The Punching Pastor

Faith-Based Motivation for Fighters, Believers & Everyday Warriors

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What Does It Mean To Live As An Echo of Jesus?

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The Problem of Consistency: Ireland, Palestine, and Religious Conservatism

One of the contradictions I often notice is this:

In Ireland, many voices are quick to oppose religious conservatism. Traditional views on family, gender, and faith in public life are dismissed as “outdated,” “harmful,” or “oppressive.” Yet, some of the very same people passionately support Palestine, a society shaped by conservative Muslim values, where homosexuality is criminalized, transgender identity is rejected, and religion plays a powerful role in public and private life.

It raises an important question: why is religious conservatism condemned here at home but overlooked, or even defended, abroad?

Now, of course, support for Palestine is usually rooted in solidarity with what is seen as a people under occupation and oppression. It’s not about endorsing their social values, but about resisting what is framed as injustice. Still, when human rights and equality are invoked as reasons for support, the contradiction is hard to ignore.

This inconsistency shows how politics often builds alliances around single issues, rather than a consistent worldview. People focus so intensely on one perceived injustice, whether it’s colonialism, inequality, or military power, that they downplay or excuse other injustices that don’t fit the narrative.

I don’t write this to dismiss anyone’s compassion. Solidarity matters. Justice matters. But if we truly believe in universal principles of human dignity, freedom, and equality, then those principles should be applied everywhere, not selectively, depending on who the “good guys” and “bad guys” are in the story we’ve chosen to tell.

True justice requires consistency. Otherwise, we risk becoming blind to the very things we claim to stand against.

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Forged in the Fire: The Champion’s Way

“For to whomever much is given, of him much shall be required.” – Luke 12:48

Listen up, warrior. Champions are not born — they’re made. They’re forged in the fire of discipline, setbacks, and comebacks. Every single day they train, they fight, and they refuse to let that inner fire die down. When the final bell rings, the true champion still has that blaze in his chest.

The road to greatness isn’t smooth. It’s a path filled with bruises, betrayals, fatigue, and moments when you feel like you’re down for the count. Sometimes you’ll stumble. Sometimes you’ll get knocked flat on the canvas. But the difference between a quitter and a champion? The champion gets back up, resets his stance, and keeps swinging.

And here’s the truth: champions don’t chase style points — they chase staying power. They look to those who went before, study their moves, and learn their secrets. Success leaves clues, and the greatest clue was left by the ultimate Champion.

He was mocked. He was beaten. He was whipped until his body bled. He carried His cross through jeers and insults. He was nailed to that cross, lifted up for all to see, and yet—even in His final breath—He forgave. And when His final bell rang, the fire in His heart was still burning.

That Champion is Jesus. He knew His cause. He lived His purpose. And He never let His fire go out.

Now it’s your turn. What is your cause? What is your purpose? How long will you keep the fire burning in your heart?

Don’t just admire the Champion. Step into the ring. Pick up your cross. Live with fight, with faith, with fire.

Call to Action: This week, write down your cause. Define your purpose. And every time life tries to knock you down, remind yourself: Jesus lives in me and I will rise again.

Stay strong, keep fighting, and never let your fire burn out.

God bless you, Champion.

[thepunchingpastor]

Break Bread Before Breaking Ground

Being partners in a cross-cultural relationship requires a commitment for the long haul, As CS Lewis wrote, “if something is not important for eternity, it is eternally unimportant”

Here at Bad Boy Turned Good & Compassionate Kitchen, if we are not friends, we can’t work together, we have to be friends first.

I have come to understand that a lack of economic means is not the root problem of poverty, but yet we see it this way win the western world. Our vision needs to change so instead of seeing the solution in keeping this or that project going so we can bless our partners with a share of the economic wealth with which we have, ourselves been blessed, or to set up services that will provide basic needs for others. But still we insist that our money will solve the problem.

We need to stop jumping from project to project so as to ensure some kind of monetary benefit or provision for a felt need. Remember, we all share at the “Fathers Table”. Our resources are not ours; they are Gods. They are not ours to stockpile. Our mindset has to shift from, “mine or yours” to “We are all resources”. Each and every one of us is an important part of making that happen and blessing each other as we all sit at the same table.

The 5:2 principle from Matthew 14 is simply giving what we have, what we know and all of our experiences to Jesus, because He does the miracle. Our job is to take that step of faith and give all we have over to Him. Maybe, just maybe the miracle wasn’t in the loaves and fishes being multiplied, but maybe the miracle was the giving up by one young boy the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

And we should apply this principle with our partners across the world. We must give up all our control over what we think we have and allow Jesus to take it on order for the miracle to happen.

Over the last number of years, and I believe this is so important, is that we identify those who share this passion to come together and watch what God will do. I tend to look for those who are already doing something with their 5 loaves and 2 fish.

I have learnt this in an expensive and difficult way, and don’t start anything with people who are not using what they already have, and for partnership to begin, we must be friends first.

