May Day (83/05/01)
The word "flora" comes from the Latin word for flower and is used to refer to the plants of a specified region. It also is the name of the Roman goddess of flowers--and of one of my elder sisters. An ancient Roman festival in honor of Flora, called Floralia, was held during this time of year and developed into the Western European tradition known as May Day. In England, traditional May Day festivities included merry-making in beautiful, flower-decorated surroundings. A maypole was erected on the village green, decorated with flowers and having long, colorful cloth streamers which were grasped by dancers as they danced around the pole. The streamers made intricate patterns as the dancers encircled the pole which were then undone when they reversed directions. It was less than a hundred years ago that May 1st became a day for labor demonstrations but in the U.S. and Canada, Labor Day is celebrated in September. May Day parades in the Soviet Union with their display of military might are very different from the original merrymaking of earlier May Days. Jesus told his disciples to look at the beauty of the flowers and think of the handiwork and loving care of the Creator--who also cares for them.
Golden Week (83/05/02)
Today is the midpoint in what is called "Golden Week" in Japan. It consists of 3 national holidays plus a regular Sunday holiday, making a holiday every other day during this week. This expression was coined by Japanese movie theater owners some 30 years ago. At that time, the week was really a "golden week" for them as people flocked to the theaters. The Golden Arrow is a prize awarded to outstanding movie or television stars chosen by the entertainment reporters of Japanese magazines and Golden Glove refers to an amateur boxing tournament in Japan. In America, the 8 kilometer long strait which connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean is known as the Golden Gate and over it spans the Golden Gate Bridge, the 2nd longest suspension bridge in the world. The Golden Rule is the teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 that we should do to others as we would have them do to us. If everyone obeyed that rule, it would be the beginning of a Golden Age. On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening at the City Kyōikukan in Sakae, there is a golden opportunity for you to join us in a Bible Class where we are studying the Gospel according to John. Even though tomorrow is a holiday, we will meet as usual at 6:30.
Constitution Day (83/05/03)
The document in which the basic laws or principles of a government are written down is called a constitution. Today is Constitution Day in Japan, commemorating the day 36 years ago that Japan's new Constitution was put into effect. The Preamble to this Constitution makes clear that the sovereign power of this nation resides with the people, that government is a sacred trust of the people, the authority for which is derived from the people, the powers of which are exercised by the representatives of the people and the benefits of which are enjoyed by the people. A basic characteristic of this Constitution is its "people-centered" emphasis. Another characteristic is the emphasis on peace. The Japanese people desire peace for all time, it states, and will strive to preserve peace and also recognize the right of all people to live in peace. Article 9 states that the Japanese people forever renounce war and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes and that war potential will never be maintained. It is well, on this Constitution Day, to rededicate yourselves to bringing to pass the high ideals stated in that noble Constitution, despite pressure from abroad.
Rhode Island (83/05/04)
The smallest of the 50 United States of America is less than 2/3 the size of Aichi Prefecture. It has a population of about 950,000. Do you know its name? It was named by a Dutch explorer for its red clay and is now called Rhode Island. Today is a state holiday in Rhode island to celebrate its own independence day. On May 4, 1776, exactly 2 months before the national Declaration of Independence was approved, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations officially declared its independence from Great Britain and condemned the unjust policies of her king. This bold action on the part of this little colony encouraged the other 12 colonies in their drive for independence. Rhode Island is also distinguished for its support of freedom of conscience and religion. It provided protection for those who were banished from other places because of their faith. The Bible teaches that God is the only judge of people's hearts and it is before him that we stand or fall.
