Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby
Stand firm, then, and DO NOT let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Does my mouth provoke wrath or spew forth profanity? Am I angry more than I rejoice? Am I prone to contention, anger or even violence?
If I closely examine my conversations and interactions with my family, friends and strangers, are they contentious and angry, or are they loving, kind and pure?
A mark of maturity is how I relate to my immediate family. This group of people knew you as a child, rebellious teen, arrogant young adult. They observed your living habits and relationships with others; how you are able to interact with them reflects how spiritually mature you truly are today.
+ Note: the people in this group may not be saved or as spiritually committed as you; however, the emphasis is on how you treat them and respond to them when they are inappropriate with you.
+ Have you ever repented and asked forgiveness for petty arguments, jealousy, and other frustrations from your parents and siblings?
+ When is the last time you initiated prayer with your parents or siblings?
Having forgiven people who offended me, do I expect to have a loving and mature attitude toward them or do I filter the present and future through the past?
Am I griping, murmuring and complaining? Are my prayers more like whining sessions than prayers of praise and thanksgiving for what I do have?
Am I rebelling against God? Against His word? Pride is the root of rebellion. It is enmity toward God and our fellowmen. And so we might ask, Am I proud and arrogant?
Am I so proud that I make up my own interpretations for God's commandments? Am I
rationalizing in order to soothe my conscience?
Are my thoughts and actions chaste? Do I slip into lustful thoughts or actions? Do I covet what other people have - whether that is their spouse, their house, their money, their talents, or what I perceive as their "cushy lives?"
Am I committed to my pastor and congregation? If one is observing me, in what ways can they observe my commitment to my pastor and congregation?
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3
Love is to be celebrated, demonstrated, enjoyed, and shared. Be generous and open with your love. Allow others the opportunity to love you, there is never a need to demand or earn love. There is not a shortage of love and we should not declare an embargo on love either.
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
It is my persistent prayer and my profound hope that as Christian women we will never forget to care for all women everywhere.
Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby
It is not the intelligent woman v. the ignorant woman; nor the white woman v. the black, the brown, and the red, it is not even the cause of woman v. man. Nay, tis womans strongest vindication for speaking that the world needs to hear her voice.
– Anna Julia Cooper
March is Women’s Month, set aside to reflect on the historical contributions of women, applaud the present endeavors of women, and celebrate the future of women. March 8 is International Women’s Day, the one day when women around the world focus on the global commonalities that prevent women from engaging uninhibited in culture, economics, government, politics, and religion which are the pillars of all society.
It is important for all humankind to recognize that the oppression and repression of women impairs men as well as women. When greater than one-half of the human race is crippled by rape, domestic violence, and patriarchal subjugation that is perpetuated by economic and political systems, all of society is cheated of the opportunity to reach its fullest potential.
Women bring extraordinary perspectives to the table. Moreover, the woman’s voice speaks to circumstances in ways that no man can do likewise. Even the silence of the woman is a message that no man can communicate on her behalf.
The voice of the woman speaks in a roar that resounds with the rage and fury of having her space, body disturbed, and violated.
She wails in plaintive and lamenting tones of one who has been stripped of her loved ones and homes in political insurrections and wars in which she had no voice.
Her silent tears tell of an anger so intense she dare not speak of the atrocities she has endured while seeking to contribute to a world that neither sees nor hears her.
From within her spirit she sings of the hope that she cherishes for herself, her sisters, her daughters, and her world…one day the world will welcome women to lead, teach, speak, and accept women as partners. The global community must unite to end trafficking of women as sex slaves, domestic violence, economic and political discrimination, and the marginalization of women in culture, labor, religion, education and every segment of society.
It is my persistent prayer and my profound hope that as Christian women we will never forget to care for all women everywhere. It is our duty to demonstrate our faith by reaching out to our sisters who are in circumstances of oppression, incarceration, and suffering from addiction, victimized in their homes or elsewhere.
"Not the boys less, but the girls more." – Anna Julia Cooper
Pastor Kelly Oglesby © 2008
It is not the intelligent woman v. the ignorant woman; nor the white woman v. the black, the brown, and the red, it is not even the cause of woman v. man. Nay, tis womans strongest vindication for speaking that the world needs to hear her voice.
– Anna Julia Cooper
March is Women’s Month, set aside to reflect on the historical contributions of women, applaud the present endeavors of women, and celebrate the future of women. March 8 is International Women’s Day, the one day when women around the world focus on the global commonalities that prevent women from engaging uninhibited in culture, economics, government, politics, and religion which are the pillars of all society.
