The History of Starr Publications

Starr Publications began as a dream in the mid-1980s while Shirley and Randy Starr were serving at Harvest Temple (now Harvest Baptist Temple) in Clyde, Ohio. We kept seeing topics in our independent fundamental churches and schools that needed researched and thoroughly addressed. In 1988, we began publishing under the name JoMar Publications using only our Xerox electric typewriter and our Minolta copier, marketing to 3300 schools and churches.

Brief Doctrinal Statement of Starr Ministries

We hold to independent Baptist, doctrinal positions.

The Bible

We believe the original manuscripts were inspired of God and are preserved in the Authorized Version, the King James Bible for English speaking people. We reject all modern Versions. The Bible is inspired, infallible, inerrant, and God’s final word in practice and faith. All Biblical quotations in our books will be taken only from the King James Bible.  We neither study from nor use other English versions.

The Trinity

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are the three persons in the Godhead with different offices and functions, but with unity of purpose, attributes, and perfections. All three possess all the traits of deity, eternality, omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, immutability, etc.

Jesus, though pre-existent in Heaven with the Father in eternity past, came to earth born of a virgin, performed miracles, lived a sinless life, shed His blood, died on the cross for our sins, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and arose the third day for our justification. Today, His ministry is intercession for us at the right hand of the Father. Soon, He will return in the clouds for us.

Fall of Man and his need of Salvation

Man was created by the direct act of God, not by an evolutionary process. Because of Adam’s disobedience in the garden, all men have sinned, cannot save themselves, and therefore, need a Saviour. We believe in a literal, burning Hell as the eternal punishment and torment of sinners who reject the Saviour, and a literal, eternal Heaven of wondrous bliss for those who accept Christ.

Jesus is the only One Who met God’s qualifications to be that Saviour. We can only be saved by grace through repenting of our sin and placing our faith and trust in Him. The salvation He gives us is eternal and cannot be taken away. We are preserved forever. Christians have the responsibility to obey His commands.

We reject Hyper-Calvinism which says that God overrides man’s will in order to save him because His grace is irresistible. We also reject Arminianism which says you can be saved and lose it. Rather, we believe God made salvation possible and made man a free moral agent to choose to accept or reject Him.

End Time Events

We are dispensationalists believing that God had different modes of dealing with men in different eras. However, He always operates by Grace. In like manner, we believe in the imminent appearing of Christ in the clouds at the Rapture of the Church and the Judgment Seat of Christ for Christians, the subsequent seven-year Tribulation on earth, the return of Christ with His saints at the end of the Great Tribulation, the battle of Armageddon, the establishment of His millennial reign on earth, the loosing of satan for a season, the Great White Throne Judgment of sinners, and the New Heaven and the New Earth. We are pre-tribulational and pre-millennial.

Separation

We also believe in and practice personal and ecclesiastical separation.

Starr Publications Endorsements

Prayers of Christ   Bro. Starr, your book, Prayers of Christ, truly helped me in a renewed dedication to my prayer life.  In seeing through Scripture the importance of prayer surrounding or encompassing ALL I do, I approach prayer in a different way.  God has used your book to teach me a closeness to God in prayer I've never known before.  Thank you.  [New York]

RE: The Prayers of Christ  Dear Bro. and Mrs. Starr, My husband and I just read The Prayers of Christ. We are both amazed at the wonderful truths and the revelation in His Very Own Prayers. I came away with a new and amazing sense of closeness and understanding of my Lord Jesus. I felt loved by His prayers in a way no human can express love. God bless you both.  [Oklahoma]

Dear Bro. Starr, I just started teaching the Young Adults Sunday School class in our church.  I plan to start a series soon to work through your book, The Prayers of Christ.   

RE: DRESS – A Reflection of the Heart   Dear Shirley, I have to tell you how the Lord has been working in my life, largely, because of you and one of your books.

 Our Pastor had asked the prospective choir members not to wear pants for any church affairs.  He said he wasn't telling us what to wear in our private lives.  Although I had privately thought that pants were a lot more modest than the skirts that some of the ladies were wearing while we were working on the church.  I agreed to do it.

