Polar Swim (93/01/01)
Happy New Year! According to the calendar used by most countries in the world, today marks the beginning of a new year. The customs followed on this first day of the year depend on one's country, culture, religion and personal inclination. Many people in Japan will visit shrines, temples or churches on this day. Some may visit spas and enjoy a hot bath, but I doubt that there will be many if any people who will take a swim in the ocean. Some peculiar people on the other side of the ocean, however, have the strange custom of going swimming in ocean water on January 1st. For the past 70 years, hardy residents of Vancouver, Canada, which lies further north than the northern tip of Hokkaido, have been taking a so-called Polar Swim on this day. Members of Polar Bear Clubs in the United States have also adopted this custom and go swimming in Lake Michigan and other frigid bodies of water on New Year's Day. Polar bears are large, white bears that live in the arctic zone and enjoy swimming in icy water, but it is fatuous for human beings to imitate these big animals with their furry coats. In this year of the Bird, let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:26 that our Father in heaven who cares for little birds will also take care of us. -- Clark Offner (4175)
New Year's Day 1952 (93/01/02)
Until coming to Japan, it was my custom to go to church on New Year's Eve to attend the watchnight service there. While others were partying, drinking and making noise, we were quietly praying or singing hymns as an old year ended and a new year began. When we arrived in Japan in 1951, the occupation forces were still here and we were happy to be able to attend the watchnight service at the GHQ [General Headquarters] Chapel Center of the U.S. Armed Forces. On the afternoon on New Year's Day 1952, we joined our landlord and his wife for tea in their Japanese-style living room. This kind, Christian couple explained many Japanese customs to us and even permitted us to dress in kimonos they provided to have our picture taken with them. The following day, we visited the home of our Japanese tutor and had a festive meal with his family. We found it difficult and tiring to sit on the 'tatami' floor and eat with chopsticks. Frankly speaking, we not only had difficulty getting the strange food up to our mouths but also getting it down into our stomachs and keeping it there for we had not yet developed a taste for such exotic cuisine. Nowadays, we no longer have such problems. -- Clark Offner (4176)
A New Nature (93/01/03)
Today is the first day of the first week of the New Year. The reason Christians gather in churches to worship God on the first day of every week is to celebrate the new life that was manifested in the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of a week almost 2000 years ago. There are a number of English words that begin with the prefix "neo", such as neocolonialism, neoromanticism, neo-Nazism, etc. This prefix comes from a Greek word for "new", 'neos,' which is found in the New Testament Letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, verse 10. There, the readers are urged to put on a "new nature which is constantly being renewed in the image of its Creator". This is a good verse to think about at the beginning of a new year. The Bible teaches that human beings were created in the image of God. Because of human sin, however, that image was distorted and human nature became depraved. The mission of Christ was to open the way for that divine image to be restored in those who believe. Repenting of sin implies discarding our old nature and true belief implies clothing ourselves with a new nature that is continually renewed as we live by faith each day. In this New Year, I pray that you will experience the new life that comes through faith in your Creator and Savior. --Clark Offner (4177)
Chickens (93/01/04)
In Japan, this year is called the Year of the Bird. A bird is a fowl, spelled f-o-w-l. Chickens are domestic fowls from which we get eggs. The female chicken which lays eggs is called a hen and the baby chickens which are hatched from those eggs are called chicks. The perch on which chickens rest or sleep is called a roost and male chickens are called roosters or cocks. Some writers call this 'toridoshi' the Year of the Cock or the Year of the Rooster. If a 'sanzui' radical, meaning water, is added to the character for 'tori', the resulting character means 'sake', which many Japanese drink at this time of year. The characters for this 'toso', or spiced rice wine, literally mean to slaughter and to bring back to life, which reminds me of the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion. I pray that this Year of the Bird will be a year of new life for you. --Clark Offner (4178)
New Year's Dishes (93/01/05)
