Doomy-gloomy-covid… divisive-angry-presidential-election… Three little things that made me smile yesterday: The poster above: friends who make ‘unplanned purchases’ need an excuse. Kieran White and Tilly Christmas got married; they united their surnames to become Mr and Mrs White-Christmas. A picture of children taking part in the world puddle jumping championships. A local primary school reported:Continue reading “It Made Me Smile…”
Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom
Politics and Religion
Musing… today, November 5th… politics and religion… Guy Fawkes: It’s the anniversary of Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. As Catholics they felt it was their duty to assassinate the Protestant King James. By 1605 politics was already mixed up with Catholic and Anglican religion; in theContinue reading “Politics and Religion”
From Funerals to Forgiveness
Funerals: In recent days we have learnt of the deaths of sports presenter Frank Bough, comedian Bobby Ball, footballer Nobby Stiles, actor Sean Connery, comedian John Sessions…. Yesterday I attended a funeral, the wife of a friend. She was only 61. A sad occasion. Fear: Fear seems to be everywhere. Fear of Covid, fear ofContinue reading “From Funerals to Forgiveness”
Fear No Evil
I’m re-reading David Watson’s ‘Fear No Evil’ David Watson an Anglican clergyman, was famous for his ministry at St Michael-le-Belfry in York in the 1970s, where the congregation grew to many hundreds in only a few years. Subsequently he was involved in missionary enterprises throughout the world. In 1983 Watson was diagnosed with terminal cancer.Continue reading “Fear No Evil”
Open the Eyes of my Heart
Church people do say some funny things: jargon, clichés, words said with a straight face that are thought to be deep and meaningful – that nobody understands. One such is ‘Open the Eyes of my Heart’- often said with serious emotion. So what the heck does it mean? My childish, but not too helpful, thoughtsContinue reading “Open the Eyes of my Heart”
Lord You’ve Been Good To Me
I’ve returned to another Graham Kendrick song: Lord you’ve been good to meAll my life, all my lifeYour loving kindness never failsI will rememberAll you have doneBring from my heartThanksgiving songs Despite the bad news I will choose to be grateful – my life has been good. Today, November 1st, is ‘All Saints Day’. IContinue reading “Lord You’ve Been Good To Me”
My family – Stephanie, Luca & Allan
Yesterday morning I learnt from my brother Bryan that his wife Stephanie had died. Her passing was sudden and unexpected but peaceful. Bryan has recently come out of hospital following major surgery. It is a devastating shock and a sad loss to him, their children, Catherine, Virginia and Tim, and their respective families. We weren’tContinue reading “My family – Stephanie, Luca & Allan”
My Escape Route
We’re faced with constant bad news – deaths, infection rates, lockdown… Friends with significant health scares, ongoing court cases, family breakdown…. Disappointment, anxiety, depression… I’m musing on a 4 step escape route… 1. Positive: I focus on good news. Footballer Marcus Rashford championing free dinners for needy children; the young paramedic on ‘Ambulance’ (see yesterday)Continue reading “My Escape Route”
I’m Nothing
Some people think they have little value. Some are suffering from depression or some other mental ill-health; others are the only guest at their pity-party… ‘Ambulance’ is a documentary series which follows the work of ambulance services. Last night we followed ambulance crews around London. It included a young man who had hanged himself… IContinue reading “I’m Nothing”
Routines
Yesterday a friend wrote reflecting on what may have caused recent mental health issues: ‘…maybe something in the early darkness, the cold and maybe even going from enjoying the summer holidays out and about back to some kind of routine. Then I thought do I like routine? Do I like to be spontaneous? Maybe a bitContinue reading “Routines”
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