Essay on Easter or springtime (86/04/01)
On this first day of April, called April Fools' Day, some people enjoy playing tricks on others or deceiving them, but my message today is a straight one. When there are five Sundays in a month, we try to have a meeting of listeners to these "Daily Word" messages on that Sunday afternoon. We held our 21st meeting last Sunday and enjoyed meeting a number of new listeners. For six weeks following such a meeting, in my Tuesday messages I suggest a theme on which listeners may write a short essay. I correct the essays sent to me and then print them in the little periodical called "Daily Word" Echoes, which is then available at the next listeners' meeting. Today I am suggesting the first theme for essays for the 16th issue of the Echoes, to be published on June 30th. The theme is the same as that of our recent meeting: Easter or Springtime. Easter has a special significance for Christians, but all people enjoy this season of the year. What are your thoughts, feelings or memories related to Easter or Springtime? I and others will be happy to read them. Send your essay for correction and publication in the Echoes to: "Daily word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Chauvinism (86/04/02)
Do you know the word "chauvinism", spelled c-h-a-u-v-i-n-i-s-m? Basically, it refers to a fanatical patriotism. The word comes from the name of a French soldier, Nicolas Chauvin, who was an ardent admirer of Napoleon 170 years ago. A French play, written in 1831, included a very patriotic soldier based on this historical figure, and since then chauvinism has referred to an exaggerated and aggressive nationalism. A number of chauvinistic groups in Japan are trying to move this country to the "right", which I think is the "wrong" direction. Nowadays, chauvinism is also used in a broader sense to refer to any prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's own group. Male chauvinism continues to be evident in Japan, but yesterday a law went into effect that guarantees equal opportunities for women in all areas of employment. I wonder how effective it will be. President Kennedy stated in a speech 23 years ago that "All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents." That is the ideal for a democracy.
Colnel Khadafy ordered the burning of English and French textbooks (86/04/03)
The best known English language newspaper published in Japan is The Japan Times. I have subscribed to that news paper for over thirty years, but when I first came to Japan, it had a different name. It was called The Nippon Times. Do you know why? During the war, the chauvinistic, military government did not permit the use of English loanwords such as "Japan", so during those years, the newspaper was forced to change its name. English was not taught in the public schools during that period and people who knew English well were suspected of being disloyal. On Sunday, the military dictator of Libya, Colonel Khadafy, ordered the burning of English and French textbooks at the country's biggest university as a part of his campaign to "Arabize" the country. The English and French departments of the university were closed and all textbooks written in English and French must now be translated into Arabic. Those of us living in the free world today find it difficult to imagine life without free access to the literature and thought of other peoples and cultures. True progress is not possible when the doors of a country or of human minds are closed to outside influences, for we need to be open to new truth from whatever direction it may come.
Yamamoto lsoroku (86/04/04)
How do people decide on the name for a baby? Depending on the country and the persons involved, various matters are taken into consideration. In America, the meaning of a name is usually not a primary concern. Rather, the sound of the name or its association with a relative, friend or some other respected person seems more important. In Japan, the meaning is a basic consideration and, for some people, the number of strokes in the Chinese characters are also considered. This 4th day of April is the birthday of a famous admiral of the Japanese Imperial Navy whose name consists of the number 56. Isoroku Yamamoto was the commander in chief of the Combined Fleet at the start of the Pacific War. I am now reading The Reluctant Admiral, the English translation of the Japanese book entitled Yamamoto lsoroku. Yamamoto was personally opposed to the war against the United States, but in the Japanese tradition he faithfully followed the orders of his superiors. The book does not give the reason for his name, but I think it must be related to the age of his father when he was born. Many Japanese names have a beautiful or morally positive meaning. If everyone lived up to the meaning of their names, our world would be a better one.
