Huw Fulcher, Cardiff

It’s testament to God’s grace that the verses I would take with me would be different depending on what part of my life you asked me in! The fact that the Bible has verses that cover every season of the Christian life is a joy to know in itself. Similarly with songs, my favourites have changed over the years, I have a bit of an “all or nothing” personality (as my wife can tell you!) and I find that this seeps into songs and songwriters! Despite my yo-yo like tendencies it really is a blessing to know that our God is not like that, His Words endure for eternity and are always relevant.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:3-4

For me, these two verses are becoming more and more an anthem in my life for many different reasons. The fact that not just our dependence but even our existence rests in Him fills me with such hope. Our Lord is with us day and night carrying us through this life giving us what we need daily. While these verses weren’t instrumental in my salvation they strongly bring it to my attention now with the definitive fact that God saves, I am nothing but a wretched sinner. I definitely think that this would be a great encouragement to me on the island; knowing that God’s provision for me is not connected to my proximity to civilisation!

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts 2:23

This verse is such a mix of sorrow and joy that I think it encapsulates our mourning of sin and joy of Christ on the cross so well! God from before the world began put our plan of salvation into action, Jesus willingly came to this earth and offered Himself up to be killed by His creation. While Peter was talking about the lawless men that existed at the time we are still complicit! It strikes me to the core that I am one that helped nail Jesus to that cross but it equally fills me with joy that this was planned. This is a verse I am finding more and more helpful when I am faced with the opportunity to sin. Remembering my part in the crucifixion of my Saviour but also remembering the grace of God through it.

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

While I have a wide array of men and women I could choose from throughout history I’ve decided to go with John Bunyan. I only recently learned of the life of Bunyan and the suffering he faced for the sake of the Gospel and would think he would make a good candidate to cheer us both while being stuck there! On top of that I would love to find out why he wrote books with exceedingly long titles like The Holy War – The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Man-soul (The Holy War Made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the World).

Which song would you take to the island?

This is a real tough one as there are so many to choose from! If I definitely had to settle on one song I think it would be Higher Throne by Keith & Kristyn Getty:

There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known,
Where faithful ones from ev’ry tongue
Will one day come.
Before the Son we’ll stand,
Made faultless through the Lamb;
Believing hearts find promised grace—
Salvation comes.

Hear heaven’s voices sing;
Their thund’rous anthem rings
Through em’rald courts and sapphire skies.
Their praises rise.
All glory, wisdom, pow’r,
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore.

And there we’ll find our home,
Our life before the throne;
We’ll honor Him in perfect song
Where we belong.
He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die.
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King;
We’ll reign with Him.

While it’s not a classic hymn like And can it be or It is well with my soul I think the lyrics capture the hope and expectation of Heaven incredibly well. I’ve chosen this particular song because it has helped me for a while keep my eyes fixed on my inheritance in Heaven and the knowledge that this present Earth will pass. Singing those words has comforted me greatly in times of suffering and stress, knowing that while I press on now there is a glory beyond compare that awaits. When I’m washed up on the beach of this desert island a reminder that my current circumstances are but a speck compared to the eternity that awaits will keep me going I’m sure!

Maybe controversially, I think that the Kings Kaleidoscope version of Higher Throne is better than Keith and Kristyn’s. If you’re wondering what tune I’ll be singing, it will definitely be this one!

Joe Toplis, Newport

A very big thank you for asking me to do this; it is a real privilege to write among some great brothers and sisters of Christ. It has taken a lot for me to not be that guy who will say Genesis 1:1 - Revelations 22:21.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

This verse was one that always stuck out to me having becoming a Christian. It was a warning that became ingrained into my mind and as a super energetic young Christian, one warning I would surely never stumble at … oh. The problem I had was I used to cut this verse short, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. No wonder I kept messing up! There, in front of those words I would recite to myself, were the words to help me, but I never took notice, “Watch and pray”. I thank God, in His grace He showed me and helped me understand His word. I thank Him that now I can ready myself in daily life by reading the bible and coming to Him in prayer. I'm not saying my prayer life is perfect by any means, but there is that opportunity to come to God and ask for his strength to overcome temptation and live for Him. Thank you Lord!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39

These verses have always been a comfort to me, I have always struggled with the question, ‘how could God love me’? He does, and so much more than I could possibly manage, wow! He loves me with a perfect love that nothing can stop, not even death. An unmeasurable and endless love!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

These beautiful words show us the gift of salvation. If someone asks you why you’re a Christian, show them this. I remember sitting in church looking at the cross at the front (something I had not paid much attention to) when it hit me, this verse shows us who Jesus is and why He died on that cross for us. For so long Jesus was just a good role model to me; someone I could emulate to be a good person. ‘Good people go to heaven right? And I’m good.’ Well, I wasn’t, and I was so unaware of how far short I fell of God’s glory. I could never be good enough on my own but this verse shows me how I could be, I need Jesus! When God put this on my heart, it was like I couldn’t think of anything else. Over and over again I would think, ‘I need Jesus’, and even though I tried to fight it for a bit, I gave my heart to Jesus and asked him to be my Lord and Saviour. When I think back to when I did, the line from Amazing Grace comes to mind: ‘How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed’. I did nothing to gain salvation but “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

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

I would have to choose Charles Spurgeon, not just to compare beards but to listen to him speak about Christ. I was first introduced to his work at my first Christian conference. Many friends had recommended his ‘Morning and Evening’ daily readings book and I remember thinking, ‘it just repeats itself every year’? Thankfully, the Christian faith is a journey where we don't stop growing and it's amazing what the Lord reveals to us as we grow more and more. Spurgeon has always been known as being cross-centred and his theology is cross-shaped and that was always something that resonated with me.

Which song would you take to the island?

I honestly didn't think choosing a hymn would be as difficult as it has been. So, after much deliberation I've chosen ‘I need Thee every hour’ by Robert Lowry. I always find myself singing this hymn to myself; at home, in the car and in work (I try and count it evangelism if I sing it in work). The words just say it right, the world tells us to be independent but I can't be, I am Christ-dependent. Dependent every hour.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfil.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.