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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Power of the BLOOD of CHRIST!!
Spring is in the air, the winds are blowing, flowers are starting to bloom, trees are budding and getting their leaves, and the grass is starting to green. What a wonderful time of year to see new life being born again.
As I marvel at how these things come to being every year, I marvel at how Great God truly is in all things. I often wonder why we let life just pass us by without enjoying the little things. The subtle changes that happen on a daily basis as we hurry through each day to get every thing we think important accomplished. Living with HIV has given me a new perspective on life. I now realize life is so precious. I take time to notice all the subtle changes God is doing all around me. I see now how God is directing my path and helping me to accept the changes in my own life.
HIV can cause so many changes in your body, mind and spirit. It is a destroyer!! However, God is the giver of LIFE! We read in the Word of God that God is indeed the giver of LIFE:
God gave life to the first humans. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7).
1 Timothy 6:13 - In the sight of God, who gives life to everything
John 1:1-4 -1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
As knowledge increases and technology advances, man strives to take decisions of life and death into his own hands. This manifests itself, for example, in the prevention of conception, the termination of pregnancy, some kinds of gene manipulation, efforts to clone humans, and euthanasia. People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. He alone has the power to create life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 10:12; Ps. 139:13-16). He has not authorized man to control life. The duty of medicine is to protect life, alleviate suffering, and promote and maintain health while respecting humanity.-(LLC Position Statement, Section 2, Item 5)
As already noted, God is the Creator and the giver of life. (Ps. 127:3; Ps. 139:13-16; Job 10:12; 1 Sam. 2:6). God also numbers our days (Heb. 9:27; Job 14:5). People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. God alone has the power to create life and take it away.
I chose NOT to let HIV rule my life!! I let God who created LIFE in me to rule my LIFE! I pray for the cleansing power of the BLOOD of JESUS to run through my veins and purify my body from all the unclean things of this world. HIV has no power except what you give it in your life.
The Word of God says:
Isaiah 53: 4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Daily I claim healing for my body. Daily I thank God for my healing. Yes, medication is good to control the HIV, however the cleansing power of the BLOOD of the LAMB of GOD is healing my body.
My daily prayer is that God will use me as an instrument of peace, knowledge, love, and comfort to those who need a friend. I have a wonderful friend in JESUS who gives me strength to go forward each day.
My prayer for all who read this message is that you allow the GOD of all creation give you peace, comfort and strength. May the cleansing power of the BLOOD of JESUS flow through your very being as you reach out and touch the hem of HIS garment. Know this my friends that through all the trials, pain, sickness, loneliness, guilt, shame, GOD is there to lift you up!
I leave you with this today:
Psalm 3:3
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Hold your head up and let God arise in your spirit!!
You may have HIV but HIV does NOT have you!!
As I marvel at how these things come to being every year, I marvel at how Great God truly is in all things. I often wonder why we let life just pass us by without enjoying the little things. The subtle changes that happen on a daily basis as we hurry through each day to get every thing we think important accomplished. Living with HIV has given me a new perspective on life. I now realize life is so precious. I take time to notice all the subtle changes God is doing all around me. I see now how God is directing my path and helping me to accept the changes in my own life.
HIV can cause so many changes in your body, mind and spirit. It is a destroyer!! However, God is the giver of LIFE! We read in the Word of God that God is indeed the giver of LIFE:
God gave life to the first humans. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7).
1 Timothy 6:13 - In the sight of God, who gives life to everything
John 1:1-4 -1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
As knowledge increases and technology advances, man strives to take decisions of life and death into his own hands. This manifests itself, for example, in the prevention of conception, the termination of pregnancy, some kinds of gene manipulation, efforts to clone humans, and euthanasia. People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. He alone has the power to create life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 10:12; Ps. 139:13-16). He has not authorized man to control life. The duty of medicine is to protect life, alleviate suffering, and promote and maintain health while respecting humanity.-(LLC Position Statement, Section 2, Item 5)
As already noted, God is the Creator and the giver of life. (Ps. 127:3; Ps. 139:13-16; Job 10:12; 1 Sam. 2:6). God also numbers our days (Heb. 9:27; Job 14:5). People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. God alone has the power to create life and take it away.