A centinarian at a company (86/04/05)
On the daily American television program called "Today", interviews are conducted with people who have been in the news recently. Last week, Alfred Burin, from the state of New Jersey, was interviewed. Mr. Burin had just celebrated his hundredth birthday, which means that he is now a centenarian. A further item of interest is what he did on his birthday. In fact, he went to his office as usual. He has been working at the Globe Shipping Company for the past 84 years and his birthday was just another working day for him. Mr. Burin entered the company as a clerk in 1902 when he was 16 years old. At that time, the company was based in Germany. In 1913, the firm moved to the United States and Mr. Burin moved with it. Over the years, Mr. Burin moved up the ladder to company president and then chairman of the board. Although he retired as president about ten years ago, he continues to go to his office every day. On his hundredth birthday, Mr. Burin said, "I think work is the best thing in life--to work hard." His present aim is to "continue to work, and to live a quiet life." According to President Theodore Roosevelt, "the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
God as a shepherd (86/04/06)
There are various words used to refer to Christian clergymen. In Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, clergymen are called "priests". Priests are men who stand between common people and God and are authorized to perform sacred rites. Such clergymen may be addressed as "Father". The common terms for clergymen in Protestant churches are "minister" and "pastor". A minister is one who serves others or ministers to their needs and the word "pastor" actually means "shepherd" and refers to the person who leads and cares for a "flock" of believers. Protestant ministers may be addressed as "Pastor". In the Bible, God is referred to as a shepherd and that is the key thought of my sermon today. One of the best-known Bible passages is the 23rd Psalm, beginning with the words, "The Lord is my shepherd." Other passages in the Old Testament also speak of God as the shepherd who leads, provides for and protects his people. In the Gospel of John, chapter 10, Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd who gives up his own life to save his sheep. It is a comforting thought to Christians that the Almighty God is like a loving shepherd who takes good care of his flock.
National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington (86/04/07)
The Japanese word, hana, may refer to flowers in general or to cherry blossoms in particular. This is the cherry blossom season in Japan. Many people enjoy having a picnic under the beautiful flowering trees. In 1912, a gift of 3000 cherry trees was made by the city of Tokyo to the American capital city of Washington, D.C. These cherry trees are now a major springtime attraction in the capital and every year a National Cherry Blossom Festival is held there. Festival princesses from the various states are chosen to take part in the festival in which American-Japanese friendship is emphasized. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 28-30, Jesus told people to look at the beautiful flowers and consider the loving care of the heavenly Father who created and cares for both flowers and people.
Smoking (86/04/08)
Among the many things introduced into Japan by Portuguese sailors and merchants in the 16th century was tobacco. The English word "tobacco" refers primarily to the plant from which tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and snuff, are made. In recent years, doctors have confirmed that smoking is bad for the health, not only of the smoker but also for those who breathe the smoke in the air. There are now some non-smoking cars on long distance trains in Japan. In certain offices and public buildings in the United States, smoking is prohibited altogether. Some smokers insist they have a right to smoke anywhere and are offended if they are not permitted to do so. What do you think about smoking? Why do so many people smoke when it is known to be harmful? Are you in favor of prohibiting smoking in public places? What do you think of the Japanese government's monopoly of the tobacco industry in past years? "Smoking" is the subject for your essay this week. I will correct essays sent to me and print them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. If you wish to receive a printed copy of these daily messages, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥60 in stamps to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Seat belts (86/04/09)
In Japanese, the strip of flexible material worn around the body at the waist is called a bando, but in American English it is usually called a "belt". The word "band" has a wider meaning. It can even refer to a group of people banded together, and to a group of musicians who play brass instruments in particular. I regularly make use of two kinds of belts. One is to hold up my trousers. The other is to hold me in a car seat and is called a "seat belt". It is now required by law that drivers fasten their seat belts. A recent report by the Aichi Police Department indicates that over 90 per cent of the drivers make use of their seat belts on expressways, but less than 40 per cent do so when driving on regular roads. So far this year, 57 people riding in cars have died in traffic accidents in this prefecture and only 4 of them had their seat belts fastened. Of the remaining 53, police estimate that 23 would not have died if they had had their seat belts fastened. Although it may seem a bit inconvenient or uncomfortable at times, it is clearly safer to have the seat belt fastened when riding in a car. According to an American proverb, "it is better to be safe than sorry".
Kidnaping (86/04/10)
Last Sunday evening, a nine-year-old girl was taken from her home in Fukushima Prefecture. Early the next morning, her parents received a phone call, telling them to prepare 10 mi11ion yen for her ransom money. Fortunately, the girl was discovered by police and safely returned to her home two days later. Her abductors were arrested on charges of kidnaping. "Kidnap" is a proper word that was concocted from a couple of nonstandard words. "Kid", of course, means a young goat, but it is also used, informally, to refer to a child. "Nap" or "nab" means to seize or grab something or someone. Originally, "kidnap" referred only to the abduction of children but nowadays, it may refer to the forcible detainment of an adult as well. The president of the Glico Candy Company is not a kid, but he was kidnaped a couple of years ago. Kidnaping is an extreme example of a person being treated as a thing to bring some selfish benefit to another person. However, there are many subtle ways in which people are treated as things everyday in modern society which should also be condemned. Christianity teaches that all persons, of whatever age, sex or national background, should be respected and not treated as things.
