PROMISES 1

A Collection of
Poems for Christian Children
(5-10 years)

Family, Creation, Bible


Lyn Hurry

2007


EXAMPLES from PROMISES 1

DONKEY’S LOAD

I had never carried anything, because I’m only small.
I stayed beside my mother - the gentlest one of all.
I watched and learned from others, as I practised how to bray (!!!!)
And soon I’ll have a master. I look forward to that day.

I didn’t feel so special - although Mum said that I was.
But now I am, I know it! And that is all because
I went into Jerusalem with the man they called a king.
Upon my back I carried him through crowds - and heard them sing.

They threw palm leaves and garments upon the dusty road.
They praised him with Hosannas, He was such a precious load.
He patted me so gently and he looked into my eyes.
And I felt HUGE!

So I was sad
when he whispered -
Goodbye.

L. Hurry 2004



SMILE TIME

There are many different reasons for a smile upon a face:
birthday parties, getting presents, going to a friendly place.
We can smile to show we’re happy, that we want to be a mate;
when we share a special secret or surprise - can hardly wait!

Babies playing get us grinning; being told that we are loved.
We can tell somebody Thank you with a smile - it is enough.
At a fun park, in a movie, the excitement makes us laugh.
Jokes and stories get us giggling, so do bubbles in the bath.

If you visit a sick person, one big smile can help to fix.
Show delight for personal triumphs - winning prizes, doing tricks.
There are people who have problems and their smiles are very few.
A sad face should never last long; here is something you can do:

If you see someone without a smile at home or out of doors,
don’t hesitate or worry, don’t be bashful - give them yours!

L. Hurry 2000


THE LITTLE SEED

The little seed was all alone,
in dark and damp and dirt.
Her father said that she would grow.
She wondered: would it hurt?

One morning when she yawned and stretched,
she found her legs and arms!
The rain seeped through and quenched her thirst.
The earth felt moist and warm.

Perhaps I’m growing, thought the seed.
I’m feeling very weird.
But not afraid, just curious.
For now more legs appeared.

She poked her head up through the earth
and felt the welcome sun.
And looking round she saw that she
was not the only one.

For bobbing up with happy smiles
were lots of seeds she knew.
But now they played with bees and ants,
were friends with earthworms too.

And as she waved her leafy arms,
they called to her: Yoo-hoo!
You’re such a pretty flower. Aren’t
you pleased now that you grew?

L. Hurry 2006



DANIEL'S WEAPONS

When the lions came - did Daniel cry?
Did he have a stick to poke in their eye?

Did he hide in the dark? Did he carry a knife?
Did he throw some stones to save his life?

Did he light a fire to keep them away?
No, he used his voice and his hands –

To pray!

L. Hurry 2005

PROMISES 2

A Collection of
Poems for Christians
(10 years to Adult)

Family, Creation, Bible


Lyn Hurry

2008




EXAMPLES from PROMISES 2


THE CANDLE

See the flickering flame that brightens every Christian life.
Symbol of the one who lightens burdens, tears and strife.
In the darkness how it glistens, cheers despairing souls.
Through the Saviour, those who listen, God will make them whole.
Stronger grows the fire, lighting up the heart.
His fire will burn within you if you let it -
let it start.

Christmas candle glow serenely in the silent dark.
Welcome pilgrims to the manger, cold and dry and stark.
There to see the tiny baby sent to light the way.
In His warmth, eternal glory promised from this day.
Shining ever brightly, His light will not pale.
This candle is a symbol of God’s love which
never fails.

© Lyn Hurry



BOO - ’RAY
Moses led the people to the Promised Land.
From Egyptians they all had to flee ... (Boo!)
The Israelites escaped (but the Egyptians did not).
God parted the waters of the sea ... (‘Ray!)

Daniel disobeyed the new law of prayer
and was put into a filthy lions’ den ... (Boo!)
But God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths
so Dan prospered and dreamed again ... (‘Ray!)

