Burundi and Rwanda (90/07/01)
Today is Independence Day in the Republic of Burundi. "Where in the world is Burundi?" you may ask. Well, it's just south of the Republic of Rwanda, which is also celebrating its Independence Day today. So now do you know where it is? In fact, both Burundi and Rwanda are densely populated countries in Central Africa. About 12% of the inhabitants of these two countries are of the tall Tutsi tribe. About 87% are of the shorter Hutu tribe and the remaining 1% are of the very short pygmy tribe called Twa. This area had previously been ruled by Germany but was entrusted to Belgium after the First World War. It was later divided into two separate countries and each was granted independence just 38 years ago, on July 1, 1962. Burundi and Rwanda have a combined population of about 12,000,000 inhabitants, most of whom are primitive farmers suffering from both illiteracy and poverty. Knowing the pathetic condition of people in other parts of the world should make us thankful for our many blessings and prompt us to share them with others who are in need. The Bible teaches that the gifts of God are to be shared rather than hoarded. (936a)
Salutations (90/07/02)
Many English salutations may be used both as a greeting when meeting someone and as a word of farewell when parting. For example, "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon" and "Good Evening" as well as "Good Day" may all be used either as a greeting or a farewell. "Good Night", however, is used only when parting or when going to bed. "Good-by", a shortened form of "God be with you", is also only used when parting. Another, more colloquial, parting word is "So long". Just as the Japanese sayonara is a shortened form of sayōnaraba, this may be a shortened form of "so long as we are parted", in other words, "until we meet again". However, there is another possibility. It may come from the Arabic greeting, salaam, which is similar to the Hebrew word shalom, signifying peace or general wellbeing. This is the word of greeting that Jesus used when he met his disciples following his resurrection. Also, according to the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 27, before Jesus departed from his disciples he said to them: "Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give." "Peace" is a good word both for greeting and parting, both for individuals and nations, but true peace is a gift of God. (937a)
Idaho (90/07/03)
One hundred years ago today, on July 3, 1890, the U.S. state of Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state. In area, it ranks 13th among the 50 states, but in population, it is number 41. The principal industries of Idaho are agriculture, lumber and mining. The capital of the state is named Boise, from the French word for "trees". Boise is unique among American cities in that it has a natural supply of hot water from a flowing well which is used for heating houses and one of the city's outdoor swimming pools. The name, "Idaho", comes from an Indian term meaning "light on the mountains" or "gem of the mountains". Idaho is also known as the Gem State. In English, "gem" and "jewel" have about the same meaning today, although, more precisely, "gem" is the original precious stone and "jewel" is the ornament into which it is made. In Proverbs 20:15, we are told that "the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel", but two modern versions of the Bible give the following translations: "a wise word is a rare jewel" and "if you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than jewels". I wonder if there are many jewels found in our daily conversations. (938a)
Independence Day (90/07/04)
Nineteen years ago, Takeo Doi, a professor of Tokyo University, wrote a book entitled, Amae no Kōzō, in which he maintained that the amae attitude of indulgence is at the core of all Japanese relationships. This book has been translated into English under the title, The Anatomy of Dependence. In Japanese thought, dependence is a key concept. In American culture and history, on the other hand, independence is a basic idea. Today is Independence Day in the United States, commemorating the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia in 1776. With this "Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America", as it was officially called, the colonies dissolved their political bonds with England and became an independent nation. Throughout the United States, today celebrations are being held on this 214th anniversary of the country's independent existence. Samuel Johnson wrote that "In civilized society we all depend upon each other". Friedrich Nietzsche maintained that independence is "a privilege of the strong". The Bible teaches that a healthy dependence and a healthy independence are both needed in a healthy society. (939a)
Venezuela (90/07/05)
