Linda's New Website Options

[Johann]

Linda is working these days on redesigning her website. She promises more changes so there will more information. Then there will also be more devotionals of the kind so many loved when they were on TV.

Soon she will be recording a large number of these devotionals on video - or on DVD. This way you will be able to discover both the old and the new Linda you will be able to see on the screen.

Stay tuned!

[Johann]

Here is one of Linda's new devotionals:

From Subject Received Size Categories
Linda Shelton FW: 14:52 17 KB

ONCE UPON A TIME
Once upon a time there was a girl named Searching. She wanted to know God and know all about God, so she prayed that the Holy One would lead her to the place called Truth. After years of searching here and there, Truth was found! She was ecstatic with this great Find and discovered that the place called Truth was a path which, if followed, would lead to greater and greater insights into the Lovely character of the Holy One. She began the journey with great delight.
Truth revealed that this girl had other names. They were Fearful, Tongue-Tied and Trapped. She discovered that before she could continue to absorb and learn greater insights into the character of the Holy One that these names needed to be altered ("altared"). So she prayed. She struggled. She wrestled with her fears of public speaking for days, months and years. When the Holy One asked her to stretch and do things she had never done before in a public venue, with much trembling, she said "yes." So little by little her names began to change and her learning of the Holy One grew. Years went by and gradually her names indeed changed to Witness, In Love with Jesus and Child of God. Her work and efforts helped develop an Establishment which allowed her to witness to millions. She loved her God and loved her work to the point that she did not even notice that enemies were nearby. These enemies were called Jealousy, Desire for Power, and Hatred.
Soon these enemies devised a plot to take away the privileges at the Establishment she had earned. The plot was called Slander, Scapegoat and Vile Dirt. The plot began with one, but eventually the disease began to spread as the gossip wagon made its rounds. Some saw that in supporting the plot advantages from the Establishment could be gained. Eventually the plot thickened to the place where some believed that the Establishment’s success depended on her demise. So the whirlwind continued until it encircled the globe. It seemed as if truckload after truckload of mud were heaped upon her until she could hardly breathe. Her feeble attempts to correct the slander were only buried under piles of mud. She was heartbroken to see the enemies use the Establishment, she worked so hard to develop, to crucify her.
Through this experience she visited places called Broken, Hurt and Shame. The places were so dark that she felt she died many deaths while there. Although she was not guilty of the Vileness which flew from mouth to mouth, she felt every bit of the shame of it...the devastation of it. She was powerless to stop it. She prayed. She cried. And the years went by.
The Holy One always provides a silver lining. New names were added during this experience. Names like Naive, Too Trusting and Blind dropped away. Her new names include Insight, Perspective and Clear Vision. These names stem from her experience where she felt the Holy One lifted the veil and showed her the true state of the Church He loves so much, a Church He longs to save.
Experience has added many names to the one called Searching. But the name she cherishes the most is a name which was placed upon her when she was at the proverbial "bottom." When the blackness was so black and the dirt was so dirty that she felt she was swimming in an ocean of vile waste and hurt, the Holy one spoke a name clearly to her heart. The name is BELOVED. All the other names fade into the fabric in comparison to this name. She rejoices in it! She is made NEW by it! She wears the Name with humble JOY! And now she ventures out to minister again! There are battle scars, but they seem to only clarify and sharpen the message she has to share. It’s a message that says "Heaven will be worth it all." It’s a message which says "Wake up! The Last Days are here!" It’s a message which proclaims that the name BELOVED is for all who will sincerely, genuinely and purposefully take the name... Searching.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

[Artiste]

Here is one of Linda's new devotionals:

