Vocation (87/03/01)
At our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting last Sunday afternoon, I was asked to explain the difference in meaning between "job" and "occupation". Other words with similar meanings are: work, employment, profession and vocation. Each of these words has its own nuance, but many Christians refer to their work as a vocation, which comes from the Latin word for "calling". That is to say that we feel called by God to our particular job, work, employment, occupation or profession. My sermon today is taken from the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, which includes the account of Jesus' calling of four fishermen to be his disciples. He invited them to follow him and to become "fishers of men". Jesus called these men to learn from him and to assist him in his work of proclaiming the Good News of God's love and salvation and to draw people into his Kingdom. Jesus' call continues to be made to people today and those who hear and accept it find that their job is changed from a simple "occupation" to a "vocation". People who consider their job a vocation, to which they have been called by God to accomplish his good purpose in the world, find that even the boring, daily chores of life become meaningful.
Brooches (87/03/02)
As you know, the spelling and pronunciation of English words is quite irregular. In fact, some English words may be correctly spelled and pronounced in different ways. For example, the word brooch, or broach, may be spelled b-r-o-o-c-h or b-r-o-a-c-h. In either case, it refers to a large decorative pin or clasp. Last week, the sixth graders of the Kasugano Elementary School in Nagoya's Minami Ward presented homemade wooden brooches to a local Senior Citizens Club. Using wood left over from the wooden tape cutter they had made for a school handicraft exhibit, they fashioned brooches in the shape of leaves, fruit, bells and so on. I think the senior citizens will be happy to wear these homemade gifts. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, chapter 19, verse 32, it is written: "Show respect for old people and honour them."
The Philippines (87/03/03)
Some 440 years ago, a Spanish explorer named a group of Asian islands "Las Felipinas", in honor of Philip II of Spain. For over 330 years, these islands were under Spanish control, but after the Spanish-American war, control was transferred to the United States, which granted them independence following the Second World War. Last year, a bloodless revolution occurred when President Corazon Aquino assumed power and former President Marcos fled the country after ruling it for over 20 years. Mrs. Aquino, who was simply the widow of an assassinated politician until she was elected president, has her hands full as she tries to bring order and stability to this troubled nation. Japan has a vested interest in the situation in that land where it has large commercial investments and is especially concerned about the fate of a Japanese businessman who is being held for ransom. The Philippines is the suggested topic for your essay this week. What do you think about that country, its past and present relationship to Japan and what has been happening there in recent months? I will correct essays sent to me and publish them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Lent (87/03/04)
The English word "loan" is now commonly used in Japanese to refer to a sum of money borrowed from a lender which must be paid back with interest. The meaning of the English word is not limited to money. Books, pencils, tools and bicycles may also be loaned to someone for a temporary period, usually without asking for any payment. The verb "to lend" is commonly used in reference to a loan and the past tense of "lend" is "lent". "Lent" is also the name of a season in the church calendar. This word comes from the Old English word for "spring" and refers to the 40 weekdays preceding Easter. This solemn season of reflection and meditation, of fasting and penitence, begins on Ash Wednesday, which is today. This traditional six-week period is a time for Christians to deeply consider the meaning of the vicarious suffering of Jesus Christ. It reaches its climax on Good Friday, the day commemorating Jesus' death on the cross on the Friday before Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection. As the weather changes from the wintry cold to the warmth of spring and as we see evidences of new life in nature, it is a good time to reflect on the meaning of our lives and to consider our response to the amazing love of God, our Father, which was seen in the death of the Son of God, our Savior.
Dropping shoes (87/03/05)
During a recent U. S. television interview regarding the ongoing investigations of illegal activities on Wall Street, the chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission stated that "there will still be more shoes to drop . . . ." To "drop the other shoe" is a figurative expression meaning to "end the suspense". The figure is derived from the imaginary situation of a person who is about to fall asleep when, in the room above, someone drops a shoe while preparing to get into bed. The person below is startled and does not wish to be awakened again after falling asleep, so he or she nervously waits for the other shoe to drop before falling asleep. We now use this expression when some wrong-doing is exposed and we expect further related exposures to follow. Last week, the commission appointed by President Reagan to investigate the complicated, unethical, botched up affair related to selling arms to Iran and sending support to Nicaraguan rebels made its report. As Congress continues to investigate this affair, there may still be more shoes dropping. Although we may complain about such dropping shoes, let us also recall the Persian proverb, "I murmured because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."