Today, the 5th of July, is Independence Day in another American republic which also consists of a number of states. This one, however, is located in South America. As a leading oil exporting nation and one of the world's top producers of iron ore, it was once the most prosperous country on that continent. Can you guess its name? In 1499, when Spanish explorers saw the native huts built on pilings off of the Lake of Maracaibo, it reminded them of the city of Venice in Italy, so they called it "Little Venice", or "Venezuela", in Spanish. In 1810, a revolt against Spanish authority was begun under the leadership of its native hero, Simon Bolivar. On July 5, 1811, 179 years ago today, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare its independence from Spain, although it took ten years of fighting before true independence was achieved. Unfortunately, independence from Spain did not bring the anticipated results. Over much of its subsequent history, Venezuela was ruled by corrupt and tyrannical dictators. As Jesus taught in Luke, chapter 11, verses 24-26, after one evil influence is eliminated, unless something good is put in its place, an even greater evil may result. We must not only fight against evil; we must also seek to replace it with something good. (940a)
Tako (90/07/06)
When you hear the word tako, what is the first meaning that comes to your mind? One Japanese word with that pronunciation denotes a kite that flies in the breeze at the end of a string. The English word "kite", however, may also denote a bird of the hawk family. Another Japanese word, tako, signifies a hard callus on the skin, which we call a "corn" in English when it occurs on a toe. But the English word "corn" may also signify a certain kind of edible grain. In Britain, wheat, rye, oats and barley may all be called "corn", but in America, this word is limited to maize, or Indian corn. Still a third Japanese word with the same pronunciation means an octopus. This English word comes from two Greek words meaning eightfooted, for an octopus has eight tentacles which serve as feet. Since Japanese people enjoy eating octopus meat, over the years, many attempts were made to breed octopuses, or octopi, domestically. They all ended in failure until an organization in Takamatsu finally succeeded in their attempt about nine years ago. There is an English saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."The Bible also teaches that we should continue seeking, working, or running until we attain our goal. Throughout our lives we should be making progress toward a noble end. (402a)
Tanabata (90/07/07)
This 7th day of the 7th month is called tanabata in Japanese. In Chinese tradition, in odd-numbered months, the day with the same number as the month has a special significance. Thus, the 1st of January, the 3rd of March, the 5th of May and the 7th of July are traditional festival days. This Tanabata Festival, which is related to a legend about a couple of stars, is celebrated on three different dates, depending upon local custom. Some places celebrate on July 7th of the solar calendar. Other areas celebrate it exactly one month later, while still other districts follow the lunar calendar, according to which the 7th day of the 7th month falls on August 26th of the solar calendar this year. Although now written with the Chinese characters meaning "seventh evening", tanabata literally means "shelf loom", but is said to be a corrupted form of ten-no-hata, or "heavenly loom". It is on this evening that the weaver girl star and the cowherd boy star are said to meet for their annual tryst. As you look up at the starry heavens, what do you think about? In the 8th Psalm, the poet wonders that the Creator of the stars also is concerned about him. While looking at the stars this evening, remember that God also created and loves you! (942a)
Ema (90/07/08)
According to traditional Shinto belief, kami rode on horses, so, in olden days, horses were sometimes presented to the shrines as offerings. However, since real horses were expensive, common people began to offer pictures of horses instead. These wooden tablets are called ema, or "picture horse". Nowadays, not only horses but many other pictures, representing the prayer request of the worshipper, are presented to the shrine with the names of the petitioners written on them. A Nagoya ema-maker now makes some 90,000 ema a year. 40,000 of them picture the zodiac animal for the year and are sold at shrines during the New Year's festivities. The other 50,000 are used for various other festivals and special petitions. The four most popular petitionary ema are for: passing entrance examinations, prevention of cancer, protection against calamities and against the pokkuri shi or "sudden death" of elderly people. Christians do not present ema to shrines to obtain the answers to their petitions. Praying to our heavenly Father, who knows our true needs, we believe that God does not always give what we ask for, but he gives that which he knows is for our eternal benefit. (404a)
Sewing Machine (90/07/09)
