Canada (85/07/01)
Do you know which are the 4 largest countries in the world in size and which 4 have the largest population? 3 countries are found in both lists. The largest in size are the Soviet Union, Canada, China and the United States. Those with the largest population are China, India, the Soviet Union and the United States. Canada, which is 2nd in size, ranks 31st in population, which means it has a lot of uninhabited land within its borders. Compared to Japan with over 300 people per square kilometer, Canada has less than 3 people in that same area. Canada is blessed with many natural resources, but because of the difficulty of transporting oil from its western wells to its large cities in the east, Canada is both a major exporter and importer of oil. Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 2 territories. 116 years ago today, it officially became a dominion within the British Empire, so July 1st was formerly celebrated as Dominion Day, but now that it is an independent country, the name of this national holiday has been changed to Canada Day. "Dominion" refers to the domain under the control of a lord and the Bible teaches that the whole earth is God's dominion. (1594)
Summertime (85/07/02)
Last Sunday, 20 people met at the Y.W.C.A. on a rainy afternoon for the 18th meeting of "Daily Word" listeners. We had an enjoyable time talking, listening, eating and drinking. One of the men present has attended 16 of the 18 meetings and another man holds the record for calling from the longest distance. He called last May from Hamburg, Germany and heard the message very clearly. The 12th issue of "Daily Word" Echoes was on sale for ¥200. This periodical contains 59 essays which were contributed by listeners to these messages. The theme for our discussion was "Summertime" and that will be the 1st theme for the next issue of the Echoes, to be published in September. I hope to receive essays from you who have never contributed. The essay need not be long nor written in excellent English for poor English is prettied up before publication. What do you think of summertime? What do you like or dislike about it and what memories does it bring to mind? Send essays for correction and publication to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 6, people are told to learn a lesson from the way ants store up food during the summer, getting ready for winter. Even so, we should make wise use of the time God has given us as we consider our future. (1595)
A baby giraffe (85/07/03)
On Thursday of last week, 2 rare animals were born at 2 different zoos in Japan. The whole country rejoiced at the happy news of the newborn panda, the first ever born in Japan, at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, but happiness was turned to sorrow at the news of its accidental death just 2 days later. The tiny cub was only 16 centimeters long and weighed only 140 grams. The other birth took place at the Higashiyama Zoo here in Nagoya, where a giraffe was born for the first time in 22 years. This baby giraffe, which made its public debut yesterday, is already 1.8 meters tall and weighs 40 kilograms. In the long neck of the giraffe, there are only 7 bones while the neck of a swan contains 23 and even the little sparrow has 14 bones in its neck. The various kinds of animals, birds and other creatures in the world, including people, with their individual peculiarities, imply the purpose and activity of a divine Designer. The Bible teaches that the almighty God created the world and all that is in it. It further teaches that God loves the world--meaning us! --and that our lives find their true meaning and lasting happiness when we open them, through faith, to the love of God which was revealed in the life and death of Jesus Christ. (1596)
Independence Day (85/07/04)
One of the recognized characteristics of the Japanese is a strong group consciousness. They feel secure when a part of a group and enjoy the feeling of mutual dependence on one another. There are cultural and historical reasons for this trait. On the other hand, Americans place a high value upon individual independence, although they also realize that there is strength in unity. Today, the 4th of July, is the foremost national holiday in the United States. It is called Independence Day and commemorates the signing of the document entitled "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America" on this day in 1776. Although political independence from Great Britain was not the original goal or hope of most of the colonists, they finally chose to rebel against the unjust taxation policies of the motherland. At the heart of that Declaration of Independence is the assertion that "all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". While recognizing these individual rights, as members of a society, we must also be concerned about the rights and needs of others. A healthy balance is required between dependence and independence to achieve peace with justice. (1597)
Circus (85/07/05)
The word "circus" comes from the Latin word for "circle". A famous landmark in London is the circular intersection of streets known as Piccadilly Circus. In ancient Rome, the circus was a round stadium in which horse and chariot races and other contests were held in the presence of many spectators. About 200 years ago, the modern circus began, with its huge tent in which animals, acrobats, freaks and clowns were on display. The greatest name in American circus history is that of Phineas Taylor Barnum who was born 175 years ago today, on July 5, 1810. P. T. Barnum referred to his circus as "the greatest show on earth" and he enjoyed playing hoaxes on people as well as providing spectacular entertainment. His fame began in 1835 when he exhibited a black slave woman, claiming that she was 161 years old and had been the nurse of George Washington. P. T. Barnum left us such sayings as: "There's a sucker born every minute" and "Every crowd (spelled with an "r") has a silver lining". It has been said that "You may fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time," although some shady businessmen and politicians keep trying to do so.
