David Holdsworth > Quotes

“You may not see me, but I am near.
Travel through time.
Travel through space.
Travel through eternity.
Some have entertained me, but were not aware.
The infants, ill, and dying see me most, as I bless them with the heavenly hosts.
You are not alone, we are around you, just as we stand before his throne.
I repeat, you are not alone.
Messengers of love and truth walk among mortal men.
You are not alone as we guide you home.”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, like the doctrine of love. So often we ask God to be on our side instead of asking that we be blessed enough to be on his. That said, the wheat and the tares must grow up together, and in the days of harvest they will be separated properly.”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“What if we who follow Jesus worked as one unit? What if we put aside the slight doctrinal differences, the denominational/movement mentality? What if we saw it as it truly will be one day - people of every tribe, kindred, tongue and nation united in one common cause! What if we all stood as one powerful resounding force against all oppression and wickedness and for all righteousness, peace and love. What if we were a city on a hill, a light that cannot be hidden. What if....what if?”
― David Holdsworth

“He advocated that all who follow Jesus are priests, not just the official clergy. Much of what he said made sense, as did his kind manner. But why was he here now? Had this persecuted recluse emerged just to speak to me?”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“Jesus is a descendant of David, the beloved of God. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who was born into this world and died and rose again. Saint John calls him the Word and the Light. When he died, he did so as atonement for our sins, and when he rose, he did so to defeat the power and curse of death and hell on this once-holy world. Do you believe in him?”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“Jesus wept:
This Prophet, Priest, King
Has a: Holy, Priesthood, Chosen!
This Refugee, Homeless, Healer
Has a Celebrity, TV, Mega - church?
God business to show business.
Where did it go wrong?
Jesus weeps.”
― David Holdsworth

“Culloden, Scotland, April 1746

All around was the awful sound of moaning. It was not just mournful, but the sound of immense suffering, the cries of dying men. The battle had waged on, and the day was far spent. In dirt and blood, the soldiers waded on. Horizontal rain, snow, and wind made the normal battle conditions much worse.
Near the edge of the field I stood holding a gun, pointing it at the lad who had once been my best friend. He was dressed in the red coat of a government soldier; I was not.”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“Lord we pray for the lost.
Those lost physically, mentally, emotionally.
We pray for those lost in poverty and need.
We also pray for those spiritually lost in sin and confusion.
Thank you that you have come to set the captives free.
We pray that you would use us to help those who are lost.
Lord that the lost would be found.
That more would be able to say, "I once was lost, but now am found!"
Amen”
― David Holdsworth

“As the tension between the Protestants and the Church of Rome intensified, so did the desire for a third way among dissenting groups. Soon a new group emerged, though in some senses it was also an old group—one that felt it could trace its origins all the way back to the New Testament. Known collectively as the Radical Reformation, these persecuted groups often advocated a nonviolent ethic, the separation of church and state, and a desire for both personal and corporate holiness. The ideas of these radicals spread through Europe, and over the years the Amish, Mennonites and Anabaptists, and to a lesser degree the Covenanters and Quakers, emerged or were influenced by this movement.”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“Your Grace is sufficient.
Your Sacrafice our hope.
We are broken.
You are broken - broken for us.
We are beautiful.
You are beautiful - beauty for us.
You hear our cry.
You heal our hearts.
Blessed be Your name.
Amen.”
― David Holdsworth

“The Bible reads like a collection of books about people caught up in exodus and exile. It is a book that shows the destruction of imperialism and war. It shows how innocents suffer. The climax of the book is the suffering innocent saviour crucified on a tree. But, God is not done there, it is also a story of resurrection, redemption, and hope. It is the story of people with good news to share by words and action. It is counter-culture and more relevant now than some may realise. In an age of wars and rumours of war, an age of refugees in exile and mass exodus, it speaks of the need for love and compassion. The early followers of Jesus were famous for love and not hate. So while the extremists, the religiously ignorant, the politically cold, the divisive nationalists and the greedy arms dealers fuel the world's problems, and beat the war drums, let us the people of new birth be lights in the darkness and voices in the wilderness. Let us live and sing the song of love, for truly His banner over us is love. It is to that beat we march and in His name, not the gods of hate and war, but the God of love, the Prince of Shalom (peace). Soli Deo Gloria. Amen”
― David Holdsworth

“Names in the bible are significant. e.g. David means, beloved by God and man. And so king David was. Jesus asks who do you say I am? A question to his disciples, but also all of us? He says the father's name is to be hallowed (see the Lord's prayer) and that he and the Father are one. So we should meditate on the holiness of his names. There are hundreds of names for God. They each provide a rich blessing of description.

