Catrin Lewis, Bala

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. John 6:37

Like many children who were brought up in a Christian home, I struggled with assurance that I was a child of God. I can remember one summer, we were on a family holiday on Uncle John and Anti Mari’s farm in Bryn Uchaf, Llanymawddwy. I had been on camp and was troubled that I wasn’t sure that my sins had been forgiven, whether God had heard my prayer of repentance. I was in my room one afternoon, distressed and crying. My mother came to my room with a bar of chocolate which she offered to me. As I stretched my arm out to receive it, my mother took the chocolate away. This happened a few times, before she said, “God doesn’t do that. When he offers us something, he promises to give it to us. If you’ve asked for forgiveness, he won’t go back on his word.” She went on to quote John 6:37. It was such a help to me, and I often go back to it.

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. Luke 4:38-39

It seems quite insignificant, but I love the end of verse 39. Simon’s mother in law has just been healed in a miraculous way by Jesus, and what does she do? She gets up and serves others. We are saved to serve. God used this portion of scripture to move Gwydion and myself to apply for the job of being managers at Bryn-y-Groes. And it has been such a joy and honour for us to serve others in light of what Christ has done for us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103

Psalm 103 is another favourite. Sometimes I grow cold and, to my shame, I don’t feel like praising God all the time. This psalm reminds me of God’s goodness and encourages me to worship him. He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with love and compassion and satisfies my desires. I need to thank Him that he is slow to anger, and abounding in love. He does truly deserve my worship. I am particularly helped by v13-14; I often fail and grow tired but my Father in Heaven sympathises, knowing I am dust. How great is the God we adore!

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early

and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2

These verses have been on our mind in light of the building project going ahead at Bryn-y-Groes at the moment. We can easily get bogged down with the construction issues, bricks and mortar, furniture and fixings. But unless the Lord blesses what we do, it will be in vain. Our prayer is that Bryn-y-Groes will be a means by which God will continue to build his kingdom, and that all groups who visit us, all events that occur here, all campers who come for a good time, will all know the deep joy of God’s blessing. Please join us in praying for that.

Which song would you take to the island?

There are many good reasons for learning to speak Welsh – one of the reasons is to enjoy Welsh hymns! It really is a treasure trove. These hymns are like stepping stones of my spiritual life; they remind me of different sermons, conferences, and personal devotions at certain times. When my father, Gareth Davies, would preach in English, he would often get frustrated and say, “If only you could speak Welsh, Williams Pantycelyn expresses this point so well in a hymn”.

This isn’t one of Pantycelyn’s, but I love the way it traces the spiritual life, as though we were a ship travelling on stormy seas to our safe haven in heaven. It’s by Ieuan Glan Geirionydd (1795–1855)

Ar fôr tymhestlog teithio ‘rwyf

I fyd sydd well i fyw,

Gan wenu ar ei stormydd oll:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

Trwy leoedd geirwon, enbyd iawn,

A rhwystrau o bob rhyw

Y’m dygwyd eisoes ar fy nhaith:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

Er cael fy nhaflu o dòn i dòn,

Nes ofni bron cael byw,

Dihangol ydwyf hyd yn hyn:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

Ac os oes stormydd mwy yn ôl,

Ynghadw gan fy Nuw,

Wynebaf arnynt oll yn hy:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

A phan fo’u hymchwydd yn cryfhau,

Fy angor, sicir yw;

Dof yn ddiogel drwyddynt oll:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

I mewn i’r porthladd tawel, clyd,

O swn y storm a’i chlyw

Y caf fynediad llon ryw ddydd:

Fy Nhad sydd wrth y llyw.

Each verse ends with the comforting refrain ‘My Father’s at the helm’. It looks back at the way God has kept us safe in all storms so far, and so can confidently look forward if we have to face even greater storms because God is at the helm. The last verse is particularly tender and yet triumphant:

At last in heavenly harbour safe,

Far from the threatening storms;

He’ll gladly welcome me one day:

The helm's in Father's hand

I do know that there are some great English hymns, I have enjoyed getting to know some of them in the last few years – they are like new friends to me. One that has been a real blessing to me is by Horatius Bonar

O Love of God, how strong and true,
eternal and yet ever new;
uncomprehended and unbought,
beyond all knowledge and all thought.

O love of God, how deep and great,

Far deeper than man’s deepest hate;

Self-fed, self-kindled like the light,

Changeless, eternal, infinite.

