Why I'm known as "TheStarman"

 


Almost a few decades ago, less than 30 miles west of Chicago, one could still find numerous fields of corn under a wide-open canopy of stars, and a sky much darker than it will ever be here in Los Angeles.

My interest in Astronomy probably began with a library book, but I still remember the first time I set up the small 3-inch reflecting telescope which I had sent away for. It was a cold fall night as I looked up at Jupiter, but I soon forgot about the chill as I observed its four Galilean Moons for the first time. I thought about what an experience that must have been for Galileo centuries ago. Soon I was resolving binary stars in the Big Dipper, and later viewing the beautiful rings around Saturn.

My love for the study of the solar system and the space beyond it has been comprised of intense but brief "encounters" separated by similar periods of passion for Mathematics and other sciences. Although few in number, these times have been very meaningful to me. I did, however, take the time to enjoy an introductory course in Astronomy while attending California State University, Northridge.

My life seems to contain some interesting parallels to that of Blaise Pascal, one of which has been a desire to delve into Mathematics from time to time long after committing my life to the Lord. By the way, becoming a Christian does not require you to abandon logic nor the pursuit of science!

I've also found my training in the sciences to support my faith; not to hinder it. But one must be certain to distinguish between fact and theory, between the record of history and repeatable experiments. There is much in the world today being labeled as science which upon closer examination turns out to be quite similar to the religious beliefs of many false prophets (charlatans, deceivers, frauds, scammers, etc.) claiming to speak for the Author of Scripture!



Although there are many references to stars in the Bible, including one of my favorite groups, the Pleiades (Job 38:31), the following passage, set apart in the graphic, encourages me to "press on" (cf. Philippians 3:7-14) in Christ, and to witness to others about His love for them when He died on the cross for mankind's sin:

 

My pastor quoted these words (Daniel 12:3 1) after describing how he saw Christians as the "lights" (cf. Mt 5:16) in the world, who would (metaphorically speaking) become "stars" later on.


I definitely agreed that I was looking forward to becoming a "Star-man" some day. When I needed a 'handle' for myself on a local BBS, TheStarman was the first name that popped into my mind; and it still seems appropriate.

As Christians, this world is not our home, it's somewhere "beyond the blue." Though heaven is actually in some other 'dimension,' this hope is probably why so many Believers enjoy hiking up to the top of a mountain: contemplating a time when they'll be able to leave this earth, and travel throughout the universe (and beyond!) in a spiritual body (see notes below).

I pray that the Lord may be calling you to Himself, and if you have any questions about becoming a citizen of heaven, I'll certainly try to help you.

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Copyright©1996, July, on the night of the "blue moon." Copyright©2001, March, Revised.
Updated: October 5th, 2004; 22 January, 2012.

The Starman's Realm

In His mercy, grace and love, "TheStarman."

 


1 In a recent (January 8, 2012) sermon by John MacArthur (on Romans 8:18-25), he references both Daniel 12:3 and this parallel passage in Matthew:

Metaphorically, in Romans 8:19, the whole of creation (Greek: τῆς κτίσεως), whether living or non-living, anxiously expects (Greek: ἀποκαραδοκία) and eagerly awaits (Greek: ἀπεκδέχεται) the revealing (Greek: τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν) of the sons of God (Greek: τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ θεοῦ); which refers to those who've been redeemed by Him; both male and female, as is made clear by vv. 14, 15 and 21.

Creation is "waiting for the unveiling, the manifestation, the revelation of the sons of God in their full glory. And it will come: Daniel 12:3 says that we'll shine like the stars and Matthew 13:43 says we'll shine like the sun. We'll be blazing glory. The whole creation is looking for that event, eagerly anticipating it." (MacArthur)


 


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