God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth, there is nothing that I desire besides you, my flesh and my heart my fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Czeck this out.

A Tribute to Spurgeon

"Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven." -Charles Spurgeon, on the beauty of God's free grace

On studying this past summer the 'emergent' church and postmodernism movements, the Lord has revealed much to me. First, he has revealed how quickly I am to take credit for God's grace in my life-- an evidence of pride. Thank you, to Mr. Spurgeon, who is far wiser than I for pointing us to the truths of Scripture when he said, "Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us." How true. The hymn rings true... "Guilty vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; Full atonement; Can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!" If my church has encouraged me towards anything this year, I am thankful for the beautiful faithfulness I have seen towards the Gospel. Our pastors think, breathe, sleep, drink the Gospel. They apply it to our songs, to our messages, to our intentions, to person conversations. I am thankful more for the Gospel now than I have ever been before. How blind were my eyes before I could see, --and how blurry before the gospel was revealed more clearly! I am thankful for the Lord's providence, both by using we guilty sinners, and by not finishing His work in us yet. How encouraging!
Here's another, "Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace." I enjoy Spurgeon because he LOVES God's grace. It is alone by God's grace that anything good is in me-- and alone by God's grace that any of the formentioned appear! I want to be continually thankful to the Lord for the continual grace he pours. The Lord astonishes me.

Today I met a boy who voluntarily showed me a tattoo on his arm. He was mentioning the typeface font design, and when I asked him what the tattoo meant to him, he mentioned a story about his grandfather. His grandfather passed away when he was ten years old. "I've been on my own since then," he said in passing. My heart for this boy...; living with friends and getting a job at sixteen to support himself, lacking care and attention. Oh, sweet boy! My heart cries for the fact that he is apart from the Father and creator of his soul, who knit him together before he was born. I look into his deep, tiresome eyes and long for nothing but for him to know the sweet abundance of joy and truth offered to him! I am thankful, that though I am guilty, vile and sinful, that God uses man for his glory. To God be the glory.

Researching...

The Emergent Church

Camp: The Real-Life Narnia

I am setting off to work at camp in a few days.

I am very excited to go to Colorado.

I should start breathing less to prepare.

It's a whole different world out there, in overnight camps. There is chanting, secret rituals, different languages, a culture extremely different than the 'normal' world.
If I were in the university cafeteria and broke out in a food fight, I do not suppose that Kirsty Alley would join in with laughter. I would see some evil eyes from cafeteria ladies. But camp life? Oh, it's a wholly different world.

This message sponsored by the letter K.

Pixels We Call Photography

Praise God

...from whom all blessings flow!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." -Psalm 34: ocho

Graphic design it is, my friends.

My Grandma Jean, #2

Czech Your Email

If you are on the main BaneLiberoFanz Club weekly email updates, I sent out an email today to all of you... with some big news. Thanks for being fans, and enjoy! I wouldn't keep doing this if it weren't for the TENS of people who read this blog every year. I just can't believe how much the site has grown since it began in 2007. Newsweek calls Bane Libero, "A refreshing, exciting site..." my mom one time said, "...you have a blog?..." New York Times once recognized it even, calling it, "a waste of cyberspace"... the growth is exponentianally enticing. Who would had known the opinions of a single college girl could... change ...the world's opinions on liberating subjects like ...Uncrustables sandwiches...!

Let's Vote it Out.

I've always been told to major in the majors & minor in the minors, but unfortunately UT doesn't offer those two. Alhora, here is the problem.

A. MRS. Degree
B. Graphic Design
C. Web design

D. Psych!ology

Bear Fruit

A Slice of Thought: Emotions and Unbelief

Emotions are crazy.