From Subject Received Size Categories
Linda Shelton FW: 14:52 17 KB

ONCE UPON A TIME
Once upon a time there was a girl named Searching. She wanted to know God and know all about God, so she prayed that the Holy One would lead her to the place called Truth. After years of searching here and there, Truth was found! She was ecstatic with this great Find and discovered that the place called Truth was a path which, if followed, would lead to greater and greater insights into the Lovely character of the Holy One. She began the journey with great delight.
Truth revealed that this girl had other names. They were Fearful, Tongue-Tied and Trapped. She discovered that before she could continue to absorb and learn greater insights into the character of the Holy One that these names needed to be altered ("altared"). So she prayed. She struggled. She wrestled with her fears of public speaking for days, months and years. When the Holy One asked her to stretch and do things she had never done before in a public venue, with much trembling, she said "yes." So little by little her names began to change and her learning of the Holy One grew. Years went by and gradually her names indeed changed to Witness, In Love with Jesus and Child of God. Her work and efforts helped develop an Establishment which allowed her to witness to millions. She loved her God and loved her work to the point that she did not even notice that enemies were nearby. These enemies were called Jealousy, Desire for Power, and Hatred.
Soon these enemies devised a plot to take away the privileges at the Establishment she had earned. The plot was called Slander, Scapegoat and Vile Dirt. The plot began with one, but eventually the disease began to spread as the gossip wagon made its rounds. Some saw that in supporting the plot advantages from the Establishment could be gained. Eventually the plot thickened to the place where some believed that the Establishment’s success depended on her demise. So the whirlwind continued until it encircled the globe. It seemed as if truckload after truckload of mud were heaped upon her until she could hardly breathe. Her feeble attempts to correct the slander were only buried under piles of mud. She was heartbroken to see the enemies use the Establishment, she worked so hard to develop, to crucify her.
Through this experience she visited places called Broken, Hurt and Shame. The places were so dark that she felt she died many deaths while there. Although she was not guilty of the Vileness which flew from mouth to mouth, she felt every bit of the shame of it...the devastation of it. She was powerless to stop it. She prayed. She cried. And the years went by.
The Holy One always provides a silver lining. New names were added during this experience. Names like Naive, Too Trusting and Blind dropped away. Her new names include Insight, Perspective and Clear Vision. These names stem from her experience where she felt the Holy One lifted the veil and showed her the true state of the Church He loves so much, a Church He longs to save.
Experience has added many names to the one called Searching. But the name she cherishes the most is a name which was placed upon her when she was at the proverbial "bottom." When the blackness was so black and the dirt was so dirty that she felt she was swimming in an ocean of vile waste and hurt, the Holy one spoke a name clearly to her heart. The name is BELOVED. All the other names fade into the fabric in comparison to this name. She rejoices in it! She is made NEW by it! She wears the Name with humble JOY! And now she ventures out to minister again! There are battle scars, but they seem to only clarify and sharpen the message she has to share. It’s a message that says "Heaven will be worth it all." It’s a message which says "Wake up! The Last Days are here!" It’s a message which proclaims that the name BELOVED is for all who will sincerely, genuinely and purposefully take the name... Searching.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

A heartbreaking, yet hopeful and redemptive message...


*****************************************************

[Observer]

Linda is working these days on redesigning her website. She promises more changes so there will more information. Then there will also be more devotionals of the kind so many loved when they were on TV.

Soon she will be recording a large number of these devotionals on video - or on DVD. This way you will be able to discover both the old and the new Linda you will be able to see on the screen.

Stay tuned!

Yes, I have been waiting to announce it when it was up, and the last time I looked it was not.

I did not have a sample devotional, so thanks, Johann for sharing that.

Linda also wants all to know that she is looking for ministry opportunities, concerts in churches, and would be thankful if any of you would suggest such to your pastor.

[Johann]

I have just recieved this in an e-mail from a friend:

"...Linda Shelton in Kids Time, but an old 3ABN program. Apparently another Christian network had previously purchased the right to play some of their programs, and so we almost fainted until we saw that this particular network on Sky Angel showed Linda as Queen Esther. I know for sure that Danny will faint if he happened to come upon this program that featured Linda so beautifully. "

Or was this another Linda?

[Pickle]

I have just recieved this in an e-mail from a friend:

"...Linda Shelton in Kids Time, but an old 3ABN program. Apparently another Christian network had previously purchased the right to play some of their programs, and so we almost fainted until we saw that this particular network on Sky Angel showed Linda as Queen Esther. I know for sure that Danny will faint if he happened to come upon this program that featured Linda so beautifully. "

Or was this another Linda?

Hmm. Could someone make a copy and then maybe someone could put it on a website somewhere for old time's sake?

[calvin]

So Linda opens a new website and one of the first so called devotional she takes the opportunity to lash out against her 3abn enemies? Now what does she call them?