O heavenly love, how precious still,

In days of weariness and ill,

In nights of pain and helplessness,

To heal, to comfort, and to bless!

O wide-embracing, wondrous Love,
we read thee in the sky above;
we read thee in the earth below,
in seas that swell and streams that flow.

We read thee best in him who came
to bear for us the cross of shame,
sent by the Father from on high,
our life to live, our death to die.

We read thy power to bless and save
e'en in the darkness of the grave;
still more in the resurrection light
we read the fullness of thy might.

O love of God, our shield and stay

Through all the perils of our way;

Eternal love, in you we rest,

Forever safe, forever blest.

The first two verses are such an excellent summary of the theology of who God is. On the basis of those truths the hymn goes on to express what God’s love has meant in his own experience. It’s always helpful to start with scriptural truths and not our own experiences. But the experience comes across also in the hymn. I love that line about Christ’s work for us: “Our life to live, our death to die”, great isn’t it!? Gadsby seems to bask in the joy of God’s love – it is precious, it heals and it comforts, is surrounds us in creation and Jesus Christ particularly shows us God’s love. And there’s more to come in eternity!

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

One lady I particularly admire is Elisabeth Elliot. As a young Christian I was really inspired by reading of her self-sacrificial missionary life – returning as a widow, with her young daughter, to work with the tribe that murdered her missionary husband, Jim Elliot. As a young mother myself, I really valued the spiritual counsel and practical common sense in her books. I would love to find her on that island, and I’m sure her good, common sense approach would be very useful in such circumstances.

Another lady I would love to meet is Auntie Bessie. I have heard so much about her since coming to work at Bryn-y-Groes. She is still loved by many campers who enjoyed her food, her example, her love and humour during summer camps here. I would really love to talk to her and find out what was so special about her. I would have plenty of questions for her, and I’m sure I would learn so much from her.

On a very personal note I would love to see my maternal grandmother there. She died a few months before I was born. She led a difficult life and made many mistakes along the way, but she was the Lord’s child. She attended Bethany Chapel in Ammanford – a chapel that came under the influence of the 1904/5 revival, and I would love to ask her about that time. I’m sure she learnt some difficult lessons during her spiritual pilgrimage and I feel those knocks and bruises would make her shine brightly.

Trystan Hallam, Tredegar

Although my wife sometimes comments that I live in a world of my own – with my head in the clouds – I don’t think life on a desert island would be for me. It would be ok for a little while – but there are only so many coconuts that you can eat. I’d miss my wife, my children, Tredegar and Bethel Baptist – not to mention my dog who’s my running partner. After all, ‘no man is an island’; God has created us for himself and to share himself with others.

But however, if the pirate, Captain Hywel George captured me on his ship HMS Heddwen, and gave me a choice to walk the plank or enslavement on a desert island, I’d choose the desert island. I’d be very grateful to take some Bible verses with me, a gem of a person from Welsh Christian history and a song (or two!) that I could sing and listen to.

Which verses would you take to the island?

Why can’t I take the whole Bible? Even Radio 4 allows you to do that. But who am I to argue? There is one verse which springs to mind straight away:

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

This verse is very precious to me, for I’ve experienced God’s keeping in days of trouble. Over fifteen years ago I was severely ill with testicular cancer and then clinical depression. In many ways it was like being washed up on a rugged desert island. Yet, I wasn’t deserted. God in His great mercy kept me safe, and at times visited me with his presence that I would not have experienced in times of bright sunshine and calm.

It is finished. John 19:30

The second verse I would take would be the Lord Jesus’ words on the cross. Life for the Christian is sometimes like being on a desert island – having been washed up, bashed and cut on the rocks, then landed all alone, disorientated on a desert island. When things are difficult, we ask: why? Is God punishing me for some sin? Whilst asking these questions on the desert island I would remember the Lord Jesus’ words “It is finished.” Whilst God might be discipling me through difficult circumstances, teaching me the path of holiness, I would remind myself that I’m not being punished, facing God’s wrath. The Lord Jesus took God’s wrath in my place on the cross. “It is finished!”

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

Captain George of the HMS Heddwen says I can’t take my wife, kids, not even my dog! It must a figure from history. So, I would be more than willing to settle for William Williams Pantycelyn the Welsh hymn writer, preacher, poet, and instrument of God’s blessing in Wales in the 18^th Century. I can remember being on a residential County Choir course in my teens which was held in Llandovery. On that course I rebelled! Not like my peers, who spent most of the evenings in the local pubs. No, I woke up early one morning and decided to walk to Williams’ grave which is in a Church graveyard on the edge of Llandovery. Please don’t tell the course organisers, because they never found out!

