Nigeria (86/10/01)
One of the longest rivers in Africa is called the Niger. It is about 4,200 kilometers long. Its source is in the mountains of Sierra Leone, a country on the west coast of Africa. However, this river takes a long way to the ocean, passing through the countries of Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea. The name Niger comes from the Latin word for "black". This Latin word is found once in the Greek New Testament. One of the leaders of the church in Antioch, listed in Acts 13:1 was Symeon, who was called Niger. The country of Niger was granted its independence from France in August 1960 and Nigeria received its independence from Great Britain on October 1st of that year, so today is the national day of Nigeria, celebrating 26 years of freedom. There are some 250 different tribes in Nigeria, each with its own language, and tribal warfare has been a constant problem in this country whose borders were determined by foreign, colonial powers. Japan can be thankful for the basic unity of its population, but it should be careful not to look down upon nations made up of different peoples. Rather, it should try to understand and sympathize with the problems of such countries.
Cain and Abel (86/10/02)
According to the Bible story in the first chapters of Genesis, Adam and Eve were the first human couple, the father and mother of the human race. Even today, people are called by these well-known names. The first child born to this couple was called Cain and his younger brother was named Abel. According to the Bible story, Cain became jealous of his younger brother and killed him, becoming the world's first murderer. Consequently, although the name, Abel, is still used today, I have never heard of a man with the given name of Cain. The famous tale of Cain and Abel has often been used in figurative ways in Western literature. Currently, there is a television serial being broadcast nightly in Nagoya, both in the original English and in dubbed Japanese, that is rooted in this story. This serial portrays the conflict between a Boston-bred, Harvard graduate bank manager named William Kane and a Russian [correction: Polish] immigrant who became a wealthy hotel owner named Abel Roznofski [?]. This serial clearly shows the long-lasting, malignant effects of deep-seated animosity. Chapter 10, verse 12 of the Old Testament book of Proverbs states that "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." This word should be remembered in personal, social, domestic and international relations today.
Mazes in Japan (86/10/03)
In 17th and 18th century England, gardens made in a labyrinth style were called mazes. People walked on paths between hedges which were laid out in very confusing patterns. Some paths ended in blind alleys, so it took time to figure out the way to the center of the garden and then through another way to the exit. Another kind of maze is now becoming popular among Japanese young people. At the entrance of this maze, visitors receive a card and jot down the time. Inside, there are four checkpoints where the cards are stamped as they find their way out of the maze. Lucky ones reach the exit in about an hour by the shortest route of about 1.5 kilometers. Others spend up to twice that long getting out. Some who cannot find their way end up yelling for help. A maze in Kyoto has attracted more than 380,000 visitors since it opened a year ago. A small town in Shimane Prefecture opened a maze in April to attract tourists. During the past five months, over 25,040 people, ten times the town's population, have visited it. Mazes are now under construction in more than 20 places throughout the country. Life itself sometimes seems like a maze, but we may find help in the Bible to discover the right way to life's final and happy goal.
The new year in Jewish chronology (86/10/04)
This fourth day of the tenth month according to our present solar calendar coincides with the first day of the first month of the lunisolar calendar used by Jews. In Jewish chronology, today marks the beginning of the year 5747. According to traditional Jewish reckoning, the world was created by God, as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, 5747 years ago, in the year 3761 B.C. of the Gregorian calendar used in the Christian world. Today is called Rosh Hashanah, meaning "beginning of the year" in Hebrew. It is also called the Day of Judgment and the Day of Remembrance because, according to Jewish tradition, on this day God remembers all his creatures and judges humankind. This first day of the Jewish Year is also the first of ten Penitential Days during which Jews are summoned to meditation, self-examination and repentance, ending with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In the afternoon of the first day of the New Year, Orthodox Jews go to a nearby body of water and symbolically cast away their sins by shaking out their hems and pockets, remembering the words of Micah 7:19, which refers to God casting all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Being a loyal soldier of Christ (86/10/05)
Music is one of the main characteristics of Christian church services and most of the music is of a joyful nature. In the Japanese hymnal we use in our church, about 15 percent of the hymns were written by Japanese while the rest are translations from English, German, Latin, Greek, French, Danish and Chinese. Needless to say, some hymns reflect the time and place in which they were written and some of them include references to Christians as soldiers in the battle against wickedness. In recent years, some people object to singing about warfare and going forth into battle. However, there is an important truth expressed in this metaphor which needs to be remembered. My sermon today is based on the first part of the 2nd chapter of II Timothy. In this passage, there are three metaphors used for the Christian minister, the first of which is a soldier. Timothy is exhorted to endure suffering "as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus." Characteristics of a good soldier are loyalty, obedience, bravery and endurance. Christians of all ages and in all places should exhibit such qualities, but because our commanding officer is the "Prince of Peace" and since we are engaged in a spiritual warfare, we must use weapons and methods in keeping with such a faith.
