m talking about.  Far better would it be for a person to counsel one-on-one with a frightened, pregnant teenager than to stand on the street with a hate sign and red tape over one’s lips.  The message may hold truth but the action itself is not based in love; and if your actions are not showing God’s love, your message will never be heard.

If you are holding a sign that begins with the words, “God Hates ____” you are not expressing God’s love.  Period.  You are expressing judgment and condemnation and the Bible is very clear on the fact that we are not to judge one another.

Remove the plank from your own eye before you start attacking other people in the name of God and truth and God’s supposed agenda.

And for Heaven's sake, people, stop teaching this crap to your children.  Teach them to love, not to judge.  Teach them to pursue God's truth through actions of love and not actions of hate.

Plastering red tape on a child's mouth doesn't send a message of God's love.  It sends a message of condemnation, judgment and ultimately chases people further from God.

If you want to take a stand against abortion, do it the right way, the loving way, God's way.

I get discouraged by how many Christians behave in ways that are utterly un-Christ-like.  What do I mean by that statement?  Let me first tell you what I DON’T mean.  I’m not talking about the Christians who party a little too hard on weekends or let the occasional curse word cross their lips.  I’m not talking about the Christians who have made mistakes and fallen short of who they wanted to be as a husband or wife.   My goodness, look at the short-comings of David in the Bible, and yet God said David was a man after His own heart.  I’m talking about the Christians that waltz around with an arrogant, elitist, holier-than-thou spirit.  I’m talking about the Christians who hold hate signs and cast judgment on others and do it in the name of God.  I’m talking about the Christians who manipulate Scripture and whose sole focus is on seeking new signs and wonders and pursuing with war-like evangelism the end of the world.  These are the Christians giving Christianity a bad name.  These are the Christians who are distorting God’s love with their actions of hate.  These are the Christians who are un-Christ-like.

If you read the Bible, particularly the New Testament, and you look at the stories of how Jesus interacted with normal people, you will find that he was never elitist nor arrogant nor condemning.  He spoke truth in private and with compassion, and always out of love.

Don’t send me an email telling me the story of when Jesus took a whip and ripped through the temple, because that’s not what I’m talking about here.  Jesus ripped through the temple in righteous anger because the so-called religious people were making a mockery of God.  They were benefiting themselves, their own egos, their own positions, their own agendas in the name of God … and Jesus put them in their place.  Just as He will do to the elitist Christians now, who are taking actions of hate and proclaiming them as God’s love. 

There is only one truth and that truth is love.   So to all of you eltitist, arrogant bigots who call yourselves Christian, here's your sign:  

 

 

Sharing Their Stories

This weekend I was able to read and respond to some of the emails I have received over the course of the last four weeks.  The Bethany Deaton case being linked to my novel, House of Lies, has driven many to share their stories.

I have to be honest and say that a lot of these letters are hard to read because they either cause me to feel saddened or angry; and sometimes a mixture of both.  These negative emotions are often difficult for me to shake.  Thus, I have to force myself to step away from them for a while and focus on all of the wonderful things in the world.

I want to share excerpts from a couple of emails that deeply touched me.

 

Email #1

“I pray for your protection and strength each and every day so that our Lord would continue to give you the determination to expose the truth about IHOP and that He may use you and your writing to shed His light on their ways of deceit.”

 

Email #2

“After coming out of IHOP, I vowed never to believe in anything prophetic again but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I believe your novel was prophetic and is being used as an instrument of truth against the dangers I know are ever present in IHOP.  I pray for your diligence and stamina in this fight as you battle the enemy.”

 

Email #3

“I came out of IHOPU last year and I’ve been struggling to find my way.  It was like every part of me was stripped down and there was nothing left but darkness.  I’ve been so afraid to speak up, I’ve had no confidence and when I read your blog and some of the other blogs like yours and saw your book, I felt like I wasn’t alone anymore, like you and others understand and know the truth and there’s light in the darkness now.  Thank you.”

 

Email #4

“You book doesn’t show IHOP perfectly but it shows the demonic undertones realistically and it shows how brainwashed and deceived everyone inside truly is.  I was there for six years.  I know Mike Bickle personally and I can tell you he is no longer a man serving the Lord.  He serves himself now, his ego.  He’s made everything up, its all false, its all a money making scheme.  If we all come together we can expose the truth.  I’m praying for you.”

 

 

Usually, upon reading an email, I feel weighted down and I say a prayer for the sender; knowing they are hurting.  After reading these, I felt uplifted and for that, I am grateful. 

To everyone who has written to me…. Thank you.  I will respond to each email as quickly as I can.

As for my novel, Houseof Lies.  I can’t speak to the suggestions that it is somehow prophetic.  It is a fiction book.  However, if God uses fiction to expose the truth… so be it.