Williams Pantycelyn’s gift, amongst many other things, was marrying Biblical truth with true Christian experience. Read, and sing his hymns and you’ll see what I mean. Because I could be a long time on that island, I think learning at the feet of Williams would be a treat. It’s also been said he was also good company, gifted with a delightful sense of humour.

Which song would you like to take to the island?

Well, I have been cunning. Because by having Williams Pantycelyn on the island, I would have a Christian jukebox sitting next to me!  There are so many of his hymns that have helped me over the years. Perhaps one of my favourites is one of his simplest hymns:

Rwy’n dewis Iesu a’I farwol glwy

Yn frawd a phriod i mi mwy

Ef yn arweinydd, Ef yn ben,

I’m dwyn o’r byd i’r nefoedd wen.

I’m afraid you’ll have to learn Welsh to understand what it means. It’s worth learning Welsh just to be able sing Pantycelyn – not to mention Ann Griffiths! Come to the desert island and we’ll have lessons together!

I’d also like to take a song that the modern singer/songwriter Nicole C. Mullen sings: I know my Redeemer lives. The song captures Job’s angst and hope in equal measure; a hope that is fulfilled of course in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Well with that, I’m off. Because I think I can see a ship’s mast on the horizon with a skull and bones banner hovering above the crow’s nest.

Sammy Davies, Ammanford

There are moments when relaxing on a desert island sounds appealing. But the truth is I love my family, my home and Premier League football too much to pursue a life like that. It would also be extremely difficult to be away from God’s people, my brother and sister here in Ammanford. So I’m grateful to desert island verses for allowing me to take a few snippets of Scripture to help me to stay grounded.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Once, you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. 1 Colossians 1:21-22

When I’m asked to choose my favourite verse I always go back to Colossians 1:21-22 (mainly because I’m a rebel and like choosing two). I love these verses because they present me with such an honest and accurate picture of the power of God in the gospel. Paul starts off with a reality check about what I was before Jesus - alienated from God, hostile in thinking, a doer of evil. And Paul concludes with another reality check, our state after Christ - holy, faultless and blameless. Sandwiched in between is the crystal clarity over what has made the difference: Jesus. Physically intervening in my hopeless state in order for me to become something, or someone, that otherwise would have been totally out of my reach. Whether on a desert island or at my dinner table; that is something I need to be reminded of daily.

…And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left? Jonah 1:1-4:11

I’d also take the whole book of Jonah. It’s probably the book I’ve been privileged to spend the most time studying so it holds a special place for me. It’s once again achingly honest about who we are and concludes with the masterful question: “Shouldn’t God care?” I love how it forces us to confront our own pride/prejudices and to move forward into consideration of God’s grace and His love for the lost.

Isaiah 1:1-66:24

Finally, I’d take something a bit tricky with me to help keep the grey matter exercised. I’ve never really understood much of Isaiah (outside the obvious) so I presume that would keep me exegetically entertained for a good while.

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

Over the years I think my answer to this question has changed many times – mainly depending on my current footballing hero! But I’m not old enough for any of them to have died yet. Nor have any of my musical heroes who’d probably be next on the list.

So I’ll go for James Maxwell - not the coffee man, the one with equations for physics! One of the most awe-inspiring lectures I ever sat in during my university studies was an explanation of Maxwell’s laws and realising how beautiful the world of electromagnetics they describe is. So I’d love ol’ “Jimmy” to keep me company and talk me through his own thinking on the matter. We could also share beard oils. If there was sufficient sustenance to support three people I think I’d also like to invite Marie Curie - fun fact: first woman to ever win a Nobel Prize. But even more fun a fact: only person to win one in two different sciences. Smashed it Maz! Plus I reckon she’d be handier and hardier than me on a desert island. If there was still space on the dingy I’d ask Avicii to tag along - I still can’t quite wrap my head around how a person whose art brings such deep joy to me could have experienced sorrow in the world as he did. I’d genuinely love to say thank you and give him a hug.

Which song would you take to the island?

I’ll skip anything from Avicii because I’m sure he’d have some on his phone. The band which has meant most to me over the years are Coheed and Cambria so it would have to be one of theirs. I think my favourite is ‘Here to Mars’ but it’s a bit like choosing favourites amongst your children. A song released recently by Kings Kaleidoscope probably takes the title of “most loved on first hearing” of any song ever. The Rush (pts. 1-3) is just what music is supposed to sound like in my opinion and the lyrics are refreshingly honest and hopeful in Christ.