Children's Day (83/05/05)
Legally, there is no sexual discrimination in Japan. Women and men, girls and boys are all equal before the law. Actually, however, there are various ways in which males are given preferential treatment. Today's holiday may be an example of that fact. This 5th day of the 5th month is a national holiday called Children's Day. In reality, it is a traditional boys' festival that is comparable to the girls' festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd month which is not a national holiday. Decorations for this festival pre-date the Peace Constitution, which was commemorated the day before yesterday and in which the possession of war potential is prohibited. These decorations include helmets, suits of armor, swords, bows and arrows and the like. Beautifully decorated with gold and lacquer and being of miniature size, I guess they do not violate the Constitution. In the Old Testament prophecies of both Isaiah and Micah (in chapters 2 and 4, respectively), a golden age is envisioned when nations will hammer their swords into ploughs and their spears into pruning knives and when there will be no more wars. We also should be working to make this vision a reality.
Psychoanalysis (83/05/06)
The word "analysis" refers to the separation of something into its constituent parts in order to examine and understand them more fully. "Psycho" is a prefix referring to the mind or mental processes. When we put these 2 terms together, the result is "psychoanalysis", which refers to an analytic technique of investigating mental processes. This technique was originated by an Austrian physician named Sigmund Freud, who was born 127 years ago today. Freud emphasized that the experiences of childhood that have been repressed by the conscious mind may continue on the subconscious level and cause mental problems in later life. Much of the irrational behavior of young people and adults is rooted in their subconscious which has its roots in childhood experiences. Thus, the only one who can truly understand another's problems is a person who perfectly knows the person and all of his life's experiences. Of course, the only one who has such perfect knowledge is God. The New Testament teaches that the all-knowing God is the only one qualified to judge. Jesus commanded his disciples to "judge not!" We should seek to understand others rather than to judge them.
May (83/05/07)
This 5th month of the year is called May. There is some difference of opinion regarding the origin of this name. Some scholars, who trace the name of the following month to the Latin word Meaning "juniors", say that this month refers to the maiores, or "elders". Others consider it to come from the name of a Roman goddess named Maia. The Romans considered May an unlucky month for marriages because a festival for unhappy dead souls took place during that month. A poem about girls born in May goes like this: "Who first beholds the light of day/ In spring's sweet flowery month of May/ And wears an emerald all her life/ Shall be a loved and happy wife." An emerald is the birthstone for May. Its bright green color is appropriate for this month with all of its greenery. It was probably because of its green landscapes that Ireland is called the Emerald Isle. Green is the color of life and growth. A truly satisfying life and genuinely wholesome growth is rooted in a healthy faith in the Giver and Sustainer of life. You may receive a copy of this week's telephone messages by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥100 in stamps to: Daily Word, Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Mother's Day (83/05/08)
In both Japanese and English, "mama" is considered baby talk, but in Japanese, before the introduction of the English word, it referred to food, while in English it means mother. In Japanese, adding the suffix san to a name is usually a sign of respect, but in the case of mama, the addition of san brings quite a change in meaning. In the United States the first proposal to designate a special day in honor of mothers dates back to the Civil War. In 1868, following that war, Anna Jarvis organized a committee to sponsor a Mother's Friendship Day aimed at reuniting families that had been divided during the war. Anna's daughter, who was also named Anna, became the driving force behind an effort to establish a nationally observed Mother's Day. On May 9, 1907, the 2nd anniversary of her mother's death, she invited friends to her home and shared her plans with them. The first Mother's Day was then held on the 2nd Sunday of May, 1908 and now is also celebrated on that day in many other parts of the world. Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." The best way to show our gratitude to our mothers is by living honorable lives throughout the year.
Muslims and Christians (83/05/09)
This week both Muslims and Christians observe special holydays, which are also celebrated as legal holidays in some countries. Both are related to an ascension into heaven. On Thursday, Christians around the world will commemorate the ascension of Christ on the 40th day after his resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. Since Muslims follow a lunar calendar and the relationship of lunar and solar days varies, depending upon geographic location, Egyptian Muslims celebrated Muhammed's Night Journey yesterday, Japanese Muslims will celebrate today and Indonesian Muslims will celebrate tomorrow. According to Islamic tradition, on the night of the 26th day of the 7th month, called Rajab, the prophet was carried on the back of a winged horse from Mecca to Jerusalem, then up through the 7 heavens, where he conversed with various prophets, and then into the very presence of Allah, who spoke with him about many unutterable matters. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, also known as the Mosque of Omar, is said to be the place from which this ascension took place. The Gospel according to John, chapter 1, verse 18, teaches that no one has ever seen God, but the Son of God came to earth to make the invisible God known.
