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Christian Womens Blog by Laurie Cole of Priority Ministries

Laurie Cole

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June 17, 2016

The Secret I Found In My Dad’s Bible

I spent last week with the The Most Wonderful Father in the world.

John McKay

That’s him. John McKay. My dad. In spite of the super cute golf pose, he readily admits to being a not-so-hot golfer. But he thoroughly enjoys practicing his putting and chipping skills in his back yard and playing regularly with a great group of guys from his high school days. (Sweet story: they re-connected at their 50th high school reunion, and they’ve been getting together to play golf, encourage one another, and reminisce about the old days ever since.)

Two years ago, Dad had emergency brain surgery to remove a massive blood clot. The surgery was successful, but his speech and motor skills were greatly weakened. His sweet spirit and faith in God, however, was as strong as ever. Throughout weeks and weeks of hospitalization and months and months of rehab, he shared the joy and love of Jesus with every nurse, doctor, therapist, and visitor who came into his room.

As you can see in the picture above, Dad has experienced an amazing recovery. And while I was with him last week, I noticed that he has adopted a new daily routine.

Every morning, Dad wakes up early and walks 2-3 miles (!) around his neighborhood. Then he  returns home and has breakfast with those who did not get up early and did not walk 2-3 miles with him — i.e., my Mom and me last week.

Breakfast table time is my favorite time with Dad. And one morning last week, there were three of us there: Dad, his worn, wrinkled, red-leather Bible, and me.

What captivated me most that morning were the notes Dad had written in the front and back pages of his Bible. There were sermon notes and quotes from great preachers, columns of crusade and revival dates where he’d led the music and sung the stars down, lists of the names of those he had led to Christ, and so much more.

But then, scotch-taped securely to a page, I discovered this . . .

Poem in Daddy's Bible2

Well, not exactly that. That’s the printed copy Dad made for me. You can see the faint outline of his Bible and the blurry, type-written words of a poem by pastor/author Rev. Ralph Cushman. And this is the graphic of that poem that I made for you . . .

I Met God in the Morning

(Click here for the printable…and tape it inside your own Bible.)

With tears in his eyes at the breakfast table last week, Dad told me, “Laurie, Jesus and I are so close. We walk and talk together every morning. I’m so full.”

Meeting Jesus in the morning. That’s the secret of my Dad’s unquenchable joy through all of the challenges of his 83-year-old life.

I returned home to Houston this week. The daily challenges of  life were waiting for me. But I am so grateful to say that I returned home with fresh faith for every challenge.

It is no secret.

It is so simple.

Jesus is our joy.

So, let’s meet Him in the mornings, and live in the fullness of His joy.

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”  John 15:11

Your sister,

LaurieSig

 

P. S. A few weeks ago, one of my brothers created a YouTube channel of my Dad’s music from the years he served alongside James Robison (evangelist). The videos are excerpted from a weekly television program they did together. Thought I’d share one with you. Enjoy!

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Roselyn Ware says

    June 17, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    When you wrote your maiden name………..that sounded familiar. A long time ago, James Robison and your Dad came to our old church in Fort Worth. It was Rosen Heights Baptist where I grew up & went to church with 4 generations of Christians!! I never forgot what an awesome voice your Dad had and what a great preacher James Robison was. It’s so sweet to know that he is your Dad!!
    It’s a small world, isn’t it??

    Blessings,
    Roselyn Ware (better known as Lezli’s Mom)

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      June 17, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      Roselyn, how fun to read your comment! Growing up in Fort Worth myself, I heard so much about Rosen Heights Baptist through the years. This connection we now have through my father connects us twice — Lezli was our first. Small world indeed.

      Love to you, sweet Roselyn!

      Reply
  2. Sharon Rigsby says

    June 17, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    Love your Dad singing. Remember those days well. Love the poem too. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      June 17, 2016 at 6:42 pm

      Bless you, Sharon!

      Reply
  3. Kristi Leslie says

    June 17, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    “Dubby” is, always was, and ever will be, one of the two most wonderful men I’ll ever have in my life. My Daddy was the other, of course. I wish I’d had more time with him.

    Love you!
    K

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      June 17, 2016 at 6:40 pm

      So kind of you, Kristi. Ever since you called him “Dubby” when you were just a tiny girl, the nickname stuck. 🙂 I miss your daddy, too. All of my memories of him are sweet. What a gentle, good man he was, and he sure loved you. When I think of heaven, I think of him and the wonderful, never-ending reunion we will all enjoy with him there. Love you, too!