I chose NOT to let HIV rule my life!! I let God who created LIFE in me to rule my LIFE! I pray for the cleansing power of the BLOOD of JESUS to run through my veins and purify my body from all the unclean things of this world. HIV has no power except what you give it in your life.
The Word of God says:
Isaiah 53: 4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Daily I claim healing for my body. Daily I thank God for my healing. Yes, medication is good to control the HIV, however the cleansing power of the BLOOD of the LAMB of GOD is healing my body.
My daily prayer is that God will use me as an instrument of peace, knowledge, love, and comfort to those who need a friend. I have a wonderful friend in JESUS who gives me strength to go forward each day.
My prayer for all who read this message is that you allow the GOD of all creation give you peace, comfort and strength. May the cleansing power of the BLOOD of JESUS flow through your very being as you reach out and touch the hem of HIS garment. Know this my friends that through all the trials, pain, sickness, loneliness, guilt, shame, GOD is there to lift you up!
I leave you with this today:
Psalm 3:3
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Hold your head up and let God arise in your spirit!!
You may have HIV but HIV does NOT have you!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A word to those newly diagnosed with HIV and those who support them!!
You are not alone!!
I know it seems that your world is falling apart and that there is no hope.
I just want you to know there is hope. There are many organizations for
you to turn too for help with your emotional state. I have been there I know.
Being diagnosed with HIV may seem like the end of the world for you but
it is not!! Life will go on and you too will go on. Today there are so many
support groups, churches, and HIV organizations you can turn to for help and
guidance at this time. I want to share my story with you so you know I really do
know what your are going through.
When I was first diagnosed with HIV, I felt numb all over. I am sure you are feeling
that way too. I chose to trust in GOD, to help me through the emotional turmoil that
was going through my mind. The questions going on in my mind at the time:
Why Me?
How am I gonna tell my partner?
How am I gonna tell my family?
How am I gonna tell my friends?
What will people think about me?
AM I gonna die?
What now?
This list goes on and on.. I am sure many of you are asking yourself the same questions!!
Well, the answer, tho it may seem too easy, is to just take a deep breath and chose to LIVE!
Life does go on with HIV. You can live a great life. You can have a great relationship with
someone who will love you despite the three letter word. You need to make a list of those who
you care the most about that you know will give you support. Make a list of those you think will
not support you. Compare the two and ask God to give you direction in who to confide in.
We all need a support system that will hold us, let us cry, let us shout, let us be mad, let us get through the initial turmoil.
I remember that day May 28th, 2009 just like it was yesterday. I left the clinic where I was tested, drove home, sat on my porch and cried for what seemed like an eternity. I yelled at God, I cried out to God, I did not blame God, I just wanted to know why. Well, my friends, the why is, simply put because I did not protect myself!! You have to realize it is all about taking the time to use protection!! You can not just trust the person you decide to have sex with unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt they are clean!! You have to love yourself enough to protect yourself!!
At this point you are probably wondering what about your partner. Well, at that time in my life I was separated from for my partner for about three months. I chose not to protect myself during those three months and I contracted HIV!! I did it to myself. I have no one else to blame but myself for not protecting myself.
At the time I found out that I was HIV+ my partner and I had reconciled and were very happy. We have been together now for 15 years, and I thank God everyday for giving me such a loving and supportive partner in LIFE!!
Back to my first week of finding out I was positive. I remember the first person I called was a manager friend of mine at work. I just started crying when he answered the phone. He was at my house in less than 10 minutes and just held me as I cried!! This friend of mine took me away from my house, took me to eat and just listen to me. He was there for me when I needed a friend and I will never never forget that day. As we sat there eating lunch I am sure I was asking him all those questions you read above. With a soft gentle voice he told me everything was going to be ok and I was not going to die. He told me my partner would understand and love me through it, he told me that my family would support me and they all do!! Yes this manager is not only my manager but one of the best friends I could ever ask for!!
I did not work for a week. Thank God for vacation time!! I continued to cry out to God to give me the strength to talk to my partner and my family. That week was the hardest week of my life. I did get to talk to everyone close to me that week and God gave me the best support system I could have ever asked for in life.
I can not stress enough that YOU have to protect yourself. You do not have to disclose your status to anyone, unless you are planning on have relations with them. Then my friend you must respect that person enough to let them know and protect them!!