Today is the fifth day of the New Year. New Year's celebrations in Japan include traditional dishes prepared especially for this time of year. Many of these dishes and their ingredients are peculiar to Japan so it is difficult to translate words describing them into English. Even when using dictionary translations of such words as 'mochi', 'zōni', 'shiruko', 'toso' and the particular herbs included in 'nanagusa', many Americans would not understand their meanings without further explanation. Thus, it may be difficult to write an essay in English on Japanese New Year's dishes, but that is the theme I am suggesting for this week. What do you think about traditional New Year's dishes? Do you enjoy preparing or eating them? Which is your favorite? Is there a special reason why such dishes are prepared at this time of year? Is the tradition changing? Do you expect these same dishes to be made by your great-grandchildren or the great-grandchildren of your friends? I will correct essays sent to me and print them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes which should be available at the "Daily Word" Fellowship meeting on Sunday afternoon, January 31st at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center. Please send all essays to reach me by January 16th. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. --Clark Offner (4179)
Joan of Arc (93/01/06)
The male name John, spelled J-o-h-n, is pronounced 'jôn' by many Japanese. However, that is the pronunciation of a female name spelled J-o-a-n. Today is the birthday of the national heroine of France, the Maid of Orleans, called Joan of Arc in English, who was born 581 years ago on January 6, 1412. When still a young girl, she began to hear "voices" which she attributed to certain saints. At the age of 17, following instructions given by the "voices", she met the French dauphin, inspired and led French forces to victories over the English, resulting in the enthronement of Charles VII as the French king. In fact, this teen-aged maiden stood beside him at his coronation. Then her fortunes suddenly changed. She failed in her attempt to liberate Paris, was captured and sold to the English. She was tried for heresy and, at nineteen years of age, was condemned to death and burned at the stake. Twenty-five years later, her sentence was annulled and she was proclaimed innocent of the charges for which she was executed. Over five hundred years later, she was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, which means she is now a saint herself. The fact that people are sometimes put to death for crimes they did not commit is one of the reasons for opposing capital punishment. --Clark Offner (4180)
Fair, Fare (93/01/07)
There are many homonyms in the Japanese language. Homonyms are words which have the same pronunciation but different meanings. English also has many homonyms, though fewer than Japanese. English homonyms sometimes have the same spelling, but in some cases the spelling is different. There are a number of homonyms pronounced 'fâr'. As an adjective, fair, spelled f-a-i-r, may mean clear and sunny when used of the weather, or lovely and pleasing, of light color, or free of blemishes when referring to a person's appearance. It may also mean impartial, consistent with rules or moderately good. Thus, the precise meaning of a "fair lady" and a "fair judge" is determined by the context. Another kind of "fair" is a noun denoting an event where products are exhibited, goods are bought and sold, or entertainment is provided. The place where fairs are held may be called a fairground. The word spelled f-a-r-e is also pronounced 'fâr'. It may denote the fee for transportation. Taxi fares are getting higher and higher. But it may also mean food and drink. Did you enjoy the New Year's fare this year? It would not be a compliment to the cook to say that the fare was fair. -- Clark Offner (4181)
Elvis Presley (93/01/08)
As a verb, to rock means to move gently and rhythmically back and forth or from side to side. In the 1950s, a certain kind of popular music with a heavily accented beat which stimulated singers or listeners to rock while they sang or listened became known as "rock'n'roll" or "rock music". The most famous name connected with this music is that of a performer, called "The King", who was born 58 years ago today, on January 8, 1935, in Mississippi. His twin brother died, but Elvis Presley survived and moved with his family to Tennessee, where he went to school. It is said that he wore sideburns, had greasy hair and acted "kinda goofy". Elvis played the guitar and had a pleasant baritone voice. His aggressive sexual delivery attracted the enthusiastic approval of rebellious young people who were disturbed by the political, social and technological changes of those days. In 1956, he skyrocketed to fame, despite objections of parents around the country, and became a multimillionaire superstar. For a few years, he was a world-famous personality but conditions prior to and surrounding his death at the age of 42 cause us to consider the cost of too-quick, too-much fame. Emily Dickenson has written:
My Home Town (93/01/09)
In this new year, I will continue to relate personal experiences in my Saturday messages. Today's message is the beginning of a series related to my hometown in the United States and memories of my younger days in the small, untypical community located in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois on the shore of lake Michigan just south of the Wisconsin stateline. The name of that town is Zion, a Biblical name for the City where God dwells. This unique town was founded in 1900 as a religious community with various laws that were meant to establish a physically and spiritually healthy environment in which Christian families could live and raise children in an ideal setting. Among other things the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco were forbidden; dance halls, gambling houses and theaters were not allowed. The only establishment which was permitted to function on Sundays was the church, which all residents were expected to attend. Although the character and atmosphere of the town had changed to some extent by the time I was born in 1927, the community was still peculiar in many ways. The homes, societies and times in which we were born and raised along with the kind of education we received cannot help but be influential in the development of our character, faith and attitudes. -- Clark Offner (4183)
