My ancestors, two generations back on my maternal side, hail from Scotland.
Our family name was then Glendenning and there is still a small piece of
southern Scotland that bears that clan name. Our family tree has been
traced back to King Robert the Bruce and his claim to fame is immortalised
in the story of the spider and the saying, "If at first you don’t succeed,
try, try, try again." That was in 1306. In 1314 he led the army that
defeated the English at Bannockburn. One of my ancestors, Matthew
Glendenning, was Bishop of Glasgow in 1408, but we can’t trace any other
Glendenning descendant mounting the steps to a pulpit until my
ordination13 years ago.

I’m no warrior so if I have inherited anything from King Robert the Bruce
it can only be determination; a refusal to give up; an urge to try, try,
try again. People are divided into two categories when they are confronted
with any demand, task or challenge. There are those who say, "It’s
hopeless", and there are those who say, "I’ll try".

When we read the stories of the healing miracles of Jesus, again and again
we see that it was the man or woman who was prepared to try who received
the healing. There was the paralytic lowered into the room before Jesus
through a hole in the roof (Mark 2:1-12); the man with the withered hand
(Matthew 12:10-13); the man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-42) and many other
miracles.

There are still many who doubt that the message of 1st Corinthians chapter
12 is for them. In this chapter we are told that we are all part of the
body and each of us has God-given gifts by which we edify and evangelise.
Yet how many will say, "I couldn’t do that" or "I haven’t the confidence"
or "I wouldn’t know how."

Many years ago a saleswoman dreamed of becoming the sales champion in her
organisation. She vowed that within one year she would win the top sales
award. And she did. When she was asked what she had learned about
winning, she said, "Not much. I learned more about trying than I learned
about winning. Trying gave me a renewed confidence to get off my backside
and do something. I learned that there may be good reasons for not
winning, but there are no good excuses for not trying." God wants us to
try, to make an effort, so that others may be blessed by our works.

Have a good week. Pastor Ron
Optional Bible reading: 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement originating
from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. A companion
Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe email
<> with the words ’subscribe word’ (or) ’subscribe word
and study’ Enquire about our weekly ‘Kids World’ email newsletter for
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Pastor Ron Clarke (Mark 16:15)
Email:
Internet Home Pages: http://www.pastornet.net.au/word4week

(Kids World)
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