Thoughts on New Year (85/01/01)
Happy New Year! This new year may be compared to a block of marble presented to a sculptor. During this year, we will chisel a form of some kind from this new block of time that is given to us. What kind of figure will it be? Whether it will be beautiful or ugly depends on how expertly we use the chisel of our daily words and deeds. If our lives are inspired with God's love, whether the experiences of this year are happy or sad, the final result will be a beautiful work of art. With the help of God, this year, let us try to treat others as we would have them treat us. This is the "Golden Rule", found in Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12. During this holiday period, why don't you write an essay for the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes on Japanese New Year's customs and how you celebrated during this season. Any thoughts you have related to the New Year's activities will be of interest. I will correct your essay before its publication in the March 31st issue. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. Our next "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, January 13th, at the Y.W.C.A. and I would like to meet you there. (1413)
Year of the Ox (85/01/02)
This 60th year of Showa, according to Japanese reckoning, is considered the Year of the Ox in the old Chinese calendar. For many years, I have followed the Japanese tradition of sending out New Year's cards. It is my custom to relate the particular animal designated for that year with some Biblical thought. My card for this year noted that, in the Old Testament, oxen or bullocks were used for 2 purposes: as work animals and as sacrifices to God. In the New Testament, it not oxen but the believers themselves who are considered to be workers in God's plantation as well as sacrifices to God, to be used in his service. So the Apostle Paul wrote in the 1st chapter of his Letter to the Philippians that his aim in life was to bring honour to Christ, whether by his life or his death. There is an old emblem picturing an ox between a plow and an altar over the inscription: "Ready for Either". This is the ideal attitude of the Christian who is willing to serve God either by working hard or by offering up his or her life as a meaningful sacrifice. I pray that this New Year will be a blessed one for you during which progress will be evident, not only in your English ability but in your attainment of a genuinely happy life as well.(1414)
New Year's Resolutions (85/01/03)
A resolution may refer to a formal statement of some kind adopted by an assembly or it may refer to a firm determination on the part of an individual to carry out his or her intention. Some people make New Year's resolutions at this time of year. Such resolutions are often promises to reform oneself in some way, but frequently the resolve does not last long. Rather, the result brings to mind the Japanese saying regarding a "3 day priest". A mikka-bōzu is a person who does not follow through on his or her resolve. Today is the 3rd day of the New Year. If you made a resolution for this year, I hope you will be able to keep it longer than 3 days. If you resolve to listen to this "Daily Word" telephone message everyday throughout the year, I'm sure your understanding of spoken English will improve and I hope that your knowledge of the world and your understanding of Truth will be deepened also. Jesus encouraged his disciples to faithfully endure to the end without becoming discouraged and the Apostle Paul wrote, in his Letter to the Galatians, chapter 6, verse 9: "if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest". I pray that this year will be a year of abundant harvest for you.(1415)
Coalas and pandas (85/01/04)
Yesterday's newspaper reported that 49,000 people visited the Higashiyama Zoo on Wednesday, its opening day of this year. Of course, the koala house was the most popular spot in the zoo and, sometimes, the line of people waiting to go there extended for 500 meters, requiring 30 minutes to get to the head of the line. Another article noted that a group of 10 children from the Los Angeles area in the United States are now visiting China as honored guests. They came to see the pandas they had raised money to help save from famine. In July, when China sent 2 pandas to Los Angeles in connection with the Summer Olympics, these children organized a "Save-the-Panda Committee" and raised over $90,000 by selling Chinese-made panda pins in the Los Angeles Zoo for $1 each. They are now enjoying their visit to China, seeing pandas in their natural habitat and meeting Chinese children. Both koalas and pandas are cute animals that require a special diet but there are many human beings in the world that are also in need of food--food of any kind--for their survival and we should be concerned about helping them--even though they may not be so cute. The Bible teaches that true love for others is seen in concrete deeds. (1416)
Swimming in cold water (85/01/05)
