Cage Free Voices Spoken Devotionals

The past few days I have felt overwhelmed by my "wait."  Yes, I mean w-a-i-t, not w-e-i-g-h-t.  Consequently, I have probably put on some weight, by indulging in my frustration and neglecting my physical needs constantly stuck in my head, contemplating when God is going to meet my timetable.  Sometimes I wish I could just walk into those pearly gates and see God's calendar because apparently mine seems to be completely off.  Certainly by this time, this baby should be walking, my mother should be strolling back into our family amusement park, and all of these Job-like boils and Joseph-like experiences in the pit should have subsided.  Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for how far God has brought me, but have you ever been in the middle of your wait?   Subscribe to the blog here: https://cfvonlinelearning.com/Becoming-Cage-Free

I've sat here looking at this computer trying to determine which of my experiences this past weekend, I should share.  Well, it's not necessarily an experience, but it's the adventures I go on in my mind.  I have been in the amusement park of my thoughts, and the water slides are amazing--the roller-coasters, not so much. If you've ever been to an amusement park, you know the process of planning required to have a fun-filled time. You need to pack refreshments, towels, and maybe even a change of clothes.  Nothing else can be cramped into the day because in between the times of riding the roller-coasters, going to the simulations, and eating funnel cakes, you must consider the walk and the heat of the sun. While enjoying the entertainment, we mustn't forget the long walks between the rides and sometimes having to figure out things by reading one of those park maps. You know the ones you open and turn multiple times, but still can't find a daggon thing. The mind appears to be very similar when we are in the process of waiting for something--whether that's waiting a dream to be fulfilled, a wayward child to return, financial stability, the end of a crisis, reconciliation, or whatever it is God has promised us.  Well, I know I'm not alone when I say this but: "Waiting is HARRRDDDDD!!!!"   Read the full blogpost here: https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/Becoming-Cage-Free

Read the blog at https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/Becoming-Cage-Free

When you begin to face yourself in the mirror, you'll realize two things: 1) You like what you see or you don't; 2) You are not "better" than the person or people you ridicule and/or criticize. Why?  Because, being overly critical and judgmental of others is rooted in pride and self-righteousness.  Pointing out someone else's flaws is an attempt to prove that we are more worthy of love than they are, when the truth is, we are all worthy of love.   We, too, are ill -- and need to be forgiven "seven times seventy times ......"   Read the blog at https://cfvonlinelearning.com/Becoming-Cage-Free 

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Read the post here: https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/Becoming-Cage-Free 

Ugh!  I can't get rid of this.  I've tried to pray it away but it's as if years of suppressed aggression is now surfacing and I'm sitting over the porcelain throne, tossing up my guts for hours; puking up my dysfunction. Nothing has gone or is going the way I want it to.  I'm good....so I should have the finer things.  But that's the religiosity speaking.  I'm leaking with self-righteousness. Pride. Bitterness. Jealousy.....and RAGE.  All of my ugly is coming out on this page and I can't contain it any longer.  I've been taking it to the altar, reading the Word of God, but it won't disappear and I'm near the cross.  Why do I feel loss, like I can't find me in this sea of despair--anger. And now, I'm condemning myself for being in pain and actually dealing with the feelings associated with the hurts that were never expressed.  Frustrated that my sins are exposing themselves,  looking in the mirror and seeing my beautiful ugly, I've discovered that the Word of God does not function like a microwave although I've treated it that way.  Some healing will take time.  However, the desire to expedite the process gnaws at me like an irritating gnat that won't go away. Read the full article here: https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/Becoming-Cage-Free

Walking or driving outside late at night allows us to notice things while remaining blind to them.  You see the scenery, but not really.  The silhouette of a man or woman crossing the street, but not the outfit in its entirety.  You can't see the individual for how they truly look because darkness impedes your ability to see clearly.  What about when it's raining... I mean when there is a torrential downpour.  Your vision is definitely impaired and for that reason you must reduce your speed and not drive according to the legal speed limit.  I hate driving late at night because everything is not the way it appears.  The light of day brings to life the truth of what darkness made a lie.  Some things that seem beautiful are actually not that attractive and those things that are not so attractive in the dark, we see the beauty of them in the day.   Read the full blog post at https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/Becoming-Cage-Free