Various "T"s (85/07/06)
Did you know that the letters in the English alphabet can be spelled out? For example, the letter T is spelled t-e-e. The English word for the common drink of Japan is pronounced the same, but it is spelled t-e-a. The word "tee", spelled t-e-e, may refer to something in the shape of a T, like a pipe fitting used by a plumber or a metal bar used by a carpenter. These days, colorful T(tee)-shirts, with strange English words or expressions printed on them, are popular in Japan. These shirts did not get their name because they are worn at tea parties. Rather, the simple collarless shirts have the shape of a T and either a capital T or its spelled-out form may be used to refer to them. Another kind of tee, also spelled t-e-e, is used in golf. It is a small peg upon which the golf ball is placed before striking it with a club, or teeing off. The expression, "to a T(tee)", means precisely or exactly. For example, if something fits "to a T(tee)", it is a perfect fit. This T(tee) comes from the word "tittle", referring to a tiny mark, such as the dot over an "i" or the cross mark on a "t". According to the King James Version of Matthew 5:18, Jesus said that "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled." (1599)
Church (85/07/07)
As you probably know, the Christian Bible is divided into 2 parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. There are 27 books in the New Testament. Most of these books are in the form of letters, written to churches in the 1st century. The word "church" in English is derived from a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord". However, the Greek word translated "church" literally means "those called out". In the New Testament, "church" does not refer to a physical building. It refers to people who have responded to God's call to turn from their self-centered ways and receive his love into their lives. Thus, they have been "called out" from the world and now they "belong to the Lord". The figure used to describe the church in the 1st Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, is that of a body. As the "Body of Christ", the church serves as the mouth, hands and feet of Christ, its Head, in the world today. A healthy church functions like a healthy body, in which the varied parts work together in harmony to accomplish the purpose of the head. This mixture of diversity within unity combines the group-consciousness of the East with the individualism of the West and the Bible envisions the day when the whole world will live in harmony as the family of God. (1600)
Meanings of words in the Soviet (85/07/08)
Literate people often make use of a dictionary. This is especially true for those of us who read and write in a foreign language. We expect the dictionary to inform us of the correct meanings of words. Recently, the chief executive of the Oxford University Press, publishers of the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary, indicated his displeasure with certain changes included in the Soviet edition of that dictionary. In it, the definitions of such words as imperialism, capitalism, socialism and communism had been changed to fit present Soviet political theory. Obviously, the meanings of words do change and the particular meaning given to a certain word may vary depending on the context in which it is used or on the person who uses it. A basic problem in intercultural communication is the problem of definitions. When I, as a western Christian, speak of God, worship, love or sin, my particular meaning may not be exactly the same as what the listener imagines. That's why it's so important to get below the translation of words to the deeper understanding of intentions and feelings. In Matthew, chapter 12, Jesus compares the words we speak to the fruit produced by a tree and warns us to be careful of our speech, for which we will be held accountable on Judgment Day. (1601)
Tanabata (85/07/09)
