Category Archives: Uncategorized

Discussion about racism continues – in football, business, the police force… BBC Panorama have been investigating racism in the Church of England; the programme is broadcast tonight. I often have conversations with my Brazilian son-in-law Allan about racism in the church. He’s talked about his friend Petersen – coming to England in 2011, working forContinue reading “Peterson Feital”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral yesterday was simple, dignified and impressive. His favourite hymn deserves musing. O hear us when we cry to Thee,For those in peril on the sea. Written by Anglican churchman, teacher and musician William Whiting in 1860 it‘s often known as ‘The Sailor’s Hymn’. Based on Psalm 107 it talks aboutContinue reading “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,”

Yesterday’s news included the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral plans, Tory sleaze, covid vaccines… and Colin the Caterpillar. ‘Colin the Caterpillar’ is a chocolate roll cake sold by Marks and Spencer. Since its introduction in 1990 Colin has acquired and retains a reputation for his distinctive, consistent high quality. More than 15 million Colin cakes haveContinue reading “Colin the Caterpillar”

Yesterday I had conversations with an optometrist, engineer, teacher, banker and insurance man… I remembered saying, ‘tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief’… whilst counting cherry stones… Whichever word was the final cherry stone indicated my future. Apparently this goes back to ‘William Caxton’s ‘The Game and Playe of the ChesseContinue reading “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Sailor…”

David Ksieniewicz was golfing in South Carolina last week. His shot landed on an alligator lying near a pond. The alligator didn’t move… Golf-playing friends make excuses; I don’t recall any being alligator-related! Apparently the U.S. Golf Association rule book makes allowances for alligators: ‘Rule 16 covers when and how the player may take freeContinue reading “On Top of the World”

A year ago I started a blog, 300-320 words each day. It wouldn’t be a nice, cheery, Christian thought for the day, nor an evangelistic, preachy Bible study containing comfortable or familiar clichés. My friends are Christian, sort-of-Christian, used-to-be-Christian and definitely-not-Christian. Conversations usually start with the ordinary, everyday, personal, humorous or sad… They may thenContinue reading “Lessons of Musing”

I’ve written my daily ‘Malcolm’s Musings’ for a year. It seems a good time to review… I retired from teaching in 2008, grateful that I was still (relatively!) fit. There were problems and challenges at home and church but life was good. I took on additional responsibilities in church, studied (MTh in Applied Theology) andContinue reading “Musings Anniversary”

Last week we watched the Robin Williams film ‘Patch Adams’. Based on a true story it tells the story of trainee-doctor ‘Patch Adams’. Rebelling against the cold, soulless methods of his training, Patch upsets the hospital authorities by bringing joy and laughter to the sick and dying, and demonstrating warm-hearted compassion. He says: ‘If youContinue reading “Priorities: Patch, Geoff and Solomon”

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they crucified my Lord? I first heard this old African-American spiritual when I was a child. I answered, ‘No’. My literal, childish brain was right… For as long asContinue reading “Were You There?”

Over the last 24 hours there have been a succession of written and spoken tributes paid to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His life of selfless service, pursuit of integrity, sense of duty and hard work have been recognised and commended. His willingness to stay out of the limelight and be the ‘unsung hero’,Continue reading “The Duke of Edinburgh”