 My mother used to tuck her skirt up in her underpants when she scrubbed the floor on her hands and knees, and I did not like to see her doing that.  That picture stayed with me as I had my 6 children and played with them on the floor, on my hands and knees, picked up a million toy pieces, and worked around the house.  Pants were the uniform of my days, although I did wear dresses to church until pantsuits came out.

 Then I started attending our Baptist (the last church I thought I would ever attend, having been raised AG) and I saw that many of the women wore skirts.  I still thought I would be more modest in my pantsuits if I fell, (had several surgeries by then) than they would be in a skirt.   I did enjoy wearing the long skirts for church but still felt that they were not practical at home.  From time to time, I would notice how nice some of the ladies at church looked but I still balked.

 Every once in a while, I would get this little niggling thought about wearing pants, but I would tell myself, they aren't tight, at my age, they are certainly not sexy!  And they are comfortable!"  I thought, Lord, if this is you talking to me, please make it very plain to me.  Can you tell that I did not want to make that sacrifice if I didn't have to?

 Then, not too long ago, one of the ladies testified about a salesperson remarking that she must be a Christian.  I thought to myself, why would she think that?  Is it because she is wearing a skirt?  Do people really think that way?  Does that mean that I don't look like a Christian because I am wearing pants?  It bothered me.  I even asked my husband how he felt about women in pants.  He said he had never really thought much about it.

 I remember your husband saying that he had never told you how to dress.  You always look so nice and feminine, and I wondered if that was the difference.  I had bought your books on the flash drive and had not read them, so I decided to read that book.  I sat down and read it straight through.  When I finished, I thought, "WOW".  The restroom door was the clincher!  Oh yes, and the lady who said she wasn't going to let a pair of pants keep her from a blessing!  Me neither!

 I went online and looked for a pattern (I am a seamstress) for culottes or a divided skirt.  I found one I liked, that was out of print (or you could pay $15.00 for one!) I looked on eBay and found the same one, the same size, (just sold!).  There was another offer for one for $20.00.  "Bummer".  Amazon! I prayed that I would be able to find one.  There it was, same pattern, right size, $4.75, brand new! The Mailman just delivered it!

The next day, I wore a skirt, and my husband told me I looked nice (he has never been much to compliments).  Then, he told me we needed to go shopping and buy me some new clothes!  I had my women's Bible Study Fellowship that morning and everyone complimented me on how nice I looked. What was funny, was, that they were all wearing pants and as we stood up to sing, I noticed how all those pants looked from the rear!  I told my teacher to call me, that I had something to share with her.

 My husband picked me up from the study and took me out to lunch. Then, we went shopping.  By this time, I was ready to explode at how I felt inside.  I was just bubbling over! 

 We tried the Goodwill store and found several skirts and two pretty silk, down, jackets.  Everything was on sale for 50% off!  Then we went to the Salvation Army store and all the clothes were 50% off. I found about 10 really nice skirts, some for church and some for home, and the best thing was a beautiful divided skirt that was well made and must have cost a fortune new.

 My teacher called me that afternoon. I told her all that I had told you, and she said, "The Lord is really working in your life.  I have never felt convicted about wearing pants, but now we will just have to see…"  I cannot believe that such a simple thing was standing between me and a closer walk with the Lord!

 Thank you for your book! I just thought it was a matter of personal choice, not a spiritual issue. So, I can't testify about my horribly, sinful past,and how the Lord saved me from it, but I can give them a lot of reasons why I now wear all skirts! [Maryland]

 I want to thank you so much for writing the book on Dress. I grew up in a Christian and was taught what was right to wear and what was wrong to wear. It's not just being told to wear this, but why we do certain things. I got saved last Mother's Day and have been searching the scriptures lately about why I dress this way. My mother-in-law has been challenging me on this subject. She doesn't approve of the way that I dress for church, because she would rather wear what the world says is ok for church. Now, when we have this conversation again I know the scriptures to use to help her see why. I praise the Lord for giving you the words and the ability to write such a powerful book. Since I read this book, I have gotten rid of so many clothes, because they don't fit the standard that God has for me as a Christian young lady. I am a mother of two boys (soon to be 4 and 6 months) and I need to start showing them now how a lady should act and dress. My husband has been liking the change that I have been making. He was taught to wear whatever you want and look decent. He's been changing things as well and studying to be a preacher! I thank you so much and give God the glory. (Email)