~

Another Broken Family in IHOP's Wake

I want to share an email I received from a woman named Julie.  She wrote:

Dear Susan,

I read your book House of Lies and I was in tears part way through because my son is in IHOP in Kansas City and I haven’t spoken with him in over a year.  He stopped returning my calls after telling me he was advised to ‘fast from his family.’ He believes that IHOP is his true family and that his life’s focus is to pray in the end of the world, to be in God’s end time army.  He’s left myself, my husband and his two little sisters behind, not to mention all of his friends.  I’ve gone to the IHOP campus and I’ve been in the prayer room.  The buildings aren’t as you described in your book, but the people are.  They speak in their own language and the aura of arrogance is more than troubling.  When my son first got involved, I went to pray in the prayer room often and it is exactly as you described it in the book.  The repetitive chanting and deep mantra meditation, the swaying and often twitching, it resembles videos I’ve seen of mass hypnosis, and I never thought I believed in demons until I saw what is happening there.  The last time I tried to see my son, (which was last March) he waved to me from down the hall but refused to talk with me.  I was then asked to leave by a man I can only presume to be one of the leaders.  Because my son has cast us aside voluntarily and he is over 18 years, I have no legal recourse.  Mine and my husband’s hearts are broken.  But at least my son is still alive, which is more than what Bethany Deaton’s family has to hold onto.  I pray for them every day and mourn their loss from one mother’s heart to another.  Let no one tell you IHOP is not a cult, it is.  Anyone who speaks otherwise is deceived.  As I read your book I related to the character of Sally and of the McCulley’s, both with children trapped inside, both willing to do anything to get them out.  Maybe your book is prophetic.  Maybe someone will have the strength to blow up the place and save all of our children.  I pray it would be so.  God bless you and thank you for writing House of Lies.  I know it’s fiction, but for me, it affirmed my heart and told me that others see IHOP for what it really is.  Like you wrote, it’s a spiritual heroin. Your book made me realize I’m not alone and when others are ready to stand up and fight against this, my family will join in the battle. 

In HIS love,

Julie

 

There are many cult groups in our world and, though they all have their own agendas, there is one thread of commonality.  They destroy relationships, kill friendships and leave families utterly broken.  These things are not of God. 

Sadly, Julie’s letter is not the first I’ve received that has expressed these things.  She is one of many who are suffering because of IHOP and other cult-like organizations. 

Please, study every group from the foundation up before getting involved.  Just because something looks good and feels good doesn’t mean it is good for you.   ~

Fox 4 News Interview

Murder of Bethany Deaton Has Similarities to Novel ‘House of Lies’

Posted on: 10:27 pm, November 23, 2012, by Gia Vang and Sarah Clark, updated on: 09:39pm, November 24, 2012

 

To watch the video interview click HERE

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GRANDVIEW, Mo. — The Grandview murder of 27-year-old Bethany Deaton is a tangled web of sex, drugs and religion — and some believe it parallels the novel, “House of Lies.” FOX 4′s Gia Vang talked to the author, Susan Claridge, who agrees — the murder of Bethany Deaton has similarities to her book.

“From my regular readers who knew more about me and from personal friends — they were saying, ‘Have you seen this? Like, this is your book playing out in real life’ and that was kind of scary,” Claridge said.

Claridge’s “House of Lies” was released in early October. It’s about a woman who tries to save her estranged sister from a religious cult, only to find murder and a political agenda. The novel is based out of Kansas City, and one of the murders is eerily similar to Deaton’s.

As for Deaton’s murder, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Deaton’s husband, Tyler Deaton, ordered the death of his wife. Tyler Deaton is reportedly the leader of a close-knit religious group known to engage in group sex. Bethany’s admitted killer, Micah Moore, told authorities he and other men, including her husband, drugged Bethany and sexually assaulted her for months. Moore said the men feared Bethany would tell her therapist about the abuse so the decision was made to kill her and to stage her death as a suicide.

In Claridge’s novel, a woman was murdered in an attempt to keep her quiet — not to mention, drugs.

The similarities have some readers — and some FOX 4 viewers — wondering if Claridge knows more than she says.

“For example, the drugs, I didn’t have the same drugs that were used, but the fact that a drug was used and how it was used and why it was used, is all the same,” Claridge said.

Deaton’s body was found at Longview Lake. In the book, the body of a victim was discovered in another lake near by.

And there’s the connection with the International House of Prayer. Claridge said her sister is the director at St. Louis’ Gateway House of Prayer, an off-shoot of IHOP. Bethany was a former intern for the IHOP University in Grandview. Her admitted killer, Micah Moore, was a current student at the time of her death.

Claridge said her novel is a piece of fiction with a sequel expected to be released next year. That book takes an international twist.

IHOP representatives did not return our call for comment and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said it is still investigating Deaton’s death.