President Truman's decisions (86/04/11)
35 years ago today, the Japanese people received a shocking, but important lesson in democratic government in which military is subordinate to civilian authority. When General MacArthur entered Japan as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers at the end of the war, he was the most powerful man in the land--more powerful than the Emperor. To many people, he seemed almost divine and he ruled Japan as a benevolent, yet authoritarian, master. However, during the Korean War, he found himself in disagreement with his commanding officer, the American president, who is the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States. On April 11, 1951, President Truman dismissed General MacArthur from his command for insubordination. This was one of a number of difficult decisions this resolute president made, including dropping the atomic bomb, thwarting the Soviet blockade of Berlin with an airlift and committing U.S. troops in Korea. The English idiom "to pass the buck" means to evade one's responsibility by passing it on to someone else, but on President's Truman's desk was a sign reading, "The buck stops here." We also should fulfil the responsibilities given to us rather than passing them on to someone else.
The American Civil War (86/04/12)
When Americans draw a circle, they usually begin at the top and draw in a counter-clockwise direction while Japanese normally begin at the bottom and draw in the opposite direction. When Americans write a fractional number, they write the top number first while Japanese begin with the bottom number. And in English, we say "north and south", but in Japanese the common expression is nanboku, or "south and north". 125 years ago today, on April 12, 1861, the so-called nanboku senso began in the so-called United States of America. In English, this war is called the Civil War or the War between the States. The word "civil", from the Latin word for citizen, has various meanings, ranging from something that pertains to citizens to "civilized" or "polite". Citizens of the southern states were known for their culture and civility, but the Civil War was not a very civil war. In fact, in this sense, a civil war is a contradiction in terms for, as William Allen White has written, "There is no such thing as civilized warfare." During the four-year Civil War, over one-third of the soldiers involved became casualties and the effects of that catastrophe continue to be felt today.
The meaning of matomo na hito (86/04/13)
I am the pastor of a small church in the city of Takahama. Our weekly worship service is held every Sunday morning, but on Sunday evenings, we have an informal meeting to think about questions of non-Christians regarding Christianity. This evening, we will consider the view of some people that Christians are so possessed by their faith that they no longer think straight, like "normal" people. We will be considering the meaning of matomo na hito or matomo na kangae. It is true that some religious people become so enthusiastic about their faith that they act in ways that seem strange and untraditional, but the question must be raised about who determines the meaning of matomo. There are times when the viewpoint of the majority of people is mistaken. Although we must take into account the thinking of people around us, Christians believe that every individual is finally responsible to God rather than to people. Matomo implies facing something squarely and behaving in an upright manner. The Christian considers Christ to be the standard of what is matomo, and, as the apostles stated in Acts, chapter 5, verse 28, when we are forced to choose between them, we must obey God, rather than men.
Pan American Day (86/04/14)
In high school, I studied Spanish for two years. I took another year of Spanish in college and then attended summer school at the University of Mexico, where I learned more Spanish and lived in a Mexican home where Spanish was spoken. Of course, I became a member of the Pan American Club in my university. The prefix "pan" comes from the Greek word for "all". Pan American refers to all of the countries in North, Central and South America and the main language in Central and South America is Spanish. Today is known as Pan American Day in the Americas, commemorating the founding of the Pan American Union on April 14, 1890. This Organization of American States, the world's oldest international organization, aims to promote international cooperation between its members. International understanding is even more important today than it was 96 years ago.
