Cambridge Concord KJV Black Goatskin

I guess for any KJV enthusiast Cambridge Concord is a MUST have.

This is a beautiful Bible. It comes with all the quality/luxury "features" - 2 ribbons, goatskin binding, art-gilt edge, gilt line...etc.

Nice as it might be, however, I must "caution" that this Cambridge goatskin binding isn't as "fine" as the highland goatskin from RL Allan. Though it is still gorgeous - beautiful grain pattern, limp, supple - but the FEEL/TOUCH is just somehow less luxurious.

And perhaps the biggest "disappointment" - it is totally void of SMELL! A BIG minus especially for those who have the the pleasure to sniff that first whiff of highland goatskin fresh out of the box...intoxicating... :)

But for some, the inclusion of the "Translators to the Readers" perhaps is the SUPREMO reason why they would choose this Cambridge over any other...at least thats what I read in blogsphere :P



In terms of size, it is quite a step up from the now out-of-print Cameo. Meaning, it is significantly larger than RL Allan's Clarendon or Blackface too. But it isn't so large or wide until you need both hands to handle it. Personally I do find it a tad wider than optimal (may be my hands aren't exactly large either.)


* Cameo has less "ghosting"! But the Concord is WAAAY better than many others considering how thin the paper is.

One key reason for buying a Concord will definitely be the spacious layout. The typeface are not just bigger, the prints are also more "spaced-out" - thus rendering a much more comfortable reading experience.

Because of the "bold-figure cross-reference system", the texts are not constantly punctuated/interrupted by small cross-reference subscripts thus making the text block totally "clean & clear". But again personally I myself prefer the "old" system as used by Cameo or RL Allan's Oxfords'.

Like the old Cameo, the Concord comes with Bible Dictionary at the back in addition to the normal concordance, which I think is definitely a big plus!



Like the smaller Pitt Minion & the best of RL Allans', Cambridge Concord is superlative in its "open flat/stay flat" category.

If you need a nice KJV Bible with sufficiently big typeface & quality binding - at home or in the church - this Cambridge Concord is an excellent choice. Few come close.



Lastly, I wish all my Chinese friends & relatives a most prosperous & joyous - Happy "Niu" Year!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wishing all my relatives & friends around the globe - 恭 喜 发 财，新 年 进 步!

Me & Obama

Somehow I woke up at 1:20am this morning - praise the LORD - to witness this moment in history on TV (in the warmth of my home)...to catch the last few minutes of the inaugural speech with these ending words:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

May the God of George Washington, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob - be the God of President Barack Obama.

There is NO OTHER matter more important than that.

Romancing Childhood Days...

Just a brief thought of my Primary School days brought back a FLOOD of my childhood memories... I am so blessed to have a SWEET childhood filled with so many wonderful things, loving family, awesome friends & the coolest grandma...

O how I missed my grandma (funny I don't miss my dad & mom so much).

And what better golden classic than these below to get a glimpse into my childhood days! Enjoy!

Romancing the Book

Imagine when this vintage Cambridge Bible was made in the '70s...I was still in my Primary School located 6,500 miles away...and yet one day in the distant future, by the providence of God, we are together.


And the journey it took for this Bible to get from the bindery in England...crossing the Atlantic Ocean...crossing the great land of the US of A...sitting idly & patiently waiting to be bought on a shelf...


...and 30 plus years later, as predestined, it would once more take another great journey... crossing the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean...to the island of Borneo...

An epic journey 30 plus years in the making :)


Who would have thought? Only by His grace. Praise the LORD for His provision.

So despite the age, it shall be used just as it was designed to be... And to echo the sermon I heard this morning, my heart was jumping with joy with the message - Living for Christ. We, a creation of God Almighty, are meant to glorify Him in all that we do. No matter how old you are, no matter how small you are, no matter who you are, where you have been & what you have done - when our Lord Jesus calls you... REJOICE!

The greatest blessing & privilege in this life is to know Jesus & to be used by Him.

RL Allan 5

Last year I got my wife an Allan 5 - a mini version of Allan's Longprimer. And like the Longprimer, Allan 5 is simply superb. The moment you pick it up from the box you just KNOW this Bible is DIFFERENT from "other" Bibles.


Allan 5 is basically an Oxford Brevier Clarendon with the gorgeous Highland Goatskin binding. The "Cyclopedic Concordance" stamping on the spine is misleading because this version only comes with the normal concordance, subject-index & dictionary of proper names at the back - which, by the way, is waaaay more than what "other" Bibles offer :)



One feature my wife appreciates much over my Allan Longprimer is its Full-Yapp feature. And as you can see from the above pictures, Allan 5 has that Full-Yapp treatment too - the overlapping of the leather covers all round the Bible.


Another important Allan hallmark which the Allan 5 fully inherits is the "Open Flat/Remain Flat" feature. Very few Bibles can do that right out of the box. And with one like the size of Allan 5 it makes handling/reading the Bible so much more easier...and pleasurable.



Last but not least, the superb Highland Goatskin is simply without comparison. It is stunningly beautiful, it is liquid-limp, it will protect the Bible for decades to come....and....it even smells good! ;)

Vintage Cambridge Cameo KJV

Last December I bought my first vintage Bible.


It was a vintage 1970s Cambridge Cameo KJV Burgundy Water Buffalo Calfskin. But it is actually more Red than Burgundy - which is exactly what I have hoped!



