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Articles from David B Smith | Selfgrowth.com
- Easter Sermon 2013 (Luke 24:1-12) - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2013 from David B SmithJesus Christ is risen today! Our triumphant Holy Day! Ha-a-a-le-lu-hal-le-lu-ul-jah! It’s nice to be triumphant every now and then, isn’t it? So much of the time we walk around feeling defeated – defeated by the powers that be, overwhelmed by our workload, subjugated by our domineering ...
Views: 860 - Partying with Jesus (A sermon on John 12:1-11) - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2013 from David B SmithSix days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped ...
Views: 2136 - Love is Senseless (A sermon on Luke 15:1-32) - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2013 from David B SmithNow all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them” 3So he told them this parable: 4“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not ...
Views: 1329 - The Baptism of Jesus (A sermon on Luke 3:15-22) - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2013 from David B SmithAs the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his ...
Views: 1369 - What is this thing called ‘love’? (A sermon on 1 Corinthians 13) - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2013 from David B SmithI wonder by my troth, what thou and I did, till we loved? Were we not wean’d till then? But suck’d on country pleasures, childishly? Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den? ‘Twas so ; but this, all pleasures fancies be ; If ever any beauty I did see, Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a ...
Views: 1396 - Bad Religion (Luke 13:31-35) - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2013 from David B SmithBad Religion (Luke 13:31-35) One of the more ‘outside the box’ suggestions that has been made to me lately by some members of our online community is that I should throw my hat in the ring as a candidate to be the next Pope. This wasn’t an idea that I came up with myself, and I haven’t ...
Views: 966 - Christmas 2012 (A sermon on John 1:1-5,14) - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from David B Smith“In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. Through him all things were made, and apart from him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and that life brought light to humanity. The light shines in the ...
Views: 1123(1 vote) - Mary (A sermon on Luke 1:39-55) - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from David B SmithIn those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit42and exclaimed with a loud ...
Views: 1186(1 vote) - SAY NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - by Submitted on Jan 10, 2013 from David B SmithI must say that I was a little surprised to be invited to address this gathering today (surprised but delighted, I might add). Even so, as a representative of the church and, to a lesser extent, a representative of the boxing community, I appreciate that when it comes to taking a stand opposing ...
Views: 790(1 vote) - Standing with Gaza – November 24th 2012 - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2013 from David B SmithAn address given by Father Dave to the ‘Free Gaza’ rally, on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall on Saturday, November 24th, 2012. Sisters, brothers, salam aleykum, shalom, peace to you all. It is my privilege once again to stand alongside my Muslim and Jewish sisters and brothers as we cry out ...
Views: 1039 - Called to Fight, not to Win - Part 2 - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2012 from David B SmithDr. Broughton Knox, my old friend and teacher, used to say that most Christians he knew were ‘docetic' – they believed in the divinity of Christ, but did not really believe that Jesus was fully human. The picture we get of Jesus in Mark 6 is of a very human Jesus. For one thing, the Jesus we ...
Views: 1035 - Called to Fight, not to Win - Part 1 - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2012 from David B SmithHe left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done ...
Views: 877 - Now is the time! - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2012 from David B SmithAs God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) Ange and I had ‘the big talk’ ...
Views: 984(1 vote) - Pentecost – the party that nobody missed! - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2012 from David B Smith"When the day of Pentecost came, all of them were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated, and one rested on each of them. All of them ...
Views: 792 - Child Custody Laws in Texas - by Submitted on May 28, 2012 from David B SmithIf you're struggling with a child custody issue, you absolutely need to know all you can about the laws regarding this subject. Texas Family Code 153 can explain what happens in each situation, but it can be difficult to understand how your case might proceed. Arm yourself with knowledge (and a ...
Views: 789 - I do not box as one punching the air! - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2012 from David B SmithDo you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as ...
Views: 1028 - “Before I was a Muslim I was a Christian” - by Submitted on Feb 28, 2012 from David B SmithI had the privilege last Friday night of being back amongst my friends at the Imam Husain Islamic Centre where we met to grieve the death of the father of my dear friend, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei. And it was good to be back amongst those lovely people, and it was good to a part of the live ...
Views: 793 - Fighting Back Against Identity Theft - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2012 from David B SmithEvery day I receive emails supposedly sent out from fatherdave.org, and sometimes they even have ‘a message from the team at fatherdave.org’, embedded in the email body! Some days I get hundreds of these, and if I’m receiving hundreds, there must be millions that are being sent out! A couple ...