A TV series "Amerika" (87/03/06)
Last week a controversial 14-hour television miniseries was broadcast on a nationwide network in the United States. It was entitled simply "Amerika". However, the word was spelled with a "k" in place of the usual "c" to give it a Russian twist. The series had been widely advertised prior to its airing and was the subject of a heated dispute among officials of the Soviet Union and the United Nations in particular. The series purported to show a gray, freedomless American life ten years after the beginning of an oppressive Soviet occupation. Because of the advance publicity, the series attracted an estimated 21.5 mil1ion viewers, or 42 percent of the national audience, on the first night, but the number decreased daily after that. It seems that the program did not hold the viewers' interest and became rather boring. It even inspired a cartoonist to depict a doctor advising a patient that watching the series was a good way to fall asleep. Many products these days are over-advertized and the wise person will take care not to foolishly waste time or money on what is of no value or which may actually be harmful. In Isaiah 55:2, the Old Testament prophet asks, "Why spend money on what does not satisfy?"
A zeppelin in Nagoya (87/03/07)
Do you know the difference between an airplane and an airship? An airplane is a heavier-than-air vehicle that has wings while an airship is a lighter-than-air craft without wings. Actually, it is like a huge balloon with a gondola underneath to carry the crew and passengers. A rigid airship may also be called a zeppelin, named for the German army officer who invented it in 1900. Last week, the Japan Zeppelin Corporation was established in Nagoya. This new company plans to launch its first zeppelin this summer. Measuring 42 meters long, 10.5 meters in diameter and powered by two 100 horsepower engines, the zeppelin will be able to carry three passengers and one pilot. Plans call for a top speed of 90 kilometers an hour at heights ranging from 300 to 1000 meters and a maximum flying time of ten hours. Non-inflammable helium gas will be used to inflate the balloon. Company founder Aoyama envisions a number of different uses for his zeppelins, including aerial photography, advertising, sea rescues, weather observation and sightseeing. The view from above is quite different from that on the ground and it is important for us to try to view our problems from the divine perspective.
Teachings in Leviticus (87/03/08)
According to the Old Testament legal tradition, religious functions and priestly duties were performed by the Israelite tribe of Levi. An Old Testament book which contains detailed regulations for worship and religious ceremonies is called Leviticus. Although most of these ancient rules are not followed by Christians today and many are not kept literally by Jews either, the book contains passages which are relevant in every age. In chapter 26, following promises of physical blessings that will result from obedience to God's commands, verse 11 gives a spiritual promise that God will live among his people and that he will never abandon them. This is a promise that all people who seek to follow God's will can accept with thanksgiving. To live with a sense of God's presence with us at all times and to believe that he will never forsake us is a great encouragement indeed. In verse 13, God reminds the Israelites that it was he who delivered them from the bonds of Egyptian slavery and enabled them to walk uprightly, with heads held high. Today also, God continues to deliver those who trust him from the shame of spiritual slavery and gives them the courage to walk erect, with heads held high, but with humble hearts as they recognize their dependence upon him.
Leland Stanford (87/03/09)
There is an American city along the San Francisco Bay in California called Palo Alto, from Spanish words meaning tall log or tall tree. Stanford University, one of America's famous schools, is located in that city. This school was founded in 1885 as the Leland Stanford Junior University. It was founded and endowed by Leland Stanford Sr. as a memorial to his son. Leland Stanford, Sr., who was born in New York 163 years ago today, on March 9,1824, practiced law in Wisconsin before going on to California where he became a wealthy capitalist railroad builder and politician. He served as the governor of California and as a U.S. Senator. He was also a philanthropist, who wrote, "The advantages of wealth are greatly exaggerated" and "Money has little value to its possessor unless it also has value to others".