Chosen People (93/01/10)
In a democracy, citizens are governed by their elected representatives. Therefore, elections are important events which must be conducted fairly and reflect the free choice of the voters. In Christian theology, however, the term "election" denotes the act of God in choosing God's representatives in the world. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was elected by God to manifest the character and accomplish the purpose of God. Even today, religious Jews have a consciousness of being the chosen people of God. Christians also consider themselves chosen for a special mission. Although we may consider our decision to follow Christ an expression of our free will, from another perspective we have been chosen by God to do so. In John 15:16, Jesus told his disciples, "You did not choose me: I chose you." Being chosen, however, should not make us proud. Rather, it should make us more humble, for we have been chosen not to rule over others but to serve them, following the example of Christ himself. In the 10th chapter of Mark, when two of Jesus' disciples requested positions of honor in his kingdom, he taught that the road to greatness is through serving others, for even Christ himself "did not come to be served: he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people." --Clark Offner (4184)
Academy (93/01/11)
In ancient Greek legend, Helen was the most beautiful of all women. When she was a child, she was carried off by Theseus, the king of Athens. Her brothers, Castor and Pollux, searched for her but did not find her until a farmer named Academus told them where she was hidden. As a reward for this information, a spacious grove, or garden, near Athens was given to this farmer and named in his honor. It was in this grove of Academia that Plato taught mathematics and philosophy until his death and his followers continued to meet in Academia for centuries afterward. It is from the name of that grove that the English word "academy" was derived. In Modern English, an academy is a school for special instruction. It is often used for a private high school to prepare students for college. But it may also denote an association of scholars. --Clark Offner (4185)
John Winthrop (93/01/12)
The word "pure" means clean, free from any defilements. In a moral sense, a person who is pure is without faults, sinless. Although Christians believe that the only truly pure person in human history was Jesus Christ, a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who emphasized strict morality were called Puritans. In 1630, a group of some 900 Puritans emigrated from England to America where they established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The leader of this group, John Winthrop, was born 405 years ago today, on January 12, 1588. Winthrop enrolled at Cambridge University's Trinity College at 14, married at 17 and became a justice of the peace when he was 18. As a highly respected lawyer, he sought to follow a code of stern righteousness in his personal life. He was the most influential citizen of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was elected governor 12 times. In some respects, Winthrop and the Puritans of Massachusetts resembled the Pharisees of Jesus' day in their narrow-minded, legalistic insistence upon obedience to religious rules and their lack of mercy toward those who disagreed with them and did not conform to their regulations. --Clark Offner (4186)
Canute (93/01/13)
In Japan, Christmas decorations are taken down soon after Christmas Day, but in the West they continue to be displayed into the New Year. In Sweden and Norway, there is a clear-cut end to the Yuletide season on January 13th, the 20th day after Christmas. In some areas, parties, dances or sleigh races are held to mark the end of the festive season. Swedish children enjoy taking off the Christmas tree ornaments made from cookies and eating them. The reason for dismantling Christmas trees on this day is traced to the words of a respected king nine centuries ago that the Yuletide season should last for 20 days. This king's name is usually spelled C-a-n-u-t-e in English, but it may also be spelled K-n-u-t or K-n-u-t-e. There were six kings of Denmark with this name, two of whom were also kings of England. Canute II, also known as "the Great", became king of Norway as well. Canute IV, a strong supporter of the church who was murdered by rebels and later canonized by the church is also known as "the Saint". There is a saying in Norway that "Saint Knute drives Christmas away." Although Christmas decorations are displayed for only a short time, the Christmas spirit of giving should continue all year long. --Clark Offner (4187)