Organ transplant (86/04/15)
Many English words begin with the prefix "trans", which comes from a Latin word meaning across, over or beyond. Some words beginning with this prefix contain the idea of change, such as translate, transfer, transform and transplant. One meaning of transplant is to transfer an organ from one body to another. In America, doctors may transplant organs from a person who is "brain dead", but whose heart is continuing to function. In Japan, a person is not considered to be dead until the heart stops beating, so organ transplants are much less common. A recent poll has indicated that 46 per cent of Japanese people oppose organ transplants and only 30 per cent favor them. What is your opinion regarding this problem? Are you wi11ing to have a part of your body removed for use by another person when you die? Would you be willing to receive a transplant from another if needed? What are your thoughts regarding the determination of physical death? Should it be determined by the function of the heart or the brain? Whatever our thoughts are on these matters, all of us should live in such a way that we are always ready to die for we do not know when that time will arrive. Send your essay on this theme to: "Daily Word" Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
A round-the-world trip by Erika (86/04/16)
Are you familiar with the name "Erika"? If you have been reading the newspaper or watching the news broadcasts on television recently, you have probably read or heard this name. It is the name of both a yacht that has just returned to Japan from a round-the-world trip and of a young passenger on that yacht. A 38-year-old former Foreign Ministry employee, Hiroaki Nagae, his British wife, Jennifer, and their 4-year-old daughter, Erika, left from a port in Aichi Prefecture, on July 13,1981. They sailed on the yacht, named after their daughter, across the Pacific Ocean to Canada, and then along the West coast of North America, through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic Ocean to England and Holland and then through the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea back to another port in Aichi Prefecture, where they arrived last Sunday after a trip of 4 years and 9 months. It was quite an adventure for this little girl whose name is the feminine form of Eric, which means "kingly". Eric the Red was a famous Norse explorer, and Erika Nagae has already begun to follow in the steps of her namesake.
Bathing in the Ganges (86/04/17)
Japanese people are fond of bathing. Cleanliness, or purity, is an important concept in Japanese religious thought. The doctrine that human beings are impure and need cleansing is taught in many religions. In Christianity, the ritual of baptism is a symbolic cleansing. In Hinduism, bathing in the sacred Ganges River is considered to be especially purifying. Every twelve years, a three-month-long festival is held at the Indian city of Hardwar, where the Ganges River leaves the foothills of the Himalayan mountains on its way to the sea. Since this festival began in February, over 20 million pilgrims have visited there. The climax of the festival was on Sunday and Monday of this week when over 7 million people came to that city of 146,000 to bathe in the river. On Monday, 47 pilgrims were trampled to death and 39 were injured in a stampede to the river. In our performance of religious rituals, we should not forget what is of primary importance. In Matthew, chapter 23, verse 25, Jesus accused the religious people of his day of only cleansing the outside of their bodies and not purifying their minds and hearts. He said, "Clean what is inside first, then the outside will be clean too!"
A carillon (86/04/18)
A set of bells of different sizes that play a tune when struck with hammers in the proper sequence is called a carillon. Last week, the Toda Elementary School in Nakagawa Ward began using a new carillon installed on the roof of one of its buildings. The six-meter-high carillon tower with its white, tile facade and brown, pointed roof has a weathercock on the top. The three bells in the tower were made in Holland and sound out the notes "mi-so-la". With these three notes, up to 10 different melodies can be played. The bells are sounded at 8:00 A.M., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 P.M. and can be heard far across the rice fields in this sparsely settled area of Nagoya. Reading this news item, I was reminded of the famous painting by the French artist Millet, called "The Angelus". In it, a peasant man and woman are standing in the field, pausing in their work with bowed heads, as a church bell in the distance tolls the time of prayer. The tolling of a bell may mean to begin or to stop working or studying or to take time to pray. Study and work, praying and playing are all important elements in a healthy life. I urge you to regularly engage in them all.
Owls (86/04/19)
In Japan, it is customary to present a gift to visiting guests, especially if they are foreigners. Last year, the Aichi Prefectural Office was visited by 897 foreign guests, all of whom received a gift of some kind. The International Section of the Prefecture recently decided on a new, standard gift to present to foreign guests who visit the Prefectural Office. It is a small, decorative dish. Of course, it is made of china, a distinctive product of this prefecture, and it is in the shape of the prefectural bird. Do you know the name of this bird? It is a konohazuku. Konoha means "tree leaves", so this bird is, literally, a "tree leaf owl". In American thought, the owl may symbolize quite different ideas. Because it is active at night and has a haunting, "hooting" cry, it may be considered an eerie or frightening bird. Because of its nocturnal habits, a person who is especially active at night may be referred to as an owl. On the other hand, its solemn appearance and large eyes have been associated with wisdom, so we may speak of an elderly, learned person as a "wise, old owl". I presume it is this latter meaning that the officials of this prefecture, whose name means "love of knowledge", wish to convey.
