Last night, I joined several friends by going out into the country and sitting around a campfire. All of us were simply laughing, having fun, joking around, etc. At one moment, I looked into the fire to see the flames burning the wood. I could not help but think that we are similar to the wood and God is similar to the fire. As long as we remain in Him, then we will be able to spread His light to others around us. Sometimes this burning hurts, but at other times, the warmth of the fire keeps away the cold of the night.

God is always able to influence people as He chooses, and He needs nothing to sustain Himself - He is everlasting on His own - but the more people who are willing to do His will (the more fuel the fire has), the more His love and light can push back the darkness.

I like the idea that I'm similar to fire - the thought that I am powerful, giving light to others. I've known for a while that I'm not, but I keep trying to think that I am. I've known for a while that I should not try to be powerful on my own, but that I should reflect the light that God shines through me. Seeing the analogy of the wood and fire helps me to realize that it's okay to be something other than fire, and even more it is actually good. I am no more than just a block of wood upon a mountain-size pyre, but I give fuel to a mighty flame, that His light, His love, and His power would shine before all.

Alien Salvation

This concept is much more outlandish than the previous. Most of the previous posts have been about things here. On Earth. But here's a weird thought: what about alien salvation?

Many people say that aliens do not exist, but I happen to believe that they do. I have a logical reason why: the universe is huge.

To prove my point, I'd like to go over some facts.

The speed of light is about 186,000 miles per second. Going at this speed, I have estimated that one could travel around the Earth about seven and a half times in one second. At this speed, it would take over four years to reach the nearest star outside of our system. Also, the width of the Milky Way Galaxy (that's our galaxy if you were uncertain) is about 100,000 lightyears in diameter. Human history records back about 5,000 years (give or take - only written history, fossils go back further). This means that it takes 20 times human history to cross the galaxy going at the same speed that would take you around the Earth seven and a half times in one second! (you may want to read that sentence again just to be sure). Imagine that!

Scientists have discovered an entire universe beyond our galaxy. From that perspective, the Milky Way would be a grain of sand in a desert.

Still think we are alone?

Assuming that an intelligent life form existed, how would they attain salvation? Surely they would have some knowledge of religion, spirituality, or soul. I find it incredibly arrogant to suggest that humans are the only beings in the universe with a soul. I have spoken of this matter to a few others, some having no answer while others affirmed that either aliens don't exist or they would have to accept Jesus Christ. How do you explain that one? Forget language barriers (those can be overcome - in theory). But a different species would be entirely different - not just physically, but also socially, culturally, mentally, spiritually. How do you explain that a man from a different species died to save you from Hell (whatever you call Hell) and if you do not accept Him, then you are doomed to eternal damnation? If an alien told you that, would you believe them?

Didn't think so.

However, assuming that God created all things, including other life forms, then He must have initiated some method of bringing salvation to their souls. A God of love would not leave His creation to death. But how would He do so? Is one soul more important than another? How would He convey salvation. For humans, it's Jesus, but for aliens...what? Do they have to obey certain rules? Do they have to perform so many acts of kindness? Do they have their own personal savior?

I have no answer for the method of salvation for an alien race, but I do believe that such salvation has already been set into place. I'm sure that in His wisdom, God would have figured this one out. I do not believe that any one soul is more important than another. An alien species would not have a purer or holier soul than humans (and vice verse), but each soul would have it's own place in Heaven. Instead of humans on one level with aliens on a higher or lower level, humans and all aliens would share the same level and be in different areas of the "city". Example: humans are in green sector while alien species "X" is in blue sector. Color holds no rank, but simply denotes different sections of the same level. Saints and the like may be placed on higher levels, but that's a different discussion altogether.

These are outlandish theologies, but at the same time, so were many others. Who knows? If you believe that aliens exist (and I clearly do), then someone has to come up with some explanation that represents equality.

This is mine.

Future

I watched the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender again. Of course, everything turns out wonderfully and everyone is happy and all smiles. But when I thought about it for a moment, I realized something: that's not the true ending. Sure, it's the end of the show and there's no more left to tell, but the truth is that everything that happened during the show has loose ends. After the show is over, the characters still learn things as they continue their lives.

Life in Christ is much the same way. There's no moment at which everything is finished (except at death). I catch myself trying to find that moment where everything in my walk with God makes sense, but the truth is that it's being written with every breath that I take. Even though I may suffer through a valley or feel jubilation at the top of a mountain, the journey always continues.

A relationship with Christ is just that: a relationship. It never stops growing or evolving. It continues to the moment of death - or rather rebirth - and moving into the next world.

