Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Last night we went to Norwich to see the musical ‘Hairspray’ – set in Baltimore in 1962 featuring big hearted Tracy Turnblad. It’s a story about the fight against racial discrimination, but it’s bigger than that. It’s a story about building a community that includes everyone – whatever their colour, size, appearance, class, age orContinue reading “Community… with Tracy, Scott & Peter”

On yesterday’s local news we saw a blue plaque, commemorating a child chimney sweep, being unveiled. Yesterday was the 150th anniversary of eleven-year-old George Brewster’s death… In 1875,George was forced to climb and clean the narrow chimney of a former pauper asylum at Victoria Park in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire. He became trapped; a wall was pulledContinue reading “Choosing Vulnerability”

Last night we watched a school production of ‘Fame’. I remembered the 1980 film, and TV series… actors, dancers, musicians progressing through college. After learning about themselves and each other, about performing, about life, they finally graduate and sing ‘Bring on Tomorrow’: We have arrived at a moment in our livesWhen the future passes intoContinue reading “Bring on Tomorrow”

Yesterday Minister-Lou mentioned Thomas Kingston… Andrew White… At Bristol University friends described Kingston as a ‘very, very, very’ committed Christian. In 2004, in Iraq, negotiating the release of hostages and adjudicating disputes between warring leaders, Kingston worked alongside Canon Andrew White, the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’: ‘Tom has a fierce determination to make things succeed andContinue reading “Thomas Kingston… Four perspectives…”

Come out of sadnessFrom wherever you’ve beenCome broken-heartedLet the rescue begin Come find your mercyOh, sinner, come kneelEarth has no sorrowThat heaven can’t heal This David Crowder song invites us to come – not to stay where we are, not to go in the opposite direction, but to come. It’s an invitation that Jesus madeContinue reading “Come As You Are”

This week’s ‘Lowestoft Journal’ features many future plans… …Plans for our ‘First Light Festival’ in June: ‘The first acts have been revealed for the UK’s only free beach festival as it announces its return for 2025.’ ‘…A mystery man from Suffolk plans to go on holiday after winning £1m in the EuroMillions…’ …Plans taking shapeContinue reading “Plans, Plans, Plans…”

Yesterday I came across the saying, ‘Cobbler, stick to your last’. Apparently it has ancient Greek and Latin origins involving shoe-making on lasts. It means that you should do the work that you’re skilled at, and not try to interfere with, or do the work of, others experts who have their skills and abilities… SoContinue reading “Cobbler, Stick To Your Last”

Yesterday I chatted to several gents about their life’s journey, how they’ve got to where they are. I’m musing on mine… understanding better what my life is, through recognising what my life isn’t… I’m not the man I was… a youthful energetic teenager… a young married teacher, father of three young children… an organiser ofContinue reading “What My Life Isn’t…”

I’m reading Scott Peck’s ‘In Search of Stones’. Yesterday I read: ‘Some Catholics have a concept I much admire: the Sacrament of the Present Moment. It suggests that every moment is sacred, and that we should make each moment a sacrament.’ It set me musing… Many years ago I was taught that a sacrament wasContinue reading “The Sacrament of the Present Moment”

Last night’s news told of Zara Lachlan, a 21-year-old from Cambridge. On October 27th last year she set off from Lagos, Portugal. Despite close encounters with sharks, tankers and bad weather, she reached French Guiana, completing the 3,600 nautical-mile journey on Saturday. Zara spent 97 days alone at sea, rowing from Europe to South America.Continue reading “Surrendering to the Adventure of Nothing”