Aite no Nai Kenka (90/10/01)
An angry dispute or argument is called a quarrel. Unfortunately, some people seem to enjoy quarrels. Such people may be called quarrelsome or contentious. Quarrels disrupt the harmony of a home or of any other group, but we should remember that it is possible to disagree with another's opinion or action without quarreling. It is preferable to keep cool even when the other person becomes hot-headed. As the Japanese proverb teaches, one cannot quarrel without an opponent aite no nai kenka wa dekinu. In English, we say, It takes two to make a quarrel. Our response to the provocative words of another may either add fuel to the fire or stifle it. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 15, verse 1, we find these words of wisdom: "A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up." Isn't it better to be a peacemaker than a troublemaker? (3352)
Summer Activities (90/10/02)
Today is the second day of October, the first Tuesday following a "Daily Word" listeners meeting which is usually held on the fifth Sunday of a month. For six weeks following such a meeting, I suggest a theme in the Tuesday messages on which listeners may write a short essay in English. I correct those essays sent to me and print them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, which is on sale at the next listeners meeting. At the meeting last Sunday, the topic for discussion was how we spent the summer, which was an exceptionally hot one in Japan. What did you do during the summer? Did you simply endure the heat and humidity or were you able to escape from it for a while? Did you have any outstanding experience or was it a humdrum time for you? As we mentioned at the meeting, my wife and I had a number of interesting experiences on our trip to the United States, some of which I am relating in the Saturday messages. I would be happy to read of your activities last summer if you wish to compose an essay on that subject and send it to me for correction. Lon Tinkle, an American author, has contrasted those who "reach for a good book" in the summer "instead of a hot beer, leaving the delights of ant-ridden picnics ... to those who would rather burn their skins than illuminate their minds." This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3353)
Leiden Seize Ended (90/10/03)
The Japanese term, kamikaze, or "divine wind", is used for the providential typhoon that caused the destruction of an enemy force about to invade Kyūshū in 1281, following a seven-week seize. Today, October 3rd, is a day of special celebration in Leiden, Holland, for on this day 416 years ago a seize of that city by Spanish forces ended as the result of a man-made flood. Leiden, an important textile center, played an important part in the revolt against Spanish rule. Much of the fertile land of Holland, which has been reclaimed from the sea after centuries of toil, is below sea level, protected by dikes. In 1574, as a result of a four-month seize, citizens were starving for lack of food. In Kyūshū, a wall had been built to keep the invaders out, but at Leiden, the dikes were cut to let the sea in. As a result, the Dutch navy was able to sail over the countryside to assist the city and the Spanish forces retreated. The course of history has often been changed by a combination of man-made and natural events, but the Bible teaches that all events are finally related to the good and just purpose of the almighty God. (3354)
First English Bible (90/10/04)
A basic emphasis of the religious reformers in 16th century Europe was that the Bible was the supreme authority for Christians. In that day, the Bible was not available in vernacular languages. The only Bible used at that time, called the Vulgate, was written in Latin and common believers had not been encouraged to read it. Since the reformers considered a knowledge of the Bible important for all Christians, translations were made into the various national languages. Luther translated the Bible into German and the New Testament was translated by William Tyndale into English. The first publication of the entire Bible in the English language appeared 455 years ago today, on October 4, 1535. That first English Bible was the work of Myles Coverdale. Coverdale did not make an original translation from Hebrew and Greek. Rather, he made use of Tyndale's translation, Luther's German Bible and the Vulgate. From that time on, other English versions, revisions or new translations, were made until the famous King James, or Authorized, Version appeared in 1611. Because the Bible has had such a great influence in Western thought, seen especially in its literature and art, a knowledge of its basic teachings is essential for the person seeking to understand the West. (3355)
Ambulance (90/10/05)