"Foreword" and "foreward" (86/10/06)
Some books include an introductory word before the body of the book. In Japanese, a number of different terms may apply to this section and in English also, different words are used to refer to such a writing, including introduction, preface and foreword. One must be careful about the spelling of this last term, however. Meaning the word that comes before, it is spelled f-o-r-e-w-o-r-d. Another word, pronounced the same, is spelled f-o-r-w-a-r-d and is usually used as an adjective or an adverb meaning at, near or going toward the front. As a noun, the only correct use of this "forward" is to identify a certain position or player in such sports as basketball and soccer. The foreword of a book should direct our minds forward to the writing it introduces and all of us should be moving forward in our attempt to reach a higher goal in life.
Kabuki (86/10/07)
Every culture has its own style of dramatic art. One of the literary masterpieces in the Bible is a drama, written over 2500 years ago. It is the Old Testament book of Job which deals with the problem of why good people suffer. In Japan, the classical drama is called kabuki, in which all the roles are played by men. Kabuki, which has been a unique Japanese art form since the 17th century, is now being introduced to American audiences. Kabuki dramas, with their beautiful costumes and ornate staging, remind me of the words of H. L. Menken that "the theater . . . is not life in miniature, but life enormously magnified, life hideously exaggerated." I would like to know what modern Japanese people think about kabuki. What do you think about it? Do theater-goers understand and enjoy the drama or do they go for other reasons? What do you consider the attraction of kabuki and what do you think about its future? Kabuki is the theme for this week's essays. Please send me your essays for correction and publication in "Daily Word" Echoes to reach me by Saturday, October 18. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
John Clarke (86/10/08)
377 years ago today, on October 8,1609, John Clarke was born in England. When he was 26, he arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony of North America. There, he allied himself with a group that had been banished from the colony because of their religious beliefs. Along with Roger Williams, he helped establish a unique colony in which religious liberty was a basic element. That colony eventually became Rhode Island, the smallest of the 50 United States of America. John Clarke was influential in the early development of democratic ideals and religious liberty in the New World. (Incidentally, the surname of this man ends with an "e". My given name is spelled the same, but without an "e" at the end. I was told that my parents discussed whether or not to spell my name with or without a final "e". At that time, they realized that their names and the names of my older brother and two sisters all contained five letters, so they decided to continue that pattern for me. Later, my two younger sisters were also given five-letter names.) John Clarke served as both a physician and a pastor and there is now a Baptist Church, a public elementary school and a science hall on a college campus named in his honor.
Transportation in cities (86/10/09)
One of the major bills to be considered by the present Diet is the one dealing with the denationalization of the Japan National Railway. How to provide efficient, public transportation in modern metropolitan areas is a problem faced by governments in many places. Years ago, large American cities had trolleys, or street cars, that ran on tracks down the center of the main streets. Then, elevated railways, which ran overhead, were built in such cities as New York and Chicago. These "els" were superseded by underground railways, or subways, that run beneath the ground. Until now, America's second largest city, Los Angeles, has refused to follow this trend. Some 30 years ago, it dismantled one of the country's most extensive trolley systems and embraced the automobile as the preferred means of transportation. Now, the center of the city has become so congested, however, that, last week, the ground-breaking ceremony for the first segment of a subway system was held despite opposition by environmentalists. Nagoya is in the process of building an elevated road system which is also a controversial problem among some residents, but personally, I prefer a bicycle for travelling within the city.