I was just looking at pictures from last summer's mission trip to Italy, when I started to get that feeling inside. Doubt. Reminiscing. You know it-- the "good ole' days" your dad talks about. In my household, it is talked about as a fact that college days are the "best" days of your life. Oh, and that song, "I hope you've had the time of your life." Even more than the redundancy of the Grease Soundtrack, I despise that song! I hear it every graduation, every end of camp, every conclusion of a job, every grande finale. Oh, and only to stir emotion and create an emotional response! ...Phew.
Emotional reminiscence is not only idolised obedience toward emotion, but it also dangerous-- dangerous in not trusting in God's future grace. It is a single brick unveiling a long wall of unbelief. If we don't believe that God will supply for us in the future as he has in the past-- we have nothing to live for. "Our life hangs on future grace," says JP. [John Piper likes me to call him this. It keeps him young, he says.] So easily do I find myself obeying emotions swayed my by emotions, triggered my music, or pictures, or simple conversation. How foolish!
"The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works." -Psalm 145:13
You would think our immediate response to remembering good things would be to say, "God, you are so good! Your faithfulness endures forever! I can not wait to see what You will do in the future!"
Praise God that He always remains faithful.

"Jesus Christ in the same yesterday, today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8

Summer Reading List

Now, this reading list took into assessment the opinions of many people from Cornerstone Church of Knoxville, and here, after thorough assessment, is the Summer Reading List for 2008.


Future Grace
John Piper
Alas, the first book is Future Grace by Piper. This book is highly encouraged at my church, and I have a heart that enjoys both grace, and John Piper very highly. Much more so grace. For without Grace, John Piper would encourage me nay. [Woo, did you hear that Shakespearean coming out? We must be related.]
So far this book has done nothing but encourage my heart to trusting God. Even simple matters-- which I'm learning it must start with. On my 9-hour drive this weekend, I came to a point while I was on the phone with my friend Leslie, and all of a sudden I had 6 miles to empty in my car. I quickly remained calm and got off the phone, praying for God to supply a gas station in the middle of Nowhere, Tennessee. Remembering His faithfulness, in this time, he offered me grace, and I took His grace to trust that He always provides.

In the past seven years I've known Him, our God has never left me. Ever.
Sara Groves makes a beautiful point in her song, "He's Always been Faithful"
" I can’t remember a trial or a pain,
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide,
He’s always been faithful to me. "
Amen, Sara Groves.
Alas, when I got to 0 Miles to Empty, a mysterious exit on the right popped up, without warning or sign, and I slid in neutral.. into a gas pump.
He's Always Been Faithful to Me.

----
Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot
Elisabeth Elliot


Practically anything that you place into my hands with the name Elisabeth Elliot will I devour, I think that she is absolutely splendid. Also, I have and still do I believe that if we were to come in contact, we should become good friends.
It would immediately begin as such; introduction, my telling a recent pun I had discovered, her correcting me by some distant discerning spirit of my pride and untrusting heart, and quickly then becoming kindred hearts. She would ask me my opinion on things, most of which she would kindly correct, and I, taking notes with every phone conversation we would have. Also, every meal would have tea. Hot tea. Such as peach tea, or orange friendship tea. By spending a week with Elisabeth, I am quite certain I would either. a) Hear God's immediate call to celibacy, or 2.) become so sanctified that I marry within the month.
[Note to readers: This is slight overexaggeration. Slight.]

--
Stepping Heavenward
Mrs. E. Prentiss

First of all, [-off the record-] any woman from the 1800's who places "Mrs." before her name on a book seems dainty enough to write a good book.

I enjoy the counsel of wise women. A wise friend of mine suggested this book to me, and as so, she mentioned something of this sort: "I pushed off reading this book after the suggestion, due to the cheesy christian fiction cover. But, it's so good! Don't be mislead!"
That's hilarious, and oh too true.
My first Bible was named "eXtReMe TeEn bIbLe!!" (no exaggeration) for this exact reason. For some reason I had a lame-o view of the bible, and the cool font on this bible made me interested in it. Yes, I judged the Bible by it's cover. Good thing God gives grace! (phew, and creates the "eXtreme teen bible for people like me.)

More to be considered?
Redemption Accomplished & Applied - John Murray
Humility - CJ Mahaney
Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye - Carolyn Mahaney

Any suggestions?!