Hijack (83/05/10)
If you have ever had a flat tire while driving a car, you may have used a jack when you changed the tire. A jack is used for raising a heavy object, but it is also a common nickname for a person named John and is sometimes used as a name for men in general. The word "hijack" originally referred to the stealing of goods--especially illegal goods--while they were being transported to another place. The word may have come from the greeting used by the robber when he called out to his victim, "Hi, Jack!" These days, "hijack" is used to refer to the forcible seizure of a moving vehicle. A few days ago, a Chinese airplane was hijacked and forced to land in South Korea. The first case of an airplane being hijacked was also the work of a Chinese group on a Cathay Pacific Airline flight from Macao in June 1948. It would be good if this recent hijacking by a Chinese group were the last one, so we could say "Bye" to Jack instead of "Hi". Ephesians 4:28 states: "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need."
Bird Week (83/05/11)
In Japan, this week is known as aichō shūkan, or Bird Week. The purpose of this special week is to increase public consciousness of and care for birds. It was after the war, in 1947, that Japan, on the urging of the United States, designated April the 10th as Bird Day. However, because there are fewer birds to be seen at that time and because of a busy school schedule during April, the time was later changed and lengthened to a week. Since 1950, May 10-16 has been observed as Bird Week. There are various kinds of birds mentioned in the Bible. In the Old Testament law, a distinction was made between clean birds, which could be eaten and used for sacrifice, and unclean birds. The unclean birds, listed in Leviticus 11 include eagles, hawks, falcons, buzzards and vultures, which are all birds of prey. Birds of prey, (spelled p-r-e-y) does not refer to birds that pray (spelled p-r-a-y) but to birds that seize other animals for food. Praying (preying) may be good or bad, depending upon how you spell the word. It is good to pray to God but not to prey upon people.
Ascension Day (83/05/12)
In the Christian Church Calendar, today is known as Ascension Day. According to the New Testament, Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day after his crucifixion. Then, for a period of 40 days, he appeared to his disciples on various occasions, eating with them and giving them further instruction. The closing verses of the Gospel according to Luke and the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, also written by Luke, tell of Jesus being taken up into heaven after speaking with his disciples. Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday. Celebrating this event, Christians are reminded that their living Lord is now reigning in heaven and in Paul's letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, they are exhorted to focus their attention on the eternal, spiritual realities in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right hand of God. If you wish to receive a weekly copy of these daily messages, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥100 in stamps to: Daily Word, P.O. Box 30, Moriyama P.O. 463. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 29 at 1:30, we will hold another Daily Word Listeners' Meeting at the YWCA near Sakae. I hope you can attend that meeting, for I'd like to meet you there.
Superstition (83/05/13)
A jinx, a hex and a whammy all refer to a kind of evil influence that brings bad luck. For superstitious people who believe in such things as lucky and unlucky days, today is a double whammy day in which such people would feel better if they could spend the day in bed. Not only is today a butsumetsu, an unlucky day according to Oriental thought that occurs every 6 days. It is also Friday, the 13th, an unlucky day in Western tradition which occurs in months that begin on Sunday. Today is the only Friday the 13th to occur during this entire year. Butsumetsu refers to the Buddha's death and Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because Jesus died on Friday following his Last Supper with his 12 disciples--making 13 present at that meal. The person with a healthy faith in God is no longer bothered by such superstitious ideas, for he has been set free from bondage and fear. In John 8:33, Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." In chapter 14, verse 6 of the same Gospel, he also said, "I am the truth." Knowing the truth as it is found in Christ, sets us free from the bondage of superstition and fear.