Account (86/04/20)
The word "count" means to list one by one to determine a total number. An account is a detailed list. Accounting refers to bookkeeping methods used in keeping records. A person who keeps accounts is called an accountant and a person required to give an account is said to be accountable. The Bible passage on which my sermon today is based is the 4th chapter of the First Letter of Peter. In verse 5, it is taught that people "will have to give an account of themselves to God". The Bible teaches that all human beings are accountable to God, their Creator and their Judge. According to verse 10, each one of us has received particular gifts from God, which we are to use for the good of others. On the final, Judgment Day, all people must give an account of the way they have used the gifts God has given them. Although we must do our best to faithfully obey God's will, the Christian finds comfort in the words of verse 8, that "love covers over many sins". We believe that the basic character of God is love and that his judgment will be based on his infinite love, which will cover the sins and mistakes of the believer even as our love for others takes their weaknesses into account.
Elizabeth (86/04/21)
60 years ago today, a baby girl was born in London. She was named Elizabeth and her father was the King of England. Because Elizabeth was the name of the mother of John the Baptist, as recorded in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, it has become a common girl's name in Christian countries. Many other names, including Eliza, Beth and Betty, are derived from this name. 34 years ago, Elizabeth became the Queen of England after her father's death. Once a week, the English prime minister, Mrs. Thatcher, meets with the Queen. They are both the same age, but it is said that their relationship seems a bit confused, since Mrs. Thatcher appears to have more queenly airs than the Queen herself, who exhibits a more humble attitude. Jesus taught that humility is a characteristic of a truly great person.
St. George slaying the dragon (86/04/22)
A number of English words ends with the suffix cide, spelled c-i-d-e. In every case, the word has something to do with killing. Homicide means killing a human being; genocide means killing a race of people; infanticide is the killing of an infant and patricide, matricide and fratricide refer to the killing one's father, mother and brother, respectively. Suicide means killing oneself. In Japanese tradition, suicide was, at times, considered a very noble and even virtuous act. Recently, suicides in Japan have been increasing, especially among young people. What are your thoughts on this problem? What are the reasons for it and what can be done about it? What do you think of the traditional Japanese thought related to suicide? The problem of suicide is the theme for your essay this week. I will correct essays sent to me and include them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. The Bible teaches that life is a sacred gift from God and should be highly valued. One of the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament Law found in Exodus, chapter 20, is "Do not commit murder" and this is interpreted to include the murder of oneself. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
St. George slaying the dragon (86/04/23)
During the past 272 years there have been nine kings of England, including one who reigned less than a year. Of those nine kings, six were named George. One reason that George is such a popular name in England is the fact that that is the name of her patron saint. Before being designated England's patron saint following the Crusades, St. George had long been a highly venerated saint in the Eastern Church. George, whose name means farmer in Greek, was probably a soldier in the Roman army in the 4th century who died for his Christian faith, but the historical facts concerning him are unclear. Today is the feast day of St. George and is commemorated by churches and St. George Societies in various places. There is a famous legend about St. George and a dragon. According to the legend, a young princess was about to be sacrificed to a dragon to pacify it, but George slew the dragon and saved the princess. So today, pictures of St. George usually show him slaying the dragon. In the vision recorded in the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation, the devil is pictured as a dragon that was defeated in a heavenly battle. The Bible teaches that the forces of evil were conquered by Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead.
Special picnic lunches (86/04/24)
In English, the word "picnic" refers to a simple meal eaten outdoors. In a more colloquial sense, it may refer to an easy or enjoyable task. In Japanese, however, ensoku literally refers to a long walk. Formerly, when schoolchildren went on a picnic, they actually did walk for a long distance, but in recent years that has changed. The new principal of a grade school in Toyohashi has announced plans for the school picnic to be held next week. It will be a real ensoku, for the round trip distance to the picnic grounds will be 8 kilometers for 1st and 2nd graders, 14 kilometers for 3rd and 4th graders and 19 kilometers for 5th and 6th graders. Furthermore, the principal has ruled that the picnic lunch may consist of only one rice ball, to make pupils more thankful for the abundant life they enjoy everyday. But some mothers are objecting, saying children look forward to the special picnic lunches mothers make for them. In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Mark is a story of a huge picnic where 5,000 people sat on the grass and ate bread and fish that Jesus miraculously provided. This story shows the tender heart of Jesus and teaches that God wi11 graciously provide the needs of his children.
