Saint (81/11/01)
Saint (81/11/01)
As I mentioned in yesterday's message, November first is a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church known as All Saints' Day. But what is a "saint"? Are you one? The word comes from the Latin word sanctus, which means "holy". A saint, then, is "a holy person". We may also call a person who is exceptionally meek, charitable, patient, etc. a saint. In the Roman Catholic Church, however, a saint is a person who has been so designated by the church, following a formal investigation of the holiness of life and heroic virtue of that person. The first step to sainthood is called "beatification" and this is followed, years later, by "canonization", which is the public declaration that that person is a saint. Throughout the year, certain days are designated as commemoration days for particular saints, but All Saints' Day is to commemorate all saints--both canonized and uncanonized, known and unknown. In the Bible, however, the word "saint" refers to any believer in Jesus Christ, for the Bible teaches that all believers have been made holy by God. Are you a saint? If so, it should be obvious by the way you live.
All Soul's Day (81/11/02)
Yesterday, November first, is called All Saints' Day in the Roman Catholic Church. Today is called All Souls' Day in that church. "Soul" refers to that part of a person which has no physical or material reality. It may refer to the spiritual essence of a living person or to the spirit of a dead person which is believed to exist separate from the body. On All Souls Day, the Roman Catholic Church holds services and prayers for the souls in purgatory. "Purgatory", according to Roman Catholic doctrine, is the place where souls go after death to be purged of their sins to make them fit for heaven. It is commonly considered to be a place of purification by fire--although it is different from he11, which is a place of eternal punishment. Because the doctrine of purgatory is not found in the Bible, Protestants do not recognize its existence. They understand the Bible to teach that God forgives the sins of those who truly repent and accept his grace, so that, at death, the believer's soul goes to be with God. In the First Letter of John, chapter 1, we read, "if we confess our sins to God, he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all wrongdoing."
Culture Day (81/11/03)
On November 3rd, the birthday of Emperor Meiji, the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo holds its most important festival, which includes many traditional Japanese cultural events. Since the end of the war, this day has been designated a national holiday and called bunka no hi, "Culture Day". In Japanese, bunka is a shortened form of bunmei kaika, referring literally to the light, openness and change brought by writing or literature. Both bunmei and kaika may be translated "civilization". In English, "culture" is related to "cultivate ", which originally meant preparing the soil for growing crops, and then, raising and developing something better. A cultured pearl is a pearl that has been specially cultivated, and a cultured person is one who is civilized, courteous and refined. Somerset Maugham has written, "the value of culture is its effect on character. Its aim is not beauty, but goodness." True civilization or culture cannot be applied like varnish on a rough surface or dressing a savage in a tuxedo. It is through the inward work of God's spirit that a person becomes truly human, a child of God.
Thanksgiving Day holidays (81/11/04)
Last month, there was an average of 184 calls every day to this "Daily Word" number. Each week, Sunday has the fewest calls and Wednesday usually average the most. So I have chosen today, which is Wednesday, to make the following announcement. On Sunday afternoon, November 29th, we will hold another Daily Word Listeners' Meeting at 2:00 o'clock at the Nagoya YWCA. The YWCA is located on Nishiki Dori, just east or the Aichi Prefectural Library at Sakae. Since that Sunday follows the Thanksgiving Day holidays both in Japan and in the United States, I would like all who attend to say something about thanksgiving or thankfulness. For what are you especially thankful? For what should we all be thankful? That Sunday is also the first Sunday of the Advent Season preceding Christmas, so I will speak about the Advent and Christmas season in the U.S. I hope you will mark the time and place on your calendar and attend the meeting if you can. November 29th, at 2:00 PM, at the Nagoya YWCA. If you have questions about it, please write me a postcard or letter.