David Robertson, Dundee

This has been an interesting exercise. In one sense impossible to do – in another, very helpful. It’s always good to reflect on God’s Word and how it has impacted on your life.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:5

Psalm 91 was a great help to me in 2011 when I was on the Intensive Care Unit in hospital and very near to death. I did experience the ‘terrors of the night’. It was a dark and terrible time – but my wife laminated the whole of Psalm 91 and stuck it beside my hospital bed – and I frequently listened to the sung version of this psalm by Sons of Korah.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

This is a favourite verse of mine that helps me worship. If the realisation that Jesus loves you so much that he gave himself for you, does not move you to worship then you must be spiritually asleep – if not dead!

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25

This is a verse that would help in terms of loneliness. I doubt that there was a more lonely man than Job and yet in the midst of all the agony he had this certainty. Knowing that Christ will return is enough.

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Acts 17:6

This is a verse that I often quote because it indicates the impact that Christianity had on the 1^st Century world and should have on the 21^st Century world. My belief is that we are so insipid and loveless that we have no radical impact today.

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 are verses that give real peace because it is an absolute guarantee from the God who cannot lie and who never fails to keep his promises!

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

This is a verse that keeps me from sin. Not because it conveys an image of God as the ultimate spy camera, but because it means that our gracious God is with me at all times – even on a desert island. It matters a little if other people see me sin – but it matters much more when God does.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

This is a verse that changed my mind in terms of how I thought about God and salvation. My minister at the time was preaching through Romans and his exposition of this passage included: “God predestines us to Heaven, the Devil predestines us to Hell, and we have the choice”. It was neat but even I as a young Christian could see that it was not what the passage said. So I investigated and became absolutely convinced of the sovereignty of God – a doctrine that has been a great comfort to me in my life and a great incentive and encouragement in evangelism.

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

I would take Augustine of Hippo – because by the time we had discussed The City of God, Confessions and all his other works, we would have long been rescued or else eternity would have arrived!

Which song would you take to the island?

I would take a book of songs – the five books of the Psalms. But if I had to choose one it would be Psalm 62 (the Keyes/Townend) version; My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone. It’s a song I would sing every day! And because there is no one else there on the island (except Augustine) no one could complain about my singing voice!

Liane Hadley, Conwy

After thinking there is no way I could contribute to this, having never been a ‘blogger’, I want to thank you for the opportunity to remind myself of how wonderful God’s grace and mercy has been over the years. Time to sit and ponder these questions has been an encouragement and blessing; I hope it may be for anyone reading too.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

I have never considered being limited to a few select Bible verses. What a privilege that, at the click of a button, I have access to several versions of the Bible in my pocket and can search through it with ease. However, there are some particular verses that stand out to me for various reasons.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

I was saved whilst I was at Bangor University in 1999, but had very little Biblical literacy. At baptismal classes, the foundations of the Christian faith were laid out methodically. It was the Bible verses that we were encouraged to learn by heart that made the most impact; they still remind me of the joy of those earliest moments of salvation. Whenever I am struggling with doubts or insecurities I can refer to these words and be reminded how awesome the gospel is and my position in Christ.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

The next verse became very memorable to me when we were living in Bolivia. We were at a bit of a crossroads; earnestly seeking whether to stay in Bolivia or return to the UK. I was desperately sad and homesick but fought it constantly, believing that I wasn’t serving God properly if I gave up. Our dear neighbour, Anita Cook, a long term missionary, wrote to me sharing these encouraging words. I felt the burden of the decision making lift and rejoiced in the freedom to know that our mighty, compassionate God takes great delight in His people and even rejoices over them with singing. It still encourages me to this day, especially when I get sucked into self-pity and negative thought patterns...He is mighty to save!

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is so well known but has a particular poignancy for a certain time in my life. In October 2007 I went for a routine 18 week pregnancy scan. The midwife was having trouble hearing the heartbeat so sent me into the hospital for an emergency ultrasound. I remember on the journey asking the Lord to be with me and help me. Sadly, our baby had died and I was to be induced 2 days later to deliver it.  During that time, I know many prayers went up for us and we felt an amazing strength to face the trial knowing God was with us. Following this event, a close friend presented us with a painting with Psalm 23 on and it quite honestly depicted a lot of our experience at this difficult time.