Today is October 5th. A number of words of foreign origin in modern Japanese are shortened forms of the expressions in the original language, such as apa-to, for "apartment house" and depa-to, for "department store". English also has words with a similar etymology. The French expression, hôpital ambulant, literally meaning "mobile hospital", was coined during the Crimean War for a special litter with medical supplies for wounded men on the battlefield. When the English borrowed that idea and name, they dropped the first word and anglicized the second. Now an ambulance, or kyūkyūsha in Japanese, denotes a vehicle specially equipped to transport the sick or wounded. Last year in Japan, ambulances were dispatched 2,656,934 times and transported 2,593,753 persons, the highest number since the current ambulance service went into operation in 1953. About 48 percent of the calls were to aid people who suddenly became ill and 24 percent were in response to traffic accidents. The aging population and increased number of vehicles on the roads make this service very important. It is also important for homes to have first-aid kits and for family members to know what to do in case of an emergency. (3356)
Albuquerque (90/10/06)
Today is October 6th. Albuquerque, New Mexico with a population of over 350,000, is the largest city in the state. It was named after a Spanish duke when it was founded in 1706. My wife and I arrived in Albuquerque a few hours before our plane was scheduled to leave for Roswell. We decided that was too much time to spend in an airport, so we took a bus to a transfer point where we boarded another to go to the historic center of the city, called Old Town. There, we walked around the plaza, visited an old church, went through a museum and window-shopped in the gift shops. We waited a long time for the bus on our return to the airport. At the transfer point, we realized that the next bus would arrive at the airport too late for our flight, so we decided to take a taxi. Unlike downtown Nagoya, however, there were no taxis cruising the streets. We finally found a public telephone from which I called a taxi company. Although I had difficulty explaining where we were, fortunately, the taxi found us and delivered us to the airport in time to make our plane. The girl at the check-in counter for this local airline was kept busy, checking people in, pushing the wheelchair of a crippled passenger, leading us to the steps of the small airplane and taking the boarding passes of the 18 passengers who filled up the plane. (3357)
Help Needy People (90/10/07)
Today is Sunday, October the 7th. On Sundays, Christians attend worship services at their respective churches. In the Sunday messages of this "Daily Word" telephone service, I usually give a thought from a sermon that I preached recently at a Sunday morning worship service at the church I pastor in the city of Takahama. Today's thought is from the 1st two verses of the 15th chapter of Paul's Letter to the Romans, where it is written: "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him." One of strongest of human instincts is self-preservation. Consequently, all of us, naturally think of ourselves and our well-being first. Here, we are urged to consider the needs of those less fortunate people around us and try to satisfy them instead of simply pleasing ourselves. This is quite unnatural, but followers of Christ are expected to manifest an uncommon attitude because they have been changed by the love of Christ and seek to follow his example. There are many people around us today who are "weaker" than we are--in terms of faith, health, finances or social influence. It is the Christian's duty and privilege to try to help such needy people and to strengthen them. (3358)
After a Rain (90/10/08)
Today is Monday, the 8th of October. In my limited experience in gardening, I have found that after a rain the ground is soft and it is easy to pull weeds, so I was a bit surprised to hear the Japanese proverb that "After a rain the ground gets hard", ame futte ji katamaru. As I recall, I first heard this proverb while at a wedding reception that was held on a rainy day. In English, we may say "After rain comes fair weather" or "After a storm comes a calm", but we don't speak of the ground getting hard. Evidently the Japanese proverb does not relate to gardening but to construction when a firm foundation is important. These proverbs imply a faith that there is a good purpose even in unpleasant experiences. From the biblical viewpoint, the events of daily life are not the haphazard results of chance. They are related to the loving purpose of an almighty God. (3359)
Japanese Written Language (90/10/09)
Today, October 9th, is a public holiday in South Korea, commemorating the king's proclamation on this day in 1446 which established a new and unique alphabet, called Hangul. Until that time, Koreans had used Chinese characters for their written language but found them unsatisfactory, so this alphabet of 24 letters was invented to complement or replace the Chinese characters. Written Japanese is more difficult than Korean because it still uses many Chinese characters along with two different syllabaries. This week's theme for those who wish to write an English essay and send it to me for correction is: the Japanese written language. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Japanese writing system? How has this peculiar written language affected the Japanese character, thought patterns, education, art, communication with other countries and the internationalization of Japan? What do you think of proposals to change the writing system to make it simpler? The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, looked forward to the day when the word of God would be written on the hearts of people [Jeremiah 31:33]. It is this kind of "writing" that is most effective. This is : "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3360)
