The Lion Handbook to the Bible

When I was in second grade my dad flew to Saudi Arabia to become one of the first OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Back then they were called OCWs, or, overseas contract workers. The day he flew changed my life forever, as my mom had their marriage annulled and married another man.

At that time my sister and I were sent off to live with my grandparents. My grandfather loved to drink, and my grandmother loved to nag. The only thing they had in common was their love for reading. My grandfather had his monthly subscription of Reader's Digest and daily tabloids; my grandmother read her Bible and many religious books.

They lived a walk away from OMF Literature in Boni, Mandaluyong. This was before the underpass to Robinsons was built. My Lola would take me to OMF and I loved that little bookstore, which has, by God's grace over the years grown. I never bought any books for my own then, I didn't have my own money! But my grandmother never left that store without a new book to meditate upon.

On one of our visits I came across a flyer of bestsellers. On it was advertised Psalty's Bible. Psalty was this mascot on a TV show that never aired in the Philippines, but the idea of a Bible suited for kids appealed to me. Back then all I read was the King James given to me by my Bible Baptist mother, and the Good News Bible, given to me by my grandmother who attended the charismatic and progressive Jesus Is Lord Church.

One other book that appealed to me was the Lion Handbook to the Bible. It was supposed to be the best guide to reading the Bible. Almost every night I read my Good News Bible, and then cry to Jesus to give me Psalty's Bible and the Lion Handbook.

I am thirty-three years old now. And Jesus answered one of my prayers. I now own the Lion Handbook to the Bible, which I happened upon when I passed Philippine Bible Society along U.N. Avenue. It was on a discount and so I picked it up immediately.

I have finished reading the Bible before, and what helped me was the Cover2Cover Chronological Bible Guide written by Selwyn Hughes. Since then, I have been looking for a more in-depth guide to reading the Bible. I am now less interested in reading every single word in the Holy Book in 365 days, and more about going in-depth, in deepening my understanding and appreciation of God's Word, and by God's grace, translating it into practical application and obedience in my Christian life. I was looking for such a guide this 2015.

I hope the Lion Handbook is, again, God's timely answer to that prayer. It is filled with photos, references, and book-by-book outlines and essays. I plan to use it as a companion to my walk.

God, please bless me in this. I ask you bless my renewed commitment to read the Bible. May you change me from the inside out. Make me a better Christian. In Jesus' name, amen.