About The Author
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I suck.
Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I was going to die.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death…
Fortunately, God doesn’t suck.
Luke 18:19 (ESV) … No one is good except God alone.
God knew I sucked, loved me anyway and because He loved me so much, He sent His Son to fix it all:
Romans 5:8 (ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God gave me the wisdom to know of Him and His love for me.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (ESV) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
So I call upon Him.
Romans 10:9 (ESV) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
God saved me from death.
John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
God made me righteous.
Job 33:26 (ESV) then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.
God made me pure.
Zechariah 3:4 (ESV) And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”
God made me holy.
1 Peter 1:16 (ESV) since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
For this point on, I cannot be condemned for my past.
Romans 8:1 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What did I do to save myself? Not a darn thing.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
What can keep Jesus from stop loving me? Uh, nothing:
Romans 8:35-39 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Simply put, who is like our God and who dares to compare themselves to Him? Because the last time I checked, my God is holy.
About the Author:
Joseph Louthan was born on May 17, 1975, to American soldier and a Korean waitress in Carswell AFB (near Fort Worth), Texas. Oldest of six children which includes two brothers and three sisters. Raised by paternal grandmother after parents divorced when Joe was 5 years old and lived with his dad until 12 years old. Joseph has one son, Yusef and is a member of Gateway Church in Southlake, TX.
Want to read about Joseph’s path from death to life? Read more One Year Ago.
He can be contacted through:
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This was cool Joe! I’m glad you did this…
great pic. you look so contemplative…
Love ya Bro
I hate being so anonymous on my own blog but with this theme, I was none-too-successful in setting up a About Me page.
Then it dawn on me: why not just post and entry then link it in the navbar up top.
Presto! About Me Page!
see, you’re smarter than you look.
What?!?!
Kidding!
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog, especially as of late. I think that your openness and honesty is a huge encouragement to others, and that your life is an incredible testimony to what God can do in people’s lives. Thanks so much for being more encouraging than you could ever know or understand…
Tam:
Melissa: That means the world to me coming from you. I have always loved your blog. I speak to many young women so I can, without question, your heart and your obedience. You give me hope and I thank you.
Hey Joe,
I hear you’re a poet…? What? Do you have some of your stuff here or somewhere on the net?
I’d love to read some of your poetry.
I am not sure if I have ever sold myself as a poet. I like it well enough but I don’t think I am that good at it.
So, sales aside, have you written songs/lyrics/poems that you like and would be willing to share with me? I promise only to enjoy and or experience it … nothing more.
It has been decades since I have tried to write a poem or a song.
I don’t know how to compose music. I barely know the basics of melodies and the like.
I remarked to Tam that I so desperately want to write worship songs but I don’t have any musical gifts. Tam said, “Just write!”. I was like, “Okay!”.
I think I am going to have Brent and Tam teach me the basics of songwriting when I go and meet them. In the meanwhile, I have got to teach myself the basics of music.
Cool. Just so’s you know, this is a poem:
Those Buses by Joe Louthan
I was saved when I was 7.
This bus ministry
part of a Baptist church
picked up us kids
every single Sunday
I know John 3:16
because of those buses.
I still know the books of the Bible
to this day
because of those buses.
I know what hell is
because of those buses.
I know what heaven is
because of those buses.
I knew that Jesus came down
and died
on the cross
so I
could go to heaven
and be with
God
when I died
because of those buses.
I got to meet
God
because of those buses.
May I post your poem on my blog too?
Ric! WOW!!!! Joe’s testimony brought tears to my eyes. Again.
Joe look. That’s YOUR poetry!
Ric, you are beautiful. Thank you for seeing that poem and bringing it out like that.
I’m just in awe
Tam’s right, this poem of yours IS powerful. You should set it to some notes and melody (tweaking as needed) and then record yourself singing it. Keep me posted bro.
Ric: I am still stunned from the last time you post. I ain’t ignoring you. I am just speechless.
Let me see what I can do.
Although, I might have to take some vocal lessons in the meantime.
I am taking voice lessons now. Patti (my bride of 27 years) dragged me to Christmas CHOIR practice last year. I was sure they were going to kick me out. Instead the choir director is now my voice coach and I may actually sing in public tomorrow … for the first time in my life!)
Well, ok 2nd time. The 1st time was 6th grade when I tried out for a musical. Everyone said I was tone-deaf. Sharon, my coach, says I have an excellent ear, a beautiful voice, and natural bravado.
I probably was tone deaf. I believe all things are possible.
My friends know my heart for praise and worship and they believe that God will supernaturally bless me with the vocals and skills to sing and/or play an instrument.
If that gave God all the glory, then I am 100% on board. If not, I rather be mute.
[...] Joe: http://www.iamlivingproof.org/2008/04/07/about-the-author/ [...]
[...] About Me [...]
Pretty original “about me”. I need to go back and tweak mine.
What’s up with this generic colour scheme? I liked the old one better.
Great “About Me” page bro! You ever visit Korea lately? If you ever do, give me a shout!
I am so glad to know you. Your testimony is an inspiration and has led me, rather by leading me to it, God has led me, to share my own. You have my sincerest thanks and blessings. Godspeed.