Tuxedos (90/10/10)
Today, October 10th, is a national holiday in Japan to promote good health and the enjoyment of sports. Not many people will be wearing tuxedos today, but that is the theme, of today's message. About 65 kilometers north of New York City is a lake named Tuxedo, derived from an Indian word for "wolf", which literally meant "animal with a round foot". A hundred years ago, this lake was the center of a fashionable and exclusive community of wealthy families which gave lavish parties. At such parties, it was customary for men to dress in formal attire, including a black coat with long "swallow-tails". The tails, of course, were inconvenient and bothersome, but traditional men followed tradition--until a certain party that was held 94 years ago today, on October 10, l886, At that party, a man appeared with a formal dinner jacket without tails. This innovation was startling, but met with immediate approval. Subsequently, other men followed suit, meaning they followed his example, and wore tailless coats, which became known as tuxedos jackets, after the name of the place where they first appeared. Jesus once told a parable, recorded in Matthew, chapter 22, of a man who was expelled from a wedding reception because he was not dressed properly. (3361)
Beef (90/10/11)
Today is Thursday, the 11th day of October. The common meaning of the English word "beef" is the meat of a cow or bull, but as a slang term, it denotes a complaint or to complain. American farmers and trade officials often beef about the difficulties of exporting beef to Japan and some of us living in Japan beef about the high price of beef in this country. The price of imported beef is expected to fall in the coming years, however, as restrictions are weakened. Japanese cattle raisers fear that this market liberalization will cause them distress, but some enterprising farmers have begun exporting their high quality wagyu to the United States. It is not expected that this very expensive beef will be sold in American supermarkets. Rather, the hope is to find buyers among high-priced Japanese restaurants in particular and other high-quality restaurants in general. Japanese cattle are raised with great care and produce juicy and tender red meat with a high level of fat which is said to be especially palatable to Japanese, but it remains to be seen whether Americans will appreciate it enough to pay the high prices it will require. Conscientious people who think of the starving people in the world will be reluctant to spend an outrageous amount on luxurious food. (3362)
Dodo (90/10/12)
How are you today, on this twelfth day of October? I hope you are feeling fine, but how would you feel if someone called you a "dodo"? Since you probably don't know what a dodo is, you may not know whether to feel good or bad. This word, derived from a Portuguese word meaning "stupid", is used in English as a slang term for a simpleton. In proper English, however, dodo denotes an extinct bird of the pigeon family which was larger than a turkey. It was found only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. In 1510, when Portuguese sailors first saw this bird on that island with such small wings that it could not fly, they showed their contempt for it by calling it a doudo. Having no natural enemies on that isolated island, the dodo had never developed methods of self-defense, so the settlers and the animals they brought with them easily killed the large birds and by the end of the 17th century, there were no more dodos alive in the world. This gave rise to the expression, "dead as a dodo", which means completely dead. Although a dodo appears as a character in Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland", it is too bad that real dodos died out before the effort began to preserve rare species that are in danger of becoming extinct. (3363)
Albuquerque to Carlsbad (90/10/13)
Today is Saturday, the 13th of October. It was on a Saturday, the 16th of June, that my wife and I flew from Albuquerque to Roswell, New Mexico in the smallest commercial airplane we had ever seen. The pilot and co-pilot were seated in front of the passenger seats and sometimes turned to talk to those passengers in the front seats. Almost all passengers had window seats, but there was little interesting scenery to look at during the 45-minute trip because the land below us was mostly desert. When we disembarked from the plane and walked into the small airport, we were happy to see our son, Steve, waiting for us there. He had driven 120 kilometers to meet us there and to take us to his home in Carlsbad where we were greeted by his wife, Karen, their eight-month old daughter, Danielle, and their pet dog, Ginger. Danielle had spent the first third of her life in Japan for she had accompanied her parents when she was two months old and they stayed with us for a month from early December of last year to early January of this year. Our son, who was born in Japan, regularly returns to this land of his birth during the Christmas/New Year's season, but he does not come back for Obon. During our short stay in Carlsbad, we were happy to join in the celebration of his 37th birthday. (3364)