Boycotting (87/03/10)
The word "boycott" comes from the name of an Englishman, Charles Boycott, who was manager of an estate in Ireland a hundred years ago. His unmerciful, legalistic actions led to his ostracism by the community, which made life so miserable for him that he finally returned to England. This first "boycott" was a success and since that time, the word has come to mean a united refusal to deal with a party to express protest or to force a change in position. Recently, opposition parties in the Japanese Diet have been boycotting parliamentary sessions as a means of opposing the government's proposal to introduce a sales tax and of the ruling party's tactics to push this proposal through to a successful conclusion. What is your opinion regarding this boycotting tactic in politics? Is it a valid democratic method? Is there a realistic hope of it accomplishing a good purpose or is it a useless waste of taxpayers' money? Boycotting as a political tactic is the subject for your essays this week. Personally, I was unacquainted with such political maneuvering until coming to Japan. Essays sent to me will be corrected and published in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Gifts to dignitaries (87/03/11)
Japanese are known as a gift-giving people. Usually when making a visit, they present a gift. However, they are not the only people who have such a custom. Many dignitaries present gifts to officials of other nations when they visit them. During the past year, President and Mrs. Reagan received gifts worth some $90,000. Among them were Russian caviar from Soviet leader Gorbachev, a pocket television from Prime Minister Nakasone, specially bred orchid plants from the first lady of Indonesia and a hand-woven tablecloth and napkins from Philippine President Aquino. An electric samovar was given to the Reagans by the Soviet ambassador as a farewell gift following years of service in Washington and six months later another one was given to them by Mr. Gorbachev in Iceland. Vice President Bush received a shotgun from the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and a pistol from Jordan's King Hussein. In the United States, officials are prohibited from keeping such gifts. Presents worth more than $165 must be turned over to the General Services Administration for use by the government or for sale at an auction. According to Jesus' wards, quoted in Acts 24:35, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."
A company tomb (87/03/12)
A "perk", spelled with a k, is a shortened form of "perquisite", which is spelled with a q-u, and refers to some benefit given to employees in addition to their regular wage or salary. A recent issue of an American newsmagazine contained a short article about a new perk for employees of some Japanese companies, which it called "the ultimate in corporate togetherness". It was referring to a company tomb, where the ashes of deceased employees are interred together in the hope that company ties will continue after death. Employees of Japanese companies are known for their company spirit and camaraderie. They often drink together after hours or go together on outings. Now, such associations need not be ended by death. On one company tomb is this inscription: "sometimes getting together as they have in this world to talk, inspire each other and exchange cups of sake." This is an interesting, thoroughly Japanese idea. Although there are many things about the afterlife I do not understand, personally, I do not think that the place where remains are deposited will have any influence on the soul of the departed. For the Christian, death marks the beginning of a new kind of life in communion with our Creator and Savior and this faith gives us hope.
The Christ of the Andes (87/03/13)
The Andes are the highest mountain range in the Western hemisphere. This name comes from the Indian word for "metal" and refers, in particular, to the copper found in them. Although second to the Asian Himalayas in height, the Andes are a much longer range, extending for some 6500 kilometers throughout the length of the South American continent. These mountains form the border between Argentina and Chile. At times there have been disputes about the actual boundary and wars were fought to advance the claims of one side or the other, but early this century, a series of peace and boundary treaties were signed between these two nations. To commemorate the historic event, a towering bronze statue of Christ was erected on their border in a 3800 meter high pass. With hands lifted up toward both nations, it is called "The Christ of the Andes" and was dedicated on March 13, 1904, 83 years ago today. At its base is a tablet that bears the following words in Spanish: "Sooner shall these mountains crumble into dust than Argentines and Chileans break the peace sworn at the feet of Christ the Redeemer." This statue reminds us that Christ came to bring peace to the world and his followers should also be peacemakers.