So even though there are times that I see myself in struggle, I know that the story does not end. Even in the times where things are going well, the story does not end. Sometimes the thought of knowing that there is more to come in my life helps me get through the day. Knowing that there are more experiences and more adventures sets a relieving calm upon me.

It reminds of Jeremiah 29:11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'Plans to help you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.' "

Or in the words of Captain Kirk: "Thataway!"

The future. Live it well.

Happiness

This past weekend, I spent most of my time at a Christian retreat. While everyone else appeared to be having fun and enjoying themselves, I felt myself in conflict. Everyone talks about finding their joy completely in the Lord. Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

I find that verse hard to agree with. I'm not saying that it should never be done, but I believe that it neglects the full range of human emotion. Not every day is filled with joy. Some days are better than others. Some days, everything goes wrong and falls apart. I think that on those days, the best thing to do is not to try to find joy, but peace. Take a breath and relax and remember:

1. God has always loved you for you are.
2. The day has only 24 hours. It will be over soon enough.

Sometimes we get so busy and so hyped up over things that we forget to take a moment of brief pause. We forget - I forget - to be still and know that he is God.

I remember the words that Marcus Lynn (the Pastor at a Church in Versailles, KY) said in one of his sermons: "Sunshine all the time creates a desert."

What I take from what Paul is saying in Philippians is not to abandon all other emotion, but to remember that the hardship that you are going through is just a moment in time. It has come, but will soon pass. So keep your head up. Keep going. Keep trying. And in the moments that you get weighed down, rejoice in the Lord for He loves you. Always.

The past few days, I have been completely apathetic to the Lord. I would read Scripture, but the words were meaningless. I would pray, but I was talking to thin air. It lost its power. I felt more and more that I simply did not want anything to do with God.

Last night, at worship, it changed.

During one of songs, part of me wanted to sing. Part of me did not. But I chose to sing anyway. Once the song had ended, I heard a voice in my mind saying "No. This one's mine." Though I cannot explain it, I know that it was the voice of the Lord looking at Satan and telling him, "No. This one's mine." I had this image of God holding onto me as Satan tried to pull me away, but the Father would not let go.

In the same instant, I remembered an anime that I have seen. In the story, one character named Zuko is on the run with his uncle Iroh. Through this, we can see how Iroh is much like a father to Zuko. But at a critical moment, Zuko makes a decision that displeases his uncle and later regrets it. But when the two are reunited, Zuko comes forth begging for forgiveness, but Iroh, without saying a word, takes his nephew in his arms and holds him tight.

To combine that with the phrase "No. This one's mine" pierces my heart. For several days, I have felt complete apathy, and I could feel myself drifting farther away from God, but to see the image of Iroh holding his nephew, it filled me with the realization that this is the way that God wants to hold me at every moment.

He gave us this wonderful gift in the form of Jesus Christ just so that when we enter Heaven, He can take us into His arms without saying a word, then look to Satan and say "No. This one's mine."

The Beginning

The beginning. Good place to start. Sometimes, the only place.

I have so many things to tell you, but for now I hope that it is enough to inform you that I do plan for this to be a religious blog. I hope that it does not scare you away, but I do hope that such ideas and possibilities make you curious.

What would a college student say about God? About Christ?

For anyone who was paying attention, "Theologier" is not a real word. If you choose to write this into one of your English papers, the teacher will most likely ask you to find a dictionary, a computer with spellcheck, or your brain. Perhaps all three. Unfortunately, 'theologian' and 'theologia' were both taken already, so I had to come up with something. Theologier sounded good enough.

Yes, I am a Christian, but I do ask that you keep in mind two things:
One, Christians are not perfect, only forgiven. There are times that I do mess up and make mistakes.
Two, I'm only one college student trying to understand this eternal being that everyone keeps calling "God" for some reason. Some of your philosophies and theologies will agree with mine. Some will not. But do not worry whether or not you and I agree, but worry whether or not we agree with God. As for me, I'm just trying to figure things out.

The name that I have chosen to call myself bears significance. It was not simply picked out at random from the depths of my brain, but rather very carefully from those depths.

"Israel" was the name given to Jacob meaning "one who wrestles with God". The Israelites themselves were constantly disobeying God, then asking for His forgiveness. I too wrestle with God at times, trying to understand why He does some of the things that He does. Poverty, murder, rape. Why are such things allowed to continue?

"Blackdog" was actually a name taken from an anime entitled "Cowboy Bebop". Watch the show, you will understand. To put the meaning of the name into my own words, it means "the one who bites and does not let go". There have been many times that I have wanted to walk away from God and faith, but I know where I would be without Him. I have not let go. I am a black dog.

As for the rest, you will know soon enough.