There are three different English words pronounced so. One, spelled s-o, is an adverb meaning consequently. By adding a w to that word, a verb meaning to scatter seed is formed. Another verb, with the same pronunciation, is spelled s-e-w and denotes the work done with a needle and thread. Sewing has an ancient history. According to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, found in the 3rd chapter of Genesis, the first thing they did after eating the forbidden fruit was to sew fig leaves together to cover their nakedness. One of many mechanical devices invented during the Industrial Revolution was the sewing machine. Men in England, France and the United States invented different kinds of sewing machines, but the American inventor, Elias Howe, received the first patent for such a machine in 1846. A few years later, Isaac Singer made improvements and began producing the Singer sewing machine. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, Jesus said that no one sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment to repair it for doing so would only cause a bigger tear. Using this illustration, he implied that his new teachings would not harmonize with some old traditions. (944a)
Whistler (90/07/10)
To whistle is to produce a sound by forcing air through a small hole. An instrument for making whistling sounds is called a whistle and a whistler is a person who whistles. Whistler is also the surname of a famous American painter. James Abbott McNeill Whistler was born 156 years ago today, on July 10, 1834. One of his most famous paintings, now known as Whistler's Mother, hangs in the Louvre Art Museum in Paris. Whistler was a unique painter who had his own individualistic style and ideas. He was influenced by various artists and artistic concepts, but he imitated no one. He did not attempt to paint only what he saw with his physical eyes. He said, "If the man who paints only the tree or flower or other surface he sees before him were an artist, the king of artists would be the photographer." Whistler attempted to send a kind of message or to create a certain impression with his paintings. Like the artist, the prophet or a common person with the eyes of faith sees more than the physical objects before him or her. In the events of history and of our individual lives, we may perceive the hand of God, our loving, heavenly Father, working out his purpose in the world. (945a)
John Quincy Adams (90/07/11)
In Japanese tradition, it is common for the eldest son to follow in his father's footsteps and to carry on the father's profession or business. This is not as common in the United States, although, of course, it happens there also. In American history, there has been only one case of the son of a president also becoming president. Do you know the names of the father and son who were the second and sixth presidents? Both of them were named John Adams, but many Americans are given a middle name and Quincy, the middle name of the son, is usually included to distinguish him from his father. John Quincy Adams was born 223 years ago today, on July 11, 1767. He served in a number of important government positions before he was elected president in 1824. There were four presidential candidates in that election. Andrew Jackson received the most votes, both in the popular election and in the electoral college which, according to the Constitution, usually elects the president. But Jackson did not get the required majority of votes, so the House of Representatives had to make the choice and there, Adams received 13 of the 24 votes, thus becoming president. I don't know about the personal faith of this man, but he did once call the Bible "an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue."(946a)
Fast (90/07/12)
The English word "fast" has a number of different meanings. Some of them seem quite contrary to one other. For example, fast may denote something firmly fastened and not easily moved, but it may also mean something that moves very rapidly, something swift. Furthermore, it may describe a person having loose morals and living a promiscuous life, but it may also signify abstinence from food, especially for a religious purpose. Some people fast simply to lose weight, but in certain religions, fasting is observed as a solemn ritual. The first meal of the day is called breakfast, for that is the meal that breaks the fast which has continued throughout the night. In the Islamic calendar, the ninth month of the year, called Ramadan, is observed as a month of fasting. During that month, devout Muslims neither eat nor drink from sunrise to sunset. The first day of the following month, called Shawwai, is a feast day called the Festival of Fast-Breaking. According to the second chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' disciples did not join. The pious Jews of their day who fasted because fasting is a discipline associated with gloom or sadness and Jesus' teaching was characterized by brightness and joy. Christians today also should show that joyfulness in their daily lives. (947a)
Balloons (90/07/13)