Horace, Horatio (93/01/14)
Horace, or Horatius, the name of an ancient Roman clan, is well-known today as the name of a famous Latin poet who died in 8 B.C. Horatius, or Horatio, was also the name of a legendary Roman hero who, with two companions, held back an enemy army while his Roman comrades cut down the bridge behind him. Afterward he swam across the river and received as much land as he could plow around in a day. This "Horatio at the bridge" was the hero of a famous poem by the English historian, Lord Macaulay. When many Americans hear the name Horatio, however, they will think of Horatio Alger, the writer of over a hundred books of boys' stories in which heroes finally succeed in life after struggling valiantly against various handicaps. In Horatio Alger stories, courage and virtue are always rewarded with honor and riches. A hundred years ago, these stories were very popular and left a strong mark on the character of a generation of American youth. On Sunday afternoon, January 31st, we will hold another meeting of "Daily Word" listeners/readers at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sōzō Center. The theme for the meeting will be "Favorite Television Programs". -- Clark Offner (4188)
Example for Young People (93/01/15)
On this Japanese holiday honoring the "coming of age" of Japanese young people, I will mention two news articles that recently appeared on different pages of an English language newspaper. The articles are related to the example set by government officials for young people and the nation as a whole. The first article, based on a report of an anti-smoking group in Tokyo disclosed the number of smokers in Prime Minister Miyazawa's new cabinet. Out of the 21 Cabinet members, there were only four who smoke. The smoking rate among male Diet members was 34 percent as of May last year, about half the rate of the male population as a whole, which is 60.5 percent. The Tobacco Problems Information Center in Tokyo is hoping non-smoking government officials will exert a good influence upon Japanese young people. It further noted that the smoking rate of U.S. Congress members is only 8 percent, less than a fourth of their Japanese counterparts. The second article noted the request to 46-year-old president-elect Bill Clinton by the 16-year-old president of a children's nutrition group in the United States called Kids Against Junk Food (KAJF), to provide a better example to children by not eating so much "junk food" in fast-food restaurants. Most of such food is too high in calories, fat and sodium, the young president told the young president-elect. I hope young people who officially become adults today will take care to choose healthy food for both their bodies and their minds. -- Clark Offner (4189)
Zion, Illinois (93/01/16)
My hometown of Zion, Illinois, located north of Chicago in the Midwestern United States, resembled the Japanese city of Kyoto in respect to its well-planned design. In the center of the town, on the highest elevation surrounded by a circular roadway, was the most important edifice in the community--a church rather than a palace. Around the church was a large park, an area of natural beauty. Private residences were built around that central tract of land. Main boulevards led to the central site from four directions. The rest of the town was laid out in a very regular fashion. Numbered streets stretching from east to west were intersected by avenues running north and south. The avenues had biblical names in alphabetical order and were all lined with elm trees which provided a leafy covering of the avenues in the summertime. Lots on the west side of an avenue were numbered consecutively with even numbers while those on the east side had odd numbers. Thus, as soon as we heard the address of a house, we immediately knew where it was located. I was born and raised in the home that was completed for my parents during their extended honeymoon trip by train to the west coast. It was located at 2804 Eshcol Avenue, which means it was the third house from 28th street on the west side of Eshcol Avenue. -- Clark Offner (4190)
Shepherd (93/01/17)
In the Bible, various figures are used to characterize the invisible, spiritual Person we call God. The most common figure in the New Testament, which was often used by Jesus, is Father. In the Old Testament, God is also referred to as King, Lord and Judge, all of which imply authority. Another figure, that of a shepherd, is found in one of the most familiar and best-loved Bible passages, the 23rd Psalm. This psalm is thought to have been written by David, who became the famous king of Israel but who was a shepherd when he was young. It begins with the word, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want nothing." This ancient poem notes the loving care and protection which this Shepherd provides for his sheep--those who entrust themselves to his wise and merciful rule. In the New Testament Gospel of John, chapter 10, Jesus spoke of "the good shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep." No one metaphor can completely express the character of God, but each figure may disclose a particular aspect. Christians see God most fully revealed in the life and teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who was not a metaphor but a historical person who willingly laid down his life for his sheep, meaning us. --Clark Offner (4191)
