Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

‘Be in something for the long haul’ – ‘to intend to continue doing something until it is finished, even if it is difficult or unpleasant’ (Collins Dictionary) On Thursday I was at ‘Whitton Life’, our church ‘Community Hub’ on a local estate. Since 2000 there have been regular clubs and events. We’ve bought one shop,Continue reading “For the Long Haul”

Five things from yesterday Local Council Elections: I voted. Britain’s political map is changing. In this new era of multi-party politics, the elections in Wales, Scotland and England are seeing traditional conservative and labour voters changing allegiance. One TV commentator summed it up with two questions: ‘Who do you blame? Who do you trust?’ SirContinue reading “Difficult Important Questions”

This morning I met Maurice for the first time. Maurice, a springer spaniel puppy, was having his first walk on the beach. He was excited by everyone he met, every dog he met, loving any attention. Everyone was his friend so he reached out to everybody and everything. Yesterday Bill was telling me about hisContinue reading “Musing on ‘Reaching Out’”

This month’s ‘Premier Christianity’ reflects on Artemis II’s moon voyage: ‘…Alongside the scientific milestones, the journey was marked by moments of faith.’ It describes pilot Victor Glover’s faith… Jeremy Hansen’s Easter message ‘…the teachings of Jesus were always a very simple truth of love…’ Reid Wiseman, despite not being a ‘religious person,’ concluding there wasContinue reading “Between the Contradictions and the Clichés”

When Rachel started her nursing training and I started my teacher training ‘old’ was anyone over forty. Over the years the (often unspoken) rule has been that anybody twenty years older than me is old… Ten days ago, we met with friends who did their nursing training with Rachel; yesterday we met with friends whoContinue reading “What is Old?”

Last week an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) magazine arrived. Bird and wildlife writer Simon Barnes describes the arrival of Spring: ‘The birds that live here all year are spectacular enough, but the whole show gets its edge from those that fly in to join us for the spring. We’re a countryContinue reading “Listening More Carefully…”

Later this morning I shall go to church. I shall go to meet friends, to be encouraged in my faith, to seek inspiration for the coming week… but most of all I shall go to refocus on God. I shall seek to see Him more clearly, understand Him better, and respond to Him in praise.Continue reading “Come People of the Risen King (2)”

Yesterday morning, at ‘Music for Wellbeing’, everyone, including Paul, sung ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Earlier Paul had told me that next week he’s going into hospital for surgery to remove a lump from his chest. Any dream will do? Paul has a specific dreamContinue reading “It Is Him!”

Last night we watched ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Set in 1934 Alabama, we saw a world of segregation, where the black population were vulnerable to injustice, and, extrajudicial killing. It tells of lawyer, Atticus Finch, defending Tom Robinson, an innocent black man maliciously accused of the rape of a white girl. The story is toldContinue reading “The Mockingbird and Me”

Yesterday, reading ‘The Hundred and One Dalmatians’: Pongo and Missis, the adult dalmatians have rescued the ninety-seven pups from captivity in Suffolk (such a terrible county!) and are trying to get them back to their home in London. The evil Cruella de Vil is closing in on them: ‘Nothing but a miracle can save usContinue reading “The Unexpected Miracle”