When an airtight bag is filled with a gas that is lighter than air, it will rise and float in the air. Such an object is called a balloon. In Japan, sometimes we see balloons with advertisements attached to them that are held in place by a long rope. If the rope broke, what would happen to the balloon? An event that happened a few years ago illustrates what might occur. In July of 1983, a strange 10-meter-tall balloon landed in an orchard in Tel Aviv, Israel. A large number of policemen quickly surrounded the mysterious intruder. Investigating, they found that it was filled with pamphlets written in Chinese which called on residents of China to defect to Taiwan and noted the success of a pilot who had escaped from Red China with his jet aircraft some years previously. The balloon had been launched a couple of weeks earlier from Taiwan in the expectation that it would land on mainland China, a couple of hundred kilometers away. Instead, it had floated 10,000 kilometers to Israel. The simple words we speak may also have very long-range and unexpected results. Words of kindness and encouragement, words of anger and abuse, may be carried in the hearts or on the lips of others to some far destination and bear some surprising fruit, so we should be careful how we speak and what we say. (948a)
Bastille Day (90/07/14)
The main patriotic day in the United States, called Independence Day, falls on the 4th of July and commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The great national holiday in France comes just ten days later, on July 14th. Called Bastille Day, it commemorates the storming of the prison-fortress of that name in Paris in 1789, at the beginning of the French Revolution. The French were not rebelling against a foreign government but against a tyrannical monarchy. After the Bastille was captured by the rebels, it was dismantled piece by piece for souvenirs. The 18-centimeter-long iron key to the Bastille was sent to George Washington as a symbol of the French Revolution's indebtedness to the American Revolution a decade earlier. Japan has never experienced a revolutionary war, so Japanese may not understand the emotional appeal that such words as freedom, independence and equality have for Frenchmen and Americans. These concepts are rooted in biblical truth and are among the spiritual blessings God promises to those who believe in him. (949a)
Gifts (90/07/15)
One thing about Japan that foreign residents quickly learn is that it is a place where many gifts are given. And when a gift is given, then, often, another gift is given in return. It is said that there are over 100 different words in Japanese referring to a gift. Gifts are given not only at weddings, but also at funerals, not only when returning from a trip, but also when making a visit and on many other occasions--but especially when asking a favor of someone. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish an innocent gift from an ignoble bribe. Former President Reagan's security advisor got in trouble a few years ago because of gifts he received from Japanese women journalists for his part in arranging an interview with the President's wife. Whether a gift is to express respect and gratitude or to purchase someone's help is not always clear. In fact, there are people who try to bribe God to favor them by doing or giving things they think God likes, but the Bible teaches that God's grace is free and given to all who will accept it in humble faith. (415a)
Turkey (90/07/16)
On Thanksgiving Day in the United States, the traditional main dish is turkey. The turkey is a large, native American bird that was given this name due to its confusion with another bird that was imported from the country of Turkey in southeastern Europe. In Japanese, a turkey is called shichimenchō, literally, 7-faced bird, because its wrinkly face seems to have such a variety of expressions. In English, the word "turkey" has other meanings also. A failure, such as a dramatic play that was a flop, may be called a turkey. A worthless, unsuitable thing and an incompetent or ineffectual person may also be called a turkey. In bowling, three strikes in a row is called a turkey. And the phrase "to talk turkey" does not mean to speak Turkish. It means to speak forthrightly or bluntly. Not beating around the bush, but speaking in a very factual and businesslike manner is "to talk turkey". This kind of speech is not very common among polite people in Japan, but straight talk is sometimes necessary. Some people enjoy flattering others, but, according to Proverbs 26:28, "Insincere talk brings nothing but ruin." (417a)
Chikamatsu (90/07/17)
As you may surmise, a playwright is a person who writes plays, but you may be surprised how that word is spelled. The "wright" of playwright is spelled w-r-i-g-h-t. A wright is a person who constructs something. Just as a shipwright is a carpenter employed in the construction or maintenance of ships, a playwright is a person who constructs plays. Monzaemon Chikamatsu was a famous playwright for the old Japanese ballads called jōruri. A ballad is a traditional song that tells a story. Most peoples of the world have a ballad literature. Thejōruri ballads of Japan were originally accompanied by a biwa, which is a kind of lute, similar to a mandolin. Later, these ballads were accompanied by a three-stringed samisen and then puppets were made to perform the actions described in the ballad, so the puppet theater form known as bunraku was developed. It was for this kind of jōruri that Chikamatsu, who has been called the Shakespeare of Japan, wrote his plays. Just as there are traditional musical instruments in Japan to accompany ballads, the Jewish people had their traditional instruments which were used in worship and singing. A number of them are noted in the 150th Psalm including harps, lyres, flutes, trumpets, drums and cymbals. (412a)