Apple Butter Festival (86/10/10)
In North America, apples are the most popular fruit. The beverage made from the juice of apples is called cider and the alcoholic drink made from fermented cider is called applejack. Apple butter is a kind of jam made from stewed apples with sugar and spices added. Every year in October, an Apple Butter Festival is held in the small U.S. town of Burton Ohio. Townspeople don clothes like those worn by the pioneers who settled there in the early 1800s. Women wear shawls and poke bonnets while men wear overalls and broad-brimmed hats, but the main event of the festival is making apple butter. People begin peeling apples and making cider days before the festival begins. On the festival day, huge caldrons filled with apples and cider are placed on tripods over blazing fires. From early morning to late afternoon volunteers take turns stirring the mixture with long wooden ladles. The resulting apple butter as well as fresh apples, cider and other apple products are sold to the festival-goers. In ancient times, the pupil was called the apple of one's eye, and this expression now refers to some cherished object or person. In Deuteronomy 32:10, God's people are referred to as "the apple of his eye", but all people are precious in the sight of God.
Eleanor Roosevelt (86/10/11)
The woman who is considered beautiful has a much easier time getting along in the world than one considered an "ugly duckling". Even in the 4th century B.C., the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote, "Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction." However, as the proverb says, "Beauty is only skin deep." True beauty is an inner quality. Eleanor Roosevelt, who was born 102 years ago today, was not a physically beautiful woman, but she was and is highly admired for her active efforts on behalf of the poor and oppressed. She was an American delegate to the first General Assembly of the United Nations in 1945 and became the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights the following year. She was one of the chief authors of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948, which defined the fundamental rights and freedoms for peoples throughout the world. She remained active in efforts to promote world peace and human rights until her death. A granite slab and a semicircular granite bench in her memory is set in a grove of trees in the U.N. garden. On it is written this eulogy: "She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness and her glow has warmed the world."
The book of Job (86/10/12)
One of the literary masterpieces of the Bible is the book of Job. The first two chapters of this book form the prologue and the last 11 verses make up the epilogue. These two parts, written in prose, tell the story of a pious, wealthy, happy man, named Job, who met many misfortunes and suffered greatly. However, Job kept his faith through all of the disastrous experiences and was finally rewarded by God. The major, central section of the book, written in poetry, consists of a series of discourses between Job and some friends. The climax comes when God himself speaks to Job. Job's friends presented the traditional viewpoint, also held by many people today, that good people are always blessed of God and that suffering and misfortune are the result of man's evil deeds. Job rejected this simple explanation of life's happenings and denied committing sins for which he was being judged. In his confrontation with God, Job recognized his own ignorance of the divine plan, but God indicated that Job's attitude was more correct than that of his friends. This drama teaches that both fortune and misfortune come to the good man from God for some good purpose but that God's ways are beyond human understanding.
Temple of the Tooth (86/10/13)
In the hills of central Sri Lanka, overlooking a scenic lake, is the city of Kandy. Kandy is a hot-weather resort and a marketing center for the tea and rubber grown in that area. However, its chief claim to fame is the Temple of the Tooth. In this 400-year-old temple, a tooth, said to have come from Guatama Buddha more than 2,500 years ago, is enshrined. Once a year, the gold casket containing this tooth is placed on the back of an elephant and carried through the streets of Kandy, accompanied by a procession of nearly 100 other elephants and 2,000 tom-tom drummers and dancers. Said to be the biggest relic of the Lord Buddha, this tooth is venerated by the whole Buddhist world. Christians have no physical relics of the resurrected Christ to venerate, but we believe it is most important to have his spirit living within us.
