VALENTINE'S DAY

From Smith Clinic, Cordova, TN
Did you know that the origin of Valentine’s Day actually comes from the life and death of a man who died rather than giving up his faith?

Legend has it that Valentine was a Roman Christian who was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. According to Claudius II, Christians were guilty of treason by refusing to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, “Caesar is Lord!”

Rather that obeying Claudius II's decree, Valentine continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards, and when Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that Valentine be put to death. As the legend is told, while in jail awaiting his sentence, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter who had become his friend, signing it, “From Your Valentine.”

While Valentine's life was a true testament of faith and love for God, no greater love has been shown throughout history than the love that God has shown for His children. He sent us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, as a man, to die for us. God’s love for us was so powerful that He was willing to sacrifice His one and only Son in order for us to, once again, be able to walk side by side with Him. 

Our very salvation came through love. His delight in and love for you is boundless and beyond measure. Our prayer is that you know and experience His great love for you. Happy Valentine's Day!

MORIAH HOUSE

by Danna Shirley
For a few months in mid-2018 God had begun ruffling my feathers and blowing up my comfort zone where I had been attending church for the last fourteen years...Bartlett First Assembly, Bartlett, TN. I was happy there. I loved my church, my pastor, my friends. The sermons were awesome and I had a place and purpose. God used me there. So..."Why are you messing with me, God...?" I asked.

After finally making the decision to be "obedient" to the call, I spoke to Pastor Johnny Byrd through many tears. Our conversation went well and he agreed that I must follow God's leading. Some may believe leaving a church is because of some great transgression or conflict within the church or hierarchy. Not so! God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and He places us into His final picture as He pleases. Sometimes we are there to give back and sometimes we are there to receive. I've been in both places several times.

For me, only God knows the end from the beginning. I recognize this position all too well for He has moved me several times in my thirty-eight years with Him, and with each move, God has given me a new “family.” 

In seeking out where God wanted me next, I began visiting around and finally found a home at First Assembly Memphis, just four miles away. I attended a Wednesday night dinner, a women's evening class, and a senior's gathering but they didn't seem to connect with me permanently, until I found my Sunday School class and felt at home again. Even though I had now found my connection, I still prayed for understanding of why God had moved me in the first place. 

Then, just prior to Christmas, one of my class members, Sara Garrott, asked for donations for Christmas gifts for the children at Moriah House. I had heard of Moriah House since moving to TN but really didn't know anything about it. Sara had been a supporter of this ministry for twenty-seven years and I could see and hear the devotion on her countenance. I gave a few gift bags for the children but nothing connected as yet. My thoughts, however, began to gravitate in different ways to be helpful. 

Then in January, the church began a 21-day fasting and prayer for 2019. During this fast, I journaled my prayers and impressions. On day seven I again asked, "Why am I at First Assembly Memphis? Lord, what do you have for me to do?" Boom...MORIAH HOUSE jumped in my spirit in big bold letters. Confirmation from the Lord was very strong and my heart is now at Moriah House along with Sara's. 

MORIAH HOUSE

 Where women whose lives have been

shattered by domestic abuse, depression, 

drug and alcohol abuse, and prostitution 

can receive wholeness and restoration.

The ultimate objective is for these women and

their families to encounter new life through a

relationship with JESUS CHRIST and 

emerge as fulfilled, productive members

of the community. 

HISTORY OF THE TARZAN BOOKS

By Edgar Rice Burroughs

These Tarzan books were my husband's, Ronald Kline Shirley, as a young boy. He was a great reader and enjoyed the stories and adventures. When he went off to join the Navy at age 18, they were given to his cousin, Janet Adams. Janet was adopted by Rand and Mavis Adams. Mavis was David Kline Shirley’s sister, Ronald’s aunt.

After Ron and Danna married and moved back to Alabama, Aunt Mavis returned the books to Ron for his safekeeping. They were in perfect condition at this time. 😊

Unfortunately, Danna, not realizing the dampness of the south, placed the books in a box in the basement. After being stored there for several months, they became damaged through mold and humidity. ☹

When Russ and Aaron came along, Ron tried to get them interested, hoping they would enjoy the art of reading and adventure as much as he had. When they didn’t want to read, Ron tried reading to them. They were fidgety and would rather go play than sit and listen. Ron was disappointed he couldn’t instill in his own sons what had been routine for him all his life, being an avid reader.  