Eiheiji (90/07/18)
746 years ago today, on July 18, 1244, the Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture was established. This temple, one of the two head temples of the Sōtō Sect of Zen Buddhism, is located deep in the mountains. There are about 70 buildings of various sizes on its 30 hectares of land. Eiheiji was founded by Dōgen Zenji, who was born in 1200 and went to China to study at the age of 24. After returning to Japan, he founded the Soto Sect and established this temple when he was 44 years old. He died nine years later. Eiheiji means "Temple of Eternal Peace" and Dōgen emphasized that the way to eternal peace, truth or enlightenment is zen meditation. In distinction from the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism, which makes use of the technique of concentrating on a kind of riddle, called a kōan in its meditation, Dōgen taught that simply practicing the disciplined sitting, called zazen, by itself was sufficient. The Christian also believes that the achievement of true peace depends on a mental attitude. However, we do not seek to discipline our minds to gain enlightenment but to open our hearts in faith to the grace and love of God, for the Bible teaches that salvation is the gift of God, obtained through faith in Christ, our Savior. (953a)
Prepositions (90/07/19)
Anyone who has studied English knows the difficulties related to the correct usage of prepositions. Some years ago, the Nagoya Railway Company, or Meitetsu, learned about such difficulties the hard way. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, it had spent over ¥300 million to renovate Nagoya Station, the central station of its transportation network. In seeking to promote Nagoya's international character, it included direction signs in English. However, because it had printed those signs with the preposition "to" instead of "for" in directing passengers to trains bound for certain destinations, it was criticized by teachers of English. As a result, it promised to make corrections on those signs at a cost of another million yen. Checking with my wife and three children, all of whom are graduates of American universities, we all agree that either "to Gifu" or "for Gifu" would be acceptable on a sign. Words on such signs are shortened forms of longer explanations and both "to" and "for" indicate motion toward a particular destination. English teachers feared that students, rather than foreigners, would be confused by the original wording on the signs. Before starting on a journey, we must make sure we are heading in the right direction. According to Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." (441a)
Moon Day (90/07/20)
The names of the days of the week in English include the names of mythological deities while in Japanese, they include traditional basic elements, but in both English and Japanese, the first day of the week is called the day of the sun and the following day is the day of the moon. However, today, the 20th of July, is also known as Moon Day, even though it falls on a Friday, for it was on this day in 1969 that a spacecraft named Eagle glided to a soft landing on the moon. When American astronaut Neil Armstrong descended the steps of the spacecraft and stepped onto the moon's rocky surface, he spoke these memorable words: "That's one small step for a man, one giant step for mankind." Armstrong and his fellow astronaut, Edwin Aldrin, then planted a metal American flag and left a plaque with the words, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon July 1969 A. D. We came in peace for all mankind." It is too bad that all of the activities of astronauts and cosmonauts in space do not reflect a desire for universal peace. According to the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 27, peace was the parting gift that Jesus left with his disciples who he had commanded to "live in peace with one another" [Mark 9:50]. (955a)
Pasteurization (90/07/21)
In the developed countries of the world, milk is sterilized before it is put on sale to make it free from disease-producing germs. In Japanese, this process is called teion-sakkin, or low temperature-germ killing, but in English it is called pasteurization. This noun and the verb, pasteurize, from which it comes, both are derived from the name of the originator of that process, a French chemist named Louis Pasteur. In Pasteur's day, it was commonly accepted that living organisms can originate in nonliving matter independent of other living matter. However, his studies and experiments relating to bacteria that were carried out in the 1860s exploded that theory of spontaneous generation. Pasteur established as a biological fact that life can only be transmitted from another living entity. This is also true as a spiritual principle. Spiritual life is communicated to others by those who have already experienced it. The Bible teaches that God is the source of all life--physical and spiritual. He has communicated his life to the world through his living Word, Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the Gospel of John, we read these words: "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life and the life was the light of men." (445a)
