Merry Christmas

Hi Fighter, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” The quote (in case you don’t recognise it) is from Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” and is his description of Europe at the time of the French revolution.  For me it equally describes the experience of being in the middle […]

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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Things have got to change

Hi Fighter, It will be a quick one today as I’m weary after another round with the Combat Sports Authority (CSA). The CSA is the government body that oversees all combat sports, including boxing. Unfortunately, my stoush with them is a legal one. It’s over the prohibition they placed on my fight last March. In

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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Ted Time

Hi Fighter, It’s Father Dave. Forgive the long time between posts but I had two weeks’ holidays and things have been predictably hectic since I got back. Much has happened since I last wrote. A lot of it involved me spending time relaxing with my wonderful children, but there have been other events worth sharing

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

Ted Time Read More »

One more round

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Hi Fighter, I remember as a young Christian – still a teenager – hearing a woman preach on these words of St Paul (reprinted above) to the church

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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Feeling Weary

Hi Fighter, It’s Father Dave, and I am feeling weary as I pen this week’s update. Energy levels ebb and flow for all of us – I know. I’m at a low energy point today. Coming to terms with the fact that this may be my last year in parish ministry is something I’m struggling

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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Back from Damascus

Hi Fighter, Dave here – back from Syria and finally ready to debrief the experience. It was my eighth trip to Syria in the last six years, and it’s been remarkable to see how the country and the people have evolved over that time. Back in 2013, I’d look out from my hotel room in

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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On the road to Damascus

Hi Fighter, Father Dave here, and I’m on the road to Damascus (more or less). To be exact, I’m starting this quick update on board a flight from Abu Dhabi to Beirut, at which point we’ll hopefully find a bus waiting for us that will put us directly on the road to Damascus. It’s been

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

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Needing Prayer

Hi Fighter, It’s Father Dave, and I’d appreciate your prayers. For any who don’t know, my family is having a rough time at the moment. Ange and I are not currently living together. Two weeks ago, Ange and my son, Soren, moved to an adjoining suburb. My youngest daughter, Fran, stayed with me. It’s been

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

Needing Prayer Read More »

Fight me!

Hi Fighter. I hope you’re having a great Easter, I know Easter Day was weeks ago but in our church calendar we are still in Easter season. It can’t hurt to keep the celebration of life and hope going a bit longer. For me this Easter has been one of great highs and great lows

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

Fight me! Read More »

The light shines in the darkness

Hi Fighter, Here we are, at the end of Holy week. As begin to write, it’s still Friday, and the images of our wonderful Good Friday service are still fresh in my mind. Even so, it’s been a busy and emotionally-draining week for me. Years ago, what always exhausted me this time of year were

About Father Dave Smith

Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four

The light shines in the darkness Read More »

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