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During the millennium between 814 and 1814, there were eighteen kings of France named Louis, spelled L-o-u-i-s, meaning "famous in war". The English pronunciation of this name is "loo-is" and in both England and America, another name with that pronunciation is spelled L-e-w-i-s. Three hundred and fifty-five years ago today, on May 14,1643, Louis XIV ascended the French throne following the death of his father, Louis XIII. He was not yet five years old at the time, so his mother served as regent, although actual power was in the hands of her adviser, Cardinal Mazarin. Because he became king at such a young age, his reign of over 72 years is the longest of any European monarch. He is also known as Louis, the Great, and the Sun King. During his reign, the absolute monarchy, based on the theory of divine right, reached its apex, and he is said to have made the famous statement, "I am the state". This is quite different from the Japanese Constitution whose first article clearly states that the "Tenno", literally meaning "heavenly ruler" but translated " Emperor", "shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power." -------In industrialized countries, many things made of plastic make our lives more convenient. "Plastic" comes from a Greek word meaning mold or form. The verbal form of this word is found in the New Testament Letter to the Romans, chapter 9, verse 20, where Paul alludes to human beings being formed by God as a potter molds a clay vessel. Stores provide plastic bags for customers and many containers of soft drinks are made of plastic, but how to dispose of plastic products has become a problem. A zoo in Fukuoka Prefecture is urging visitors not to discard plastic drink containers in animal compartments following the death of a two-year-old seal, which was very popular with children. The stomach of the seal was found to contain two plastic drink containers and a plastic button that caused intestinal obstruction. Along with an increase in the number of convenient products, there seems to be a decline in the manners of those who use them. It is not uncommon to see people dispose of trash in public places with no thought of the inconvenience or harm it may cause nor of its effect on the environment. Human beings, formed in the image of God, should manifest more of the character of their Creator. -------My wife and I arrived in the city of Kariya in August of 1953 with our 6-week-old son. In September, I began holding weekly Bible Classes in our home. The Tuesday evening class was an English Bible Class, but at the Friday evening class, we studied from the newly-published colloquial Japanese version of the Bible. In October, we held our first Sunday morning worship service. Singing hymns of praise to God is an important element in Christian worship and such singing is usually accompanied by a musical instrument. The traditional musical instrument in most churches is an organ. The week before that first worship service was held, we had purchased a small pump organ. The most appropriate place to put it in the living room of our apartment was in the small alcove, called a "toko-no-ma" in Japanese. Along with the rest of the rooms in that apartment, it had a wood floor which was a bit higher than the rest of the room. The organ was placed on one side of the alcove so my wife was able to have a side view of the congregation while she played it. Although she had almost no formal training in piano and none in organ, her organ playing made a major contribution to our worship services throughout the years. -------In both English and Japanese, the greetings used when meeting people differ according to the time of day, but among Jews, the same Hebrew word is used as a greeting at any time of day. It also may be used when parting. The word is "shalom", spelled s-h-a-l-o-m, and is translated by a number of different English terms in the Old Testament, including "favour", "good health", "prosperity", "rest" and "welfare", but the most common translation is "peace". According to my Bible concordance, this word occurs 172 times in the Authorized, or King James, Version of the Old Testament. In the book of Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3, this word is repeated for emphasis and is translated "perfect peace". In that classical translation of the Bible, that verse is as follows: "Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee." For over a half of a century, Japan has been at peace in one sense. But in a deeper sense many of her citizens are not at peace. Their hearts are not at rest. Rather, they are filled with anxiety about both present problems and future concerns. Since the prophet spoke these words over 2700 years ago, those with a healthy faith in the living God have experienced their validity. -------The word for today is "phoenix", spelled p-h-o-e-n-i-x. Do you know any place with that name? There are small towns in the American states of New York and Illinois named Phoenix as well as the large city which is the capital of Arizona. Phoenix is the name of a mythological bird about which there is an interesting fable or legend, so it may be called a fabulous or legendary bird. According to the legend, this bird with scarlet and gold feathers lived for many centuries, but as its death approached, it built a nest of aromatic boughs and spices. Flapping its wings over the nest, it set the nest on fire while singing a sad song and was consumed by the fire, but out of the ashes, it arose to begin a new life. In Egypt a phoenix was a sacred symbol of death and resurrection. -------News articles related to financial matters often contain references to Wall Street. Do you know where Wall Street is located and can you imagine why it was given that name? The five divisions of New York City are called boroughs. The cultural and commercial center of the city is the borough of Manhattan, an island whose boundaries are rivers on the east, west and north and a bay on the south. There is a short street in the lower part of Manhattan called Wall Street. It is the center of a district in which are located stock exchanges, brokerage houses and main offices of banking firms, insurance, railroad and steamship companies and large industrial corporations. The high buildings on both sides of this narrow street may give a pedestrian the impression of being "walled in", but that is not reason for its name. Rather, it was the place where a stockade, or wall, was built in 1653 by Dutch colonists to protect the settled area south of it from assault by the English and by Native Americans. Two historic buildings located along Wall Street are Trinity Church and the Federal Hall National Memorial erected on the site of the first seat of the federal government, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president. -------In modern Japanese, the colloquial term, "kyoiku mama", "education mama" denotes a mother who is very concerned about the educational advancement of her children. She encourages or pressures them to do their best, even though the end result of such solicitude is not always beneficial. I suppose there are also some "kyoiku papa's", but I have never heard that term used. It would have been an appropriate term for the father of the British philosopher and economist who was born 192 years ago today, on May 20, 1806. John Stuart Mill was educated privately by his father, who decided that his child should learn Greek at three, read Plato at seven, and study Latin at eight. There were to be no holidays and no relaxation. Mill's writings on logic, political economy, liberty and utilitarianism have been very influential, but he himself felt that he had never experienced boyhood. In his Autobiography, he wrote: "No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible, until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought." On Sunday afternoon, May 31st, we will hold a meeting of "Daily Word" fans at the Nagoya City Kyoikukan near Sakae and you are invited to attend. -------The southern states of the United States of America are sometimes called Dixie or Dixieland. There are different theories regarding the origin of this term. According to one theory, a man by the name of Dixie owned a large tract of land on Manhattan Island on which many slaves worked. He treated his slaves very kindly and after they left for other places they had fond memories of that "land of Dixie". According to another theory, the name is derived from the name of one of the two men who drew the boundary between the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania which became known as the Mason-Dixon line, regarded as the line of demarcation between the North and the South, between "free" states and "slave" states. But the name probably comes from the ten-dollar bills issued by a bank in the state of Louisiana, where both English and French were used. These bills had the word "dix" on the back, which is the French word for "ten", and they were called "dixies". A song called "Dixie", written in 1859, became very popular and was used as the unofficial national anthem of the Confederacy during the Civil War. And "Dixieland" denotes a particular style of instrumental jazz associated with New Orleans. -------There are various areas in which Japan is an outstanding country. One of them is related to the number of its vending machines. The two million vending machines scattered around the country are the highest number per person of any country in the world. Such machines are found on the sides of narrow streets and in parking lots as well as in conference rooms and offices. Beverages are a popular item in such machines and there are over a hundred different varieties available, but canned coffee accounts for the biggest single share of the domestic soft drink market at about 30 percent. Canned coffee is said to be a Japanese invention and since it may be obtained either hot or cold, it is available throughout the year. According to a survey conducted by the All Japan Coffee Association, canned coffee is most popular among men in their 20s and 30s who do not brew their own drinks and do not care whether they come in porcelain cups. Nowadays, many career-conscious women are reluctant to serve tea to their male colleagues as was done in the past, so vending machines with canned coffee have gained a respectable place in many offices. Unlike coffee machines, there is no need to clean a water tank every day. -------Looking over copies of newsletters written to our supporting church in the United States 44 years ago, I am reminded of the interest and enjoyment shown by Japanese young people in singing hymns after we bought an organ. It became our custom to sing a hymn at the beginning of both the Senior English Bible Class and the Japanese Bible Class. Moreover, once a month, following the Japanese Bible Class, class members remained to sing many other hymns. Another important piece of equipment we purchased was a "toshaban", which we call mimeograph in English. Of course, this mimeograph was not a mechanical one. The inked roller was moved by hand to force ink through the stencil, or "genshi", and onto the paper. And usually the stencil was not prepared on our portable English-language typewriter. It had to be cut by hand using a stylus, or "teppitsu". In those days, I always had to ask a Japanese person to prepare the stencil. In this way, papers with the words of the hymns we sang were printed and given to the hymn-singers. The favorite hymn was "What a Friend we have in Jesus". Those present knew the melody, for it was used for a well-known secular song, but most singers did not know it was the melody of a Christian hymn. -------The word "church" has a number of different meanings. It may denote the building where religious services are held or a particular religious organization. But the primary meaning is a spiritual fellowship of those who have responded to God's invitation to join his family. Unfortunately, the Japanese term for "church" literally means "teaching meeting". The English word is rooted in a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord" and the Greek word for "church" literally means "called out". The church is composed of people "belonging to the Lord" who have been "called out" by God for a special purpose. The nature of the church is seen in the First Letter of Peter in the New Testament which is addressed to "God's elect, strangers in the world". In verse 9 of chapter 2, he calls his readers "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" and gives the purpose of their calling: "that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". More important than a building or an organization is the spiritual company of Christians, believers in and followers of Christ, who are seeking to bring light into a world of darkness by their witness through words and deeds. -------Do you prefer writing with a pencil or a "fude"? A "fude", or writing brush, is the traditional writing implement in Japan used especially by calligraphers. It is quite different than the pointed, rod-shaped instrument with a thin core of carbon called a pencil, but originally, "pencil" also denoted an artist's brush and even today a fine artist's brush may be called a "pencil". This word is rooted in a Latin word meaning "little tail" and is unrelated to the word "pen", which comes from a Latin word for "feather", for, originally, pens were made from the quills of birds. Although there is no etymological relationship between pen and pencil, there is a common root of "pencil" and "penicillin". This antibiotic substance is made from molds, or fungi, that have "little tails". -------The fiftieth anniversary of some event is often celebrated in a special way. The fiftieth anniversary of a wedding is called the golden anniversary. The state of Israel is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year with various special events. I don't know whether a special celebration will be held in the German city of Wolfsburg, but according to a reference book, it was fifty years ago today, on May 26, 1938, that the first Volkswagen motor car came off the assembly line at the factory there. "Volkswagen", of course, means "peoples' car". Until the establishment of that factory, Wolfsburg was only a small village, but it subsequently grew quickly and prospered. On this coming Sunday afternoon, May 31st, at 