At times, the language, customs and calendar of Japan are confusing to foreigners. Consider tanabata, for example. Its pronunciation seems to refer to a "shelf loom", but some consider it a corrupted form of tenno-hata, or "loom of heaven". However, the Chinese characters used to write it mean 7th evening and are given this pronunciation only in this exceptional case. They refer to the 7th evening of the 7th month, which is a seasonal festival introduced from China. Depending upon the place, this festival is observed on July 7th or a month later, on August 7th, according to the solar calendar or on the 7th day of the 7th month according to the lunar calendar, which falls on August 21st this year. I would like to read your ideas regarding tanabata. How and why is it celebrated in Japan? Has its meaning and method of celebration changed for you since you were a child? How would you compare the story of the 2 starry lovers with the stories of Izanagi and Izanami or of Amaterasu-Omikami and Susanoono-mikoto? Are these stories of a similar nature or of a completely different character? Send your essay of random thoughts, fond memories or critical observations to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Suika (85/07/10)
On Monday afternoon, it was announced that the rainy season had ended. Nevertheless, yesterday it rained some more. This year, there was plenty of rain during the rainy season. In fact only 3 days of the past 30 were without rain. That probably made some farmers happy, but the growers of suika say there was too much rain, for suika need sunshine as well as rain to bring them to a delicious maturity. So the price of suika will be lower this year, making buyers happy, but the taste will not be so sweet, making eaters sad. It really is impossible to please everybody. The Chinese characters usually used for suika mean "western melon", but the first character can be changed so that the meaning is "water melon". This melon did come from the west and its pulp is about 93% water so, in English, it is called a watermelon. It is native to Africa, where it has been cultivated since prehistoric times and the word is found once in the Bible, in the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 11, verse 5. There the Israelites were complaining to Moses about the good food they ate in Egypt, including fish, cucumbers, watermelons, leeks onions and garlic. After being freed from Egyptian slavery, they began to complain about their food. It goes to show that people are never satisfied. (1603)
Saving one's face (85/07/11)
On Tuesday, Shigeko Fuji of Tokushima, was declared innocent of murdering her husband 32 years ago. She had served 13 years in prison and died 6 years ago, but the effort to clear her name was continued by her relatives who now are happy because her face has been restored. One reason it took so long for the court to reverse an earlier, mistaken decision was because this reversal would cause it to lose face. One meaning of the word "face" is prestige or dignity and to "lose face" is very embarrassing for a proud person. Losing face is not only a problem for Japanese; there is a universal desire to save one's face, which is related to what Christians call the sin of pride. 181 years ago today, a famous duel took place in the United States between 2 prominent politicians. Former Vice-President Aaron Burr claimed that Alexander Hamilton had insulted him and challenged him to a duel. Although opposed to dueling on moral and religious grounds, Hamilton felt he had to accept the challenge lest he be thought a coward. As a result, he was shot to death. Dutch poet, Piet Hein, has written: "The noble art of losing face / may one day save the human race / and turn into eternal merit / what weaker minds would call disgrace." (1604)
Henry David Thoreau (85/07/12)
Henry David Thoreau, the American essayist, poet and naturalist, was born 168 years ago today, on July 12, 1817. As a boy, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities, developing an independent spirit. Although he attended Harvard, he preferred his own course of study to that established by the college. When he was 28 years old, he began a 2-year stay in a simple cabin that he had built in the woods on the shore of Walden Pond. He later wrote a famous account of his "life in the woods" called Walden. During that period of solitude, he came to a deeper understanding of himself and of nature. Thoreau did not feel the need to follow the crowd. He said: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." A famous essay he wrote on "Civil Disobedience" had a great influence upon Mahatma Gandhi and other practitioners of passive resistance. In regard to the seeming impossible dreams that people have, Thoreau wrote: "If you have built castles in the air your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." Thoreau's example and writings give us much food for thought.
