All posts by L.L. Shelton

About L.L. Shelton

Bonnie is a Jesus Lover, and in light of the fact, loves His wonderful church. She is interested in many things and enjoys sharing her view of some of them on this blog. She is a poet and a singer of songs. She resides in Memphis, Tennessee, where she is a dedicated wife and the mother of seven children- five of whom she educates at home, as the eldest two have graduated homeschool and are pursuing their own interests. In her spare moments she may be found in her home office with a client, as she is a practicing Biblical Counselor and a Life Coach. She welcomes you to print and share her articles and poetry, and to quote freely from them with the understanding that she is to be acknowledged as the author. Mrs. Shelton does NOT OWN the copyright to the majority of the photos and other types of illustration used on this site!

On Women Preachers

I am a mother.  I have sons and daughters and love them absolutely and equally.  But according to Scripture, they have different positions before God, and their assignments are not the same.

Both men and women are at fault for where we are in the church, today.  If men were leading as they should; there would be no question as to the role of a woman in church or in society.  Men had to abdicate for there to be openings in leadership for women.

Eve did not usurp Adam’s position of headship; Adam willingly gave it up.  However, Eve did influence Adam to do evil, as Satan influenced her.  We, men and women, must willingly accept and embrace the responsibilities God has given us; to carry out our particular directives toward God and toward each other, and to resist or to flee evil.

Women and children are not animals- that they should be used according to men’s fancy or need- and should never be treated as such, and men are not pieces on a game board to be manipulated according to their weakness.  All are human beings subject to God’s authority.  Do not be further deceived.  Love one another as Christ in God has loved you.  Speak Truth to one another in Love.

Women are not the problem.  Men are not the problem.  Others are not the problem.  SIN is the problem.  Sin is disobedience to God as He has revealed Himself to be in His Word.  One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, and judgement will follow, and that day may be very soon.

Copyright 2022.     L. L. Shelton.

Clay Pot Syndrome

Do you keep it in the bank?

Do you store it in a tank?

Do you keep it in a barn?

Does it keep you safe and warm?

Do you stuff it in your drawers?

In the boxes piled on floors?

Placed in cartons in a room?

In an attic dark with gloom?

In the totes stacked nice and neat?

In the corners, ‘round your feet?

Climbing walls in extra buildings?

Boxes, baskets by the billions!

Do you need it?

Never mind it.

You’ll be dead

Before we find it.

Copyright 2022.    L.L. Shelton.

Our Blue

Oh no,
Are you no different?
Help me
While my head is reeling!
I think I see my life
Blurring by in front of me.
Bless me,
I know I’ll not recover!
I’ll need to leave
This time.
I cant stick around
To see another generation flounder,
On these stones
And not recuperate.
Please let me go!
Let me pass!
I’ll need to leave it now at last.
Nothing left for me to do,
But wander in the blue
Of our sin…
Of our sin.

Copyright 2017.    L.L. Shelton.

Bye, Smiley

Long ago sunny day,

Little blond boy

With blue eyes wide,

Fair left town,

We’re mesmerized.

Around his finger ribbon twined,

Faint memories of worldly glitter,

Promises of something better,

Fair left town,

But we remember.

Inflated friend with painted smile,

Drew lines of imagery

Between us,

Fair left town,

Along with trust.

He let it go,

Had second thoughts,

Catch the string, I could not.

Fair left town,

Our hope was lost.

Copyright 2021.    L.L. Shelton.

The Good Garden

For Clara, Luca, and Zeek


I want to be in paradise,

Where men may well converse with mice,

Where cows join in at sing-alongs,

And never does one not belong.

 

I know that it must be a place,

Where all hatred is erased.

Cats will walk and talk with pheasants,

Discussing things so very pleasant.

 

When mushrooms speak I’ll understand,

Offering to lend a hand,

Knowing how they do conspire,

To share a stage with the oyster choir.

 

I’ll notice dragons playing chess,

With ostriches their honored guests.

Bunnies gladly do the farming,

And every simple meal is charming.

 

All pigs love to entertain.

Ducks ride the alligator train.

Beavers keep the swamp pristine,

Where a butterfly is always queen.

 

Flower jewelers do her hair,

While bees dress her beyond compare.

Turtles carry her to tea,

Beside the not-so-salty sea.

 

Dogs do dance with kangaroos,

Boogie-woogie instead of blues.

Birds are best in charge of fashion,

And good will always come of passion.

 

Copyright 2022.    L.L.  Shelton

On Mother’s Day

To Each and Every Dear Child:

Conception begins in the mind of GOD.  Conception begins when your creator, GOD of all that is, decides you will be created; when he conceives of the idea of you and He declares that you will be made in His image- meaning that you will bear the stamp of His authorship.  You are invaluable and you are without exception given as a blessing, and you are to be received as a blessing.

Whether or not you remain a blessing, is in part due to our response to the gift of you and in part according to your response to GOD.  These things are true.  It does not matter what alternative information is perpetuated by the world system, for GOD who owns all that is, has declared these things to be true and nothing can change the truth.