1:30, we will hold the 70th meeting of "Daily Word" fans at the Nagoya City kyoikukan, near Sakae and you are invited to attend. At that meeting, the 60th issue of "Daily Word" Echoes will be available. There is no special theme for this meeting but each of those attending will be given an opportunity to give a short talk on any subject, which may relate to personal experiences, hobbies, areas of special interest or this "Daily Word" service. My wife and I would be happy to see you there. -------Geyser, spelled g-e-y-s-e-r, is the name of a certain hot spring in Iceland. Derived from an Icelandic word meaning "to gush", it has become a common noun in English, denoting a natural hot spring that intermittently ejects a column of water and steam into the air. Notable geysers are found in Iceland, New Zealand and the western part of the United States. In Yellowstone National Park, in the northwestern corner of the state of Wyoming, there are some 200 geysers. The most famous one, "Old Faithful", erupts about every 66 minutes, shooting some 42,000 liters of water about 46 meters into the air. Three weeks ago, a new geyser suddenly erupted on the front lawn of a lady's home in a quiet neighborhood three blocks from the main business district of Rotorua, New Zealand. During the sudden eruption, which terrified the lady and her neighbors, rocks were hurled into the air and a steaming pool 2 meters in diameter and 3 meters deep which continues to fizz was left in the front yard. Now, many sightseers come to see the sight, but the lady herself is looking for another place to live. In human society, if a person's emotions are continually suppressed, they may erupt like a geyser at an unexpected time. -------The scientific study of animals is called zoology and one branch of zoology is ornithology, the scientific study of birds. Ornithologists are concerned about the decrease in the number and kinds of birds found in metropolitan areas. As urban areas increase, wooded areas where birds can breed are reduced or eliminated. Recently, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government released the results of a survey conducted by the Japan Society for Birds for three months from May to June 1997. According to that survey, there are 120 species of birds in Tokyo, but the number of small, pretty songbirds is declining while the number of large, black crows is increasing. Red-tailed thrushes inhabited 58 areas in the 1970s but are now found only in the Tama area. Larks now live in 105 areas, down from 218 areas they inhabited in the 1970s, while white plovers have disappeared from the Tama River area completely. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 26, Jesus told people to look at and learn from the birds but city-dwellers these days have little opportunity to follow his advice. You are invited to attend the meeting of "Daily Word" fans on this coming Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Nagoya City Kyoikukan near Sakae. -------The moon is the satellite of the earth which reflects the light of the sun at night. That reflected light may be called "moonlight" or "moonshine", but both of these words have other informal or slang meanings. "Moonlight" is used as a verb to denote working at another job in addition to one's full-time job. Such side jobs are often done at night when the moon is shining. A school teacher, an office worker or a farmer may moonlight as a security guard at night to supplement his income. "Moonshine" may mean moonlight, but it is also used, informally, to denote foolish or nonsensical talk. And as a slang term, it means illegally produced whiskey. During the Prohibition period in the United States (from 1920-1933), when the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages was prohibited, many moonshining activities took place in certain areas under the light of the moon. You are invited to attend the meeting of " Daily Word" fans on this coming Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Nagoya City Kyoikukan near Sakae. There is no special theme for this meeting, but all in attendance will be given an opportunity to speak on any topic they desire or to comment on this "Daily Word" telephone service. -------While living in Tokyo 47 years ago, my wife and I were surprised at the way Christmas was celebrated with bright decorations, joyful music and boisterous parties, but with no recognition of the meaning of the celebration. Our first Christmas in Kariya, in 1953, was an especially busy time for us. On the Sunday afternoon before Christmas, a neighborhood children's club party was held in a public school. A leader of the club had asked me to give a short talk on the meaning of Christmas, but when the school principal noticed that I was present, he informed the leader that the public school could not be used to promulgate a particular religion even on Sunday to a neighborhood children's club, so my talk was not given. On Christmas Day, the first day of the winter vacation for schoolchildren, we held Christmas meetings for children in a public meeting hall in the morning and in a company auditorium in the afternoon. In the evening, a third meeting was held for the Bible Class students at another public meeting hall. At each of these places, we put up Christmas decorations, including a Christmas tree, showed filmstrips and sang Christmas carols, accompanied by my wife at the organ which we transported by a "riya-ka". -------Living languages are constantly changing. Public speakers must be careful about the words they use, especially when speaking about persons with physical disabilities. Comparing Japanese translations of the Bible, we find the following terms used in the 9th chapter of the Gospel of John for a man who was born blind: "meshii, mekura, moujin and me no mienai hito". Seeing this man, Jesus' disciples asked him the reason the man was born blind. It was the common belief of that day (and of many people today) that a person's misfortune is the result of some sin committed by that person, but since this man was blind from birth, they asked if it was due to the sin of his parents. Jesus' answer indicated that the law of cause and effect does not always apply. He replied, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Then Jesus healed the man. This story should encourage us when we face different kinds of problems in our lives. The cause of such problems may never be fully understood, but people with a healthy faith realize that God can make use of problems for a good purpose that will bring benefit to the individual involved and honor to God. -------The word "dozen", spelled d-o-z-e-n, rooted in Latin words meaning "two" and "ten", means twelve. But a "baker's dozen" means thirteen. This term originated in England in the 15th century. At that time, there were very strict laws regulating the weight of various bakery goods, such as breads, muffins and cakes. Bakers who sold products that were underweight were liable to be fined. At that time, it was difficult to accurately determine the exact weight of such things, so bakers added an extra loaf when a customer ordered a dozen. In this way, they avoided paying a penalty if the twelve loaves were found to be underweight. That reminds me of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:41, to go an "extra mile" when one was forced by a Roman soldier to go one mile. -------A popular automobile produced by the Toyota Motor Company is the "Corona". This name is derived from a Latin word for "crown". When I checked an English dictionary, I was surprised to find six different meanings of "corona". It is a term used in five different areas of study: astronomy, architecture, anatomy, botany and electricity. It also denotes a cigar with a long tapering body and blunt ends. The adjective "coronary" signifies something related to the heart and the blood vessels that carry blood to or from the heart are called coronary arteries and coronary veins. "Corona" is also found in the word "coronation", which is the ceremony of crowning a king or queen. It was 45 years ago today, on June 2, 1953 that the coronation of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, was held in Westminster Abbey, a famous, historic church in London. She had officially become queen over a year earlier upon the death of her father, George VI. On the day of her coronation a New Zealand mountain climber, Edmond Hillary, became the first man to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Later, the queen bestowed the title of "knight" on Mr. Hillary, after which he was officially addressed as "Sir". -------Norman is a masculine name in English. Literally, it means Northman and is also used to denote a person from the northern part of France called Normandy or a descendant of such a person. The people in the northern European countries of Scandinavia who settled in Normandy were also called Norsemen. In the year 1066, the Normans conquered England and the duke of Normandy became the King of England, known as William I. After that Norman Conquest, the language spoken in England by the Normans, called Norman French, became the language of the ruling class and many French words entered the English language. Along with such words, a number of terms beginning with the word "French" are in common use in modern English. At a restaurant, we may order French toast, French fries, a French chop, French pastry or French dressing. Some men's shirts have a French cuff and tailors make use of French chalk to make marks on a fabric. In a band or orchestra, there is usually a French horn. Some houses have French doors or French windows and an informal, unannounced, or abrupt departure may be called a French leave. There is a small breed of dog called a French bulldog and a flower called a French marigold. -------There are a couple of colloquial English expressions that include the masculine name "George". This name is rooted in a Greek word meaning "earthworker", "husbandman" or "farmer", and the expressions are "By George" and "Let George do it". As noted in my message of April 23rd, St. George is the patron saint of England. In battles, some English soldiers called on St. George to protect them or to give them victory. "By George" is now used as an oath or exclamation instead of the religiously unacceptable term "By God". "Let George do it", on the other hand, comes from a common saying of the French king Louis XII. Cardinal Georges was one of his ministers and when an unpleasant task arose, he often said "Let Georges do it". It is now used by a person who wants to shift responsibility to someone else and means "Let someone else do it". Today, June 4th, is the 160th anniversary of the birth of the longest reigning king in British history. King George III, the grandson of George II, became king when he was 22 years old following the death of his grandfather. It was during his 60-year reign, that the American colonies revolted against British rule and the French Revolutionary Wars occurred, in which Britain also was involved. -------Today, June the 5th, is a national holiday in the Republic of Seychelles. If you know how to spell the name of this island nation and if you know where it is located, you are exceptional. Spelled S-e-y-c-h-e-l-l-e-s, it comprises about 85 islands in the Indian Ocean approximately 1,600 kilometers east of the African country of Kenya. About half of the islands are coralline, but the main islands are granitic. Its population of about 78,000 is a mixture of Asians, Africans and Europeans; the official languages are English, French and a special form of Creole. These islands were discovered by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama in 1502 but were claimed by France two-and-a-half centuries later. In 1754, they came under the control of Great Britain which ruled them until their independence in 1976. Today's holiday, called Seychelles Liberation Day, commemorates a bloodless coup on this day in 1977, led by Albert Rene, who continues to serve as president today under a new constitution. The main industry of the country is tourism and its chief crops are coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, tea and patchouli, a tree with leaves that yield a fragrant oil used in the manufacture of perfumes. Over 90% of its inhabitants are Roman Catholic. -------When my wife and I and our baby son moved to the city of Kariya in 1953, living conditions were very different than those at the present time. There were no supermarkets, so shopping for food required visiting a number of small shops that specialized in certain items: fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, bread and so on. There were a couple of small shops in our neighborhood, but we often rode our bicycles to others located further away. One of the shops agreed to deliver fresh milk to our house every morning. Milk at that time was sold in bottles and we requested that our milk be delivered in the large bottles equal to about one liter which we had had delivered in Tokyo. We were told, however, that those large bottles were not available at that milk shop so the milkman delivered many small bottles of milk every day. One day, however, in order to please us, he delivered our milk in one large bottle. The problem was that it was a large long-necked "sake" bottle which made the white milk look bluish-green and did not fit in our refrigerator. He himself had emptied the contents of the small bottles into the large bottle, but we informed him that we preferred the small bottles to that kind of bottle. -------In traditional Japanese homes, there is both a "kamidana", or god-shelf, and a "butsudan", or Buddhist altar. At certain times, offerings are placed before those sacred emblems. Offerings are a common element in rituals of all religions, but the particular kind of offering varies depending on the religion. The Old Testament law specifies such offerings as vegetables and grains as well as animal sacrifices. Offerings and sacrifices were essential elements in worship at the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, but the Apostle Paul exhorts Christians in Rome to offer a different kind of sacrifice. In the 12th chapter of his letter to the Roman Christians he tells them to offer their bodies as " living sacrifices" to God. He calls this a spiritual, or reasonable, act of worship. Jesus also emphasized the inner, spiritual aspect of worship