Bickle Lies in Letter to Other Leaders

Below is a letter the International House of Prayer founder, Mike Bickle, sent to other IHOP locations and leaders.  It was then forwarded to associated groups by Gary Wiens, IHOPNW.


Dear Friends of the International House of Prayer,

Mike Bickle, Director of IHOP-Kansas City, sent out this note today, and it's important for all to see. Thanks and blessings,

Gary Wiens, IHOPNW

Mike Bickle's letter begins here:
Friends,

This is a tragic and bizarre situation that is all over the media in KC. We have received sad and sobering news today from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office regarding the death of Bethany Deaton, who was originally believed to have committed suicide on Oct 30. A tight knit religious group of about 15 young people moved to IHOPU from Texas with the specific goal of infiltrating us and even taking over IHOPU. They were a close knit group for several years before moving to KC together (under a cloak of secrecy to try to get involved in IHOP and get into positions of influence etc.) Authorities notified us yesterday that an IHOPU student, who knew Bethany since their college days and is a member of a Texas-based religious group who has recently come to IHOPU, has been charged with her murder. We are passionate that this group's secrecy and religious practices are exposed.

There is an ongoing investigation and we ask you to join us in praying for Bethany's family and all those involved in this tragic situation. We all want to join the IHOPU faculty and student body as they grieve together with the family of Bethany Deaton and all who are involved.

Note also: The guy who confessed to murder told this to the police. He said they cursed the IHOPU leadership and sought to take it over. They were together for several years before all moving together to KC. They have very perverse sexual practices and believe their leader is a chief apostle, etc.

Please pray for us.

Mike Bickle

End of letter.

It never ceases to amaze me how cult groups, such as the International House of Prayer, play the victim.  Bickle states that this group from Texas came to IHOPU with the express purpose of infiltrating them and even taking over.  This is ludicrous.  And, let it be noted that Tyler Deaton was a Division leader in IHOP, not in IHOPU. 

It is time to call a spade, a spade.  It is time to look at the tree that is bearing the bad fruit and cut it down.

There are inside sources at IHOP-KC and they will continue to leak truth to the media and to those who stand against this cult group.  Bickle and others in leadership will undoubtedly continue to scramble, change their stories and lie; but eventually those lies will run dry.

Bethany's family, and the families of every person involved in IHOP and its many branches, deserve to know the truth. 

 

Caught in Lies

The Kansas City Star newspaper released a story today, detailing more about Tyler Deaton’s role in his wife’s murder and his role at the International House of Prayer (IHOP).  It is yet more evidence that the leadership of IHOP is lying.  I have posted the article below, or you can go to the KC Star website by clicking here.

 

Tyler Deaton’s role at the International House of Prayer becomes clearer

By DONALD BRADLEY

The Kansas City Star

By DONALD BRADLEY The Kansas City Star

Updated: 2012-11-16T16:21:

A clearer picture began to emerge Thursday about Tyler Deaton’s role at the International House of Prayer.

Deaton’s wife, Bethany Ann Deaton, was found dead in a parked van Oct. 30 at Longview Lake. Authorities initially believed she killed herself, but a week ago a man told police that he had killed her at the order of Tyler Deaton, who has been described as the charismatic leader of a religious sect.

The man who confessed to the killing, Micah Moore, a member of Deaton’s group, has been charged with first-degree murder. Deaton has not been charged. Prosecutors have acknowledged that he is under investigation.

Deaton’s group came from Texas to be part of the International House of Prayer, based in south Kansas City.

On Monday, Allen Hood, the president of the International House of Prayer, said in a statement that Deaton led his group independently and operated under a “veil of secrecy,” though members attended a school operated by IHOP. The statement also made reference to the group’s “disturbing religious practices.”

But a handout and website posting shows that as of Nov. 4 — five days after Bethany Deaton’s death — Tyler Deaton was a “division coordinator” on the administrative team of International House of Prayer friendship groups. The position is unpaid, according to another person who holds the same position and attended three recent meetings with Deaton.

According to IHOP’s website, friendship groups are small groups that meet weekly. There are more than 80 friendship groups. Deaton was listed as one of six division coordinators.

When asked Thursday morning to clarify Deaton’s relationship with the organization, spokesman Nick Syrett told The Star that another statement would be released later in the day. In the afternoon, he said the organization would not have the statement ready until Friday.

The posting that listed Deaton has disappeared from the website.

Moore, 23, a member of Deaton’s group, lived with the couple in a Grandview house along with other members of the group.

He appeared Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court. He told detectives that Deaton told him to kill his wife because “he knew he had it in him.”

Moore told detectives that he and other men in the group had sexually assaulted Bethany Deaton and that the men in the group had also engaged in sex with Tyler Deaton, according to court documents.

