Judith and I recently visited my mom who lives in a small retirement community in Florida. It has been three years since my dad passed away and it seems on each visit, I discover something about him I didn’t know before. While helping mom with a small project I went in search of a Philip’s Head screwdriver and in addition found Dad’s old Bible. It’s amazing what you can learn about a person by perusing their Bible. Allow me to share a few discoveries from Daddy’s old Open Bible Study Edition.

His Testimony

On a folded-up piece of notebook paper Dad had written out his testimony. I have no idea why or what prompted him to write it out nor do I know when he may have written it. It had to have been many years ago since his hand writing was fluid without the trembling script of his later years.

Dad wrote about growing up in a troubled home with an unfaithful father. My grandfather traveled a lot and would come home with lipstick smeared on his collar. Horrible fights would ensue, and an atmosphere of anger predominated. Little wonder why he developed anger issues of his own.

He then wrote about how his mom came to know Christ and how she became a sanctifying influence on my grandfather. He agreed to go with her to a revival meeting were Mordecai Ham was preaching. The same Mordecai Ham that was preaching when Billy Graham became a Christian. He gave his heart to the Lord that night and their lives were radically changed by God’s grace. Not long after, at the Berea Baptist Church, dad walked the aisle on a Sunday night and was saved.

He married mom in 1948 and eventually, they settled in Arlington, an area east of town on the St. John’s River in Jacksonville. There was no Baptist church in Arlington and together with my grandfather and a neighbor, Mr. Turner, Arlington Baptist Church was founded. Fourteen years later, at a revival with evangelist Eddie Martin I heard the gospel and walked the aisle. Reading dad’s testimony not only provided a refreshing reminder of God’s grace in our family, it also filled in a few major blanks that, up until then, were at best sketchy.

Concern for Others

On blank pages at the end of dad’s Bible were names listed; people he prayed for on a regular basis. I was reminded of phone conversations I had with Pa where he would ask about people in our church by name whom he prayed for daily. There were verses listed for encouragement and comfort, and various aphorisms he’d written down, most likely gleaned from a sermon. For example, dad wrote, “When you’re having the worst day of your life read Psalm 46.” Going to that Psalm I discovered there could be no better advice. Check it out for yourself; you may want to write that down in your Bible.

Wear and Tear

Most notable about dad’s Bible was the wear and tear. The frayed edges dulled and yellowed over time by the oil in his fingers, the broken binding, and small tears here and there bore witness to a devoted student of scripture. Possessing only an eighth-grade education, Pa knew the Word as well or better than most pastors. I recall times asking him where to find a particular verse and he would instantly give me the reference. Even in his last years, when his mind was fading, he could still quote verses on most any topic brought up in conversation.

Perusing the worn-out book, I thought of the well-known poem; My Old Bible. I share it with you in hopes it will be true in your own life.

Though the cover is worn, And the pages are torn, And though places bear traces of tears, Yet more precious than gold is this Book worn and old, that can shatter and scatter my fears.

This old Book is my guide, ’Tis a friend by my side, It will lighten and brighten my way; And each promise I find soothes and gladdens the mind, as I read it and heed it each day.

To this Book I will cling, Of its worth I will sing, Though great losses and crosses be mine; For I cannot despair, Though surrounded by care, While possessing this blessing Divine.

—Author unknown

Going through Pa’s Bible was a reminder of the kind of man he was. The truth is, your Bible says much about the kind of man you are. I’m aware we live in a digital age and perhaps having a real paper volume could be becoming a thing of the past. I hope not. I would encourage you to have your own bound copy, if for no other reason, to leave as a legacy for your kids. It’s true that if a man’s Bible is falling apart, most likely he isn’t. What would your Bible tell your kids about you?