Guy Fawkes Day (81/11/05)
In England, today, November 5th, is known as Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes was an Englishman who had been serving in the Spanish army in the Netherlands. As a zealous Roman Catholic, he became involved in a plot to protest the severe, anti-Catholic policies of King James I. The plotters planned to blow up the king and his ministers along with the British houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605, the day set for the king to open Parliament. Fawkes was arrested as he entered the basement under the House of Lords, in which 36 barrels of gunpowder had been secretly stored and were prepared to be lit. This "gunpowder plot" was frustrated, and Fawkes was tried, tortured and publicly executed the following year. Parliament set aside November 5 as a day of thanksgiving and remembrance known as Guy Fawkes Day. On this day, bonfires are lit and effigies of the conspirator are burned. Unfortunately, examples of prejudice and persecution against certain religions are still seen today. It is time for us to respect the sincerely held convictions of others with whom we disagree, and, as the Bible teaches, to "strive for peace with all men". (Hebrews 12:14)
Thailand (81/11/06)
The English word "tie" may refer to the equal scores of two teams in an athletic contest. It may also refer to something tied, such as a necktie. In Japanese, tai may refer to a tasty fish that is served on happy occasions. However, there is another kind of Thai, spelled t-h-a-i in English. It refers to a person from Thailand, which, in Japanese, is also called Tai. The Prime Minister of Thailand is now visiting Japan, holding meetings with government and business leaders, and sightseeing. Until 1949, Thailand was known as Siam. The word "Thai" comes from a Thai phrase meaning "country of free people", and Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power. Actually, Thailand is a kingdom, ruled by a king. The present king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is only eleven days older than I am, but he has already been serving as king for over 35 years. There are various kinds of ties that bind people together: ties of loyalty, of blood, of business, and of love. For the Christian, the tie of faith that binds one to God, the Father and King, is the most important.
The Bolshevik Revolution (81/11/07)
According to the traditional Japanese almanac, today, November 7th, marks the beginning of winter, the cold, bleak season of the year. This day, in 1917, also marked the beginning of a new regime and social system in Russia, for it was on that day that the Bolshevik Revolution occurred. (According to the old style calendar formerly used in Russia, this day was in October, so it is also called the October Revolution.) In Russian, the word bolsheviki refers to a member of the majority faction. It was the majority faction of the Social Democratic Party of Russia that overthrew the provisional government or Alexander Kerensky and formed the Communist Party. The radical Bolsheviks were opposed by the Mensheviks, the minority faction of the Social Democratic Party. There may be similarities between the beginning of winter in Japan and the beginning of communism in Russia, but even as we know that spring will follow winter, so the Christian believes that God makes use evil people and corrupt systems to accomplish his good purposes. He may even make us of people like us! Copies of the "Daily Word " messages for this week will be sent to all who send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥100 in stamps.
Momiji (81/11/08)
One of the beauties of nature during this time of year are the pretty colors of the autumn leaves in the various areas of the country. However, the Japanese word, momiji, used to refer to that pretty sight, may illustrate the difficulty of the Japanese language for foreigners. The two Chinese characters which are used for this Japanese term are pronounced koyo and, literally, mean "red leaves". Using different characters, the same pronunciation may mean "official business" or "effective use". However, momiji may also refer to the maple tree itself, or to the meat of a deer, called "venison" in English, or to a grain husk, or to the whipping of ceremonial tea, or even to the color combination of kimono undergarments. So you see, English is not the only difficult language to learn. The maple leaves are changed into objects of beauty when they die. Isn't there a symbolic meaning there for us? Will we leave beautiful memories behind in the hearts of others when we die? It was on the painful cross at his death that Jesus prayed those beautiful words of forgiveness for those who killed him, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
Bicycles missing (81/11/09)
When I go on errands within Nagoya City, I generally travel by bicycle. I enjoy riding the bicycle. Not only is it good for my health, but it is also less expensive and often faster than other means of transportation. Furthermore, riding the bicycle causes no pollution and saves energy. Being a cyclist, I am interested in news articles regarding bicycles. An article a couple of days ago told of the surprise that some forty people received when they got off the train at Tajimi station last Thursday. When they went to get the bicycles or motor bikes they had parked near the station, they were missing. Due to a misunderstanding, a construction company had hauled 43 bicycles and 6 motor bikes to the city junkyard three kilometers away, although the city office had meant for only ten castaway bicycles to be taken. Following the bike owners' complaints, the bicycles were returned, undamaged, the following day. Sometimes there is a breakdown in communication even among people who speak the same language. Precise and effective communication is very important in today's world, where even a slight misunderstanding can have disastrous results.