Kuyō (90/07/22)
The type of Buddhism found in Japan is peculiarly Japanese. In order for this foreign religion to become popularized in this country, it was adapted to traditional Japanese customs. The interesting result was that the influence of Japanese thought upon Buddhism was perhaps as great as the influence of Buddhist thought upon Japan. Most Buddhist rituals in present-day Japan and the greatest source of income are related to funerals and memorial services for the dead--activities that are completely foreign to early Buddhism. In Japanese, the purpose of these memorial services is said to be kuyō, literally meaning to offer up and nourish. The idea is that the offering up of food, flowers, incense or sutras provide spiritual nourishment for departed spirits. However, it is not only to the dead that kuyō is made. Kuyō is also performed by seamstresses for needles that have been broken or discarded. It is well to be thankful and express our gratitude to living persons, but the Bible teaches that true worship should be directed only to the living, eternal God, our Creator and Savior. (161b)
Fiddle (90/07/23)
Do you know the difference between a violin and a fiddle? Actually, there is no difference. Both words denote the same stringed instrument played with a bow. However, nowadays, violin is usually considered a higher class word. Violins are played at concerts and in orchestras while fiddles are played at country dances in the mountains. Scorn for the fiddle and the lively music it produced by the early American settlers known as Puritans has resulted in a number of derogatory terms related to this instrument. "To fiddle" not only means to play the violin. It also means to waste time or to fidget. Fiddlesticks, fiddle-faddle and fiddle-dee-dee all are used to express mild annoyance or impatience and may mean "nonsense". The cliche, "to fiddle while Rome burns" meaning to be occupied with trifles in the face of a crisis, comes from the unsubstantiated rumor that Emperor Nero was playing on the lyre while half of Rome burned to the ground in 64 A.D. In the Old Testament, stringed instruments such as lyres, lutes and harps were all used in worship and the 150th Psalm calls upon people to praise God using such instruments. (430a)
Gregorian Calendar (90/07/24)
In English, there are two different words pronounced calender. However, the word ending in d-e-r denotes a machine with rollers, between which paper or cloth is run to give it a smooth or glossy finish. The more common word, ending in d-a-r, denotes a table, showing the days, weeks and months of a given year. The so-called Gregorian Calendar, which is now used throughout the world, was instituted by Pope Gregory XIII in the year 1582. The various countries of the world began using that calendar in the following years, decades or centuries. The last major countries to adopt this calendar were Russia, in 1918, and Greece, in 1923. Japan adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1872, the 5th year of Meiji. In that year, December 2nd was followed by January 1st, 1873, so the people alive at that time lost almost a whole month that they never recovered. Under Daylight Saving Time in America, we lose one hour every spring, but we always gain it back again in the fall. Time is one of the most important gifts that God has given us and the Bible teaches us to make wise use of it. (423a)
St. James (90/07/25)
July 25th is a special festival day in Spain. It is in honor of its patron saint, Santiago, or St. James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. We find many references to James in the New Testament Gospels, but they are always combined with mention of his brother, John. These two brothers were fishermen who became two of Jesus' closest disciples. Jesus gave them the nickname of "sons of thunder". In the 13th chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, it is recorded that James was killed by King Herod, thus becoming the first martyr among the apostles. According to Spanish tradition, James traveled and preached in Spain before his death and his body was later buried there. James is now one of the most popular masculine names in English. It is the English form of the Hebrew name, Jacob. Because there was another of Jesus' apostles named James, this James is sometimes called "James the Greater". The New Testament Letter of James was not written by either of these two men. It was written by a brother of Jesus who was also named James. One of the famous teachings of this Letter, found in the 2nd chapter, is that "Faith without works is dead." (960a)
Liberia (90/07/26)