Paris (85/07/13)
You would probably be surprised to know that I was born about 25 kilometers southeast of Paris. However, that particular Paris is a tiny community in the southeastern area of the American state of Wisconsin. My atlas indicates that there are only 50 residents in that community. In fact, there are at least a dozen other towns or villages in the United States named Paris, showing something of the influence of France upon the U. S. A. In ancient Europe, the region now occupied by France was called Gaul and one of the Gaulish tribes was the Parisii, meaning "the bold ones". This tribe is now commemorated in the name of the French capital city. This evening there will be a big celebration in that city, for it is Paris Festival Eve, the day before France's national holiday, called Bastille Day. It was on July 14, 1789, 196 years ago tomorrow, that the prison-fortress known as the Bastille was stormed by the bold Parisians. This hated symbol of the tyranny of French kings was quickly overrun and the French Revolution was under way. One of the characteristics of Jesus' disciples seen in the 4th chapter of The Acts of the Apostles was their boldness. In the face of injustice, this is a quality all of us ought to possess.(1606)
The grape vine and branches (85/07/14)
Jesus was a master teacher. He often taught deep spiritual truths to the common people using simple stories which are called parables. Sometimes he used more involved symbolic language which we call an allegory. My sermon for today is taken from the allegory found in the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to John. There, Jesus referred to himself as the grape vine and of his disciples as branches. The purpose of the branches is to bear fruit. However, they cannot bear fruit unless they are connected to the vine, from which they receive their life. When branches become separated from the vine, they die and become good for nothing, so they are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned. Healthy branches connected to the vine are sometimes clipped and pruned to make them stronger and to increase their yield. Jesus thus taught that the only way his disciples can fulfill God's purpose in their lives and bear the good fruit of loving service is by maintaining an intimate relationship with him, from whom they receive their spiritual life. Sometimes painful experiences are permitted, to increase their effectiveness. Christians must remember Jesus' words: "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me."(1607)
Coca-Cola (85/07/15)
It is common to make a distinction between hard drinks and soft drinks. Soft drinks are those that contain no alcohol. For almost a hundred years, one of the most popular soft drinks in the United States has been Coca-Cola. This drink received its name from its Original ingredients which were derived from coca leaves and cola nuts. Because of its popularity, other colas were also put on the market, but Coca-Cola remained the favorite. In the face of increasing competition and after long and expensive research, the Coca-Cola company recently decided to change the formula for this popular drink, hoping to increase its sales. However, customer reaction to the change was quite different than anticipated. Opposition to the new Coke was so strong that the company has now reversed itself and is again producing the original drink under the name of Coca-Cola Classic. One letter to the company compared its changing the taste of this traditional drink to "God making the grass purple." This incident indicates how difficult it is to change tradition. It reminds me of the Bible verse in Luke 5:39. Referring to how hard it is for people to accept new teaching, Jesus said, "No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. 'The old is better,' he says."
Gifts (85/07/16)
According to Chinese tradition, there are 3 "beginnings" during the year: the "upper beginning", or jōgen, on January 15, the "lower beginning", or kagen, on October 15, and the "middle beginning" or chūgen, on July 15. In Japan, during this chūgen season, it is customary to give gifts to certain people. Gift-giving plays an important part in Japanese social life. Not only at this midyear season and again at the end of the year but on numerous other occasions throughout the year, at times of both joy and sorrow or when making a courtesy call, gifts are offered. The material gift is often accompanied by an obligation to repay the giver in some way, if this has not already been done. What are your thoughts on this custom of giving and receiving gifts? What are its good and bad points? If you send me an essay on this subject, I will correct it before having it printed in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. Of more importance than the gift itself, is the true intention behind it. In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 16, verse 19, judges are commanded not to accept gifts, because "gifts blind the eyes of wise and honest men and cause them to give wrong decisions." This is: Daily Word, Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.(1609)
Rock (85/07/17)
