Author's Anecdote (inside info on my book "Seasons for Your Soul:Psalms and Poems") #1

When I was approached with the idea of turning my poems into a devotional - I laughed! 365 days? Your kidding? I had that many poems already written but knew that I needed them to be of a certain genre. They were all too diverse to work well in a devtional format. But the seed had been planted. I've always been given to be open to the Spirit's leading and about 2 days after the idea, I wrote a new poem. It had to do with the idea of the beginning of a devotional and can be found on p. 193, Winter, Day 1. That was on a dark, rainy night in November. The poems kept coming, sometimes every day , but I might go 2 or 3 days without one and think "Ah, that was a good idea but it'll never happen" and then 2 or 3 poems would come to me to make up for the days they were not. After 14 months from the day that I consciously began writing for "the project" I had 365 poems. I couldn't believe it, but God could. I still smile, remembering how easy the thoughts were penned. God always wins in the end!

Savior - Christmas

We were never meant to

deal with evil.

In the garden, in the beginning.

God made sure it wasn't revealed,

but in keeping with His truthful nature

the tree of knowledge wasn't concealed.

Perhaps it existed because He wanted to show

that He was protecting us

from what we shouldn't know.

We couldn't handle the conflagration;

distrust of his words led to our fall,

far from His protection

the direction we took

would condems us all.

*

The Son of God - Jesus by name,

came to live out the perfection

that only God Himself could maintain

and offered to us the restoration

of life, once again,

with God - delivered from evil's deadly grasp,

returning once more to Him at last!

Saved from the terrible

penalties of sin -

let all souls rejoice

and may all come to Him.

Amen

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with conficence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

My book is now available!

"Seasons for Your Soul" is a 365-day devotional using my original poems and quotes from Psalms.
Each day has one of my original poems, a quote from the Psalms of the Bible and some days have a reflective thought by two contributing counselor friends. Click on the front of the book labeled "Look inside the book" and you will be able to see what the book is like.
http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Your-Soul-Psalms-ebook/dp/B00AR8DS1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UT F8&qid=1356118895&sr=8-1&keywords=seasons+for+your+soul+gagen#_

Children and Heaven

When you're with the children,

God seems very near,

all false pretense we have is dropped

and truth is very clear.

Love is so available,

spontaneous and real,

you lose yourself as walls come down

and you open up to feel.

How innocent the children are

and so very genuine;

Jesus said to enter heaven

we need to become like them.

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:2-3

Consolation - winter

No spring, no green,

no snow to see -

only stark reality.

With the growing sorrow

and loss that you feel

may more of God's

Love and Peace come to heal.

May you know His presence

deep inside,

a place of safety

no pain can find.

True security,

faithful rest,

no matter how bitter

the storms are pressed;

His touch, so consoling,

affirms He's still there,

let go of all else

and fall into His care.  

victory - winter

Dark winter night

 

you are given to flight

 

of fancy -

 

in my mind,

 

I am dancing,

 

to spring!

 

and there's not a thing

 

you can do to stop me,

 

no matter the misery

 

you may yet bring!

My devotional book -  Seasons for Your Soul - will soon be available in paperback, hardcopy and e-book. This book is the result of several years of personal preparation with help from a few friends. Details and exact date of release will be forthcoming soon. We would appreciate your prayer concerning the outreach and response to these writings and the Word of God in peoples lives. Hope you will come back soon to this site....

Caution - Fall

Caution -

what an earthly concept.

Sin -

the cause at its very core.

Relinquishing these is the promise

in heaven - no fear in giving more.

Eternal praise, everlasting life,

fear forgotten, forever blessed,

giving and forgiving reign

with no remembrance of the rest.

At home in heaven with the Lord,

caution will be thrown to the wind;

just peace and trust with the Author of Love

with no threat of winter coming in.

Refreshing - fall

Refreshing Stream

flowing free

fresh from the Fount

of Eternity -

clearing out earth's

sin and debris,

Oh Lord and Savior

be Life for me. 

Deepest Offering - Summer

How did John on Patmos, feel

when He'd finished writing what had been revealed?

Has anyone ever been able to explore

the messengers' greatest reward?

How worship is simply the humble return

of what God has given,

we have not earned,

this praise to Him which is part of the flow

of the God of the universe

as all to Him we owe!