"These enemies were called Jealousy, Desire for Power, and Hatred.
Soon these enemies devised a plot to take away the privileges at the Establishment she had earned. The plot was called Slander, Scapegoat and Vile Dirt”

Devotional? Not hardly. More mud slinging.

[Clay]

So Linda opens a new website and one of the first so called devotional she takes the opportunity to lash out against her 3abn enemies? Now what does she call them?
Devotional? Not hardly. More mud slinging.

it does seem to be autobiographical.....

[Panama_Pete]

it does seem to be autobiographical.....

I gave that character, Hatred, a kick in the pants just the other day.

[fallible humanbe...]

So Linda opens a new website and one of the first so called devotional she takes the opportunity to lash out against her 3abn enemies? Now what does she call them?
Devotional? Not hardly. More mud slinging.

Not to mention it sounds a lot like Hannah Hurnard's great book Hinds Feet On High Places (which is semi-autobiographical). Here are some of the character names in Hurnard's Christian allegory: Much Afraid (the main character who is female), Suffering, Sorrow, Craven Fear, Pride, Selfishness . . . an excerpt from an AudioFile review:

"In Hurnard's allegory, Flo Schmidt narrates the story of characters named Much Afraid, Sorrow, and Suffering as they journey to the High Places, where their weaknesses will be turned into strengths and their fears into faith. The Shepherd who leads them is characterized with a kind, gentle voice filled with love and hope. The personalities of Craven Fear, Pride, and Selfishness, who act as antagonists, are depicted with sharp, cutting tones. The testing of each character during the journey is realistic, and tones of joy ring out as Much Afraid and her companions gather memorial stones to mark their progress. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition."

- FHB

This post has been edited by fallible humanbeing: Jan 3 2008, 09:13 AM

[Green Cochoa]

So Linda opens a new website and one of the first so called devotional she takes the opportunity to lash out against her 3abn enemies? Now what does she call them?
Devotional? Not hardly. More mud slinging.

Slander always names names. Mud slinging always includes filth (hence the name "mud"). I see neither of these in the story. What I do see is an allegory, in which evils (not people) are properly named. Notice that "jealousy" is not a person, it's a trait. Likewise to "hatred" and "desire for power." Are these not my enemies too? Are they not your enemies too?

Calling sin by its right name should never be equated with slander. If we call sin by the wrong name, perhaps it can be slander, for slander is never quite honest or fair-minded. Slander is not edifying or instructive to anyone. But to call sin "sin" is the kind of honesty which prepares and instructs us against these "enemies" we face.

Not to mention it sounds a lot like Hannah Hurnard's great book Hinds Feet On High Places (which is semi-autobiographical). Here are some of the character names in Hurnard's Christian allegory: Much Afraid (the main character who is female), Suffering, Sorrow, Craven Fear, Pride, Selfishness . . . an excerpt from an AudioFile review:

"In Hurnard's allegory, Flo Schmidt narrates the story of characters named Much Afraid, Sorrow, and Suffering as they journey to the High Places, where their weaknesses will be turned into strengths and their fears into faith. The Shepherd who leads them is characterized with a kind, gentle voice filled with love and hope. The personalities of Craven Fear, Pride, and Selfishness, who act as antagonists, are depicted with sharp, cutting tones. The testing of each character during the journey is realistic, and tones of joy ring out as Much Afraid and her companions gather memorial stones to mark their progress. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition."

- FHB

Yes, and I'm sure that the author of said book took her lead from "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan, which is so old as to be beyond copyright. As to copyrights, just read my signature.

Blessings,

Greenie.

[Ian]

Not to mention it sounds a lot like Hannah Hurnard's great book Hinds Feet On High Places (which is semi-autobiographical). Here are some of the character names in Hurnard's Christian allegory: Much Afraid (the main character who is female), Suffering, Sorrow, Craven Fear, Pride, Selfishness . . . an excerpt from an AudioFile review:

"In Hurnard's allegory, Flo Schmidt narrates the story of characters named Much Afraid, Sorrow, and Suffering as they journey to the High Places, where their weaknesses will be turned into strengths and their fears into faith. The Shepherd who leads them is characterized with a kind, gentle voice filled with love and hope. The personalities of Craven Fear, Pride, and Selfishness, who act as antagonists, are depicted with sharp, cutting tones. The testing of each character during the journey is realistic, and tones of joy ring out as Much Afraid and her companions gather memorial stones to mark their progress. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition."

