Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

‘Liar, liar, pants on fire’… As a young child my Christian upbringing taught me that the ten commandments said, ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’; the moral imperative was to ‘speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.’ My vivid imagination added humour to the undoubted truth about truth. A young manContinue reading “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire,”

Last night I enjoyed ‘School Assembly Bangers’ with James Partridge. James is a music teacher, who has become famous on social media singing school assembly songs from forty years ago. He now tours the country, entertaining with nostalgic singalongs. We had a wonderful evening at The Seagull Theatre, remembering ‘Lord of the dance’, ‘Give meContinue reading “One More Step Along The World I Go”

Yesterday… …Singing ‘Sloop John B’ at our ‘Singing for Health’ group. We sung it with joy and energy. It was good fun. It’s an old folk song from the Bahamas – about boats carrying pineapples. The writer‘s far from fun. ‘This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on’. He’s badly treated; there’s drunken fights;Continue reading “Give Up and Go Home.”

Last night we watched – and thoroughly enjoyed – Fabba, a theatre company for adults with learning disabilities, present ‘Fabba and the Chocolate Factory’ – an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. A young boy, Charlie Bucket lives in poverty with his family. Charlie’s Grandpa Joe tells Charlie about the local chocolateContinue reading “Fabba and the Chocolate Factory”

I’m reading Deuteronomy. As Moses tells Israel’s national history he frequently repeats that their God rescued them from Egypt ‘with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm’. It’s a phrase that other Old Testament writers use – particularly the prophet Jeremiah… The mighty hand is strong, powerful, has the potential to achieve; the outstretched armContinue reading “With a Mighty Hand and an Outstretched Arm”

Last night a group of us discussed Jesus’ challenging words: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’ On a different occasion Jesus answered the question, ‘Who is my neighbour?’; I don’t recall him ever answering, ‘Who is my enemy?’. We talked about war – Gaza, Ukraine, World Wars; we talked about politicalContinue reading “Love Your Enemy”

In school I frequently led a daily school assembly that usually involved a story… Through one term I asked for random objects to be brought. Staff and pupils presented me with… a cabbage, fire extinguisher, favourite cuddly toy, javelin, tin of beans… that I had to include in that day’s story. My blog presents aContinue reading “Making Sense of the Random”

At church yesterday Lou was talking about St Paul’s words to followers of Jesus… their work should be whole-hearted… We watched the World Indoor Athletics Championships from Glasgow over the weekend. We particularly enjoyed the two British gold medals – Josh Kerr in the 3,000m and Molly Caudery in the pole vault. New Zealander GeordieContinue reading “Whole-hearted”

My Christian heritage says that ‘Forever and ever, Amen’ is about God’s kingdom, power and glory; Randy Travis in this song says it’s about love… You may think that I’m talkin’ foolishYou’ve heard that I’m wild and I’m freeYou may wonder how I can promise you nowThis love that I feel for you always willContinue reading “Forever and Ever, Amen”

The Israelites have been in the desert for thirty-eight years. Moses is addressing the nation before they enter their long awaited ‘Promised Land’. He talks about the Anakites – local people who are bigger and stronger than they are. He reminds them of a local saying: ‘Who can stand against the Anakites?’ (Deuteronomy 9:2) EarlierContinue reading “Standing Against The Anakites.”