Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday’s news included an interview with Phoebe-Rae Taylor, a girl with cerebral palsy from Billericay. The Essex schoolgirl has landed her first acting role in the new Disney film, ‘Out of My Mind’. Phoebe-Rae plays Melody Brooks a non-verbal wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. In the film, Melody use assistive technology, voiced by Jennifer Aniston.Continue reading “Dealing with Difference”

Oliver’s in the workhouse restricted to three small bowlfuls of gruel each day: ‘Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: “Please, sir, I want some more.” TheContinue reading “Please, Sir, I Want Some More”

How great the chasm that lay between usHow high the mountain I could not climbIn desperation, I turned to heavenAnd spoke your name into the nightThen through the darkness your loving kindnessTore through the shadows of my soulThe work is finished, the end is writtenJesus Christ, my living hope We shall sing this Phil WickhamContinue reading “Living Hope”

When we were children we would ‘go out to play’. As long as we were back for dinner or tea at the Mum-decreed time we could go where we wanted. Sometimes I went with a group of boys ‘up the rec’ (the recreation ground) to play football. Sometimes I joined a group of boys andContinue reading “Coming – Ready or Not”

Last night Rachel and I went for a meal to The Ship; we haven’t been there for several years. New owners took it on last year, and we’d heard good reports… A young man sitting at the bar said ‘Hello’, with a smile, ‘It’s good to see you!’ I had to do rapid thinking. WhoContinue reading “Grabbing the Opportunity”

Andrea and Laurence have just got engaged; their love will lead to plans for their wedding and hope for the future. Yesterday was Valentine’s Day… St Valentine married couples who were in love but couldn’t get married in Rome legally. Emperor Claudius II had outlawed weddings because he thought that marriage would be an obstacleContinue reading “Love’s Plans and Hopes”

Yesterday was Pancake Day; we enjoyed our pancakes. Others celebrated Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday – with more elaborate festivities. It was also Shrove Tuesday. ‘Shrove’ comes from the Old English word ‘shrive,’ which means to confess our sins to God and receive His absolution or forgiveness. Traditionally this happened in preparation for the periodContinue reading “Seeing Beyond the Pancakes”

Reading through the Bible, the first few weeks were easy – Genesis, Exodus – great narratives – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses… Leviticus, Numbers are fascinating but less straightforward. Rules and regulations, sacrifices and sex,  health and haircuts… are either avoided, ignored or accepted selectively. Then, today, in the middle of offerings and vows, tabernaclesContinue reading “The Lord Bless You…”

Yesterday we celebrated grandson-Zak’s twenty-first birthday. Daughter-Jo had asked him what he wanted and ‘Granny’s roast dinner’ was part of the requirement. Girlfriend Cay came too. There were presents and balloons – as well Granny’s birthday cake, cheesecake and banoffee pie. It was a lovely family occasion. Zak talked about his ‘now’ – his currentContinue reading “Now and Always”

My worth is not in what I ownNot in the strength of flesh and boneBut in the costly wounds of loveAt the cross My worth is not in skill or nameIn win or lose, in pride or shameBut in the blood of Christ that flowedAt the cross As summer flowers we fade and dieFame, youthContinue reading “My Worth Is Not In What I Own”