Rock is hard, solid material like stone, but as a verb, to rock refers to a swaying motion. In the old days, American mothers used to rock their babies to sleep in a rocking chair. In more recent years, rock has come to refer to a certain kind of popular music to which dancers not only sway, but stomp and jump as well. Last weekend the world's greatest rock concert was held to raise money for starving people in Africa. 72,000 rock fans gathered in a London stadium while 90,000 packed a stadium in Philadelphia. For 16 hours, the performances of rock groups in England and the United States as well as others from the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, West Germany and Austria were broadcast by satellite to 1 1/2 billion viewers in 160 countries. Through ticket sales and contributions, this extraordinary charity show raised some 20 million (¥13.2 billion), more than double the original goal, and the show's organizer has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. When the Old Testament psalmist wrote of rock he was not referring to music. In the 18th Psalm he spoke of God as his "Rock", meaning the secure fortress in which he could find security and salvation.(1610)
Translating proverbs (85/07/18)
One problem faced by a translator is how literal to make his or her translation. This is especially true in the case of proverbs or figurative expressions. Should the translator give an exact translation of the original or find a comparable proverb or expression that uses different words but has the same meaning in the other language? Take the Japanese proverb, kaeru no ko wa kaeru, for example. Should one translate it: "The offspring of a frog is a frog" or use the English proverb, "Like father like son"? The Japanese expression, kaeru no tsura ni mizu, in reference to some completely ineffectual advice, may be translated "water on a frog's face" or changed into the English cliche, "like water off a duck's back". How to translate such sayings depends upon the translator, the nature of the material and the translation style, so no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down. Another Japanese proverb related to a frog is especially significant to people who are trying to broaden their horizons. Literally, it states that "A frog in the well does not know the ocean", which is similar to the English saying, "He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill". Learning a foreign language well and trying to communicate in it is a good way to get out of "the well" or "over the hill".(1611)
Food forbidden in religions (85/07/19)
In Yokohama, there is a center where foreigners who have violated the law are held before being deported from Japan. These men and women come from many different countries and have a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. Recently, the Immigration Bureau has issued guidelines relating to the food served to these people to avoid offending them or causing dietary problems. The guidelines note that Jews and Muslims should not be served pork because eating such meat is prohibited by their religions. Roman Catholics are not to be served meat on Fridays since some Catholics do not eat meat on Friday in remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion on that day. Hindus do not eat beef for they consider the cow a sacred animal and some Buddhists do not eat meat of any kind. Mormons do not drink coffee or tea and most Westerners are not happy to be served octopus or squid. The Immigration Bureau should be commended for their consideration of the religious and cultural traditions of these violators of Japanese laws. In the Early Christian Church, whether or not to eat or drink certain things was a problem to some believers, but in Romans 14:17, the Apostle Paul makes clear that "God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace and joy which the Holy Spirit gives." (1612)
Colombia (85/07/20)
There are over 30 counties, cities, towns, or villages in the U.S.A. that are named Columbia or have Columbia as a part of their name. Columbia is also the name of a famous university in New York City. Of course, these names are in honor of Christopher Columbus, who first journeyed to the American continent in 1492. These American names are all spelled with a "u" as the middle vowel, but the South American country of Colombia, which is pronounced the same, has an "o" as its middle vowel. Today is the national day of Colombia, for it was 175 years ago today that Spanish colonists began their struggle for independence. In 1819, Simon Bolivar became president of the republic of Gran Colombia. After Venezuela and Ecuador broke away from that republic in 1829-30, it was renamed New Granada, but in 1866 it assumed its present name. In 1903, Panama broke away from Colombia to make it possible for the United States to build a canal across the narrow isthmus. Due to its location, Colombia has been called the "Gateway to South America". In John 10:9, Jesus referred to himself as the gateway by which people enter into eternal life.
Rev. Kajiwara's messages (85/07/21)
The period between Friday evening and Monday morning is commonly called the "weekend". However, actually it is a combination of the end of one week and the beginning of another. How do you usually spend your weekends? Do you only seek to find some physical enjoyment or do you also take time for spiritual development as well? Over this weekend, we are having special meetings at our church, located next to the City Civic Center, in the city of Takahama. The Rev. Hisashi Kajiwara, President of Nagoya Gakuin University is the speaker. The general theme of his messages is: "Three Dimensions of a Full Life". Last night, he spoke on "Rest for the Soul". For this morning's worship service, beginning at 10:30, his sermon is entitled "Ask, and It Shall Be Given You", and at this evening's meeting, which begins at 7:00 o'clock, he will speak on "Saved by Hope". Sometimes, we need to be reminded that a full life involves more than a single dimension. Those people who live only in the physical or material dimension do not know the deeper satisfaction and peace of mind which comes from the more complete life rooted in spiritual truth. According to the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10, Jesus came into the world that people might have life--"life in all its fullness". (1614)