I thank God for you for writing that book about women's dress. I enjoyed reading, studying, and sharing it with others.  That's why I'm praying for God's provision to order maybe 20 of those books to give to some pastors' wives and friends in the Philippines.  I started making lessons and messages from that book for the future.  I love sharing the Truth. [Missionary wife in California]

After hearing about your Dress book from a church in Michigan, we bought it.  We don't have a separate church nearby so have not heard preaching on this topic.  However, we absorbed what we learned from this book like a sponge.  We have grown as Christians in this area of separation as we learn why we believe what we believe. [Preacher & wife in Maine]

Dear Mrs. Starr,  I am currently going to Massillon Baptist College in Ohio. This is my first year. I am in a Christian Life for Ladies class every Tuesday and Thursday. In that class we are going through modesty etc. Our teacher told us we were to read your Dress book. She told us it was the best book she has found for modesty out of the many books she has read. We were told to read the book and then do a detailed timeline.

I want to thank you for writing that book! It has helped me greatly and five other college students! There are even some more college students here who want to purchase the book and read it! The Lord used your book in my life to show me the right way to dress and why. I loved reading your book! It was very down to earth and it all made perfect sense! I cannot begin to thank you enough for it!  I just wanted to let you know how much your book has changed lives for the good! Thank you!  [College student, Ohio]

 (From his August Prayer letter) ... We have been using a booklet that we realized the Dress book was written by Pastor Starr's wife.  This book has helped some of our ladies greatly in understanding God's standard of how Christian women should dress. [Pastor in Wyoming]

Dear Bro. & Sis. Starr,

I wanted to write and personally Thank you for writing the Dress book. It is one of (if not) the best books on Biblical Modesty that I have read... and I have read them all. What I find makes this book so effective is 1) It is written by ladies. 2) It deals with the heart of the matter just like it says on the cover. 3) It answers all the questions and deals Biblically with all the excuses. Your book has been most effective in helping women we know to deal with this in their lives. The book makes it easy on the Pastor. I find that I do not have to preach on the subject nor answer any questions from women. I just give them the book. We give this book as a gift to Pastors, Preachers, and Missionaries! We also give it to new converts. My wife uses the studies in the book for lady fellowships and meetings. I would recommend this book to all Pastors of their churches. May the Lord continue to bless this book. [Pastor in Louisiana]

Dear Mrs. Starr, I just had to write and thank you for the book you wrote on dress. In a day and age, when it is rare to see Christian women stand up and take the "high road" in modest apparel, it is refreshing to see a book so clearly written on the subject. My husband and I have for years been doing our best to teach our girls why we wear modest apparel, but this book just made everything so clear that I am now having our 11-year-old daughter read it and I have come up with a list of questions for each chapter to cement the truth in her head. For us, it is important that these convictions become her own so that she will continue them when she has her own family. It grieves me greatly that so many Christian women have taken this issue as the one they will "die for" and are determined NOT to give up their pants! Never have I had such a strong conviction about pants 'til I read your book. When my husband first got convicted, I agreed to not wear them because, for me, my love was greater for him than the pants I wanted to wear. Still, I could never express MY conviction 'til I read your book. What perspective! Thank you! Now, I desire my sons to read this book too as they get older so that they, too, can instruct their wives on why they should be dressed modestly. My only wish is that a dear friend of mine who has decided to NOT listen to my convictions would read this book--you can't argue with it. Thank you again and may God bless you richly. I know this book has blessed me! [Wyoming]

Firstly, I wanted to thank you for the books you and your wife have written. We have carried them in our bookstore for quite some time now. Our Pastor is reviewing “The Head Covering” currently, and I look forward to getting it on our site.[Bookstore Purchasing Agent, Book Heaven/Challenge Press]

Dear Mrs. Starr, Thank you for such a great series on dress and women of the Bible. Your books have been such a blessing to me personally and as a resource for being a pastor's wife. I am currently using Volume 2 and teaching a Helpmeets & Homemakers Bible study in our church. It is hard to find good materials that are KJV and truly base the instruction given from the Word of God! In His Service [Pastor's wife, CT]

