Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Musing on: ‘If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.’  Exodus: 23:4-5 This is Malachi from LowestoftContinue reading “Donkeys, Malachi and Andrew”

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,The darkness falls at Thy behest;To Thee our morning hymns ascended,Thy praise shall sanctify our rest. A good friend reminded me of this old hymn last week, written by John Ellerton in 1870. The God who created darkness and light, day and night, gives us, and is there withContinue reading “The Day Thou Gavest…”

For many years I’ve read through the Bible, starting on January 1st with Genesis1 and finishing on December 31st with Revelation22. As I think that the Bible is important I feel I should read it all – not just the well-known, comfortable or easy bits. Exodus is the story of 80 year old Moses. YesterdayContinue reading “Reading Routines”

One of my primary school memories is radio broadcasts… making sure the radio worked and we were ready at the appropriate time… music broadcasts – ‘Time and Tune’, Rhythm and Melody, ‘Singing Together’… Each term there was a new booklet of that term’s songs. We were only allowed ‘one between two’ but with most lessonsContinue reading “Singing Together”

Musing on the Moses story in Exodus. The Jews are all slaves of the Egyptian Pharaoh. Moses tells Pharaoh, ‘Let my people go’… Hardship: ‘Let my people go’ speaks of freedom for Israelite slaves in Egypt; it was a theme taken by African American slaves… The image of human slavery is a powerful one. ForcesContinue reading “Let My People Go”

John’s a good friend. I’ve know him for many years. He went into hospital a month ago and became very ill with Covid. He finally came out of hospital on Monday. He’s not a regular church-goer; I mentioned that I’d asked some friends to pray for him. Last night he messaged me – and askedContinue reading “John, Willie & Moses”

Before we were married my wife, Rachel, lived in Godstone, Surrey where the Rector was Christopher Studdart Kennedy. His father, Geoffrey, had achieved fame in the First World War. He was known as ‘Woodbine Willie’. Geoffrey was born in 1883, the 12th of 14 children. His dad was a vicar in Leeds, his family wasContinue reading “Woodbine Willie”

I continue to enjoy truisms that seem to crop up regularly. Football commentators saying, ‘It’s not over till it’s over.’ Friends describing their taste in music: ‘I like what I like.’ Shops announcing, ‘When it’s gone, it’s gone.’ My favourite? ‘It is what it is’. I’ve several friends who use this expression; one used itContinue reading “It is what it is”

God moves in a mysterious way,His wonders to perform;He plants His footsteps in the sea,And rides upon the storm.Deep in unfathomable mines,Of never failing skillHe treasures up His bright designs,And works His sovereign will. Poet William Cowper (1731-1800) wrote this old hymn as a poem entitled ‘Conflict – light shining out of darkness.’ Cowper’s motherContinue reading “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

I’m too old… Things I used to be able to do I can’t do, things I used to be able to remember I can’t remember, and the government repeatedly tell me that I’m ‘vulnerable’. Musing again on the ancient story of Joseph… who invites his dad, Jacob, to leave the famine in Canaan and moveContinue reading “I’m too old…”