My family doctor immediately got me in to see a specialist in HIV infection. God was so good to get me in to the most experienced specialist in my state!! We immediately did all the necessary blood work to see what strand of HIV I had contracted and what medication would help with controlling it when the time came to do so. For the next several months I was to go in every three months to monitor the progression of the virus. In September of 2009 I was hospitalized for my heart. I had never had any problems with my heart. Needless to say the virus was beginning to take a toll on my health. In October of 2009 when I went in for blood test results my mother was with me. Thank God for a mother who loves and supports her HIV son!! The doctor came in and did not have a smile on his face. He began to explain to me and my mother that in his thirty plus years of working with HIV he had NEVER seen as fast of a progressor as I had in my system. He told us that even tho my immune system was still ok (cd4 above 700), that if I did not start on HIV medication I would be dead, yes, he said dead in less than 2 years. My mother just gripped my hand as we began to weep. The doctor then said that he really thought I should start medication as soon as possible but it was my decision. I looked at my mother and saw the hurt in her eyes as I am sure she saw the same in mine. I said lets do this. I did not want to die!! So began my journey on HIV medication.
I remember getting my HIV medication on my front porch in a brown paper wrapper a week later.
I opened the envelope and just starred at the bottle. I knew that once I opened that bottle and took the first pill there was no turning back. I was scared, I had read all the side effects that the medication can have on your body and I really was dreading starting the medication. I had two neighbors on my porch with me that night when I decided to take the medication. I called my mom and started crying. She comforted me and told me she would stay on the phone with me as I took that first pill. I remember choking it down through the tears and my neighbors hugging me and letting me know I was gonna be okay. My mom was assuring me on the phone at the same time that I was gonna get through this and live!!
So began my journey fighting this deadly virus HIV!!
I know it seems that your world is falling apart and that there is no hope.
I just want you to know there is hope. There are many organizations for
you to turn too for help with your emotional state. I have been there I know.
Being diagnosed with HIV may seem like the end of the world for you but
it is not!! Life will go on and you too will go on. Today there are so many
support groups, churches, and HIV organizations you can turn to for help and
guidance at this time. I want to share my story with you so you know I really do
know what your are going through.
When I was first diagnosed with HIV, I felt numb all over. I am sure you are feeling
that way too. I chose to trust in GOD, to help me through the emotional turmoil that
was going through my mind. The questions going on in my mind at the time:
Why Me?
How am I gonna tell my partner?
How am I gonna tell my family?
How am I gonna tell my friends?
What will people think about me?
AM I gonna die?
What now?
This list goes on and on.. I am sure many of you are asking yourself the same questions!!
Well, the answer, tho it may seem too easy, is to just take a deep breath and chose to LIVE!
Life does go on with HIV. You can live a great life. You can have a great relationship with
someone who will love you despite the three letter word. You need to make a list of those who
you care the most about that you know will give you support. Make a list of those you think will
not support you. Compare the two and ask God to give you direction in who to confide in.
We all need a support system that will hold us, let us cry, let us shout, let us be mad, let us get through the initial turmoil.
I remember that day May 28th, 2009 just like it was yesterday. I left the clinic where I was tested, drove home, sat on my porch and cried for what seemed like an eternity. I yelled at God, I cried out to God, I did not blame God, I just wanted to know why. Well, my friends, the why is, simply put because I did not protect myself!! You have to realize it is all about taking the time to use protection!! You can not just trust the person you decide to have sex with unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt they are clean!! You have to love yourself enough to protect yourself!!
At this point you are probably wondering what about your partner. Well, at that time in my life I was separated from for my partner for about three months. I chose not to protect myself during those three months and I contracted HIV!! I did it to myself. I have no one else to blame but myself for not protecting myself.
At the time I found out that I was HIV+ my partner and I had reconciled and were very happy. We have been together now for 15 years, and I thank God everyday for giving me such a loving and supportive partner in LIFE!!
Back to my first week of finding out I was positive. I remember the first person I called was a manager friend of mine at work. I just started crying when he answered the phone. He was at my house in less than 10 minutes and just held me as I cried!! This friend of mine took me away from my house, took me to eat and just listen to me. He was there for me when I needed a friend and I will never never forget that day. As we sat there eating lunch I am sure I was asking him all those questions you read above. With a soft gentle voice he told me everything was going to be ok and I was not going to die. He told me my partner would understand and love me through it, he told me that my family would support me and they all do!! Yes this manager is not only my manager but one of the best friends I could ever ask for!!
