Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

We plough the fields and scatterThe good seed on the land,But it is fed and wateredBy God’s almighty hand.He sends the snow in winterThe warmth to swell the grainThe breezes and the sunshineAnd soft refreshing rain. Matthias Claudius (1740-1815) was a German newspaper man, the son of a Lutheran pastor. His faith diminished as heContinue reading “All Good Gifts Around Us”

This morning I read Galatians… St Paul describes our ‘sinful nature’, making a list of its characteristics: ‘…sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…’ I watch the news and see injustice, aggression, selfishness and suffering. It seemsContinue reading “Kindness, Lepers and Purple”

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America… Some of the Pilgrim Fathers came from this corner of England over 400 years ago… Whether they were heroes seeking their religious freedom, or grumpy Christians who couldn’t get on with anybody else is another matter… Musing… I know both heroic freedom-fighting Christians, and grumpy I-don’t-get-on-with-anybody Christians today!! We sawContinue reading “Giving Thanks”

Alice has fallen down a rabbit hole, seen a talking rabbit, shrunk to 10 inches. Now she’s growing to nine feet… ‘Curiouser and curiouser’! Her completely bonkers Wonderland adventures are only just beginning… Curious Signs… Last weekend we watched Lowestoft Town. This sign was beside the pitch. If everybody must ‘Keep off the Grass’ howContinue reading “Curiouser and Curiouser“

Some of the Celtic saints were known as ‘Peregrini’, meaning ‘foreigner’ or ‘traveller’. Motivated by their faith these adventurous travellers went on dangerous journeys and voyages. Three Irish monks, ‘peregrini’, Dubslane, Macbeth and Maelinmum set out to sea in a coracle – a small boat with no sail, oars or rudder – believing that theirContinue reading “Peregrini“

The World Cup kicked off for England yesterday – good football and a good result. Three images stood out for me. The Iranian football team refused to sing their national anthem, identifying with the protests in Iran, showing solidarity with those in their country campaigning for the rights of women. Their silence spoke volumes. Sing?Continue reading “O No We Won’t!“

Yesterday afternoon, by the beach, we met Andy. Andy’s drone was 200 metres out to sea taking pictures of the sunset. From 60 metres up you get a wonderful over-view. The world’s put into perspective… In church yesterday Peter reminded that: ‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ I looked it up… It’sContinue reading “The Perspective Of Peace“

Yesterday Martin reminded me of this old song; I remember singing it… In the 1950s we were very happy to accept these gender stereotypes that we cringe at today. The adults gave us this song because they believed it; we sung it sincerely and accepted it. I wonder what God thought. Did He think we’dContinue reading “Do It All For Jesus“

Last night we watched ‘The Weir’, a play showing lonely people coming in an Irish pub. The director wrote in his programme notes: ‘According to a recent study, 45% of adults in the UK report feeling lonely ‘occasionally’ or ‘often’. Loneliness, the same study suggests, is as bad for you as obesity or smoking 15Continue reading “Community – Loneliness’s Antidote“

There are always roadworks somewhere in Lowestoft. Gas, drains, the new bridge, fibre-optic cables… sometimes I think it’s just a bored digger-driver playing, or temporary traffic lights needing a temporary home. This week roadworks have arrived at the end of our road. Each day we’ll be negotiating several sets of traffic lights… Musing…‘Red for stop’Continue reading “The Amber Phase…“