Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

This morning I read the story of Ishbi Benob… The story of David and Goliath is well-known… David, the teenage shepherd, defeats and kills the Philistine giant Goliath. David goes on to be a successful soldier and king. His personal and family life is often a mess, but as a soldier and general his recordContinue reading “Ishbi-Benob”

Yesterday was full of complex issues… in politics, communities, faith… creating conflicting opinions… …Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s tough new laws combatting illegal immigration… sending loud clear messages to people smugglers… Britain being taken for a ride by asylum seekers… flagrant breaches of the law by those crossing the English Channel… …Football commentator Gary Lineker describingContinue reading “Two sides. To decide? Too much!”

Mephibosheth was the grandson of the dead and disgraced King Saul. Due to a childhood accident he was a cripple. He lived, forgotten by most, in a quiet out-of-the-way village. The successful, powerful King David had him brought to Jerusalem: ‘Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant that you should notice a deadContinue reading “Grumpiness – Mephibosheth, Mel and Me”

‘Clown’s to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.’ Gerry Rafferty wrote this song 50 years ago to describe powerful men in the music industry. Today we hear similar sentiments expressed about powerful people who are supposed to be wise – in politics, business, sport,Continue reading “Where’s The Clown?”

From my earliest days I was taught Bible stories. As I got older I learnt about Christian beliefs and  Christian faith. It was important to have ‘orthodox’ beliefs… The Greek word ‘orthos’ means ‘right, true, straight’… the Greek word ‘orthodoxus’ means ‘having the right opinion’… Orthodox has come to mean ‘following or conforming to theContinue reading “Orthodoxy, Orthopaedics, Orthopraxis, Orthocardia”

John Wesley’s journal – May 24th 1738 In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I feltContinue reading “Looking For Warm Hearts”

For all those times you stood by meFor all the truth that you made me seeFor all the joy you brought to my lifeFor all the wrong that you made rightFor every dream you made come trueFor all the love I found in you… Celine Dion sings about someone who gives her strength in weakness,Continue reading “Because You Loved Me”

Yesterday I did my weekly prayer walk… Passing a school I pray for certain young people. Passing a church I pray for certain ministers. Passing a café I pray for friends I’ve recently drunk coffee with… At ‘Kathryn’s bench’ I remember Kathryn, a young person who died in 2012, her parents, and other bereaved friends.Continue reading “Remembering – With A Smile And A Tear”

The wheels on the bus go round and roundRound and round…The wheels on the bus go round and roundAll Day Long This children’s song is not some dark nursery rhyme about baking blackbirds in a pie, catching the ring-a-roses plague, or babies falling out of tree-top cradles causing unspecified injury… It’s a simple song aboutContinue reading “The Wheels On The Bus”

What would you think if I sang out of tune?Would you stand up and walk out on me?Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a songAnd I’ll try not to sing out of key. I can’t remember what I did yesterday; I can remember the complete lyrics of songs from 50-60 years ago… IContinue reading “With A Little Help From My Friends”