Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

I warm to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. In his interviews, statements and sermons he comes across as seeking to lead the Anglican Community in an accessible and practical Christian faith. On several occasions recently he has been quoted as saying that the church must be ‘simpler, humbler and bolder’. Musing on my life…Continue reading “Simpler, Humbler, Bolder”

I walked past the CEFAS building yesterday. A group of men in high-viz jackets were standing at the bottom of a scaffolding tower; one man was high up, busy doing something. Mum, dad, three children and a dog approached me. Dad spoke to son with knowledge and authority: ‘That’s the way it is, son. OneContinue reading “The One That Makes a Difference”

Today, February 2nd, is ‘Candlemas’. 40 days after Christmas Day… Some traditions leave their Christmas decorations up until today!! The pagan tradition… Midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, candles were lit in a festival of light… sometimes to scare away evil spirits… Various superstitions… If it’s fine then winter will continue; ifContinue reading “Candlemas”

Musing on 3 things this morning: My Bible Readings this week take me into Leviticus. Sacrifices, festivals and laws to wrestle with… This morning it’s the Peace (shalom) Offering (Leviticus 3). I’ve neither the space nor expertise to explain nor expound this fully. Musing… ‘Shalom’ is about wholeness, wellbeing, completeness in body, mind and spiritContinue reading “Shalom, Dave and Yellow Ribbons”

Come, all you vagabonds,Come all you ‘don’t belongs’Winners and losers,Come, people like me.Come all you travellersTired from the journey,Come wait a while, stay a while,Welcomed you’ll be. Stuart Townend wrote this song with Mark Edwards and Phil Baggaley, based on Jesus’ parable: A man invites his wealthy friends to a party – and all ofContinue reading “Vagabonds”

Yesterday I was out walking. It was cold and raining. The sun came out. It was still raining but there was a beautiful rainbow. I was walking behind a Mum and 3 sons. Two walked with her; a third dawdled behind. Catching them up I overtook ‘dawdler’. I was about to overtake Mum with herContinue reading “Difficult Situation: Good Outcome.”

Boris yesterday told us that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had ‘made it very clear’ that the AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘very good and efficacious’ and gives a ‘high degree of protection after just one dose, and even more after two doses’. I enjoyed two aspects of this announcement: after months of statistics ofContinue reading “Lily the Pink – Efficacious in Every Case”

Musing on what God’s like… Revelation: ‘Then the Lord said to Moses…’ (Exodus 30:11,17,22,34) The story of the Exodus is of a nation’s freedom from slavery… and of their God revealing himself to them. A complex variety of sacrifices, commandments, laws and religious practices showed the Israelites something of what their God was like. …andContinue reading “God? Moses, Thomas, Russell, Penny, Kim….”

Last night we had a ‘zoom meeting’ discussing internal alterations to our church building – practical needs, theological principles… The church I attended as a child was plain and simple in its construction. Bare floorboards, portable benches, corrugated iron roof, outside toilets… Nothing ornate, no distractions from our focus on God. …Today, bombarded by news,Continue reading “The Cross and the Crucifix”

This morning’s Eastern Daily Press says: ‘This poignant photograph shows the terrible toll of Covid in Norfolk, as the number of deaths in the county has passed 1,000. The memorial in Norwich Cathedral has been growing by the day, with a tiny cross added for each person who has lost their life due to the pandemic.’Continue reading “This People-Centred Pandemic”