The Lycee Seijo Gakuen in Alsace (86/04/25)
Alsace is the name of a region in northeastern France along the Rhine River which forms the border between France and Germany. Last Saturday, an Alsatian house was added to the "Little World" village of international houses in Inuyama and the day before that, a Japanese high school was opened in a small Alsatian village. The Lycee Seijo Gakuen is the first Japanese high school to be established in continental Europe. It has 132 Japanese students, most of whom come from families living in Europe, but 40 students came directly from Japan. All students reside in school dormitories. 18 teachers have come from Japan, but European teachers will teach foreign languages. 90 percent of the school's food will be French rather than Japanese and 70 percent of its holidays will follow the French calendar. The school is making use of premises of a former Catholic college and the Sony Corporation is building a factory in a nearby community. Seijo Gakuen hopes to promote international understanding between Europe and Japan. The American jurist, Louis Brandeis, has stated that "Nine-tenths of the serious controversies which arise in life result from misunderstanding."
"semi," "hemi" and "demi" (86/04/26)
There are a number of different prefixes in English which mean "half". Some combination words begin with half, such as halfdollar, halfback and halfhearted. The prefix "semi", rooted in Sanskrit, is found in such words as semicircle, semicolon and semifinal. "Hemi", another prefix with the same meaning, comes from Greek and is seen in such words as hemisphere, hemicycle and hemistich. And then there is "demi", which comes from Latin, and appears in demigod, demitasse and demitint. In fact, there is a musical term that contains three of these prefixes in the same word. In music, "quaver" may refer to an eighth note. A semiquaver is half of an eighth note, that is, a sixteenth note. Half of a sixteenth note, or a thirty-second note, is a demisemiquaver, and a half of that, or a sixty-fourth note is called a hemidemisemiquaver, but I presume this word is only known or used by specialists. In the Old Testament book of Hosea, chapter 7, verse 8, the Lord referred to the people of Israel as a "half-baked cake", because their faith in him was only halfhearted and God requires the wholehearted loyalty of his people.
The psalm "I will be with them" (86/04/27)
The Hebrew Bible, which Christians call the Old Testament, is divided into three main divisions, called the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. Jews consider the Law to be of greatest importance, followed by the Prophets. The material not included in either of these sections is simply called the Writings. The most important part of the Writings is a group of ancient poems known as the Psalms. These religious poems serve as hymns for the Jews. My sermon today is taken from the closing words of the 91st Psalm, where the following promise is given by God to those who trust in God: "when they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them". This belief that the almighty God of love is with us in time of trouble is a great source of comfort, encouragement and hope to the believer. The Bible teaches that we are not alone in our problems, for God is with us. To make this truth clear, God revealed himself in human history in the person of Jesus, the Christ, who was also called Immanuel, a Hebrew name meaning, "God with us". Christians experience the same kind of problems that others do, but we gain strength through our faith that God will answer our calls for help and that he is with us in our troubles.
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival (86/04/28)
In Japan, the famous blossoming trees are sakura and ume. The sakura has beautiful flowers, but bears no fruit. The flowering ume bears a small fruit which is not very tasty. The flower-viewing season has now ended in Japan, but in the American state of Washington, apple trees are just beginning to bloom. Every year at this time, the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival is held in the city of Wenatchee, which has been called the Apple Capital of the World. During this time, the orchards in the valley along the Columbia River are in bloom and a gala celebration is held. These trees not only produce fragrant, beautiful flowers. They also produce large, delicious apples. If we compare people to trees, some people are very beautiful, but do nothing worthwhile. Others are not so pretty, but are very productive. It's fine when the two characteristics are combined. What kind of tree are you like?
Chauvinism (86/04/02)
Colnel Khadafy ordered the burning of English and French textbooks (86/04/03)
Yamamoto lsoroku (86/04/04)
A centinarian at a company (86/04/05)
God as a shepherd (86/04/06)
National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington (86/04/07)
Smoking (86/04/08)
Seat belts (86/04/09)
Kidnaping (86/04/10)
President Truman's decisions (86/04/11)
The American Civil War (86/04/12)
The meaning of matomo na hito (86/04/13)
Pan American Day (86/04/14)
Organ transplant (86/04/15)
A round-the-world trip by Erika (86/04/16)
Bathing in the Ganges (86/04/17)
A carillon (86/04/18)
Owls (86/04/19)
Account (86/04/20)
Elizabeth (86/04/21)
Suicide (86/04/22)
St. George slaying the dragon (86/04/23)
Special picnic lunches (86/04/24)
The Lycee Seijo Gakuen in Alsace (86/04/25)
"semi," "hemi" and "demi" (86/04/26)
The psalm "I will be with them" (86/04/27)
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival (86/04/28)
Polite language to the Emperor (86/04/29)
The Netherlands (86/04/30)
Essay on Easter or springtime (86/04/01)