Chosen People (90/10/14)
This is Sunday, October 14th. One of the important principles found in the Bible is that God elects or selects certain people to accomplish his will in the world. The Old Testament teaches that he selected the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, called Israelites or Jews, as his chosen people. He also chose the dynastic heads of the priestly and royal families. Furthermore, he chose certain people to be his spokesmen, called prophets, who were to communicate his word to his people or to the world at large. In the New Testament, Jesus selected certain men to be his disciples and sent them out to carry on his ministry. In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John, verse 16, he is quoted as saying to these men: "You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit." Pious Jews and sincere Christians today have the sense of being chosen by God. It is a good feeling to be chosen. It is important for them to remember, however, both the basis upon which and the purpose for which they were chosen. They were not chosen because of any quality they possessed. It was completely according to God's discretion. Also, they were not chosen to be masters but to be servants and to bear fruit through humble acts of love, justice and mercy. (3365)
Asase ni Adanami (90/10/15)
My message for this 15th day of October begins with a question: What is your impression of people who talk a lot? Do you consider them wise or foolish? According to the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 12, verse 23, "Sensible people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance." Do you agree with this ancient saying? The Japanese proverb about shallow waters producing noisy waves, asase ni adanami, implies a similar viewpoint as does the English proverb that "Empty vessels make the most sound". In this latter expression, the "vessels" are metal receptacles, such as oil drums, which, when struck, make more noise when they are empty than when they are full. If we agree with these proverbs, we will not be so talkative--unless we have something important to say. Even then, the fewer words, the better. (3366)
Imperial Ceremonies (90/10/16)
Today is Tuesday, the 16th day of October. In today's message I will suggest a theme upon which listeners may write an essay and send it to me for correction and publication in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. Today's theme is related to the imperial ceremonies to be held next month. On November 12th, the enthronement ceremony, Sokuino-rei, will be held, followed by the Daijōsai ceremony on November 22nd. There is special concern about the religious nature of the latter ceremony, in which the emperor is said to receive the spirit of the sun goddess and thus become a kami himself. It is said that the spending of millions of yen of public money on this "public function of the Imperial Household" violates both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution, which stipulates a clear-cut separation between religion and state. Some observers fear that this is another step in the direction of reverting to the ideology prevalent before the end of the Pacific War. I would be interested in reading your thoughts on the coming rituals and their relationship to the Constitution, whether you agree with the spending of public funds on that religious ritual and whether or not you feel any concern about its implications for the future. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463.(3367)
Seventeen (90/10/17)
Today is October the 17th. Seventeen is a prime number. A prime number, or sosū in Japanese, is a number that can be divided only by itself and one. Seventeen is one of only six numbers which is equal to the sum of the digits of its cube. As you may know, the square of a number is the product of a number multiplied by itself and the cube of a number is the product of a number multiplied by itself twice. The cube of 17, that is, 17x17x17, is 4913. When these four digits are added together the result is 17. The other five numbers which have this characteristic are 1, 8, 18, 26 and 27. Among the Greeks, 17 was considered an unfavorable number because it stood between the two favorable numbers of 16, which is the square of 4, and l8, which is twice the square of 3. Seventeen is the name of an amusing novel of adolescence by the famous American novelist, Booth Tarkington, written in 1916. In the 37th chapter of Genesis is the story of a 17-year-old boy, named Joseph, who was sold by his jealous elder brothers to a group of traveling merchants. (3368)
City Life (90/10/18)