I did not work for a week. Thank God for vacation time!! I continued to cry out to God to give me the strength to talk to my partner and my family. That week was the hardest week of my life. I did get to talk to everyone close to me that week and God gave me the best support system I could have ever asked for in life.
I can not stress enough that YOU have to protect yourself. You do not have to disclose your status to anyone, unless you are planning on have relations with them. Then my friend you must respect that person enough to let them know and protect them!!
My family doctor immediately got me in to see a specialist in HIV infection. God was so good to get me in to the most experienced specialist in my state!! We immediately did all the necessary blood work to see what strand of HIV I had contracted and what medication would help with controlling it when the time came to do so. For the next several months I was to go in every three months to monitor the progression of the virus. In September of 2009 I was hospitalized for my heart. I had never had any problems with my heart. Needless to say the virus was beginning to take a toll on my health. In October of 2009 when I went in for blood test results my mother was with me. Thank God for a mother who loves and supports her HIV son!! The doctor came in and did not have a smile on his face. He began to explain to me and my mother that in his thirty plus years of working with HIV he had NEVER seen as fast of a progressor as I had in my system. He told us that even tho my immune system was still ok (cd4 above 700), that if I did not start on HIV medication I would be dead, yes, he said dead in less than 2 years. My mother just gripped my hand as we began to weep. The doctor then said that he really thought I should start medication as soon as possible but it was my decision. I looked at my mother and saw the hurt in her eyes as I am sure she saw the same in mine. I said lets do this. I did not want to die!! So began my journey on HIV medication.
I remember getting my HIV medication on my front porch in a brown paper wrapper a week later.
I opened the envelope and just starred at the bottle. I knew that once I opened that bottle and took the first pill there was no turning back. I was scared, I had read all the side effects that the medication can have on your body and I really was dreading starting the medication. I had two neighbors on my porch with me that night when I decided to take the medication. I called my mom and started crying. She comforted me and told me she would stay on the phone with me as I took that first pill. I remember choking it down through the tears and my neighbors hugging me and letting me know I was gonna be okay. My mom was assuring me on the phone at the same time that I was gonna get through this and live!!
So began my journey fighting this deadly virus HIV!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
A love letter from God
God loves you!! God has not abandoned you!! The "church", your family, your friends may have abandoned you, but your Heavenly Father Loves YOU and has created you just as you are!!
If you feel alone look up and let your Heavenly Father wrap His loving arms around you!!
God will give you peace of mind.
God will show you unconditional love!!
Do not let what mankind has said to you about who you are destroy you!!
Listen to what God your Heavenly Father has said about you!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
5 PRINCIPLES TO REMEMBER IF YOU’RE DIAGNOSED WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS
My friend Jack Mackenroth posted this in his blog and I wanted to share it with everyone.
5 PRINCIPLES TO REMEMBER IF YOU’RE DIAGNOSED WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS
When one is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, it’s not uncommon to experience a period of “groundlessness.” It may feel as if your legs are literally knocked out from underneath you. Quite often, the diagnosis can send you into a state of confusion, shock and even terror. This is a normal response to very upsetting information. Friends In Deed is here to help you through these difficult times, to give you some perspective.
Here are 5 principles to remember when you or someone you love is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness:
1. You are not your illness.
In the period following a diagnosis, it’s easy to think of yourself and the illness as the same. You are not your illness. You may feel numb, unable to think of anything else, but it’s important to know that you’re the same person you were the day before the diagnosis. The cancer or the HIV or some other illness does not define you. You are a living, breathing person with an illness. After the initial shock and pain of the diagnosis subsides, it’s time to remember the rest of you.
2. You can handle this moment.
No matter how challenging our circumstances – even in the midst of a diagnosis of a serious illness – most of us can handle life moment to moment. The anxiety we feel is about the future. It’s the result of all of the negative predictions that flood our mind. Take a deep breath. How do you feel right now? You can handle this moment. The only thing we really have is the present.