Views: 653 - Meet A Priest With A Punch - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2012 from David B SmithWhat has fists of steel, a kick like a mule, the head of a fox and a heart of gold? Answer — Fighting Father Dave, the black belt who is throwing down the gauntlet to the “problem guys” of the Inner West. Father Dave is the Rev David Smith, parish priest of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church at ...
Views: 799 - There’s something fishy about Jonah! - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2012 from David B SmithThe word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2“Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. ...
Views: 953 - Another Miracle - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2012 from David B SmithAfter they left the synagogue, they went directly to the house of Simon and Andrew, along with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever, so they promptly told Jesus about her. He went up to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and ...
Views: 1594 - I Had A Dream - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2012 from David B SmithI have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. ... I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of ...
Views: 1308 - The Mystery of Christ - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2012 from David B Smith"In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs ...
Views: 755 - John the Baptist meets Eminem - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2011 from David B SmithThis is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!’” John was ...
Views: 1045 - Christ is King! - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2011 from David B Smith“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be assembled in front of him, and he will separate them from each other as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” And welcome to the last Sunday of the ...
Views: 808 - Psychology of Addiction - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2011 from David B SmithAddiction is an age old phenomenon that has existed and has been persisting since centuries, the only difference being in its acknowledgement. People have and always will be physically and psychologically dependant on some external stimulant to provide them gratification, enjoyment and ...
Views: 788 - Making Weight - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2011 from David B SmithIs that because the metabolism slows down with age or is it just because we get more comfortable with being over-weight as we get older? I’m not sure. Either way, each year I seem to find it more difficult to hold back the unrelenting encroachment of middle-aged spread. I officially retired ...
Views: 813 - Understanding Addiction To Drugs - by Submitted on Nov 09, 2011 from David B SmithNowadays, we are familiar with the extremely addictive characteristics of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, and on top, alcohol and cigarettes. We have learned that in addition to substance abuse, some activities, for example gambling and sex, can develop into addictions for a few ...
Views: 766(1 vote) - Heroin addiction - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2011 from David B SmithHeroin addiction is a personal struggle that many describe as the biggest monster they ever have had to deal with. Heroin is like most drugs in that it starts off just being something that the user does from time to time. They start off by just doing it in private or the company of peers and ...
Views: 815(1 vote) - Heroin Addiction - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2011 from David B SmithHeroin addiction is not a habit that can be picked up overnight; it is actually a habit that is formed by previous dependencies. Addictions begin with early usage of other drugs such as marijuana, alcohol and other recreational substances. Abusers normally begin to try harsher drugs when they ...
Views: 746(1 vote) - Faith is Passion - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2011 from David B SmithI am telling the truth in union with Christ-I am not lying, for my conscience, confirms it in the Holy Spirit. I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart, for I could wish that I myself were condemned and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my relatives according to the ...
Views: 797 - That They May Be One - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2011 from David B Smith"And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." (John 17:11, NIV) You may remember that when, a couple of weeks back, we looked at an earlier ...
Views: 780 - Room For Everybody - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2011 from David B Smith"When the day of Pentecost came, all of them were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated, and one rested on each of them. All of them ...
Views: 755 - The Way, the Truth and the Life - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2011 from David B Smith"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? And if I am going away to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will welcome you ...
Views: 885 - Addiction To Drugs - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from David B SmithSuffering from drug abuse? Learn more about drug addiction help and treatment for a healthy and safe recovery Nowadays, we are familiar with the extremely addictive character of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, and on top of alcohol and cigarettes. We have learned that additionally ...
Views: 1066 - Am I my Palestinian brother's keeper? Marrickville Council, BDS, and the politics of shame - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2011 from David B SmithIn December 2010 Marrickville Council (representing various suburbs in the inner-west of Sydney) voted to support the global 'Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign' (BDS) against the Israeli government, aimed at ending the Palestinian Occupation. In the months that followed, and most ...
Views: 840 - Addiction to Prescription Medications - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2011 from David B SmithIndividuals addicted to legally prescribed drugs often display several signs. Symptoms for prescription drug addiction are very widespread, which can be found in the majority of abusers, for instance bodily reliance on the drug and an heightened tolerance for the drug. Treatment can commence ...
Views: 796 - Living by Faith - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2011 from David B SmithWhat then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to one who ...
Views: 739 - The Islamic Jesus? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2011 from David B SmithDo not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to destroy them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is ...
Views: 712 - 20-year Anniversary Service - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from David B SmithJohn 3:5-16 "You must be born from above", said Jesus. "The wind blows where it wills. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit… Truly, truly I say to you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to ...
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