When Change demands our attention, we mustn't turn our backs to ignore Truth simply because we are concerned about other people's opinions or the discomfort involved in transformation.  One will never observe a caterpillar checking his chrysalis to see it is pretty enough, a flower rejecting its petals because it hates the Spring, or an infant fighting against his or her delivery.  We too, then, must welcome Change, no matter how much we must endure Pain.  yes, struggle happens when you change, but it is purposeful and yields fruit.  Struggle as a result of not welcoming Change--well, that could last forever...that is, until you accept Change after all. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/What-Happens-Them-When-Change/dp/0615853889

Bathsheba is an international motivational speaker, radio personality, performing artist, author, educational consultant, 7th grade English teacher, and the CEO and Founder of Cage Free Voices, LLC, a multi-service educational entertainment company, that seeks to educate youth and young adults who struggle with self-image and identity by constructing powerful learning experiences.  She is the playwright, producer, and lead actress for, From Divorce to Restoration.  From Divorce to Restoration is the first play to come out of the Cage Free Voices Theatre division.  The play was featured in the Page to Stage Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center September, 2018 and Capital Fringe Festival in 2019. Ms. Smithen provides training and curriculum development to school districts, church leaders and educational publishing companies such that they may infuse youth culture in educational materials. Bathsheba has spent time training leaders within the Omaha School District, and Abyssinian Baptist Church. As a curriculum developer and writer, Ms. Smithen has made contributions to PEARSON, US, Urban Learning and Leadership Center, GEAR UP, REAL Women, and others. Born and raised in Virginia, Bathsheba Smithen is an International Baccalaureate diploma recipient, a graduate of An Achievable Dream Academy, and a Mary Hughes-Harley Davidson and McNair Scholar. She is also a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Biology and holds a Master's in Health Systems Management from George Mason University. Her creative memoir, Who Cares What You Think...So What You Think?: A Journey Through the Mind, takes readers on the common journey from anger, disappointment, and hopelessness, to love, forgiveness, and peace. A companion book of her poetry entitled, No Longer Hidden as well as the sequel to the first; What Happens to “Them” When You Change, were released in 2013. Bathsheba has been featured in Urban Buzz, NURA, and Path Magazines, Pretty Period, The Daily Press along with many others. Ms. Smithen has made appearances on abc7, WHUT, WHRO, DCTV, WEAA 88.9, The Voice of the Community with multi-award winning journalist, Sean Yoes, Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb Blog Talk Radio, and WPFW 89.3, for her expertise in education, youth development, and entertainment.   Find out more about the following services: Cage Free Voices: https://cagefreevoices.com/ Cage Free Voices Online Learning: https://cfvonlinelearning.tutorbird.com/ Bathsheba Smithen- http://bathshebasmithen.com/  

In 2012, Jefferson left his career as a biology teacher and began full-time ministry as an Associate Pastor for a local church. In his third year of leadership, God opened the door for the couple to start Surge: A Worship Experience for College Students & Young Professionals. Within three months, the ministry grew from 77 to 160 people to include on-campus bible studies, prayer groups, discipleship, and growth groups. In weekly services, people experienced salvation, healing, and deliverance! The word about what the Lord was doing began to spread around the community and singles, teenagers, pastors, and seniors from the area started attending the service and special events. The Lord started speaking to the Jones' heart about planting a new church were people from different ages & stages could come together and worship God freely. On April 5, 2017, Surge Ministries was established with a mission of connecting people from colleges and communities to create an intergenerational church focused on experiencing the power of Jesus in everyday life. Jefferson and Rosa pastor the ministry together and are excited about what God has in store. They live in Christiansburg, VA and have two sons, Peter and Abraham.  Learn more about Jefferson at www.pastorjj.com and Rosa Jones at www.rosajones.org .  Find out more about Surge Ministries here: https://www.surge-ministries.com/ Want to participate in the movement for social justice?: https://raceandgrace.live/ 

Learn more about Jefferson at www.pastorjj.com and Rosa Jones at www.rosajones.org .  Find out more about Surge Ministries here: https://www.surge-ministries.com/ Want to participate in the movement for social justice?: https://raceandgrace.live/ 

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Daniall has counseled people from all walks of life. She believes wellness involves paying attention to physical health, habits, behaviors, and emotions. If any of these things alone or in combination are impacting your health or level of functioning, therapy can help restore your overall level of functionality.   Daniall draws from different counseling-based theories including, cognitive behavioral, solution-focused brief therapy, and family systems therapy. She has a background in grief and loss, trauma and faith centered therapy. Ms. Foskey works with individuals, couples and families and as a Licensed School Counselor, I have an extensive background working with adolescents and children.   Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheNowCounseling/