Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer      Thought it scarcely worth his whileTo waste much time on the old violin,      But held it up with a smile. We value people by what they look like, how they present themselves, how they behave. The violin was nothing to look at. People mayContinue reading “The Touch of the Master’s Hand (2)”

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer      Thought it scarcely worth his whileTo waste much time on the old violin,      But held it up with a smile.“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,    “Who’ll start the bidding for me?”“A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?      TwoContinue reading “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”

Patricia Raybon is the same age as me. Her African American childhood of prejudice and segregation, white wealth and privilege was very different from mine. In ‘My First White Friend’ she describes her rage, bitterness, powerlessness and fear of failure; her desire to be acceptable to white people in a white dominated world. She learnedContinue reading “My First White Friend”

Why me Lord?What have I ever doneTo deserve even oneOf the pleasure I’ve known?Tell me, Lord,What did I ever doThat was worth lovin’ youFor the kindness you’ve shown? Kris Kristofferson describes his experience in church: ‘‘Is anybody feeling lost?’ Up goes my hand… ‘If anybody is ready to accept Jesus, come down to the frontContinue reading “Why Me Lord?”

I’m musing on three words – old companions. Purpose We need purpose. I think of friends who have lost sight of purpose and motivation – through redundancy, retirement, family breakdown or the stress of lockdown. Others have discovered fresh purpose through home schooling; new interests discovered and developed; a successful diet or exercise regime; freshContinue reading “Purpose, People and Power”

Hannah and Ben Some of us know Hannah and Ben. They describe their experiences of racism in Lowestoft. Ben describes random, isolated incidents: ‘Sometimes I can be in the town centre and things are shouted at me. I made eye contact with someone once and he started shouting abuse. There are just thousands of littleContinue reading “Racism: ‘Thousands of little incidents’”

Striker Justin Fashanu signed his first professional football contract for Norwich City in December 1978, aged 17. A talented striker, his 1980 volley against Liverpool was ‘Goal of the Season’. He scored 19 league goals during the 1980/81 season for Norwich. He was transferred to Nottingham Forest – the first black player to cost £1,000,000Continue reading “Justin Fashanu”

The story of Jonah continues to entertain, inspire and puzzle me… God tells Jonah to preach in Nineveh. Jonah runs away and escapes on a boat. A storm comes. Jonah confesses that he has caused the storm. He is thrown overboard and is swallowed by a great fish. Escape Knowing what he ought to doContinue reading “Jonah”

Bad News Bad news makes the headlines. Stabbings, shootings, prejudice, racism, rape, injustice, violent conflict, political confrontation… Coronavirus-world with its sickness, death, unemployment, loneliness, despair, fear, isolation, domestic abuse… And marital infidelity, family arguments, out-of-control children, dishonesty and greed of national celebrities or local gossip. It is easy to be negative… Good news Recently weContinue reading “Good News”

Sister Mary Robert was quiet and timid. Avoiding conflict or drawing attention to herself, she has hid behind her spiritual vocation and her Mother Superior. Influenced by the loud, outgoing club singer Deloris Van Cartier, she is inspired to become a stronger person and pursue her dreams. In the musical ‘Sister Act’ she sings: IContinue reading “Life-changing Decisions – Mary Robert, Amos, Martin.”