It’s a spooky thought – that some events, and some people, have a spiritual significance that transcends time. That’s not true for all of us, is it? Or is it? I feel comfortable with the thought that God loves everyone equally, and that therefore everyone has an equally significant role to play in the divine drama. The Bible though tells a very different story.
Preacher, Puncher, Father of four
Onwards and Upwards! Read More »
The church marks the first Sunday after Christmas as the “Feast of the Holy Family”, which sounds like a further slap in the face for those whose families look anything but holy. Even so, our Gospel text for the day suggests that Jesus’ earthly family may not have been as functional as we might have first assumed!
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Christmas can be a difficult time of year, and the Nativity narrative has been shaped and reshaped by so many forces – commercial and political as well as religious. Choose your Christmas story carefully, and take your place, with Mary, on the cutting-edge.
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Choosing your Christmas narrative Read More »
It’s been a difficult week for me. I think we’ve lost the battle for boxing club. The church is throwing us out and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to stop this happening or even to get a short delay of execution. We opened our doors early in 1991. I’d been asking local people what was most needed in our area and they all said, “the kids have nothing to do after school”. That’s when Kon Pappy and I opened up the church hall in the afternoons as a drop-in centre – offering wrestling classes to local kids – and I started Father Dave’s Fight Club in the evenings. The rest is history.
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Father Dave’s Fight Club throwing in the towel? Read More »
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Am I heading to Prison? Read More »
Hi Fighter, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” If I were to ask you who said that, you’d probably recognise it as a quote from both Jesus and Abraham Lincoln. Jesus definitely said it first, but it was Lincoln’s use of the image in 1858, which he applied not to an individual (as did
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
. Hi Fighter, “And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth … They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months. They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss.” (Revelation 8) Forgive me for starting with the book of Revelation but things
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Is Civil Disobedience the way forward? Read More »
. Hi Fighter, Father Dave here, and glad to be back with you. You’ll forgive me for the long time between posts but I’m in the process of restructuring my online activities as I try to relaunch myself as a physical and spiritual fitness coach. In truth, I’m not going to be invited to pastor
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Let me work your corner Read More »
. Hi Fighter, It’s Friday night as I begin this newsletter and I’m back in the bush. We are past Summer now and the nights are already getting chilly again. I’m wearing my Syrian Army jacket though and it is more than a match for the cold. Moreover, it warms my heart as well as
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Is God a Muslim Communist? Read More »
Hi Fighter, I begin this update from a place that is as unusual for me as it is wonderful – sitting on the balcony of a hotel, overlooking the beach in Surfer’s Paradise! I’ve been up here for three nights already with my son and, in truth, I’m enjoying the environment almost as much as
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