It is important for all humankind to recognize that the oppression and repression of women impairs men as well as women. When greater than one-half of the human race is crippled by rape, domestic violence, and patriarchal subjugation that is perpetuated by economic and political systems, all of society is cheated of the opportunity to reach its fullest potential.
Women bring extraordinary perspectives to the table. Moreover, the woman’s voice speaks to circumstances in ways that no man can do likewise. Even the silence of the woman is a message that no man can communicate on her behalf.
The voice of the woman speaks in a roar that resounds with the rage and fury of having her space, body disturbed, and violated.
She wails in plaintive and lamenting tones of one who has been stripped of her loved ones and homes in political insurrections and wars in which she had no voice.
Her silent tears tell of an anger so intense she dare not speak of the atrocities she has endured while seeking to contribute to a world that neither sees nor hears her.
From within her spirit she sings of the hope that she cherishes for herself, her sisters, her daughters, and her world…one day the world will welcome women to lead, teach, speak, and accept women as partners. The global community must unite to end trafficking of women as sex slaves, domestic violence, economic and political discrimination, and the marginalization of women in culture, labor, religion, education and every segment of society.
It is my persistent prayer and my profound hope that as Christian women we will never forget to care for all women everywhere. It is our duty to demonstrate our faith by reaching out to our sisters who are in circumstances of oppression, incarceration, and suffering from addiction, victimized in their homes or elsewhere.
"Not the boys less, but the girls more." – Anna Julia Cooper
Pastor Kelly Oglesby © 2008
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby
I had no model, being born in Babylon, both non-white and a woman.
What did I see to be except myself? So I made it up, right here on a bridge
between star shine and clay, my one hand holding the other. Oh, come and
celebrate with me, that everyday something has tried to kill me …
but it has failed. (Lucille Clifton)
Below is an original writing by Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby:
Black women have and continue to provide evolutionary as well revolutionary visions for themselves. Ours is an overlooked, under-considered, and undefined position - yet it is always a position below, a step behind, a dollar short, and marginalized.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
When I consider the expectations for women of color and then observe the women who excelled beyond race and gender, I realize there are no barriers unless I set them.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Reading the powerful and provocative words of women who were not supposed to read or write. These women whose voices were regarded as valueless, I am inspired to learn more that I might speak with understanding.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Feeling the spirit and awe in the sculptures, sketches, and paintings of women regarded as barbaric births creative appreciation in my spirit as I see my innermost twinges depicted before me.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Watching scientific sisters ready themselves for space, surgery, and safari, I am gratified that knowledge is neither race nor gender based.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Sitting in the home of Black wives and mothers who create the refuge and sanctuary from a society that is so cruel, I am hopeful that we will continue to achieve what others doubted we even dreamed.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
I so love the camaraderie, the complexion, the conversation, and the consciousness that comes from being a Black woman…living life, learning and loving the challenges that come to me because I am a Black woman. Challenges that cause me to rise and overcome without example or expectation and knowing when I do my sisters from the ancient of days through all eternity will celebrate.
I had no model, being born in Babylon, both non-white and a woman.
What did I see to be except myself? So I made it up, right here on a bridge
between star shine and clay, my one hand holding the other. Oh, come and
celebrate with me, that everyday something has tried to kill me …
but it has failed. (Lucille Clifton)
Below is an original writing by Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby:
Black women have and continue to provide evolutionary as well revolutionary visions for themselves. Ours is an overlooked, under-considered, and undefined position - yet it is always a position below, a step behind, a dollar short, and marginalized.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
When I consider the expectations for women of color and then observe the women who excelled beyond race and gender, I realize there are no barriers unless I set them.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Reading the powerful and provocative words of women who were not supposed to read or write. These women whose voices were regarded as valueless, I am inspired to learn more that I might speak with understanding.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Feeling the spirit and awe in the sculptures, sketches, and paintings of women regarded as barbaric births creative appreciation in my spirit as I see my innermost twinges depicted before me.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Watching scientific sisters ready themselves for space, surgery, and safari, I am gratified that knowledge is neither race nor gender based.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
Sitting in the home of Black wives and mothers who create the refuge and sanctuary from a society that is so cruel, I am hopeful that we will continue to achieve what others doubted we even dreamed.
I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.
I so love the camaraderie, the complexion, the conversation, and the consciousness that comes from being a Black woman…living life, learning and loving the challenges that come to me because I am a Black woman. Challenges that cause me to rise and overcome without example or expectation and knowing when I do my sisters from the ancient of days through all eternity will celebrate.
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