Artificial breeding of octopses (81/11/10)
The Japanese word tako may refer to a kite that flies in the breeze at the end of a string. But the English word "kite" may also refer to a bird of the hawk family. Another Japanese word, tako, may refer to a hard callus on the skin, which we call a "corn" in English, when it occurs on a toe. But the English word "corn" may also refer to a grain. Still another Japanese word, tako, may refer to an octopus. The English word "octopus" comes from two Greek words meaning eight-footed, for an octopus has eight tentacles, which serve as feet. Since Japanese people enjoy eating octopus meat, the recent news of a breakthrough in the domestic breeding of octopuses, or octopi, was good news. Until now, artificial breeding of octopi had always ended in failure, but the continued research by a fish breeding organization in Takamatsu has now been crowned with success. There is an English saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." The Bible also teaches that we should continue seeking, working, running until we attain our goal. Throughout our lives, we should be making progress toward a noble end.
Armistice Day (81/11/11)
In the United States and Canada, today is a legal holiday. In the United States, it is called Armistice Day or Veterans' Day. In Canada, it is called Remembrance Day. In some other countries, it is referred to as World Peace Day. The reason that today is considered a special day is that, in 1918, on this eleventh day of the eleventh month at eleven AM, the armistice which ended the hostilities in World War I became effective. Although that war was supposed to be a war to end all wars, it didn't become so. Why is it that nations continue to fight against each other? The root of war and hostility lies in the human heart. Karl. Von Clausewitz has written that "war is nothing but a duel on a larger scale". In the New Testament letter of James, chapter 4 it is written, "Where do wars first start? Isn't it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you haven't got it; so you are prepared to kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. " Until selfish hearts are changed and filled with love for others, there is no hope for a true and lasting peace.
Ema (81/11/12)
According to traditional Shinto belief, the kami rode on horses, so, in olden days, horses were sometimes presented to the shrines as offerings. However, since real horses were too expensive, common people began to offer pictures of horses instead. These wooden tablets are called ema or "picture-horse". Nowadays, not only horses but many other pictures, representing the prayer request of the worshipper, are presented to the shrine with the name of the petitioner written on them. The leading ema maker in present-day Japan is 61 year old Norihito Yasuda, who lives in Minami Ku, Nagoya. He makes some 90,000 ema a year. 40,000 of them picture the zodiac animal for the year and are sold at shrines at New Year's time. 50,000 of them are for various other festivals and special petitions. The four most popular petitionary ema are for passing entrance examinations, prevention of cancer, protection against calamities and the pokkuri shi or sudden death of the elderly. The Christian does not present ema to a shrine to obtain the answer to a petition. Rather, we pray to our heavenly Father, who knows our true needs and gives what he knows is for our good.
