David Norman Jones, Brisbane, Australia

They say that your whole life flashes before you as you drown. Landing on a desert island presupposes such a near death experience. Having survived the experience, I now have time to reflect on what I saw in that movie of my life. But first of all I would read Psalm 139 to remind myself that God has not abandoned me on this island and left me to my own devices.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7

As you read this psalm you will either be thrilled or threatened by it?  Does it make you want to run from God or does it make you want to run to God? That's what David does in this Psalm. He’s not a fugitive on the run, on the contrary, he’s in fellowship with God. He’s reveling in the relationship he has with God through Christ. Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the Hospice movement, said: “Christianity is not an insurance that nothing bad will ever happen to you, it’s an assurance that whatever happens, you will not be alone.”

You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” John 3:7

John 3:7 was the verse that brought me to faith in Christ, aged 17. Peter Trumper was preaching that night in my home church in Haverfordwest and during the course of his sermon he quoted these words of Jesus: “You must be born again”. I instantly knew that was true, that God existed, that I didn’t know him, and I needed this new birth. I cried out to him and he heard me and brought me into his kingdom. That was 52 years ago.

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28

This year is the 45^th anniversary of my ordination. I have served churches in Wales, London and Australia and this verse from Colossians has been like a rudder to keep me on course in ministry. I have taken it as a kind of ministerial motto over the years: “to get as many people over the finishing line in the best shape possible”.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3:20

In 1993, Ruth, our three children and I moved out to the world’s largest desert island – Australia. As you might imagine, that was a huge decision for us as a family. We always expected to be coming back to Wales. We even gave our kids unpronounceable Welsh names to remind them of their roots, but Philippians 3:20 reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven”. Home is not where you come from, it’s where you are going to.

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

Our friend, Paul Jones, who was suddenly taken from this life on his way home from the Aberystwyth Conference. He was always very good company. I can’t wait to catch up with him. He’s at the back of this picture and that’s me on the left!

Which song would you take to the island?

Robert Murray McCheyne’s hymn:

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon radiant sun,
When I stand with Christ on high,
Looking o’er life’s history,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When the praise of Heaven I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters’ noise,
Sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen, not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show

By my love how much I owe.