Israel (83/05/14)
According to Genesis, chapter 32, Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, wrestled all night with a stranger. As a result of that wrestling match, Jacob's name was changed to Israel, meaning "He struggles with God" or "God struggles". Jacob was the patriarch of the Jewish people, who were also called the Children of Israel. Palestine, the land of the Israelites, has been ruled at various times by many different nations, including Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and. Romans. In 1917, Great Britain ruled the land and promised to support a homeland there for the Jews. Following the 2nd World War, Britain withdrew from Palestine and on May 14, 1948, 35 years ago today, the new state of Israel was established. Since surrounding Arab countries did not recognize that Jewish state, 4 Arab Israeli wars were fought during its first 25 years as a nation. Its existence and borders are still a source of controversy. The state of Israel is smaller than the combined areas of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures, with a population of some 4,000,000, 85% of which is Jewish and 15% Arab. Jews, like Japanese, have a deep respect for their national tradition, but it is a wonder that they have survived as a separate people despite their troubled history.
Higashiyama Water Tower (83/05/15)
Travelling north from the Suemoridori intersection in the Kakuozan area of Chikusa Ward, a well-known Nagoya landmark may be seen on the left side of the road. It is the Higashiyama Water Tower, which was built in 1930. Until 1973 it served as the standpipe for the eastern area of Nagoya. It is now being renovated at a cost of ¥50,000,000 in preparation for being opened to the public as an observation tower 3 weeks from today. Inner and outer stairways are being widened and strengthened and a conical roof is being added to give it a more distinctive appearance. The observatory will be 27 meters above the ground, which is part of an elevated area 57 meters above sea level. Thus, from this tower, a fine view of downtown Nagoya from the east will be possible. In Bible days, watch towers were sometimes built as lookouts to guard a certain area. In Habakkuk, chapter 2, the prophet writes he will climb his tower to watch and see how the Lord will answer his question. It is good for us also to sometimes climb our spiritual prayer towers to converse with God, our heavenly Father.
Geronimo (83/05/16)
In the American army there are units of infantry soldiers called paratroopers, who are trained and equipped to jump from airplanes and float down behind enemy lines by means of parachutes. The common shout of paratroopers as they jump is "Geronimo!" This word is also used sometimes as a popular exclamation of surprise or delight. It comes from the name of an Apache Indian chief who was born in the U.S. territory of Arizona. Resenting the restrictions placed upon his people by the white man, he was often in trouble because of his rebellious activities. He and some followers escaped from their reservation into Mexico and terrorized the Arizona territory with brutal raids. Known as "the Human Tiger", he finally surrendered to the U.S. Army in 1886, but his name continues to be used as a shout. Tomorrow evening, we will be studying a shout of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chanter 7, at our Bible Class at the Kyōikukan in Sakae beginning at 6:30. At a Jewish feast, Jesus stood up and shouted, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink." Jesus provides spiritual satisfaction for thirsty souls. Join us in that Bible Study if you can.
Norwegian national holiday (83/05/17)
Two weeks ago today was a national holiday in Japan called Constitution Day. Today is a national holiday in Norway and is also called Constitution Day. However, this day is not only celebrated in Norway. It is celebrated by Norwegians and persons of Norwegian descent around the world. Many cities in the United States where there are a large number of Norwegian-Americans hold celebrations. It was 169 years ago today, on May 17, 1814, that the new Constitution which established the Kingdom of Norway as an independent nation was put into effect. A couple of months later, this new nation was invaded by Swedish troops and for the next 90 years it was united with Sweden. Nevertheless, it has continued to maintain its original constitution, which has been repeatedly amended over the years. In Norway, there is an emphasis upon youth and children's participation in the Constitution Day festivities. Today's children are tomorrow's leaders and they need to appreciate the basic principles upon which their country is founded. In Mark 10:14-15, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God belongs to the children and whoever does not receive it like a child will never enter it.
Feast of the Weeks (83/05/18)
There are 2 English words pronounced "wēk". The one, spelled w-e-a-k, refers to something lacking in strength. The other, spelled w-e-e-k, refers to a period of 7 days. Grouping days into 7-day periods ending with a day of rest comes from the Old Testament story of creation, according to which God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day. In the 10 Commandments of Moses, given in Exodus, chapter 20, this is given as the reason for observing the Sabbath Day. In the Jewish calendar, today is one of the 3 major feast days. It is called the Feast of Weeks, for it comes 7 weeks after another feast. It was originally a harvest-thanksgiving festival, but later it also became a commemorative celebration for the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. On this day, religious Jews reaffirm God's covenant with them by reaccepting the Mosaic laws. For an orderly society and a disciplined life, laws or rules are necessary. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 29th, we will hold the 10th meeting of "Daily Word" listeners at the Y.W.C.A. at 1:15. Plan to attend if you can.
King Henry VIII (83/05/19)
In the year 1536, Britain's King Henry VIII had a problem. He no longer loved his wife, Anne Boleyn. 10 years earlier, he was madly in love with her even though he was already married. Since the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize divorce, Henry tried to have his previous marriage declared invalid so he could marry Anne. Because the Roman pope did not agree to do so, Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England, which annulled his earlier marriage, and married Anne. 3 years after their marriage, he fell in love with another woman and wanted to get rid of his present wife. So what did he do? He accused her of committing adultery. Whether or not she was actually guilty is unclear, but she was condemned to death and, 447 years ago today, on May 19, 1536, she was beheaded with the single, swift stroke of a swordsman. This was how a king disposed of an unwanted wife, even though he had pulled his country out of the established church in order to marry her. This is an example of the pride and fickleness of an earthly ruler, who is not worthy of the loyalty of his subjects. The Christian offers his or her supreme loyalty to God, the heavenly King.
Marriage in India (83/05/20)
Marriage customs differ from country to country. In the United States, it is usual for individuals to choose their own mates. In Japan, so-called "love marriages" are also quite popular now as opposed to the traditional marriages arranged by a go-between, although arranged marriages are still carried out here and the calendar is consulted to perform the ceremony on a favorable day. However, in Indian villages, marriage customs are yet more traditional. Monday of this week was considered the most favorable day of the entire year for marriages, so in the state of Rajusthan an average of 50 to 60 weddings were performed by village elders in every village. More than 10,000 people were married on that day--but all of them were children, many of them mere infants, sleeping on their mothers' laps as the simple Hindu ceremonies were conducted. These children had no voice in choosing their lifelong companions. Such a news report causes us to reconsider concepts of marriage and of respect for individual freedom. Freedom of choice and respect for individuality are characteristics of biblical religion, and Hebrews 13:4 states that "Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other."
Moss (83/05/21)
In Kyoto, there is a famous temple of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism named Saihoji. This temple is not famous for its beautiful architecture nor for its superior teaching but for its unique garden, which is overgrown with many kinds of beautiful moss. Therefore, the common name for the temple is kokedera, or Moss Temple. If moss is considered to be something beautiful and desirable, then the English proverb, "A rolling stone gathers no moss", implies that frequent change is undesirable and that a person who often moves rather than settling down in one place will never get rich or succeed. This is probably the way that most Japanese interpret the saying. However, before coming to Japan, I did not consider moss especially desirable and I understood the proverb to mean that frequent change was beneficial, keeping one from getting bogged down or becoming mossbacked. Change in itself is neither good nor bad. It depends on whether the change is for better or worse. Change is an evidence of life and the Bible teaches that, by God's Spirit, people like you and me can be changed into better people.
Whitsunday (83/05/22)
Today is Sunday, the 1st day of a new week. The reason that Christians gather in churches to worship on this day is to commemorate the resurrection of their Lord, Jesus Christ, which, according to the Gospel records, occurred on the first day of the week. Thus, Sunday is also called the Lord's Day in the Christian Church. Today, however, has another special significance for Christians. It is the 7th Sunday after Easter Sunday and commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church, described in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2. It later became common to conduct baptismal services in rivers and streams on this spring day, following the cold winter. Since those candidates for baptism were dressed in white robes, this day was given the name of White Sunday, which is now shortened to Whitsunday. In most West European countries, tomorrow is also a legal holiday known as Whitmonday. During this Whitsuntide, Christians rejoice in the new life that has been given them by the Holy Spirit of God. Next Sunday afternoon, beginning at 1:15, we will hold a meeting of listeners to these telephone messages at the YWCA. I hope to see you there.