Superstitions (81/11/13)
Whenever the first day of a month falls on Sunday, the thirteenth day of that month will fall on Friday. Since November 1st this year was a Sunday, today is Friday, the 13th. Some superstitious people in the West consider every Friday unlucky, for that was the day on which Jesus died on the cross. Some superstitious people consider the number 13 unlucky, for there were 13 people at the Last Supper of Jesus with his 12 disciples just before his death. There is even an English word, "triskaidekaphobia", meaning fear of the number 13. When the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, superstitious people try to be very careful all day long to avoid some misfortune. Fortunately, today is not a butsu metsu nichi, Buddha-death-day, considered an unlucky day in Oriental superstition. Superstition refers to an irrational belief based on ignorance or misinformation. Nevertheless, there are even well-educated people who find it difficult to discard superstitions beliefs that are deeply rooted in their societies. A healthy faith in God will free us from superstitious fear. As the Psalmist wrote, "The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid." (Psalm 118:6)
Balloon trip to the U.S. (81/11/14)
Rocky Aoki, the 43 year old owner of a chain of 51 restaurants in the United States and Canada, along with three other crew members, has made a successful pioneer trip from Japan to the U.S. by balloon. This 9,280 kilometer trip, which took 84 hours and 31 minutes; established a new world's record. The six ton gondola in which they rode was attached to a twenty storey high shiney, white balloon filled with helium. The cost of the balloon and gondola together was ¥ 290,000,000 or $1,300,000. The name of their air vessel was "Double Eagle V". An eagle is a large bird that is known for its sharp vision and powerful wings. As a symbol of strength and courage, it was the military standard for the Roman Empire and is also the national emblem of the United States. In golf, an eagle refers to a score of two below par. An old U.S. gold coin worth $10 was also called an eagle, and a "double eagle" was a gold coin worth twice that much. In the Bible, we are told that those who trust in the Lord will have their strength renewed like the eagle's (Psalm 103:5; Isaiah 40:31). We may not fly across the ocean, but we find renewed strength in our faith in God.
Shichi-go-San (81/11/15)
In the sixth century, during the reign of Empress Suiko, traditional Chinese thought, based on the idea of opposite cosmic forces called yinyang, entered Japan and has exerted a widespread influence ever since. Superstitions relating to lucky and unlucky days, directions, etc. are based on this thought. In English, numbers that cannot be evenly divided by two are called "odd" numbers, but in Chinese thought these odd numbers are considered the male, positive, fortunate numbers. In keeping with this tradition, today is called shichi-go-san in Japanese, meaning 7-5-3. It is the day when 5 year old boys and 7 and 3 year old girls are dressed up in pretty clothes and taken to the shrine for a short ceremony in which the Shinto priest offers a prayer expressing thanks for past blessings and a request for future happiness. Both candy and good-luck charms for the children are also given or sold. The candy is more effective in bringing happiness to a child than a good-luck charm--even though it is temporary. For permanent happiness, a child or an adult needs to have a living faith in the living God, who is the loving Father of all.
Columbia landed safely (81/11/16)
In order to remember the year of Christopher Columbus' first voyage from Spain to the so-called new world, American children recite the rhyme: "In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." It took him over two months to reach the West Indian islands in the Caribbean Sea. To honor this so-called discoverer of America, many places and things have been named after him. "Columbia" is a poetic name for the United States, and over 32 of the 50 states have cities, towns or counties named Columbia. (In the U.S., "Columbia" is spelled with a "u" in the middle, although the South American country, which is pronounced the same, is spelled with an "o".) The United States' space shuttle is also called "Columbia". It landed safely yesterday morning after a dead fuel cell forced an early return to earth. A fuel cell is not large, but its malfunction had a big effect. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, wrote that "the little things are infinitely the most important." Your little deeds of kindness or little acts of unkindness may make a big difference today. On Sunday afternoon, November 29th at 2 o'clock in the Nagoya YWCA at Sakae, we will hold another Daily Word Listeners' Meeting. I hope you can come.
Faith and face (81/11/17)
Some Japanese speakers of English mispronounce the word "faith". They pronounce it "face". Although there is a big difference in meaning between one's faith and one's face, the two are related. A person's faith is that which a person believes in his heart or mind. A person's face is a part of his body--the front part of his head. However, the expression on one's face may also be an expression of his faith, for the faith in our hearts or minds (or stomachs, in Japanese thought) is also seen in our attitudes and facial expressions. Sometimes, the message transmitted by our eyes is different from that transmitted by our lips. So Ralph Waldo Emerson has written: "When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practised man relies on the language of the first." Sometimes, our facial expression sends a message even when our mouths are silent. However, in any case, the nature of our faith is seen in our face. When others look at your face, what do they see? We will hold another Daily Word Listeners' Meeting at 2:00 PM on Sunday afternoon at the YWCA. I hope you can come.