Tarzan of the Apes (1914)

The Return of Tarzan (1915)

Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar (1918)

Tarzan the Terrible (1921)

Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1924)

Tarzan Lord of the Jungle (1928)

When downsizing my house, I asked Aaron if he would like these books and he jumped at the chance to possess them. I'm so glad they have found a home in another generation of Shirley households. 

WORKS and GOOD WORKS

Danna Shirley
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Eph 2:8-10 NIV)

Some might say this is a conflicting scripture—we’re saved NOT by our works but we’re created to DO good works. 

Not by works – performance…

Do good works – performance...

Hard to understand? Not really.  Our own works are of no benefit because we’re moving through our own motivation, under our own power, and in our own ability—maybe through pride or the drive to achieve. 

Our works in Christ Jesus, resting in His care and moving in obedience to the Holy Spirit, brings about not just works but “good works” and these are what God had planned for us to do from the beginning. 

Works done in the flesh will burn up…

Good works done in the Spirit will last for eternity…

GOOD NEWS

Danna Shirley
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Romans 10:13) Saved!  ...  From what? … Their sins!

“How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in?” (Romans 10:14a) I’m a good person.  I don’t drink, or curse, or beat my dog!  I believe in myself!!!

“And how can they believe in the One of Whom they have not heard?  (Romans 10:14b) I don’t need a Savior—I don’t need to hear anything!

“And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard though the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:14c,17) YOU be a witness to the lost.  YOU speak the Words of Life.  YOU give your testimony of God’s grace and mercy, and of Jesus Christ—Lord and Savior of all. (Acts 19:8-10 and 23:11)

Why? Because “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (Romans 10:15b) GOOD NEWS!!! 

I am so thankful for the “beautiful feet” of those saints who planted and watered the “Good News” into me and for Betty Baxter, who gave her testimony of God’s saving grace and healing power on that Sunday in May 1980, which prompted me, a 32-year-old sinner, pregnant with her third child, to walk down that aisle in Montgomery, Alabama and receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

         

Oh, thank You, Lord, for the “beautiful feet” of Your saints!

UNASHAMED

Danna Shirley 
"He who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”  (Rom 10:11 NIV)

Have you ever not had your prayers answered?

 “Oh, what a shame…that’s a shame…too bad...I guess God didn’t hear you,” an unbeliever might say mocking your faith.

    

As believers, we wonder why our prayers aren’t answered when and how we want them to be but we are never ashamed of God’s methods or His timing.  We wait patiently on Him knowing He’s in control of our lives. 

    

I have had many instances when I called upon God to move in a particular situation, or answer a prayer in a certain way, and it didn’t come to pass!

    

Oh, but the “Thank You’s” I uttered when I realized later the “answered” prayer would have been a disaster or would have put me into some pretty deep despair.

    

Thank You, Lord, that You always had my best in Your hands—never spoiled me but increased my knowledge and wisdom of You (Ephesians 1:17). Oh, how much You love me.

    

Thank You, Lord, that You’ve never put me to shame but only held me up through it all.

A NEW SONG

Danna Shirley 
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.  He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”  (Psalm 40:1-3)

New beginnings…yes, new beginnings.  He has brought me out of the pit and set my feet upon a rock.  That Rock is Jesus Christ. 

We all have our testimonies of how God got our attention when we were out in the world; how the Holy Spirit introduced us to the reality of Jesus Christ and wooed us to Himself; how we recognized our sin and need for a Savior; and how we finally believed, received, and were born into the Kingdom of God.  We all have our testimonies and they are all different, as different as every one of us is different.

    

We didn’t know we had been waiting patiently for the Lord to come and save us.  If we had known, we might not have been so patient or so evasive.  God’s timing is perfect, though. 

    

I wasn’t saved until I was 32 years old.  I used to ponder why I didn’t receive Jesus until that age even though I was raised in church.  My regret is I could have been and done so much in the name of the Lord that was left undone for all those years.

     

Then He saved me and set my feet on a firm foundation and put a “new song” in my heart.  A new song…How Great Thou Art! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfcvUtUoOM