Kentucky and Tennessee (84/06/01)
June the 1st is the anniversary day of the admission to the United States of America of the 15th and 16th states. When the United States was founded, 13 British colonies became independent states. All of them, except for Pennsylvania, had at least a portion of the state bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. Vermont became the 14th state to enter the Union in 1791, followed by Kentucky in 1792 and Tennessee in 1796. Both of these latter two states were admitted on June the 1st of their respective years. Tennessee had previously been known for a short time as the state of Franklin, originally "Frankland", meaning "land of the free". During the Civil War, Tennesseeans were divided in their loyalties. Eventually, the state seceded from the Union, although the eastern area tried to remain loyal to the North. Kentucky tried to remain neutral during the Civil War, but its residents were also divided in their allegiance. Finally, however, it sided with the Union. The state motto of Kentucky is "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". This is a saying that should be remembered in many areas of the world today also.
Italy (84/06/02)
The national flags of a number of countries consist of 3 vertical bars of different colors. European countries having such a flag include France, Belgium, Italy and Ireland. The flags of Italy and Ireland are almost identical, but the colors of the Irish flag are green, white and orange, while those of the Italian flag are green, white and red. In 1870, the various Italian states were united under a king and the Kingdom of Italy continued until the end of the Second World War. In 1922, Benito Mussolini was invited by the king to take over the government and he became a fascist dictator, siding with Germany during the war. Following that war, on June the 2nd, 1946, 38 years ago today, a referendum was held which ended the monarchy and marked the beginning of the Italian Republic. The tribal name, Italy, comes from an ancient dialect and originally meant "young cattle", honoring Mars who was the god of bulls. The Bible refers to people as sheep rather than as cattle and pictures God as our Shepherd. The word "pastor" also means shepherd, for the pastor is meant to serve as the shepherd of the flock which makes up his church.
Frilled lizard (84/06/03)
In English, "frill" may refer to the trimming attached to the edge of a lady's dress. In more colloquial speech, it may refer to unnecessary ornamentation. It may also refer to a fold or fringe of hair or others around the neck of a bird or animal. In Australia, there is a small reptile called a frilled lizard. It has a distinctive flap of skin around its neck which flares up whenever it is excited or facing a threat. If that tactic fails to scare its enemy, it makes a dash for safety on its two hind legs. This frilled lizard, or erimaki tokage in Japanese, is currently appearing in a commercial on Japanese television and has become very popular among viewers. The lizard's image has been copyrighted and now there are lizard dolls. Soon its shape will appear on T-shirts, records, photographs and picture picture books. A frilled lizard fan club has even been organized. The combination of initial courage followed by the clumsy flight of this "muffler lizard" seems to stike a responsive chord in viewers who, doubting their own strength, may see themselves reflected in the lizard's actions. Genuine courage in the face of life's problems must be based on a sturdy faith.
Yasukuni Jinja (84/06/04)
The present Japanese Constitution makes a clear distinction between religion and government. Whether or not official visits to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo should be permitted and even whether the shrine itself should receive government support has been a subject of controversy over the past few years. Since I view the Yasukuni Shrine as having a religious character, I think official government support of any kind should not be allowed. 105 years ago today, the name of that particular shrine in the Kudan area of Tokyo was changed. Before that time, it was one of a number of shōkonsha, shrines where spirits of the dead are invoked, but on June 4, 1879, the name of this Tokyo shōkonsha was changed to Yasukuni Jinja. Although yasukuni means "peaceful country", the character for "peace" is not the usual one representing a woman under a roof, which indicates a peaceful house, but a combination of the character for "stand" and "blue". Blue is the color of the peaceful sky and stand adds the implication of unchangeableness. From the biblical perspective, a true yasukuni or peaceful country, called the Kingdom of God, will only come through the work of God's Holy Spirit.
America (84/06/05)
Today is the sixth Tuesday since our last "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting--the day for me to suggest the sixth and last theme for essays to be printed in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. God willing, my wife and I will be leaving on Thursday of next week for a two month visit to our homeland, so please send all essays to be included in the ninth issue of the Echoes to arrive in my post office box by Wednesday, June 13. I plan to take the essays with me to correct while I am in the U.S. That fact prompted my choice of the essay theme for this week, it is "America". What are your thoughts regarding America: its present image, its past history, its foreign policy, its relationship with Japan, etc.? What experiences have you had related to America or Americans? I would like to read your honest comments--both positive and negative, which will help me more faithfully represent the Japanese view of America and Americans when I speak with people or give lectures during my visit. Send your essay for correction and publication in the September issue of the Echoes to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Sweden (84/06/06)
At least fourteen national flags contain a cross in their design, including all five of the Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The basic flag pattern of these countries is the same. Only the colors are different. In the case of the Swedish flag, there is a yellow cross on a light blue field. Today is a national holiday in Sweden called the Day of the Swedish Flag. It also commemorates the adoption of a new constitution which went into effect on this day 175 years ago in 1809. Sweden has long been a stronghold of Protestantism. Officially, 95% of the population belongs to the Lutheran state church with the remaining 5% belonging to other Protestant denominations. However, as in many countries where there is a state religion, genuine religious commitment on the part of the general public is very low. Having a cross on the national flag and supporting a state church does not make a nation Christian in the true sense of the word. Genuine religious faith must go deeper than such symbolic forms. It involves a personal dedication that is seen in daily life.
Giants and Dragons (84/06/07)
In a battle between giants and dragons, which do you think would win? Dragons and giants are both mythological beings. Dragons have the shape of a reptile, with wings and claws, and breathe out fire and smoke. In Greek mythology, giants were a race of huge beings in human form who warred with the gods. In the real world of Japanese baseball, Giants and Dragons have been battling these days in the Chūnichi Stadium and in these battles the Dragons have been coming out on top. Last night they beat the Giants for the 9th straight game. In Shakespeare's drama, Measure for Measure, Isabella exclaims, "O, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." This year the Giants have not been using their strength like giants. There is a difference in possessing some strength or ability or influence and in making right and effective use of it. What abilities do you have and how are you using them? Jesus taught that if a person does not make use of God-given talent it is taken away. In Ephesians 5:16, we are told to make good use of every opportunity we have.
Italy (84/06/02)
Frilled lizard (84/06/03)
Yasukuni Jinja (84/06/04)
America (84/06/05)
Sweden (84/06/06)
Giants and Dragons (84/06/07)
Daniel Boone (84/06/08)
Nero (84/06/09)
Kentucky and Tennessee (84/06/01)