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Provincial Junior Writers Contest, Trinity Christmas 2005

February, 2006

Some of the entries from the Trinity-Christmas 2005 Provincial Junior Writers Contest are below. Watch for the winners announcement in the next Provincial newsletter. Also watch for next contest's topics and deadlines. Thank you to all for your excellent entries!

Program Rules and Guidelines

Table of Contents

1. Rose, age 10 (first entry)
2. Rose, age 10 (second entry)
3. Ruby, age 14
4. Callum, age 5
5. Morgan, age 8
6. Myriah, age 13

Daniel

Daniel

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Most twentieth century Americans have never felt their lives to be jeopardized because of their Christianity. Imagine how most people would react when placed in that kind of situation. Always faithful to God, the Old-Testament prophet Daniel went through great hardship. He served very powerful and unstable rulers, but Daniel never interpreted a dream or message falsely to gain human favor. Although it became illegal to worship the Lord, he continued praying devotedly three times a day. Daniel maintained his conviction towards the Lord, even as he was cast into a pit of hungry lions. Forever trusting and believing, he gave himself completely to the Lord.

Daniel translated messages from God for the great kings of Babylonia; he did not base his explanations on what would most please the King. "God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to and end. You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and the Persians," he boldly told King Balthazar (NIV Daniel 5:26-28). In that time, most kings would have killed a man who prophesied the downfall of the kingdom. However, Daniel was touched by the spirit of God, and instead of slaying him, the king gave him great respect and power. Daniel's trust that he would not be harmed led him to become one of the king's rulers.

After they saw how the king favored Daniel, the other rulers became jealous. They told king Darius, "We have agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the degree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you , O king, shall be thrown into the lion's den," (NIV Daniel 6:7) But Daniel had no intention of ceasing to worship Yahweh even under penalty of death. Every day he knelt and prayed three times, despite the king's command. Daniel's loyalty to the Lord would never fail, against any adversity.

Daniel's enemies forced the king to throw him into the lion's den. "You always serve your God faithfully. So may he save you." he called down before sealing the door with a boulder (NIV Daniel 5:30). However, Daniel was not afraid. So God sent his angels to render the lions incapable of harming His follower. Because of Daniel's devotion to the Lord, he remained unscathed.

In the end, to serve God was less painful than to disobey Him, for later, the men who had cast Daniel into the pit were thrown in themselves. They did not believe, so in turn, the Lord did not spare them. God protects His faithful servants from the unbelievers, no matter how much mortal power they command. One only has to follow God's will, and remain unmoved by mortal fears; when one listens to the Lord, how difficult can it be to go with the way that is right?

-- Ruby, age 14

Daniel

Once upon a time there was a king named Darius. He was the only one people could pray to. But Daniel prayed to his God anyway. Some people spied on him and then told the king. Then Daniel was thrown into the lions den. The angel kept the lions mouth shut, and Daniel was not hurt at all. In the morning the king came and let Daniel out. The king said everyone should worship Daniel's God.

-- Callum, age "five and three quarters"

Daniel

-- Morgan, age 8

Daniel

-- Myriah, age 13

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