Articles by David B. Smith on ArticleSnatch.com

The Wounds Of Jesus A sermon on John 20:19-29

Fri, 28 May 2010 02:26:25 -0400

Welcome to the first Sunday after Easter - a day often referred to in ecclesiastical circles as ‘low Sunday’, for reasons that are surely too obvious to require explanation. Today shares the title of ‘low Sunday’ with the first Sunday after Christmas - again for reasons too obvious to bear repeating. And this year at this time we do as we do every year on this low Sunday - we hear the story of Doubting Thomas again. Most stories in the Bible are read every three years in accordance with the cycle of readings spelt out in our lectionary. This story though is scheduled to be read every year, and again for reasons that I presume are obvious. We love this story. The church universal loves this story. The church throughout history has always loved this story, and we can understand why. We identify with Thomas in his doubting. We understand his scepticism, we stand with him in his struggle, we see ourselves in his tornness and in his confusion. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org .

Jesus Is Crazy

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:45:45 -0400

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org

Sex, Sin and Salvation

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:44:46 -0400

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org

Life is Not Fair

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:43:26 -0400

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org

Sheikh Mansour is not to be Feared

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:28:57 -0400

The sheikh, a moderate Shia and Australia's leading English-speaking Islamic cleric, has been pivotal in containing extremism in this country. He preaches love, tolerance and respect for different races and religions, and has worked for many years toward embedding Australian values into the new migrants who join his 1500-strong Australian congregation. I deal with angry young people every day. As an Anglican priest and professional boxer in Dulwich Hill, I teach violent young people self control through fighting. Time and again I've seen these disaffected kids find a sense of worth, discipline and community by entering the ring. Some of the angriest kids I work with belong to the Muslim community. I'm not surprised. These young people sense discrimination and suspicion every day: they are accused of being terrorists, their dress choices taunted, their safety threatened. The best way we've found to tackle this is by building bridges between our communities. Interfaith outreach brings together Muslim, Jewish, Christian and indigenous leaders to create a dialogue across the religious divide and generate a climate of inclusion for everyone who lives here. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org .

The Yuletide Cheer Of John the Baptist

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:56:10 -0500

[John] said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org .

The Dysfunctional Family of Jesus?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:54:21 -0500

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" ‘For he was our childhood pattern Day by day like us He grew; **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org .

Three Good Reasons For Not Giving A Damn About Climate Change

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:28:34 -0500

My passion for social justice has earned me a lot of labels over the years. I've been branded unpatriotic (because of my friendships with Muslims). I've been called anti-Semitic (because of my commitment to Palestinian human rights). I've been told that I'm a disgrace to the church (because I'm too concerned with feeding bodies and not souls). And, of course, I've been called a leftist ratbag. One thing I've never been called though is a 'tree-hugger' or a 'greenie', and there's a reason for that. In all my writing, speaking and campaigning, I've never once focused on the environment. Even the subject of Global Warming has tended to leave me cold (pun intended). It's not an oversight on my part, though I must confess that my primary reason for avoiding focusing on the environment is an emotional one. Environmentalism has always struck me as a lazy alternative to real activism. It's easy to get worked up about saving baby seals when you're not remotely dependant on the fur trade to feed your family and it's easy to join a climate change campaign when you're at no risk of losing your job if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org

Why I Love Amateur Boxing

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:19:48 -0500

I'm a thousand miles from home at the moment at the Australian Amateur Boxing League's National Titles, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Right now I'm watching two 13-year-old schoolboys belting it out, and the standard is surprisingly good. The boys are focused, controlled and highly skilled for their age. And behind each boy is a small team of older men - quietly watching every movement taking place in front of them, and gently caring for their boys between rounds. Last night the lad I brought down with me had his bout. Mina is 15 - still very much a schoolboy, but with a physique that's increasingly taking on adult proportions. It was only his third fight, so the national titles was a big step up for him. Even so, finding boys his age and his weight (63.5kg) is not normally easy, so we figured that by joining in here he'd be sure to get a bout or two. Mina got his bout, and it was a courageous performance. He was outclassed by his opponent but he went the distance. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of four www.fatherdave.org Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org