This world is corrupt; it is the furthest thing from the goodness of GOD.  This world is ultimately governed by evil; its ruler is Satan, The Prince of The Air and the one who ushered death into the world- and from him you may expect nothing but lies.  He will often mix truth together with lie- the better to deceive you!  He is opposed to your creator.  He has been a liar and a murderer from the beginning.  Do not listen to him, as he will lead you to your own destruction while nearly always behaving as though he is the best thing available to you and has only your best interest at heart.

But there is hope! To combat the bombardment of lies, you must remember who you are! You are a beautiful work of art- conceptualized, designed, and brought forth by GOD! As you journey here, in this fallen world, seek the one who created you; seek and you will find.  Become a child of His salvation.  HE is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.  The Bible tells me so, and I have found Him.  You can find Him, too.  Reach out to God through sincere prayer, confess your need for a savior to deliver you from your sin and your faith that Jesus Christ is God’s son sent to earth to do that very thing, believe and be saved (be justified), then He will begin to move you forward in obedience to His Word (begin to be sanctified).  GOD is the great lover of your soul, and the only one in whom you will discover your extraordinary meaning and purpose; your true and wonderful life (be glorified)!

Copyright   2022.    L.L. Shelton.

Watch The Water

Yes, indeed,

Pay attention to the noble steed.

The one who comes prepared to do us harm,

Will ride into eternal fire unarmed.

He is nothing and his strength will fade,

As Our God in Christ his future’s made.

An utter end to him is sure to come,

His will now is finished and undone.

Copyright 2022.    L.L. Shelton.

Home Sweet Ideal

Bright Light from above

Ore a land with a steeple,

Sweet home that I love;

Our colorful people

Are jewels in her crown.


No one to be crucified,

Much less upside down!

Her beauty most evident

To all who come ‘round,

In smiles of her loved ones.

 

A place we have found,

To live free of constraints

Kings impose with a frown;

To know God and His reign

Till His joy is renown!

Copyright 2022.    L.L. Shelton.

Tale of Tales

(A Word For Uncle Charlie)

Oh, the Love that never sleeps,

But deep within Its bosom keeps,

Mysteries of ancient chorus,

Angels sang as His thoughts bore us,

Into tale of His Life Glorious!

 

Often marvel, oh my soul,

That as each tiny life unfolds,

One hour passed within the hold,

Of His affection sweetly told,

Gives aid in death and worth to whole!

 

Copyright  March  2022.     L. L. Shelton.

On Sheep and Goats


Some may know that we graduated from our suburban Itty Bitty Farm a few years ago to our rural homestead property, Little Bigger Farm, where we are able to produce more- still on a small scale.  We happily raise some of our own fruits, berries, and vegetables, as well as ducks, geese, American Guinea Hogs, a small flock of Dorper-Katahdin sheep and a few dairy goats.  My mother resides on the property with us and she cheerfully raises chickens.  We are learning and loving more everyday.

Being in this position has given me an excellent opportunity to study the behavior of both sheep and goats, to become aware of their commonalities and to note where they are truly unique.  I easily appreciate these wonderful animals and find each species a joy to raise, however there are stark differences.  I thought some of you, particularly those of you who are practicing Christians, would be interested in my careful and sincere observations; as Christ so often contrasted the goat with the sheep, and while never stating a dislike for goats, claimed the sheep as analogous to his own brothers and sisters.  These are my discoveries thus far:

Goats are excessively curious about the world.  Sheep are mildly inquisitive regarding the world.

Goats are usually flamboyant.  Sheep are generally reserved.

Goats are bold and quickly into everyone’s  business.  Sheep are wary and hesitant to involve themselves in the affairs of others.

Goats crave attention and prefer to be the center of it.  Sheep prefer to be inconspicuous.

Goats are particular and express a great variety of preference.  Sheep are easily satisfied.

Goats are flirtatious and often without appropriate boundaries.  Sheep are carefully friendly.

Goats are boisterous partiers.  Sheep are pleasant.

Goats will stand on their heads any time to make you laugh.  Sheep will wonder at your easy frivolity.

Goats are chatty and sometimes carry-on unduly.  Sheep are quiet until it is absolutely fitting to raise a  voice.

Goats will interrupt peasant or King and possibly trample him, no matter the solemnity of the occasion.  Sheep stay near and maintain a respectable stance.

Goats are affectionate and indulgent with their off-spring.  Sheep are tender toward their young, yet command their respect.

Goats appreciate it when their humans occasionally help out by kidsitting, and are completely trusting that they will have the best interest of their little ones at heart.  Sheep are pleased to take care of their own little ones ninety percent of the time, and when the situation demands it, care only to pass them off to another sheep.

Goats are quite happy to include any merry-maker and appear to be open to accepting all as family.  Sheep are kind to others and spend time with all, but remain truly interested in flocking and maintaining relationship with one another on a separate and primary level, which on occasion annoys the goats.

Goats are rowdy.  Sheep are gentle.

Goats are clever.  Sheep are thoughtful.

Goats are immediately attractive.  Sheep will grow on you.

As I continue to care for both goats and sheep, I hope to remain astute and to capture further information of a similar nature to impart to you, my dear readers.  Perhaps the next entry will offer a comparison of the two species.

Copyright 2022.     L. L.  Shelton.