Today is the 18th day of October. The United States as a whole has a population density of about 24 people per square kilometer, but in New York City, there are 8,880 people per square kilometer and in the crowded borough of Manhattan, there are an extraordinary 24,000. Unlike rats in laboratory experiments which occupy airy, well-lit cages, New Yorkers are packed into an environment of bursting water pipes, noisy subway trains, crumbling bridges and narrow sidewalks. A professor of clinical psychology at a New York hospital has indicated that the city has a disproportionate number of stress-related conditions such as headaches, high blood pressure, irritable bowels and ringing ears. Also, many people seem to talk to themselves while walking along Manhattan streets. In a recent poll among residents of New York City, 52 percent agreed with the statement that "To live in New York, people need to be a little crazy". Edgar Howe, an American journalist, comparing country people and city folk, wrote: "Farmers worry only during the growing season, but town people worry all the year 'round." City life is certainly more stressful and mentally debilitating than country life, but wherever we live, a healthy faith will make life happier and more meaningful. (3369)
Down (90/10/19)
Today is Friday, the 19th day of October. When you hear the word "down", you probably think of a direction, the opposite of "up". In this case, "down" denotes the direction closer to or deeper in the ground, toward a lower position or away from Tokyo. In the United States, in its geographic sense, "down" is used when going from a place of higher elevation to one lower or from north to south. There are other words, however, with the same spelling and pronunciation but with very different meanings. An expanse of open, high, grassy land may be called a "down", and a certain breed of sheep with short wool that was developed in the downs of England is known as a "down". Still another kind of "down" is the fine, soft, fluffy feathers forming the first plumage of a young bird. This kind of down is sometimes used as the stuffing of warm jackets or soft pillows. I was surprised when I came to Japan and saw pillows made of wood or porcelain. During my stay in this land, I also have often slept on hard pillows stuffed with rice husks or buckwheat chaff, but in my own home we use pillows stuffed with down. The word, "down-hearted" means low in spirit or depressed. If, for any reason, you are down-hearted today, I urge you to look up in faith to the almighty God who loves you. (3370)
Potluck Dinner (90/10/20)
Today is Saturday, October 20th. Carlsbad, New Mexico is a city of some 25,000. While my wife and I were there visiting our son and his family last June, the temperature rose to 43° Celsius. Since the humidity was very low, however, it was not the kind of unbearable heat you were experiencing here in Japan. We arrived in Carlsbad on Saturday evening. The next day was Father's Day, so the sermon we heard in the Methodist Church that morning was related to fathers and their important responsibility in the family, a responsibility that many fathers these days tend to shirk. In the evening, we joined with others of our son's acquaintances and fellow employees for a potluck dinner in the patio and yard of a neighbor across the street. We enjoyed eating the various kinds of food the different families brought and conversing with the people there. The next day was our son's birthday, so we ate out at a restaurant called the Sirloin Stockade which had a large food bar with assorted food from which we could choose our own menus. Because our daughter-in-law had secretly informed the management of the special occasion, our son was surprised and embarrassed when a quartet of waitresses came to our table and sang a couple of verses of a "Happy Birthday" song and presented him with a chocolate cake with a candle on it. (3371)
Wise People (90/10/21)
Today is Sunday, October 21st. In the 5th chapter of the New Testament Letter to the Ephesians, verses 15 to 17, there are two pairs of contrasts. Readers of this letter are told: "Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people" and "Don't be fools, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do." Comparing these two statements, we find that just as "ignorant people" and "fools" are on the negative side, "wise people" and those who "try to find out what the Lord wants [them] to do" are on the positive side. From the biblical standpoint, the wise person is the one who tries to understand and to follow the will of the Lord. In many situations, the Lord's will is not immediately clear, but sincere believers seek to understand how their Lord would act in a particular situation and to do likewise. In between the two sets of contrasts noted above are these words: "Make good use of every opportunity you have". This is another characteristic of a wise person. An "opportunity" is a favorable combination of circumstances, a chance for progress. The wise person takes advantage of such opportunities and makes good use of them. In the light of these instructions, are we living like "wise people" or like "ignorant people"? (3372)
Ostrich (90/10/22)