rather than external, formal rituals. It is possible to perform religious ceremonies without any faith whatsoever, but if we offer our bodies to God as an act of worship, then our whole lives become involved. In English, we speak of a "worship service". When we offer ourselves to God in worship, the words, actions and attitudes expressed in our daily lives all become a part of our service to God and to others. -------In my American English dictionary, there are two meanings given for the word "culprit", spelled c-u-l-p-r-i-t. It may denote a person "accused "of a crime or a person "guilty" of a crime. The dictionary notes that the word comes from Anglo-French, also called Anglo-Norman. During the Norman period of English history, which lasted about a century following the Norman Conquest of 1066, legal proceedings in England were conducted in French and this word comes from the formal statement of a prosecutor after a defendant pleaded "Not guilty". The statement meant: "He is guilty and I am ready to prove our charge." A shortened form of that French statement was recorded as "cul. prest.", which was further shortened to "culprit". I hope this word will never be used for you--or me. -------A locomotive is a vehicle that runs on a railroad track and pulls unpowered passenger cars or freight cars behind it. This word is derived from Latin words meaning "place" and "moving" for a locomotive moves from place to place. Originally, locomotives were powered by steam engines and had a large smokestack through which smoke created by the burning fuel was released into the atmosphere. Nowadays, most locomotives are powered by electricity or have a diesel engine. The English engineer who perfected the steam locomotive, George Stephenson, was born 217 years ago today, on June 9, 1781. Stephenson began working in a coal mine when he was a young man. He had little formal education but had a natural ability for repairing clocks, watches and any kind of machine. At the age of 18, he learned to read and write while attending a night school. He devised a safety lamp for miners and the locomotive he constructed was to haul coal from mines. Following the invention of steam locomotives, railroads were constructed in England. Stephenson became an engineer for a number of them and was consulted in the building of railroads and bridges in England and elsewhere. -------Japanese are well-known for their group consciousness. Conformity is valued more highly than individualism as indicated by the proverb "Deru kui wa utareru", A post that sticks out will be hammered down. Everyone is expected to preserve the unity of the group by "following the crowd". Another proverb with a similar emphasis is "Go ni iritewa, go ni shitagae", When in the village, follow the villagers. The corresponding proverb in English, When in Rome, do as the Romans do, is said to have originated in the 4th century from advice given by Ambrose, bishop of Milan, to Augustine, who later became bishop of Hippo. Both of these men are now called "saints". It was the custom at that time for people in Rome to fast on Saturday, but that was not the custom in Milan. When Augustine asked whether he should fast on Saturday, Ambrose replied: "When I am in Milan, I do as they do in Milan; but when I go to Rome, I do as Rome does." Insofar as we are able to conscientiously do so, we should adapt to the customs of the people among whom we live. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians, chapter 9, that he adapted himself to the lifestyle of those around him in order to more effectively preach the Gospel to them. -------The hard outer covering of an egg, fruit, seed or animal maybe called a "shell", spelled s-h-e-l-l. Certain kinds of fish, such as lobsters, crabs and mollusks, are called shellfish and the shell of a mollusk is called a sea shell. The symbol of a sea shell may be seen at many gas stations, which are called "gasorin stando" in Japanese. Gas stations with this symbol are related to the Shell Oil Company and there is an interesting story behind its name. In the mid-1800s, there was a novelty shop in London called The Shell Shop. At that shop, boxes of pretty sea shells were sold. Some of these sea shells were imported from other countries. The international trade business of this shop expanded when the shop owner began exporting kerosene and The Shell Shop became the Shell Transport and Trading Company. Eventually, this company became the Shell Oil Company with a sea shell as its symbol. I once heard a story about a man who had been injured in a traffic accident. He regained consciousness at a Shell gas station and became very frightened when he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a large sign bearing the word SHELL, but someone was standing in front of the S, so you can imagine where he thought he was. -------Today is a national holiday in the Republic of the Philippines called "Philippine Independence Day". In that country, there are over 7000 islands, only about 400 of which are permanently inhabited. Ninety-five percent of the total population resides on the eleven largest islands. The first Europeans to visit the Philippines were those who accompanied the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, on his expedition around the world in 1521. It was there that Magellan was killed in a battle between Filipinos. Named in honor of the Spanish king, Philip II, the Philippines remained under Spanish domination until the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, after which the United States took control. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo, a rebel leader, declared the Philippines independent and established a provisional government, but it was not until 1946, following the Pacific War, that the Philippines officially became independent. Many different languages are spoken in the Philippines, but both Pilipino and English are recognized as official. The Roman Catholic Church is the predominant religion. Two years ago, an autonomous Muslim region in southern Mindanao was established to bring an end to a rebellion by Muslim separatists. -------When my wife and I and our baby son moved from the metropolis of Tokyo to the city of Kariya 45 years ago, that city, located about 40 minutes from Nagoya, had a population of a little more than 30,000, and we were the only Westerners living there. Although we were called "blue-eyed white people", actually our eyes are not blue, nor is our skin white. Nevertheless, our appearance was obviously different than the other residents and, thus, we were extraordinary. Consequently, we were sometimes called upon to give advice or instruction in areas in which we had no special training. For example, my wife was asked to give a talk at a public senior high school on "American Etiquette". She had no special expertise in that field, but she was willing to share with them some basic ideas or common customs related to etiquette. And even though I had no special knowledge about how to teach English, I was asked to demonstrate good English teaching techniques to high school English teachers by teaching a high school English class in their presence. I am not sure how helpful such talks were, but they did serve to let people know that an American couple engaged in Christian missionary work was residing in the area. -------According to an English proverb, "seeing is believing". According to the New Testament, however, belief is different than seeing. We believe in what we cannot see. When we see something, we no longer need to believe it for we know it. The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews begins with these words: "faith is being . . . certain of what we do not see." Following this introductory statement, this chapter includes many examples of Old Testament men and women who demonstrated the power of faith in what they did not see. From my viewpoint, all people have some kind of faith--including atheists who believe there is no God. Participating in religious rituals does not always mean that those participating in the rituals have faith related to the rituals. Such rituals may simply be a traditional custom rather than an expression of faith. The real faith of a person is seen in that person's daily life--in his or her system of values, how she or he spends her or his time, on what basis decisions are made, what is considered of primary importance, one's moral principles and one's attitudes, words and actions. In II Corinthians 4:18, it is written: "we fix our eyes . . . on what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -------The two main political parties in the United States are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, but forerunners of the present Democratic Party called themselves Republicans or Democratic Republicans. Governments of some countries are called democracies and others are called republics, but what is the difference between them? The word "democracy" is derived from Greek words meaning "people power" or "rule by the people". " Republic" is derived from Latin words meaning "things public" or "public affairs". Both words denote a government in which supreme power is in the hands of the people, its citizens, but a "democracy" may signify the rule of the people directly, and a "republic" may denote the rule of the people through elected representatives. -------I recently received a letter from a former listener to these "Daily Word" telephone messages who is now living in another country. At the end of her letter, she asked why wedding rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand. Neither my wife nor I could provide the answer to her question, but I did find the answer in a book entitled "The Book of Answers", where it is written: "The custom of wearing the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand began with the Greeks in the third century B.C. Greek physicians believed that this finger contained a 'vein of love' that ran directly to the heart." The book further stated that the practice of wearing wedding rings may be a vestige of ancient barbaric marriage practices "when a man would capture a woman and bind her to his house with chains, which are now symbolized by the ring. Others think the practice originated in ancient Egypt about 2800 B.C. As the circular ring has no beginning or end, it is the perfect symbol of the eternal bond of marriage." That is the end of the quotation, but unfortunately, there are many newlyweds these days who do no have such a long-lasting view of marriage vows, even when they are made in a Christian Church. -------Last year, I became seventy years old and last month, I retired as pastor of the church in Takahama. Last week, my wife also retired from her teaching position at Nagoya International School. Next week, we plan to leave Japan for a visit to the United States. During the two-month trip, we intend to stop at two retirement communities and talk with staff members regarding the possibility of our living there in the future. Both of these communities are located in warm areas: southern California and northern Florida. While in the United States, we expect to see all of our brothers and sisters and many of their children as well as old classmates and former missionaries to Japan. I plan to continue calling in recycled messages from overseas, adding a personal note at the end of each one telling of our activities on the previous day. We expect to return to our present residence the end of August but our plans beyond that time are indefinite. After our return, I plan to continue transmitting oral messages by telephone and sending out printed copies of the messages for the next week along with Japanese translations to those who request them. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama, Nagoya 463-8691. -------Do you know how to spell the word pronounced "peek"? In fact, there are three different ways to spell words with that pronunciation. The one spelled p-e-a-k, denotes a tapering, projecting point. The pointed summit of a mountain is one kind of peak. The pointed end of a cap or the top of a roof are also peaks. And the point of highest development is another kind of peak. An author may write a novel at the peak of his career. Another word, having the same pronunciation but spelled p-e-e-k, denotes a quick glance at something, especially when looking from a hiding place or when looking through a small opening. I may take a peek at the preparations my wife makes before a meal to see what will be served and if a door is open just a crack, we may peek at what children are doing in their playroom. The third word with this pronunciation may not be so familiar. It is spelled p-i-q-u-e and denotes a feeling of resentment resulting from wounded pride or vanity. A person may be piqued when he or she is ignored at a social gathering. As a verb, it may also mean to arouse. Sometimes, listening to or reading these messages may pique one's curiosity, resulting in further study about the subject of the message. -------Harajuku, which lies between Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo, has been called the nation's fashion capital. Last November, a new bicycle shop, Harajuku Jitensha, was opened there. This shop caters especially to the young trendsetters who visit that area. Along with the regular style bicycles available, there are name-brand bikes with names such as BMW, Hermes, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Rover. Some models cost as much as 380,000 yen, but they also may be rented for 1000 yen an hour. Ordinary bikes, which were also chosen on the basis of their stylishness, may be rented for 500 yen an hour. The store's manager, 32-year-old Yuumi Mizunaga, who used to get tired out while walking around that area herself, hopes to change the traditional idea of a bicycle as simply a means of transportation and make it a fashion item. The average age of those who patronize her shop is 21. They are mainly students of high school, college or a professional school. Bikes are not only used by people who go shopping in the area or for business purposes. They are also used for dates or for simply riding around for pleasure. The store rents about 40 to 50 bikes a day on weekdays and about twice that number on weekends. -------Before moving to Kariya in 1953, we had spent a year-and-a-half in Tokyo. During most of that time, we attended classes five days a week at a