Suing at a shop (85/07/22)
The Old Testament contains a short book of love poems called "The Song of Songs". In the 1st verse of the 2nd chapter of this book, the woman lover is referred to as a "lily of the valley". The original Hebrew word for "lily" is shoshannah. From this word, the name, Susanna, was derived, and a shortened form of Susanna is Susan. Many girls or women named Susan are given the nickname of Sue, including my daughter. However, "sue" has another meaning in English. It refers to bringing a lawsuit against someone. Suing has become quite popular these days, encouraged by lawyers who benefit from it. In the town of Arlington, Virginia, a woman is suing a sporting goods store for $600,000. This woman was 9 months pregnant when she visited the store, looking for exercise equipment. According to her lawsuit, she was accused of stealing a basketball and hiding it under her dress. The woman says she was detained at the store for an hour and was given the choice of opening her dress or going to the police station. She alleges that she was subjected to "great mental pain and suffering, insult, indignities, humiliation and serious emotional harm". Although I don't know who was at fault in this case, I think that there must have been a better way to settle the problem than by going to court. (1615)
To inform the patient of a disease (85/07/23)
One of the most fearful diseases of our day is cancer. After the surgical removal of a tumor, the doctor's report on whether it was benign or malignant is anxiously awaited. If it is malignant, the doctor faces the problem of whether or not to honestly inform the patient of his or her condition or to practice a form of deception. In this regard, doctors have different ideas, reflecting their moral and cultural diversity. There are also differences between the United States, the Soviet Union and Japan regarding whether the true condition of a political leader should be made public. For the past couple of weeks, the attention of much of the world has been focussed on the health of 74 year old President Reagan, who had a malignant tumor removed from his intestine. What is your opinion regarding the difficult question of whether or not to inform the patient of his or her true physical condition and to let the public know the true state of health of political leaders? If you were found to have a terminal illness, would you want to be told? Send your essay on this subject for correction and publication in "Daily Word" Echoes to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. In Ephesians 4:15, we are told to "speak the truth in love", but it is sometimes difficult to harmonize these 2 elements. (1616)
Thunder and lightning (85/07/24)
Do you know the English equivalent for the Japanese expression seiten no hekireki? In English, we say, "a bolt from the blue". In this case, "bolt" is a shortened form of "thunderbolt" which refers to the discharge of lightning from thunderclouds. However, there is a difference in the usage of the term "thunder" in English and kaminari in Japanese. The Japanese word literally means "god's cry", but it may also refer to the lightning accompanying the loud noise. In English, "thunder" only refers to the sound, while "lightning" is used for the flash of light. Over the past weekend, an 11-year-old school girl and a 52-year-old golfer died after being struck by lightning in Nagano Prefecture. The Japanese newspaper indicated that it was the kaminari that fell upon them and killed them, but in English, we would never say that a person was killed by thunder--unless they were scared or shocked to death by the big noise. In the Old Testament, thunder is sometimes identified with the "voice of the Lord" and throughout the 29th Psalm, the thunder of God's voice is seen as an evidence of his greatness. You may receive a weekly copy of these daily messages by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥60 in stamps to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. (1617)
Puerto Rico (85/07/25)
As you probably know, the United States of America now consists of 50 states. Each state has its own governor and legislature, elected by its citizens. Each state also elects representatives to the Congress in Washington, D.C. Besides these 50 self-governing states, there are other territories belonging to the United States. One of them is the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an island located on the borderline between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This island, whose name means "rich port" in Spanish, was ceded to the United States along with the Philippine Islands following the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Philippines became an independent nation after the Pacific War, but Puerto Rico has voted against both independence and statehood. Rather, it prefers its commonwealth status, having its own constitution and sending a non-voting representative to the U.S. Congress, but paying no federal taxes. Today is a legal holiday in Puerto Rico, for it was 33 years ago, on July 25, 1952, that it became a commonwealth. The word "commonwealth" is used in various ways, but its primary sense suggests an ideal for all nations of the world to share their wealth with others in the larger world community. (1618)
