"A man of faith steps into the void grinning"

Yes, I am a man of faith, but also very much human. Anyone who has been through enough of my writing will surely attest to this. Still, my passion for writing has proven a life long companion, and despite the abuse it often invokes, the experience has been rewarding. However, only in recent years have I begun to develop any kind of signature style, or rather one that people will actually read. My hope is to pass on at least part of the spark that has blessed me, carried me, and kept my hope alive.

I have written for bipolarworld.net, a couple of online magazines, and have been published in several anthologies, as well as newspaper articles, and newsletters. I tried out web design, and product review, but where's the fun in that. My hope is by the end of '08, I will have completed my first publishable book. In the end, my desire is to write not only for a living, but for passion as well.

Let me encourage anyone with a constructive word of criticism, to go that extra step, and send it to me. Part of the greatness of Helium, is to have a broad audience to review your work. This benefit is only partially realized if we do not follow through in offering up direction to one another. But even if you're just passing through, don't be shy. The effort we put in today is reflected in what's returned to us tomorrow.

God Bless... Stephen Surgener Nov. 2007

I know too much about ...

some of the pains of this world. It is perhaps the only thing any person of character, faith, humillity, and awareness could feel they ever know too much about. Though I'm not sure I fit within those descriptives, much of me still grieves over the darkness of these days in which I find myself existing. A world gone mad. It would seem a geneside has begun. A time to lay waste principle, morality, character, compassion, true understanding, and mercy.

My parents always told me ...

stand up straight, cut your hair, get an education, and get a job. Over the years, I have grown to be 6'3", bald, and have the equivilant of a doctorate in human studies. Even with the job issue in a constant state of ebb and flow, I figure 3 out of 4 qualifies me as a good son.

Why I write ...

Self preservation. A mind that never rests, needs a release valve. For me it's writing...or at least that's the primary release. I have been know to lecture, preach (yes, there is a difference) or simply ramble. Writing is however the thing I find most rewarding. Perhaps it is born of a respect for the written word that seems to make me unique in todays culture. Whatever the reason, my hope is for others to find humor, be challenged, and perhaps even dream a bit, as they read my work.

My inspiration ...

is the feedback of fellow writers who share in a passion for the pursuit of quality work. If you have comments, or suggestions about any of my articles here at Helium, or from other places you have managed to find me, I would love to hear it. columncomment@yahoo.com

Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Christian obligation to social decline

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In the last few months, an apparent insurgence of attacks against Biblical Christian beliefs, and the accuracy of the Scriptures, has become more prevalent in my daily activities. Articles, conversations, TV broadcasts, and alike, have contained outright aggressive attitudes on the topics of Christ, the Bible, and even less Christian specific themes of morality, and personal responsibility. Could it be, as a nation, we have reached a level of such disregard, even the founding principles of societal coherence are classified as "religious" and therefore denounced?

History itself bears witn...

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