Keep coming then, so I may sense

Your Spirit that is too immense

to ever convey

upon this earth in any way.

By Grace You choose to remain a part

of the blessed ones who have given their heart;

so Almighty God, and Beloved Son,

penned by so many

but captured by none,

please bless whatever I can bring

to You, and to others

as my deepest offering...

As One - summer

We ride the same wave,

searching for more,

desiring all that God

has in store

with His promises

that He always keeps,

we share a hunger

that never sleeps.

Some may see us as

never at rest

but we know without saying

we are at our best

turning 'round the next bend,

discovering treasures

He has to send.

The more we're rewarded

the easier it becomes

to share together

in His Son -

we believe as one.

The Years - summer

It's like we were just together,

as if it were yesterday,

we'll not count the weeks or seasons

that may have stood in the way.

These are the kinds of people

of whom life is worthy of -

people we may have lost to distance,

but who were never outside our love.

The Forest - summer

The birds of the air

fly over the forest

and see food, shelter

and limbs on which to land.

The people in the cars

on the road adjacent

see it only as an obstacle

on the way to their demands.

God's Up to Something - summer

There's a drought on here,

there's a flood out there,

if God's in charge

why doesn't He care?

What we don't know

is that someone was repaired,

what for one was a disaster

for another - answered prayer.

*

God's up to something,

it's just that we can't know

 in the midst of all that's happening

where His love will show. 

New Book by Sheila Cox Gagen

Be watching this site during the next couple of months - I am ready to send my 365 devotional book -
"Seasons for Your Soul": Psalm and Poems  to the publisher.
It will be avaialable worldwide on Amazon.com in hard copy, soft back and e-reader versions.

I will be making some posts with a glimpse into the info and content about the book over the next few weeks - so if you like poetry and my blog - keep tuning in for more....

Beautiful Butterflies - summer

Barefoot girl out in the grass

has no idea how time should pass,

way beyond her hour to return from play said,

"The butterflies were too beautiful today".

*

Sitting in class as the teacher talked,

looking at the meadow, past the sidewalk,

when asked to answer, all she could say was

"The butterflies are so beautiful today".

*

Next she's walking down the aisle,

sees nothing but her intendeds smile,

she's giving a glow that made everyone say,

"How beautiful the bride is today".

*

Her husband came home to a mess again,

the house looks lide a big playpen,

she sighs as she answers in her gentle way,

"The baby was just too beautiful today".

*

Time flew by, how quickly it went,

her arms grow weak, her energies spent,

but this lady noticed, all along the way,

how beautiful the butterflies were -

each day.

Dreamy past - summer

The past is passing through me

just now;

feelings far and distant

seem closer somehow.

Dreamy is their presence

casting moonlight shadows,

faintly forming in their essence....

The past is passing through me

more distinctly as I age,

I'll enjoy these fanicful moments

while the future

turns another page....

Light and Shadow - summer

There's a place in each life

where light and shadow fall,

that gives credence to the very fact

that we are here at all;

there's the perfect One who made us;

and the evil one in our ear,

whispering all the myths and lies

that human beings hear;

while God is holding out His hand

to bring us back where we belong,

there Light will ever shine as day

and shadows be forever gone.

blink - summer

you were tiny,

oh, so small

that’s how it was

remembering it all….

blink

trying to catch you

giggling with glee

happy, happy moments

make it a memory….

blink

able to do things

on your own

how could it be?

almost grown….

blink

graduation party

at our home,

turning point in lifetimes

what lies ahead, unknown?....

blink

these days it’s all a jumble

of adults and children coming

dealing with it day by day

time itself seems to be running….

blink

my eyes are fastened on you

taking one last drink

before forever closing them -

it all happened

in a blink….

Psalm 17:7,8

Show me the wonders of your great love,
    you who save by your right hand
    those who take refuge in you from their foes.
⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye.... 

4 walls - summer

A world exists beyond 4 walls where

there's sunlight, sound and unfiltered air,

but days and money and lives are spent

creating an inside world of events;

controlling the lights from screen to screen

there's nothing natural to be seen

except for the people who ocassionally shift

from one to the other like a boat adrift.

