The Future is Sacred

“‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place, I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9)

I’m quoting from the book of Haggai. You may never have heard of the book of Haggai. Even if you have, I suspect you’d still need the index page to find it.

Nestled between Zephaniah and Zechariah, Haggai is a tiny prophetic book, often overlooked but deeply relevant, especially for those of us who yearn for the “good old days” when God’s favour seemed to shine more brightly.

In Haggai’s time, the people of Judah had just returned from exile, but they stood amid ruins, not just of stone and timber, but of memory. It was 520 BC. The Temple, once radiant in Solomon’s day, lay in desolation. As the rebuilding began, many wept aloud, remembering the grandeur of the past. Nostalgia clung to them like dust, clouding their vision of what could be. Haggai’s voice pierced through that haze:

“Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?” (Haggai 2:3)

He acknowledged their grief, their longing—but he did not let them stay there. Instead, he offered a divine promise:

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former… And in this place, I will grant peace.” (Haggai 2:9)

This was not a call to forget the past, but to trust that God’s presence is not bound to memory. The Spirit of God moves, not to replicate what was, but to birth something new. Haggai’s people were living in the past, and it was corroding their community. They needed to get their priorities right, starting with the rebuilding of the Temple.

Yes, it was hard to get excited about a structure that would never match the splendour of what they still held in their memories. Even so, the prophet’s message was clear: ‘get your priorities right, and even greater things will come!’

I remember, many years ago, feeling that we were stagnating in our work at Binacrombi (our bush camp). It wasn’t living up to the dream I had of being a haven for young people needing time out – a place where they could reconnect with the earth and with themselves. So, we channelled a significant percentage of our limited resources into converting one of our cabins into a chapel—a dedicated place of prayer at the heart of our remote community.

The chapel was built. Many prayers have been said in it. Great things have happened there. It is not yet the beating heart of our community there yet but I suspect its best days are still ahead. In the spirit of Haggai, I try to look forward to what may yet be, rather than get stuck in remembering what was.

Haggai’s prophetic vision is a word for all who feel stuck between memory and hope. For those who mourn the loss of spiritual vitality, community, or purpose, Haggai reminds us that God does not dwell in nostalgia. Rather, the Spirit of God calls to us from the rubble and urges us to rebuild, to believe, and to look for glory not behind us, but ahead of us!

The past may have been golden, but the future is sacred, and in the work of rebuilding—whether of temples, ministries, or hearts—God is with us. The promise of peace is not a relic of history but a living word for today, and the glory of this present house—however humble—may yet surpass all that came before.

Our Sunday Eucharist

It was great to have David Baldwin and Tom Toby back with me on the panel last weekend for our Sunday Eucharist. AI Saint Paul wasn’t quite himself, unfortunately. i think he was a bit intimidated by Tom. Even so, it was a great time of discussion, prayer and celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Last weekend’s two most popular shorts are below. Interestingly, my monologue on whether Luke depicts Jesus as a short man received more views than all the others put together! Even so, they are all worth watching on our Sunday Eucharist Instagram page or you can watch all our broadcasts in their entirety on YouTube.

This coming Sunday I’m looking forward to having Rob Gilland and Andrew Logan back on the panel with me. I’ll also have Joy alongside me as we’re broadcasting from Binacrombi. Adding AI Saint Paul makes it look like a formidable team. Even so, there’s still room for you. 😊

Invite your friends by referring them to the Facebook Event Page or the Streamyard page and join us at midday on Sunday via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Faithia, Streamyard or TheSundayEucharist.com

Let me work your corner

If you’d like to see my work continue, please click here to make a one-off donation. If you can afford a monthly contribution, sign up at Patreon.com and choose either:

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Access member-only training videos
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All of the above +
One-on-one mentoring via email, phone, or Skype

Heavyweight – $100/month (in-person mentoring)

All of the above +
Training with Father Dave’s Old School Boxing Academy

Superheavyweight – $200/month (intensive in-person mentoring)

All of the above +
One weekend per month at Binacrombi Bush Camp.

Every dollar helps keep the wheels turning—the websites, the newsletters, the broadcasts, the boxing club, and the bush camp. Sign up at Patreon.com.

What’s On?

Sunday, November 9 – Our Eucharist from noon @thesundayeucharist.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Faithia or Streamyard
Tuesday, November 11 – Boxing at the Mundine Gym in Redfern from 7 pm
Thursday, November 13 – Online Bible study group meeting from noon @ www.thesundayeucharist.com/bible
Thursday, November 13 – Boxing at the Mundine Gym in Redfern from 7 pm
Saturday, November 15 – Boxing at Legend’s Gym in Kensington from 3 pm

It’s been a big week for me, and I’m finishing this late at night in the remote bushland of Binacrombi. Joy is with me, which makes for a far more enjoyable weekend, and I seem to have plenty of willing opponents for the Saturday Night Bush Bash. Tune in after dark via the Binacrombi Facebook page to catch all the action! 😊🥊

The big news for me this week is that I have another fight coming up. I’m going to be defending my NSW Light Heavyweight title on December 13th, once again in Cowra.

I appreciate that Cowra is a long way to come for most people, and maybe this time they’ll do a live broadcast with pay-per-view. I’ll be fighting the same opponent. He was tough last time, and he’s had a year to improve!

So … I’m starting on my own 30-day challenge today, which is a whole new set of routines combining breathing, movement, diet and prayer. I’m trusting that by this time next month, I’ll be three kilos lighter and significantly fitter and stronger.

Of course, there’s still time to join me on the 30-day challenge if you’re keen. Thus far I’ve had ten (10) brave souls volunteer to enter this lion’s den with me. If you’d like to join us as a test pilot for this new programme, let me know ASAP.

Keep praying for me, please, as we pray together for our sick and broken world, and when you’re tempted to despair (like I am), listen again to the wisdom of Haggai, and take heart. The glories to come may yet surpass all that has gone before!

Your brother in the Good Fight,