On the North American continent there are said to be 22 different species of bears, including 5 kinds of grizzly bears, 8 kinds of brown bears, 8 kinds of black bears and the polar bear, which is found in the cold, polar region of the Arctic Zone. Its creamy white color makes it blend in well with its snowy surroundings and it enjoys swimming in the icy water. In Canada, there are Polar Bear Clubs, whose members go for a swim in the frigid waters along the Pacific Coast on New Year's Day. Last week, about 5,000 people bundled up in coats, mittens, scarves and hats watched 1,700 sparsely-dressed swimmers race down a snow-covered beach to plunge into the ocean. The air temperature on that day was zero and the water was slightly over 3 degrees above zero. After this escapade, about a dozen swimmers were given first-aid treatment for hypothermia, which refers to a subnormal body temperature. In Japan, people enjoy taking very hot baths and in chapter 3 of the Apocalypse, we are taught that it is better to be either hot or cold, in a spiritual sense, rather than being luke-warm. We need to make a firm commitment rather than always "sitting on the fence". (1417)
Twelfth Day (85/01/06)
The word "magic" refers to the pretended art of producing effects or controlling events by charms, spells or rituals. It comes from the Greek word magi, which referred to a priestly caste in ancient Persia, supposedly having occult powers. In chapter 2 of the Gospel of Matthew we find the story of the Magi who saw a star in the East and came to Jerusalem to worship the newly-born king of the Jews. Although the Bible story does not specify their number, according to tradition there were 3 such wise men or kings who continued on to Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus because mention is made of the 3 gifts they presented. This 12th day after Christmas is the day traditionally set apart to commemorate this event. It is called Twelfth Day or Epiphany. "Epiphany", meaning manifestation, refers to the appearance of a god or other supernatural being. In Christian theology, it refers to the manifestation of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that in the person of Jesus Christ, God revealed himself. He was the Word that became flesh. Next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A., we will hold a meeting of listeners to these telephone messages and talk about New Year's activities. Plan to join us there if you can.(1418)
The Queen's image on coin (85/01/07)
Japanese paper money bears the pictures of historical figures. In America, the likenesses of historical men are found on coins as well as paper currency. In Great Britain, coins bear the image of the reigning monarch, which means that there must be a periodic change of image if they are to reflect the actual face of the present ruler. Last week, the 3rd image change for Queen Elizabeth II since her coronation in 1953 was made on British coins at the royal mint in Wales. The new likeness, replacing the one made in 1968, gives the queen a more mature look to reflect her status as a grandmother. It was also the custom in the Roman Empire of Jesus' day for the ruler's image to be engraved on coins. In the 12th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus was asked a question about paying taxes to the Roman government, he asked them whose image was on the coins they used and then told them to "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's". According to the Bible, people are made in the image of God. Plan to attend the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting next Sunday afternoon at the Y.W.C.A. at 1:30 and tell us how you celebrated the New Year. (1419)
Music (85/01/08)
In Greek mythology, the Muses were 9 goddesses who presided over literature and the arts and sciences. It is from their name that we get the English word "music" Music is the art and science of combining vocal and instrumental sounds to produce pleasing melodies and harmonious compositions. "Music" is the suggested theme for an essay which I hope you will write for the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes to be published in March. Do you enjoy music? What kind of music do you prefer? How do you compare the music of the East and West? Do you like to sing? Have you ever played a musical instrument? Religions usually inspire some kind of music and the character of a religion may be perceived in the kind of music it produces. The 150th Psalm mentions many different musical instruments which were to be used in praising the Lord and music has always been an important element in Christian worship. The 10th issue of the Echoes will be available at our meeting on this coming Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A. I hope you can be there. The theme for discussion is: New Year's customs and how you celebrated the New Year. Incidentally, that also is the theme suggested for an essay in last Tuesday's message in case you didn't call on that day. (1420)
Goat (85/01/09)