Japanese language school. We lived in a Japanese community where we spoke Japanese to our landlord and his wife and used Japanese when shopping, going to a bank or post office and so on. Thus, when we arrived in Kariya, we were able to carry on simple conversations in Japanese. Of course, teaching an English Bible Class was not a problem, but preparing for the Japanese Bible Class and the Sunday morning sermon required special preparation and I felt the need of a tutor who knew some English. For a while, a university student in the neighborhood came to help me once a week, but since he was unacquainted with the Bible and Christian thought and his knowledge of English was limited, he was not so helpful. As a more satisfactory arrangement, an English teacher at a nearby senior high school agreed to come to help me with my sermon and other preparations. I, in turn, went weekly to his school to attend and assist in the English Club. Of course, this provided me with a contact with the school and some of the students there, so it was mutually beneficial. -------It is common in many Christian churches to begin a worship service with what is called a "Call to Worship". In our church in Takahama, verses from the Old Testament book of Psalms are quoted for this "Call to Worship". Such psalms were often used by Jewish worshippers as they proceeded to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and continue to be recited in Jewish synagogues today. But the 100th Psalm is a call to all people in the world to join in giving praise and thanks to God, their Creator and Shepherd. In the classical translation of the English Bible, this Psalm begins with the words "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord". I have jokingly told people who are not good singers that even if they cannot sing well, they can, at least, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord". A modern version translates that phrase as "Shout for joy to the Lord". The psalm continues with the exhortations to "serve (or worship) the Lord with gladness" and to "enter his gates with thanksgiving". Genuine biblical worship is characterized by joy and thanksgiving. The primary purpose of truly Christian worship is not to get something from God but to give to him our praise and gratitude and to offer ourselves to be used in his service. -------In many eating places in Japan, we may order "omuraisu". This is an example of how words or parts of words from foreign languages are used to make new Japanese words. "Omuraisu" is a combination of "omelet(te)" and "rice". "Rice", of course, can be translated as either "kome" or "gohan". In this word, it means "gohan" and "omuraisu" denotes rice that is wrapped up in an omelet. An "omelet" is a dish consisting of beaten eggs, often with milk or water, cooked in a frying pan. The eggs form a layer in the frying pan, like a thin pancake. "Omelet(te)" is rooted in a Latin word meaning a thin metal plate or blade, but it entered English by way of French. The rice in "omuraisu" is Spanish fried rice and, according to a Spanish proverb, "to make a beautiful omelet, you have to break an egg". -------A "taxi", spelled t-a-x-i, is a shortened form of "taxicab", which is an automobile that carries passengers for a fare, which is usually calculated by a taximeter. A recent report issued by the Transport Ministry was related to taxi fares in Japan in comparison with other industrialized countries. How do you think the rates in Japan compared with those in Britain, France, Germany and the United States? In which country do you imagine the rates were highest? And in which do you think they were lowest? Against a base figure of 100 for Japan, daytime taxi fares over a distance of five kilometers stood at 45 in France, 59 in the United States, 72 in Germany and 73 in Britain. The report noted that a majority of the taxi drivers in France, Germany and the U. S. are immigrants or part-time workers receiving low wages. In the U. S., it seems to be a common practice to give the taxi driver a tip over and above the designated fare. A comparison of subway fares showed that Japan was in the middle. Against a base figure of 100 for Tokyo, subways fares came to 86 in Paris, 96 in New York, 123 in Frankfort and 156 in London. These latest fare comparisons were made on the basis of an exchange rate of 121 yen to the dollar. -------According to the traditional Japanese calendar, "geshi", one of 24 annual seasons, occurred three days ago on June 21st. "Geshi", literally meaning "summer arrival", is the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. In Sweden, the arrival of summer is celebrated on this 24th day of June, called Midsummer Day, and is celebrated with picnics where traditional food is eaten. People dressed in traditional costumes sing folk songs and perform folk dances. Though called Midsummer Day, it is not the middle of summer, but the beginning of that warm season following the cold winter with its short days and long nights. Some festivities are related to the sun-worship of pre-Christian times which have become mixed with Christian ideas for it is also celebrated as the Feast of St. John the Baptist, whom Jesus called "a burning and a shining light" [John 5:35]. Celebrations are also held in certain American communities where many people of Scandinavian descent reside. In Minnesota's Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the celebration, called Swedes' Day, begins with a Lutheran religious service in Swedish, attracts visitors from many states and Canada and is usually attended by the Swedish ambassador to the United States. -------A certain kind of wild sheep found in the Rocky Mountains in the western United States is called bighorn for the male sheep, or ram, has heavy curling horns. It is from the name of this sheep that a mountain range and a river got their names. The Bighorn Mountains and the Bighorn River extend from central Wyoming into southern Montana. Another nearby river is called Little Bighorn and in the Little Bighorn Valley there is a national monument commemorating a famous battle that took place there 122 years ago today, on June 25, 1876. Called Custer's Last Stand, it was there that George Armstrong Custer, an outstanding army officer during the Civil War, met his death along with 260 cavalrymen under his command. They were seeking to force the Native Americans in that area to stop their resistance to miners searching for gold. He did not realize there were many more Native American warriors there than he had imagined and his entire company was annihilated. Recently, the question of apologizing for war-time actions long ago has been raised. In this regard, there is much that European invaders of the North American continent should apologize for in respect to the Native Americans they supplanted. -------How many of the largest islands in the world can you name? The Japanese main island of Honshu is the seventh largest. The largest island is located in the far northern area of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the ice-capped, rocky island of Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The second and third largest islands are located in Asia, in the East Indies which lie between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are the islands of Borneo, a part of Indonesia, and New Guinea, which is divided between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The fourth largest island, which lies in the Indian Ocean off of the southeast coast of Africa, is Madagascar. It is almost three times the size of Honshu and its main crops are coffee (which accounts for 45 percent of its exports), cloves, vanilla, rice, sugar, cassava and peanuts. Today is a national holiday in Madagascar, commemorating the 38th anniversary of its independence from France which was officially declared on June 26, 1960. Most of the 14 million inhabitants of Madagascar are descendants of the Malayan-Indonesians and Africans who probably settled there some 2000 years ago. There are two official languages of Madagascar: Malagasy and French. -------When my wife and I came to Japan 47 years ago, I used to write newsletters regularly to our home church informing it of our activities in this land. Those letters, typed on the portable typewriter my wife had used in college, were retyped in the church office, mimeographed and then distributed to church members who supported us with their offerings and prayers. Looking over copies of those old letters now, I am reminded of how much Japan has changed since then. Riding trains on the Tokaido Line was an interesting experience. At train stations, vendors of lunches, refreshments and other products of that particular area would walk by the open windows to make sales to passengers who sat on straight-backed seats. Passengers at that time often threw their trash in the aisle. A train employee regularly went through the cars, sweeping it up. Often, the cars were full to overflowing. Once, the aisle was so packed that we could not get to a door and had to climb out of the train onto the station platform through a window. At another time, during a four-hour trip, we were unable to get into the car itself, but stood in the corridor between cars, holding on to our one-and-a-half-year-old son. -------A basic theme of the Bible is that we live in a meaningful universe that is not the result of chance but the creation of a personal being who continues to exercise some control over both natural events and human activities. With our limited knowledge and experience, we are often unable to understand why certain sad, unfortunate or disagreeable events occur, but we believe that there is some underlying purpose in all our experiences and that the final result will be beneficial. In the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 12, the writer compares hardship to the discipline that a loving father imposes on his children. Readers are told to "endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons". "God disciplines us for our good, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it". There is a great difference in outlook between those who believe that life is meaningless and those who believe it is meaningful. According to the classical English translation of Paul's Letter to the Romans 8:28, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." -------Today is Monday, the day of the moon, so yesterday was Sunday, the day of the sun. But you probably know that there is another word promounced sun-di that is spelled differently. The kind of sundae, which ends with an e instead of a y, denotes a dish of ice cream with a topping of syrup, fruits, nuts or whipped cream. It is reported that that kind of sundae was first served at an ice cream parlor in the American state of Wisconsin in the 1890s, and at first, it was considered a special dish that was served only on Sundays. Originally, it was spelled the same as the first day of the week, but later--probably to distinguish it from the Sunday that begins with capital S and to add a touch of elegance to the word, the final y was changed to an e. -------When does a child become an adult? It is difficult to designate a certain age as the dividing line between childhood and adulthood, so societies have different rules about this. In Japan, a special ceremony is held to welcome children into adult society after they have reached their 20th birthday. Citizens have the right to vote from the time they are 20 years old. When I was growing up in the United States, I was able to vote after I became 21, but young men were compelled to serve in the armed forces when they were 18. This seemed unfair to many people who argued that if a man is required to fight, and maybe die, for his country when he is 18, he should also have the right to vote at that age. Until 1971, the voting age was determined by the state. In most states, the voting age was 21, but four of them allowed citizens under 21 to vote. Twenty-seven years ago today, on June 30, 1971, the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It stated: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age." On that date, the United States acquired an extra 11 million eligible voters aged 18 through 20. -------A number of English words begin with a prefix derived from the Greek word, philos, meaning "love". A few examples are philosophy, philanthropy and philharmonic, literally meaning love of wisdom, love of human beings and love of harmony. Another example, which is not so well-known is philately, which literally means "love of exemption from payment", which is to say that postage has been prepaid. "Philately" denotes the collection and study of postage stamps. On July 1, 1847, 151 years ago today,the first United States postage stamps went on sale. On that day, two stamps were issued. The face of Benjamin Franklin was printed on the 5 cent stamp and that of George Washington was on the 10 cent stamp. To commemorate that event, some philatelic societies in the United States observe this first day of July as American Stamp Day. I have been a philatelist from my childhood and I now have three large stamp books filled with thousands of used postage stamps from all over the world. For me, philately has been an inexpensive and enjoyable hobby. I save the stamps on every piece of mail I receive. Those I do not add to my collection are sent to a charitable organization which can gain some profit from them. -------Human beings and many other animals have hard, bonelike structures in their jaws that are used for biting, tearing and chewing. They are called "teeth", which is the plural of "tooth". Normally, human beings have 32 teeth, 16 on the upper jaw and 16 on the lower jaw. The 8 teeth on the right and left sides of the jaws are in pairs and the individual teeth have different names to identify them. Those teeth with wide crowns which are used for grinding are called molars. Normally, people have 12 molars, three on each side of the upper and lower jaws. The third molar, which is the back tooth on each side of the jaw is called a "wisdom tooth" in English. Can you imagine why? These back teeth do not usually appear until a person is between the ages of 17 and 25, so they are associated with a person becoming wiser. The English expression "to cut one's wisdom teeth" means to arrive at the age of discretion. I was interested to find that the Japanese term for these