We have been in the ministry for 43 years and are now doing missionary work in Eastern Canada, the United States, and the world. We are also evangelizing and doing home conferences. We are looking forward to these books. We have the others you have written. [Missionary Evangelist's wife, AR]

Thank you so much for the books! The greatest book I've read on biblical modesty, this book wonderfully illustrates and teaches from the Bible that the Lord is concerned with appearance! It shows that God's people should be and look like just that--God's people--with what is "holy & acceptable" in God's view! Your Dress book when read can speak to the heart that desires to surrender and submit. But it is only written to women who desire to be ladies of Christlike character. All glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. [Pastor in TX]

Dear Mrs. Starr,

Thank you so much for the tremendous blessing you are to me!! God, in His loving provision, knew that newly saved women would need instruction in finding God's special place and plan for us. And as He lavishes His grace and mercy on me, I learned in your book He even wants to decorate me with beauty, grace, femininity, and all the glory so exclusively reserved for us, that men are forbidden from what is our! If that doesn't make a woman feel special, I don't know what does. Thanks to your willingness to teach others, I have an important part of my walk with God under His control and guidance. Had I not read your Dress book I would either be unwittingly displeasing to God through improper dress, or I would just be following what I thought was man's policy of "church preference," neither of which bring the glory God deserves in my life. Rather, I have learned a truth, decided to submit to it 100%, and best of all, I know WHY I believe it!! My son and daughter-in-law serve the Lord at a church in Oklahoma. They plan to attend the college in that city where a Biblical dress code is enforced. She said she would comply out of obedience to the school policy, but she has no such conviction and would continue to wear pants at home. Someone gave your book to her at the same time someone at my church gave it to me. I drove to see her, praying that God would give me the courage and the right words to explain what I so clearly understood from your book, which I intended to give to her. Lo and behold! I couldn't believe my eyes when she opened the door, your book in her hand and wearing a lovely long skirt! We smiled, hugged, cried, and did all that other girl stuff; and before I left, she handed me a trash sack full of pants and jeans for me to get rid of for her! You made my job easy, and I am eternally grateful! I have 3 more daughters-in-law to work on, so I will buy more of your books. I already know what they are getting for Christmas.[Oklahoma]

Dear sister in Jesus, The Lord has taught me so much. With God's directions from the Holy Bible and your book, Dress-The Heart of the Matter, God has opened my eyes. Please remember me in prayer. God has laid a message on my heart for the young girls at our church. I would like to have 10 more copies on hand for my sisters in the Lord here. Thank you! God bless you! [Pennsylvania]

Your Dress book is excellent. It is a perfect combination of boldness and meekness and doesn't stray from "Thus saith the Lord" to opinions. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and would suggest that every Pastor keep several copies on hand. What a help it is to me! [Pastor in Virginia]

Shirley,

I enjoyed your book on dress standards. You know, when I joined the Army, I had some trouble with the uniform, which is men's apparel. ... Wearing a man's uniform changes something in a woman's thought and behavior patterns...There was a difference in the way I moved and spoke a certain harshness, it seemed to me. The toughness was troubling because I wanted the softness and gentleness of a godly lady, not the toughness that comes from competing in a man's job. It seems strange that what we wear and how we behave impact what is inside us, just like what is inside us impacts what we wear and how we behave, but it does go both ways. It's difficult to maintain a "meek and quiet spirit" when you are dressing and living like a man. [Germany]

Dear Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Waltemyer,

I am writing to tell you how God has changed me regarding dress and how your book played a part in my decision. (She tells the story for 2 pages.) I thank you both for writing this book because God used it to convict me about my dress. I now wear a skirt or culottes all the time. I have gotten rid of my pants and I have ordered patterns for culottes from one of the addresses you suggested. Thank you so much! [Pennsylvania]

Thank you,

In this card we would like to say, Thank you for leading us to the right way. You showed us how we should dress the best for our King and nothing less! [Pennsylvania]

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for the books. We plan to carry them in the Camp bookstore as I travel this year. Praise the Lord. thank you Mrs. Starr for your work and labor of love for us.[Iowa]