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

Having grown up in a non-Christian home, I would really like to have the opportunity to take my great-grandad Bert to the Island. He was the minister of a United Reformed Church in Rayleigh, Essex, where I grew up. He married my Mum & Dad, although we didn’t worship at his church or follow Christ as a family. My brother and I were relatively close to my great-grandparents as they were local and we would go visit them once or twice a week. Grandad Bert (Albert Syrett to be exact!) was always cheerful, smiling, with red-rosy cheeks and time to spend with us. He died when I was 7 or 8. It was not until I came to know the Lord Jesus myself, 13 years later, that I wondered how often he had prayed in anguish over our salvation, the reason for his cheerfulness became clear. Even in death, I vaguely remember visiting him in a hospice and he was still smiling - I guess he knew where he was headed and that was a comfort in his last moments. I would love to meet him on the island so that we can glorify God, rejoicing over answered prayer and listen to his ministry that I never had the chance to hear. So readers, please keep praying for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even if you do not live to see their transformation yourself!

Which song would you take to the island?

This was possibly the hardest one of the three to decide upon. I love listening to music and have found life's big moments defined by listening to certain pieces. I often turn to music when I am struggling emotionally and/or spiritually and I find it resonates with me in a way that sometimes just reading alone doesn’t. Having not grown up in church, I’m not always at ease with some of the old hymns and generally listen to more contemporary worship music. However, if there was one song to remind me of the essence of the gospel and to focus my mind on Christ, it would have to be Horatio Spafford’s ‘It is well with my soul’ - albeit sung in a more contemporary style! One of my favourite covers is by Jimmy Needham. I can’t completely imagine all the writer went through when he wrote it but I can testify to some of the amazing comforts and kindnesses in dark times that are expressed in this song.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin — oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! —
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Anne Gamston, Gloucester

Having been on the Christian pathway for sixty five years, I am still amazed at the goodness of God who brought me to repentance & faith, revealing to me the love & beauty of the Saviour. Whilst the pathway has not always been easy and there have been many adversities, none the less the real joy of an eternal hope, of sins forgiven and cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ has been such a blessing through the years.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Having been brought up in a non-Christian home and yet, at the age of eight, longing to know God, must surely be a work of the Holy Spirit in my life. It was another five years before I heard the gospel preached, which brought me to understand my need to trust the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of my sin.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

As with others, to mention verses of scripture which have been an encouragement as well as a challenge, would mean quoting the whole Bible. However, Proverbs 3:5-6, which is inscribed in my wedding ring, has been a daily reminder of my need to trust the one who knows the future. By the enabling of the Holy Spirit, helps me to do so, although 'not leaning to my own understanding' is a challenge!

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

The love which God showered upon me is truly wonderful and I can only say with the hymn writer: 'Oh that my soul could love and praise Him more!'

Which song would you take to the island?

This line comes from the hymn I have chosen to have on the Desert Island as a reminder that He is always watching over me and will never leave or forsake me. Here's a link to the hymn being sung.

Immortal honours rest on Jesus' head,

My God, my portion and my daily bread;

In Him I live, upon Him cast my care;

He saves from death, destruction and despair.

He is my refuge in each deep distress,

the Lord my strength and glorious righteousness,

Through floods and flames He leads me safely on,

and daily makes His sovereign goodness known.

My every need He richly will supply,

nor will His mercy ever let me die;

in Him there dwells a treasure all divine,

and matchless grace has made that treasure mine.

O that my soul could love and praise Him more,

His beauties trace, His majesty adore,

live near His heart, upon His bosom lean,

obey His voice and all His Will esteem.

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

Being on a Desert Island, with only one other person, would be a real challenge because as a society we rely on and interact with many people. There are those who are well known from the past and there are many who have lived godly lives, quietly getting on with the Lord's work. One such person is Sister Eva of Friedenshort, who having come to faith as a young girl in Germany, chose to give up a very privileged life to help those whom society ignored or wanted to dispose of. She used what resources she had to care for abandoned children and the destitute, seeking to show the love of Christ whilst teaching them the word of God. With often poor health and little resources, she gave everything in order to point people to the Saviour. Her calm manner was a testimony to the love and grace of God. She proved again and again that He is able to supply all needs and many were richly blessed because of her sacrificial life in which she always gave glory to her heavenly father.

Christ for us: Our righteousness

Christ in us: Our sanctification

Christ through us: Our strength

This was her motto and the word impossible in the work was not in her vocabulary as she believed with all her heart that with God all things are possible in His will. An ideal person to be with on a Desert Island.