Achilles' Heel (93/01/18)
The hero of the 'Iliad', the famous Greek poem by Homer, was a warrior named Achilles. According to the legend, his mother bathed him in a sacred river when he was a baby in order to make him invulnerable. Since she held him by the heel, however, that part of his body was not touched by the water. Many years later, in the battle of Troy, a poisoned arrow pierced his heel and Achilles died. From this legend, the English term "Achilles' heel" has come to mean a small, unguarded spot, a serious weakness that even great and noble people have. In war, politics, sports or business, enemies or competitors will try to discover and take advantage of our Achilles' heel. According to 1 Peter 5:8, we should always be alert for the Devil is roaming around looking for someone to devour. To resist him and gain victory requires a healthy faith. --Clark Offner (4192)
Auguste Comte (93/01/19)
In Japan, where ancestral tradition is so important, the words of a famous French philosopher, "The dead govern the living", are particularly apt. The man who wrote those words was Auguste Comte, who was born 194 years ago today, on January 19, 1798. Comte is considered the founder of modern sociology. Primarily a social reformer, his aim was to reorganize society so that both individuals and nations could live and grow in harmony and comfort. To achieve that aim, he formulated the system known as positivism. According to this system, intellectual development moves through three stages: theological, metaphysical and positive. In the final, positivistic stage, phenomena are explained not by supernatural forces or metaphysical abstractions but by scientific observation and experimentation. He classified sciences on the basis of increasing complexity, beginning with mathematics and moving through astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology to sociology. Undeniably, scientific research has made our lives more comfortable, but this does not mean that our lives are happier. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote: "Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men." --Clark Offner (4193)
Inauguration Day (93/01/20)
The verb "inaugurate" means to induct into office by a formal ceremony. Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. At the inauguration ceremony on the east portico of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Bill Clinton, will be inaugurated as the 42nd president. According to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which became effective in 1933, the terms of the President and Vice-president shall end at noon on the twentieth day of January. Before that amendment was passed, their terms ended on March 4th. The oath of office, administered by the chief justice of the United States, is contained in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution. It consists of the following words: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." May God help the new president to make wise decisions which will affect the whole world. On Sunday afternoon, January 31st, a meeting of listeners to or readers of these "Daily Word" messages will be held at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center beginning at 1:30. Those who attend will be given an opportunity to make comments about one of their favorite television programs and why they like it. You are invited to attend. --Clark Offner (4194)
Jack Nicklaus (93/01/21)
A well-known name in the world of sports is that of Jack Nicklaus, the world-famous golfer, who was born 53 years ago today on January 21, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio. While still a teenager, Jack Nicklaus won the Amateur Open Golf Tournament and a few years later, at the age of 22, became the youngest winner of the American Open in forty years. He continues to be a foremost golfer even today. The surname of this man comes from the same Greek root as that of the given name Nicholas, which was the name of one of the seven men chosen to help the apostles in the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 6, and the name of the old Christian saint whose name has become garbled into English as Santa Claus. In Greek, the word 'laos' means people. 'Nike', meaning victory, was the name of a Greek goddess and has become a brand name for sports goods in Japan. Thus Nicklaus or Nicholas means victory over the people. The Greek word 'nike' is found in the First Letter of John, chapter 4, verse 4, where it is written that "we win the victory over the world by means of our faith." In order to gain victory, we need to have faith and I presume that Jack Nicklaus enters golf tournaments with the belief that he can or will win. -- Clark Offner (4195)
Cranes (93/01/22)
