Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Rows and floes of angel hairAnd ice cream castles in the airAnd feather canyons everywhereI’ve looked at clouds that way But now they only block the sunThey rain and snow on everyoneSo many things I would have doneBut clouds got in my way Joni Mitchell was inspired to write ‘Both Sides now’ in a planeContinue reading “Both Sides Now – clouds & mental heath”

Speak well? I watched the news from Minneapolis last night. There was the brutal image of the white police officer kneeling on the neck of the black George Floyd so he couldn’t breathe. There was news of Floyd’s tragic death and the subsequent sacking of four police officers. Thousands of peaceful protesters marched against injustice.Continue reading “Speak well – truth and justice”

My schoolboy Latin tells me: ‘benediction’ is made up of ‘bene’ – good and ‘diction’ – speaking. The ‘UK Blessing’ has inspired many in the last month. It is based on Moses’ instructions to Aaron to bless – his benediction for the people: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his faceContinue reading “Benediction – Speak Well”

The comedian Tony Slattery told of his battles with substance abuse, alcohol and depression. What started as the solution to his problems became the problem. Yeonmi was born in North Korea, living under a brutally repressive regime. She was often starving. Her family only survived through her father’s dealings on the black market. He was caughtContinue reading “The Solution becomes the Problem”

Yesterday we mused on ‘Great is thy faithfulness’. As a child I liked it because it contains the word ‘manifold’. ‘Join with all nature in manifold witness….’ I also heard about the ‘manifold mercies of God’, ‘manifold trials and temptations’. It was the King James Bible (1611) I was brought up with. I didn’t knowContinue reading “Manifold”

Great is Thy faithfulness!Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see It’s Sunday. I’m musing on an old hymn. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Ron* has been depressed this week. He has had to return to taking medication. Steve* knows he has messed up relationships and faith. He is tryingContinue reading “An Old Shoe”

Drogo was born into a noble family in Northern France. His father died before his birth. His mother suffered complications in labour and died as Drogo was born. As a child Drogo learnt how his Mum died and blamed himself for his Mother’s death. The psychological impact of these guilt feelings stayed with him throughoutContinue reading “Saint Drogo”

Musing on pilgrimage I remembered the old Beatles song: The long and winding road that leads to your doorWill never disappearI’ve seen that road before it always leads me hereLeads me to your door. Yesterday we heard that Alicia was in hospital with an undiagnosed illness. Clive is home from hospital but unwell. Janet, NevilleContinue reading “The Long and Winding Road”

As a child I learnt John Bunyan’s words: ‘There’s no discouragement                                                                                       Shall make him once relent                                                                                      His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim‘ Direction: Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ tells of Christian’s journey to the Celestial City. He knows he must leave the City of Destruction: ‘…Whither must I fly? ThenContinue reading “Pilgrimage – Direction and Determination”

The last two books I have read are so different. ‘We need to talk about Kevin’ tells of a boy who kills 7 students and 2 adults in his high school. It asks questions about family, life and death. It is chilling, shocking and hope-less. Eva, Kevin’s mother concludes: ‘…I am too exhausted and tooContinue reading “Hope through Love”