Casey Jones (87/03/14)
Jones is one of the most common surnames in the United States. Today is the birthday of John Luther Jones, who was born in 1864 in the state of Kentucky. As a youth, he went to the town of Cayce, where he was employed as a telegraph operator. From the name of the town, he was given the nickname of "Casey". Later, he became a locomotive fireman and then an engineer. He was famous among railroad men for his boast that he always brought his train in on schedule and for his peculiar skill with a locomotive whistle. On April 30, 1900, he was operating the Cannon Ball train going to Canton, Mississippi. The train was behind schedule and he was speeding to get there on time when he saw a stationary freight train on the tracks ahead of him. He ordered his fireman to jump and applied the brakes. The Cannon Ball crashed into the other train, killing Jones but the passengers were saved. His body was found with one hand on the brake lever and the other on the whistle pull. Before long, popular ballads and songs were written about him. "Casey Jones! Orders in his hand, Casey Jones! Mounted to the cabin, Took his farewell journey to that promised land." Casey Jones has become an American folk hero and in 1950 a commemorative stamp was issued in his memory.
David and Goliath (87/03/15)
Recently I received a news article from my sister who still lives in our hometown in northern Illinois. Her husband, a boyhood chum of mine, is running for mayor of that town. In the primary election, held last month, he came in second among four candidates, so he and the top vote-getter will be the candidates in next month's general election. His opponent is a popular woman lawyer, active politician and state senator who received 49 percent of the vote in the primary election. "Ready to face 'Goliath'" was the title of the article indicating that my brother-in-law would have a difficult time defeating such a formidable rival. The famous Bible story of how a young shepherd boy, David, gained victory over a giant warrior, Goliath, is found in the 17th chapter of I Samuel in the Old Testament and is the subject of my sermon today. David was inexperienced in warfare, was not dressed for battle and had no weapon other than a simple sling and five stones. Humanly speaking, it seemed impossible for him to defeat the giant dressed in heavy armor. Yet David believed that superior arms were not the determining factor in warfare. Believing that "the battle is the Lord's", he fought and won in the confidence not that God was on his side but that he was on God's side.
James Madison (87/03/16)
236 years ago today, on March 16, 1751, the fourth president of the United States was born. He was the eldest of 12 children and before entering political life, he had taken advanced studies in theology. He was a strong advocate of religious freedom in opposition to the principle of an established church in his home colony of Virginia. His influence on the writing of the American Constitution was so great that he has been called the Father of the Constitution. His name was James Madison and the following quotation from a speech he delivered at the Virginia Convention on June 16, 1766 is relevant today. "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."
Aerobics (87/03/17)
Since coming to Japan, I have been interested to see the general Japanese interest in calisthenics. "Calisthenics" comes from two Greek words meaning beautiful strength. Calisthenics are gymnastic exercises designed to develop muscular tone and promote physical well-being. I have seen people gather to perform their morning exercises outdoors while listening to a radio broadcast. I have also seen Japanese office workers doing simple exercises at the beginning of their workday. Now, a more developed kind of vigorous calisthenics, called aerobics, which includes dances, has become popular in Japan. According to a recent survey of athletic clubs in Tokyo, about 70 percent of aerobics instructors and about 20 percent of participants have suffered injuries to their legs, knees or ankles while doing aerobics, so aerobics fans should remember that aerobics is quite hard exercise and use common sense in their exercising. The theme for this week's essays is: Calisthenics, aerobics or just plain exercise. What are your thoughts on these subjects? Send your essays for correction and publication in "Daily Word" Echoes to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Clam (87/03/18)
Many people in Japan enjoy gathering or eating clams. A clam is a sea animal that is protected by two shells hinged together. When clams are dug up, their shells are usually tightly closed and may be difficult to open. So a person whose mouth usually remains closed, who has little to say or is uncommunicative may be referred to, informally, as a "clam". And the verb "to clam up" means to cease talking or to remain silent. On the other hand, another English expression implies that clams are happy, for to be as "happy as a clam" means to be very happy. Can you guess why? We have no reason to think that clams are particularly happy creatures, but this expression is a shortened form of the original longer one, "as happy as a clam at high tide". Since clams are usually dug out of the sand only when the tide is low, during high tide they are safe and thus, supposedly, happy. How to find true happiness is a constant question for human beings. At the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus speaks of those who are, or will be happy. Among them are the humble, the merciful, the pure in heart and those who work for peace. Such people are really much happier than clams.