One such name is: God of Wonders
The hymn says "God of wonders, beyond our galaxy, You are holy." It is worth thinking on any wonders, however seemingly small, that we are blessed with in life. God operates in both the magnificent out of the ordinary (e.g. Acts 2:19) and in the everyday. This God of resurrection wonder (Eph 1:20) not only raised Christ, but daily raises up those in need. His blessings are new every morning. He not only is a creative life giver at the beginning (Is 44:24), but continues to be now. He promises that all things can be made new (Is 42:9) and all creation is groaning like a woman in birth pains for it. He and His kingdom are coming little by little, wonder, by wonder for he is the God of wonders and is truly wonderful.”
― David Holdsworth

“Abba,You are Father You are King
Tender as a lamb Triumphant as a lion
To whom else can we turn?
Where else do we find hope?
The kings of earth perish.
The fathers of earth fail.
But, you O God stand true .
A different sort of kingdom
A different sort of Father.
Father watch over us this now and always.
Amen.”
― David Holdsworth

“What if following Jesus is about resurrection in a bigger way than people realize. Not just about rising again to new life in the future, though that is part of it. But also about the clash of two kingdoms. The kingdoms of this world bring death, His kingdom brings life. The way of man is death but the way of Christ is life. In a world consumed by violence, from physical to emotional, Jesus teaches against all violence. He goes as far as to say that to hate someone is to commit murder in your heart. He says to love even your enemies. This is in strong contrast to even our modern kingdoms and empires whose leaders threaten one another with nuclear carnage. In effect, these leaders, these blind guides, are saying they are happy to kill millions if they feel like it if it serves the agenda they follow. Happy to plunge the world into more world wars. Sadly many people support them. The heart of man can be truly wicked, but can also be truly redeemed by the Prince of Peace. He can raise hearts from violence and death to peace and new life. His resurrection power is at work turning hate to love, violence to peace, despair to hope. All his followers have a part to play in repenting of all violent thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and encouraging other to do the same. This is a counter culture not the poisonous alliance of church and state. This can only be done with the power of Ressurection, the power of a different kingdom, the power of a different kind of king, the power of Christ in us. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
― David Holdsworth

“The heart of man's problem is the problem of man's heart. Scripture says that the heart of man is wicked and God requires a broken and contrite heart. King David though a man with a bad past, who journeyed to repentance, was called 'a man after God's own heart.' On the road to Emmaus two fellows unwittingly entered fellowship with God himself. When they realised it was Jesus they exclaimed 'Did not our hearts burn within us as we talked with him along the way.' It was these and others of the upper room who went on to turn the world upside down. The early followers of Jesus were the start of a revolution of the heart.

O that we would live with vision that revolution of the heart. In the words of the hymn - Be Thou My Vision: 'Christ of my own heart, whatever befall.
Still be my vision, O ruler of all'.”
― David Holdsworth

“God of Love,

Thank you that you are love itself.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus was born.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus lived a perfect and holy
life.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love God.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love each other.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love even our enemies.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus died for us.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus took the punishment for all our sins.
We praise you that it was for Love
that your Son Jesus defeated death and rose again.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus set us free.
We praise you that love incarnate will come again and thank you that you are love itself.

In the name of the Son of Love,
Amen”
― David Holdsworth

“Lord, we live in a world where violence thrives and the plight of the innocent is often overlooked. Precious peace making Father teach us love instead of hate. For those in conflicts and those fleeing, especially non-combatants, we cry out to you. Protect them Lord. Turn the violent and the evil doers who oppress them to love and non-violence we pray. Turn the hearts of humanity towards thee and thy son, the Prince of Peace, and thy gospel of love. Amen.”
― David Holdsworth

“I seek you.
I long for you.
I seek with all my heart.

In this world of sin,
We need a saviour.
"Seek and ye shall find."
So, I seek, I hunt, I yearn.

I sought you, you whom my soul loves. I found you... You found me.

In sackcloth and ashes I am found.
You call me son, though I say servant.

So I arise.
You embrace me, "Abba!"
Thankyou for loving me as I am, not just as I should be.

Thankyou for finding me, for keeping me.”
― David Holdsworth

“YOU HAVE KILLED
YOU HAVE STOLEN
YOU HAVE DESTROYED.
DEVOURER OF LIVES
DEVOURER OF SOULS
YOU ARE DEFEATED!

ROAR O LION OF JUDAH
PROCLAIM YOUR VICTORY!

CHILDREN OF ADAM BEHOLD...
BEHOLD THY SALVATION.
FOR GREAT IS THE DAY OF THE LORD.

TURN AND FOLLOW THE CHILD
AS LION LIES WITH LAMB.