A goat is a cud-chewing mammal related to the sheep, with hollow horns that curve backward, straight hair and a beardlike tuft on the chin. About a century ago, a herd of goats reached a small, uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean which the U.S. Navy uses for target practice. These prolific animals are now destroying birds and plants that are on the list of endangered species. Some 1600 goats have been taken off the island in the past few years, but the Navy says that the remaining 1,500 must also be eliminated so it is planning a massive goat hunt, using a helicopter carrying civilian hunters who will accomplish the job with shotguns. A lady in a small town in the state of Vermont began producing a soap made of goat's milk 3 years ago and business is now booming. Last year she sold 10,000 bars of this off-white soap for $2 a bar. A person who is forced to take the blame or punishment for others may also be called a goat because of the Jewish ritual recorded in Leviticus, chapter 16. The sins of the people were confessed over the head of a goat which was then allowed to escape and so was called a scapegoat. Plan to attend the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting at the Y.W.C.A. this Sunday afternoon at 1:30! (1421)
National Anthem (85/01/10)
In 1893, the Japanese song, Kimi-ga-yo, written during Japan's feudal age, was designated to be sung at special school ceremonies. Since then, it has become the de facto national anthem of Japan, even though it reflects a pre-democratic atmosphere. This year, Yugoslavia will celebrate its 4Oth year as a communist state and it is looking for an appropriate national anthem. The problem is how to find both lyrics and a tune to suit the country's unique political and social system of self-management socialism. The song which has been used since 1945 is one that had been sung by the followers of former President Tito during the revolution before the founding of the present state and does not relate specifically to Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia's constitution provides equal rights to the 6 nations and 8 other nationalities that make up its 23 million population. It will be a difficult job to compose an anthem suitable for such a complex citizenry but a $1000 prize is being offered for the composition selected for the 40th anniversary festivities in November. Plan to join us on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A. for our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting. (1422)
Origami (85/01/11)
The art of paper-folding, or origami, is highly developed in Japan. I am amazed to see the great variety of shapes that can be made from the delicately-folded colored paper. When I was a child, a paper hat, boat and airplane were all I could make with origami. On Tuesday, two leading aviation museums in the United States issued an invitation to paper airplane makers to enter an International Paper Airplane Contest. Prizes will be awarded in 3 categories related to flight time, distance and beauty. All planes must be able to fly for at least 4.5 meters to be entered. The records now standing from the 1st contest are 17.7 meters for distance and 10 seconds for time. A common piece of paper, when folded in a certain way, can become an intricate object of beauty. A common human life, lived in a certain way, can also become a thing of beauty. It all depends on how we utilize the time, energy and abilities given to us. A meeting of listeners to these telephone messages will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A. on Nishiki-Dōri west of Sakae. New Year's celebrations will be the subject for discussion. Please join us if you can. (1423)
Sumō tournament (85/01/12)
Tomorrow marks the beginning of this year's first sumō tournament. The hatsu-basho is the first of 6 major tournaments held during the year in the cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. This traditional national sport of Japan is said to be rooted in the mythological age, but it has become more popular since live descriptions of the matches have been broadcast on both radio and television. 58 years ago today, on January 12, 1928, a sumō match was broadcast live for the first time from the Ryogoku Wrestling Amphitheater in Tokyo. For me, the evening television replays of the wrestling matches are more enjoyable to watch than the live broadcasts which are too long and drawn out. The ceremonial rituals of stomping the feet, clapping the hands, throwing salt and staring at one's opponent is over 4 times as long as the actual wrestling itself, so I prefer the abbreviated version. In the Bible story recorded in Genesis, chapter 32, sumō is the word used in the Japanese classical translation to describe a wrestling match of Jacob, after which his name was changed to Israel. Please join us tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A. for our Listeners' Meeting. (1424)
Stephen Foster (85/01/13)