The title of a newspaper article related to present-day China caught my attention. The headline, "Cranes symbolize China's prosperity", was obviously a play on the word "crane", for this word has two very different meanings. The original meaning is a large bird with long legs, a long neck and a long bill. In China and Japan, cranes, which were said to live for a thousand years, have been considered symbols of happiness and longevity. Sometimes a string of a thousand folded paper cranes are given to a person who is sick or suffering to console him or her. Reading that headline, my first impression was that "cranes" denoted the symbolic birds. In fact, however, the article was about the construction boom in Beijing where mechanical cranes used for hoisting and moving heavy objects are seen on the roofs of buildings. Such cranes, which are thought to resemble the bird, are called 'Kijüki' or 'Kure-n' in Japanese. Stephen Crane, an American author and war correspondent, gave the following vivid description of "indifference". He called it "a militant thing [that] batters down the walls of cities and murders women and children. When it goes away, it leaves smoking ruins, where lie citizens bayonetted through the throat. It is not a children's pastime like mere highway robbery." -- Clark Offner (4196)
Streets and Alleys (93/01/23)
As noted in last Saturday's message, the roadways in my hometown were designated streets, avenues or boulevards. Streets, running east and west, were numbered from 18 to 33. Avenues, running north and south, bore biblical names in alphabetical order from Aaron to Lydia and the main boulevards extended in four directions from the central circle where the religious community's church was located. The town was situated midway between the Illinois city of Chicago and the Wisconsin city of Milwaukee, 70 kilometers from both. The state highway that ran between these two cities was called Sheridan Road, but within the precincts of this town of Zion, it became Elijah Avenue, the main shopping and business area of the community where stores and offices were located. Between the avenues which were lined with private residences were narrower roadways called alleys. Alleys didn't have names, but on both sides of these dirt roads were garages in the backyards of the residences, so alleys were mainly used to drive cars to and from their garages. It was also along the alleys that garbage cans were placed. At regular intervals, garbage trucks went through the alleys and emptied the garbage cans of the individual homes. According to the vision of the heavenly city of Zion in the 21st chapter of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, a street of the holy city was made of gold, but streets in this earthly town of Zion were covered with tar. -- Clark Offner (4197)
The Temple of God (93/01/24)
This land of Japan is full of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples where many people go to worship. Many worshippers consider these sacred places the earthly dwelling places of 'kami' or 'hotoke'. In the Bible also, there was a temple where God was worshipped but in his prayer of dedication of the beautiful temple he built, recorded in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, chapter 8, King Solomon voiced his doubt that the great God who had revealed himself to Israel could really live there [verse 27]. The 66th chapter of Isaiah begins with these words: "The Lord says, 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house, then could you build for me, what kind of place for me to live in?'" The answer to the question of where this "high and holy God" lives is found in Isaiah 57:15, where it is written: "I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant." The Bible teaches that the true and living God, the Creator and Savior of all people, does not live in temples, shrines or churches constructed by human beings. God is spirit and lives in the hearts of those humble individuals who, in faith, open their hearts to permit the Holy Spirit to enter and reside. --Clark Offner (4198)
Kaleidoscope (93/01/25)
A number of English words end in "scope", derived from a Greek word meaning "to see". They include such optical instruments as a microscope, with which we may see 'small' things, a telescope, with which we may see things 'far' away, and a periscope, with which we may see 'around' things. What do you think we may see with a kaleidoscope, spelled k-a-l-e-i-d-o-s-c-o-p-e? The middle of this word comes from a Greek word meaning "form", which is also the root of the word "idol". The first part of the word is derived from a Greek word meaning "beautiful", which is also seen in the word "calligraphy", meaning "beautiful writing". Thus with a kaleidoscope, we may see beautiful forms. These beautiful formations are made by colored pieces of glass reflected in mirrors of the tube shaped instrument. It is said that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." --Clark Offner (4199)
India (93/01/26)
On January 26, 1950, 43 years ago today, India became a democratic republic so today parades and other commemorative events will be held in that crowded and troubled country. India is the second most populous nation in the world, after China, but it is the seventh in respect to area. Since its independence from Great Britain, it has had trouble maintaining its unity in the face of nationalistic, linguistic and religious differences among its more than 800 million citizens. Its borders with neighboring Pakistan and China continue to be contested because of the disputed area of Kashmir. Recently, rioting between Hindu extremists and Muslims over control of a traditional religious site has resulted in many deaths. In the case of many so-called religious disputes, however, millitant religious fanatics are stimulated by non-religious motives and their actions are in direct contradiction to the attitude and teaching of their religion's founder. On this coming Sunday afternoon at 1:30, we will hold another meeting of listeners to or readers of these "Daily Word" messages at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. At that meeting we will talk about our favorite television programs. You are invited to attend. --Clark Offner (4200)
