Tops have been a fascinating toy for centuries. I hope you find them as enjoyable as I have. This tiny creation is only enjoyable when it spins as it's supposed to, in the hands of a top spinner.

People are fascinating too. They were created by a wonderful great God who designed for each one a meaningful and unique purpose. The Bible states clearly that God wanted people to enjoy life and be friends  -  God & Man. God wanted man's friendship and created people to fulfill a beautiful role  -  to be His children and friends.

You know a top can't spin itself... It needs a top spinner! It needs a person to put it into action. It's the same with people... people need God! When God made the first man, God gave him: a beautiful creation and home, fellowship, responsibility, and complete enjoyment. In return God had asked for willing love and obedience. Unfortunately the first man disobeyed God and lost the priviledge of close fellowship with Him.

Tops have a similar design. Human beings are alike too because we come from God's first created male and female. As children are often like their parents we too still living in disobedience and outside close friendship with God. Sin has destroyed that relationship with God and brought ruin to our ageing planet. God is a kind and loving Creator, who promised the first man that He, Himself, would pay for human disobedience and restore the broken friendship. God became man (CHRIST) and lived a life of perfect love and obedience. Jesus Christ gave His own perfect life in dying on the cross, as total payment for our imperfect and sinful lives. Christ demonstrated His love without God being unjust. Your punishment for sin has been paid, if you receive Christ, right now, as Saviour and Lord.

God wants you love. He gives each of us a choice, by trusting Him to forgive us, which removes sins punishment and restores God friendship. Then He will take us to be with Him forever when our work here is done. Why not return God's love and simply invite Christ into your life. 

By the way, I know this is true, because I read it in God's book, the Bible, and experienced it in my life. Jesus Christ paid God's just judgement which you and I deserved. He came to save people from the penalty of sin (hell and separation) and the power of sin. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) 

Tops are beautiful when they are doing what they are supposed to do. You too can discover God's great purpose and plan for you as revealed in the Bible. 

1. OPENING AND CLOSING THE TOP - The top can be used as a self-contained package for storing your string and anchor, extra points, and instruction sheet. When you are actually spinning the top, it is better if there is nothing that is left inside while it is spinning. To open the top, find the two places on the side of the top where the legs can be pushed in by finger pressure. While exerting pressure on both points, pull on the top of the top fits snugly into the bottom of the top so that the legs can snap into position. If the legs do not snap readily into position, you may need to trim some of the excess plastic flashing from around the legs and the holes on the side. You may also need to bend the legs in an outward direction to encourage them to seal tightly when the top is closed.

2. PREPARING THE STRING - Pass string through hole in plastic anchor and tie a knot in the end. The knot should hold the string against the anchor. Tie another knot at the other end to aid in winding the top. 

3. WINDING THE TOP - To wind the top, take the end of the string and loop  it around the top of the  top and hook it on the knot. (Figure 1) Then holding the string firmly bring it down to the point and wind

the string away from you around the top. (Figure 2) If you are right-handed, wind the string with your right hand. If you are left-handed, wind the string with your left hand. The important thing is to wind it with your hand moving away from you at the top of the wind.

4. HOLDING THE TOP - After winding the string around the top, place the anchor behind your first and second fingers. Hold the top upside down against your fingers with your thumb. (Figure 3) You are now ready to spin the top. 

5. SPINNING THE TOP - Throw the top sidearm to the left of where you are standing (to the right of you if you are left-handed). You must keep your hand flat and your fingers pointed directly away from you or your anchor will not hold. For beginners, the important action is stopping your hand smoothly in front of you with no reverse action! (Figure 4) You can then feel the top unwind from the string as it heads toward the spot picked. It should right itself before it comes off the end of the string. You must be able to spin a top well on the floor before you can proceed to other top tricks.

6. PICKING UP THE TOP FROM THE FLOOR ONTO YOUR HAND - To get the top to spin in the palm of your hand from the floor, move your first two fingers in  a "V' towards the point and quickly close them and lift your fingers slightly. 

This should cause the top to jump back onto the palm of your hand.

7. CATCHING THE TOP ON YOUR HAND - If you have become successful at spinning the top on the floor, then you should be able to feel when the top comes off the end of the string. To have the top come back so that you can catch it on the palm  of your hand, you must make a slight backhand motion as it comes off the end of the string. (Figure 5) Practice at this action will enable you to control where the top comes so that you can catch it in the palm of your hand. Remember you must not make the reverse motion till the top is at the end of the string! If after several tries the top is not coming back in an upright position you may need to adjust the length of your string. The normal length needed for this type of top is approximately 120 cm (4ft) but may vary from individual to individual.

8. BALANCING THE TOP ON YOUR HAND - In order to correct the learning positions of the top once it is on your hand you must move your hand in the exact opposite direction of the way which it is learning at that moment. (Figure 6) This fact is very hard to learn in practice and comes only with experience. Do not give up because once you have it, you will not lose it. Remember that successfully holding the top on your hand is the basis for further top tricks.