Some of America's best known songs which have stood the test of time were written by a man whose memorial day is celebrated today. Are you acquainted with the following songs and do you know their composer: "My Old Kentucky Home", "Old Black Joe", "Oh! Susanna", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair"? The composer of these and over 200 other songs was born in 1826 and at the age of 6 began to show what his father called his "strange talent for music." He learned to play the piano and, as a teenager, he often picked out original tunes on it. His name was Stephen Foster and every year this 13th day of January is proclaimed "Stephen Foster Memorial Day" by the President of the United States. Some communities hold special observances in his memory. Foster was a gentle and warmhearted man but he developed intemperate habits. Becoming an alcoholic, he spent his last year alone in a cheap rooming house in New York City and died at the age of 37 in the charity ward of a hospital. Foster's life reminds us that superior ability does not bring happiness. Inner, spiritual strength is needed to meet and overcome the crises of life which all people face whether specially gifted or not.(1425)
Albert Schweitzer (85/01/14)
110 years ago today, on January 14, 1875, a baby boy was born in the Alsace region between France and Germany. As a child, he was a musical prodigy and later became an accomplished organist and the world authority on Bach. He also became an internationally recognized theologian and philosopher. At the age of 30, he began his study of medicine in order to go to French Equatorial Africa as a medical missionary, where he established a hospital to minister to the needs of people there. His name, of course, was Albert Schweitzer and he is an outstanding example of a person who sought to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ in a very practical way. Schweitzer left us the following words: "Example is not the main thing in life--it is the only thing" and "Only through love can we attain to communion with God". Tomorrow is the 3rd Tuesday of the month and even though it is a Japanese holiday, we will hold our fortnightly Bible Study as usual at the City Kyōikukan in Sakae, beginning at 6:30 for the study in Japanese. At 7:30 we will study the same passage in English. If you have some free time tomorrow, why don't you plan to attend? (1426)
Kimono (85/01/15)
An appropriate Bible verse to consider today is that found in I Corinthians 14:20: "Do not be like children in your thinking; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown-up in your thinking". Since 1948, this 15th day of January has been celebrated as Seijin-no-hi, or "Adults' Day" in Japan. On this day, ceremonies are held to honor those young people who have reached the age of 20 and are thus beginning their lives as adults and full-fledged citizens. Many young ladies will be attending these ceremonies in beautiful kimono which have been rented for the occasion. Others will wear kimono which have been purchased at great cost. Opportunities for wearing this traditional Japanese apparel are quite limited in this modern age. How often do you wear a kimono? What are your thoughts regarding wearing kimono these days? Is it better to rent or to own one's own kimono and when should it be worn? What do you think about the future of this traditional style of dress? "Kimono" is the theme for your essay this week. If you write down your thoughts in a short essay and send it to me, I will correct it and print it in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.(1427)
Disrespect for laws (85/01/16)
Many times while driving my car on Japanese roads I think of how foolish it is to have speed limits that no one obeys. Sometimes on the highway I find myself in a slowly-moving line of cars. At the head of the line is a police car which no one dares to pass, but even the police car is going over the officially posted speed limit! It seems to me that having laws that are so unreasonable or obsolete that no one obeys them breeds disrespect for laws in general. 66 years ago today, on January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the required 3/4 of the states and went into effect 1 year later. This Amendment prohibited the "manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors", defined as beverages containing 1/2 of 1% alcohol. Although this Prohibition Amendment was secretly or even openly violated from the beginning, it remained in force for the next 13 years until 1933 when it was repealed by the 21st Amendment. We may disobey human laws and avoid punishment, but the Bible teaches that finally we must stand before the divine Judge, who will punish or forgive us according to his perfect standard of righteousness. (1428)
Bushfire in Australia (85/01/17)
As you probably know, the surname of the present vice-president of the United States is Bush. The word "bush" refers to a low-spreading, woody plant, which is usually smaller than a tree. A thick growth of bushes, sometimes called a thicket, may also be referred to as "bush" as well as a wild, uncultivated area, which may also be called bushland. When spelled with a capital "B", bushman refers to a member of an African tribe, but with a small "b", it usually refers to a person who lives in the Australian bush. It is now summertime in Australia and bushfires are raging in Aichi Prefecture's sister state of Victoria. With temperatures close to 45 C, people, livestock and wild animals have been trapped and burned to death by the raging flames. Many homes have been destroyed and thousands of people have been evacuated from their threatened homes as firefighters battle the blaze. The 3rd chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus contains the story of Moses' encounter with God, who spoke to him through a burning bush. It was there that God gave his name as the "I AM", or Yahweh, referring to his eternal character, with an ever-burning love for his people.(1429)