teeth,"chie-ba", is a literal translation of the English term, but I was surprised to learn that another name for those teeth was "oya-shirazu", literally meaning "parent unknown", but it can also mean a "dangerous spot" or "everyone for himself". -------In American history, Benjamin Franklin holds an important place. He is generally recognized as the nation's first scientist, first inventor, first philanthropist, first postmaster and first diplomat. He is also famous for his witty sayings and as a dispenser of common sense. There are many anecdotes about his ingenuity or cleverness. One cold evening, for example, he arrived at an inn in Hartford, Connecticut after a long day's horseback ride to find all the chairs by the warming fireplace occupied. He requested the innkeeper to take a bucket of oysters to his horse. The innkeeper, along with the guests, expressed astonishment. But after he repeated his request, all the guests left their seats near the fireplace to follow the innkeeper to see the extraordinary horse which ate oysters. They returned a few minutes later to tell Franklin that his horse would not eat the oysters. "In that case," replied Franklin from his seat by the fireplace, give me the oysters and give my horse some hay." He had accomplished his objective in an indirect, and somewhat amusing, way. In the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told an unusual parable about a dishonest manager who was commended for his shrewdness. -------For nine months following our arrival in Kariya in 1953, we held the meetings of Bible Classes and Sunday worship services in our home, arranging chairs or stools in our living room before and after the meetings. Hearing of a house for rent in a more central location, we agreed to rent that house as a meeting place. We began holding Sunday School classes for children before the Sunday morning worship services as well as women's meetings and youth meetings. We also began looking for someone to live in a couple of rooms of that house to take care of it. We were willing to let a couple live there without paying any rent if they would help in various ways. A real estate agent introduced us to such a couple who became the "rusuban". It was over a year later that I was informed that, although we were permitting the couple to live there rent-free, the real estate agent had been collecting a monthly rental charge from them. We continued to meet in that rented house for a little over two years until we purchased land further down the same street and had our own church erected there. That church was dedicated a year after the birth of our daughter and six months before we made our first visit back to our homeland. -------The true character of a person's religious faith or moral conviction is clearly seen when he or she is required to suffer because of it. Christian history includes the stories of many martyrs who were willing, not only to suffer, but to give their lives for their faith. One such man was John Huss, a religious reformer born in Bohemia. As a conscientious priest, he preached against the abuses of the clergy of his day. As a result of his efforts to bring about reform, he was excommunicated and finally burned at the stake as a heretic 583 years ago, on July 6, 1415. According to the second chapter of the book of Ezekiel, that prophet was also called to preach to people who were stubborn and rebellious. It is a difficult task to continue to faithfully witness to one's faith in a community where there is little or no response. God does not demand immediate results, but he does require faithfulness. Ezekiel was told, "Whether these rebels listen to you or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them." Today also, we should be faithful to our convictions, regardless of the immediate result, in the faith that, finally, God will use our witness for his good purpose. -------An alcoholic, a person who suffers from alcoholism, cannot control the desire for alcoholic beverages. Japanese have been called "workoholics" because they seem unable to control their desire for working. Industriousness has been considered a virtue in Japan and it is difficult to change long-standing habits. Many Japanese workers do not make use of all the vacation time alloted them. In Sweden, it's quite different. There, virtually the whole country stops working during this month. Companies close their doors and shut down their factories for the whole month for they found it to be more economical to close down the factory than to keep it operating while workers took vacations at different times. During this month, necessary repairs and maintenance work are done. Civil servants are also given holidays and even the military forces continue their activities with minimum personnel. Psychologists say that people cope more easily with the tensions of work after a month away from it all. The Bible teaches that one day in seven should be a day of rest for the restoration of both body and soul. According to I Corinthians 3: 16, our bodies are the temple of God's Spirit, so we should take good care of them. -------Today is the seventh day of the seventh month. In old Japan, this was the day of one of the five traditional festivals. Nowadays, some communities celebrate "tanabata" today. Others celebrate it one month later or according to the lunar calendar. In the Bible, the number seven is the most common symbolic number. It may be considered a sacred number, signifying completeness or perfection. One day, Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, asked Jesus how often he had to keep forgiving a person who sinned against him. Must he forgive him up to seven times? In Matthew 18:22, Jesus gave this answer: "No, not seven times, but seventy times seven". In this way, Jesus taught that his disciples should always have a loving and forgiving spirit, continually forgiving others even as our heavenly Father continually forgives us. -------Sometimes, before I leave the house, my wife tells me I should change my necktie because its color doesn't go well with the color of my shirt or jacket. My wife has a better sense of color than I do and is more concerned about such matters than I am. In wearing apparel as well as in social contacts and political negotiations, it is better to seek for elements that harmonize rather than those that clash. Twelve years ago, French President Mitterrand arrived at the Kremlin to meet with Soviet leader Gorbachev. They both were accompanied by their wives. The mens' suits were harmonious shades of grey, but Mrs. Gorbachev's bright red dress clashed with Mrs. Mitterrand's bright pink suit as they stood together on a deep red carpet. Within a few minutes, Mrs. Gorbachev had excused herself and reappeared later in a green flowered dress that brought harmony to the situation. Mrs. Gorbachev was the most stylish wife of a Soviet leader and she probably was especially conscious of style in her meeting with the first lady of France. Their husbands, however, had to seek for agreement on the deeper matters of substance. As the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said, "The hidden harmony is better than the obvious." -------When you hear the word jeens, what do you think of? There are different kinds of jeens. Gene, spelled G-e-n-e, is a boy's name and Jean, spelled J-e-a-n, is a girl's name. "Jeans", spelled like the girl's name, denote pants made from a strong cotton fabric. "Genes", spelled like the boy's name, denote a biological unit that determines hereditary character. Research has indicated that whether one is fat or slim depends more on one's genes than on one's eating habits. The study conducted on 540 people in Denmark who were adopted by foster parents soon after birth, showed that most children grew to resemble the physical character of their natural parents despite their diets. Of course, eating habits do have an effect, but the basic factor in determining body size is related to genes rather than to food. Those of us who have one or two slim parents can be thankful. We didn't choose our parents. They were "given" to us along with such other "gifts" as race, intelligence, abilities and social status. God doesn't have the same expectation for all because we all begin with a unique set of "given" factors, but he does expect us all to improve and to use our natural gifts for the benefit of others as well as of ourselves. -------The word "surf" denotes waves of the sea that break and foam upon the shore. The water sport of surfing involves riding these waves while standing on a long, narrow surfboard. If a sail is raised on the board to catch the wind, a sportsman may enjoy windsurfing. Twelve years ago a couple of adventuresome French windsurfers crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a 9-meter sailboard. They set off from Senegal, on the westernmost coast of Africa, and landed in the French West Indies territory of Guadeloupe 24 days later, establishing a new world record for windsurfing. Their 150-kilogram sailboard included a below-deck area for sleeping and getting out of the wind. Encountering 50-meter waves and winds gusting to 80 kilometers an hour, they capsized four times in rough waters. Stopping at various places in the Caribbean and along the American coast, they arrived in New York Harbor to join in the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty after their 8,600 kilometer journey. Adventurers must prepare well for their adventures, but they must also have a certain kind of faith. So it is with the adventure of life itself. Some kind of faith is needed to inspire us and to sustain us in the face of difficultles. -------Mongolia is located on a high plateau between China and the Soviet Union. In the 13th century, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, the Mongols controlled an empire that stretched through China and Russia as far west as Europe. Later, Mongolia came under Chinese domination. The Great Wall of China runs along the border between China and Mongolia. During the Chinese revolution in 1911, Mongolia declared its independence. It is now divided between Inner Mongolia, a part of China, and Outer Mongolia, which has become a separate country. 77 years ago, on July 11, 1921, a Communist regime was established there, so today is the national holiday of the Mongolian People's Republic. The area of this country is more than four times that of Japan, but its population is less than that of the city of Nagoya. In the southeast part of the country is the vast Gobi Desert, a barren land with few roads where most transportation is by camel caravans. The Gobi is the world's second largest desert, after the Sahara in North Africa. A desert is a deserted place, but in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 35, is the vision of a future day when the desert will become a fertile land of beauty. -------The word "great", when used of a material object, signifies something very large, like a great mountain. When used of a work of art, it denotes something remarkable, like a great painting. When used of a person, it refers to someone eminent or distinguished. How does one measure greatness in people? Many people today would think of famous statesmen, wealthy businessmen or popular personalities as "great", but that was not the view of Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, Jesus' disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus taught them, in verse 35, that in order to become great, one must become the servant of others. He then put a little child in front of them and told them that the attitude shown toward such a child is, in effect, the attitude shown toward God. God's standard of greatness is quite different than ours. According to Jesus, the great person is the one who humbly serves others from a heart of love. This standard was expressed, not only in the teaching of Jesus, but in the example of his own life. He not only taught with words that the way to greatness is the way of humble service. He demonstrated by his life that the way to eternal life is the way of self-sacrifice, the way of the cross. -------There is an English proverb that "Empty vessels make the most sound". Do you understand its implication? It is commonly recognized that when metal receptacles, such as cans, buckets and oil drums, are struck, they make more noise when they are empty than when they are full. This proverb implies that empty-headed persons are the most talkative and noisy. The Dutch have a saying that one penny in a money-box makes more noise than all the coins in it when it is full. Other proverbs with similar meanings are: "They brag most who can do least" and "Great talkers, little doers". In the first chapter of James, verse 19, we are told to "be quick to listen, but slow to speak". That's good advice for all people, especially for those who wish to be considered wise. A Latin writer of the first century wrote, "Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage." -------One of the oldest cultures in the world developed in the land of Mesopotamia, literally meaning "land between rivers", for it lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Since 1918, this land has been called Iraq, from the Arabic word for "cliff". Today is an anniversary day in Iraq, commemorating the overthrow of the Kingdom of Iraq and the assassination of its third and last king 40 years ago, on July 14, 1958. Ten years later, in a so-called "Peaceful Revolution", a faction of the Baath Socialist Party gained power and has ruled the country by decree ever since. The present head of state and prime minister is Saddam Hussein. Although the country is now called a republic, it is actually a one-party socialist-military state. Between 1980 and 1988, Iraq was engaged in a war with the neighboring country of Iran. The causes of the war involved racial, nationalistic, political, religious and personal factors. In 1990, Iraq sparked an international crisis when it attacked and overran Kuwait. The troubling aftereffects of that crisis continue today. The Middle East has been an unstable area for centuries, but in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 19, the prophet looked forward to the day when the nations of that region will live together in peace. -------Albany is an old, literary name for Scotland. That may be a reason why there are so many communities with that name in the United States and