A Word About The Author

Bane was born in a rural county in Alaska, and moved with her family to Tennessee in her early preschool years. She now lives with her husband and children in a rural neighborhood outside of Calcutta, India.

"Living in a Rural Neighborhood in Calcutta with my Husband and  Children." By B.A .Libero (c) 2015

My Grandma Jean [Nanny]

my grandma rearranges our cabinets everytime she visits.

...one more thing college boys and my grandma have in common.


bonothoe




grandma libero

Most Reputable Authors

My list of personally acclaimed authors & theologians...

Application of Biblical Doctrine
John Piper

Mark Driscoll

Wayne Grudem

Jonathan Edwards
J.I. Packer
Charles Spurgeon
A.W. Tozer
R.C. Sproul
C.J. Mahaney
Sovereign Grace Ministries

Biblical Manhood & Womanhood
Elizabeth Elliott
Joshua Harris


"I must be an emotional archaeologist, because I keep looking for the roots of things, particularly the roots of behavior and why I feel certain ways about certain things."
-Fred Rogers, The World According to Mr. Rogers


Any suggestions?

We Are All Broken

this world is broken and empty.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=txqeyisb688

jars of clay's song, "Oh, my God"

il mundo e' wickitty whack.

My New Favorite Snack

One college day, in a mid-sized freezer section of the new Food City on Western Avenue, I came to the findings of these small sandwich-resembling snacks. A recognition of seeing these snacks at a summer camp a few summers ago, I decided to perform further research. They are delicious, and surprisingly better than homemade pb&j. Here are some findings after further research.
Pros: They are just so good. Mmm.



Cons: It takes 30 minutes to defrost. No successful taste attempt to microwave, or eat frozen, raw strawberries just aren't the same.



Mysteries: I am not quite sure how many it would take to make a meal, three? I

What is the Prosperity Gospel?

Here is Piper on the prosperity gospel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc

Amen.

Joel Osteen.
Also, here is mark driscoll on joel osteen and the matter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IuiUOapK1w
Mark is the head pastor of mars hill church, which I have come to respect.


I think that a strong point to look at when we begin to understand who God is, is to admire Jesus' life, and how God and Jesus walked together while on earth. Jesus was everything but healthy, wealthy and prosperous. He was sick, he suffered, he had a rough life. But God was most glorified in him when he was most satisfied in Him... in the midst of loss, not prosperity.

I

love

the

true

gospel.

What is the Gospel?

http://www.everystudent.com/

The purpose that I live.

Why I Love My Women Friends

Where was Jane before Tarzan?

...Right Here.

Who are Janes?
We are women of God. We love adventure. We seek to learn to listen to God with all of our senses, and to love the Lord to the point of sacrifice. Then, we hold on for the ride.
Janes have the beat of adventure knit into their souls. Choice of travel? Kayaking, relaying, longboarding, sprinting, biking, ...perhaps extreme walking; whatever you may choose.
Our Tarzan is the God of the Universe.

With Christ, we are strong.
We have integrity.
We are adventurous.
We are Janes.

...Are you a Jane?

-jnewm

Did you guys see Laura on SNL last week?

Last weekend as a surprise hostess, Laura Rannells hosted the one and only Saturday Night Live! It was not only very wit-induced, but also a great encouragement to the world to keep on working hard at being hilarious, and everything will pay off. Great Job, Laura, the your skit as the Pirate was one-of-a-kind and I'm sure will be hitting up YouTube in no time.
-jnewm

Get Down, Get Down!

This sermon on relationships is incredible...

http://www.d1018518.domain.com/sermons/02-16-08_MP_1.mp3

It's from my church, in which, our pastor tackles relationships and the way that they should be handled within a godly community.

for more resources, hit up: http://www.cornerstonechurchofknoxville.com/

Total Depravity

"Perhaps we ought to sit stunned for seven days with torn clothes and dust on our head un utter silence like Job and his three friends."
-John Piper on our condition without Christ