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Overcoming Food Injustice in the Modern World

Feeding the Hungry is Not Optional

In our world of abundance, the hunger pangs of millions still echo. Food injustice is the unequal access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food is a moral wound in our global body. It’s not just about empty bellies. It’s about systems that favour the wealthy, marginalise the poor, and silence the oppressed.

Let’s not forget: Jesus fed people with bread and fish, yes, but also with hope, dignity, and welcome. The early church “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46). This wasn’t just hospitality, it was radical, table-shaped justice.

Matthew 25 puts it plainly: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” We meet Christ in the face of the hungry. And today, millions still knock at the table of the world only to be turned away.

What is Food Injustice?

Food deserts in low-income communities

High cost and low access to nutritious food

Exploitation of farmworkers

Loss of traditional foodways

Political and corporate neglect

Root Causes

From economic inequality and environmental degradation to political apathy and fragile food systems, food injustice is deeply systemic. It demands a systemic response — and people of faith are uniquely positioned to lead that response.

Ready to fight food injustice? Get involved with Cook Serve Pray and be part of the solution.

Faith-Based Action Steps

Host community meals and build local relationships

Volunteer at food banks and soup kitchens

Plant gardens and promote food literacy

Run sermon series on food justice

Advocate for policy change at local and national levels

From the Table to the Trenches

Like a fighter in the ring, overcoming food injustice takes training, commitment, and strategy. Educate yourself, support ethical systems, and bring your community to the table — literally and spiritually.

Why It Matters

By 2030, over 1.3 billion people are expected to face food insecurity. The Gospel calls us to act. Jesus didn’t just preach; he fed. We are called to do the same, turning meals into movements and tables into places of transformation.

Join the movement today, partner with Cook Serve Pray and learn how your church, kitchen, or community can be a light in the darkness.

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Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

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Amazon Rainforest: A Sacrifice for Climate Diplomacy?

Chopping Down Eden to Host a Climate Talk? Get Real.

They’re cutting down the Amazon Rainforest, again.

This time, it’s to build a highway to Belém, Brazil. COP30, the global climate summit, is scheduled there for November 2025.

Yes, you read that right: they’re destroying protected rainforest so people can meet and talk about protecting the planet.

According to a BBC report (June 2024), the construction of a new highway has already started. This development has led to the deforestation of protected areas. This is all in the name of climate diplomacy.

You couldn’t write this hypocrisy. But they’re living it.

The Lungs of the Earth Are Gasping

The Amazon is more than a forest. It’s home to over 10% of the world’s species. It absorbs billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This serves as a frontline defence against climate breakdown.

This isn’t just “infrastructure.” It’s environmental devastation wrapped in a PR stunt.

Ask the tribes whose homes are threatened. Ask the jaguars, the birds, the trees, God’s creation, being wiped out at the altar of convenience and commerce.

This isn’t leadership. This is theatre.

What the Bible Says About Creation Care

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15

God didn’t give us the earth to exploit it. He gave it to us to steward it,  to nurture it, protect it, and bless it.

Romans 8 says “creation waits in eager expectation” groaning for liberation. But right now? It’s screaming.

This isn’t just ecological sin. This is spiritual apathy.

A Fighter’s Perspective

I used to fight. I know what it means to take a hit. But this? This is creation taking punch after punch, while the world cheers for empty climate promises.

And the Church? Too often, we’re silent. Comfortable. Complicit.

You don’t need to be a climate scientist to know this is wrong. You don’t need to be a pastor to call it out. You just need to be awake.

What Can You Do? (Yes, You.)

It’s time to step in the ring for Eden.

Get Informed

Read beyond headlines. Dig into stories from Mongabay, Rainforest Alliance, and Survival International. Know what’s really happening.

Use Your Voice

Speak out. Post. Protest. Preach. Write to your TDs, MPs, or representatives. Call out greenwashing when you see it.

Support Real Protectors

Donate to grassroots groups defending the Amazon and indigenous rights. Not the ones building stages, the ones planting trees and defending lives.

Challenge Your Church

Talk about it. Preach it. Pray it. If your faith doesn’t move you to defend creation, it’s time to re-read Genesis.

Jesus flipped tables when the temple was abused. You think he’d stay quiet if he saw Eden being bulldozed for a press conference?

This isn’t just about trees. It’s about truth, justice, and obedience to the Creator.

So here’s the challenge:

Stop watching. Start speaking. And fight the good fight.

Because you can’t hold a climate summit in a graveyard.

– The Punching Pastor “Bad boy turned God-fighter. Defender of Eden. Still throwing punches, just with purpose.”

-Share this blog. -Pray for the Amazon. -Take your corner in the fight.

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The Addiction Nobody Talks About

Struggling with porn addiction? You’re not alone. Millions battle the hidden grip of porn, but few talk about it. This blog exposes the real

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