Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

This morning’s ‘Lectio 365’ devotional reading quotes the Filipina writer and social activist, Melba Maggay: ‘So this we believe: a kingdom of justice and righteousness has begun, and it’s making its way into people’s lives and denting structures that continue to oppress and dehumanise. Such work is seldom done in the corridors of power norContinue reading “Small Acts of Integrity and Goodness”

In yesterday’s news… …Researchers from King’s College London have found that introducing peanuts into babies’ diets can reduce the risk of peanut allergy by 71 per cent. Professor Gideon Lack said: ‘Decades of advice to avoid peanuts has made parents fearful of introducing peanuts at an early age. The evidence is clear that early introductionContinue reading “Prevention”

One of my favourite Roger Whittaker songs is ‘Why’. Written fifty years ago, Whittaker asks about climate change, lost love, regret… universal questions of why things happen as they do: Will the grass be gone from underneath the skyWill the golden flower wither soon and dieWill the fire burn out the landAnd the sea fill-upContinue reading “Why – The final question?”

Last week on holiday we visited Flamborough Head, just North of Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast. From the cliff top we observed seals on the beach. An excited group of bird-watchers had seen an Icterine Warbler in a hedge. Rachel saw it; I didn’t. Apparently they’re pretty rare. At the RSPB site at Bempton seaContinue reading “Observing, Inspecting, Searching…”

I’ve always considered ‘Where No One Stands Alone’ as an Elvis Presley gospel song that others have ‘borrowed’. Here’s one of the many versions: Once I stood in the nightWith my head bowed lowIn the darkness as black as could beAnd my heart felt alone and I cried, “Oh LordDon’t hide your face from me”Continue reading “Where No One Stands Alone”

Yesterday we visited Burton Constable Hall, a large Elizabethan country house in East Yorkshire. Visiting the house, we learned some of the history of the Constable family; we enjoyed the grounds, designed by the famous eighteenth-century garden designer Capability Brown… I was entertained by various signs… I’ve never seen one like this, directing us toContinue reading “Ambiguity, Contradictions and Apparent Nonsense”

As part of Westboro Baptist Church Megan Phelps-Roper was one of ‘Us’; the rest of the world were ‘Them’. Her homophobic, anti-Semitic beliefs, based on her clear understanding of Biblical ‘Truth’, led to offensive, hurtful actions. From a position of extreme belief she had the courage to change her mind, heart and actions. After leavingContinue reading “Us and Them – A Response”

Yesterday Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a rain-soaked Downing Street speech, announced a July 4th general election, saying, ‘Who do you trust?’… ‘Us’ or ‘Them’ The Labour leader Keir Starmer responded, saying that the election is the ‘moment the country’s been waiting for’. It’s ‘Us’ that can bring the needed change – not ‘Them’. OverContinue reading “Us and Them – The Reality”

Yesterday we travelled to the East Coast of Yorkshire where we’re staying for a few days. This is the view we have from our bungalow – a beautiful relaxing spot. We went out for a meal. On the other side of the pub a group of about fifteen women were sitting round a big table…Continue reading “That Don’t Bother Me?”

‘…A time to weep and a time to laugh…’ Sometimes we weep; sometimes we laugh; sometimes the two come together. Yesterday the Infected Blood Inquiry’s report was published, concluding that thousands of victims were repeatedly failed by the NHS and successive governments – after being infected with HIV and hepatitis C. Prime Minister Rishi SunakContinue reading “Joy and Sadness Together”