Today is Monday, October 22nd. The largest of living birds is the ostrich, which is found in Africa. Some ostriches reach a height of almost 2 1/2 meters and weigh over 90 kilograms. There is an ancient, but false, legend that ostriches foolishly bury their heads in the sand to hide from an enemy. Of course, even if their head is buried, their large bodies are still very visible. Thus, in English, we may call a person who tries to avoid disagreeable situations by refusing to face them an ostrich. The Japanese saying atama kakushite, shiri kakusazu is taken from the pheasant's habit of hiding its head in the grass and leaving its tail feathers out in the open. Rather than trying to hide from disagreeable situations or to hide our faults, it is better to courageously confront enemies or our own weaknesses and seek to overcome them with the help of God. (3373)
Swallows (90/10/23)
Today, October 23rd, is known as Swallows Day in a small community southeast of Los Angeles called San Juan Capistrano. In 1776, a mission was founded in that place, but thirty-five years later an earthquake caused its buildings to collapse. Following that catastrophe, thousands of swallows came and nested in the ruins. It is said that flocks of swallows continue to come every year to San Juan Capistrano on March 19th and leave on October 23rd. Swallows are beautiful birds that are graceful in flight. Can you think of other birds whose names in English begin with the letter "s"? Any such bird is the suggested subject for your essay this week. Each kind of bird has its own particular characteristics. Legends or rumors are connected with some birds. You may recognize such birds as sparrows, swans and storks, but have you heard of starlings, snipes, shrikes or sandpipers? There are also snowbirds, snake birds and even secretary birds. I would be happy to receive a short essay from you on any of the above-mentioned birds, which I will correct and print in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3374)
A Winning Ticket (90/10/24)
Today is October the 24th. A lottery is a game of chance in which tickets are sold and a drawing is held to determine the winner. Some civic organizations or governments sponsor lotteries in order to raise money and many poor people dream of striking it rich by buying a winning ticket. Last month the dream of a 37-year-old cafeteria cook in Boston, became a reality when he won a lottery prize amounting to $3,600,000. As soon as his good fortune was made known, his life suddenly changed. Besieged by accountants, financial advisors and people asking for money, he took a couple of weeks off from the job he had held for twenty years to think things over. After cashing the first check of $180,722 which he was to receive annually for the next 20 years, he went back to work, but that afternoon, he died of a heart attack, which evidently was caused by the stress or becoming an instant millionaire. This event reminded me of the parable Jesus told in chapter 12 of the Gospel of Luke about a rich man whose crops were so abundant that he had to build bigger barns. He thought he could take things easy for many years to come, but he died that very night. True riches are spiritual rather than material.(3375)
National Cathedral (90/10/25)
Today is Thursday, October the 25th. A large, important church may be called a cathedral, but this word more precisely denotes a church containing the throne, or cathedra, of a bishop, the principal church in a diocese, which is the district under a bishop's jurisdiction. The famous Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Washington, D. C. is the seat of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of America. The cornerstone of this cathedral was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 29, 1907 and services were first held there in 1912, while it was still unfinished. Although it is commonly called the National Cathedral, the constitutional separation of church and state prohibits any government funding for religious edifices and its ongoing construction was often delayed while clergy tried to raise money to pay for it. In fact, this seventh largest cathedral in the world was not truly completed until last month when a 450 kilogram stone carved in the shaped of a folded leaf was lifted by a giant crane to a pinnacle 71 meters above the ground. At the dedication ceremony, held exactly 83 years after the cornerstone was laid, President Bush stated, "We have constructed here this symbol of our nation's spiritual life, overlooking the center of our nation's secular life." (3376)
Erie Canal (90/10/26)