Christ Is King! A Sermon On John 18:33-38

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:37:18 -0500

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?' Pilate replied, 'I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?' Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.' Pilate asked him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate asked him, 'What is truth?' Welcome to the last Sunday of the Christian year - a day traditionally referred to as the feast of 'Christ the King'. **End Summary** Topics: Christian preaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rev. David B. Smith (The 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org . Fighting Father Dave Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletter at www.fatherdave.org .

Everything Will Be Thrown Down! Mark 13:1-8

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:05:14 -0500

"Jesus said 'Do you see these great buildings?' Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'" (Mark 3:2) It is such an offensive thing to say! Oh, I know that nothing in permanent in this life and that the greatest of our human institutions and heroic achievements will eventually pass and go the way of all flesh, but I really didn't want to be confronted with that just now!. And though they take our life Goods, honour, children, wife Yet is their profit small These things will vanish all The city of God remaineth Yes … thank you Jesus (and thank you Martin Luther for putting it into song). I know that this is true. The city of God remaineth but everything else in this world is going to be thrown down. Nothing else will last the distance- neither persons nor buildings nor even our most cherished relationships. I know that. It's just that the older I get in this life the less I feel I need to be reminded of it. **End Summary** Topics: father dave]]> Christian preaching]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org .

Sex In The Bible! A Reflection On The 'Song Of Songs'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:27:17 -0500

The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. (Song of Solomon 2:8-13) "The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills." Yes, in case you didn't recognise it, it's a verse from the 'Song of Songs', and indeed you can hardly be expected to recognise it, as the 'Song of Songs' is one book of the Bible that we almost never read. **End Summary** Topics: song of songs]]> song of solomon]]> sex in the bible]]> christian pea]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> David B. Smith (the 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org . Fighting Father Dave Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletterat www.fatherdave.org .

The Death Of John The Baptist A Sermon On Mark 6:14-29

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:24:12 -0500

When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." (Mark 6:23-24) We had a baptism this morning, and I think if you'd searched through the Bible for the most inappropriate Gospel story to feature today, you couldn't have done better (or rather worse) that the one we had this morning - the story of the death of John the Baptist! When you're working with the lectionary, of course, it's all the luck of he draw. We might have got Jesus saying, "let the little children come to me", but we didn't. We got this story of lust and murder, humiliation and death. **End Summary** Topics: mark 6]]> death of John the Baptist]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> David B. Smith (the 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org . Fighting Father Dave Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletterat www.fatherdave.org .

Life Is A Box Of Chocolates ... NOT! A Sermon On The Book Of Job

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:20:39 -0500

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2) Yes, I’m quoting God from the book of Job, chapter 38, second verse - a book that I’ve finally decided, reluctantly, needs to be looked at. I say reluctantly because it’s a depressing book, and depressing not only because it deals with the series of depressing events that befall the story’s main character, but depressing too because the man’s search for an answer to his problems never gets a result that I find satisfying. I’m assuming that you are at least a little familiar the book of Job, but in case you've never read it let me give you a quick outline: The book of Job is about a called Job (no surprises there) - a character who we are told at the beginning of the book was “a blameless and upright man who feared God and turned away from evil”. If you didn’t get to meet the historical Job, you’ve no doubt met his modern equivalents, and quite possibly in church. He’s the sort of guy who is so pristine and respectable that he probably makes you squirm a bit. **End Summary** Topics: job 38]]> christian peaching]]> father dave]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> David B. Smith (the 'Fighting Father') Parish priest, community worker, martial arts master, pro boxer, author, father of three www.fatherdave.org . Fighting Father Dave Get a free preview copy of Dave's book, Sex, the Ring & the Eucharist when you sign up for his free newsletterat www.fatherdave.org .