Many non-Japanese people would be able to draw an accurate picture of the Japanese flag from memory because the pattern is so simple. I wonder if you could draw an accurate picture of the American flag, which is also well-known throughout the world. This flag is sometimes called "the Stars and Stripes" because it is made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes with fifty small, white stars on a blue field in the upper, poleside corner. The flag of the Republic of Liberia in western Africa, has the same pattern with identical colors. However, it has only eleven stripes and one large star. The colony of Liberia was founded in 1822 for liberated American slaves. On July 26, 1847, 143 years ago today, the Republic of Liberia was officially established. In contrast to the apartheid policy of South Africa, in Liberia only persons of Negro blood may become citizens. The governing power in this country of about 2 1/2 million people has traditionally been held by the descendants of the former American slaves, who account for approximately one percent of the population. The name "Liberia" comes from Latin and means "place of liberty" or "land of freedom". All people desire freedom, whether political, economic, social or spiritual. The biblical "Good News" is that true, lasting, spiritual freedom comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior. (96la)
Embarrassing Events (90/07/27)
In the history of any nation, there are events which are often overlooked or ignored in certain history books because they are embarrassing. Chauvinists would like to forget such events or to try to rationalize them. However, whether as an individual or as a nation, it is better to honestly admit that we are imperfect and try to learn from past mistakes. One of the blots on the record of American history occurred on December 29, 1890. It was after the last major battle between the native American Indians and the United States Army which took place at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. "Dakota" is an Indian word meaning "friend" or "ally" and the Indians of that area were called Dakota Indians. Following their surrender Chief Big Foot and his followers were herded into a camp to be disarmed, but one Indian brave, later found to be deaf, refused to give up his gun. In the ensuing shooting, some 200 Indian men, women and children were massacred and the white man's domination of the Indians was complete. Jonathan Swift has written that "a man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday."(447a)
Peru (90/07/28)
There are ten countries in the United Nations that have names with only four letters in them. How many of them can you name? One of the ten is in South America. Do you know its name? It is located on the west coast of the continent, north of Chile. Its national flag consists of three vertical stripes of red, white and red, with a coat of arms in the white stripe. It is the Republic of Peru, which is celebrating its national day today. The culture of the early inhabitants of this land can be traced back to 300 B. C., but in the 15th century these earlier cultures were absorbed into the Inca Empire, which had a high level of skills in many different fields. The empire was conquered by the Spanish, who raided it for its wealth and ruled it for almost three centuries. Peru's independence was declared on July 28, 1821, 169 years ago today and a successful revolution against Spain was accomplished. Peru has many natural resources and is one of the world's major fishing nations. Its name is the corrupted Spanish pronunciation of an Indian word for bamboo. The letters may be rearranged to spell "pure". In Matthew 5:8, Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." (963a)
Mary and Martha (90/07/29)
Among Jesus' twelve apostles, there were two pairs of brothers, all four of whom were fishermen. Simon Peter and Andrew were brothers and so were James and John. Outside of Jerusalem, in the town of Bethany, was a home that Jesus used to visit. In it there was a pair of sisters who lived with their brother, Lazarus. The sisters' names were Mary and Martha. In the Gospel of Luke, at the end of chapter 10, there is a short account of one of Jesus' visits there. In this story, the contrasting characters of the two sisters is clearly seen. Martha was an active person, busily preparing a meal, while Mary was a quiet, thoughtful listener to Jesus' teaching. Martha became upset with her sister and asked Jesus to scold her for not helping, but Jesus praised Mary for her single-minded concentration on what was more important. Today is the feast day of St. Martha, who is considered the patron saint of innkeepers, housekeepers, hotelkeepers, cooks and laundresses. In the church and in society at large, we need people like both Martha and Mary. We need quiet thinkers, listeners or dreamers as well as active workers and doers. In fact, all of us should have both a reflective and an active element within ourselves which we should keep in proper balance. We need to both take time to think, meditate and pray and to be actively engaged in serving others. (964a)
Salutations (90/07/02)
Idaho (90/07/03)
Independence Day (90/07/04)
Venezuela (90/07/05)
Tako (90/07/06)
Tanabata (90/07/07)
Ema (90/07/08)
Sewing Machine (90/07/09)
Whistler (90/07/10)
John Quincy Adams (90/07/11)
Fast (90/07/12)
Balloons (90/07/13)
Bastille Day (90/07/14)
Gifts (90/07/15)
Turkey (90/07/16)
Chikamatsu (90/07/17)
Eiheiji (90/07/18)
Prepositions (90/07/19)
Moon Day (90/07/20)
Pasteurization (90/07/21)
Kuyō (90/07/22)
Fiddle (90/07/23)
Gregorian Calendar (90/07/24)
St. James (90/07/25)
Liberia (90/07/26)
Embarrassing Events (90/07/27)
Peru (90/07/28)
Mary and Martha (90/07/29)
Henry Ford (90/07/30)
Jesuits (90/07/31)
Burundi and Rwanda (90/07/01)