Fire (85/01/18)
An old Japanese saying refers to earthquake, thunder, fire and father as the most fearful things in life. Without a doubt, there were good historical reasons for selecting this particular quartet, even though fearful fathers now seem to be a thing of the past. In regard to the fearfulness of fires, it was on the 18th day of the 1st month in the 3rd year of Meireki, or 1657, that the Great Fire of Meireki began. It is popularly called the "long-sleeve fire" (furisode-kaji) because it was started by a long-sleeved kimono which was blown into the air while being burned during a mass for the dead at a Buddhist temple in old Edo. Rapidly spread by strong winds, the fire burned for 3 days, destroying much of the city and causing over 100,000 deaths. Today also, fire is still a fearful thing and must be used with care. In the Bible, fire is a symbol both of judgment and of purification. In I Corinthians, chapter 3, Paul writes that on the Judgment Day, the character of our lives will be tested by fire. Those parts of our lives which are like wood, grass or straw will be consumed by the fire, but the solid materials will remain. What kind of materials are you using in the building of your life? (1430)
Edgar Allan Poe (85/01/19)
In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 12, verse 24, Jesus told his disciples to "Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!" In this way, Jesus taught that God not only cares for birds, but also for people who are much more valuable. A raven is a large, black bird of the crow family. "Raven" may also be used as an adjective to refer to something black and lustrous. There is a famous poem in English entitled "The Raven". It was written by a famous American poet and short story writer who was born 176 years ago today, on January 19, 1809. His name was Edgar Allan Poe and he is also well-known for his detective stories. Poe was obviously a very gifted writer, but he had a weakness for alcohol that he found hard to control and, as a result, died at the early age of 40. In Baltimore, the city in which he died, an Edgar Allan Poe Society annually commemorates his birth, and in New York, the Mystery Writers of America hold an annual Edgar Allen Poe Awards Dinner, at which special awards called Ravens are presented.(1431)
Oath (85/01/20)
When George Washington, the first president of the United States, was inaugurated 196 years ago, he took the oath of office on April 30th in New York City, the nation's capital at that time. Subsequently, March 4th became the day designated as inauguration Day because time was needed following the November elections for elected officials to gather in the capital city. However, improved transportation facilities made such a lengthy period between election and inauguration unnecessary, so a constitutional amendment in 1933 moved inauguration Day up to January 20th. However, when January 20th falls on a Sunday, as it does this year, public ceremonies are postponed until the following day. The wording of the oath taken by the newly elected president at the beginning of his term is given in the Constitution itself as follows: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." It is customary for the President to place his left hand on a Bible and to raise his right hand as he makes that oath. In Matthew 5:33, Jesus teaches that his followers should always tell the truth, which would make oaths unnecessary.(1432)
Inaugural ball (85/01/21)
When January 20th falls on a Sunday in the year of a U.S. presidential inauguration, the public inauguration ceremonies are held on the following day, which is today. The oath of office is administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court in the east portico of the Capitol in the presence of a large crowd assembled on the plaza. Since 1809 there have been inaugural balls to honor the new president. Over the years, the number of balls have been increased to accommodate the many people who wish to attend and this year there will again be 9 balls at which President and Mrs. Reagan will appear. Tickets for these balls cost $125. In 1841, William Henry Harrison was the first president to dance at such balls, of which there were 3 that year. That afternoon, he had given the longest inauguration speech in the country's lasting an hour and 45 minutes, without a coat or hat in cold, stormy weather. As a result, he caught pneumonia and died a month later, becoming the president who served the shortest time in office. As the nation's oldest president, Mr. Reagan must take care of his health and not over-exert himself while dancing. According to Titus 2:2, older men should be "sober, sensible and self-controlled."(1433)