California (81/11/18)
The frontpage headline of yesterday's Chunichi Shinbun indicated that Aichi Governor Nakaya is seeking to establish a formal governmental tie between this prefecture and the U.S. state of California. California Governor Brown has replied that he will consider it, but Shizuoka and Kanagawa Prefectures are also interested in establishing ties with that state. On the other hand, the U.S. state of Colorado has expressed an interest in a tie up with Aichi Prefecture. Aichi already has ties with the state of Victoria in Australia and the province of Koso in China. California is the third largest of the 50 states, with a land area larger than all of Japan. It is the state with the greatest population and also ranks first in productivity. Furthermore, it has a comparatively large number of residents who have emigrated from Japan or are of Japanese lineage. The name "California" is derived from the name of an imaginary island paradise in a Spanish romance, and the name "Aichi" refers to the love of wisdom, so these two political units would make an interesting combination. Before formal ties are made between states or individuals, it is important to both know and understand the opposite party.
Gettysburg address (81/11/19)
Today is November 19th. On this day in 1863, a crowd gathered on the site of a hard-fought battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which had marked the turning point of the Civil War in the United States. The occasion was the dedication of a national military cemetery in which soldiers of both the Union and Confederate armies were buried. At that time, Edward Everett, a famous orator, gave a two hour speech, which was applauded and given frontpage coverage in the newspapers. The short remarks by the President were recorded on an inside page. However, it was this Gettysburg Address of Abraham Lincoln that later was recognized as a literary masterpiece, which simply and effectively communicated the spirit and ideas of the speaker. It concluded with one of the most frequently quoted expressions of what a democratic society ought to be, that is, "government of the people, by the people and for the people." Eloquence does not require many words. Jesus ben Sirach wrote in Ecclesiasticus 32:8, "Be brief, say much in few words, like a man who knows and can still hold his tongue." Sunday afternoon, November 29th at 2 o'clock at the YWCA is the time and place of our Daily Word Listeners' Meeting. I hope you can come.
The Iwakura mission left Japan (81/11/20)
Do you know whose pictures appear on Japanese currency? On the ¥10,000 and ¥ 5,000 bills is the picture of Shotoku Taishi, the crown prince in the early 7th century who instituted many reforms in Japanese society. But who appears on the ¥ 1,000 and ¥ 500 bills? On the ¥ 1,000 bill we find a picture of Hirobumi Ito, a prominent politician during the Meiji Restoration. Ito was the framer of the Meiji Constitution and served as premier four times. On the ¥ 500 bill is a picture of Tomomi Iwakura, who led a mission of 48 members to the U.S. and Europe in 1871 to study western countries and their forms of government. Hirobumi Ito was one of the younger members of this Iwakura Mission, which left Japan on November 20th, 110 years ago today. During this study tour, which lasted two years, the Japanese mission members recognized how seriously western nations felt about their religion, so upon their return to Japan in 1873, the ban on Christianity was officially revoked. Messers Iwakura and Ito were important figures in the early period of Japan's modernization. They illustrate the need for personal contact with other nations to genuinely understand them. When Jesus' disciple, Philip, was questioned about his Master, his answer was, "Come and see."(John 1:46)
Monzaemon Chikamatsu (81/11/21)
Today is the 257th anniversary of the death of Monzaemon Chikamatsu. Chikamatsu was a famous playwright for the old Japanese ballads called joruri. (Incidentally, "playwright" refers to a person who writes plays, although in this case "wright" is spelled w-r-i-g-h-t and refers to a person who makes or constructs rather than one who writes.) The word "ballad" refers to a traditional song that tells a story. Most peoples of the world have a ballad literature. The joruri ballads of Japan were originally accompanied by a biwa, which is a kind of lute, similar to a mandolin. Later, these ballads were accompanied by the 3 stringed samisen and then puppets were made to perform the actions described in the ballad, so a puppet theater form was developed. It was for this kind of joruri that Chikamatsu wrote his plays. Traditional poetic literature of the Jews is found in the Old Testament book of Psalms, which are sacred songs or hymns that were originally accompanied by a harp. Many of them are psalms of thanksgiving, which are good to read at this time of year. The 136th Psalm begins: "Give thanks to the Lord because he is good; his love is eternal.
