Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday afternoon we saw New Zealand and Australia ‘welcoming in’ 2024. Then, as the Big Ben struck midnight, we saw a spectacular display of fireworks and lights over the London skyline. We ‘welcomed in’ 2024. The picture that I’ve imagined until now has me standing behind a door. 2024 knocks. I open the door andContinue reading “Welcome, 2024!”

There’s a place where the streets shineWith the glory of the Lamb.There’s a way, we can go there,We can live there beyond time. Because of You, because of You,Because of Your love,Because of Your blood. Each year I read through my Bible. On January 1st I start at the beginning of Genesis with creation andContinue reading “Because Of You”

Recently Jack spent several days in hospital; now he’s home, awaiting urgent surgery. His physical illness is affecting his mental health. Yesterday he said that he doesn’t recognise himself, quoting Shakespeare’s King Lear who says: ‘Doth any here know me? This is not Lear. Doth Lear walk thus, speak thus?…’ From being undisputed King andContinue reading “Who Am I?”

Yesterday… …The oil light had kept coming on in our car. For anything mechanical or technological I’m clueless. I opened the bonnet, found the dipstick, established that there wasn’t sufficient oil… At the local petrol station there were ten different sorts of oil. ‘How do I know which sort of oil I need?’ I askedContinue reading “But I Still Don’t Understand!”

Yesterday afternoon I walked along the seafront. The previous day the sky was blue; many were out trying to walk off their Christmas excesses. Yesterday the sky was grey, the wind was strong. Hardly anyone else was out. On the South Pier it was difficult to stand up. I walked back. Horizontal rain was comingContinue reading “Blowing in the Wind”

On Monday hundreds took part in the Lowestoft Christmas Day swim. It’s a good annual event that raises thousands of pounds for charity. I’m still amazed at the hardy souls who swim in the North Sea most days, all the year round. The exceedingly cold water is certainly a shock to the system! They sayContinue reading “A Shock to the System”

Yesterday… …We went to our Christmas Day church service. There were carols and prayers. Children and adults showed off their Christmas presents; others talked about their family Christmas traditions of not opening their presents until later… We lit our fifth advent candle and remembered the gift of the Christ-child – and how he brings usContinue reading “Christmas Gifts”

Over the past four weeks throughout Advent I’ve mused again on the old story, on prophesies and pregnancies, Nazareth and Bethlehem, angels from heavenand ordinary people with problems, God’s plan and human confusion… This Christmas morning, a day that will be filled with activity, I pause, and gather with others looking in at the manger.Continue reading “Round the manger – with Bishop Graham, Mary and Fred”

Come and lay your head upon my shoulderLook outside, the stars are shining brightEven though it’s turned a little colderWe can light a fire, stay inside Hear the angels sing, hear the angels singHallelujah from aboveSinging peace on Earth, there’ll be peace on EarthIf we open up our hearts and give a little love ThisContinue reading “The Greatest Gift”

Strength and vulnerability this week… On the news there’s been Storm Pia – we’ve seen the strength of the winds, and the vulnerability of those who have experienced power cuts, fallen trees or stormy seas. Yesterday should have been my ‘Singing for Health’ group. It was cancelled due to a spate of Covid infections amongstContinue reading “Strength and Vulnerability”