Queen Victoria (83/05/23)
Since this is the 58th year of Shōwa, it means that the present emperor has been on the throne for 58 years. That's a long time, longer than any other Japanese emperor. However, it still falls 5 years short of the longest reigning British monarch. That record is held by Queen Victoria, who was crowned at the age of 18 and reigned for the next 63 years until her death in 1901 at the age of 81. Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, but her birthday is now celebrated in Canada on the Monday before May 25th, which is today this year. In England, the highest military decoration given for deeds of exceptional bravery is called the Victoria Cross. In Christian thought, the empty cross may also be considered a symbol of victory. In the First Letter of John, chapter 5, verse 4, it is taught that faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ brings victory over the world. In tomorrow's message, I will tell you about a couple of special persons who will participate in our 10th "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting next Sunday afternoon at the YWCA beginning at 1:15. Be sure to listen to hear who they are and plan to attend.
Head coach of the Chunichi Dragons (83/05/24)
The English word "score" comes from a root meaning to cut. Originally, it referred to making a scratch or notch on some surface, but now it has a number of different meanings. It may refer to a grudge, a grievance or debt that needs to be settled. It may refer to the points made in a competitive event or on an examination. It may also refer to the written form of a musical composition or to a group of 20 persons or items. Among the scores of callers to these "Daily Word" messages are a couple of Americans who recently have probably been enjoying musical scores more than baseball scores. They are Jim Marshall, head coach of the Chunichi Dragons, and his wife, Beverly, both of whom plan to be present at the 10th meeting of "Daily Word" listeners next Sunday afternoon at the YWCA, which will begin at 1:15. I plan to conduct an interview with Jim, but you may also ask him and Bev some questions if you are there. At the YMCA Boys' Camp I attended as a youth, I remember a wall plaque with these words: "But when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, he'll write not that you won or lost, but how you played the game." Of course, that "One Great Scorer" is God.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (83/05/25)
A well-known American philosopher, essayist and poet was born 180 years ago today. His name is Ralph Waldo Emerson and his writings have deeply influenced American thought and culture. He emphasized the need for Americans not to be bound by the European tradition from which they came but to follow their own God-given intuition. Emerson was a minister of a Unitarian Church for a few years but found that even this very liberal form of Christianity was too binding for him. Being both radical and optimistic, he helped foster the American conviction that people have the power to change all things and that change itself is good. He became the spokesman for a group of like-minded New England thinkers known as the Transcendentalists. He has written that "Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force--that thoughts rule the world." Do you think he was right? Jim Marshall of the Chunichi Dragons will be the featured speaker at the 10th meeting of "Daily Word" listeners to be held at the YWCA next Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:15. At that time, the 4th issue of "Daily Word" Echoes will also be on sale. I hope you can attend and share your thoughts and comments.
John Marshall (83/05/26)
In the United States Supreme Court there are 9 justices, one of whom is the chief justice. These justices are appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate. Until now, there have been 15 chief justices of the Supreme Court. They have served an average of about 12 years each. The person who served the longest term was the 4th chief justice, John Marshall, who was in office from 1801-1835, a period of 34 years. Before becoming the chief justice, Marshall served in the House of Representatives and was Secretary of State under President John Adams. He was a federalist, who advocated a strong national government as opposed to those favoring a more decentralized system emphasizing state's rights. Because of the extraordinary influence he had on the Supreme Court, he has been given the title of "great chief justice", although the Bible teaches that God is our Supreme Judge. John Marshall is an important name in American history. The name of another important American is James Marshall. He is now the head coach of the Chunichi Dragons, but he and his wife, Beverly, will be attending the "Daily Word" Listeners Meeting at the YWCA this coming Sunday. The meeting begins at 1:15 and we'd like to see you there too.