- FHB

Very Interesting...

I myself was already embarrassed for the author, and turned off by the so called new website devotional quoted. After reading the authors claims on her old website, she was too obviously trying to be autobiographical, and lifting up the heroine and talking about what the heroine did, and what she "deserved" while making stabs at her enemies, and has been said "mudslinging" and trying unsuccessfully to disguise the self-righteousness and personal attacks as a allegory and devotional


I'd rather see humbleness , a lack of vindictiveness, and our Lord uplifted and the glory given to God in a devotional.

But, that's just me, and my review.

To each their own.

This post has been edited by Ian: Jan 3 2008, 10:11 AM

[calvin]

Slander always names names. Mud slinging always includes filth (hence the name "mud"). I see neither of these in the story. What I do see is an allegory, in which evils (not people) are properly named. Notice that "jealousy" is not a person, it's a trait. Likewise to "hatred" and "desire for power." Are these not my enemies too? Are they not your enemies too?

Calling sin by its right name should never be equated with slander. If we call sin by the wrong name, perhaps it can be slander, for slander is never quite honest or fair-minded. Slander is not edifying or instructive to anyone. But to call sin "sin" is the kind of honesty which prepares and instructs us against these "enemies" we face.
Yes, and I'm sure that the author of said book took her lead from "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan, which is so old as to be beyond copyright. As to copyrights, just read my signature.

Blessings,

Greenie.

Let’s stop the Pollyanna nonsense. Linda knew exactly what buttons she was pushing. No she did not name names, so maybe she can’t be accused of slander but we all know who and what organization she was talking about.

I don’t doubt that her feelings where real. Questionable of what she has accuse or accuser of since this is more hearsay.

Maybe this is what the Linda camp has been waiting for, for Linda to finally speak out. That’s ok, calling sin by its right name is ok too. Just don’t insult my intelligence by calling a self-centered, mud slinging, pity party letter a devotional.

Just more of the same from both sides.

[Denny]

I think the best revenge would have been to sue the people involved for slander if she felt her name was being dragged through the mud back in 2004.

[Green Cochoa]

Let's stop the Pollyanna nonsense. Linda knew exactly what buttons she was pushing. No she did not name names, so maybe she can't be accused of slander but we all know who and what organization she was talking about.

I don't doubt that her feelings where real. Questionable of what she has accuse or accuser of since this is more hearsay.

Maybe this is what the Linda camp has been waiting for, for Linda to finally speak out. That's ok, calling sin by its right name is ok too. Just don't insult my intelligence by calling a self-centered, mud slinging, pity party letter a devotional.

Just more of the same from both sides.

I hear you. I would be unlikely to call it a devotional as well. An inspirational thought? Maybe. Devotional? Nah. But then, I don't call most of those so-called devotional books "devotional" either. If it isn't scripture, it isn't devotional, in my opinion. I don't look fondly at these "Soup for the Soul" type stories, or the "Christmas in my Heart" stuff either. Devotionals? Not for me. I've noticed that many of those kinds of stories do not mention God. (If you don't believe me, start counting...) There is no such thing as a God-less devotional (unless you are devoting yourself to a non-God entity).

However, having said that, I still disagree on the "mud" part. Where is it? And "pity party" is also a bit strong, considering that she has not named or dwelt upon anything which would be uncommon to any of us. The allegory highlights more the goodness of God and the spiritual journey than the "pits of despair."

It probably helps to put things into perspective to recall that Linda was once a great inspiration to many through her televised expressions of faith. For some of these, the events which precipitated her disappearance have been confusing and disappointing. Linda's expression of faith that God has seen her through the trial may be calculated to encourage this group of people. This "devotional" may be more for their benefit than anything else. I see Linda as being sensitive to the fact that others have been inspired through her ministry, and she does not want to fail them. This does not mean she is a perfect writer, or that her motives are 100% pure--can any of us lay claim to such perfection? I think we should be careful about judging, when it is clear that she has focused on a bright future filled with hope and a fresh beginning, through the grace of God. Put yourself in her place: if we said these things about your best effort to be of encouragement to others, how would you react?

Blessings,

Greenie.