Reviews by Earlyne Stephens and Jennifer Petticoffer of The Baptist Magazine, Longview TX July/August 2004

Shirley M. Starr has written a delightful book on the much-needed subject “How Christian Ladies Should Dress.” They cover the fact that we should be separated from the world and not keep up with the world in the matter of our attire. Our goal should be to glorify God in our lives. How better can we do this than in what we wear (our first impression). I certainly recommend this book for all Christian ladies, not only for themselves but to train their daughters while they are young to dress modestly and to have their convictions about their dress. [Earlyne Stephens]

I am excited to see a new, clearly written, biblical book on modesty. Dress. the Heart of the Matter does more than give rules for Christian apparel. It begins with a chapter on the history of clothing in light of world history. The chapters are brief and to the point, explaining separation, modesty, identification, surrender, and other vital topics. The book would be excellent for a teen or adult ladies' Bible class, since there are Scriptures and suggested assignments at the end of each chapter. If you are a pastor’s wife, church leader, or mother of daughters – this book should be part of your reference library. [Jennifer Petticoffer]

Dear Mrs. Starr & Mrs. Waltemyer,

Thank you for your book, Dress-The Heart of the Matter. A friend let me borrow your book—we have three daughters. We decided that they should begin wearing dresses daily… I have been wearing dresses only for almost four years and God has blessed me… Pray for us. [Indiana]

Dear Mrs. Starr,

I picked your book up at a Home Schooling Convention this year (Dress-A Reflection of the Heart). I wanted to tell you how delighted I was with it. I have been struggling with wearing pants vs. dresses for 20 years. I first heard of the concept 20 years ago in New Orleans. I had been told some of the verses, but no one ever went into detail like your book does. I would ask people why and what difference it made and no one seemed to know. I don’t think people who wear dresses all the time know why they do so. I wish these concepts were taught as well as it is explained in your book. I now think I can finally work it out in my mind to please the Lord in my dress. Thank you for writing such a great book.[Kentucky]

Dear Ladies,

Someone lent me your Dress book, and I learned a lot. The Lord convicted my heart of some things. We have three daughters and are trying to raise them to dress to please the Lord and not the world. So I’d like to order a copy for myself. [Pennsylvania]

Dear Shirley and Lori,

Thank you for your Dress book. It has helped me to finally realize what God’s will is for me. (3 page letter) May God bless you as you continue to teach and reach out to women who greatly need this teaching! [Pennsylvania]

Good Morning Shirley!!

I am going to send [the Director of their mission board] a copy of the book and ask him to read it and I am going to tell him that it is just the book and just the time to send it to all of our missionaries… It is a very good book and was written in a very good way. You and Lori are to be commended. I am so glad that I happened to [find it]. [Brazil]

Dear Mt. Zion Friends,

My heart was so blessed and encouraged to read Shirley Starr’s book on dress within the past year. I gave my copy away and would like to get a couple more… Thanks so much…may God bless you. [Pennsylvania]

Dear Sister in Christ,

Hi! I have been struggling with this issue of “dress” for about 2 years. I guess you can call me stubborn… Our pastor’s wife gave me your book to read. Wow, what timely help I needed. I have heard and used some of those excuses myself. Yes, I want to surrender completely to Christ, not just some. I ask you to please pray for me. [unknown location]

RE: Women of the Bible, series  We have all of the Women of the Bible series and my wife is planning to teach them to the ladies in our Bible College sometime next year. They are very well done and enjoyable. Thanks for the hard work that was put into them. [Kenya]

Dear Mrs. Starr,

The series of books on "The Women of the Bible" are some of the most practical teaching books I've ever seen. They have been a real encouragement to me personally as I was praying for something to teach the women of our Arabic church. What I love about these books is that they deal with the everyday struggles that women go through. They also show us the consequences of the choices we make during these struggles. These books have been a motivation for the women of our church to live a Godly and submissive life. I feel that these books can be used to teach women in any culture because they are based on biblical principles that should guide all of our lives. Thank you Mrs. Starr for taking the time and effort in writing these books. I wanted you to know that your effort was not in vain. [Pastor's wife, California]

