Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

I’ve often reflected on the ages and stages of life… different chapters in life’s book, acts in life’s play, carriages in life’s train… I’ve considered Shakespeare’s ‘seven ages of man’… the helpless infant, whining schoolboy, emotional lover, devoted soldier, wise judge, old man, helpless aged… I’ve mused on Ecclesiastes: ‘There is a time for everything,Continue reading “The Human Seasons”

Yesterday I was chatting to my friend Bill. A few years ago, he went into hospital with sepsis, was in an induced coma for a month, caught covid… He talked about what it was like to be in a coma… Bill’s experience reminded me of the end of Jesus’ story of the ‘Prodigal Son’. WhenContinue reading “The Challenge of Paradox”

We’ve been watching the leaves falling from our horse-chestnut tree in our front garden. I spent some time yesterday raking up the leaves, collecting them together into a pile that I shall cover and forget about. Unseen, they will decompose and become wonderful leaf-mould that in the future I can dig into our garden. IContinue reading “The Seen and the Unseen”

Following Bobby Charlton’s death we’ve reflected on the man he was and all that he achieved. We’ve seen old interviews, remembered the 1958 Munich air disaster, which killed eight of the then 20-year-old’s Manchester United team-mates: ‘…it still touches me every day. Sometimes it fills me with a terrible regret and sadness – and guiltContinue reading “The Day That Changed My Life”

On Saturday we learnt of Sir Bobby Charlton’s death. Many tributes have been paid. We’ve remembered one of greatest sportsman to play football for Manchester United and England. We celebrate his goal scoring achievements, his footballing successes. Sir Bobby was a hero to many in Manchester, the United Kingdom and around the world. Above allContinue reading “Remember, Celebrate, Learn”

Who can sound the depths of sorrowIn the Father heart of GodFor the children we’ve rejectedFor the lives so deeply scarredAnd each light that we’ve extinguishedHas brought darkness to our landUpon our nation, have mercy Lord We have scorned the truth You gave usWe have bowed to other lordsWe have sacrificed the childrenOn the altarsContinue reading “Who Can Sound the Depths of Sorrow”

Yesterday, on page 3 of our Lowestoft Journal, the headline read ‘Tortoise Stolen’. Clearly this is of significant importance: ‘Police are searching for a 43-year-old tortoise that was stolen from a home in Lowestoft.’ No doubt our local police are out in force, scouring the town and local countryside. This must be a top priority…Continue reading “Tortoise Musings”

Last night we saw FABBA, a theatre company for adults with learning disabilities, present ‘Stig of the Dump’. Based loosely around the Clive King children’s novel. We thoroughly enjoyed a ‘brand new script full of adventure, love and friendship.’ ‘Barney is trying to save the village when he stumbles across Stig, a caveman. They bothContinue reading “Stig of the Dump”

I was reading about John Calvin, the French theologian and reformer during the Protestant Reformation. He spent some time living in Geneva; Geneva’s coat of arms bore the Latin inscription ‘Post Tenebras Spero Lucem’ – after darkness I hope for light… This was used by protestants to compare the light of their reformed view ofContinue reading “Post Tenebras Spero Lucem”

The teacher knew the law ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. He asked: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Jesus answered with the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’… Yesterday, responding to the war and suffering, the Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem called for a global day of prayer and fasting for justice, reconciliation, peace, and anContinue reading “Who Is My Neighbour?”