Rice (85/01/22)
Many years ago when my wife was riding on a train, the young person sitting next to her asked her if he could converse with her in English. She agreed to his request, but was confused by one of his questions, which she had to ask him repeat 2 or 3 times. The question was: "How do you like Japanese lice?" Finally, she realized that he meant to ask her opinion of Japanese rice although he pronounced it lice. According to a recently-published survey, almost 92% of Japanese consider rice to be the most suitable staple rood for them and only about 2% held the contrary opinion. What do you think about Japanese rice, not only as a staple food but as a plant with various other uses? Rice and rice cultivation have played an important part in Japanese history and have profoundly influenced its culture. Rice is the theme suggested for your essay this week. Send it for correction and publication in "Daily Word" Echoes to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. As your thoughts are focussed on that material food, remember that "Man does not live on [rice] alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God".(1434)
A girl in Manila Marathon (85/01/23)
Last Sunday, the Manila international Marathon was held in that capital city of the Philippines The winner of the race was an American man, who ran the 42 kilometers in 2 hours, 23 minutes, but the star of this event was a 7-year-old Japanese girl from Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture, who took about 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete the course. Yayamo Kojima, who is 120 centimeters tall and weighs 23 kilograms, is now in the second grade of elementary school but she has enjoyed running since she was in nursery school. She ran 10 kilometers when she was 5 years old and now she regularly runs 5 kilometers after returning home from school, accompanied by her father on his motorbike. In the Manila Marathon, her mother rode beside her on a bicycle. For the past 3 years, I have run the 10 kilometer course in the Nagoya Jogging Meet in a little over 1 hour and I can't imagine continuing on for over 4 times that long. I hope this kind of prolonged exercise isn't too much for Yayamo's little heart. In the 3rd chapter of Philippians, Paul writes of running the race of life, with his eyes on the goal to win the prize of God's call through Christ to the life above.(1435)
A student walker (85/01/24)
As you know, regular exercise is good for one's health and one of the easiest forms of exercise is walking. Last Saturday, Seiichi Nakayama, a 25 year old graduate student at Aichi Kyōiku Daigaku, returned to his home here in Nagoya after a long walk. He left home on April 8th last year to take a walk around Japan, aiming to walk about 30 kilometers a day. From Nagoya, he walked to Tokyo, then on to Wakkanai on the northern tip of Hokkaido. Taking a ferry to Niigata, he continued his walk to Kagoshima on the southern tip of Kyushu. After another ferry ride to Okinawa and back, he continued his walk through Shikoku to Nagoya, arriving 287 days after he left. During his trek through all 47 prefectures, he covered some 8000 kilometers, staying in youth hostels minshuku, homes of friends or out-of-doors, wearing out 3 pairs of shoes and 20 pairs of socks. He enjoyed meeting many people on this trip and thinks he will become a better teacher because of this experience. The New Testament often refers to our life as a walk and, in Ephesians, chapter 5, we are told to walk in love, to walk in the light and to walk carefully, making use of every opportunity. (1436)
General MacArthur (85/01/25)
Probably no American has had a more decisive influence on the postwar history of Japan than General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan after the war. MacArthur was born 105 years ago today in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of an army general. He had great respect for his father and took his own responsibilities as a father seriously. He wrote: "By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder--infinitely prouder--to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer." General MacArthur was a man of faith and Japan's postwar history might well have turned out differently if a different kind of man had become its temporary dictator. I wonder what kind of memories will our children have of us when we are gone. 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. (1437)
The name "India" (85/01/26)