Hi Shirley,

I took your last book with me and reread your second one. The last issue was a gift from a friend and it was great. It inspires you to do your best as a woman. I love how you bring the women of the Bible to life and how you can relate to them. It was a real blessing to me. You are doing a GREAT job. [Ohio]

Dear Shirley,

Thank you for sending your books. I know with little encouragement, the books will sell very rapidly. I will be pushing them at Family Camp. Also, I plan to carry them from the bookstore as I travel this year. I was so excited when [my friend in Wisconsin] showed it to me. I remember [another friend from Kansas] referring to your teaching material and how good it is. I was thrilled when I saw the book in print. Praise the Lord. Thank you Mrs. Starr for your work and labor of love for us. [Iowa]

Mrs. Starr,

I talked with you on the phone today about the wonderful book I’m reading. I’m so glad you’ve written additional volumes. I’d like a copy of all of your books. Thank you very much. I’ve gotten a blessing from volume 1 and have been wanting to call and get more books. You’ve got rich nuggets about the women. [Indiana]

Dear Shirley Starr,

When I was at the CHAP Homeschooling Fair, I picked up your book, Women in the Bible, volume 3 Helpless & Hurting. I just finished it this week. I’m writing to let you know it was a comfort as I’m in the midst of a trial that is causing me to faint. I can tell by your writings that you have a heart for hurting women. Please pray for my situation. I will be praying for your book ministry. [Pennsylvania]

RE: Clouds of Adversity - Valleys of Despair   Your book on Clouds came at just the right time. Our family has been going through a trial. I've started reading it through for the second time. Thank you. [Missionary's wife, OH]

Dear Mrs. Starr,

I am writing this with a heart of gratitude for your book, Clouds of Adversity, Valleys of Despair. You spoke about encouragement in one chapter and mentioned that sometimes the encouragement comes from people who do not know about the problem. Even though you do not know the details and situation, you have been an encouragement to me through the book... It was a help as I was almost to the point of giving up...There are still difficult roads ahead (on my field as I return), but I am trusting completely in the Lord. Thank you once against for being a blessing! [Missionary-MX]

Shirley,

God has been so good [in our church planting ministry] to send encouragement just when we need it most. I am reading your new book, Clouds, now--very timely! I have been going through the same kind of depression you experienced. ...the Lord has been teaching me much these past few months. I am so grateful for those He has placed in my path to help me through this... Thank you again for your support and prayers. [Pastor's wife]

RE: Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Cuttings   This booklet provides a much-needed documented answer and remedy for three major evil cult-oriented practices that are becoming common in America today. The book carefully defines each practice, with documented historical facts that underpin the sad facts. The author delineates "eight powerful arguments" for avoidance of these actions, as well as two insightful appendices based on Scripture to help individuals overcome these unwholesome practices.[Dr. Donald Jasmin, evangelist and editor, The Fundamental Digest, v. 18, Number 6, December 2009-January, 2010, p. 4]

RE: Why We Use Only the KJ Bible   Thank you for sending Why We Use the King James Bible.  I am a die-hard KJ person and often am ridiculed for being stubborn and narrow-minded, but I don't care what they call me for my convictions.  I got saved and got my first KJB at age 8.  I've memorized so much of it.  This book will be very helpful in defending my convictions.  Thank you so much. [JH,  South Carolina]

We suggest the following USES for our books...

• Church library
• Church Bookstore
• Missionary Closet
• Prophet's Chamber
• Public Library

GIVE as a Gift to...

• All missionaries and their wives
• Your Pastor and his wife
• Christmas Gifts
• Birthday Gifts
• Church Staff Men and Ladies
• Graduation Gifts
• Bus Parent
• Guest Speaker at Men's or Ladies' Banquet
• Gift to women on Mother's Day or at Mother-Daughter Banquet or to men on Father's Day
• Gift for all men and lady teachers for special occasion to honor them

Use as TEXTBOOKS or LESSONS to teach...

• Men's or Women's Bible Study
• Men's or Women's Sunday School Class
• Christian School Class
• Bible College/Institute Class
• Reformers Unanimous or similar addictions ministries
• Orientation/required reading for men or lady College students
• Required reading for the male and female missionaries you send out

However you use these books, you won't be disappointed. We look forward to serving you with these nugget-packed resources.