Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

I’ve come across this Chris Rice hymn recently. I’ve heard it before, but it’s been good to ‘rediscover’ it. Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to dieO, raise your head for Love is passing byCome to Jesus, come to JesusCome to Jesus and liveI love the song’s simplicity. It’s about faith, hope and loveContinue reading “Come to Jesus (again)”

Amanda Seyfried was on TV last night promoting her new film ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’… Ann Lee was a poor woman in eighteenth-century Manchester England who joined a sect known as ‘The Shakers’ for their ecstatic dancing and singing during worship. In 1774, Lee and a small group of Shakers sailed from Liverpool toContinue reading “Breaking Barriers”

Yesterday I remembered getting married and saying, ‘I will…’ It was in the church where I grew up and was taught Bible stories… where people said ‘I will’. …Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Killion live in Bethlehem. There’s a famine… they move to Moab… the two boys marry local girls, Orpah andContinue reading “Four People Who Said ‘I Will’”

Yesterday afternoon Rachel and I went to see our solicitor to amend our wills… Fifty-four years ago Dad led our wedding service. In front of family and friends he asked me: ‘Will you, have Rachel to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her,Continue reading “The Last Will…”

Yesterday included… …popping into the Seagull Theatre, talking about ongoing projects, upcoming shows, a grant that will ease our cashflow. Most exciting – there’s to be a new ice cream supplier with a new freezer display cabinet! …twelve-year-old grandson-Luca coming for tea… instructing me on some of the music he listens to… discussing the differenceContinue reading “Ice Cream, Austin and Costly Love”

On Sunday Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open tennis championship final. BBC’s Amy Lofthouse reported: ‘Watching Alcaraz is, for the most part, like watching sunshine personified. There is a carefree joy in his shot-making; the huge forehand that goes blasting through every surface, the drop shots and volleys that few would dareContinue reading “The Offering”

Three random ideas caught my attention yesterday. On ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ yesterday evening an expert talked about a ‘trompe l’oeil’. I hadn’t heard of it before, so I had to ask Mr Google. Apparently, it translates from French as ‘deceive the eye’. It’s a technique used in painting and other visual arts to create realisticContinue reading “Deception, Love and Death”

At Sunday School I was taught about Jesus – his birth, his miracles, his disciples, his teaching his death and his resurrection. I was taught about who he was in familiar pictures – the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Living Water. I learnt that he was a prophet, a priest, a sacrifice, aContinue reading “The Outlaw”

Earlier this week a grandmother brought her granddaughter to our church parent and toddler group. She sent the little girl’s mother a picture of her enjoying ‘snack time’. She mis-typed the message; the child was enjoying ‘smack time’. A small detail makes a big difference! This morning, I finished ‘Exodus’. It starts with Israel asContinue reading “Paying Attention to Small Details”

Last night we went to Norwich to watch ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’. The West End production had excellent reviews… …Jenny believes her new home is haunted. She hears something every night at 2.22. Her husband Sam believes that there must be a rational explanation. Old friend Lauren and her partner Ben come for dinner. There’sContinue reading “What Do You Believe?”