      Reply
      • Kristi Leslie says

        June 17, 2016 at 8:31 pm

        Bawling! ♡

        Reply
        • Debbie says

          June 17, 2016 at 10:27 pm

          Me too!
          Beautiful poem Laurie, thanks for sharing. (& thanks to Kristi for leading me here!) ❤

          Reply
          • Debbie says

            June 17, 2016 at 10:29 pm

            And…your Dad sings beautifully!!! ❤

  4. Pam Jones says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    Thank you Laurie for not only sharing your sweet dad with us but also his songs. Always will remember him and your little mom coming to Sagemont and singing for us. You have such a wonderful family and and thank you again for sharing them with us 🙂

    Reply
  5. Beth Minick Wilson says

    June 18, 2016 at 7:55 am

    Thanks for sharing Laurie! Brings back so many memories. I am so excited about his recovery from the surgery.

    Reply
  6. Debra says

    June 19, 2016 at 2:55 am

    Laurie, Your Dad taught you well, because it’s so easy to see Jesus in you!

    Reply
  7. Dan Prescott says

    June 30, 2018 at 8:29 pm

    I googled for John Mckay after hearing a tenor singing on “Huckabee”, on tv. I sang in John’s choir at Seagoville Baptist 1957. He gave me voice lessons and encouraged me to enter the field of music, but I did not. I have strong memories of that time and he invited me and two other boys to visit him when he lived in Bandera. I enjoyed his music with James Robison and wondered where he went. He will not likely remember me, but please give him a hug for me.

    Dan Prescott, McKinney Texas. tenthhole@ att.net

    Reply
  8. Frank McNeely says

    November 17, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Laurie, I moved back to the great USA 2 years ago to take care of my elderly parents in their young 80’s. Dad a Southern Baptist minister called at 13 and my mother a minister in her own right probably longer. As i sat mom and dad down to listen to the Bill Gather show I asked mom if her favorite singer was ever on this program. Dad had in the early 70’s worked with James Robinson and John McKay Ministries to have the crusade stop in West Frankfort Il. where dad Pastored for many years. I remember the gym packed for a solid week where James lead us to the cross and your father opened our hearts thru song, I am sorry I cant think of the man who played the organ. My name is Frank, my father Bruce and mother Eva McNeely. I was afraid that I might not locate current information about John McKay but just as God so richly does, he blessed me with that and put in a bonus about you.
    And yes your father is in fact mom’s favorite singer.

    Reply
  9. John Roy Wilson says

    March 6, 2019 at 1:36 am

    John and his small family came to Kerrville and Trinity Baptist. Church in maybe ’58 for less than two years. At Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, on July 2, John walked with me down front where I signed a card; Full Time Christian Service. For the next 5 to 7 years, John encouraged and supported me in my Christian growth.
    Although I did not stay with the in line with the letter-of-the-law, I am a school teacher and work with youth. John and Julia loved me deeply and I so appreciate them.

    Reply
  10. Janice Cox says

    October 28, 2019 at 11:36 am

    Just sitting at home going through my mom’s records and came across one of your dad’s albums. I thought I would google his name. Such a joy to read about his ministry. I remember your dad and James Robinson coming to Alamogordo, NM when I was a small child. The music and message had such a impact on me as a small child.

    Reply
  11. Marilyn (Allen) Wible says

    January 11, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    In July 1969 James Robison and your dad came to Columbus, Ohio, as part of the Crusade of the Americas. I was 14, my mother and I sang in the choir, my best friend was a counselor, and another friend of mine came and accepted Christ one of the nights. I remember the story of your dad with his red Bible entering an elevator, and when the doors closed, announced, “The reason why I called you here today…” I have wonderful memories of that week, the music, the messages, the guest speakers, along with the programs with autographs, and newspaper articles about the crusade, and even sheet music for “I Want That Mountain”. Great memories from a great week!

    Reply
  12. Jane W says

    September 3, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    That was so kind of you to make a printable version that total strangers could use years later. A friend’s mom reads this poem every morning too (which is how I stumbled on your site). Blessings to you and yours.

    Reply
  13. Linda Bolton says

    January 17, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    I met your father at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, around 1973 or so. I listen to his album THANK YOU JESUS on Youtube.com at least weekly. He stood the test of time and I appreciate him for that. Did he write the extra verses to How Great Thou Art on that album, if not who is the author? He has been a testimony to me and I thank him for standing firm.

    Reply
  14. Cary Adair says

    February 7, 2022 at 11:53 am

    Hi Laurie! you may or may not remember me from the ‘days of Glenview Baptist, But I remember my cousin Bobby James and Bill Cole and your brother Jay McKay all singing several different times there, my life was touched so deeply. I am so glad to know that your dad is still alive, I still love to hear him sing, it sure would be good to all get together again some time and fellowship together. Please tell you Dad na mom that we still love them and miss seeing them

    Reply
  15. John Roy Wilson says

    August 31, 2022 at 10:52 pm

    In Kerrville, in ’58, I went to Alto Frio Bapt. Encampment. I was 13 yrs. John talked with me about dedicating my life to “full-time Christian Service.” I did. I became a school teacher. Although my life now is not, is not what I thought it would be like, I am so very grateful to John and Julia for their love and support.

    Reply

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