You have to wonder on what meaning it's based

as life on the outside is sadly being replaced.

Here's where I like to enjoy the summer.......

Fire and Ice - summer

Anvil shaped and dark,

it delivered sparks

that flew to earth from the hammered peak

in white and yellow streaks.

Invisible fire radiates

from the forge among the spheres

and 'mid the tumult it creates

a paradox appears -

ice and water thrown to the ground

as if they were soothing tears

bouncing and cleansing as they drop down

a balm among the fears;

only a cloud in turmoil

could release both fire and ice,

like when men seek to quarrel -

everyone pays the price.

Permission - spring

I gave myself permission.

How is that? You may ask.

Someone suggested I see the nurse

so I wrote myself a pass.

*

I gave myself permission -

no one else could push me through,

others may have shown the way

but it was mine to do.

*

I gave myself permission -

only then could I be free;

I discovered after years in prison

that I was holding the key.

*

I gave myself permission -

to be loved by God and men;

now I realize evil's cruel lies

and I won't be fooled again.

Coat of Many Colors - spring

God needs people

who gasp in awe -

who grasp and claw

while looking for the presence,

the Holy essence

of Him, who is All.

They ask and believe

that they'll bask

in what's received

and their Father will give them

that coat of many colors

because He sees inside of them

what was missing in all the others.



Waited - spring

God tossed the sun beneath the earth

where it pretended to hide

but I waited up all night for it

'til it came back on the other side!



Tribute to a mother I know - Mother's Day

There are many things you can do for a child -

like invite them into your home
to eat warm cookies off a baking sheet
and treat them like they're your own.
Though it's already very crowded
you can take them on trips in your family car
or put up with silly, countless sleepovers
'cause that's just who you are.
Making memories (along with your kids)
wasn't very hard
with so many happy, carefree hours
playing baseball in your yard.
And when they're grown you let them know
you still care about them
by asking how they're doing,
every now and then.
So all of this is a tribute
to finally let you know
how much you meant to one child's life
and that's why we love you so.

Thank you for checking- really like, like or doesn't speak to me.

I Grew Up With Gravel - spring

I grew up with gravel

the poor man's pavement

unsure footing

sometimes shifting

certainly uncertain

*

pretty soon the blacktop came

oil on the gravel

sort of the same

slicker and shinier

you could ride with ease

the bicycles, motorbikes

wherever you please

*

gradually graduating to pavement

with endless roads stretching ever on

not much chance of getting off it

the pace was furious, all sauntering gone,

progress often has its price

and for awhile it seems so nice

*

my aging eyes now often leave

the road I'm on to a road that recedes

and I find gravel beseeching once more

wanting to return

to what I knew before.....

In Your World - spring

In Your world, the love and kindness will never end.

In Your world, we will have whatever good things a creative mind can send.

*

In Your world, we will have no reason to be afraid.

In Your world, all sacrifices have already been made.

*

Heaven's Kingdom shines for us,

Christ's flag of Truth has been unfurled;

please hold us with Your mighty hand,

until we're in Your world.

*

Yet, I am always with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward You will take me into glory.

Psalm 73: 23-24

I am not Afraid of Faith - spring

I am not afraid of faith,

to believe in things I cannot see;

in fact I find it far more frightening

to rely only on reality.

Like a child I have to trust

in things that exist ever larger than me;

I am not afraid of faith,

to believe in things I cannot see. 

Children, Butterflies and Bees - spring

When I looked outside this gorgeous day

I saw children, bees and butterflies play

out in spring's green and sunny rays

while here inside I'm bound to stay -

so many things I have to do,

this and that and the other too

'til soon enough all I have left

is "tension headache" and regret;

perhaps I'll find a lesson there

for me and others everywhere

I need to learn to be more free

like children,  butterflies and bees.

Spring Grass Grown(an allegory) - spring

Just outside the classroom

there was a little knoll,

where in my senior year of college

I watched the spring grass grow -

while I sat, the wind raced free,

fluttering the green grass

so expressively,

anticipating every promise

of what life had to hold -

sharing music's joy with children

like flowers to unfold.

I am not God

who plants life's seeds

but went out to nourish,

provide and weed,

and in the end

I could sometimes see

them flourish ever so naturally.

