Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Christian friends sometimes say, ‘Malcolm you really ought to read…’ They quote a book or author that’s helped or encouraged them. That’s good. When I retired 13 years ago I’d ‘been a Christian’ all of my adult life. I was secure and confident in what I believed – I’d preached and taught it. But IContinue reading “Fathomless Riches”

Mum encouraged us to have a ‘healthy appetite’. We had three meals each day. We were expected to come hungry, thank the Good Lord for our meal, eat all that we were given, and leave nothing on our plates. This was a healthy appetite. Visitors were often judged by whether they had a healthy appetite….Continue reading “A Healthy Appetite”

I’m reading ‘Proverbs’ in my Bible. Wise King Solomon gives fatherly advice to young people: ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.’ My many years spent teaching in schools recognises this pattern: the old teach the young. However 3 teenagers have taught me… British tennis player 18-year-oldContinue reading “Learning from the Young”

I watched the Euro final last night… taking the lead with the early goal, the excellent first half; the tough second half and the Italian equaliser; exciting extra time where it could have gone either way; defeat in the penalty shoot-out… Musing… similarities between the Euros and our experience of Covid… Unity: Both brought theContinue reading “Football… Covid… Unity, Expertise, Values”

I want Jesus to walk with me,I want Jesus to walk with me.All along my pilgrim journey,I want Jesus to walk with me There is something simple and uncomplicated about these old Afro-American spirituals. Life is complicated for many of us – health, families, disappointments… For those of us with faith there are complications withContinue reading “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me”

Yesterday’s local paper reported the death of Jan Dickinson. I knew and worked with Jan, the Head Teacher at a local school. Her tribute included: ‘Jan pursued a career in education because she ‘loved to see children learn… She built, curated and led one of the finest schools in Suffolk… Jan will be remembered asContinue reading “Tributes…Worrier to Warrior”

I walked along the sea front this morning. Very ordinary and normal. Some folk were walking their dogs, some cycling to work. There were early morning joggers, one or two were swimming in the sea. ‘Morning,’ I said to many I passed. I got the usual variety of responses – the total silence, the indecipherableContinue reading “Good Morning To You”

Musing… 2,400 years ago Plato said: ‘The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world.’ We watched the football last night, enjoying the nonsense commentary and clichés: ‘this is another hurdle to climb’… ‘the final whistle is in the very near distance’… The 2-1Continue reading “Empathy…Plato, Gareth, Kim…”

I was brought up living with my parents and brothers, I went to school; went to church. I was normal. Today I live with my wife; I see my children and grandchildren. When I retired I finally stopped going to school; I still go to church. I still think I’m normal. Yesterday I read ofContinue reading “What’s normal?”

So yesterday Boris announced that ‘Freedom Day’ is set to go ahead on 19th July with a plan to end Covid restrictions. Masks will no longer be mandatory and the requirement for social distancing will end. As a consequence the restrictions on bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres will be lifted. Businesses and offices can fullyContinue reading “Freedom Day”