Importance of trust in the other party (86/10/14)
For two days, the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union held meetings in Iceland, midway between their two capitals, aimed at gaining a deeper mutual understanding on problems of affecting the entire world. Yesterday's news reports on the outcome of those talks were a big disappointment. President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev failed to reach an agreement, not only on the substantive matters they discussed, but even on plans for a future meeting. Although earlier reports indicated that progress was being made, a basic lack of trust between them led to the breakdown of their hastily arranged summit. Both men refused to budge on a crucial issue that involved trusting the word or spirit of the other, providing us with a prime example of an underlying cause of the failure of many negotiations between nations, organizations and individuals. Without a basic respect for the other person and a trust in his or her sincerity, talks will often end in a breakdown rather than a breakthrough. Pubiius Syrus, a Latin writer of the 1st century, B. C., wrote, "Suspicion begets suspicion". And the 19th century Swiss philosopher, Amiel, noted, "He who is too much afraid of being duped has lost the power of being magnanimous".
Rose (86/10/15)
The flower associated with the Japanese imperial family is the chrysanthemum, but many people consider the cherry blossom as the national flower of Japan. What do you think is the national flower of the United States? During the past century, over 70 resolutions have been introduced into the U. S. Congress to designate a certain flower as the national flower. Last week, an official decision was finally made. President Reagan signed a bill which formally declared the rose as the national flower. The rose is a beautiful, fragrant flower which is often used as a decoration both for rooms and people. Fossilized roses, 35 million years old, have been found in the states of Oregon and Colorado. There are some common English expressions that contain the word "rose". A "bed of roses" refers to a pleasant, easy situation or an easy life. To look at life through "rose-colored glasses" means to see everything as good and pleasant, overlooking what is bad. But the proverb, "There is no rose without a thorn", indicates that perfect happiness is impossible. Regarding the bright future of the people of God, an Old Testament prophet wrote, in Isaiah 35:1, that "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose".
International Year of Peace (86/10/16)
Olives, from which olive oil is produced, have been cultivated since prehistoric times in Asia Minor. According to Genesis 8:11, following the great flood, the first vegetation seen by Noah was an olive branch brought back by a dove. Since that time, both the olive branch and the dove have been used as symbols of peace. This year of 1986 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Peace. Two commemorative lectures will be given on this theme on Saturday morning, October 18th, beginning at 10:30, in the 12th floor hall of the new Nagoya Sakae Building, across the street south of the Prefectural Art Museum and Library. Dr. Ujiyuki Furukawa, a director of the Japan United Nations Association, will speak on "Sekai Heiwa to Kokuren" and I will give a short talk on "Sekai Heiwa to Shukyo". These free lectures are sponsored by a United Nations Study Group and are open to the general public. On the following day, Sunday, the Nagoya Group of Amnesty International will conduct a walkathon, beginning from the TV Tower at 2:00 PM to call attention to the plight of forgotten "Prisoners of Conscience" throughout the world. You are invited to participate in both of these events.
Elementary school children in Tokyo to live in the country (86/10/17)
I'm sure you know that a number of Japanese high schools have programs whereby foreign students come to Japan and live in a Japanese home while attending that school. In this way, Japanese high school students have personal contact with a student from another country and the foreign student gains understanding of Japan and its way of life. However, did you know that a similar type of program places Japanese elementary school children from Tokyo in distant villages to give them a taste of Japanese country life? This program is in its 11th year and there are now a total of 65 children, mainly 4th and 5th graders, living in villages in Nagano and Aichi Prefectures. Many parents who sent their children off to the villages noticed that when they returned after a year, they had become more independent, more respectful toward farm produce, thoughtful of other people and more relaxed. Although some parents worry that the children may suffer because of a difference in levels of education, children in the village schools receive more individual attention. To some of these urban children, living in a small village in Nagano may be almost like living in a foreign country. It is important to promote better understanding, not only of those of different countries, but of our own countrymen as well.