Doyō (85/07/26)
Did you have an eel meal yesterday? My Japanese almanac indicates that yesterday was doyō-no-ushi-no-hi, which is considered the eel-eating day in Japan. In old China there was a period known as doyō; in all 4 seasons of the year for, in Chinese tradition, the 5 basic elements of the universe were also related to the seasons. Wood was applied to spring, fire to summer, metal to fall and water to winter, but earth was left over, so it was applied to a portion of all 4 seasons. In Japan it is only the summer doyō which is remembered these days. In English, these hot sultry summer days are called "dog days". This expression has nothing to do with the 4-legged animal. Rather, it is related to a star, called "wolf star", or rōsei, in Japanese. According to an old Roman theory, when that star, which they called the Dog Star, rose with the sun during this season, its heat, added to that of the sun, made this the hottest time of year, which they called "days of the dog". During this season, people enjoy resting in the shade. In the 63rd Psalm, the poet wrote that he will sing for joy in the shadow of God's wings. That's a good place to find rest and peace during "dog days". (1619)
Cable across the Atlantic (85/07/27)
You may know the saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Elbert Hubbard has written "There is no failure except in no longer trying." The experience of Cyrus Field is a good illustration of the need to keep on trying. Field, the son of an American minister, left home at the age of 15 and became a businessman. At 33, he had earned enough money to retire, but a new project caught his attention, for which he began making plans and soliciting funds. His aim was to lay a telegraphic cable across the Atlantic Ocean, connecting England with North America. Laying a cable underwater for 4000 kilometers was considered an absurd undertaking by many people, but after 5 tries, it was accomplished. However, after only 3 weeks of use, it failed. Permanent success was finally achieved on July 27,1866, 119 years ago today, when Field was 47 years old. Honored by many countries for his great achievement, Field said, "It has taken 13 years of anxious watching and toil. Yet hope has led me on and I prayed that I might not taste death until the work was finished. That prayer was answered and now, beyond all acknowledgement to me, is the feeling of gratitude to Almighty God."(1620)
Psalm (85/07/28)
One of the difficult aspects of the English language is the irregular spelling and pronunciation of words. The word spelled p-s-a-l-m is pronounced as though it were spelled s-a-m. The word spelled h-y-m-n is pronounced as if it were spelled h-i-m. Both "psalm" and "hymn" have strange spellings because they are transliterations of Greek words. Both of them refer to sacred songs. Psalms refer particularly to the poems in the Old Testament book of Psalms and hymns refer especially to songs of praise to God. The Old Testament psalms may be considered Jewish hymns. There are 150 psalms in the Old Testament and my sermon this morning is based on the 104th Psalm, which points to the glory of God revealed in nature. Sky and earth, clouds and fire, mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans, grass and trees, animals and people, all are creations of God and manifest his power and wisdom. Verse 24 says, "Lord, you have made so many things! How wisely you made them all! The earth is filled with your creatures." As we think of how nature reflects the glory of God, let us remember that he also has a purpose to accomplish through us.
Stress (85/07/29)
The word "stress" has different meanings in English. In speaking, stress refers to the force used in uttering certain syllables, in other words, a kind of accent, or to the emphasis given to particular points in a speech. In physics, it refers to the pressure exerted upon a body and thus causing strain or deformation. In psychology, stress refers to inner tensions which must be resolved in order to live a healthy, happy life. This kind of stress not only distresses human beings; animals also suffer from stress. Consider the inner tensions of the animals in a zoo which are constantly being stared at by other animals, meaning human beings, on the opposite side of the bars. A study by an American research foundation has shown that stress causes cancer to worsen and spread in laboratory animals. Nowadays, from the first day of kindergarten to the time of, and even beyond, retirement, people are living under various kinds of stress. How can one successfully meet and overcome mental and spiritual stress? In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3, it is written: "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you". (1622/545)
Summertime (85/07/02)
A baby giraffe (85/07/03)
Independence Day (85/07/04)
Circus (85/07/05)
Various "T"s (85/07/06)
Church (85/07/07)
Meanings of words in the Soviet (85/07/08)
Tanabata (85/07/09)
Suika (85/07/10)
Saving one's face (85/07/11)
Henry David Thoreau (85/07/12)
Paris (85/07/13)
The grape vine and branches (85/07/14)
Coca-Cola (85/07/15)
Gifts (85/07/16)
Rock (85/07/17)
Translating proverbs (85/07/18)
Food forbidden in religions (85/07/19)
Colombia (85/07/20)
Rev. Kajiwara's messages (85/07/21)
Suing at a shop (85/07/22)
To inform the patient of a disease (85/07/23)
Thunder and lightning (85/07/24)
Puerto Rico (85/07/25)
Doyō (85/07/26)
Cable across the Atlantic (85/07/27)
Psalm (85/07/28)
Stress (85/07/29)
Moral education (85/07/30)
Individualism of Americans (85/07/31)
Canada (85/07/01)