Hi Fighter, The year has only just begun and yet 2020 has been a tough one for many of us already. The fires in this country finally seem to be lessening in their intensity, but who knows if this is the end of this catastrophe. The whole country seems to have been on fire and, […]
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Things have got to change Read More »
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Back from Damascus Read More »
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
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Hi Fighter, It’s Dave, touching base again, and this week I’m not happy. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, and I know I have a lot to be thankful for – a healthy family, supportive friends, and a wonderful church community. Even so, when my fight was cancelled last Friday night just before I was
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Hi Fighter, These are dark days. We’ve seen the most horrible face of bigotry on display, and so close to our own shores. I’m referring, of course, to the terrible massacre of our sisters and brothers at prayer in the Christchurch Mosque. Yes, the crime was committed in Christchurch, New Zealand, and that’s not exactly
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Christians and Muslims can be friends Read More »