Australasia. Albany, New York is situated on the Hudson River some 230 kilometers north of New York City. Originally a Dutch trading post cal1ed Fort Orange, its name was changed to Albany when the English took control in 1664. It is now the sixth largest city in the state and serves as the county seat and as the state capital. It is the oldest city in the United States still operating under its original charter, which was granted 312 years ago. When the tricentennial birthday of that city was celebrated 12 years ago, an intercontinental telephone conference was held with the mayors of seven other communities named Albany in Australia, New Zealand and five other American states. During the 25 minute conversation, the mayors compared notes about their own communities and offered congratulations to the New York mayor, as he sat in front of a world map on which 33 communities named Albany were indicated. Three hundred years is a long time for an earthly city, but the Bible teaches of an eternal city of God, which is the permanent abode of the people of God. -------Musical instruments may be divided into four groups: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Violins and pianos are strings; trumpets, trombones and horns are brass; drums and cymbals are percussion; and the woodwinds are: flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons and saxophones. The flute is simply a tube with holes, one of which is blown into and musical notes are produced by covering or uncovering the other holes. A piccolo, from the Italian word for "small", is a small flute with a higher pitch. A clarinet, which comes from the Latin word for "clear", is also a cylindrical tube with holes, but it has a reed mouthpiece which produces a vibrating sound. An oboe, derived from French words meaning "high wood", looks similar to a clarinet, but it has a double-reed mouthpiece. A bassoon, from the Italian word for "bass", is a double-reed woodwind which produces low-pitched tones from its long, wooden body. Finally, the saxophone gets its name from Adolphe Sax, the man who invented it. Like the clarinet, it has a single-reed mouthpiece, but it has a curved, conical body. In the l5Oth Psalm, seven different instruments are listed to be used in praising the Lord. -------Looking at a chart of 165 national flags, I find that there is one flag that is all one color (the green flag of Libya), 33 flags have two colors, 80 flags have three, 42 flags have four and nine flags have five or six colors. The most popular color is red, followed by white. The "hi-no-maru" of Japan consists of a red ball in the center of a white field. The Bangladesh flag is similar, except that its red ball is on a green field and a bit off center. I am sure that each of these national emblems has a particular meaning to the citizens of those countries. Although the "hi-no-maru" has historical significance and is now used as the national flag of Japan, it has never been officially designated as such. What do you think of this Japanese symbol? When you see it, what thoughts, emotions or memories come to your mind? What does it symbolize for you? Some people think a new flag should be created and officially designated. What do you think about this? Speaking of the American flag, President Woodrow Wilson once said: "The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history." -------This midsummer season is a popular time for "matsuri" in Japan. My almanac indicates that "matsuri" are being held throughout the country these days. According to one explanation, the Chinese character for "matsuri" includes the symbols for hand, sake, meat and table because meat and sake were placed on a table as an offering to the "kami" at that time. "Festival", the English translation of "matsuri", is related to "feast", for during a festival, it is common to eat a big meal. Both of these words come from the Latin word for "joyous", and the words "festive" and "festivity" refer to a joyful time. Japanese "matsuri" are a mixture of the sacred and the profane having both a religious and social significance. In present Japanese society, I wonder which is predominant? In a "matsuri", atmosphere is important. At this time of year, the weather is very warm, but the intoxication of the festive participants makes the atmosphere warmer still. There are festivals in Judaism also, but the Jewish prophets warn against ceremonial merrymaking that has lost its true significance. In Isaiah, chapter I, we are taught that religious festivities must be backed up with ethical behavior. -------I am interested in etymology, which is the study of the origin and development of words. I enjoy finding out how and why certain words came to have certain meanings. Take the English word "comfort", for example. It comes from a Latin word meaning "to strengthen". The original Chinese character for "comfort", pronounced "nagusame" in Japanese, included the form of a "heart" over which there was a hand with a hot iron used in pressing cloth. The full character indicated sharing a warm heart with another. The Greek verb meaning "to comfort", "parakaleo", is made up of two parts literally meaning to call alongside. To comfort another is to give encouragement by standing beside the discouraged one. In the first chapter of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, he wrote of the merciful Father and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. A healthy faith in the "merciful Father" brings comfort to the sad or discouraged. The person who is comforted also has a responsibility to comfort others in their troubles and to share with them the comfort which has been received from God. So it is that the Christian should be a transmitter of God's blessings to others. -------In strict Muslim countries, alcoholic beverages are prohibited, but people try to bring them into the country anyway. What do you suppose is done with the liquor that is confiscated by the authorities? In Kuwait, there is a place in the sandy desert, some 15 kilometers north of Kuwait City, where such spirits are disposed of. According to a newspaper article twelve years ago, Kuwaiti Interior Ministry officials loaded nine trucks with IOO,OOO bottles of booze worth some $7,000,000 that had been confiscated by customs authorities over the previous 15 months. They were taken to the designated area, laid out on the sand and then crushed by bulldozers that ran over them as the sweet smell of alcohol permeated the air of that area. In the Old Testament, certain offerings to God were considered to have a pleasant aroma and in the New Testament Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 2, the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross for others was called a "fragrant offering and sacrifce to God." -------A famous American novelist was born on this day 99 years ago, on July 21, 1899. In 1954, he was awarded the Nobel prize in literature. Among his well-known novels are: A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. Do you know his name? Ernest Hemingway was the son of a country doctor. His mother wanted him to become a cellist, but he chose journalism instead. He was a controversial writer because of his unadorned, direct writing style and his unconventional life style, but he once wrote in a letter: "I want to run as a writer, not as a man who has been to the wars; not a barroom fighter or a shooter; nor a horse-player; nor a drinker. I would like to be a straight writer and be judged as such." His war experiences left a lasting impression on him and he wrote, "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead." One reason for the popularity of Hemingway's novels is that his rough treatment of tragic problems causes readers to think seriously about life. -------The small, green, non-flowering plant that grows in mats on moist ground and rocks is called moss, spelled m-o-s-s. Some Japanese gardens have areas of pretty moss. ln Kyoto, the garden of Saihoji Temple, commonly called Kokedera, or Moss Temple, is famous for its large expanse of many kinds of beautiful moss. You have probably heard the English proverb that "A rolling stone gathers no moss". In this proverb, do you think that moss is a desirable or an undesirable element? Some people in the West consider the moss in this proverb as a negative influence and interpret it to mean that an active person does not become weighed down with burdens that slow him down. In Japan, where moss is considered good, this proverb is interpreted to mean that a person who never stays long in one place will never succeed nor form long-lasting relationships. It is well to remember that, when speaking with foreigners, certain expressions may convey quite different meanings. -------Al1 American paper currency is the same size with the same pattern. The front side, printed in grey, includes the portrait of an important figure in American history, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses Grant and Benjamin Franklin. The back side has a picture of a national symbol or building and, since it is printed in green, American dollar bills are sometimes called "greenbacks". In former years, there were larger denominations, but the largest American currency currently being issued is the $100 bill. Other bills in circulation are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollar bills. On the $1 bill are three mottoes. Two of them, found on the Great Seal of the United States, are in Latin. "Annuit coeptis" is a phrase from the ancient Roman poet, Vergil and means "He [God] has favored our undertakings". "E Pluribus Unum" means "one out of many" referring to the banding together of independent colonies into a union. The third is the English phrase: "ln God We Trust". This motto is also printed on some coins. It is strange to print such a motto on money for many people using it are trusting in money rather than in God and, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus taught that one cannot serve both God and money. -------Today, July the 24th, is a legal holiday in the American state of Utah. It is called Pioneer Day and commemorates the arrival of the Mormon leader, Brigham Young, and a band of his followers in the Great Salt Lake Valley on this day in 1847. The religious community officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in New York State in 1830. The Book of Mormon, published by Smith, is a basic scripture of this Church, so its believers are commonly called Mormons. Because the members of this religious group were persecuted in the east, they began a trek westward, making temporary stops in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois, before deciding to establish a city of their own in the far west. Following the death of their founder, Brigham Young became their leader and led them to the "Promised Land" beside the Great Salt Lake. Federal recognition of the state of Utah was not granted until after the death of Young and the Mormon's formal renunciation of the practice of polygamy. Pioneer Day in Utah is a day of rodeos, parades, dances and speeches honoring the state's pioneer fathers. In the Bible, Abraham is considered the pioneer, who opened a new trail of faith in the One, Eternal God. -------Do you know where the city of York is? The most famous and oldest city of that name is located in northern England. In the 15th century, the House of York was the ruling family and the Duke of York is one of the most important English peerages. One of the 13 American colonies was named New York after a Duke of York. Before the Constitution of the United States of America was drafted, the states were loosely united under the Articles of Confederation. The governor of the state of New York opposed the strong central government envisioned in the new Constitution, so the state of New York became one of the last to ratify it, but 198 years ago, on July 26, 1788, it gave formal approval of the Constitution and became the 11th state of the Union. New York state is the second largest state in population and the 30th largest in area. The state motto is the Latin word, "Excelsior", which is interpreted to mean "Ever Upward". Some merchants considered 'excelsior' a synonym for 'excellent' and used it as a trademark. It thus became the name of a brand of wood shavings used as packing material, and that is what the word means today. Nevertheless, "Ever Upward" is a good motto for all of us. -------The English word "prophet" comes from the Greek verb "to say" with the prefix "pro". If the prefix is interpreted to mean "before", then a prophet is one who speaks beforehand, that is, one who foretells the future. However, in the Bible, a prophet is not primarily a foreteller, but a forthteller, God's spokesman who proclaims God's message. Isaiah was one of the major biblical prophets and in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book bearing his name is the account of how he became a prophet. While worshipping in the temple, he had a vision of God. First, he was deeply impressed with God's greatness, glory and holiness. Then, in contrast, he sensed his own impurity and sinfulness. After receiving the divine assurance of spiritual cleansing, he offered himself for God's service. This chapter provides an example of the experience people should have in Christian churches during the worship service. We should get a new glimpse both of God's character and of our own. We should experience the joy of being forgiven. Finally, we should offer ourselves to God to be used to accomplish his will in the world. When we hear God's call we should answer as Isaiah did, "Here am I! Send me!" -------The small island of Tanegashima lies south of the large island of Kyushu. This island is famous in Japanese history as the first place in Japan to be visited by Europeans. On the 25th day of the 8th month in the year l543, three Portuguese sailors landed on that island when their Chinese boat was blown off course in a typhoon. The firearms which they carried caused great excitement among their rescuers. That long-barreled shoulder gun, called a musket, spelled m-u-s-k-e-t, was the predecessor of a rifle. For a long time afterward, such muskets were called "tanegashima" in Japanese. Japan's space center is now located on that island where firearms were introduced into this country, but I hope it will always be used for peaceful purposes. -------A drug is a chemical substance that