Hokutenyū promoted to ōzeki (83/05/27)
The highest grade of Japanese sumō wrestlers is called yokozuna, or "horizontal rope", from the decorative straw rope worn by such wrestlers. In English, they are called grand champions. To become a yokozuna, a wrestler must pass through the "great barrier" class of ōzeki, or champion, but in order to become an ōozeki, one must proceed through the lesser ranks of "little knot", or komusubi, and "side barrier", or sekiwake. The Japan Sumo Association has officially promoted the 22 year old wrestler called Hokutenyū to the champion class. Hoku means "north" and tenyū refers to "heavenly help" or "divine favor", which we may translate into English as "providence". Hailing from the northern island of Hokkaido, Hokutenyu is hoping for further providential assistance from above to go through the "great barrier" and obtain a "horizontal rope" for himself. The Bible teaches that the destinies of all people are in the hand of the one living and eternal God, but we must also respond to his initiative in order to bring to pass his good purpose for us. Plan to join our meeting of telephone listeners on Sunday afternoon at the YWCA at 1:15.
Williamsburg (83/05/28)
The word borough, spelled b-o-r-o-u-g-h, originally referred to a fortress or fortified town, but now it may refer to any town and the 5 main divisions of New York City are called boroughs. Burg, spelled b-u-r-g, is a variation of borough and is found in the names of such cities as Edinburgh, Johannesburg and Pittsburgh. At least 11 different cities, towns or villages in the United States are named Williamsburg, the largest and most famous of which is located in Virginia. This community was settled in 1632 and became the first city in Virginia to be incorporated. It once served as the capital of Virginia and now has a population of about 10,000. This city has been restored to its old colonial appearance and, beginning today, the leaders of 7 industrial nations will be meeting there to discuss matters of common concern. In the New Testament Letter of I Timothy, chapter 2, we are urged to pray for those in authority. Let us pray that this meeting will enhance the cause of peace and justice in the world. Tomorrow afternoon at 1:15, the 10th meeting of listeners to these telephone messages will be held at the YWCA. I hope to see you there.
Lilacs (83/05/29)
Today is the day of the Lilac Festival in Sapporo. I have never attended that festival, but I imagine there are many beautiful and fragrant lilacs blooming there now. Lilacs are one of the favorite flowering shrubs in America also. Although the word "lilac" comes from a Persian word meaning bluish and in English also it may refer to a pale purple color, actually there are many different hues of the lilac flowers ranging from white through various shades of purple to deep red or crimson. Names of some other flowers are also associated with particular colors even though there are a variety of colors of those flowers. For example, roses are not always a rose color, nor are all violets violet. When I was young, there was a ditty, that is, a short, simple poem, that some children recited to someone they especially liked. It went: "Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you." As we see the beautiful, sweet smelling flowers around us, we should also ask ourselves how much beauty and sweetness we are contributing to the world.
Golden Week (83/05/02)
Constitution Day (83/05/03)
Rhode Island (83/05/04)
Children's Day (83/05/05)
Psychoanalysis (83/05/06)
May (83/05/07)
Mother's Day (83/05/08)
Muslims and Christians (83/05/09)
Hijack (83/05/10)
Bird Week (83/05/11)
Ascension Day (83/05/12)
Superstition (83/05/13)
Israel (83/05/14)
Higashiyama Water Tower (83/05/15)
Geronimo (83/05/16)
Norwegian national holiday (83/05/17)
Feast of the Weeks (83/05/18)
King Henry VIII (83/05/19)
Marriage in India (83/05/20)
Moss (83/05/21)
Whitsunday (83/05/22)
Queen Victoria (83/05/23)
Head coach of the Chunichi Dragons (83/05/24)
Ralph Waldo Emerson (83/05/25)
John Marshall (83/05/26)
Hokutenyū promoted to ōzeki (83/05/27)
Williamsburg (83/05/28)
Lilacs (83/05/29)
Memorial Day (83/05/30)
Earthquakes (83/05/31)
May Day (83/05/01)