Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Some days I watch TV and understand what ‘survival of the fittest’ is all about. Nations show their weapons and fighting power and determination to defeat the enemy, businesses compete for prominence in the market place; entertainers compete for awards, sports contests have a winner; talent shows, reality TV, quiz shows all reward the best.Continue reading “Grace Will Lead You Home”

Control… Yesterday at our ‘Singing for Health’ group we sung the old English folk ‘Dashing away with the smoothing iron’. I last sung it when I was at primary school.  It features a man admiring his wife as she carries out her linen chores. It starts: ’Twas on a Monday morningThat I beheld my darling,SheContinue reading “Control, Care, Commitment, Consequences…”

A couple of weeks ago I was challenged with the question, ‘Who would you phone if you needed a friend at two o’clock in the morning?’ I thought about the closeness of my friendships, who I could phone, who might phone me… In the last week I’ve been challenged by family relationships with people IContinue reading “The Two O’clock Call”

On the news… A large sinkhole has appeared in Godstone High Street. On Tuesday it had grown to over 20m long and 6m wide. Yesterday a second hole had appeared; a car was teetering on the brink. The story particularly grabbed our attention because Rachel and her parents used to live in Godstone. We knewContinue reading “Life in the Sinkhole”

I’m reading the book of Joshua. Moses has died; Joshua is leading Israel. This morning I read: ‘When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, The Lord said to him, ‘You are old and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.’’ It’s a time of reflection, taking stock… Assessment…Continue reading “Assessment, Achievement & Attitude”

Several friends facing change… …Ryan and Jess have been waiting for their first baby. The pregnancy has progressed. Baby was born last week… …After years of unhappiness in her job Mandy had a successful interview. She’s starting a new job… …Stu had many happy years with his partner. The relationship turned sour. He’s left herContinue reading “The Supporting Choir”

Scott Peck has introduced me to the ‘Holy Conjunction’ – the word ‘and’. Instead of thinking in an ‘either/or’ way he promotes a ‘both/and approach: ‘…a world where a business can make a profit and be ethical. Where a government can promote political order and social justice. Where medicine can be practiced with technical proficiencyContinue reading “The Holy Conjunction”

George Matheson was born in Glasgow on 27th March 1842, the eldest of eight children. He excelled at school and graduated with first class honours from Glasgow University, when he was only 19 years old. He went on to be a minister and author. Whilst at University he fell in love with a girl, aContinue reading “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”

Early yesterday morning a seven-year-old girl came into a teacher-friend’s classroom clutching a small box. ‘What have you got there?’ my friend asked. ‘It’s my Valentine’s Day present from my boyfriend,’ she announced. She opened the box and displayed a small ring. ‘It’s a real diamond, you know… It cost 99p’ Choices of love… andContinue reading “Choices of Love and Life”

Yesterday Mike, who’s of similar age and decrepitude to me, was describing his diabetes, sleep apnoea, varying tests, conversations with doctors, hospital visits… and his ‘mentabolism’. I asked if he meant his ‘metabolism’. We joked about his mental state, that other tests that might be necessary to confirm his sanity – or otherwise… I rememberedContinue reading “The Metabolism of Love”