Again, I have Mr. Mark Bertrand to thank (blame) for this vintage Bible. Ever since I started reading his blog I have learned much not just in general book binding knowledge but also much in the appreciation (curiosity) for old Bibles...


And it seems people are especially "crazy" over vintage Cambridge Bibles... So I decided to find out "why"...


In a way, I think I know part of this "why" now... which will be a topic to be discussed in another day when my OTHER vintage Cambridge Cameo KJV Apple Red arrives :)

And lastly, thanks to my buddy Colin for helping me to courier this over.

Update @ Feb 09:
- Link to more pix on the Cameo Burgundy.
- Link to preview of Cameo Apple Red!

Game & Watch

I CANNOT believe these are still available!!! Man, those were the days!




I remember dad used to buy for all the siblings... These used to be THE ULTIMATE COOLEST BADEST ALARM CLOCK! ;)

And it is amazing these are still available for sell...thru eBay (where else?!)... with prices ranging from USD20 to USD300! Gulp!!! Man, if ONLY dad listened to me in buying MORE of these...

Wait a second, I JUST remember I brought one of these to New York City in the early '80s... so uncle Pete - in reading, could u PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see if u could still find it????

AOIC, Class of 2008

Congratulation to Pastor Cheng, Tommy & Frank!


On behalf of the Care Group - CONGRATULATION, FRANK!!!

My prayers & blessing are best expressed in this song:

The Canaan Hymns - 迦南歌声

If you think those grandiose tales of the early apostles in the early church - doing wondrous miracles, spreading the gospels with much tears & blood - are something that we could only reminiscence today... think again.

Above is the story of a village girl - Xiao Min, whom God has raised miraculously to write hundreds of hymns for the Chinese underground church WITHOUT having any musical education or training. Like many of the Chinese underground church elders, Xiao Min has been jailed at least twice.

And interestingly, her hymns are "categorically" called: Songs of Canaan (迦南歌声). A reflection of Chinese Christians' heart for Israel and their love for the Jews.

Update @ Jan 6th:
As I read Acts 4 this morning, it strikes me how "applicable" is this verse for Xiao Min :)

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Gaza War

Interesting to note since the days of Joshua (Jos 13:1-3) Gaza has been a place where the children of Israel did not manage to take control...

Hamas is a terrorist organisation that has no intention to bring peace to the region. They don't have the well fare of the civilians in their mind neither are they interested in true peace.

Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,
For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak
They are for war.
(Psalm 120:5-7)

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth,
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
(Psalm 121:1-4)

Lucky Sheep

Every now and then, when I am spending quiet time with God, it still strikes me HOW LUCKY, HOW FORTUNATE I am to be a Christian. (It is my intention to use the words - lucky & fortunate - worldly words especially cherished by unbelieving Chinese.)

Both words denote a sense of "undeserving" - which of course is the root of all our blessing - the GRACE & MERCY of God.

To know God - or rather to be KNOWN BY God - is our GREATEST BLESSING. There is no other blessing that can top it. None.

And to know that my "fate" was sealed from the time BEFORE the beginning of time is the most humbling knowledge. And every now and then, I do caught a glimpse of David's cry to God: "What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him."

O the grace & mercy of God...

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
(Eph 1:4-6)



Have u ever wonder why would God chose the MOST inefficient method to spread the Gospel - that is by using us? I mean we are so unreliable!!!

I mean He could flash out some super-duper supernatural super banana miracles to simply shock unbelievers into believers - won't that be easier? After all He has the power.

I guess this is one area that would qualify for the verse:

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are you ways My ways." declares the LORD.
(Isa 55:8)

Yet, the super-duper miracles ARE happening every time we share the Word of God. Every time we share the gospel, we sing praises to Jesus, we extol God's greatness - supernatural things are happening.

Let me ask u - Which is a greater miracle: 1) A person believes cuz he witness the opening of the Red Sea, or 2) A person believes after he hears a song....

And that's EXACTLY how one of my "unbelieving" cousin became a glorious believer thru the hearing of this song above. And this is a testimony to the very words of the song - My sheep hear My voice!

O the WISDOM of God!

Back to School

Well, this loudspeaker is about to sound once more across Malaysia when school starts NEXT Monday! Yes, to the groaning & moaning of many kids across Malaysia - holiday is FINALLY over!


Yes, all these doors & windows to classroom will be opened soon and once more the hallways of schools all over Malaysia will be echoing with the "sounds of learning"...


It has been a while since I last stepped into a Secondary School...


Though this one isn't my old Secondary School, but the environment is still familiar. O boy, so much good & wonderful memories... ya, especially the school canteen... yes, I can already imagine all the chaos & screaming comes Monday... :)


Yes, today is school registration day for my son who will be a Form 1 student this year! O how time flies!


Err...no...that's not HOW Malaysian High School is like...


Nope...no...neither does it resemble any of THAT! Thank God!


Ours are waaaaaay better! ;)


Before registration, parents gotta check out WHICH classroom are the kids been assigned to. This could be a very STRESSFUL moment for some parents. You see, in Malaysia, classrooms are usually ranked by "grades". Let me give you some examples:


Typical class "A" student...


Typical class "F" students...

So you can see why the STRESS...



After that, all parents need to quickly report "duty" at different stations to submit all the relevant forms & pay the required fees...


It was good to know some of my son's old classmates will be classmates once more!


Until then...the kids still have one more weekend to ENJOY!