can be used as a medicine to cure a disease. However, narcotic drugs can be very harmful to one's health. Drug addiction has become a major problem in the United States. Former President Reagan insisted that government workers be tested to determine whether or not they were using drugs. He also tried to seal the national borders against drugs being illegally imported from other countries. A school district in Texas has required a drug test for all students in grades 6 through 12 who want to participate in school clubs or other extracurricular activities. A thirteen-year-old girl in Los Angeles once attended a police lecture against drug abuse at a church. Afterward, she went home, gathered up small amounts of the marijuana and cocaine which her parents used and took them to the police. The next day, her parents were arrested and charged with possessing illegal drugs. President Reagan's wife, Nancy, who was a leader in the war on drugs at that time, said the girl must have loved her parents very much. Sometimes, love is seen in ways that appear to be harsh or even cruel, and this is also true regarding God's love toward his children. -------About 20 kilometers east of the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg there is a town called Hershey. People who have a sweet tooth will probably recognize that name. The term "sweet tooth" denotes a liking or craving for candy and sweet food and "Hershey" is the name of the major chocolate candy manufacturer in the United States. The Hershey company was founded by Milton Hershey, who was born in 1857, and the town that grew up around his candy factory is called by his name. In fact, the occupations of about 80% of the 50,000 residents of Hershey, Pennsylvania are related to candy manufacturing. The atmosphere of the town is permeated by an aroma that will please the nose of a sweet tooth and make his or her mouth water. It is said that 70% of the chocolate products sold in the United States are manufactured by the Hershey corporation. I am told that, during the Occupation, American Gl's made friends with Japanese children by giving them Hershey chocolate bars. These days, people are concerned about cutting down on sweets, but in the 16th chapter of Proverbs, verse 24, we find these meaningful words: "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your health." -------The verb to "lick" basically means to pass the tongue over the surface of something. Children may lick a lollipop or an ice cream cone. Adults may lick a stamp before affixing it to an envelope. Many animals lick their new offspring immediately after they are born. Cats keep clean by licking themselves. When they are in a hurry, they lick very quickly, seemingly with a promise to do a better job later. It was from viewing such a sight that the English expression "lick and a promise" was coined. It means to do something very perfunctory, or "once over lightly". A housewife who cleans a room very quickly gives it a "lick and a promise". Another meaning of "lick" is to spank a child as a kind of punishment. Traditionally, it has been the father's job to give his children a licking when it was needed. In competitive sports, to "lick" means to defeat one's opponent. In the New Testament, "lick" is used only once. In one of his parables, Jesus pictured the pitiable state of a poor beggar named Lazarus who laid at the gate of a rich man, hoping to eat what fell from the rich man's table. It is written in Luke 16:21, that "even the dogs would come and lick his sores". According to this parable, the fate of these two men was the opposite of their lives on earth. -------When my wife and I came to Japan 47 years ago, one of the luxuries we missed was tasty chocolate candy. Sometimes our parents sent us a box of delicious "Fannie Farmer Chocolates". Fannie Farmer was born in Boston in 1857. Because of ill health, she was not able to go to college. Instead, she turned to cooking and graduated from the Boston Cooking School. Later, she became the director of that school, and then in 1902, she opened her own Miss Farmer's School of Cookery. Her aim was to teach cooking to housewives and nurses rather than to teachers. She has been called the "Mother of Level Measurements" because of her insistence that recipes be strictly followed. Until that time, accurate measurements were not used in cooking, so she made a lasting contribution to cookery and is considered an authority on the subject. The expression, "half-baked", denotes ideas or plans that have not been thought out thoroughly and thus are not practical. In the Old Testament book of Hosea, chapter 7, verse 8, the people of Israel are called a "half-baked cake" because their faith in God was only half-hearted and their daily lives did not evidence the faith they professed. That may be true of many of us today also. -------A canton is a small territorial division of a country. Switzerland is actually a federation of 23 cantons and the official name of the country is Swiss Confederation. On August I, 1291, 707 years ago today, three communities, one of which was called Schwyz, banded together to defend themselves against foreign intrusion. In commemoration of that event, today is a national holiday in Switzerland called Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation. Under the federal constitution, adopted in 1874, the confederation is responsible for foreign relations and tariffs but the individual cantons are sovereign in other matters. Switzerland is famous for the breathtaking beauty of its Alps and it is a world banking center. Being a neutral country, it is a favorite place for international conferences and for headquarters of international organizations The Swiss flag has a white cross on a red field. For its symbol, the Red Cross chose the same pattern, but with the colors reversed, in honor of the Swiss man who founded that organization. Thus, that emblem does not have a religious significance although the activities of the Red Cross are in keeping with the spirit of Christ. -------During this first half of August, there are a number of unhappy anniversary days in Japanese history. Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Russia's declaration of war and the Japanese surrender all occurred during this period 53 years ago. After that, Japan began anew as a nation dedicated to peace. In Japanese churches, this first Sunday of August is designated "Peace Sunday". Peace is a very elusive quality. There have been very few periods in recorded history when all nations have been at peace with each other. Winston Churchill once told a parable of why disarmament conferences fail. When the animals in a zoo held such a conference, the rhinoceros proposed that the use of teeth should be prohibited but that horns should be allowed, since they were merely defensive weapons. The buffalo and deer agreed with him. The lion and tiger, however, defended teeth and even claws as honorable weapons. The bear thought both horns and teeth should be banned, but suggested a fraternal hug should be permitted. As long as efforts for peace are so self-centered, they will fail. Jesus taught that the way to true peace is the way of self-surrender, considering God's will and the good of others--including one's enemies. -------You probably know that the English names of the months of September, October, November and December are derived from the Latin words for seven, eight, nine and ten, although in our present calendar they are the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth months of the year. In the ancient Roman calendar, this month of August was originally called Sextilis, from the Latin word for six. In 27 B.C., the name of the month was changed to Augustus, in honor of the first Roman emperor. Seventeen years earlier, the name of the preceding month had been changed from Quintilis to Julius, in honor of Julius Caesar. Because Augustus did not want his month to have fewer days than that of Julius, an extra day was added to give it 31 days also. The name of this month is pronounced August, but the adjective, which is spelled the same and means majestic, venerable, inspiring awe or admiration is pronounced august. The old Anglo-Saxon name for this month was "weed month", for this is the month when weeds flourish. The American poet, James Russell Lowell, has written that "A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, Which is seen through at once, if love give a man eyes." -------Cameroon is the name of a country in west-central Africa on the coast of the Alantic Ocean. Its name is derived from the Portuguese word for "shrimp" because many shrimp were found in a river there by early navigators. Twelve years ago it was reported that over 1500 people died in Cameroon because of a toxic gas that escaped from the earth. The word "toxic" refers to something poisonous. To explain what is poisonous, however, is sometimes difficult because it depends on the dosage. For example, too much sugar can be toxic and a little arsenic can be a medical remedy. Both sodium and chlorine are poisonous if taken by themselves, but when they are combined as ordinary salt they become an important element in our diet. George Ade has written that "One man's poison ivy is another man's spinach." It is recognized by doctors that worry acts as a kind of poison to the body and Jesus taught, in Mark 7:20-23, that it is the evil thoughts and attitudes in people's hearts that make them unclean rather than the things that they eat. We must be careful not only about what we put into our mouths but what we receive into our minds as well. -------One evening twelve years ago, a bridge spanning the Shonai River connecting the cities of Kasugai and Nagoya was closed to traffic for over an hour. The reason was because a multitude of insects created a traffic hazard. Countless bodies of these insects covered the bridge, causing cars to slip as though they were on snow. The Japanese name for these insects is "kagero". It is derived from another word with the same pronunciation because these small insects with transparent wings glitter like a filament of heated air as they fly. Checking the English translation of "kagero", I found the following words: dayfly, Mayfly, shadfly and ephemera. The last term interested me because it comes from a Greek word meaning "lasting a day". In English, "ephemeral" means lasting very briefly and these insects live for only a few hours before they die so they are even more ephemeral than cherry blossoms. In the New Testament book of James, chapter 4, verse 14, human life is said to be as ephemeral as "a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." The life span of a Mayfly is indeed short, but our lives also are not very long and we should try to make them as productive as possible. -------Fifty-three years ago today, the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb. This event hastened the end of the war with the United States and its allies. During our visit to China twelve years ago, we realized that the war in China lasted much longer. Ten years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan began its conquest of China. Following the end of the Pacific War, fighting continued there between Nationalists and Communists. Even after the Communist victory, conflict continued throughout the so-called "Cultural Revolution". Consequently, China is still far behind Japan in its postwar reconstruction. During our visit, we were reminded of Japan forty years ago. In the taxi from Beijing airport to our hotel, our guide told us that a Chinese team had recently beaten a Japanese team in soccer, following which many people showed hostility toward the Japanese players because of Japanese cruelty during the war. Though Japan suffered a cruel atomic bombing and lost the war, afterwards, in many ways it has fared better than China, which was one of the victor nations. Japan's indebtedness to the Chinese people is very great and should not be forgotten now that Japan has become so prosperous. -------My Japanese alamanac indicates that today, August 7th, is "Nose Day". You probably didn't know that, did you? Just as the third day of the third month, is designated "Ear Day" because the combination of the two threes can be pronounced "mimi", meaning "ear", so this seventh day of the eighth month is designated "Nose Day" because the first syllables of those two numbers can be pronounced "hana", meaning "nose". These designations were made by a medical association of otorhinolaryngologists, who are doctors specializing in diseases of the ear, nose and throat. The Chinese character for "nose" is made up of two halves. The upper half was originally the sketch of a nose and under it is a character meaning to stick out. I wonder if the Chinese who invented that character was thinking of Westerners, for I noticed in the old Chinese art I saw in China that foreigners from the west were clearly distinguishable by their prominent noses. In the Old Testament, a large nose seemed to be considered a mark of beauty, for in the Song of Solomon, chapter 7, verse 8, the nose of one's lover was said to be as lovely as the tower of Lebanon, a high mountain, and in Leviticus 21:8, the person with a flat nose was considered deformed. -------The word "homogeneous", from two Greek words meaning "same nature", refers to something that is uniform. One of the strengths of the Japanese nation is its homogeneity. For many centuries, these islands have been inhabited by basically one people with one language. It is quite different in the United States, which is made up of people of many ethnic backgrounds. When aliens apply for American citizenship they must prove a certain proficiency in English, but in some areas, English is obviously a second language. In New York, drivers license examinations have been given in Spanish and Greek and some states have bilingual ballots for voters. There are foreign language newspapers, radio and television broadcasts. Some states have declared English as their official language but a variety of languages continue to be used. -------The Japanese flag is one of 14 national flags that is just red and white. Seven of those flags have red and white stripes. Three flags contain the symbol of a cross. Japan's "hinomaru" symbolizes the sun and three others contain a crescent and one or more stars which are also symbols of light. The national flag of Singapore is included in this group. It is made up of two horizontal stripes. In the upper, red stripe are a white crescent and five white stars. Today is Independence Day in Singapore. Thirty-three years ago today, this island city withdrew from Malaysia and became an independent republic. It is one of the smallest nations in the world, with an area of 581 square kilometers and a population of almost 4,000,000. 