Feast of Booths (86/10/18)
Autumn is the festival season in many areas in Japan. In agricultural communities throughout the world, harvesttime is a time of joy and thanksgiving. According to the Jewish calendar, today marks the beginning of a traditional harvest festival which has two different names. It is called the Feast of the Ingathering because it is the time when the harvest is gathered in. It is also called the Feast of Booths. A booth is a small compartment of some kind. In the old days, during the Feast of Booths, Jewish men lived for seven days in a simple booth made of thatch which provided shelter from the sun during the day, but through which they could see the stars at night. This custom was to commemorate the wanderings of their ancestors for 40 years in the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land of Palestine. Both rich and poor were expected to live in this simple fashion for a week to remind them of their equality before God and of the hardships experienced by their forefathers. It is difficult for young people in affluent societies today to understand the sufferings endured by their ancestors, but providing an objective assessment of a people's history is an important part of true education.
Reward for doing good deeds (86/10/19)
Some religions emphasize the principle of retribution, which is a kind of moral law of cause and effect. According to this principle, every good deed will bring some good effect to the doer and every evil deed will result in some misfortune. When this principle is carried to an extreme, it implies that we have some claim on God's blessing that he is obligated to reward us if we do certain good deeds. This is not the teaching of Jesus Christ, however. According to him, we can never earn the blessing of God by our good works. In Luke 17:7-10, he gave a short illustration of the human relationships between masters and servants in his day. After a servant had worked all day in the field and was tired out, when he came back to the master's house, he was not rewarded but expected to make the dinner and serve his master. Even then, he had no reason to expect a reward because he had only done his duty. Jesus taught that our work as God's servants is never done. There is always more to do, and even when we have completed all our tasks, we have no claim on God's blessing. His blessings are not rewards for our doing our duty; they are the expression of his love, goodness and grace.
Acts of the Apostles (86/10/20)
Do you know the difference between an epistle and an apostle? Both words come from the same Greek root but begin with a different prefix. An epistle, spelled e-p-i-s-t-l-e, means a letter. These days, it refers to a formal letter in particular. An apostle, spelled a-p-o-s-t-l-e, literally means one sent out on a mission, but refers to one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ in particular. In the New Testament, there are epistles written by apostles, but one of the New Testament books is called The Acts of the Apostles. That is the book we are studying in the Bible Class I teach on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the City Kyōikukan at Sakae. From 6:30 to 7:30, we study in Japanese and from 7:30 to 8:30, in English. You are invited to attend either or both of these sessions.
Lions and carp fight one another (86/10/21)
Foreigners who live in Japan realize that this is, indeed, a peculiar country. In some ways, it is truly unique. There is probably no other country in the world where lions and carp fight one another, but it is happening now in Japan. There are many carp in this land, but some foreigners will be surprised to learn that there are lions here also. Since the Lions and the Carp are in different leagues, they usually never meet, but now at the end of the baseball season they are competing in the Japan Series. The Seibu Lions won the pennant of the Pacific League and the Hiroshima Carp are the Central League champions. The first game of the Japan Series ended in a tie. Such a thing never happens in American baseball, for in America, the game is played until one team wins, no matter how many extra innings it takes. Therefore, the final statistics of the Central League, whereby the Giants won more games than the Carp but came in second place, could not have occurred in the U. S. A "tie" refers to a numerical equality which may be changed if play continues, but a "draw" implies that the skill of the contestants is so evenly matched that a decision cannot be made regarding which is superior. Proverbs 30:30 indicates that lions are the strongest animal, but I'm sure Carp fans would not agree.
A burglar breaks into a policeman's house (86/10/22)
Do you know what a moonlighter is? A moonlighter is a man who works at a second job beside his regular one, often by the light of the moon. Yasufumi Takeuch is a 31-year-old man who works for a pachinko parlor in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. Evidently, his income from that job was not enough, for he began moonlighting as a burglar. Early in the morning of this past Sunday, he entered the house of 58-year-old Satoshi Soma through an unlocked door on the second floor. Mr. Soma was awakened by the noise and got up to investigate. The two men began fighting, but Takeuchi was not a match for Soma, who holds a third-degree black belt in judo and easily overpowered him. When Takeuchi begged Soma not to call the police, he replied, "I am the police." In fact, Mr. Soma is the head of the general affairs section of the Matsumoto Police Station and teaches judo and karate to the policemen there. Takeuchi later said to the police, "I should have known whose house I was breaking into." Comparing his power with that of Satan, Jesus said, in Mark 3:27, "No one can break into a strong man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house."
