Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday: Bacon roll time at Men’s Shed… a buzz of conversation (who says that men don’t talk?!)… the usual unrepeatable banter… Reg’s mankini (with bells on – it’s a Christmas one, you know)… Richard’s leopard-skin thong (it’s not been worn recently)… Graham and Albert were chatting. Albert’s wife passed away ten weeks ago; Graham lostContinue reading “Crisis and Character”

Lowestoft’s Gull Wing bridge finally opened on Saturday morning. Initially only pedestrians crossed. Many posted close-up selfies on social media; there were also drone’s-eye pictures of the hundreds crossing the bridge. Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said: ‘Today is a significant moment in Lowestoft’s proud history, and it was wonderful to see soContinue reading “Close-Ups and the Drone’s-Eye View”

Sarah and Kim, two young teenage Christians, taught us the Graham Kendrick song ‘I’m Special’ in church about thirty years ago. It was seen to be a children’s song; I love it because it is simple yet profound, powerful and meaningful, to people of all ages. I’m special because God has loved me,For He gaveContinue reading “I’m Special”

Some days a phrase or idea keeps cropping up… Yesterday at ‘Music For Wellbeing’ it was Ernie and Diane’s ruby wedding anniversary. Diane has Parkinsons; Ernie’s totally committed to caring for Diane. We talked football. Ernie’s a Coventry City fan. He’s also a Lowestoft Town season ticket holder. He goes to all of the LowestoftContinue reading “Totally Committed”

Yesterday someone on TV used the phrase ‘all the gear, no idea’. I thought of one guy who bought several top of the range guitars, cases, amplifiers… but couldn’t play and didn’t play… Another gent I know thought he’d take up golf. He spent a lot of money on golf clubs, a bag, trolley, clothing…Continue reading “All the Gear, No Idea.”

In his article ‘The Significance of Now’, writer and researcher Joe Wharton says: ‘The stories of our lives contain many chapters. Some are exciting, some are dull, some change gradually, some very suddenly. Some we choose and some we don’t… whatever stage of life you’re in right now, God is with you there…’ Wharton describesContinue reading “The Significance of Now”

I had a weird dream last night. We were moving. Our furniture was outside our house. Folks were looking round the house considering whether they wanted to buy it. We knew we were leaving the home we’d lived in for nearly forty years, but didn’t know where we were going. I felt alone, insecure, uncertain,Continue reading “Moving On”

It’s the end of the holiday season… many folks’ conversations are about where they’ve been and what they’ve done… where we stayed, what our weather was like… the food eaten, souvenirs bought, memories created, illness contracted, lessons learnt… Part of the story often includes the journey – the airport we were stranded in, our carContinue reading “Journeys and Destinations”

Flimsy Walls: The prophet Ezekiel was challenged by religious and political leaders who deceived the people, saying, ‘‘Peace’, when there is no peace’. (13:10) Ezekiel tells the story of men who build a flimsy, rickety wall. To cover its fragility, they cover it in whitewash. It looks good, but isn’t fit for purpose. Then theContinue reading “Walls – Flimsy or Solid”

This song has good memories for me – Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker singing… Richard Gere in the 1982 film ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’… the message of faith, hope and love – themes found in Psalm 103 Who knows what tomorrow brings?In a world, few hearts surviveAll I know is the way I feelWhen it’sContinue reading “Up Where We Belong”