Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

I rarely notice of TV adverts. Last night this powerful short film, ‘The Ultimate Vow’, promoting the Alzheimer’s Society, set me musing… It follows Adam & Laura… Adam first experiences the early stages of dementia… the illness progresses… his condition deteriorates… we hear Laura narrating her marriage vows. Recalling our marriage… I, Malcolm, take you,Continue reading “The Ultimate Vow”

I’ve learnt a new word… ‘A Creative’ …It’s an old word used in a new way. ‘A creative’ is an artist – a painter, musician, actor… When we apply for grants for the Seagull Theatre we describe ‘working with local creatives’… ‘providing employment for creatives’… ‘ensuring that our community benefits from creatives’… We provide opportunitiesContinue reading “The Creatives”

My friend Jon put this picture on Facebook: ‘Every now and again I lose a few hours “researching and developing” my ancestral knowledge. This is a photo of my great grandfather, grandfather, father and me!’ Is this a ‘Read family’ history lesson? Yes but… It’s four individual men… ordinary, yet special to their friends andContinue reading “Ordinary, Special Individuals”

The Gary Lineker saga continues… Home Secretary Sue Braverman: ‘No Immigrants’. Gary: ‘No. I don’t agree’. BBC: ‘No work for you, Gary.’ Gary’s colleagues: ‘No, we won’t work either, then.’ Football fans: ‘No ‘Match of the Day?!’’ BBC and Gary: ‘No compromise!’ Mikel Arteta responded to criticism of the celebrations, following Arsenal’s late winning goalContinue reading “No, No, No!”

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,Stories of Jesus, tell them to me. Recent conversations… helpful and constructive about prayer and forgiveness… robust and antagonistic about God’s judgement and violence… remind me how centralContinue reading “Tell me the Stories of Jesus”

This morning I read the story of Ishbi Benob… The story of David and Goliath is well-known… David, the teenage shepherd, defeats and kills the Philistine giant Goliath. David goes on to be a successful soldier and king. His personal and family life is often a mess, but as a soldier and general his recordContinue reading “Ishbi-Benob”

Yesterday was full of complex issues… in politics, communities, faith… creating conflicting opinions… …Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s tough new laws combatting illegal immigration… sending loud clear messages to people smugglers… Britain being taken for a ride by asylum seekers… flagrant breaches of the law by those crossing the English Channel… …Football commentator Gary Lineker describingContinue reading “Two sides. To decide? Too much!”

Mephibosheth was the grandson of the dead and disgraced King Saul. Due to a childhood accident he was a cripple. He lived, forgotten by most, in a quiet out-of-the-way village. The successful, powerful King David had him brought to Jerusalem: ‘Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant that you should notice a deadContinue reading “Grumpiness – Mephibosheth, Mel and Me”

‘Clown’s to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.’ Gerry Rafferty wrote this song 50 years ago to describe powerful men in the music industry. Today we hear similar sentiments expressed about powerful people who are supposed to be wise – in politics, business, sport,Continue reading “Where’s The Clown?”

From my earliest days I was taught Bible stories. As I got older I learnt about Christian beliefs and  Christian faith. It was important to have ‘orthodox’ beliefs… The Greek word ‘orthos’ means ‘right, true, straight’… the Greek word ‘orthodoxus’ means ‘having the right opinion’… Orthodox has come to mean ‘following or conforming to theContinue reading “Orthodoxy, Orthopaedics, Orthopraxis, Orthocardia”