A giant pumpkin (86/10/23)
When the Chinese character for "south" is followed by the character meaning "melon", it may he pronounced kabocha, from the name of Cambodia, from which these "southern melons" were introduced into Japan in the 16th century. In English, we call that fruit a "pumpkin" from the Greek word meaning "large melon". Last week, the World Pumpkin Confederation held its annual contest in a dozen locations in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Wales, Italy and Australia to determine the world's largest pumpkin. The top prize of $4,000 went to Robert Gancarz, of Jacobstown, New Jersey in the United States. How much do you think his mammoth pumpkin weighed? It weighed more than Konishiki, the sumo wrestler. In fact, it weighed roughly the same as Chiyonofuji and Asashio combined. It tipped the scales at 304.37 kilograms. I wonder how many pumpkin pies could be made from that one pumpkin. It sure would make a spectacular jack-o'-lantern. Pumpkins and squash are very similar and, although melons also grow on a vine, they are a bit different. According to the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 11, verse 5, melons were one of the foods that Israelites enjoyed eating in Egypt.
Black Thursday (86/10/24)
There are a number of expressions in English that contain the word "black". Many of them have a negative meaning, but to be "in the black" means to have money on hand or to be making a profit. It is the opposite of being "in the red", which means to be in debt. A "black cow" refers to a drink made of root beer with vanilla ice cream in it. A "blacklist" is a list of disapproved persons and "blackball" means to vote against or ostracize a person. "Black jack" may refer either to a short leather-covered club with a flexible handle or to a card game and a "black sheep" signifies a person considered disgraceful by his or her family. The "black market" is a market where goods are sold in violation of restrictions. Today, the 24th of October, is the anniversary of "Black Thursday", the day in 1929 when the bottom fell out of the stock market, or in other words, the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. During the Depression, many people lost their jobs and their savings. Some people became so depressed because of the Depression that they committed suicide, but it is in such times of calamity that the true character of one's faith is clearly seen.
Heels in women's shoes (86/10/25)
In the United States, many women wear high-heeled shoes, but the definition of a high heel seems to differ with the area. According to a recent poll of over 1,000 women nationwide, in the more fashionable east, a heel higher than 3 inches, or 76 mm., is considered a high heel, but westerners termed a heel "high" if it was more than 2 inches, or 51 mm., and many midwesterners considered even a 1 inch, or 25 mm., heel a high heel. Why do women wear such uncomfortable shoes? Of the women polled, 59% indicated that they wear them because it makes them feel beautiful. 41% said that wearing heels makes them more attractive to men and 18% said they wore them because other women do. More than half of the women thought that wearing heels makes their legs look slimmer and 41% replied that they wear them to look taller. 73% of those who wear heels daily considered themselves physically attractive, while only 54% of those who do not wear heels daily rated themselves so. Throughout the years, women have tried to make themselves attractive, but the Bible teaches, in I Peter, chapter 3, that a woman's true beauty is an inward quality, not something that can be added externally.