O SWORD BE A PLOUGH
O SPEAR BE A PRUNING HOOK
"EDUCATORS" SILENCE!
WE SHALL LEARN WAR NO MORE.”
― David Holdsworth

“Davy, I knew the exact time of your birth and what you would look like when the time was at hand, for I dream dreams. Now is the time. A great evil is brewing in the land that will turn the nation against itself. But you must make a stand for what is right. Be strong, young man, be strong.”
― David Holdsworth, Angelos

“God of Love,
Thank you that you are love itself.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus was born.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus lived a perfect and holy life.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love God.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love each other.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus taught us to love even our enemies.

We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus died for us.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus took the punishment for all our sins.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus defeated death and rose again.
We praise you that it was for Love that your Son Jesus set us free.

We praise you that love incarnate will come again and thank you that you are love itself.

In the name of the Son of Love,

Amen”
― David Holdsworth

“The good that happens in our world is the light of God. Those little things we fail to notice. The terrible things are more often than not the powers of darkness waging war with that light. He is in the eyes of those who suffer under the darks tyranny and in every beautiful triumph over that darkness. God manifests himself in our world. We need only open our eyes. Open our eyes and see the light of His radiant grace.”
― David Holdsworth

“Love. That splendid word. Thank you, Father.
You are graciously loving us.
You are love.
This is such a beautiful thought. Teach us to understand it and live in the light of it.
Continue to show us how to love.
To love others and to love you. Love.
That splendid word.
Thank you, Father.”
― David Holdsworth

“A Stand (based on a true story)
The lone figure emerges from the mist, his long white beard blows in the wind.
A peculiar sight for guard and prisoners alike. Soon more emerge as the old man advances. 7,14,21...soon a hundred unarmed saints. "What do they want?" "Who are they?" "Are these the followers of Jesus?" "Surely not, or they like others would sing louder as screams echo from death train." "No, no my brother it is them." "Why have they come?" The lone figure pushes gunmen aside. "Can't go in there!" Guards cry. Heeding them not he stands in the midst of the prisoners. Eyes of surprised prisoners, Eyes of dumb struck guards, Eyes of bold congregation standing at the gate."What will he do?" "What can he do?" "Tomorrow to death camp we go." But then...
Lifting up holy book he roars prophetically the words of Ruth 1:16,17. A thunder of applause within and outwith the gates. Gates that will not prevail.
Guards disband for the Word of the Lord has been spoken. Never again do they return, All because a few made A STAND to save children of the promised land.”
― David Holdsworth

“Lord your blessings are numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore.
As multiple as the stars in the universe.
To count all your deeds is impossible for man.
You O God are the blessed blesser who blesses.
You are kind and gracious.
Blessed be your name.”
― David Holdsworth

“When I look at this world I feel a deep pain.
A burden in my soul.
This overwhelming sadness threatens to engulf me, to crush me with waves of despair.

Who can I trust but you?

Our Western civilization has fallen foul to false idols.
Community is replaced by screen's of various sizes.
Friendship is reduced to a virtual status.

Yet in You I find community.
In you I find friendship.
The wife you provided, the baby on the way.

The love of this world is enmity with you.
The world's love blows hot and cold.
A politics of hate, a muffled church, neighbourhoods of fear and pain -
Broken, All Broken!
But, Your light still shines.
Pockets of hope, sparkles in the night.
The Sunrise is coming!”
― David Holdsworth

“Love come into my soul.
Cleanse me my Love, my God.
Love, You are pure and holy.
Free me my Love, my King.”
― David Holdsworth

“Once there was an old man who took his grandson a walk in the countryside. The old man's face was creased with wrinkles. Like the rings inside an ancient log tree, each signified age and wisdom. The man, to the boys surprise stopped suddenly. He was calm, so calm the boy didn't feel it right to interrupt this moment of solititude. "Listen", the old man said. The boy listened. At first he could hear nothing but his own racing thoughts. "Truly listen", the man said sensing the boys difficulty. So he tried again. He closed his eyes, took a breath and opened them again. "I hear it", he whispered. They both fell silent again and listened to the gentle winds and the birds in the trees, and further a field the beautiful sound of a babbling brook. Then they listened to silence itself. "This my child is real worship." "To Jesus?" "To Jesus.”
― David Holdsworth

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper." This verse is often used in a triumphant way. As if to say "nothing can ever go wrong or hurt us in life, God is with us." However, Hebrews 11 speaks of people literally cut to pieces for the faith. What if the verse actually means come what may in this life, Christ conquered death, we followers are immortal and blessed with eternity. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
― David Holdsworth

“Lord, we thank you for who you are. We thank you for the autumn and all the beautiful colours it brings. Thank you that in this season of change we can also experience spiritual change. We pray that more of our selfish desires would fade away. That we would become more and more like Christ. That we would be filled with your love. That we would be holy just as you are holy. We pray in the name above every name, Amen.”
― David Holdsworth