A Peculiar Way

Sometimes when God leads us to do something, the outcome doesn’t go as planned. This weekend, my friend Gretchen and I attempted a road trip from Minnesota to Texas. We both prayed before leaving and perceived this was God’s will. The original plan was for us to stay a few days with an intercessor who lives outside Dallas. While checking my text messages in Missouri, I found out the intercessor doesn’t allow dogs in her home. Gretchen had brought along her chihuahua. Nevertheless, we continued our trip since Gretchen has a daughter in Austin she could stay with. Hours later, Gretchen received an emergency phone call from her parents. It became necessary for us to turn around and return to Minnesota. 

This wasn’t a wasted trip from an eternal perspective. Gospel tracts were handed out along the way. One recipient was a McDonald’s employee in Kansas City who had to bring our order out in the rain. She still prayed with me to receive salvation. Jesus said in Luke 15:10, “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Gretchen and I also stopped at the International House of Prayer of Kansas City. She received a prophetic word that ministered to her.

I recall a story told by Kenneth Copeland. One time the Lord instructed him to fly to Israel to minister to one woman. At first, Kenneth questioned this mission as being a bit extravagant. The Lord told him, “I am extravagant...I am never wasteful.” He then asked Kenneth if one of his daughters was on the other side of the world and would only listen to one person, wouldn’t he send that person to get her out of trouble. 

Kenneth replied, “When do I leave?”

One of the cities Gretchen and I drove through was Peculiar, Missouri. One of the two exits from Interstate 49 was “Peculiar Way.” That had me thinking about how God’s ways are often peculiar. We may not fully understand why He leads us to do things that in the natural seem to be poor handling of our resources. However, everything works out for good if we continue trusting in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

Pancakes and Prayer

I figured this would happen sooner or later. The Kansas City-based ministry IHOP (International House of Prayer) has been sued by the other IHOP…the International House of Pancakes for trademark dilution and infringement. The California-based restaurant chain claims it made several attempts to persuade the ministry to change their name to avoid confusing the public. The lawsuit was prompted by the ministry’s expansion plans plus some of their branches are now serving food (it’s actually a coffee shop called Higher Grounds that sells coffee and bagels…no pancakes).

In one way, I'm a little more supportive of the restaurant. After all, they trademarked the initials IHOP 26 years before Mike Bickle founded International House of Prayer. Mike could settle this matter out of court by renaming the ministry to something like Worldwide House of Prayer. Other ministries have changed their names for various reasons. For example, Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship was originally called Toronto Airport Vineyard. Now they have changed their name again to Catch The Fire Toronto.

But what if Mike Bickle insists on keeping the IHOP moniker? If International House of Pancakes persists with this lawsuit, some Christians plan on hopping away from IHOP and take their business to other restaurants for their “prayer breakfasts.” It would be unfortunate if the International House of Prayer were forced to spend extra money on legal expenses.

International House of Pancakes spokesman Patrick Lenow has said that they are compelled to protect the “good name” of IHOP. Does a prayer ministry using identical initials really damage the reputation of a restaurant? Last December I went to Kansas City to attend IHOP’s OneThing conference. Some friends of mine from Minneapolis who also traveled to Missouri often went to the pancake place after the evening meetings. I actually read on a message board that the restaurant closest to the International House of Prayer headquarters gives discounts to prayer house staff members.

Sounds like the two IHOPs can be a blessing to each other.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” - Proverbs 22:1