First of all, I apologize for misinforming you that yesterday was General MacArthur's birthday. Actually, his birthday is today, a national holiday in India, commemorating its beginning as a democratic republic 35 years ago. Just as the native name Nippon was distorted by foreigners to Japan, so sindhu, the Sanskrit word for river, was pronounced "hindu" by the Persians and became "India" in Greek, from which it passed into English. The 3000 kilometer long Indus, from which the name was derived, flows through what is now Pakistan. Early explorers of the American continents thought they were in Asia, so they called the natives of these lands Indians, but to distinguish them from the Indian Indians, they are called American Indians. The West Indies are a group of islands between North and South America, but the term East Indies may refer only to southeast Asian islands or to countries on the Malay and Indian peninsulas as well, so the term "East Indian" has an ambiguous meaning. People may make mistakes about names, countries or birthdays but, according to Luke 10:20, the names of Jesus' disciples are written in heaven, where there are no mistakes. (1438)
jot or tittle (85/01/27)
To "jot down" means to make a very brief note, for "jot" refers to some thing very small. We may say, "He doesn't care a jot about what others think", which means, "He doesn't care at all". The word "jot" comes from jota, which is the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. A "tittle" is a small projecting stroke in some Hebrew characters which distinguishes them from others that are very similar. Thus both "jot" and "tittle" signify very small particles and the idiom "jot or titttle" refers to the minutiae or small details of something. This idiom comes from Jesus' words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 18, where he said according to the translation of the King James Version. "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Here, Jesus taught that the law of God, recorded in the scripture is a reliable guide for our lives and that it will finally be accomplished. All people need a firm foundation upon which to build their lives and a standard by which to judge them. The Christian gives this place to the Word of God. In these days of moral and spiritual confusion, what is the basic support in your life and by what criterion do you distinguish right from wrong? (1439)
Kojiki (85/01/28)
Some 1300 years ago, the Japanese Emperor Temmu wanted to bring some order to the various conflicting genealogies, myths and legends regarding the imperial family that had been handed down from generation to generation, so he commissioned a person named Hieda-no-Are to interpret these written documents and the orally transmitted legends contained in them in the year 711 A.D., his successor, Emperor Gemmyō, ordered O-no-Yasumaro to arrange and adjust these interpretations and to compile them in book form. On the 28th day of the 1st month of the following year, the 5th year of Wadō, this book was presented to the emperor. Called the Kojiki, it is one of the oldest books in Japan but because of its old literary style, it is very difficult for people today to read and understand. The myths, legends and poetry of this ancient document are of great interest to the student of Japanese history. However, its character is quite different than the Christian Bible. If you are interested in studying the Bible in both Japanese and English, you are invited to the class I teach on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the Kyōikukan near Sakae, beginning at 6:30. Although tomorrow is the 5th Tuesday, we will meet as usual.(1440)
Funerals (85/01/29)
Akira Terada, of Tokorozawa City, runs an unconventional business, which has proved very successful. He provides funeral rites for pets. When he receives an order, he sends a hearse to pick up the dead pet, which is put into a coffin, taken to the firm's crematory and placed on an altar where flowers and the pet's favorite food are offered. The pet's owner offers incense while a tape-recorded Buddhist sutra, chosen according to the owner's sect, is played. Fees for a funeral service vary, depending on the kind of pet and its size: ¥19,000 for a small spitz, ¥24,000 for a large Akita. What do you think about having funerals for pets? What is their purpose? Is it different than the purpose of funerals for human beings? What are your views about Japanese funeral customs and their significance? For my own deeper understanding of Japanese thought, I would be happy to receive your comments on the subject of funerals and their meaning. Your manuscript wil1 be corrected and then published in "Daily Word" echoes. Send it to "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post office 463. In John 11:25 Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies." (1441)
Year of the Ox (85/01/02)
New Year's Resolutions (85/01/03)
Coalas and pandas (85/01/04)
Swimming in cold water (85/01/05)
Twelfth Day (85/01/06)
The Queen's image on coin (85/01/07)
Music (85/01/08)
Goat (85/01/09)
National Anthem (85/01/10)
Origami (85/01/11)
Sumō tournament (85/01/12)
Stephen Foster (85/01/13)
Albert Schweitzer (85/01/14)
Kimono (85/01/15)
Disrespect for laws (85/01/16)
Bushfire in Australia (85/01/17)
Fire (85/01/18)
Edgar Allan Poe (85/01/19)
Oath (85/01/20)
Inaugural ball (85/01/21)
Rice (85/01/22)
A girl in Manila Marathon (85/01/23)
A student walker (85/01/24)
General MacArthur (85/01/25)
The name "India" (85/01/26)
jot or tittle (85/01/27)
Kojiki (85/01/28)
Funerals (85/01/29)
A tragic bus accident (85/01/30)
Battle of Stalingrad (85/01/31)
Thoughts on New Year (85/01/01)