Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

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”

‘By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.There on the poplars we hung our harps,for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?’ Israelites, forciblyContinue reading “Weeping… but Hope”

Out of the night that covers meBlack as the pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul… William had tuberculosis. He had already had his left leg amputated when he was 16. He had surgery to save his right leg and wrote this poem ‘Invictus’ – ‘unconquered’. By self-discipline andContinue reading “Invictus… but weeping”

Coronavirus – where is God? For… Marina works as a healthcare assistant in the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, treating those with coronavirus. She had bought a car from a dealer. Many things were wrong with it, but the dealer was closed because of lockdown. Darren, from ‘The Little Car Clinic’ stepped in and fixedContinue reading “God – for, with, in Coronavirus”

I believe, for every drop of rain that falls, A flower grows… I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, A candle glows… I believe for everyone who goes astray, Someone will come, to show the way, Did God make, send or allow coronavirus? Why? Where is he? Sarah asks where God is in herContinue reading “I Believe The Bigger Picture (4)”

The ‘UK Blessing’: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you Make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’ Yesterday Boris Johnson wrote a personal letter to Tim Hughes: ‘At a time when our churches are closed, I am filled with admirationContinue reading “Blessings The Bigger Picture (3)”

Yesterday: I read of the meaningless of life: Achievements – wealth, possessions, honour Age – Living a long life Appetites – doing and having whatever you want Kim talked about friends in the ‘anorexic community’. Their obsession with their weight prevents them from seeing or thinking of anything outside themselves. She talked about another friend’sContinue reading “Straws, Spine and Sight The Bigger Picture (2)”

The Bigger Picture Yesterday… Two adult cyclists came towards me. I heard a high-pitched voice. It wasn’t either cyclist. As they passed I saw a small but vocal boy on a seat behind ‘Dad’. He had been obscured from my view. I hadn’t seen the whole picture. I met Matthew for the first time. HeContinue reading “The Bigger Picture”

Further to yesterday…  ‘Secret’ faith doesn’t think about or ask questions. Faith may exist but is a low priority. It is comfortable. ‘Secure’ faith has clear opinions. Truth – often God’s truth – can be explained and defended. It is secure. ‘Searching’ faith asks difficult questions. It lives with comfort and discomfort, security and insecurity.Continue reading “Stand by Me Secret, Secure, Searching (2)”

Today’s musing is sketchy and incomplete. No clever songs or quotes. Let me suggest 3 ways of looking at knowledge, life and faith. Secret Secrets are things we don’t know. Much is beyond our understanding – computer-science, astro-physics, covid vaccine, the global economy….. We have fake news and conspiracy theories. Truth may be there butContinue reading “Secret, Secure or Searching”