Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

The BBC news last night discussed unmarried mothers in post-war Britain. Considered to be ‘fallen women’  and unsuitable mothers, their babies were taken from them at birth and given to ‘suitable parents’ who could adopt them… When I was young, a good Christian family who came to our church lived round the corner from us.Continue reading “Fallen Women”

I learnt a new saying the other day: ‘You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.’ It’s first recorded in a 1678 collection of proverbs – when the punishment for any theft was hanging. If you might be hung anyway then make the risk worthwhile! I like the ‘total commitment’ approachContinue reading “Totally Committed”

St. Drogo, Sister Frances & Andrew Greystone Drogo was born into a noble family in Northern France but lived in humility and austerity as a shepherd. A penitential pilgrim, he visited various sacred shrines, suffering hunger, thirst and physical discomfort. Drogo contracted a debilitating and disfiguring disease. Because his deformities scared those he met heContinue reading “Out of the Comfort Zone:”

We seek your kingdom throughout every sphereWe long for heaven’s demonstration here.Jesus, your light shine bright for all to see.Transform, revive and heal society. This song is unashamedly and explicitly Christian. It isn’t like old hymns – theology, God’s greatness, the work of Jesus, personal salvation…; it isn’t like modern worship songs – personal experienceContinue reading “Thy Kingdom Come”

Hello darkness, my old friend,I’ve come to talk with you again,Because a vision softly creeping,Left its seeds while I was sleeping,And the vision that was planted in my brainStill remainsWithin the sound of silence. ‘Sound of Silence’ has been a favourite of mine for many years. Paul Simon’s haunting melody, simple harmonies and well-crafted lyricsContinue reading “Silence and Conversations”

Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, was due to lead an evangelical rally in Blackpool in 2018. Graham’s views on same-sex marriage are summarised in a BBC interview: ‘Marriage is for a man and woman and that is what the Bible teaches.’   Local complaints about this ‘bile spewing preacher’ led toContinue reading “Franklin Graham”

In school assemblies we used to sing: ‘The journey of l may be easy life may be easy, may be hard, there’ll be danger on the way…’ Musing on my journey… Sometimes there’s sunshine, green fields, a gentle stream, birds, butterflies, a clear path, and all is well. I feel good, progressing purposefully and cheerfully.Continue reading “Travelling companions”

I can see clearly now, the rain is goneI can see all obstacles in my wayGone are the dark clouds that had me blindIt’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day I think I can make it now, the pain is goneAll of the bad feelings have disappearedHere is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ forIt’sContinue reading “Seeing Clearly”

Last week I went to our local hospital for my annual check-up. I have glaucoma and limited vision in my left eye. Fortunately things have not deteriorated. Last night I had a weird dream. I was driving through Lowestoft and my eyesight was deteriorating. I stopped at the traffic lights by the station. The lightsContinue reading “Impaired Vision”

Today, 17th May, lockdown restrictions are easing. We can meet indoors in homes, cafes and pubs, students don’t have to wear masks, we can hug each other… A man walking on Pakefield Beach found an old bottle and thought nothing of it. He took it home, opened it and out came a genie who grantedContinue reading “Musing on Chocolate…”