"Surprise" Parcels

When I opened my eyes (from a nap), two Amazon parcels were sitting right next to me. Apparently the postman had come earlier and my beloved wife had received the parcels *gulp* on behalf...and gently placed them next to my head...

My mind went blur for about 5 seconds before a light went off blinking: "Could it be...?!!!"

As a matter of fact, I have given up hope on the arrival of my Cambridge KJV Concord & the 2 Study Bibles u see in the pix. I had ordered the Cambridge 4 mths earlier & the Study Bibles almost 3 mths back. Amazon had in fact refunded the money for my KJV and was about to refund my Study Bibles within the day...


Now I am really looking forward to enjoy reading the new Bibles.

And this time, my wife "finally" took an interest in "adopting" the new NLT Study Bible to replace her much tattered NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible...

My wife, who is totally not impressed/interested with any of my Bibles so far, asked after a while: "Honey, is there a black calfskin NKJV Bible available in the market?"

Praise the LORD for the safe arrival of the parcels.

Tyndale Select Mahogany - More Pix

Tyndale Select is a largish bible - slightly bigger than 9"x6". The binding is extremely limp. I am not sure if it is leather lined but like I said, the cover is ultra flexible. Only thing is, the calfskin lacks "character" as compared to Crossway Cordovan Calfskin. The surface is "clean" (or boring) and less "spongy" too.



But it does excel in limpness. U could almost fold the bible anyhow u like...


For a comparison, the cowhide Holman Legacy.

New Bibles - NLTse & HCSB

Last month I added 2 more Bibles into my collection - a Tyndale Select (Mahogany) NLT and a Holman Legacy HCSB. Both are "new" translations that came out in 2004...well, at least the NLT is an updated version.


The Tyndale Select NLT comes with Calfskin binding. It has a choice of Black or Mahogany calfskin, and as u can see here, I chose the Mahogany version.


The Holman Legacy has a "shiny" cowhide binding. I understand there is a newer version that comes in black calfskin. But I just love this cowhide grain pattern.


I read some folks don't really like this "bonded looking" older version. But for me, I think it looked rather classy & classic. For instance, I really like the chain-like gold gilt lining design inside the cover.


Another view. If there is any "complain", I wish the typeface could be "bolder".


This Tyndale Select NLT is supposed to be a referenced edition. But I was surprised that the typical "center column reference" design isn't there. Instead, references (not that many) are placed at the end of a verse/paragraph.


Both Bibles are ultra-flexible. (For those in the "know", I call this Bertrand Yoga shot.)


The Tyndale Select Calfskin doesn't "feel as refined" as the Crossway Cordovan Calfskin. And in term of "eye-candy" factor nothing beats Allan's gorgeous Water-Buffalo Calfskin.


But beauty is only "skin-deep". It is the content between the covers that is the MOST precious. In these pages contain the VERY WORD of GOD!

NKJV/NIV are my main bible translations for the past few years. And this year, I am so glad I have added several new translations into my fold - NASB, ESV, NLTse, HCSB. So far, I am really enjoying reading Scriptures in parallel between the translations.

The surprise this year has got to be my "new found" love for KJV. Currently I am doing NT memorization in KJV!


The very existence of our English Bible is by itself a journey that was filled with unimaginable adversities & hardship. Its existence literally stands on the shed blood of thousands of martyrs... But that will a story to be told here in another day...

This year, one of my prayers has been asking God to rekindle my love for His Words, that I may be consumed by it, that I may be transformed by it. That these Words may truly be the lamp unto my feet, and the light unto my path. That I may know more of my LORD JESUS.


And I praise the LORD that I am blessed with all these Bibles made in the finest tradition, workmanship & materials.

There will be a few more new ones coming... among which is another R.L Allan - ESV1 - of which I have pre-ordered since May! And as of this writing, it is on its way from England.

Errr...actually 2 new R.L Allan ESVs ;)