Charles Dodgson (93/01/27)
When you hear the name "Alice", what literary work comes to your mind? Many speakers of English will immediately think of the children's stories about the girl who, in a dream, followed a rabbit into his burrow and found herself in a fantastic land underground where animals act and talk like human beings. These stories in 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking-Glass' were written by Charles Dodgson, who wrote under the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll Dodgson, the son of a clergyman who was ordained as a clergyman himself, was born 161 years ago today, on January 27, 1832. Dodgson was also a mathematician who wrote scholarly treatises and lectured at Oxford. He is a fine example of a man who could combine scholarly expertise, religious faith, literary ability and fascinating humor in a manner that charmed both children and adults. In one of the incidents he records, the March Hare said to Alice, "you should say what you mean". "I do, Alice hastily replied; at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing you know." I hope you know, however, that it is not the same thing at all. You are invited to attend the meeting of listeners to/readers of these telephone messages on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sōzō Center. -- Clark Offner (4201)
U.S. Immigrants (93/01/28)
The United States Census Bureau recently reported that some five million immigrants entered the country between 1985 and 1990, bringing the total of foreign-born residents to nearly 20 million, more than double the number in 1960. Almost 8 percent of the nation's population, one out of twelve persons, was foreign born in 1990. In what country do you suppose most of the foreign-born residents were born? Not surprisingly, most of the immigrants came from one of the two countries that share a national border with the United States. I presume that some of the 4.3 million Mexicans now living in the U.S., slipped over the border illegally. The Philippines replaced Germany in second place with 913,000 residents of the U.S. Other countries at the top of the list of immigrants were: Canada, Cuba, Britain, Italy, South Korea, Vietnam and China. America is such a diversified nation that anything said about its citizens may be true--and so may its opposite. At our meeting on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, my wife will serve refreshments, the 41st issue of "Daily Word" Echoes will be on sale and we will talk about favorite television programs. You are invited to attend. --Clark Offner (4202)
Taller Teenagers (93/01/29)
When I came to Japan over forty years ago and rode crowded subways or was in other mass gatherings, I was usually able to look over the heads of those around me because I was a bit taller. In recent years, this advantage is no longer so evident. Obviously, Japanese young people are becoming taller and most Japanese teenagers now seem taller than their parents. Statistics recently released by the Education Ministry has confirmed this observation. The ministry reported that 13-year-old schoolboys averaged 159.3 centimeters in height last year, which was 9.5 centimeters taller than their counterparts 30 years earlier. They also weighed an average of 9 kilograms more than 13-year-olds in 1962. Both height and weight figures for 1992 were the largest since the ministry started the study in 1900. On the other hand, near-sighted youths have also been increasing in number. One in every five junior high school students and one in every three senior high school students had to wear corrective lenses. Changes in Japanese living conditions has both good and bad results. My wife and I are looking forward to seeing many listeners to or readers of these telephone messages at the meeting on Sunday afternoon at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center beginning at 1:30. At that meeting, those present will be asked to tell about one of their favorite television programs and why they like it. -- Clark Offner (4203)
New Year's Day 1952 (93/01/02)
A New Nature (93/01/03)
Chickens (93/01/04)
New Year's Dishes (93/01/05)
Joan of Arc (93/01/06)
Fair, Fare (93/01/07)
Elvis Presley (93/01/08)
My Home Town (93/01/09)
Chosen People (93/01/10)
Academy (93/01/11)
John Winthrop (93/01/12)
Canute (93/01/13)
Horace, Horatio (93/01/14)
Example for Young People (93/01/15)
Zion, Illinois (93/01/16)
Shepherd (93/01/17)
Achilles' Heel (93/01/18)
Auguste Comte (93/01/19)
Inauguration Day (93/01/20)
Jack Nicklaus (93/01/21)
Cranes (93/01/22)
Streets and Alleys (93/01/23)
The Temple of God (93/01/24)
Kaleidoscope (93/01/25)
India (93/01/26)
Charles Dodgson (93/01/27)
U.S. Immigrants (93/01/28)
Taller Teenagers (93/01/29)
Shiloh Park (93/01/30)
A Good Example (93/01/31)
Polar Swim (93/01/01)
Fame is a bee.
It has a song--
It has a sting--
Ah, too, it has a wing
-- Clark Offner (4182)