D R . E L R O I

A PERSONAL JOURNAL OF A MAN LIVING WITH HIV

Monday, April 27, 2009

The 12 Step

I am glad and so blessed that Courage Philippines featured my story last week on their blog site praise God. I pray that many people will be aware and inspired by it as they read my story and eventually my blog and then learn something.

Here's the link, please copy and paste it on your browser if you cannot click it. http://www.couragephilippines.blogspot.com/

You might be wondering how on earth I can control myself not to masturbate and get into a casual sex for more than a year now. I have decided not to masturbate because it will be fueled by lustful thoughts then I will commit sin; same thing with sex for it is more of a sin. I must admit though that the desire is still there and sometimes the temptation to get into it is so strong especially when I caught my self unaware (or sometimes aware) exposed to something that fuels that desire.

The secret is the 12 Step, first step is to admit our powerlessness over something we are addicted to which hinders our growth in relationship with God such as alcoholism or any form of sexual addictions. Second is, believing in a greater power of God and then turning our life to Him. It means total submission to Lord Jesus Christ and obedience.

For the rest of the 12 steps and more information please copy and paste this link to your browser. http://12-step-review.org/

This is the program of recovery I have been following and striving hard to do as I struggle to break free of my idols of addictions. If you can recall, this was mentioned and followed in "This Way Out" by Frank Worthen which I also discussed here last year every chapter.

Again I do not know until when I can be celibate and consecrate myself for Jesus, only God knows and only by His grace.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

COH Butuan

Hello!

I just came back from my trip to Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte last Saturday. My fellow facilitators and speakers and I stayed there for three and a half days for a two days workshop on HIV and AIDS program of this NGO I am volunteering for called "Channels of Hope".

COH is essentially a program that aims to mobilize churches and faith communities to lessen the stigma and discrimination associated to this pandemic. We had 39 participants and 21 of them are Pastors and priests while the others are from DOH, city health office and the NGO's local partner.

This time I lead the facilitation without the program owner and thank God for the workshop went really well. He's truly in control! All the participants were so blessed with my testimony and with my faith in God. Based on their evaluation, it was truly a success!

I am giving back all the honor and glory to our God Almighty. Thank you for the anointing and for the grace. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for it is all for the glory of your kingdom.

By the way, for some of you who missed the SNBO last April 12 please click the link below. God bless you all!

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/39736/SNBO-Think-Positive


Monday, April 13, 2009

Tha Shack


Hello readers! I pray you are in good condition, happy or not, when you come across and read my blog.


I just finished reading this book by William P. Young and I am so thrilled and very happy about this true to life story of Mackenzie Allen Philips! Of course I won't tell you what this was all about but what I have learned and struck me most instead about Jesus.


Every human's purpose in this world is to be in a relationship with God intimately in love. Elousia or Papa as God called himself in this novel does not want a piece of our life or time. Even if we give the biggest piece of us, it's not what He wants. God wants all of us, every part of us everyday.


Jesus does not want to be the first among a list of our values. He wants to be at the center of everything in our life. He wants us to fully rest and dependent on Him in total submission. In doing that, it will give us the real freedom because in Jesus we are not under any law for all things are lawful.


God's loves us just as we are no matter what is your condition emotionally or spiritually. We cannot do nor make any promises in exchange of anything from Him for He knows every minute part of us especially the ones in our hearts. God work around in the choices we made that's why it is imperative that we listen and follow his directions and instructions and not our own will. God truly loves us no matter what period!


I highly recommend you to grab a copy and read it so that you will understand who God is or who Jesus is. If you're in a mess right now, then this book is for you.


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Youth Camp

Last Friday I had a trip to Sariaya, Quezon to attend the last day of the youth camp of our church. The couple youth leader invited me to be a speaker under the topic of Purity.

I started my session with HIV and AIDS information then I followed it with my testimony. I have seen a couple of ladies crying but most of them were a bit shocked. Then last Sunday, the parents of these young men and women came up to me and told me that their children were all very blessed with my life story especially on how God is continuously changing and transforming me to the man He created me to be.

A friend of mine whom I have invited to the camp had his breakthrough and finally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ! He is also HIV positive with SSA struggle and truly inspired by how I am living my life in a godly way.

God is truly a living God! I praise Him and give thanks to Him for these wonderful recent events and for all the things He has done into my life. You are the best Lord Jesus Christ!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Self Empowerment Training

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ!

Last Friday, my co-COH facilitators and I conducted a one day seminar on HIV & AIDS for this particular group of Christian churches in Manila. It was indeed truly a success for the participants were blessed and touched by true stories! I hope and pray this is a good start for big churches to be involved in this pandemic.

The following day, together with other PLWH, I attended the Self Empowerment Training sponsored by global fund and organized by PAFPI and Pinoy Plus Association. I learned a lot from the seminar so it was a blessing. I still believe though that the only one who can truly empower us in this kind of ordeal is Lord Jesus Christ. Also I was able to minister to two of my friends there and shared them the gospel as well as on how God is changing my life gradually.

What a great experience! Thank you God for everything in life is a blessing!