Herod ordered all boy babies to be killed
to leave his own kingdom in no doubt ... (Boo!)
But Jesus was the Saviour born in Bethlehem
and that’s what Christmas is about ... (‘Ray!)

The multitudes had gathered to hear Jesus speak.
Five loaves and two fish was all to eat ... (Boo!)
Jesus blessed the food so there was much to spare.
As a miracle that’s very hard to beat ... (‘Ray!)

Lazarus had died and was lying in the tomb.
Four days all his friends stayed to mourn ... (Boo!)
Then Jesus came and cried: Lazarus, come forth,
and he walked out like a man re-born ... (‘Ray!)

The Romans hung Jesus on a wooden cross
and put a crown of thorns upon his head ... (Boo!)
But God had a plan for the saving of mankind.
He raised his Son Jesus from the dead ... (‘Ray!)

Yes, He raised Christ Jesus from the dead

© Lyn Hurry


THE YESTERDAY TREE
They’ve cut down my tree! There’s a huge, ghastly space
where the Moreton Bay Fig used to be.
And I mourn for that tree as I would for a friend;
it held so many memories for me.

It stood stubbornly lone in a big vacant block,
centre stage for whatever we did.
During every spare hour we would climb to the top;
it was Fantasyland for us kids.

Amid thick clumps of leaves on the welcoming boughs,
we rode horses or braved lashing storms.
On a day far too hot we lay fanned and at ease,
hushed to dreams by bees’ hypnotic hum.

There were birds in my tree; they built marvellous nests
and laid eggs - two or three each July.
I remember the time that we scared off a snake;
watched in turn, ‘til the last chick could fly.

I learnt more in that tree than in any classroom;
studied insects with silvery wings.
From the top of my tree I could wave at the clouds;
in the distance the school-bell would ring.

For a hundred more years, I expected, my tree -
solid, faithful and strong - might stand
as a symbolic heaven for young ones like me.
Stark reality’s never so grand.

Without warning they came with machines and with ropes,
noisy men, their intent to destroy;
making way for new homes and more families with kids.
There’ll be no tree for them to enjoy.

I could not stand and watch while that treasure came down.
I returned all alone at the dawn.
There is nothing left there; they have torn up its roots;
and I cry with the birds, forlorn.

© Lyn Hurry


CHOICES

Dramatic Monologues

by

Lyn Hurry
Twenty-five of the best-loved biblical personalities
Five-minute selections from both Old and New Testaments,
suitable for ages 10 to 110, and including performance notes.

Volume One
(Volumes Two and Three in progress)


Read, Teach, Listen, Perform, Enjoy

CHOICES
FEMALE CHARACTERS
Name Biblical Reference
1. BATHSHEBA 2 Samuel 11-12
2. DELILAH Judges 16
3. ELIZABETH Luke 1
4. HANNAH 1 Samuel 1-3
5. JEMIMAH Job
6. MARTHA Luke 10, John 11
7. MARY MAGDALENE Matthew. 28, Mark 16
Luke 24, John 20
8. MIRIAM Exodus 7-15
9. NOAH’S WIFE Genesis 6-9
10. REBEKAH Genesis 27
11. RUTH Ruth
12. SICK WOMAN Luke 8

MALE CHARACTERS
Name Biblical Reference

13. BLIND MAN John 9
14. BOY John 6
(with loaves and fishes)
15. DANIEL Daniel 6
16. DAVID 1 Samuel 17
17. JONAH Jonah
18. JOSEPH Matthew 1, Luke 1
(Mary’s husband)
19. NEBUCHADNEZZAR Daniel 1-2
20. PAUL Acts 7, 8, 9
21. PETER Acts 12
22. PILATE Mark 15, Luke 23
23. SOLOMON I Kings 3
24. WISE MAN Matthew 2
25. ZACCHAEUS Luke 19