Articles written by Stephen Surgener

How To Guides |
Community

About me - Stephen Surgener

"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

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture How Christians relate to others in the world: 'in the world, but not of it': 5 of 19

Without study of the life of Christ, and an understanding of Paul's letters to the churches, it is impossible to fully comprehend the concepts of Christians being called to be in the world, but not of it. The misunderstood ideal can at times lead to communal living such as the Quakers, or more commonly, a rejection of those ...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Death of a firefighter: 10 of 32

He had to work that night. Twice Steve had called in, hoping to get approval to take the night off. But it wasn't going to happen. Trucks were already loaded and ready to move out. He had been running hard for months now, always having to push it in a an effort to hold on to his job. Driving truck just wasn't what it used to...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Outcasts: 24 of 73

When you live a life with bipolar, you have to get used to saying goodbye. It's just the nature of trying to fit a a square peg into a round society. Everyone wants consistent, regular, normal. But bipolar doesn't allow for any of these things. Over the years, I have had to say goodbye to many friends, many jobs, and even a ...
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Living a quiet Christian life: 1 of 3

Christian: believer in Jesus Christ as savior: somebody who believes that Jesus Christ was sent to the world by God to save humanity, and who tries to follow his teachings and example Most have seen stereotypical portrayals of Jesus Christ. Scenes of the dirty masses, hunched over and milling about, suddenly being awe struck...
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues The ultimate religious dilemma: God knowing all vs. free will: 8 of 22

It would seem this concept of all knowing, equaling an elimination of free will, has become a new front in the battle to maintain accurate Biblical theology among youth within the Christian community. The topic has arisen in my personal circles of conversation several times this year. And in every instance, the initiators of...
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Guidelines and limits to Christian witness: 2 of 5

Most Christians of moderate Biblical knowledge understand that apostle Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament. In the form of letters Paul sent out to various church's, he gave God given instruction, and clarification on the finer points of Christianity, as well as the responsibilities of the church. What few people se...
Education > Financing College How to bear the cost of college now: 2 of 5

I have spent decades in the workforce earning a "living" at jobs that have been neither challenging nor rewarding. The obvious solution has always been to obtain a degree, but the monthly ritual of paying bills would leave me wondering how I would ever pay for it; until last month that is. When people say that college has be...
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Challenges faced by Christians critical of modern role-models for the faith: 2 of 4

There are such a wide variety of denominations, styles of belief, and just plain out of left field forms of Christianity today, it leaves a person wondering what the point is. Humanists seem to view Christians as weak, and disoriented, living for the sole purpose of pushing morality over on others just cause we can. Pagans a...
Religion & Spirituality > Bible Study Biblical advice on disagreements: 1 of 2

Disagreement is a normal part of any non-solitary life. At work, in the home, at social gatherings, anywhere people come together, you will find it. In and of itself, disagreement is simply a state of not sharing a common perspective, or belief with another individual. There is no harm to be found in it, but rather in the ac...
Health & Fitness > Bipolar Disorder How to determine the need for hospitalization during acute manic episodes: 1 of 2

Last year, my bipolar left me hospitalized for the standard 72 hour review and release. It was my first hospitalization because of this disease, and the whole process was very enlightening. Hospitalization statistics are most often associated with episodes of depression and not acute mania. Mental health professionals focus ...