Rather thank God Who blesses us as He chooses to see fit 
The BDF and all the years I spent prior to that in active apologetics with non-believers made me want to find a less contentious way to be part of this online Christian community.
You are going to make me look up SuperfluitiesGood morning Kim
For me, the designing of these images is pure joy. Well, it is a lot of fun, too
I heard on the radio in my car recently, something Michelangelo said: “Beauty is the purgation of superfluities.” I heard it as him saying that creating beauty is a way to protest/critique/oppose (I can't think of the right word, something like that) all that is ugly... I took it to mean all that is ugly in the human spirit. I like that
When I looked that up, I saw he also said, "The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” I have always shied away from calling myself an artist, musician, poet. They seemed like things to aspire to, in finding ways to express the truth of my innermost self, but not what I was in a fuller sense of any of those one words. This creating of panels to share on CC seems a much more comprehensive expression of who I am, utilizing all facets of my life's experience, values, beliefs, abilities and talents (such as they are) to create something pleasing, pleasing not only to myself, but also hopefully pleasing to others
You mean you did not look it up when I first said that to you?You are going to make me look up Superfluities
I forgot to say thank you, and you are welcomeWOW.
Love the colors, Magenta!!!
Art cheers the soul--and your artistic eye has surely brightened up an otherwise kind of cloudy day.
Thank you for blessing us with your talents. <3
No. Did you go look up "reduced internal cylinder pressure for unleaded fuel engines?"You mean you did not look it up when I first said that to you?
Good morning, CharliRenee
I hope you are feeling better today... 
Wow, thank you for sharing both with me. I'm listening right now. \@/ ♡Good morning, CharliRenee
Here is another song for you (and all of us) to listen to. I hope it blesses you
This Scripture may also bless you. I pray it does; you are such a blessing to all of us!
♡!!! Thank you so much, Sister. My heart will sing Your a Praise, Lord, still in Your hands. Great is His faithfulness!!!I was thrilled that you posted your scripture art portrait you made for me. What an honour!!
Thank you, Gracie, you are such a sweet kidThis is a wonderful thread Magenta!
Keep up the good work!
I do not use that term in any kind of denigrating way It is just that I am almost fifty years your senior Even if you live to be fifty, and me almost a hundred, you will always be a kid to me heehee I was almost fifty when I became Christian. I am really glad for you that you are one now. Your life will be much better due to the influence Jesus Christ will have working to continually transform your heart and grow you in His Love Thank you, Gracie, you are such a sweet kid
I really appreciate the encouraging words you have said. It means a lot! Hope all goes well with you and your art. It is a wonderful gift being used for the glory of God. Looking forward to seeing more!
terriffic
I designed this one over the weekend, in celebration of, and gratitude for, God's love.
5 thumbs up! out of 5.
Thank you, Bobterriffic
You are such an inspiration to me
aw, shucksThank you, Bob
I used drugs and alcohol that way for twenty four years before I cried out to God- a God I did not even believe in at the time- for help. I was not asking for help to quit using, because I liked using drugs and alcohol. I was asking for help with another issue, one I saw causing me untold pain repeatedly in my life, but, within days of crying out to God for help, I was clean and sober.
I first got clean and sober in 1994 after crying out to God for help - the God I did not even
believe in at the time. Within days I was clean after 24 years of drug and alcohol abuse.
I was using drugs and alcohol in an attempt to help me cope with my inability to cope with life... life on life's terms, as they say
That was in 1994, when I was thirty nine years old. I had almost died numerous times as a result of using drugs and alcohol, and stood on the precipice of desiring to die/kill myself more than once, also. Turning my life around was made much easier by joining AA and NA. I also sought guidance from various counselors, psychologists, and therapists. The program offers a place to listen to others share their experiences, strength, and hope, as well as giving you a venue to share your own well as struggles, sorrows, challenges, conflicts, etc. I was going to AA meetings for quite some time just to listen to others articulate things I could not put into words for myself, before I ever put down the mind and mood altering substances.
Many people don't realize it, but the whole purpose of the program is to help people establish and maintain a personal relationship with God. I was not a Christian; I was a spiritual seeker for many years, in hard rebellion against the traditional God, Christianity, and organized religion. I did, however, work the steps, learned to pray, ask for help, take suggestions, and lean on the fellowship for extra support when I felt I needed it, and it in turn gave me many friends and acquaintances, lots of inspiration, guidance, and direction. I did eventually surrender my opposition to God, for God powerfully and profoundly revealed Himself to me in various way numerous times over the years. The Biblical promise came true: If you seek sincerely, you will find
Thank you, God!