Names for groups of things (87/03/19)
The Chinese character that has a sheep, or hitsuji, standing next to a ruler, or kimi, refers to a group of some kind and is pronounced mure. This word may be used for various kinds of groups which are expressed in English by different terms, depending on the particular group indicated. For example, a group of non-living things such as stars or trees may be called a cluster or a clump, a group of people is a crowd, and a group of sheep or of birds is a flock. In fact, even flocks of particular kinds of birds may have a special name, such as a bevy of quail, a skein of geese or a covey of partridges. A group of cows or elephants is called a herd, while a group of dogs or wolves is a pack. When it comes to a group of insects, such as bees, that's a swarm, while a group of fish is called a school. I will have more to say about this word in tomorrow's message, but all of these terms may be translated by the same Japanese word: mure. In the Bible, "flock" is often used literally in reference to sheep, but it is sometimes used figuratively for a group of Christians, the leader of which is a shepherd or pastor. In I Peter 5:3, pastors are told to be examples to their flocks rather than tyrannical rulers.
School (87/03/20)
Some words change their meanings as they move from one language to another. As mentioned in yesterday's message, "school" may refer to a group of fish. It may also refer to a group of persons, such as philosophers, artists or writers, whose thought, work or style demonstrates a common influence or underlying belief. The more common meaning, however, is an educational institution, where people receive instruction. The English word came from a Latin word which, in turn, came from a Greek word, schole, which originally meant "leisure, freedom from labor". In later Greek usage, it came to mean a place where there is leisure for anything, a school. This word is found once in the Greek New Testament, in Acts 19:9, where it has been translated as school, hall, and lecture hall. As a matter of fact, school should not be considered a place where information is crammed into the heads of pupils, students or so-called scholars. The ideal school will also provide leisure time, without external pressure, when students may express themselves in a creative manner. Formal education does require certain structures, guidelines and rules, but these should be aimed at encouraging rather than stifling creativity. In fact, all of us should be creative scholars in the school of life.
St. Benedict (87/03/21)
Do you know what a benediction is? This word comes from two Latin words meaning to speak well. It thus refers to a blessing and, in Protestant church services, to the formal words of blessing given by the minister at the close of the service in particular. In the Roman Catholic Church, there is a religious order of monks called Benedictines. This order was founded in the 6th century by St. Benedict, an Italian monk who laid down the basic rules for Western monasticism. The Rule of St. Benedict is more moderate than the austere regulations of older monastic orders. In the Roman Catholic Church Calendar, today is the feast day of St. Benedict. Benedictine monks live together in a monastery, called an abbey, where they promise to remain until death. Under the supervision of an abbot, the monks share a common life devoted to worship and work. As champions of religion, scholarship and the cultivation of the arts, the Benedictine Order was an important factor in preserving and extending western civilization in Europe following the collapse of the Roman Empire. Many Japanese might agree with St. Benedict, who said that "idleness is the enemy of the soul", but he further maintained that "to work is to pray", but note that that word is spelled with an "r"!