3. You can make choices.
When you’re diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you may be faced with a range of treatment options. Your doctor may strongly recommend a course of action. You may get second opinions and friends and family members may also weigh in with suggestions. Gather all the information you need, but remember there is nothing you have to do. You’re the only one person who truly knows your body. You have the power to make choices, to say “yes” or “no” to treatments.
4. You can have a life of quality regardless of the circumstances.
All of us know people who appear to have been blessed by life. They have it all… and they’re miserable. Every day at Friends In Deed we talk to people who are facing a variety of challenges because of their illness, and so many of them are joyful and alive. Why is that? It’s all about perception. Having a life of quality is not about the circumstances, but how we view them. When faced with illness, many people realize how precious life is and they become determined to enjoy every moment of it.
5. You are not alone.
It’s easy to feel frightened, powerless and alone when you’ve been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. That’s why Friends In Deed is here. We’re a crisis center where you can find the emotional and spiritual support to help you through this challenging time. Come to a Big Group and discover that others are going through the same or similar experiences. We provide an open, nonjudgmental space where you can get in touch with your feelings. You’ll begin to see your circumstances from a much broader perspective. We can help you deepen your connection to the world and to yourself, while making you aware of your capacity to contain the seemingly uncontainable. You are not alone.
5 PRINCIPLES TO REMEMBER IF YOU’RE DIAGNOSED WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS
When one is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, it’s not uncommon to experience a period of “groundlessness.” It may feel as if your legs are literally knocked out from underneath you. Quite often, the diagnosis can send you into a state of confusion, shock and even terror. This is a normal response to very upsetting information. Friends In Deed is here to help you through these difficult times, to give you some perspective.
Here are 5 principles to remember when you or someone you love is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness:
1. You are not your illness.
In the period following a diagnosis, it’s easy to think of yourself and the illness as the same. You are not your illness. You may feel numb, unable to think of anything else, but it’s important to know that you’re the same person you were the day before the diagnosis. The cancer or the HIV or some other illness does not define you. You are a living, breathing person with an illness. After the initial shock and pain of the diagnosis subsides, it’s time to remember the rest of you.
2. You can handle this moment.
No matter how challenging our circumstances – even in the midst of a diagnosis of a serious illness – most of us can handle life moment to moment. The anxiety we feel is about the future. It’s the result of all of the negative predictions that flood our mind. Take a deep breath. How do you feel right now? You can handle this moment. The only thing we really have is the present.
3. You can make choices.
When you’re diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you may be faced with a range of treatment options. Your doctor may strongly recommend a course of action. You may get second opinions and friends and family members may also weigh in with suggestions. Gather all the information you need, but remember there is nothing you have to do. You’re the only one person who truly knows your body. You have the power to make choices, to say “yes” or “no” to treatments.
4. You can have a life of quality regardless of the circumstances.
All of us know people who appear to have been blessed by life. They have it all… and they’re miserable. Every day at Friends In Deed we talk to people who are facing a variety of challenges because of their illness, and so many of them are joyful and alive. Why is that? It’s all about perception. Having a life of quality is not about the circumstances, but how we view them. When faced with illness, many people realize how precious life is and they become determined to enjoy every moment of it.
5. You are not alone.
It’s easy to feel frightened, powerless and alone when you’ve been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. That’s why Friends In Deed is here. We’re a crisis center where you can find the emotional and spiritual support to help you through this challenging time. Come to a Big Group and discover that others are going through the same or similar experiences. We provide an open, nonjudgmental space where you can get in touch with your feelings. You’ll begin to see your circumstances from a much broader perspective. We can help you deepen your connection to the world and to yourself, while making you aware of your capacity to contain the seemingly uncontainable. You are not alone.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
"Knowledge is Power"
It has been said that "Knowledge is Power"
HIV is real! HIV does not discriminate! Do you know your status?
If you have engaged in unprotective sexual behaviour and have NOT been tested you have no POWER!!
Get tested!! KNOWLEDGE about your status is POWER!!
If you are negative - Practice safer sex!
If you are positive - Practice safer sex!
KNOWLEDGE can be POWER - Only if you know your STATUS!!
Do not let NOT Knowing keep you POWERLESS!!
KNOWING your STATUS is POWER!!
Help put an end to the spread of HIV!!
I am Positive - I protect the one I love!!
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