 

 

Formal Statement on House of Lies

I have received numerous email and/or comments via social media outlets, asking if my latest novel, House of Lies, is “true.”  These questions are being prompted in light of the murder of Bethany Deaton and her attachment to the International House of Prayer (IHOP) movement in Kansas City.

At this time I am not able to answer each email privately, but will make a formal statement here:

Despite the fact that there are similarities in the circumstances surrounding Bethany’s death and its link to the International House of Prayer movement, my novel, House of Lies, is a written work of fiction.  Any likeness to persons (living or dead), or events (past, present or future) is coincidental.

I am following the story as it unfolds and offering my deepest sympathy to Bethany’s family and friends.   I believe the present focus should remain on seeking justice for them.   ~

 

INJUSTICE

Everyone has hot buttons.  They are those things in life that you just cannot tolerate.  They are the things that send you instantly over the edge.  My biggest hot button:  Injustice

This weekend a news story broke about a young woman in Grandview, Missouri named Bethany Deaton.  She was 27 years old and she was murdered.  I posted the story on this blog yesterday, so if you haven’t read it you can either Google her name or scroll down and read the story.

New evidence has revealed that Bethany's husband, Tyler Deaton, was the man who ordered Micah Moore to kill her, stating “he knew he had it in him to do it.”

Why did they kill her?  Because she had information they didn't want shared.  Because she knew too much.  Because they had to keep her from talking, from revealing the truth about what was happening behind closed doors.

Bethany, her husband Tyler, Micah Moore and the other men involved were all members of IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City.  Sure, they may have held separate prayer meetings at their home, but the practices they were using were taught and learned at IHOP.  They are not the only ones practicing these methods.  Their story made the news because it ended in death, but countless others are still suffering.

 

Allen Hood of IHOP claims they were not “active” members and tries to paint the picture that they were members several years ago and were currently operating separately from IHOP. This is false information.  Tyler Deaton's group was a "friendship group" from IHOP.  He was listed as a Friendship Group Leader on the IHOP hand-out.  And, noteable to mention is the fact that IHOP removed this information from their website today, undoubtedly realizing it did not support the false statement made by Allen Hood.

Here is the IHOP hand-out from only nine days ago. Tyler Deaton’s name was listed on the Administrative Team at IHOP.  I didn't black out any names and contact information because this was publically available on their site.

Handout from IHOP Church (Forerunner Christain Fellowship) 9 days ago. FCF Handout 11042012 by IHOPKC Friendship Groups Friendship Groups Administrative Team November 4, 2012 Jon Boegl Department Director (928) 255-3576 jonboegl@ihopkc.org   Michelle Chamberlain Admin. Coordinator (260) 610-4937 michellechamberlain@ihopkc.org Caleb Chamberlain Creative Media/Social Networking (260) 610-2533 calebchamberlain@ihopkc.org Division Coordinators: Ivy Anderson (816) 668-2728 ivyanderson2@yahoo.com   Chris Castanza (504) 982-7782 cpcastanza@gmail.com *Tyler Deaton (361) 877-2727 deaton.tyler@gmail.com Jeremy Jacobs (803) 372-1532 jeremyjacobs@ihopkc.org Bill Spearman (630) 272-4642 spearman.bill@gmail.com Juliet Canha (816) 509-4803 jujuviae@gmail.com Get Connected Find out more: IHOPKC Friendship Groups “Above all, LOVE each other deeply...” 1 Peter 4:8     Funny how a person “not actively involved” would be listed as being on the Administrative Team.  Ironic, how a designated leader of a friendship group arranged by IHOP is all of a sudden said to be completely separate from them.  Something smells rotten and that's because it is... rotten to the core. In addition to this, Tyler Deaton has a personal website.  As of last night, it has been sealed and opened to “members only.”  However, I was fortunate enough to receive a downloaded copy of it before it was shut down and on the first page in the ABOUT ME section, Tyler writes:   “I am student in Kansas City, MO at the International House of Prayer, in the second year of a 6-year preparation to overseas missions.”   Why would a non-active member of an organization claim to be in his second year of a six-year program?  I’d say only an ACTIVE member would use this description.   IHOP is trying to distance themselves from Bethany’s death, just like they've done with every IHOP-related death, through more lies.  This isn’t the first time and sadly, it won’t be the last.  Remember the death of Jeremiah Candler four years ago?   How many people will have to die before the lies stop? My prayers go out to Bethany's family in this most painful hour of loss and betrayal.    Let this blog be a call for justice.  IHOP has been built upon a foundation of threats and lies, and it is no different today.   Don’t let Bethany’s death be in vain.  Let it at least expose the truth...the truth about a dangerous organization...a truth that can protect others from the same fate.      Don’t let IHOP get away with murder….literally.  It is a terrible injustice to her and to her family.