Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

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”

This is Larry and Ray from Men’s Shed. One suggested caption was the old joke, ‘You nod your head when you’re ready and I’ll hit it’. Another was ‘Must get Larry a bigger workbench.’ I prefer it without a caption, imagining what was going on, what happened before and after, imagining their conversation. Under thisContinue reading “Saying Nothing”

When the night has comeAnd the land is darkAnd the moon is the only light we’ll seeNo, I won’t be afraidOh, I won’t be afraidJust as long as you stand, stand by me The original Ben E King version of this great song is always the best; yesterday I enjoyed a different version… The messageContinue reading “Standing with Frogs, Nicholas, Seagulls, and Marion”

I thought I knew Bohemian Rhapsody. I’ve heard it so many times… Freddy Mercury and Queen, the stage-show ‘We Will Rock You’, I’ve played it (badly!) for children to sing… Then I heard it performed by 13-year-old Angelina Jordan. It has different emphases, suggesting different meanings. It’s different, reinvented. Nick Cave talks about life’s turningContinue reading “Reinvention, Reordering, Rebirth”

Yesterday I read: Author and journalist Jemimah Wright: ‘At the end of 2023, Pamela Anderson, 56, went make-up free to the British Fashion Council’s fundraiser in London and the reaction was, predictably, huge. It is very unusual for anyone in the public eye to have their naked face ‘unmasked’; exposing the fact that they areContinue reading “Unmasked”

Yesterday we learnt of the death of the actor Ian Lavender, who’s best remembered for playing Private Frank Pike in the classic wartime BBC sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’. Pike was the naïve, hapless, youngest member of the Home Guard platoon. He’d often get in trouble with its commander, Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), who frequently referred toContinue reading “Stupid Boy Syndrome”

Yesterday… …walking in the afternoon. There was a beautiful sunset – different shades of blue sky, red and orange sun, white and grey clouds. As we walked the colours changed. We stopped several times to look. We shall never see that particular sunset again, but we shall enjoy other sunsets in the future. …reading aboutContinue reading “It Is No More, But It Still Is”

I can only imagineWhat it will be likeWhen I walk by Your sideI can only imagineWhat my eyes would seeWhen Your face is before meI can only imagine. I can only imagineWhen that day comesAnd I find myselfStanding in the SonI can only imagineWhen all I will doIs forever, forever worship YouI can only imagine.Continue reading “I Can Only Imagine”