A Christmas tree (81/11/22)
Since today is both a Sunday and a good luck day, called taian, or "big peace" (spelled p-e-a-c-e ), there will probably be many weddings performed today in Japan. According to the Japanese almanac, today also begins the season of shosetsu, or "little snow". In Nagoya, there is very little snow even during the next season of taisetsu, or "big snow". Nevertheless, we can tell by the weather that the year is approaching its end. This means that the Christmas season is also drawing nearer. In the Central Park in Sakae, a ten-meter tall, artificial Christmas tree was erected last week. It is trimmed with some hundred shiny pink and silver streamers that hang from the top, under the star-shaped light. Hundreds of green, yellow, blue and pink lights illuminate the tree and the 56 bells that are hung in it. It was made and erected by the Central Park Corporation at a cost of ¥2,500,000 and will be lit every afternoon at 4 o'clock until December 25th. From the viewpoint of a foreign Christian in Japan, this artificial Christmas tree may symbolize the artificiality of much of the Christmas celebration in this country. At the heart of a true Christmas celebration is faith in the Savior, whose birth is being celebrated.
Kinro kansha no hi (81/11/23)
November 23rd is called kinro kansha no hi in Japanese. Kinro consisting of two characters meaning "to serve" and "to exert oneself", means "labor". Kansha also consists of two characters meaning "to feel" and "to apologize". Put together, they refer to "giving thanks". Thus, in English, today is called "Labor Thanksgiving Day". Although this "labor" may refer to the work of a factory worker or an office worker as well as of a farmer, it has special reference to the labor of farmers which resulted in a fine harvest. Until the end of the war, this day was called niinamesai, literally meaning "new taste festival", for tonight, in the dead of night, the Japanese emperor will perform. a very sacred ritual when he offers newly harvested grain to the kami of heaven and of the Japanese land and then partakes of it together with them in a sacred meal. In Christian churches, the Eucharist, which also means "thankfulness", is a ritual in which bread and wine are taken in a time of Holy Communion with fellow believers and with God. However, every day should be a day of thanksgiving, and at every meal we should have a sense of communion with our fellowmen and with God.
Frisbee (81/11/24)
For the past three days, the Japan National Frisbee Championship Tournament has been held at the Aichi Seishonen Koen in Nagakute. Over 200 students from all over the country gathered to take part in this new sport that is becoming increasingly popular in Japan. A "frisbee" is a plastic disk with the outer rim curled under so that, when correctly thrown, it sails or glides through the air. There are various theories regarding how it got the name "frisbee". One theory traces the origin to the Frisbee Bakery, near the campus of Yale University, which was run by J.P. Frisbee, and where, it is said, university students threw circular Frisbee pies at each other. Regardless of how this sport began, like all other sports, practice is required to improve one's ability. It is also true in learning a foreign language that "practice makes perfect". In moral training too, the oftener we do good deeds, the easier it becomes to do them. The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians, chapter 5, "Let us not become tired of doing good, for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." I hope you can come to our meeting next Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Nagoya YWCA. The theme for discussion is "thanksgiving" or "thankfulness".
Gifts (81/11/25)
One thing about Japan that foreign residents quickly learn is that it is a place where many gifts are given. And when a gift is given, then, often, another gift is given in return. It is said that there are over 100 different words in Japanese referring to a gift. Gifts are given not only at weddings, but also at funerals, not only when returning from a trip, but also when making a visit and on many other occasions, but especially when asking a favor of someone. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish an innocent gift from an ignoble bribe. President Reagan's national security adviser, Richard Allen, is now in hot water because of the gifts he received from Japanese women journalists for his part in arranging an interview with the President's wife. Whether a gift is to express respect and gratitude or to purchase someone's help is not always clear. In fact, there are people who try to bribe God to favor them by doing or giving things they think God likes, but the Bible teaches that God's grace is free and given to all who will accept it in humble faith. Please join us in our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the YWCA in Sakae. The discussion theme is "Thanksgiving".