Witnesses of Christ (87/03/22)
Wit is the natural ability to perceive or know. It may be used as a synonym for intelligence. Nowadays, it is often used in a more specific sense of the ability to perceive humor in a situation and to make comical comments. A person with wit makes conversations interesting and amusing. Usually, the suffix "ness" has the meaning of "state, quality or condition", as in such words as goodness, kindness and usefulness, but the word "witness" has a somewhat different meaning. A witness is one who testifies to what he or she has seen or knows. In the New Testament, Jesus' disciples were called to be his witnesses and, as a result, the message of Christ has spread throughout the world. In the Old Testament also, people were called to be witnesses. My sermon today is taken from the 43rd chapter of Isaiah, where the prophet, speaking for God, proclaims to the people of Israel in verses 10 and 12, "You are my witnesses". Throughout the ages, the Jewish people have been strong witnesses to the nature and character of the one, true and living God. Those who have experienced the comfort, guidance and merciful love of God continue to be his witnesses in the world today.
Pakistan (87/03/23)
Flags of some Islamic countries contain a crescent and a star including the Pakistani flag which has a white crescent and star on a green field with a white bar along the edge. Today is the national day of Pakistan, commemorating its new constitution which went into effect on March 23, 1956. The name, "Pakistan", was created in 1933 by some Muslim students in England by taking the first letters of the regions of Punjab, Afghania, Kashmir and Sind and the last letters of Baluchistan. However, the name can also be considered a combination of the Persian word, pak, meaning "pure, unadulterated or holy" and the Urdu word, stan, meaning "land or place". Thus, Pakistan may be interpreted to mean "Land of the holy". According to the Bible, the truly "Holy Land" is the place where God dwells.
AIDS (87/03/24)
Acronyms, which are words formed from the first letters of a series of words in a name, have become very popular in recent years. In fact, these days some new names are chosen with an eye for the acronym that can be made from them. I presume that a newly discovered disease was given the complicated name of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome because it could be referred to by the convenient acronym, AIDS. AIDS is causing increasing concern in many countries, including Japan. Various factors regarding AIDS are still unclear, but because it inevitably results in death and because there is now no known cure, it is a fearful disease indeed. Originally considered a disease of homosexuals and drug users, its sphere of contagion seems to be widening and various methods are being considered to limit its harmful influence. What thoughts do you have about AIDS and what should be done to control or eradicate it? Do you agree with proposals to force foreigners entering Japan to be tested, to promote sex education in the schools and to avoid any physical or social contact with people who have the disease? Essays on this subject sent to me will be corrected and published in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Nut (87/03/25)
As you know, there are many different kinds of nuts, such as walnuts, chestnuts and peanuts. This primary sense of the word refers to a dry fruit with a hard shell. However, "nut" also has other meanings. The small metal block with a threaded hole for screwing onto a bolt is called a nut. The ridge at the top of the neck of a stringed instrument, such as a violin, over which the strings pass is another kind of nut. As a slang term, nut may refer to an insane or highly eccentric person, who acts a little nutty, or to someone who is overenthusiastic about a particular matter, such as a movie nut or a golf nut. The plural form, nuts, may signify "nonsense". Arturo Toscanini, the great symphonic conductor, was quite temperamental and often screamed insults at inferior musicians. His knowledge of English was imperfect, however, so when an American musician responded to his abuse with the words "Nuts to you!" (which might be translated baka in Japanese), Toscanini yelled back, "It's no use to apologize!" The proverb, "He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut," indicates that effort is required to attain a desired goal, and this includes learning a foreign language like English.
Quadruplets born (87/03/26)
According to an article in yesterday's newspaper, 26-year-old Keiko Muramatsu, of Ichinomiya, is a new mother. The day before yesterday she gave birth to, or speaking more precisely, was delivered of three boys and a girl. Mrs. Muramatsu was married five years ago but since she was barren, she began taking a fertility-stimulating drug last spring and, apparently, the medicine was effective. When two children are born at the same time, they are called twins. Three children are called triplets and four children are known as quadruplets. Mr. Muramatsu is happy that his wife and their four infants are healthy, but he is concerned about the future expense involved in raising them. The quadruplets were delivered by Caesarian section. This is the name given to the surgical operation by which a fetus is taken from the mother's womb after cutting through her abdomen. The name for this kind of operation comes from the belief that Julius Caesar was delivered in such a manner in the first century B.C. Julius Caesar is the man who wrote that, "As a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men's minds more seriously than what they see." I think he was correct, but a healthy faith in God will put our minds at ease.