With every spring I cannot wait

until the sun and rain will send

the warm wind blowing wistfully

over the green land again

and think of the students,

that in the end,

fulfilled the ambitions ideals portend

and honor the feelings

I once did hold

with the promise of watching

the spring grass grow.

Psalm 76:3 - "for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance of your faithfulness".

Servant Seed - spring

To Ken and Linda Smyth,

Servant seed,

fall to the ground,

the unworthy servant

is not found to be proud;

it's the lowly of heart

who is lifted above

the wrongs of this world

on the wings of God's love.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up".

                                                                               James 4:10



Self-portrait - winter

I am horses and hills

feminine without frills

I am tennis shoes and jeans

I am rich beyond my meager means

I am relaxed yet slightly driven

I have faith that I'm forgiven

I am teacher, I am friend

I am ideas without end

I am mom and wife

for all of my life

I am two-and-

a-half dozen

cousins.

Edge of Spring - winter

In this bitter winter,

I am moved to seek

the hem of a garment

on a crowded street,

and simply by my contact I will surely know

that the Power that's within Him

might miraculously flow

to my cold, crying frame

as I desperately cling

to the Master's cloak,

and touch the edge of spring.

The Lord your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in His love He will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph.3:17

What is Truth? - winter

If I did not have

my health,

my wealth,

my happiness, my home -

my famiy and friends

what then would be my end?

Nothing left?

No things for comfort -

could my eyes

and ears afford

to look upon my life

that has no worldly reward?

I would have to really ask -

in what, or whom my stay?

For all these things could

suddenly, so swiftly go away.

Would I curse the God who gave them

who will give no more, no less

than His providing blessedness?

Or would the core have really been

that which cannot fade,

the God, the Savior

and all eternal He has made?

If I pray these worldly ways

to all remain as mine,

then being with Him is not truly

what I seek to find.

Disappointed I will be

when, through death He calls on me.

So may I bow

and consider now

eternal space

from my poor place

and bless the bright eternal light

that bids to save this wretched life,

and find Him only to be true

no matter what we say or do.

Cleansing in the Cold - winter

Thank you for the cold that cleanses -

thank you for the bold redemption

clothed in humble flesh as a lamb

who was willing -

not forced upon the alter of sacrifice,

but let himself be led by the chill of our sins -

walking into our winter

and washing us white as snow.

Snow Moon - winter

The moon holds February in its wake,

the snow capturing the white, sanctioned light

and dispersing it throughout the acquiescent night.

So it steadfast stands

like one who is second in command;

one who guides nocturnal ways

as the the still, chill air and icy satin sheen

comprise the properties propelling it on -

converging with the dawn.

The Cardinal - winter

God bless the cardinal out in my tree

There would be no music if not for thee.

The winter is long and other birds flee,

God bless the cardinal's sweet melody.

Letter from Afar - winter

My dear friend,
I write to you with comfort on my mind,
so you may feel our God is near
when friends are hard to find.
His Word descended straight from heaven,
lives within our hearts and souls,
with Him we have sweet communion,
consolation once unknown.
His example we have followed
sharing life as it occurs
yet some reflections lay unspoken
deeper than a mortals words,
so if writings from afar
should one day cease,
I pray this message touched your heart,
to bring you love and peace.

"The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart". Deut. 30:14

Urban Dragon - winter

The steel shadows

of the buildings awoke

to a cold, cold morning -

firing dragons breath of smoke

that drifted higher

than even they can fly,

lifting into the open sky

from their jaws of steel -

a silent, urban cry.

Written while driving into Fort Wayne this morning for NAfME conference.

Room for Snow - winter

It snowed today.

It drew a veil

between all without

and all within;

a lacy dome

that only light could penetrate.

Cozily sheltered,

bordered by white,

blissfully bounded

on every hand,

content within

its velvety span.

Removing reminders

that may remain

of something outside

this sequestered domain.

Tuck me into your blanket of fleece;

softly fall, small

downy peace.

solace to the snow - winter

softly,

the night settles on the snow

gently tending,

quietly descending,

comprehending, oh,

how fragile

is this that lies below;

gradually

hushed feelings fall -

without a touch,

yet shaping all

with comforts calm

it warmly clothes

this cold acquaintance

no solace has known.