Do with this what you will...

First of all, please note that I am not an alarmist. Y2K came and went without any hullabaloo in my personal life - other than a couple interesting conversations. I was recently given a photocopy of a message put out on March 23, 2009 by David Wilkerson, the Founding Pastor of the Times Square Church in NYC. He also founded the first Teen Challenge (a Christian-based rehab program) in 1958 - my parents started one of these in Wheeling, WV in the 1980s. He's been a preacher and has had prophetic words for more than 55 years now. You can get further information on him at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wilkerson

If you're interested in some helpful tidbits, check out this site: http://nutrition.about.com/od/foodfun/a/emergency_stock.htm We haven't decided what (if any) our family's response will be. This, like everything else in life, is a matter for personal prayer and asking God for wisdom and discernment. But, that said, I feel strongly that I should pass this on, and so I am doing so. Feel free to do with it what you will. I won't judge either way. For more info on this, or to read follow-up encouragement that Wilkerson's written since the message I've copied below, check out this site: http://www.worldchallenge.org/coverletter/an_urgent_message

AN URGENT MESSAGE

I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message to all on our mailing list, and to friends and to bishops we have met all over the world.

AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US.

For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires - such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago.

There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting - including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God's wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written,

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3).

God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations. He is destroying the secular foundations.

The prophet Jeremiah pleaded with wicked Israel, "God is fashioning a calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh, turn back each of you from your evil way, and reform your ways and deeds. But they will say, It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart" (Jeremiah 18:11-12).

In Psalm 11:6, David warns, "Upon the wicked he will rain snares (coals of fire)...fire...burning wind...will be the portion of their cup." Why? David answered, "Because the Lord is righteous" (v. 7). This is a righteous judgement - just as in the judgements of Sodom and in Noah's generation.

WHAT SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS DO? WHAT ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE?

First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster.

As for our spiritual reaction, we have but two options. This is outlined in Psalm 11. We "flee like a bird to a mountain." Or, as David says, "He fixed his eyes on the Lord in his throne in heaven - his eyes beholding, his eyelids testing the sons of men" (v. 4). "In the Lord I take refuge" (v. 1).

I will say to my soul: No need to run...no need to hide. This is God's righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take - trustingthat he will deliver his people even though floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds.

Note: I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
David Wilkerson