A 75-year-old man graduated from university (87/03/27)
A Japanese word pronounced "kōkotsu" literally means a hard bone and may refer to a firm and inflexible person. Using other Chinese characters, another word with the same pronunciation may refer to someone in ecstasy or to an absent-minded person. Some years ago, a Japanese movie, entitled Kōkotsu no Hito, dealt with the subject of senility and caused many people to think about this problem which is becoming a matter of increasing concern in this country. That movie stimulated Minoru Watanabe, a 67-year-old wire rope dealer in Sapporo, to think seriously about his future. In order to avoid becoming senile, to keep his mind active and to foster his development as a businessman, he decided to further his education. Four years ago, at the age of 71, he received a high school diploma and enrolled in Sapporo University's Department of Business Administration. Last week, this 75-year-old man graduated from the university with special honors for his superb academic record. Aeschylus, a Greek playwright, wrote in the 5th century before Christ, "Old men are always young enough to learn, with profit." Mr. Watanabe has once again proved this saying to be true.
Constantinople (87/03/28)
Can you guess the name of the largest and most splendid European city of the Middle Ages? It was located on the Bosporus, that narrow strait in Turkey which separates Europe from Asia. Founded in 330 A. D. as the new capital of the Roman Empire, it was named after its founder, Constantine I. In Greek, Constantinople means "City of Constantine". We can see the influence of the Greek word, polis, meaning "city", in such English words as police and metropolis, which literally means "mother city". Constantinople was the metropolis of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years. After being conquered by the Turks, it became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Following the First World War, Turkey's capital was transferred to Ankara, although Constantinople continued to be the larger, more important city. 57 years ago today, on March 28, 1930, the name of the city was changed to Istanbul, from Greek words meaning "to or in the city". A change of name may indicate a change of character and some people change their names in the hope of changing their fate. However, to change our destiny, a basic change of nature is required. In John 3:3, Jesus said, "no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again."
Household of God (87/03/29)
Do you know the difference between a "house" and a "home"? Nowadays, these words are often used interchangeably, but traditionally, "home" had a warmer, more sentimental meaning than "house", which may refer simply to the physical building in which a family resides. The term, "household", may include both members of the extended family and others, including servants, who live in the family residence. In the New Testament book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 19, we find the term, "household (or, family) of God", which is the title of my sermon today. According to this passage, people who were formerly considered outsiders have been brought by Christ into the family of God. The "household (or, family) of God" is another term for the Christian Church. It is common for Christians to refer to one another as brothers or sisters in Christ, for if we recognize God as our common spiritual Father, then we are, in fact, spiritually brothers and sisters. This spiritual kinship extends throughout the world, without regard for national, racial or cultural divisions. The "Family of God" is a universal fellowship of all who have come to know God as their Father through the revelation of Christ, his Son, and our Elder Brother.
Brooches (87/03/02)
The Philippines (87/03/03)
Lent (87/03/04)
Dropping shoes (87/03/05)
A TV series "Amerika" (87/03/06)
A zeppelin in Nagoya (87/03/07)
Teachings in Leviticus (87/03/08)
Leland Stanford (87/03/09)
Boycotting (87/03/10)
Gifts to dignitaries (87/03/11)
A company tomb (87/03/12)
The Christ of the Andes (87/03/13)
Casey Jones (87/03/14)
David and Goliath (87/03/15)
James Madison (87/03/16)
Aerobics (87/03/17)
Clam (87/03/18)
Names for groups of things (87/03/19)
School (87/03/20)
St. Benedict (87/03/21)
Witnesses of Christ (87/03/22)
Pakistan (87/03/23)
AIDS (87/03/24)
Nut (87/03/25)
Quadruplets born (87/03/26)
A 75-year-old man graduated from university (87/03/27)
Constantinople (87/03/28)
Household of God (87/03/29)
Ether (87/03/30)
Nature (87/03/31)
Vocation (87/03/01)