Language is used to help us communicate with each other. It is impossible to communicate what we have no words for.

A society’s literature stores the images of what we prize and value. These become pictures or symbols that guide our lives.

Food and drink are used for fellowship, when we gather in celebrations or to share memories. Certain foods and drinks give rise to memories-- ever come in from playing in the snow and drink a mug of hot chocolate? Drinking the juice of the grape and eating bread helps us to remember that Jesus gave his blood to extend God’s covenant to all people, those who believe in Jesus are one body as there is one loaf in communion.

Why would Daniel consider the food and drink defiling and refuse to partake of them?

Daniel came from a tradition that banned eating certain foods and that told the people not to overindulge in alcoholic beverages. He and his people had lost their homes and their Temple, but by maintaining the Hebrew rules for daily life, Daniel could still have something of his God. Daniel’s training-- including the way his captors tried to force him to assimilate into the Babylonian society, right down to eating and drinking like a Babylonian-- was designed to separate him from his heritage. Daniel wouldn’t go along. He clung to the rules that God had given the Hebrew people.

Training for the military-- Interview with Pastor Sandra Dixon--her response.

Training in the military is designed to help the soldier react appropriately in every given situation. A swift reaction time is essential to staying alive in battle. Your follow orders or people die.

Daniels situation relates to ours as Christians. Youth today our asked to compromise their Christian beliefs on a regular basis. We have got to learn to stand strong like Daniel and say no when we know that is not really what we feel or believe instead of falling into the cultures of this world.