Goriyaku and Christianity (86/10/26)
The church I serve as pastor is located in the city of Takahama, but on the 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoons of the month, I teach a small group of women who meet in the home a church member in the town of Higashiura. Last Thursday, we began using a book made up of answers to questions often asked by non-Christians regarding Christianity. The first question considered was: "What divine benefit, or goriyaku, is gained by believing in Christianity?" The answer indicated that there is a difference in believing in a thing (like the effectiveness of some medicine) and believing in a person. The Christian faith, basically, is not belief in a thing called Christianity. It is trust in a Person. The benefits resulting from such a belief in God, as revealed in Jesus Christ include a sense of inner peace in the midst of confusion, hope in times of discouragement, joy that overcomes sadness and confidence that inspires activity to work for a better world of peace and justice. Goriyaku is not the aim of Christian faith. Rather, the aim is a new kind of life, related to the loving God, our Father. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Weasel words (86/10/27)
A weasel is a small animal with a long slender body. Weasels are bold and bloodthirsty. They kill many small birds and mammals, including rats and mice. The Japanese word for weasel is itachi. An interesting characteristic of the weasel is an ability to suck the contents out of an egg while leaving the shell virtually intact. From this habit of the weasel, the expression "weasel words" was coined. Can you guess its meaning? Weasel words are often used by glib politicians and other smooth talkers. They are words that are evasive or intentionally misleading, words that are so ambiguous or equivocal that the entire statement becomes merely a shell of words that is empty of genuine meaning. The Bible teaches that we should speak clearly and plainly, but according to Ephesians 4:15, we are to speak the truth in a spirit of love.
Czechoslovakia (86/10/28)
Today is the national day of a well-known country. See if you can guess which one it is from the following hints. It was one of the 51 original members of the United Nations. Its national flag is made up of a white stripe over a red stripe with a blue triangle on one side. The country is located in Europe, in eastern Europe, and is a member of the Warsaw Treaty Organization. It has the longest single name in the United Nations and its capital is Prague. 65% of its population is made up of Czechs and 30% are Slovaks, so the name of the country is Czechoslovakia. 68 years ago today, on October 28,1918, the first Czechoslovak Republic came into being. Ethnic differences between Czechs and Slovaks, however, created serious problems. In 1938 at Munich, British Prime Minister Chamberlain signed a pact with Adolf Hitler granting a part of Czechoslovakia to Germany. The following year, Hitler grabbed the rest of Czechoslovakia and the Second World War began. Following that war, the country was taken over by the Soviet Union and has been under communist rule ever since despite unsuccessful attempts to throw off that yoke.
Religions pray for peace (86/10/29)
The small town of Assisi, in central Italy, is famous as the birthplace of one of the great figures in church history. St. Francis of Assisi is known for his humility, his love for all creatures and his prayer for peace. On Monday, over 150 religious leaders from all over the world gathered in Assisi to pray for peace. Representing the major religions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Shinto as well as many minor religions and the various divisions within Christianity, they came on the invitation of Pope John Paul II. These religious groups hold quite different beliefs, but they are united in their desire for world peace and their leaders were willing to gather together to pray and fast for that common aim. Responding to the appeal of the Pope, warring factions in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, Lebanon, Morocco, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines agreed to observe a one-day truce. While statesmen engage in negotiations, it is encouraging that religious leaders, who believe in a divine power, can overcome the indifferences and unite in praying for peace. In our own ways, let us join them in this endeavor, remembering that true prayer is supported by action. (2078)
Cain and Abel (86/10/02)
Mazes in Japan (86/10/03)
The new year in Jewish chronology (86/10/04)
Being a loyal soldier of Christ (86/10/05)
"Foreword" and "foreward" (86/10/06)
Kabuki (86/10/07)
John Clarke (86/10/08)
Transportation in cities (86/10/09)
Apple Butter Festival (86/10/10)
Eleanor Roosevelt (86/10/11)
The book of Job (86/10/12)
Temple of the Tooth (86/10/13)
Importance of trust in the other party (86/10/14)
Rose (86/10/15)
International Year of Peace (86/10/16)
Elementary school children in Tokyo to live in the country (86/10/17)
Feast of Booths (86/10/18)
Reward for doing good deeds (86/10/19)
Acts of the Apostles (86/10/20)
Lions and carp fight one another (86/10/21)
A burglar breaks into a policeman's house (86/10/22)
A giant pumpkin (86/10/23)
Black Thursday (86/10/24)
Heels in women's shoes (86/10/25)
Goriyaku and Christianity (86/10/26)
Weasel words (86/10/27)
Czechoslovakia (86/10/28)
Religions pray for peace (86/10/29)
Miso (86/10/30)
Halloween (86/10/31)
Nigeria (86/10/01)