Thanksgiving Day (81/11/26)
Technically speaking, there are no national holidays in the United States, for the government of each individual state has the right to decide on the legal holidays for that state. However, a number of holidays are observed by all fifty states, and today, called "Thanksgiving Day", is such a holiday. A day of thanksgiving to God for an abundant harvest was first celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, following a severe winter when many died of starvation. Abraham Lincoln was the first president to proclaim a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863, which was celebrated on the last Thursday of November. In 1941, Congress designated the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. In English the words "think" and "thank" come from the same root. The person who thinks deeply is the one who gives thanks. The Bible teaches us to give thanks for everything and in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). "Thanksgiving" is the theme for the discussion at our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting next Sunday afternoon. We will meet at the YWCA, on Nishiki Dori, east of the prefectural library at Sakae at 2 o'clock. Please come if you can and join the discussion.
Turkey (81/11/27)
On Thanksgiving Day in the United States, the traditional main dish is turkey. The turkey is a large, native American bird that got its name because it was confused with another bird that was imported from the country of Turkey in southeast Europe. In Japanese, a turkey is called shichimencho, literally, 7-faced bird, because it is thought that its facial appearance changes. In English, the word "turkey" has other meanings also. A failure, such as a dramatic play that was a flop, may be called a turkey. In bowling, three strikes in a row is called a turkey. And the phrase "to talk turkey" means to speak bluntly and frankly. I hope you will "talk turkey" regarding your impressions of these "Daily Word" messages at the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Nagoya YWCA, east of Sakae on Nishiki Dori, if you can attend that meeting. For those who tape these messages and would like to receive typewritten copies of them, every Saturday, I send copies of the messages for that week to all who send me self-addressed, stamped envelopes plus ¥100 in stamps for each week's messages desired.
A trip around Japan on foot (81/11/28)
Last Thursday evening, Tetsumi Ozawa, a 20 year old university student, returned to his home in Okazaki. He had left last April 21st to take a trip around Japan. The most interesting point about his trip, however, is related to his mode of transportation. He didn't go by plane, nor train, not by car nor bicycle nor on horseback. Rather, he went on foot. With a knapsack on his back, containing a sleeping bag and clothes, he hiked around the circumference of all four of the main islands of Japan. It took some 200 days to walk those 8,000 kilometers. During that trip, he spent some ¥500,000, wore out four pairs of tennis shoes and lost about 5 kilograms. It was the realization of an ambition he has had since he was in grade school, and he took off a year from his studies to do it. Our lives may be compared to a trip which we are taking day by day. In Ephesians, chapter 5, are three commands regarding how we should walk (or live). We should walk in love (2), walk as children of light (8) and walk sensibly (15). This is good advice for us all. Our third "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting will be held tomorrow at 2:00 PM at the Nagoya YWCA on Nishiki Dori, east of the prefectural library. I hope to see you there.
All Soul's Day (81/11/02)
Culture Day (81/11/03)
Thanksgiving Day holidays (81/11/04)
Guy Fawkes Day (81/11/05)
Thailand (81/11/06)
The Bolshevik Revolution (81/11/07)
Momiji (81/11/08)
Bicycles missing (81/11/09)
Artificial breeding of octopses (81/11/10)
Armistice Day (81/11/11)
Ema (81/11/12)
Superstitions (81/11/13)
Balloon trip to the U.S. (81/11/14)
Shichi-go-San (81/11/15)
Columbia landed safely (81/11/16)
Faith and face (81/11/17)
California (81/11/18)
Gettysburg address (81/11/19)
The Iwakura mission left Japan (81/11/20)
Monzaemon Chikamatsu (81/11/21)
A Christmas tree (81/11/22)
Kinro kansha no hi (81/11/23)
Frisbee (81/11/24)
Gifts (81/11/25)
Thanksgiving Day (81/11/26)
Turkey (81/11/27)
A trip around Japan on foot (81/11/28)
Advent (81/11/29)
Mark Twain (81/11/30)