One-hundred-seventy-five years ago today, on October 26, 1825, a big celebration was held in New York State. On that day, the governor and other dignitaries boarded a boat in Buffalo to begin a nine-day trip to New York City over the newly-completed, 560-kilometer-long, Erie Canal between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. A major transportation problem of the United States at its founding was how to move goods from the east coast to the frontier across the Appalachian Mountains. This canal, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes, became an arterial waterway. Earlier plans for such a canal had been delayed by the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and financing problems, so New Yorkers were especially happy when the waterway was finally completed. As the dignitaries boarded the boat in Buffalo, a cannon was fired to commemorate the occasion. This was the first of a battery of 500 cannons that had been placed along the route. As gunners heard the blast from the preceding cannon, they fired their own to signal the next one along the way. In this manner, it took 90 minutes for the booming news to reach New York City. After the establishment of railroads, this canal lost its importance, but sections of it are still being used as a part of the New York State Barge Canal. (3377)
Radioactive Waste (90/10/27)
Today is October 27th. Our elder son, Steve, an engineer of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, is now working on a U. S. Department of Energy project outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The aim of this project is to demonstrate the safe disposal of radioactive waste material in natural salt deposits far below the surface of the earth. Steve is in charge of programming and monitoring the maintenance systems of that Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, so he was able to take us on a tour of the underground repository. After putting on the miner-type helmet with a battery-powered light on the front, we descended 655 meters in a bare elevator and boarded a small electric-powered vehicle that Steve drove through a few kilometers of tunnels from which the rock salt had been removed. Into these huge tunnel chambers large metal vessels containing radioactive waste material will be stored. After the chambers are filled, the surrounding rock salt will eventually seal them completely. It was interesting to travel through these tunnels and to see how waste material will be handled--whether directly or by remote control, when it arrives from government facilities around the country. Safe disposal of radioactive waste is one of the basic problems related to the use of nuclear power. (3378)
Reformation Sunday (90/10/28)
Today, October 28th, is the Sunday before October 31st, the day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a German church which began the movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Consequently, in many Protestant churches, today is known as Reformation Sunday and sermons are preached on themes related to certain Protestant doctrines. One such doctrine is related to what is required for a person to be saved from the judgment of a holy and righteous God. Father Luther and his spiritual descendants emphasized that salvation is not attained as the result of rituals, such as baptism, or of certain meritorious acts, such as prayers or offerings. Recognizing the Bible as the supreme authority for their doctrines, they maintain that salvation is the result of simple and sincere faith in God's grace. A verse emphasized by Luther and Protestants in general is found in the Letter to the Romans, chapter 1, verse 17, where we are taught that a person comes into a right relationship with God and finds true life through faith. As the Apostle Paul said to the Philippian jailer, in Acts 16:31: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Happily in recent years, Protestants and Catholics have been deepening their understanding of one another. (3379)
Ato no Gan ga Saki ni Naru (90/10/29)
Today is October 29th. As you may know, a group of birds may be called a flock. When a flock of birds are flying together, they may be called a flight and a flight of wildfowl in particular may be called a skein. At certain times of year, skeins of wild geese may be seen in the sky. Usually, the geese fly in an orderly formation, but according to a Japanese proverb, a goose in the rear may become the leader, ato no gan ga saki ni naru. Such a saying is used when a younger person outshines a senior colleague or a student becomes more honored than his teacher. There is a famous saying of Jesus that has a similar meaning. Comparing the present and future states of certain people, he told his disciples, in Matthew 19:30, that "many who now are first will be last, and many who now are last will be first." Does this saying bring to you a feeling of hope or fear?(3380)
Summer Activities (90/10/02)
Leiden Seize Ended (90/10/03)
First English Bible (90/10/04)
Ambulance (90/10/05)
Albuquerque (90/10/06)
Help Needy People (90/10/07)
After a Rain (90/10/08)
Japanese Written Language (90/10/09)
Tuxedos (90/10/10)
Beef (90/10/11)
Dodo (90/10/12)
Albuquerque to Carlsbad (90/10/13)
Chosen People (90/10/14)
Asase ni Adanami (90/10/15)
Imperial Ceremonies (90/10/16)
Seventeen (90/10/17)
City Life (90/10/18)
Down (90/10/19)
Potluck Dinner (90/10/20)
Wise People (90/10/21)
Ostrich (90/10/22)
Swallows (90/10/23)
A Winning Ticket (90/10/24)
National Cathedral (90/10/25)
Erie Canal (90/10/26)
Radioactive Waste (90/10/27)
Reformation Sunday (90/10/28)
Ato no Gan ga Saki ni Naru (90/10/29)
Lotteries (90/10/30)
Harry Houdini (90/10/31)
Aite no Nai Kenka (90/10/01)