76 percent of the population are ethnic Chinese, followed by 15 percent who are Malay. Singapore is one of the world's major ports and has the highest standard of living in Asia after Japan. It is a small country, but an important one. In the second chapter of the New Testament book of James, we are reminded that the tongue is a very small but important member of our bodies, which can be used for good or for evil. What use do we make of our tongues? -------A beautiful woman has a much easier time getting along in the world than one considered an "ugly duckling". However, as the proverb says, "Beauty is only skin deep." True beauty is an inner quality. Eleanor Roosevelt was not a physically beautiful woman, but she was highly admired for her active efforts on behalf of the poor and oppressed. She was an American delegate to the first General Assembly of the United Nations in 1945 and became the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights the following year. She was one of the chief authors of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948 which defined the fundamental rights and freedoms for peoples throughout the world. She remained active in efforts to promote world peace and human rights until her death. A granite slab and a semicircular granite bench in her memory is set in a grove of trees in the U.N. garden. On it is written this eulogy: "She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness and her glow has warmed the world." -------The Asian island of Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Most of the island belongs to Indonesia, but its northern area is part of Malaysia. Within this Malaysian part is a small, separate area which is the independent country of Brunei. Fifteen years ago, Brunei became the 159th member of the United Nations. Although it is one of the smallest, it established a new record in the history of the U. N. when its ambassador presented his credentials, for his name is the longest one in the diplomatic directory. It is Awang Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Awang Haji Mohn, Yussof. That's a real mouthful and I hope no one has to call the ambassador by his full name very quickly. Although Japanese only have one given name, sometimes when we read the name, we are not sure how to pronounce it, or if we hear the name, we are not sure of how to write it and, at times, we are not sure if it is the name of a man or a woman. In Proverbs 22:1, it is written that "A good name is more to be desired than great riches". In this verse, "name" refers to one's reputation. In that sense, what kind of a "name" do we have? -------There are a number of expressions in English that contain the word "black". Many of them have a negative meaning, but to be "in the black" means to have money on hand or to be making a profit. It is the opposite of being "in the red", which means to be in debt. A "black cow" refers to a drink made of root beer with vanilla ice cream in it. A "blacklist" is a list of disapproved persons and "blackball" means to vote against or ostracize a person. "Blackjack" may denote either a short leathercovered club with a flexible handle or to a card game, and a "black sheep" signifies a person considered disgraceful by his or her family. The "black market" is a market where goods are sold in violation of restrictions, and October 24th is known as "Black Thursday". It was the day in 1929 when the bottom fell out of the stock market, or in other words, the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. During the Depression, many people lost their jobs and their savings. Some people became so depressed because of the Depression that they committed suicide, but it is in such times of calamity that the true character of one's faith is clearly seen. -------There are countless varieties of hymns and hymnals used in the various churches of different denominations. One well-known hymn which is found in most Protestant hymnals is by Martin Luther, the English title of which is, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God". Luther not only wrote the words of this hymn, he also composed the music for it. It is based on the 46th Psalm. In the Authorized Version, that psalm begins with these words: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." And the psalm ends with the affirmation that "the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." When Luther, the church reformer, wrote this hymn, he had much to fear, humanly speaking, but his faith in God encouraged him. A healthy faith in the almighty God, our loving Father, brings encouragement to people today also. -------The English word "physique", spelled p-h-y-s-i-q-u-e, comes from the French word for "physical" and denotes the physical structure of a person's body. In certain sports, contestants with a certain physique have a definite advantage. In sumo, it is advantageous to have a large, heavy body but in basketball, a tall, slender form is preferable. In both of these sports, people of average physique are at a definite disadvantage. In the National Basketball Association in the United States, players 7 feet, or 2.13 meters, tall prevail, but some years ago, plans were made to create a new basketball association for players no taller than 6 feet 4 inches, or l.93 meters. In that new basketball league, emphasis was to be placed on quickness, playmaking and pure shooting rather than on height. It was hoped that the association would develop into a genuine international league with teams in many countries, but I don't know if those plans were carried out. Some people consider a large physique to be superior to a small one, but a person's character is not determined by physical size. The story of David and Goliath, in the 17th chapter of 1 Samuel, shows that a common person with a healthy faith in God can prevail over a threatening giant. -------Of the various religions in the world, Christianity has the most adherents. Next comes Islam, which has a little over half as many believers but is growing rapidly in some areas. Most countries of the world now use the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the movement of the earth around the sun. Although the calculations were mistaken, this calendar was supposed to commemorate the year of Jesus' birth. The Islamic calendar is based on the movement of the moon around the earth, so its New Year may begin at different seasons of the year. This year, April 27th was the first day of the Islamic year of 1419. According to Islamic calculations, that day marked the l419th anniversary of the prophet Muhammad's flight from the town of Mecca to Medina and is considered the real beginning of the Islamic community and system. The scripture-based religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam all originated in the Mideast and share a basic belief that there is one and only one God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. They agree on the opening words of the Bible, that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". This basic faith implies that there is purpose in the universe and meaning in human history. -------The basic character of a people may be seen in how strangers and minorities are treated. Various factors are involved in determining our attitude toward outsiders and others who are different. Partly because of its geography, Japanese society has been insular in its outlook, but it is making an effort to become more internationalized. In the I0th chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, it is written that God does not show partiality. "He makes sure that orphans and widows are fairly treated [and] he loves the foreigners . . . ." The Israelites themselves were then commanded to "show love for . . . foreigners . . . ." The legal requirement that all foreigners in Japan always carry a certificate which contains their fingerprint has been a controversial issue over the years. However, it is only one obvious indication of the prevalent attitude of discrimination toward certain "irregular" or "nonconformist" individuals or groups in Japanese society. Discrimination is not peculiar to Japan. It is a universal phenomenon, but that does not excuse it. All of us should try to eliminate our own discriminatory attitudes. Discrimination is a contradiction of the basic character of God, whose children some of us claim to be. -------Japanese people are said to lack creativity. In fact Japanese society does emphasize conformity and regularity and tends to suppress individuality. This characteristic developed over the centuries of Japan's isolation on islands basically populated by one people with a common language. Eccentrics and mavericks who deviate from conventional patterns have a difficult time in this society. Some of them leave Japan to become famous elsewhere. Twelve years ago, an organization aimed at turning today's mavericks into tomorrow's geniuses was founded at an International Symposium for the Promotion of Unconventional Ideas in Science, Medicine and Sociology in England. Delegates came from Europe, the United States and the Middle East. The convener, Dr. Bruce Denness, of the British Bureau of Applied Scientists, stated,"There are millions of people around the world with ideas which vested interests and establishments make sure never see the light of day." That organization aimed to enable offbeat thinkers to bring their ideas to a wider forum. We must respect those who think differently than we, for progress is impossible if traditions can never be questioned nor broken. -------Today is Tuesday, so yesterday was Monday, or moon-day. The moon is a natural satellite which revolves around the earth once every 29 1/2 days. During that month, the new moon seems to change into a crescent, then becoming a full moon followed by another crescent during its last quarter. In Japan, the 15th day of the 8th month according to the lunar, or moon, calendar, called "jugoya", is the traditional day for special moon-viewing festivities. The moon has a special significance in Japanese literature, especially poetry. Westerners speak of the "man in the moon", while Japanese perceive a rabbit making "mochi" there. A poet under the night sky wrote in the 8th Psalm, "When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places what is man that you think of him; mere man that you care for him?" That's a good thought for us to ponder today also. -------The whitish liquid produced by female mammals for feeding their young is called milk. The milk of cows is a common drink in many countries of the world. Looking up at the sky on a clear night, one may see a broad band of light extending across the heaven which is made up of countless stars. Called the Milky Way Galaxy, it is thought to contain over 200 billion stars and to have a diameter of over 100,000 light years. The word "galaxy", meaning a large group of stars, in fact, comes from the Greek word for "milk". The Greeks also thought of a "milky circle" when they viewed the night sky. Nowadays, an assembly of brilliant, beautiful or distinguished persons or things may also be called a galaxy. Milk is a natural, nutritious drink which is especially healthful for infants and young children. In the New Testament book of First Peter, chapter 2, verse 2, new believers are referred to as "newborn babies" who need pure spiritual milk in order to develop spiritually. All of us need some kind of spiritual nourishment for our mental and moral development. The Christian finds this kind of spiritual food in the Bible, whose teachings we seek to assimilate into our lives. -------An oratorio is a musical composition, usually on a sacred theme, which employs a chorus, orchestra and soloists but is without stage action or scenery. The great oratorio associated with the Christmas season is Handel's Messiah. This amazing musical arrangement was composed by George Frederick Handel during an impulsive three-week period in 1741. Handel was born in Germany. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, but he showed such musical talent that he was permitted to follow a musical career. He composed many operas and oratorios during his lifetime, the latter two-thirds of which was spent in England. It was on August 20th, that Handel received a request from a poet to write some music for his poetry. Handel's vitality had not yet completely returned following the stroke he had suffered four years earlier, but from this day on, under a strange kind of Inspiration, he confined himself to his room as words and music seemed to pour out of his soul until the great composition was completed. This oratorio begins with the prophetic announcement of the Messianic Age, but focusses on the birth, suffering, death and resurrection of the Messiah. It is a good example of what is called "inspiration". -------When using a telephone most people put the receiver to their left ear, probably because they use their right hand for dialing and taking notes. However, it is recognized that, for some reason, most people hear better with their right ears than with their left. According to a Japanese proverb, some people let some words "go in at the right ear and out at the left". The English equivalent of this saying does not distinguish between right and left. We only say, "go in one ear and out the other". The Japanese word for "ear" is also used to mean the edge or border of something, so, in Japanese, a slice of bread also has "ears". In English, we call this hard outer part of bread the "crust". On the other hand, in English, a stalk of corn is said to have ears. The ear of corn is the long, hard part on which the kernels are found. The handle of a pitcher may also be called an ear, and the saying that "Little pitchers have long ears" means we should be careful what we say in front of children. We cannot always determine the things we hear, but we can decide what we will listen to. In the book of Revelation, we find these words repeated: 'If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says . . . !" ------- |